Sharon Hays

This charming collection of Christmas tree photographs captures the joy and whimsy of a wide variety of celebrity trees. Each is unique, and they all reflect the individual style of their creators. From giant outdoor trees to tiny table-top decorations, the trees pictured here range in both style and purpose, from private trees to commercial, from the traditional to the bizarre. Each tree comes with a brief description, some of which include a great deal of historical background. A loving homage to the many ways of decorating for the holiday, and an in-depth look at some famous people’s inimitable flair.… (mehr)

An Opulent Tableau of Essence - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir,
Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds

Reflections
(Sharon Hays, 2010)

Reflections from an antique mirror
A face I do not know
When I leaned closer in to see
It was not me, oh no
I examined the stranger closely
She stared right back at me
I gazed into the antique mirror
Our eyes locked decidedly
Could this be the face of a long-lost friend
So familiar, the face in the mirror
This cannot be the face of me
A face that I am not aware
I tried to imagine how time could steal
A face that was once my own, oh my
But when I leaned much closer in
I knew the face was I

"I have to say that I've done this myself more times than I want to admit. I've looked into the mirror and see not myself as I see myself in my mind's eye, but instead I see a face looking back at me that has developed lines and sags that simply can't be. I look at that face and see so many others. My mother's face is there, my dad's face is there and even my daughter's face. That just simply can't be me looking back at me. But of course it is.

Author Sharon Hays is known for her mystery books Mysteerie Manor and Mysteerie Manor II as well as her children books The Tumbleweed Family and Adventures of Sadie Ladybug. Hays has now ventured into the world of art and poetry.

The poem above is one of her own and one of my favorites within her book An Opulent Tableau of Essence. Her poem A Homage to Veterans Lost and Forgotten is simply beautiful as is Time of Change. And the art work that she's paired with her poetry is just as beautiful. A couple of my favorites being Clouded Sunset by Dana Gage and Pale Rider by Kerri Pestana. But in honesty, I love them all and would love to have them hanging in my own home so I could just sit and stare.

And Hays doesn't stop there. She actually gives a bio of each artists included within the book. Some local within the US and some as far away as India, Australia and even Uzbekistan. This is one book that when placed on the coffee table, will be picked up and not just thumbed through but read and enjoyed, time and time again.


Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat… (mehr)

Mysteerie Manor II - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘The fateful day she walked into the Valencia Manor, her life had taken many turns. What had started out as a property investment opportunity had become an intriguing nightmare of unexpected events and mysterious, supernatural phenomenon. Murder, strange accidents and tragedy all took their turns in the bizarre adventures at the Valencia Manor. But through all of the mystery and misery, it had become a reality. The Valencia Manor would be legally transferred into Maryanne’s name today… Maryanne was reluctant at first, to accept the unbelievable gift of the Valencia Manor, because she felt so bad about the death of the lovely Mrs. Dirkshire. Maryanne spent weeks trying to find other relatives who might otherwise be next in line to inherit the property, but after careful searching, to no avail and legal counsel, she felt more at ease in accepting the gracious offer.’

The Valencia Manor was built in the 1800s. After several mysterious deaths it was put on the market and bought by John Farthington. The deaths continued with his child and wife both dying while living at the Manor. After succumbing to illness himself, Farthington moved in with his sister Irene Dirkshire. He later died leaving the Manor to her. She, in turn, decided to sell and contacted Joan Bishop to be her agent. Joan and Maryanne O’Donnell were close friends and when Irene saw how much Maryanne loved the old Manor she wrote a new will stating that if anything should mysteriously happen to her it was to go to Maryanne. Upon her death a few weeks later, Maryanne inherited the Valencia Manor.
The Manor wasn’t the only thing that Maryanne inherited. She acquired all of the ghosts, both good and bad, that called the Manor their home. So she decided to sell her home and move into the Manor, but before doing this she first had to have the place completely renovated. After finding the perfect contractor, her plans progressed with a good offer being placed on her home and Maryanne and her new husband Mario made plans to move into what was to be their new home at the Valencia. Maryanne had already had the Manor swept of its spirits by her physic friend Vivian but when the contractor took out a wall and found an unexpected guest, Maryanne had to call on her friend again. Vivian found more than expected when she returned to the Manor and with Mario informing her of the mysterious deaths that had been occurring around the area she had no choice but to give them her idea that they may be dealing with the “undead.”

Reading Mysteerie Manor and Mysteerie Manor II made me remember reading my very first “horror” book. It was called Salem’s Lot. I read it at night, which was a mistake, and had trouble sleeping afterwards. I couldn’t even leave a curtain open for fear that an unsuspecting predator would be looking in. That was years ago, but these two books bring some of those feelings back. Author Sharon Hays has succeeded in giving me the creeps, even while reading during the day.



Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat… (mehr)