Buffy's write zone

Buffy's blog moves

2016-06-08T14:23:00.003-04:00

Thanks for stopping by. You can find me at my new location on my author page. Hope to see you there!

Diesel the bulldog reading 'Our Fragile Hearts'

2016-05-09T14:23:00.000-04:00

I have a dog fan! Diesel loves OUR FRAGILE HEARTS! Absolutely love this from my friend, bull dog lover and artist, Sam Dellinger.

Some interesting reads this week

2016-05-06T17:09:00.000-04:00

Here are some interesting stories that I came across this past week!

1. Ew! KFC makes edible nail polish. It's "finger lickin' good.'

2. Good lord! $38,000 for a one-way ticket on this Mumbai-New York City flight!

3. American Girl makes a diabetes doll kit. Neat!

4. Did you know you can light a match with a rubber band?

5. This cardboard art is so cool!

6. Vans has Nintendo kicks!

And lastly, in case you missed it, I have a new book out! On Monday, Our Fragile Hearts was published. Check it out and my other books, too!

'Our Fragile Hearts' gets 5-star reviews on publication day today!

2016-05-02T12:52:00.002-04:00

BUY

Today is publication day for Our Fragile Hearts! WOOT! I am so nervous about reviews, but the first two I received were 5 stars! Here's what the reviewers had to say:

Once again, Buffy Andrews has hit a homerun with Our Fragile Hearts and I just loved it!! It touched my heart in so many ways. The three main characters each have their own personal struggles but collectively they give in ways that help each other through. It is beautifully written and is one that I could not put down until I had read every single word! There is a realization that sometimes in our brokenness we are overpowered by the comfort and strength we find by helping others. And, there are a few “OMG” moments that were total shockers, which is the epitome of a well written book!! I highly recommend this novel, as well as all of Buffy's other books, as each and every one are wonderful and memorable experiences! - Sharon Weed

****

I absolutely fell in love with Mary and Rachel, and especially little Piper. Mary and Rachel both have survived so much adversity, and kept their heads held high. As a mother, I immediately felt my heart clench when I read Mary's story. Rachel has been through even more, in some ways, because she was raised not knowing who she could depend on. Growing up in foster care is no picnic. Yet, Rachel survived. When she was told that she must raise her sister lest Piper end up in foster care as well, Rachel rises up to the challenge. This story is full of hope and love, and eventual peace. It is one to remember for a long time to come. - Jennifer Muncy

Our Fragile Hearts coming May 2

2016-04-18T17:47:00.002-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at OUR FRAGILE HEARTS.

Prologue

Mary

June 30, 1957

I hate Mother. I hate Father. They’re sending me away. They said I brought shame to the family, that no decent man will want me. They have forbidden me to see Teddy. He doesn’t know I’m carrying his child. He thinks I don’t love him. My life is over.

Love, Mary Katherine

***

I lay in my hospital bed trying to remember. I remembered the cold, sterile delivery room and the doctors and nurses dressed in white and wearing masks.

I remembered seeing the delivery table and the bassinet, the sterile towels and drapes and rubber gloves. I even remembered seeing the scissors and string the doctor would use to tie my baby’s umbilical cord.

But I didn’t remember seeing my baby.

Buffy's picks: Interesting reads for March 18

2016-03-18T10:48:00.003-04:00

1. This baby goat lost his back legs but keeps motoring along. A tearjerker video that beautifully captures Izzy's journey. Meet Rory who adopted her and rescue dog Piper who she cuddles her.

Dust Bunnies

2. If you're into zombies you're in luck! The Walking Dead attraction is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.

3. You go girl! 90-year-old woman earns Ph.D. Yeah! You'll never too old to learn.

4. Check out my marshmallow Peeps Expressions! Who says you can't play with your food!

5. I love innovation, which is why I love this Turtle on a Skateboard!

6. And I love happy endings and dogs so this video is a win-win! Speaking of dogs, I love this idea of a dog sharing service for those who'd love a canine companion but can't commit full time.

Have a super weekend!

Buffy's picks: Interesting reads for March 11

2016-03-11T10:55:00.005-05:00

I'm going to start a new feature where I post some of the most interesting stories I found via the Internet. I plan to do this on a daily basis so I hope you return time and again to see what's new! Enjoy!

1. Doctors use part of a pig's eye to repair Chinese boy's sight. . That's some pig!

2. Check out these life-sized dog sculptures made out of recycled bicycle parts. Very cool!

3. This one will just make you cry and wonder why. Father goes to Bulgaria to adopt 2 special needs boys and dies.

4. Sooo cute! Kid has a loose tooth and pulls it out with his Hot Wheels track. Now that's innovation!

5. OK, so this just make me spit out my coffee! Little boy dives into aunt's wedding dress as she walks down the aisle!

6. Remember "Ghostbusters." There's a reboot coming this summer with a cast of hilarious characters. Take this cool quiz and see how much you know about the original!

2016-02-26T11:58:00.001-05:00

2016-02-26T11:57:00.001-05:00

Harper Lee dies

2016-02-19T12:14:00.006-05:00

We lost a great writer today. Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" died. She was 89. When her book "Go Set a Watchman" hit the stores last summer, I shared this quiz. How well do you know "Mockingbird?"

Great literary gifts for that someone special

2015-12-01T20:38:00.001-05:00

Frog picture book joins my growing collection

2015-11-01T10:40:00.001-05:00

Buy book

I teamed up with a great friend, Sammy Dellinger, to publish ONE FROG. TWO FROGS. THREE FROGS, FOUR. I'm extremely excited about this book because it showcases Sam's awesome talent.

I wrote this book a long time ago and it's based on a true event that happened when my son, 26, was 3. When I talked to Sam about bringing the text to life, she was all in. Together we finally did it and I couldn't be more proud.

Here's the skinny:

“One frog. Two frogs. Three frogs. Four. Tree frogs. Tree frogs. I want more.”

This delightfully illustrated tale tells the story of Sam, who counts down the days until the next grocery store trip. Sam can’t wait to buy plastic tree frogs from the grocery store bubblegum machine and add them to his colorful collection. But after waiting all week, Sam sees something that makes him opt to give his quarters to charity instead.

One frog. Two frogs. Three frogs. Four. I love tree frogs, but I’ll wait to get more.”

This great read-aloud book is also perfect for the beginner reader, offering a subtle life lesson about kindness and thinking of others in a fun, unobtrusive manner. This perfect addition to home and classroom library also boosts color and counting confidence.

..............

Author website

Author page on Amazon

Facebook: Author and Friends literary gifts

CafePress store: Author and Friends

Sam's Etsy page

Sam's Facebook page

Book Expo Author and Friends display

2015-10-19T06:36:00.002-04:00

New Author and Friends store items

2015-10-09T09:54:00.001-04:00

I added some items to my literary gift shop, Author and Friends. Like me on Facebook and check out other merchandise there. Also, don't forget that I have a ton of really cool T-shirts, mugs and more on my Cafepress store by the same name. If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, email me at Buffyandrews@gmail.com with "Literary gifts" in subject line.

Neat presentation of my books

2015-08-20T16:49:00.001-04:00

What do you think?

Other Sways I created

My homemade journals

Cool summer cocktails

Used Sway to pull together photos of my homemade journals

2015-08-19T18:02:00.001-04:00

Ella's Rain named Book of the Month

2015-08-06T20:33:00.001-04:00

I was super excited to learn that Ella's Rain was picked Book of the Month by Long and Short Reviews. YAY! Here's LASR's review.

Quiz: Match character name with image

2015-08-05T17:40:00.002-04:00

I was working on some fun activities for kids to do at an upcoming Bookmobile engagement. I made this interactive quiz. Take it and see how many you guessed correctly.

Quiz: To Kill a Mockingbird

2015-07-13T12:42:00.001-04:00

View the quiz on a mobile device

Check out my interactive book flyer

2015-06-13T17:06:00.002-04:00

Mouse over the books, click on icon to buy or read about the book on Amazon. I also added buttons for my author website, Twitter account, Facebook and Amazon pages.

Guess How Many Candies

2015-06-04T21:18:00.001-04:00

Everything has its own season

2015-05-21T12:27:00.001-04:00

Every year, I look forward to the fringe tree blooming in our front yard. Its white, fleecy feathers hang from the branches and dance in the wind. Along with the gorgeous pink weeping cherry tree that blooms a few weeks before, it’s one of my favorite spring-flowering trees. The dogwood, saucer magnolia and Bradford pear can’t beat its beauty.

Check out my books

The other night, a wicked storm rolled into town. The wind whipped, pea-sized hail fell and a torrential downpour soaked the ground. When I walked outside the following morning, the fringe tree was naked, and its soft billowy blooms blanketed the ground. All that beauty gone in a flash, ripped from the branches before I was ready to say goodbye.
As I picked up some soggy blooms and held them in the palm of my hand, tears pooled in my eyes. I was reminded of beauty cut short, of parents and family and friends, tassels torn too soon from the tree of life during one of life’s raging storms.
Why must things die? a young child asks, unable to understand that all life is organized in such a way that it has a limited lifespan.
Flies might live for days, tortoises and whales for hundreds of years and trees for thousands of years. But eventually, they all die. No living thing, no animal or plant, can escape death.
So often in life we witness beauty too short-lived. Why can’t the fringes hang forever? Why do the cherry blossoms fade and fall?
What perhaps we should be asking is, Why didn’t I enjoy the beauty when I had the chance?
It’s human nature, I think, to believe there will always be another day. But sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes wicked weather slams us unexpectedly and we’re caught off-guard, standing in the drenching rain and rising water.

I know that everything in life has its own season -- a time to be born and a time to die. But that doesn’t stop me from wishing the seasons could last longer.
• • •
After seeing how the storm undressed the fringe tree, I walked around the yard to see what else had been affected.
I found the dwarf English boxwoods were growing and turning a healthy green. The azaleas were popping with pink.
The barberries were budding and stretching in all directions.
The hydrangeas were beginning to peek out, and the hosta, which had only poked through the ground a couple weeks ago, had taken over the side of the house.
Yes, everything has a season. I hope you enjoy yours.

Check out my books

Meet the Peeps Book Bunny

2015-03-27T07:37:00.002-04:00

Book Bunny

Check out my Tumblr blog Peeps Expressions.

Fill those Easter baskets with fun books

2015-03-16T14:58:00.002-04:00

Looking for great books to put in your kids' Easter basket? Here are a few to consider.

Will, Middle Name Trouble

Sometimes we find more than we're looking for...

Will Moran is always getting into trouble. But this time, Will, who cleans and cooks and takes care of his younger twin sisters while his mom works, didn't do it. Will's class is collecting donations to benefit the local soup kitchen. Every time his teacher catches Will earning a buck from a bet, it ends up in the donation can. When the money goes missing, Will's the prime suspect. After all, most of the money came from him. Will and his eclectic group of friends set out to find the thief and prove his innocence, but they end up finding so much more.

Freaky Frank

In many ways, Frank Fratello is a typical teen. He plays baseball, hangs out with his friends at the mall and gets in trouble at home. But there's something very different about this sixth-grader-he can read minds. And reading minds can cause problems. Like when Frank says what someone is thinking before they say it. Or answers a question before they ask it. Despite being telepathic, Frank must deal with everyday middle school life, which includes battling a bully who hates him. Nasty Nate and his flunkies live to get others in trouble-especially Frank. But Frank and his friends aren't giving up. There has to be some way to bring Nasty Nate down. They just have to find it.

High Street Dares

Dares and danger...

Dare Mags to do anything and she’s game. Make it a double dare, and face the whole High Street Gang.

In the Locket of Doom, Mags' sister and A.J.'s brother, double dare the gang to walk through the cemetery at midnight and perform a spell to make a stone statue cry. But weird things have been happening ever since A.J. started wearing an old locket she found in the park. For one thing, she can’t take the locket off. When an old woman who smells like rotten garbage and has different-colored eyes shows up, things go from bad to worse. Every time A.J. sees the old woman, the locket shrinks. Somehow the locket, the stone statue, and the lady are related. Can the gang figure out the mystery in time to save A.J.?

In The Ghostly Connection, the gang faces another dare—sleeping in a haunted barn. But there’s a lot more to the dare, including another mystery to solve. There’s a good ghost, a bad ghost, and an important message to deliver. Oh, and a treasure to find!

Serial: "The Brain Invaders"

2015-03-10T06:30:00.003-04:00