Dear Friend,
It’s that time of year when everyone loads up on sweet treats to prepare for the pack of children descending to trick or treat. I remember my mom telling me that when she was a child, children weren’t considered worthy of receiving a treat unless they recited something, sang a song, or performed. The kids had to provide the “treat” for the homes where they hoped to be rewarded with candy.
What a concept!
When I was a kid, people who knew you (if you weren’t disguised so well that they couldn’t figure out who you were) often provided a home-baked cookie or other special treat. I remember the delectable treats my neighbors across the street always offered us. They were the first things I ate!
Nowadays, between health scares of what is actually in the treats or what people add to the treats to harm children, Halloween is no longer fun. When my son was told to bring pre-packaged treats to his classroom, I was sad. I would have been happy to bake cookies, but I was told the school would discard treats that were not commercially packaged.
Deliberating about which varieties of candy rated “good enough” to prevent my home from being egged or otherwise vandalized made me decide to drop the whole concept.
For a few years, I handed candy to my neighbors who decorated lavishly to entice children to stop by. I turned off my front lights because I was writing for a local newspaper and was invariably on deadline. I couldn’t handle the interruptions and still meet my deadlines.
To borrow a phrase from a popular poem, there was “no joy in Mudville.” (From the poem, “Casey at the Bat,” about a baseball player, “There is no joy in Mudville, mighty Casey has struck out” by Ernest Thayer in 1888.)
This year, my husband suggested we go out for dinner and a movie rather than have our night interrupted by the parade of children. I’m not sure I want to be out on Halloween. And I certainly wouldn’t go out in costume!
Guess, unlike Peter Pan, who never grew up, I imagine I have grown up. Sadly.
Sometimes, I want to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading a book to children. Over the years, I used to read to children in classrooms. I’d use different voices for each character and loved hearing the children laugh. Maybe I’ll start that again.
Meanwhile, I’ll continue my efforts to provide books to adults who enjoy a steamy romance with lots of love and a happily ever after!
SPECIAL TREATS FOR ADULTS
If you check the homepage of my website, shelleysommers.com, you’ll see an announcement for the Special Bonus Epilogue, “A Picnic at the Lake,” for Louisa’s Passion.
If you click on the colorful ad on the bottom of the page, you’ll connect to the short story for free.
I’ve written the story as a celebration of the relaunch of Louisa’s Passion. If you leave comments on my website (where shown), I’d really appreciate it! After that, head to KDP on Amazon to take advantage of the free copy of the Louisa’s Passion e-book, which you’ll have access to today (which goes to 99 cents after that).
“Picnic at the Lake” is meant ironically, as the story shares events that are anything but a picnic, in the fun sense. However, there is humor in the story for our characters.
Enjoy your time whether or not you celebrate Halloween!
UPDATE:
I’m writing the exciting final pages of “The Greatest Thing.” I’m considering recipes (I always put a couple recipes in the back of my books.) Then, I’ll review it one more time. After that, I’ll send it off to my ARC readers. If anyone would like to become an Advanced Reader Copy reviewer of The Greatest Thing, I’ll send the draft directly to you at the e-mail address you share with me. Just drop me a short e-mail requesting to become a reviewer at: Shelley@ShelleySommers.com. I can share the requirements once you contact me. I should have it ready by Thanksgiving. (Something fun to read while you’re lolling about after the turkey!)
Happy Fall! – and Happy Halloween!
