Jenyfer Matthews

Another fast and furious weekend behind me.

Friday I hosted a party for my son’s 6th birthday. We invited 20 of his closest friends – and they all showed up! I tried to keep things simple by scheduling it mid-afternoon – post lunch – and relieving myself of providing anything other than party food. Chips, popsicles, juice and cake. It was two hours of mayhem, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Everyone aside from my son.

I don’t know what it is about birthdays but it does seem to bring out the worst in my children. I suppose they get overstimulated. Or they expect too much and are just experiencing some let down at the actual event? I don’t expect gratitude exactly, but after rushing around to gather the supplies, make 16 cupcakes and a bundt cake, and dole out popsicles to swarming children for two hours, I’d like more for my efforts than whining and complaining.

(And none of the above even touches on the squabbling and jealousy that takes place between my children over the presents)

So I’ve made a decision. It’s a bold step and we’ll see if I can actually stand up to the pressure come July when my daughter’s birthday rolls around, but I have decided that we won’t be having any more friend birthday parties. I’ve had enough. I’d prefer to pick a special activity that we can do as a family and just keep things simple. I truly do think that everyone will be happier that way.

I know I will.

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Try explaining to an almost-six-year-old why they can’t request that you throw them a surprise party – or even what a surprise party is. I went through this with my son yesterday. He insisted that he could too keep a secret.

Then just imagine the logistics of actually trying to throw a surprise party for a young child. The tears (and tantrum) that would ensue from the oh-is-it-your-birthday? sorry-there’s-no-party fake out. Wait, SURPRISE!!!! They’d be both confused and scarred for life. And how about getting the party guests to keep the secret? It would have to be a surprise party from the guests as well or else someone would spill the beans.

As frustrating as it was to try to explain to my son why we weren’t throwing him a surprise party, it was such an absurd scenario, it made me giggle.

Party plans progress: the boy has decided he wants water play in the backyard. I’ll pump up our large wading pool (with slide), put out a slip-n-slide, and turn on the sprinkler. I stocked up on popsicles, Bugles, and juice and will buy a watermelon later in the week. If I can find the gooey Halloween party favors I bought last spring (what can I say – it’s Egypt!) then I’ll be all set!

It was just one thing after another this weekend!

Thursday our water was out for much of the day so I couldn’t do any laundry. Doesn’t sound like such a big deal, but here’s the thing: I have a small European-style front loader. It doesn’t hold much. To keep up with the laundry generated by a family of four — and one small boy who brings in enough dirt for the rest of us put together — I normally do two loads a day. However, no water, no laundry. At least it was coming up to a weekend so I didn’t have to worry about hand washing school uniforms!

Our water came back early evening on Thursday but on Friday morning, out internet was down. Thank goodness for automatic scheduled posting on WordPress! I was too busy to worry too much about the internet though. I spent most of Friday morning in the kitchen preparing dinner since we were going to be out all afternoon (birthday party) and evening (tennis) and making the sorbet for my husband’s birthday on Saturday. In between doing loads of laundry that is.

Saturday morning we had two soccer games at 8am, after which I came home and made brownies for hubby’s birthday lunch party before we all went out to eat. Came home to do presents and dessert. Here’s where things sort of fell apart.

Let me just say that manic multitasking and birthday prep don’t mix. First of all, the brownies were a bit dry That might have been overlooked with the sorbet on the side, but it didn’t work out that way. See, I missed a step on the sorbet while I was out at the birthday party. So instead of fluffy sorbet, I had a solid block of frozen berry puree. Poor hubby – no cheesecake, dry brownies, and no sorbet!

All was not lost with the sorbet though – I partially thawed it and then stuck it in the food processor to whip it as instructed in the recipe. We were able to eat it on its own after dinner and it was very yummy. Tonight I might even get it right and pair it with the remaining brownies.

It’s a new week now and my water is on and my internet is up (if slow) and I have a little break in the action before I have to gear up for hosting my son’s birthday party on Friday. I was buying supplies for his party this morning and guess what I found in the store? Sour cream. Two days too late.

It’s a conspiracy I tell you.

At least Mr. Matthews got a nice birthday present though. I bought it back in May at the Blue Souk in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It almost killed me to wait to give it to him. He loves it

I began writing novels nearly twelve years ago…and had no idea what I was getting myself into! Most of us don’t realize how obsessive we can be until we discover our “passion”, and then (be it sport or art or ?) we become mad things, single-minded and compelled. Well, that’s me…sometimes. Crazed, compulsive, get-up-at-4 am, obsessive-writer personality type unclassified (I write across the genres, you see!)

How did it all begin? With something completely sane – a visit to the local library. I took home eleven books, but couldn’t get into any of ‘em – so I decided to write what I wanted to read. For the most part, that’s held true ever since.

The Hollowing is my second novel with Cerridwen Press, and my 23rd? 24th novel overall? I really enjoyed writing it. Action, suspense, with a little time travel tossed in. Great fun.

I have two writing names: “N. D. Hansen-Hill” and “Melody Knight“. ND writes SF/fantasy/horror/paranormal suspense, while Melody writes romantic and erotic versions of the same genres. I now am lucky enough to have 35 books contracted with a variety of publishers.

“This is an exceptionally, spine-tingling, gut wrenching thriller that takes you by the seat of your pants and have you gripping your chair while you turn each page. From ghosts to time-traveling you are always entertained by the adventure and excitement of this plot excellent dialogue and fabulous description gives you a great seat up front to all that is happening. This is a phenomenal read, and I recommend it highly.
Coffeetime Romance

The Hollowing
by N.D. Hansen-Hill

Shawn Walsh’s problems don’t arise from his own troubled past but from someone else’s. Fires, floods, battles, bone-rattling quakes — he’s frequently an unwilling and horrified participant in events long gone. For when The Hollowing claims him, his present dissolves.

Unfortunately, his problems have everything to do with family and his rather questionable heritage — with a birthright he’d rather know nothing about. Lost and tossed about by destiny, trapped and extorted by those long deceased, he’s tired of playing a victim.

And he refuses to give up hope. There is still a chance he’ll be able to resolve his issues without dying, given the right place… And enough time.

Excerpt

Jack was running flat-out when his world unexpectedly tilted and dipped. He was scared shitless but he couldn’t stop. If he let Shawn die, when he could have stopped it…

Don’t go there.

And then he was lost. On a straight stretch of dimly lighted hallway he’d lost his bearings. He was disoriented, nauseous, with a head suddenly full of clouded spirals. The floor canted, his balance went but his momentum carried him forward. He slid the length of the corridor and out into the warehouse.

The dizzying spin went on, even worse now than before. Jack gripped a table leg and hung on while his world moved around him. His eyes were scrunched shut and there was an ache in his head he’d never experienced before. His heart pounded as he put a name to the fear—hemorrhage. Vomit was fighting its way up his throat, inspired by the stink that was already redolent in the room.

There were noises and shouts in the background but he couldn’t afford to look. The flooring was shuddering beneath him now and it felt as though the building was moving.

Earthquake.

Get out. He’d smelled the rot. The building was going…

“Shawn!” he bellowed.

He opened sore eyes to slits. The giant had recognized the danger too. He was backing across the room. He was the one howling in terror now—not Shawn. Jack had scarcely lifted himself to his knees when the fleeing kidnapper slammed into him, and they both went sprawling.

The rumbling beneath them increased. Dust scattered from joints in the woodwork and echoes of falling plaster mingled with the tap dance of furniture on flooring.

“Shawn!” Jack shouted it again, inhaled a lungful of dust for his trouble and coughed his head off as he crawled on all fours across the room. The giant with the bad temper was behind him somewhere…

Jack spotted Shawn on the far side of the room. He was sprawled across an old conveyor belt. Jack pushed himself to his feet, very conscious of human frailty as the world around him jiggled apart. Shaking almost as much as the building, he upped it to lopsided run.

If anything the gyrating upheaval, the tilt, the cant, the terrifying, nausea-generating dizziness were worse here. It took all Jack’s effort to get to Shawn’s side. He felt like he was running uphill. He dove over the conveyor that Shawn had obviously been tossed across and reached out to grip Shawn’s arm.
Only to experience one of those moments of insight—of sometimes terrifying self-discovery—that sometimes hits when you need it least.

It’s not the place, Jack realized in sudden horror. It’s Shawn.

Shawn was staring back at him, his eyes glittering weirdly in their sockets, somehow giving back more light than they took. This wasn’t a frightened Shawn, insecure about his failings. This man was centered. Solid. Locked in place.

Melded to his surroundings.

While the world went to hell around him.

Taking Jack Riley with it. Jack could feel himself slipping now, and he could never afterward find the words to describe it

But he knew he couldn’t fight it anymore.

At that moment Shawn reached for him. His broken fingers grasped Jack’s and held on

And Jack Riley’s personal cyclone abruptly ceased. Jack buried his face in his arms while the madness carried on beyond him. He could hear it all, the rumble, the jolting, the clatter of flying debris, the giant’s shrieks and curses.

Don’t look.

He had this horrible fear that lifting his head might drag him back in.

Jack lay there, clinging desperately to Shawn’s hand—the only island of calm in a hurricane sea.

Buy This Book!

I don’t know what it is – there has been sour cream available on an almost continual basis all year, but the minute I need to make a cheesecake, it all disappears!! That’s Cairo for you. I went to three different grocery stores this morning with no luck. There are a few more places I could try but with tennis lessons, soccer games, and two birthday parties on schedule for the weekend – in addition to the man’s birthday – I just don’t have the time to look anywhere else. There is a swanky bakery in the neighborhood that has NY style cheesecake to die for, but it’s $$$ and way bigger than we need to have around the house. So I’m falling back on plan B.

Homemade strawberry sorbet and brownies. Not such a big sacrifice really!

I went to Curves yesterday and did my water aerobics this morning so I’m taking the weekend off. I probably won’t be able to move anyway!

Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow when N.D. Hansen-Hill will be here with an excerpt of her fantasy book The Hollowing. Norah is a prolific writer and has a huge backlist so if you like her writing, you’re really in luck!

I mentioned before that I was trying to turn over a new leaf – eat better and exercise. I’m happy to say that things are coming along.

I’ve activated my Curves membership. I haven’t been many times yet but that’s not entirely my fault – their hours during Ramadan didn’t mesh well with my schedule and then I was away and when I came back the kids were off school, blah blah blah. Their new hours are much better for me so I went this morning. While I’m not totally sold on their “rah rah” motivational atmosphere (their wall clock says “Time to Amaze Yourself”) I do like their thirty minute approach – cause that’s about all I want to spend there anyway!

I’ve also tried out a couple of yoga classes at a new studio in my neighborhood and signed up for a water aerobics class. Can I just say now that water aerobics, done right, is hard!? I couldn’t walk for about 4 days after my first class. I wondered if I was going to be limping around Italy! I did enjoy it though and since I’ve already paid, I suppose I’ll be going back this week.

So, after two years of doing next to no exercise, I have a new (ambitious) plan. Barring school holidays, travel, or illness I intend to do yoga once a week, Curves three times a week, and water aerobics once a week. Next week will be my first full week. We’ll see how it pans out.

I’ve also been eating better – having so many evening sports activities with the children has forced me to do more meal planning. We’ve been eating such nice meals that I’ve even been able to keep my occasion longings for fast food in check. So what’s the problem?

The problem is when people like Shelley Munro go and post a recipe like this on their blogs! How’s a girl supposed to resist that? Optional chocolate chips, my foot!

Nothing good can come from it – well, maybe one thing: I’m sure to get crowned Best Mom ever after school today.

Time to celebrate – the kids are back in school! Now that I’m not subject to constant demands for food or entertainment (in stereo) I can finally get down to work on polishing my latest manuscript for submission to the agents and editors I met at the conference.

Not to say I don’t still have lots of other things to distract me. My husband and my son have birthdays this month, a week apart, hubby first. Thank goodness I already have his present! I bought it way back in May when I was in Dubai and I can’t wait to give it to him. (Pictures later!) The only thing other thing I need to do for his birthday is track down the ingredients for a cheesecake and then actually make it. At least I hope it’s that simple. Last year I ended up walking around for more than an hour, checking every grocery in the neighborhood before I finally found the last container of sour cream anywhere in a square mile radius.

Next week is the boy’s birthday – which means hosting a party. Anyone who has been reading my blog for any length of time already knows how much birthday parties stress me out. I’m trying not to let this one get to me too much but it’s hard. There have already been a ton of party invitations sent out – for other people’s parties! I have to get ours out tomorrow, lest all his friends get booked up. He’s requested to have the party in our back garden – which is well and good except now I have to think up some sort of entertainment for a pack of 5 & 6 year old boys. I’m considering renting a bouncy castle. I think if I get a smallish one it will be reasonably priced – worth at least as much as my sanity, right?

If all that wasn’t enough (on top of our on going sports activities), the children have started in on me about their Halloween costumes. First they wanted to be Scooby Doo, now they have switched to mummies. My daughter suggested we could wrap her up in toilet paper. I jumped on that idea because Scooby Doo costumes are scarce in Egypt but toilet paper we’ve got. I can probably even do better than toilet paper. Since my husband wasn’t impressed with the toilet paper suggestion at all, I’ve taken it as a personal challenge to come up with some great mummy costumes for them.

So that’s what’s going on with me this month. Progress reports as progress occurs…

It’s been a week since I returned from the Womens Fiction Festival in Matera, Italy and I’m still a little high. It was a phenomenal experience.

Picture it: a wildly talented but largely unknown romance author attends her first writers conference, hoping to snag an agent and better yet a book deal for her latest project on the strength of a face to face pitch. She arrives in Rome, exhausted and travel worn after a red eye flight, only to run into another author (YA) and online friend in the airport. YA author friend introduces romance author to her traveling companions: two literary agents, a romance editor, and a Hollywood producer / screenwriter and his lovely wife. Romance author spends the rest of the short flight to the conference town regretting her travel attire and lack of mascara.

Romance author ends up being adopted by the glam group. She ends up pitching her book to one agent over dinner her first night, shopping with the second agent and romance editor another morning – finding the perfect Italian leather shoes for the closing gala for only 10 euro – and tossing around ideas with the movie producer during happy hour. Romance author stays in a quaint cave-like hotel in the historic area of town, requiring her to walk home alone late at night through twisting cobblestone streets, following signs to The Museum of Torture to find her way, often after consuming large amounts of fantastic food and wine. (Insert great potential here for pratfalls and other physical comedy here) By end of conference, romance author is invited to submit her full manuscript for consideration by all with whom she has spoken. She sells the book and the movie rights for a huge advance and lives happily ever after.

Sounds like the premise for a kooky chick-lit book doesn’t it? (The only thing missing from this above scenario is an affair with a sexy Italian man – and that was on offer too, only I didn’t think my husband would approve.) Aside from the thus far fictitious HEA ending (though some might also quibble with the opening), the above is actually a summary of my experiences this weekend while attending the Women’s Fiction Festival in Matera, Italy.

This was my first experience attending a writer’s conference and I have to say I think I’ve been spoiled for all future conferences. The location was definitely a draw for me – not only is it a relatively quick flight from my home in Cairo, Egypt but Matera is a World Heritage Site and has been the backdrop for several films, most notably The Passion of Christ. When we weren’t attending workshops, we were plied with food and drink – I hardly had time to work up an appetite between coffee break and happy hour buffets. But just in case you did still find yourself feeling peckish, the town was also having a food festival where you could sample and purchase local products. (I wasn’t the only one who bought chunks of stinky cheese!)

The most amazing part of this conference however was the opportunity to speak to industry professionals in such a friendly atmosphere. I had arranged appointments with the agents and editors before arriving but in the end I really didn’t need the appointments because there were so many opportunities to talk to people otherwise. The size of the conference – less than a hundred attendees at a guess – was what made that level of casual interaction possible.

If spending time socializing with authors, agents, and editors in such lovely surroundings isn’t convincing enough, here is another good reason to go to Matera – Italian designer leather goods. Need I say more?

Wouldn’t you know it – I come back from a writer’s conference fired up and ready to get to work and the kids have a week off school for the Eid holiday. Not going to get anything done this week. Oh well…there’s always next week…

Eid Mubarak everyone.