A Las Vegas Gem - Our Nevada Guest

Lou and Myrna Donato opened Amber Unicorn Books at 2101 S. Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008.  Myrna is an incredible font of knowledge.  If you have any questions about a book, she will know the answer. 

The store has a great collection of cookbooks (one of my favorite books to check out because of the fun history), science fiction and fantasy, history, rare and other hard to find books.

Visit the site here http://www.amberunicornbooks.com/default.html where you’ll find all the goods on this Las Vegas treasure located near the casinos and the art district.  I didn’t even know there was an arts district in Las Vegas and now, when I go there again, I’ll have to check that out as well.

Remember-leave a comment with a form of contact to be entered in the End of the Month Grand Prize Drawing!  

( All info downloaded from http://www.amberunicornbooks.com/default.html and commented on by AFS/50 Authors from 50 States blog)

Kay Phoenix: Hello from Las Vegas

Let me tell you about my hometown. Las Vegas is more than just the stretch of road that slices down the center, holding world famous casinos. Las Vegas is a city of old-west heritage, with a strong, female mayor who occasionally wears a cowboy hat. We have an independent spirit. We have a sense of community which has only been strengthened since that awful night last October when evil rained down bullets into a crowd of innocents. Our men and women of law enforcement, and our first responders, many #VegasBorn, rose to the occasion as heroes. Many others did what they could…giving blood, donating meals to the workers, providing free hotel rooms to family or even offering free plastic surgery to the victims.  There were so many acts of kindness that were not reported by the media to the rest of the world. It was truly astonishing.

I’m writing this blog the morning after our Vegas Gold Knights won the first game against the Capitals 6-4.  I hope that by the time this feature is released, that beautiful Stanley Cup will be residing in my hometown. But, if it isn’t, that is also fine. Our Knights have done what they promised us in the moments before the puck dropped in their very first game last October. After a permanent banner was raised bearing the names of the 58 victims of October 1^st mass shooting that occurred only a few weeks before, and a few blocks south, they promised us that they would “do our best to help heal this valley.” And they have! Every home ice game has been played beneath the banner bearing those 58 names.

Las Vegas is a tourist’s paradise. I’m sure many of you have been here either on vacation or to celebrate a happy occasion. The next time you are here, please look out of your hotel room at the miles and miles of homes and neighborhoods that stretch to the beautiful, occasionally snow-capped mountains that frame our valley, and know that those homes are filled with unsung heroes. Know that your waiter, uber driver, busboy, or even the maid in the hallway gave blood and/or donated to the Red Cross after October 1^st. If you see a show, know that many of our popular local entertainers held benefits to help cover costs of medical care for victims, and many of them visited patients in the hospital.

I’ve never been prouder to call Las Vegas my hometown, and seeing so many residents wearing Vegas Golden Knights shirts, high-fiving each other in the grocery stores, smiling and nodding to each other in the post office, is tremendous. It’s exactly what we’ve needed as a community to heal after October 1^st. The very noble Vegas Golden Knights have made good on their promise to help us heal, rather or not they bring home the Stanley Cup (but I still hope they do!).

#VegasBorn  #VegasStrong

Ms. Phoenix is a rare bird herself...a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. She belongs to Las Vegas Romance Writers and has served on the board for several years. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America with PAN status.

Prior to writing, Kay was a Graphic Artist for fifteen years in the casino industry and holds degrees in both Graphic Arts and Psychology. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling and photography. She is also involved in several Las Vegas non-profits, and is the current Chairman of a popular, long-running, local art show.

Kay has been blessed to be able to travel many places, which inspired her to host a weekly author spotlight called “Midweek Escapes” on her blog. It features guest author’s favorite vacation destinations, their travel tips, and, of course, information about their book releases and occasional giveaways.

For a giveaway, Kay Phoenix offers two awesome prizes!  One audio book, and one physical, autographed book to be mailed. Leave a form of contact when you comment so we can award the prize if you win! 

Website:  http://www.KayPhoenix.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKayPhoenix/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KayPhoenix_

(all info provided/released by author)

A Rare Side of Nevada and Las Vegas with Author, Kay Phoenix

Tony Bennett serenaded me as a child.  I saw Siegfried and Roy before they were mega-famous, and now I see them at the gas station because they live nearby.  I know people that dance in and work on Cirque Du Soliel shows.  And, if I happen to see someone dressed like an Avenger cross the street in front of me, I don’t even blink an eye.  The first time I went to California on vacation, I remember asking the nice lady at the check-in desk what show their hotel featured (we were probably at a Travelodge or something).  

 

That’s Vegas for ya.  And, it’s my hometown.  Nevada is my home state, and although I admit to hating the summers when it’s 115 degrees outside, I kinda like it here.  Where else could I live that has so many world class restaurants and entertainment nearby, and such gorgeous National parks and recreation areas just as close? Plus, the only harsh weather we have to worry about is the sun. 

When I grew up I ended up working in the gaming industry.  I was a graphic designer and I worked for a casino supply company designing signage, slot machine graphics, and anything else that was flashy and would make the tourists want to drop their hard earned money on the slight chance they might walk away rich. 

Honestly though, Vegas is so much more than the Strip of casinos that line the center of the valley.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on planes coming home from vacation to hear someone talk about all the “inside information” they have on how to win the slots (hint: there aren’t any magic formulas).  Or, where the best buffets are (arguable).  I usually prefer to keep my mouth shut because if I mention I’m from here, inevitably they will talk my leg off the rest of the flight.  

If you’ve been here, I hope that you’ve spent some time away from the Strip, and have taken in some of the beauty the Nevada desert has to offer.  Red Rock Canyon is a favorite, and it’s the closest spot to the city, and the one that most of the tourists visit. Then, there’s Lake Mead Conservation Area, which, interestingly enough, is actually patrolled by the coast guard because of Hoover Dam.  Valley of Fire is near, as well as Death Valley national Park.  Further north is Great Basin National Park.  There’s also a little place called Area 51 nearby, if you’ve heard of it (or even if you haven’t- hehe).  Side note on Area 51:  if you’ve lived in Vegas for any amount of time you will undoubtedly come across at least one and maybe a bunch of people that have worked there.  Funny for a place that doesn’t exist. 

Northern Nevada is full of wide open spaces, many ranches and the beauty of the true west.  Lake Tahoe, Reno and Carson City are vastly different than Las Vegas not only in climate but also in population and culture.  

Last year, some local writers formed a group called The Sin City Romance Writers.  We have published an anthology “Decades of Love” basing each novella on a different decade in Vegas’ history.  We plan on having several more anthologies out soon, each one providing Vegas as a backdrop to the tales.  

I mostly write contemporary and paranormal romances.  I enjoy keeping things real as I’ve found that reality is often stranger than fiction (and especially true if you live in Vegas!).  My book, “Steele and Stone”, from The Wild Rose Press was recently a finalist in the Holt Medallion contest.  By the time this blog comes out, I’ll know whether or not I was a winner.  

I hope that if you ever venture to Vegas for the first or fiftieth time, you’ll plan to take a few days to visit everything else you can find outside of the strip and toward the state lines in all directions.  You’ll fall in love with my home state, just as I have.  It’s rugged, solid and beautiful, just like the wild mustangs that still run free in its lonely mountains.  

Ms. Phoenix is a rare bird herself...a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. She belongs to Las Vegas Romance Writers and has served on the board for several years. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America with PAN status.

Prior to writing, Kay was a Graphic Artist for fifteen years in the casino industry and holds degrees in both Graphic Arts and Psychology. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling and photography. She is also involved in several Las Vegas non-profits, and is the current Chairman of a popular, long-running, local art show.

Kay has been blessed to be able to travel many places, which inspired her to host a weekly author spotlight called “Midweek Escapes” on her blog. It features guest author’s favorite vacation destinations, their travel tips, and, of course, information about their book releases and occasional giveaways.

Please visit her website at www.KayPhoenix.com.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKayPhoenix/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KayPhoenix_

Comment and I’ll pick TWO winners.  Yes, TWO.  I’ll send you a book and some Vegas swag. Good Luck! 

(all info provided by author)

Get Your Nevada Passport Ready to Travel

Living in Nevada is an inspiration for me that has contributed to my writing twenty-five books in the past thirteen years.  Visiting Nevada can be an inspiration for your writing and your life, too.

I live in a small town between Reno and Fallon. There is a lot of history in the surrounding area. These locations, historical events and local activities serve as backdrops for my novels and children’s books. Most recently released, THE LOVE HE LEFT BEHIND, is set, basically, in my own backyard during the late 1800s.

 

So, grab your Nevada Passport and come along for adventure, antiquity and “a step back in time,” as they say in Virginia City.

Yes, the state of Nevada does have its own passport.  Connected to stays in state parks throughout the state, the passport can be stamped at each park along your route. With fifteen stamps from different state parks collected within the booklet, you earn one free annual pass to all Nevada State Parks. (For a preview of the parks, go to their website:  http://parks.nv.gov/?s=Lahonton+State+Park)

What route would you take?

How about following the Pony Express route on U.S. Highway 50, also known as The Loneliest Road in America and The Lincoln Highway, it offers an historical and romantic touring route with an opportunity to gather a Passport stamp at Lahontan Reservoir Recreation Area near Fallon, Nevada.

While the Pony Express Route is marked, and celebrated with a reenactment each year, there are a lot of other things to do in the area as well.

The California Trail for pioneers runs by the edge of my town. Considered the “Swales” to locals, one can still see wagon ruts in the sand.

Near Fallon is a marker designating the spot where pioneers came out of the Forty- Mile Desert to the Carson River at what was once known as Rag Town. Weary from the trek through the desert, those that survived replenished their water supplies and washed their clothes at the river, laying the pieces to dry on sagebrush and bushes. Thus, the original name for the location.

Nearby is also Naval Air Station, Fallon and the town of Fallon in the heart of the Oasis of Nevada and the home of  Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe. Fallon, by the way, holds its annual Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair over Labor Day weekend.

If you are interested in antiquing while visiting town, be sure to check out Just Country Friends Antiques and Collectibles at 727 West Williams Street (another name for Hwy. 50 where it passes through Fallon). You’ll find some of my children’s hardback books there as well.  

For an excellent lunch, try The Slanted Porch at 310 S. Taylor Street. Of course, almost all favorite fast foods and ethnic foods are available nearby -- as are casinos with restaurants.

If you’re looking to stock up with fresh Certified Organic produce I recommend  Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Rd, where you can buy direct from the grower. Their small restaurant on the premises makes a great hamburger. The bakery is on location across from the restaurant with wholesome goods available. In the Fall the farm offers a corn maze to wander through as well as a pumpkin patch. http://www.lattinfarms.com/

I’ve listed only a few of my favorite places here. In reality, there is something for everyone traveling along U. S. Highway 50 no matter what the season.

Oh, and be sure to take a good book along to read in any spare time you can find!

Mary Jean Kelso gives away a print copy of  The Love He Left Behind thru the luck of the draw!  Leave a comment with your contact info for a chance to win.  
For more information on author,

Mary Jean Kelso, www.maryjeankelsoauthor.wix.com/mjkel

Newest releases: 

A VISUAL HISTORY RECORD OF ALAMO DEFENDER GORDON CARTWRIGHT JENNINGS’ FAMILY

THE LOVE HE LEFT BEHIND

CHRISTOPHER’S SCIENCE MAGIC

Purchase Here with a click.  
As an added bonus: 

Annabel's Story will be available on Smashwords.com for free during the month of July.  Annabel's Story can be downloaded for free during July when the user puts in SFREE as a code!  Use this link:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Annabel%27s+Story

(Info provided by author)