Maitland Museums

Maitland, Florida is a community north of Orlando. The city hosts its own art and history museums on five acres along a shady side street off Maitland Avenue. The Maitland Art Center was originally created in 1938 by artist and architect Jules André Smith as a winter artist retreat. The art center and history museum merged in 2010.

We parked and first went in the art museum. This consisted of several small rooms with a couple of artist’s works on display. I liked the colorful acrylics on wood.

 

From here, we entered the history museum next door. An antique table and chairs face the outdoor courtyard. We viewed a decorative fireplace, relics from the indigenous populations, and more art works. I wished this museum were larger.

     

Adjacent to this building is the Telephone Museum. This offers fascinating displays of a bygone era.

     

Outside is a courtyard lined by visiting artist’s studios.

Across the street, the Mayan Courtyard and Garden Chapel are even more interesting. The grounds, registered as a National Historical Landmark, are a popular site for weddings, and I could see why. Laden with history, the various nooks and crannies are fun to explore with their intricate artistry.

Visit the museums at 231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, FL 32751. A small admission fee is charged. https://artandhistory.org

Visit the Maitland Museums of Art & History in Maitland, FL Share on X

Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling a room can make a big difference. Since a kitchen is the most popular place in a house, renovating this space increases your home’s value and provides a warm, comfortable space for friends and family to gather. Last year, we finished our kitchen remodel. The transformation was amazing and allows us to entertain in style.

Kitchen Solvers of Orlando did a great job. They kept us informed every step of the way, showed up on time, and did meticulous work. I believe their prices were reasonable and they did quality renovations. They even kept our kitchen sink functional until the last minute so that we were inconvenienced for only a short time.

In the kitchen, we replaced the old Formica countertops with quartz stone. We added two lower cabinets. One has a drawer and pull-out garbage cans. The other has a wine rack with shelves.

Old Photos:

  

New Photos:

       

These additions extended the countertops so we would have more space for entertaining. We leveled off the counters, getting rid of the height differential and adding inches more to our counter space toward the family room.

Coffee Nook

     wine rack

Regarding the cabinets, we kept the white ones that were here when we moved in as they were in good condition. We did add pull-out shelves to the lower ones.

In the laundry room, we replaced the old countertop and sink. It made an amazing difference. The upstairs bathroom also looked dated with Formica countertops and a wall-wide mirror. We replaced the countertop along with new double sinks and installed matching mirrors from the At Home store in Lake Mary. We kept the cabinets as is because they were in good condition. Laundry room is on the left; bathroom is on the right.

 

What household projects are on your slate next?

GIVEAWAY

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Star Tangled Murder Preorder

STAR TANGLED MURDER, #18 in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries, is now available for Preorder. Join me on Jan. 15 for an official Cover Reveal at Dru’s Book Musing! I’ll be giving away an advance reading copy of my new book at this event so don’t miss out!

Release Date; March 14, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by Nancy J. Cohen
Published by Orange Grove Press
Digital ISBN: 978-1-952886-24-9
Print ISBN: 978-1-952886-25-6
Edited by Deni Dietz at Stray Cat Productions
Cover Design by The Killion Group, Inc.
Digital Layout by Formatting4U.com
Cover Copy by BlurbWriter.com

Bloggers, Booksellers, & Librarians – This title is available on NetGalley for a limited time.

Star Tangled Murder

Story Description

Hairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are having a blast visiting a Florida living history village over Fourth of July weekend. But when a Seminole battle reenactment turns up a real dead body, it sets off fireworks among the villagers. One of the cast members has gone off script to murder the town marshal with a tomahawk in his head.

As Dalton gets involved in the investigation, Marla determines to help him solve the case. Her flare for uncovering secrets reveals that everyone in the village is a suspect. Instead of celebrating the holiday with red, white, and barbecues, she discovers secrets, lies, and false avenues. Did the marshal’s murder have anything to do with a lost Confederate payroll, or did his plans to renovate the park light a fuse that he couldn’t snuff out?

In a place where history comes alive, the dead bodies are piling up. Marla would rather be chilling and grilling, but somebody’s mind is on killing. If she’s not careful, her sleuthing could blow up in her face like a faulty firecracker and she’ll become the next victim. Recipes Included!

Early Praise

“Put this one on your TBR list. The various characters are people you could know, all with their own lives and stories. You’ll like them. In addition, Marla is a strong female character, one determined not to put herself in danger but, well, life happens.” June Price, Sanhusky’s Daisy Reads 2

“A fun read. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy!” Renee W., NetGalley Reviewer

ORDER NOW  

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQS68WS7
Amazon Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952886252/
Apple Books: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6445207585
BN Nook: https://bit.ly/3vuluKN
BN Print: https://bit.ly/3I6HpyU
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=UICjEAAAQBAJ
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/star-tangled-murder
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/StarTangledMurder
Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781952886256
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1298730
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3vF2Yiw
BookBub: https://bit.ly/3igyJvj

STAR TANGLED MURDER is now available for pre-order! #mustread #cozymystery Share on X

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Promophobia

I am honored to have an essay in Promophobia: Taking the Mystery Out of Promoting Crime Fiction. Edited by Diane Vallere. Publishing a book can be scary. Figuring out how to promote it can be straight-up frightening. When the seas of book promo make you feel adrift in unfriendly tides, keeping your head above water can be difficult. Enter PROMOPHOBIA, a collection of essays by Sisters in Crime authors who share their advice and experiences.

Divided into categories: Identifying Your Niche, Book Community, Social Media, Online Promo, Publicity, Connecting With Readers, Going On Your Own or Participating with a Group, Events, and Thinking Outside the Box, PROMOPHOBIA will open your eyes to the opportunities around you. The contributing authors share their personal experiences about what’s worked for them (and in a few humorous cases, what didn’t) to provide a beacon. You’re no longer in the dark. You’re not swimming alone.

If you’ve ever wondered if you could have done more for your latest book launch, then this book is for you. If you’re tired of relying on the same old strategies release after release, then this book is for you. If you want to readjust your sails and angle for a fresh gust of wind to carry you farther on your writing journey, then this book is for you.

PROMOPHOBIA - Taking the fear out of book promotion #bookpromo #Promophobia Share on X

Order Here:

AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3hXN2VH
APPLE: https://apple.co/3WTuVPl
B&N: https://bit.ly/3Gs4dYG
KOBO: https://bit.ly/3IdzHmE

Holidays at Leu Gardens

We visited Harry P. Leu Gardens during their Dazzling Nights display, although we went during the daytime. I love to walk these grounds that remind me of a rainforest. The shady paths wind past trickling brooks and pass by a nearby lake.

   

The azaleas looked as though they wanted to pop out soon, but the camellias were in full bloom in all different colors. Seeing them made this visit worthwhile alone.

     

 

I was surprised at the variety of colors among the poinsettias on display.

 

We came upon some other interesting plants too, such as these specimens.

        

This one looked like it had a tongue coming out. It could easily double for a carnivorous alien plant.

More photos from Previous Visits:

Harry P. Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens Revisited

Be sure to visit this lovely botanical garden next time you are in the area. For more details, go to: https://www.leugardens.org/

 

Christmas Tree Stroll 2022

We were happy to dine at Disney Springs with our children for our 46th anniversary a couple of weekends ago. It has become our tradition to visit here during the December holidays. When the kids were younger, we would go to a movie on Christmas Day at the dine-in theater for lunch, and then afterwards we’d stroll through the park festive with shops, holiday decorations, and tourists.

 

I always enjoy seeing the differently decorated Christmas trees as we walk through the site. Their Christmas Tree Stroll is a popular event. We were able to view many of the themed trees. See for yourself:

       

     

 

Christmas Tree Stroll 2022 at Disney Springs #DisneyWorld #Holidays Share on X

Our next visit to Disney World will be to Epcot in January for the Festival of the Arts. Is there anywhere special that you like to go during this season?

 

Give an Author a Gift

Do you want to give your favorite authors a meaningful gift? One that express your appreciation for their work and encourages them to continue writing? If so, Write a Review!

This doesn’t have to be a lengthy discourse that sounds like a literary analysis. It can be a few words as to how you felt about their story, like you’d relate to a friend.

Book Reviews

Nor does it have to be the most recent book. You can review any one of an author’s backlist titles, and this still helps us a great deal. Won a book in a contest? Leave a review. Bought a backlist title on sale? Write a review. Want your author to write more books in her series? Tell other readers why you liked the latest installment and also book one, since many readers will want to start at the beginning.

The Discovery Process for Readers

Think about how you discover new authors. Is it from personal recommendations? Your book club members? The bestseller list? Or perhaps you find something intriguing through social media or via a daily newsletter listing sales, freebies, and other book bargains.

When I’m checking out a book, I’ll go to the Amazon page. Chances are it’s the cover, the genre, and the price that appealed to me first. Then I’ll read the story blurb. If this sounds good, I’ll check out the reader reviews. Not the editorial ones, but the reviews from other consumers. If these are decent, I’ll do the “Look Inside” feature to see if the writing engages me. Basically, I want to see if the main character draws me in and if the story is written in past tense. If all these factors pass my scrutiny, then I will buy the book. Very often, I’ll go on to purchase the entire series.

And this is what I want for my potential readers. As soon as I finish reading a book, whether it’s a new release or an older title from my TBR pile, I’ll leave a review online. This gives back to the authors who work so hard to produce a story. Please think about this when you close the book you’re reading. How can you thank the author for a few hours of reading pleasure? Tell other readers why you liked it, via word of mouth and as a post online. We authors will be immensely grateful.

Where to leave a review? Amazon, BookBub and Goodreads are the prominent sites, but you can leave them on your personal blog, on the book’s page at any retail bookstore, on your social media, and anywhere readers acquire books.

Give an Author a Gift - Write a Review #readingcommunity #amreading Share on X

Happy Holidays!

Silver Serenade Paperback

I am excited to announce the print release of my revised and updated version of SILVER SERENADE. This title, one of my earlier science fiction romances, was originally published by Wild Rose Press. To celebrate this new paperback edition, the e-book is on sale for $.99 for a limited time! Take off on an out-of-this-world reading adventure with romance, mystery, intrigue, and suspense. Treat yourself to a new book this holiday season or gift one to a friend.

Copyright © 2009 by Nancy J. Cohen
Digital ISBN: 978-0-9970038-9-5
Print ISBN: 978-1-952886-26-3
Published by Orange Grove Press
Cover design by RL Design
Layout by Formatting4U.com

A beautiful assassin and a hotshot space pilot join forces to catch a terrorist and prevent a war in this action-packed science fiction romance.

Space pilot Jace Vernon flees his home world after being framed for murder. He seeks justice, but a lovely S.I.N. agent gets in his way. Not only does she distract him with her silvery hair and violet eyes, but she counters his every move in the quest to clear his name. As he attempts to sway her to his cause, he doesn’t count on falling for her charms.

Rookie assassin Silver Malloy refuses to abort her deadly mission even if it means killing the man Jace needs alive to prove his innocence. Ever since Tyrone Bluth, the leader of Tyrone’s Marauders, murdered her parents, she’s dedicated her life to getting revenge. Now that she has it within her grasp, she won’t let Jace stop her. But as his sincerity melts the barriers around her heart, she realizes they’ll have to work together to expose Bluth and prevent a galactic war.

Best Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews

“Fans of Nathan Fillion and Firefly are sure to enjoy this futuristic romantic fantasy.” Coffee Time Romance  

“The author draws a fascinating world of intergalactic politics, futuristic technologies, and clashing moral priorities.” Fort Myers Magazine

Silver Serenade is an exciting, action-packed space adventure with more attention-grabbing twists and turns than a West Virginia highway. I loved it.” Two Lips Reviews

“Nancy J. Cohen has written a thrilling fantasy with compelling characters. You won’t want to put the book down!” Traci Hall, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Scottish Shire Mysteries

BUY NOW

Amazon Kindlehttps://amzn.to/2BXkBjv
Amazon Print –   https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Serenade-Nancy-J-Cohen/dp/1952886260/
BN Nookhttp://bit.ly/3EPEirS
BN Printhttp://bit.ly/3P8sVjz
Kobohttps://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/silver-serenade-2
Applehttps://books.apple.com/us/book/silver-serenade/id1386993056?
Google Playhttps://play.google.com/store/books/details/Nancy_J_Cohen_Silver_Serenade?id=o3qaEAAAQBAJ 
Books2Readhttps://www.books2read.com/SilverSerenade
Smashwordshttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1283249

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37881444-silver-serenade
Video Trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcX_OfHZg-c

Silver Serenade is now available in a new print edition! #sciencefictiion #romance Share on X

 

Nehrling Gardens

Nehrling Gardens is a hidden gem in Gotha, located to the west of the greater Orlando metropolitan area. Dr. Henry Nehrling purchased forty acres in 1885 to perform horticultural research. Julian and Maggie Nally bought the property in 1935. After they died, developers purchased all but the remaining six acres. The Henry Nehrling Society took charge of grounds and the historic house in 2009. Nehrling Gardens is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Florida Heritage Landmark.

    

We came during their annual amaryllis festival. I have a black thumb so I didn’t care about the plants, which you could buy for $10 or so, but I love to stroll along shady paths at parks. This one didn’t disappoint. The mulched walking trails require diligence, but we watched our footing and did fine.

   

My attention was drawn to the historical house built in the late 1880s. We noticed how it had an inviting screened porch on stilts in back.

 

Vendors had set up shop to sell wares during this event, and musicians played near the entrance. I didn’t realize Gotha had originally been a German colony. That would explain the food truck at the park selling German cuisine.

If you walk all the way to the back and down a slight hill, you come upon Lake Nally.

The shady paths provide for a peaceful stroll. If you’re in the area, stop by to see this garden. It reminded me of Leu Gardens in Winter Park and Fairchild Gardens in Miami, albeit on a much smaller scale.

   

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OrlandoVoyager Magazine
Check out my feature interview in OrlandoVoyager Magazine

Booklovers Bench Giveaway
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Orlando Reads Books FB Party

Orlando Reads Books Group Facebook Event – TONIGHT

Join me TONIGHT for some fun posts & giveaways at 6:00 – 7:00 pm EST at https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrlandoReadsbooks
Be sure to join this group ahead of time. I am being introduced tonight in an author takeover as a prelude to this conference next year.

Orlando Reads Books

 

OrlandoVoyager Magazine

Check out my feature interview in OrlandoVoyager Magazine at http://orlandovoyager.com/interview/check-out-nancy-j-cohens-story/

 

Booklovers Bench

Enter Here Dec. 1 – 18 to win a free book at Booklover’s Bench