Last month's book signing during the Glendale Chocolate Affaire

 

The shirt says: I write books, what's your superpower?
Glendale, February 14-15 2026 - Chocolate Affaire
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

I forgot how much fun it is to do an impromptu book signing.

Glendale AZ is always sponsoring special events. One of the most popular is the CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE, a long tradition which started with the local Cerretta Candy Factory, and taking place around Valentine’s Day.

2013 - old covers tell the story. Chocolate on the table, of course.
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

Before the pandemic, this event was held in Murphy Park, on the lawn around the old library, with vendors, food trucks, climbing towers, chocolate of course, live music, dancing, late night activities with glittering lights, and local romance writers signing their books for the duration.

2014 Chocolate Affaire Glendale, AZ
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

As a member of a local authors group, I had been signing at this event since my first book was published, and I did it for many years. Then the pandemic changed everything. It became a small indoors event, geared for children, with none of the hoopla that attracted so many people, no night activities… and no authors signing their books.

2018 Chocolate Affaire, Glendale AZ
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

This year, although it was still indoors and small, a well-known Antiques store (2 Share a unique boutique) decided to take advantage of the special event’s traffic and organize an author signing during these two days, in front of its entrance. The owner happened to be with us when we met with Jude in Arizona in late January, and she asked Dani Petrone and me to be the signing authors. We enthusiastically accepted.

2017 Chocolate Affaire - Glendale AZ
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

After rushing to order the new titles, and Jude being wonderful as usual, making sure they would arrive on time, Dani and I filled our long table with our books. Only my latest books, to be sure (I have too many to display them all – It would take more than one table).

January 2026 Meeting with Jude (BWL), Dani Petrone, and John Hovey and his wife

On Saturday, we had a big draw and a little competition, as the window behind us was filled with lovely doggies for adoption (part of the 2 Share rescue program for working K9). Five were adopted that day. Yay!

Saturday, February 14, 2026, ready to go, with chocolate on the table.
The puppies have not arrived yet.
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

We stood there, outside, from 10-11am to 5pm both days, talking to people about our books, selling a few, handing out postcards, bookmarks, and answering questions about where the Chocolate Affaire was happening, which was a few blocks away.

My latest book, CHI WARRIOR, was available there.
amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

Some friends came to visit and chat and buy my latest book. Dani and I were so excited, we totally forgot about lunch and survived the whole day on a single can of Coke. These two days were exhausting, but we were happy with the experience.

amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

The good news is, it looks like next year the Chocolate Affaire will be back in Murphy Park in all its splendor. Looking forward to the outdoors fun.

Happy Reading

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Sci-fi Heroines, cats, romantic elements

amazon - B&N - Smashwords back list - Smashwords new titles - Kobo - FB

Authors should qualify for all the Oscar categories!

Find it at BWL 
amazon - B&N - Smashwords (backlist) - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

As I watched the announcements of the 2026 Oscar nominees recently, I realized how many categories are now rewarded. Each year they add new categories. The latest one this year recognizes casting directors.

When writing a novel, the author has to be an expert in all the categories. Whether we write fiction or true events, we are responsible, not only for the overall story, the script (dialogue), but also for creating (casting) our characters (defining who they are, what makes them tick, and what they look like). We have to decide what they wear (especially for period pieces), the setting (movie set design), the special effects (I have many in my sci-fi books), action scenes, the actors’ direction, the secondary characters, the subplots, the narrative…

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (backlist) - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

Authors are not required to write music, of course, but we do create an atmosphere by describing the sounds, the smells, the touch, and the feelings, as well as the thoughts surrounding the novel.

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (backlist) - Smashwords new titles - Kobo

Maybe authors should also get awards for Historical Accuracy. Nowadays most period films are accurate, as movie makers and authors conduct intensive research before filming or writing. But I remember a time when Hollywood was taking big liberties with history, and was later criticized for it. I still cringe when I watch old films of ancient Egypt.

Research is a must, something green authors do not always understand. The wrong detail can spoil the entire novel and ruin the author’s credibility for the reader. Personally, I love doing research. Many unexpected plot ideas often come from researching settings and local lore, legends, and little-known history.

I’ve often been told that reading my books was like watching a movie. Thank you. I take it as a compliment. Please, go ahead and suggest my books to Hollywood!

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (backlist) - 
Smashwords new titles - Kobo

Actually, there is a good reason for that. As I write, I see the movie unfolding in my head on a big screen. I love movies. It’s not unusual for me to memorize the lines of my favorite films as I watch them over and over. It’s also why my books are fast reads. Like in movies, I believe in telling a story as succinctly as possible. Why write a paragraph when one word says it all?

I hope you enjoy my books. And if you do, please leave a review on the book page. Thank you in advance.

Happy Reading!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats, romance

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (backlist) - Smashwords new titles - Kobo - FB 

My cat believes I have superpowers

Find it at BWL HERE
Find it at your favorite online store HERE

Each holiday season, setting up the tree becomes more challenging. My cat, Pasha, is obsessed with it. After the tree is up, each day, he finds new ways to defeat my safeguards around the table where the tree stands. But I’m not worried about the ornaments I find on the carpet in the morning. No. I’m worried about the fact that he likes to chew on the branches.

Mind you, my tree is small, white, and made of recycled plastic. So, why is he so obsessed with chewing the branches? A while back, I had to get rid of fake spiky plants on my balcony… for the same reason. He liked to chew on them.

Before you judge me about the fake plants, I should mention that I live in Arizona, that all the natural plants on my balcony die each year in the heat, except for one Aloe Vera.

This is how the battle usually starts.

The cat stares at the tree, ready to jump.

I say “No!”

He glances at me then leaps anyway.

But due to my martial arts training, I happen to have quick reflexes. So, I catch the cat in midair and deposit him gently on the couch. The first time I did it, the shocked expression on his little furry face and in his rounded blue eyes was priceless. As if he’d landed in a different time zone, or through a portal to a parallel universe.

I repeated the maneuver a few times, when he wasn’t aware of my close proximity. So now, my cat thinks I have superpowers.

But this practice created a monster. Quickly, it turned into a game. Whenever Pasha wants attention… and he requires lots of it, he dares me, ready to jump on the tree table. When I catch him, he purrs loudly and gives me head bumps, and revels in my embrace.

How am I supposed to resist that? This cat is my weakness. So, he gets kisses and cuddles. Just what he wanted. I am officially cat-whipped.

If you like novels with cats and/or martial arts, with kick-butt heroines and a little romance, check out my novels at your favorite online store.

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (back list)
Smashwords new titles - Kobo

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (back list)
Smashwords new titles - Kobo

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (back list)
Smashwords new titles - Kobo

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats, romance

amazon - B&N - Smashwords (back list)
Smashwords new titles - Kobo - FB