Leigh Goff

Author

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The Spellbinding Book Club

by Leigh Goff

selective focus photography of several people cheering wine glasses

Double, double, toil and trouble…Get your book club in the mood for magic! Here are some fun ideas on how to brew up a fun gathering for your next book club meeting.

First, you want to set the mood. Transform your meeting space into a cozy gathering spot. Dim the lighting, light scented candles, and add fairy lights. Display seasonal decor such as pumpkins and leaves for the fall (or pine boughs and berries during winter). Don’t forget soft throw blankets and pillows to make your guests extra comfortable.

Create a magical menu of potions and treats to fuel your book discussion. You can serve a variety of herbal teas or a fun cocktail like Midnight Magic Espresso Martini (recipe below). For snacks, you need magical munchies like magical mushrooms (stuffed mushrooms), witches’ fingers (veggie sticks), or moonbeam macarons.

Encourage guests to dress in witchy attire or a theme color. Invite a tarot card reader to start the evening on a mystical note. Give guests a “magic bag” filled with herbal teas, crystals, love potions (perfume samples), or patchouli scented votive candles.

After an evening of good food, delicious drinks, and lively discussion, close the meeting with a gratitude circle. Ask the group to join hands and offer appreciation for each other, the books, and the magic of friendship. What could be better?

Recommended Witchy Reads

Immerse yourself in a spellbinding tale of magic, forbidden love, and self-discovery. Meet Hannah Fitzgerald, a young witch who’s unlocking her powers and succumbing to a whirlwind romance. As she navigates her newfound abilities, Hannah confronts a web of challenges that will keep you under its spell. With its Beauty and the Beast-inspired twist, this captivating story will cast a hold on your heart and keep you turning the pages until the very end.
 
 
 
 
Meet Sophie Goodchild, a young witch entangled in a centuries-old curse that has haunted her true love’s family for generations. Join Sophie on a thrilling adventure as she navigates a world of curses, enchantments, and star-crossed romance, where the lines between magic and reality blur. Disenchanted is a heartwarming exploration of the human experience. With its unique blend of romance, mystery, and fantasy, this book will cast a spell on your heart and leave you enchanted from start to finish.
 
 
 
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In the depths of the bayou, where cypress trees tower and Spanish moss hangs like a curtain of secrets, lies the mysterious town of Koush Hollow, where the glittering facade of wealth and beauty conceals a deadly truth. Sixteen-year-old Jenna joins her mother’s elite social club, the Diamonds & Pearls, which reigns supreme. As Jenna delves into the club’s seductive world, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies. As she digs deeper, she encounters ancient magic, hidden dangers, and shocking revelations that threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. Will she survive the treacherous landscape of Koush Hollow, or will its secrets silence her forever? A captivating tale of mystery, magic, and self-discovery, Koush Hollow will draw you into its dark, mystical world and refuse to let go.
 
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Midnight Magic Espresso Martiniimages

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz Vodka
  • 1/2 oz Kahlúa
  • 1/2 oz Crème de Cacao Dark Chocolate liqueur
  • 1 shot of Espresso
  • 1/2 oz Chocolate Simple Syrup (simple syrup with a bit of unsweetened cocoa powder)
  • 3 espresso beans

Instructions:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, Kahlúa, Crème de Cacao, and espresso.
  2. Add simple syrup and stir to combine.
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously to combine and chill.
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  5. Garnish with three espresso beans and cast your spell.

As I sip this midnight brew,
I conjure magic, old and true.
With every taste, my senses align,
And the magic within me starts to shine.

Cheers to a magical meeting, book clubbers!

CONNECT

79410-leigh2bgoff-1502bret.jpgJoin the enchanted community! Connect with Leigh and her readers to receive exclusive content, news and updates by clicking the blue “Follow” button.
 
 
 
 


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6 Fun Must-Haves for Writers

By Leigh Goff

Screen Shot 2023-03-16 at 7.55.58 AMWriting or working from home is more than just you and your laptop. It’s the small world around you, too. Your writing environment plays an important role in your productivity and focus. I’ve been writing for over ten years and have found a few fun, yet necessary items that add to my comfort, stir my creativity, and get me in the writing mood. Whether you’re trying to achieve a specific word count for the day or put together the perfect outline for your upcoming novel, these are my six must-haves to get comfortable and get writing for 2023!

Lip Balm

I need to be comfortable when I write and that includes my lips. I can’t be without lip balm next to me or in my pocket, especially during the drier, colder months.Screen Shot 2023-03-12 at 4.20.35 PM

Dior Addict Lip Sugar Scrub $40 at Sephora This beauty is a lip balm, lip exfoliator with sugar grains that melt away, and it has a touch of pink tint.

Burt’s Bees $10 for 4 at Amazon These lovelies are made of beeswax with Vitamin E and peppermint oil. Perfect for moisturizing.

Fun Pillows

Again, it’s all about comfort. If I’m comfortable, I can focus on the writing and get lost in my story. Here are some fun literary ones.Screen Shot 2023-03-15 at 4.55.18 PM

Double double toil and trouble Shakespeare pillow $37+ at Etsy

I blame Mr. Darcy Jane Austen pillow $22 at Amazon

Writing Pad

As a writer, I don’t like to work at a desk. I prefer a comfortable chair, but that means my laptop needs a little support. Here are some cool options to support your laptop and other devices, too.

Screen Shot 2023-03-15 at 4.54.33 PMLapGear Home Office Lap Desk $40 at Amazon This lap desk charges your phone and has a built-in mouse pad. Comes in a variety of colors including black, blush, and silver. It’s portable and the perfect size for laptops up to 15.6 inches.

Sofia + Sam Lap Desk $48 at Target Fits 13 inch-15 inch laptops. It has a USB light and memory foam with an angled shape. (Pictured left)

Candles

Nothing sets the mood for writing like a wonderfully scented candle.

Screen Shot 2023-03-15 at 4.53.45 PMLight Me While Writing $22 at Etsy This candle smells of comfort and spice, which is perfect for writing on chilly fall days. Burns for 50 hours and the label is pretty, too.

A Candle for Writer’s Block $12 at Whisky River Soap Has scents of wood, fruit, sweet caramel, and grass plus I love the funny label.

Snacks

Don’t stop writing because you have a hankering for a snack! Keep these delicious treats nearby.

86906581-412F-E34E-9670-E9FAA9E7534BHomemade Salty Sweet Potato Chips recipe at A Spicy Perspective If you need a salty and sweet snack, these are healthy and delicious!

Macarons from Sweet Hearts Patisserie in Annapolis, Maryland, $15+ at SweetHeartsPatisserie for a box of 6 (delivery is extra). You can order these delights online. The shop requires 5 days’ notice for orders so plan ahead.

Tea

IMG_6220With less caffeine than coffee, these teas will give your creativity a boost without the jittery side effects.

Harney & Sons Paris tea sachets $10 at Harney.com Their Paris tea is infused with notes of black currant, bergamot, and vanilla. Perfect for a quiet writing day.

Fortnum & Mason Rose Pouchong  $33 at Amazon Rose petals are interleaved with the tea as it dries imparting a delicate rose flavor. If you’re writing a romance novel or need to feel a little fancy before returning to your laptop, this is the tea for you.

About the Author

LeighGoff-150RETLeigh Goff is an author of three published young adult novels and is represented by literary agent Lauren Bittrich. She is working on her next novel, a young adult thriller, while her current manuscript, Wicked Sweet, is on submission.

You can find her current published novels at Audible | Amazon | Apple  ‎

Learn more about Leigh Goff on her website and blog. Stay connected on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkTree


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The Koush Hollow Audiobook is Available Now!

Screen Shot 2021-09-23 at 8.33.12 AMFive-star review from Jessica Julien-Audiobook Reviewer
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟”Today, I have a  great audiobook for you to check out that is dark & mysterious, witty & charming, & downright Southern Gothic…overall it was an awesome listen that you should all check out!!

BUY LINKS: | Amazon | iBooks | Audible


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It’s Time to Read Local Authors

04-flag-1024x683We shop local and eat local, now it’s time to read local! There is a social trend of ‘local first’ movements spreading around our nation.

Reading local benefits the community and highlights what makes it unique. Most local bookshops have sections dedicated to local authors. Independent booksellers spend a lot of time connecting with their community and its authors. If you want to find a book you’ll like, ask them for suggestions. And bonus, by supporting these shops, you’re providing jobs and supporting the local literary arts. Unknown

Many authors love to participate in neighborhood book clubs, too. Don’t be afraid to research writers in your area and reach out. If you’re putting together a list of books for your club or for summer reading, add a few local authors to it. You never know, they might just Zoom into your next meeting!

Local literary events are a great way to discover authors near you, including those hosted at libraries. There are many libraries that recognize the significance of reading local. Cascades Library in Northern Virginia is one of them and they are hosting their annual Eat Local/Read Local event this October 16th from 10am to 1pm (I’ll be there!). It’s free, there are lots of food trucks, and signed books galore, which make for fantastic birthday or holiday gifts.

bhcoverartbevel-2Reading local authors helps you learn amazing new things about the town you live in. When I wrote my second YA novel, Bewitching Hannah, historic downtown Annapolis inspired me. I wanted to highlight what makes my town unique with the hope of making it more of a destination than it already is. I included intriguing details about popular sights and historic houses as the settings where much of the action takes place. The feedback I received from my readers was that they wanted to visit these places. I created a literary tour for them that included all the sights I used in my novel. Here’s a link to the self-guided tour: https://leighgoff.com/2017/08/31/a-bewitching-tour-around-historic-annapolis/

Literary artists need their community and the community needs its artists. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Start READING LOCAL!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I love writing young adult fiction with elements of magic and romance because it’s also what I like to read. Born and raised on the East Coast, I now live in Maryland where I enjoy the area’s great history and culture.

I am a graduate of the University of Maryland, University College and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I am also an approved artist with the Maryland State Arts Council. My debut novel, Disenchanted, was inspired by the Wethersfield witches of Connecticut and was released by Mirror World Publishing. My second novel, Bewitching Hannah, is a young adult fantasy set in historic Annapolis.

Stay connected with me on Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads.


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Romance Novels: Why Are They So Popular?

 from Anne Montgomery

Once, after reading one of my manuscripts, my agent said, “I really like the historical part of the story. Why don’t you write it as a stand-alone romance?”

I winced. A romance novel? Me?

I have a pretty good idea about
where this book is going. Don’t you?

I’ll admit here that I’ve been a bit of a snob in regard to that particular genre, which I was surprised to discover is the number one book-selling category on the planet. Not sure why I’ve often scoffed at romance novels. Perhaps it’s the covers: the swooning women with their heaving breasts, the muscular men, all sixpacks and flowing hair. Those books just never sang to me and I never understood why other people wanted to read them.

So, in an effort to learn, I contacted some of my lovely romance-writing friends. I put on my old reporter’s cap and grilled them like a detective looking for clues, my goal to understand why anyone would want to read a romance novel.

Boy, did I learn a lot!

“Romance gives us a glimpse into another world,” said author Tina Ruiz. “Sometimes it’s a world that we don’t have around us. Romance novels are like fairy tales to grown up women, where the men are nice, cater to our every whim, and shelter us from everything that might make us sad or hurt.”

“It’s possible the diversity of romance novels is a magnet for diverse individuals,” said romance author Nancy Kay. “From contemporary, to historical, to mystery and thrillers there are any number of themes to attract a number of tastes.” 

Okay. But why are these stories tops in sales department?

“In my humble opinion it’s because we live in a shattered world that is full of bad stuff and romance is the ultimate good stuff,” said author Catherine Castle. “True love, loyalty, people who care about each other’s happiness.”

“Simple answer – escape,” said author Sloane Taylor. “Escape from the husband/wife who takes you for granted. Escape from the kids demanding all your time with not even a thanks. Escape from the boss who is a major ass. Escape from the bills that keep mounting. And especially in today’s world – escape from the pandemic and it’s personal repercussions.”


“The mainly happy endings in a frequently bitchy world,” Australian author Vonnie Hughes explained.

Hughes went on to say that romance novels don’t cost as much as other genres and they tend to be shorter, so don’t require a big investment of time.

I have certainly read books that contained romance, though that part of the story was mostly secondary to the plot, so I was curious as to what exactly defines a romance novel. Of course, my first thought in our post Fifty Shades of Grey world was sex. But Ruiz pointed out that actual sex is not always the big draw.

“It is the illusion of sex that grabs our hearts,” she said. “In a lot of movies, the man and woman don’t even kiss until the very last scene.  That moment gets built up from the moment they meet until the end of the book or movie.  It’s the part we are all waiting for, so when it happens, it is absolutely wonderful.”

Still sex is often part of the format.

“Reading a book where sex is prominent is pretty awesome,” Ruiz said. “Because it gets portrayed in a different way than we have it in real life.  Some men…are not perfectly, let’s say, kempt, when they walk into the bedroom.  The men in the books and/or movies are like a Prince Charming. Every hair is in place, his teeth shine, his eyes twinkle, and his breath is probably minty fresh.”

Another rather obvious requirement in a romance novel is that romance needs to be the most important part of the story.


“The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work,” Kay said. “There can be subplots as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.”

And, there’s something else I learned. Romance novels apparently should not end on a depressing note. There must be an “emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending,” Kay said. “In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.”

That sounds nice, doesn’t it? I can now see the appeal of romance novels. Perhaps it’s time I gave one a try.

How about you?

Here’s a little from my suspense novel based on a true incident. It’s not romance but I hope it intrigues you.



As a Vietnam veteran and former Special Forces sniper descends into the throes of mental illness, he latches onto a lonely pregnant teenager and a group of Pentecostal zealots – the Children of Light – who have been waiting over thirty years in the Arizona desert for Armageddon.

When the Amtrak Sunset Limited, a passenger train en route to Los Angeles, is derailed in their midst in a deadly act of sabotage, their lives are thrown into turmoil. As the search for the saboteurs heats up, the authorities uncover more questions than answers.

And then the girl vanishes.

While the sniper struggles to maintain his sanity, a child is about to be born deep in the wilderness.
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Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia. Stay connected on Facebook, and Twitter.