Monday, April 26, 2021

Ten Gripping Mysteries with Shocking Endings by Vivienne Diane Neal


Do you enjoy reading narratives, believing you know how the stories will end? Well, think again. Following are 10 page-turning, edge-on-your-seat mysteries written by some of our favorite authors that will keep you guessing until the very end.



Diabolical by Charlotte Marshall-Murray - A man confesses with evidence to killing five missing women but the police have doubts about his story.

Death Toll Recon by Terry Keys - A District Attorney is accused of murdering a judge.

Dead Man’s Detour (Abby Waither Series - Book 1) by Maxwell T. Blackmore - A museum curator works with a detective to value a piece of art found clenched in a dead man’s hand.

One Dead Politician by Tanya R. Taylor - While visiting a Caribbean country on police business, a Los Angeles Detective becomes embroiled in a murder mystery.

Nana by Brandon Massey - A stranger shows up at a funeral making an outlandish allegation.

Threat Nexus by Cortez Law III - An enemy who has a puzzling message, which will bring back painful memories and threats approaches a detective.

Agent Red: Fatal Memory (Teagan Stone Book 1) by Ava S. King - A secret organization kidnaps a retired operative who has lost her memory.

The Book of Jericho by J. D. Oliva - The son of a powerful and destined lobbyist is murdered.

The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan - A dead body is discovered on a site that is scheduled to be demolished.

Minus One (The Drew Smith Series) by Norwood Holland - A newly licensed lawyer comes to the defense of his best friend accused of murder.

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Monday, April 19, 2021

Planning an Economical Wedding during COVID-19

 

Photo by Avonne Stalling from Pexels

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, micro-weddings are big right now but as weddings get smaller, so have budgets.

 

With many people suffering financial hardships, salary cuts, or job losses, many couples can no longer afford to have the lavish wedding they had their hearts set on.

 

Over the past year, some couples have had to postpone or cancel their weddings, missing deposits, and venues they carefully picked.

 

Photo by Wallace Araujo from Pexels


For these reasons, weddings have become more personal, focusing more on the shared experience rather than over-the-top aesthetics.

 

Maureen “Nono” Skosana, founder and chief executive of event planning company, Nono Events, says, “Given our COVID-19 restrictions where events are limited to 50 guests, micro-weddings are now massive. While the guest list and booze bill may have dwindled or disappeared completely, the cost to create an intimate but memorable experience has not.

 

“Some vendors are increasing their fees to accommodate complex logistics, inflation, and to keep their businesses afloat. Also, when you buy or order in bulk, you save. That’s not the case anymore, which is putting pressure on the budget.”

 

Nono Events, with the help of Budget Insurance, have put together a guide to budgeting for a micro wedding.

 

Their tips include:

 

Commit to a wedding budget - When you start planning your wedding, understand the state of your finances, and then set an overall limit of how much you can spend and stick to it.

 

Avoid debt - Do not go into debt to pay for the day. Similarly, you do not want to dip into savings you have for a specific purpose such as a new house.

 

Package deals - Select a package deal from one supplier if possible instead of using different suppliers. Be honest and discuss your budget with your preferred supplier. This will enable them to work out an appropriate cost-saving package.

 

RSVPs - Make sure that you have proper RSVP processes in place. This will help manage catering costs amongst other costs. 


Know what things cost - Make a very detailed list that includes the venue, food, décor, and drinks, down to nails and hair for the big day. Decide what you would like and find out how much these things cost. The more detail you put in, the better you can budget and plan, and see where you can save or cut.


Marriage is all about compromise - Start early and draw up a list of what will make your wedding memorable, and special; what can you do without, at a push.

 

Susan Steward from Budget Insurance, says, “At a time where budgets are already stretched to the limit, couples need to ensure that they have their dream day without breaking the bank. Remember, the wedding is not the end; it is the beginning. The marriage is what counts. The best way to start a marriage is in financial health and with a commitment to building a secure future together.” 

Photo by Davide De Giovanni from Pexels

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Monday, April 12, 2021

Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein’s ‘Purpose Wines’ is Promoting Social Justice

Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein

Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein is a deep thinker because as Oregon’s first Black woman who owns a winery and as a winemaker, she has a lot to envision. There are the daily challenges of running a business. There are also the struggles people like her face in the industry, where historically a lack of diversity has led to a lack of role models from similar backgrounds.

 

‘Purpose Wines’ was launched in 2018. Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein Winery opened its first tasting room in the small town of Astoria, Oregon in 2019. The winery focuses on wine from the Willamette Valley, and each month, a portion of the sales is donated to different charitable causes.

Goldstein grew up splitting time between her home in the United States and her grandparents’ farm in Zimbabwe. Her grandfather brewed beer while her grandmother had a passion for drinking and sharing wine. She saw firsthand the way beer and wine opened up conversations and brought people together. It left a profound impression on her.

 

Although she went to the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television and graduated with a degree in filmmaking, there was never any doubt in her mind that, someday, she would create something linked to wine. After all, she says, “Francis Ford Coppola, who is UCLA film school alum, had successfully pursued careers in both industries. If he could do it, she could, too.”

 

This unwavering belief in her is one of Goldstein’s defining uniqueness. However, it is her belief in humanity that sets her apart, both as a person and as a winery proprietor. She believes we can all do better and will do better, for each other as well as the earth. This hopefulness and the sense of responsibility that comes with it shines through with Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein Winery labels like Black Lives Matter Pinot Noir, marked by wisplike letters spelling “I can’t breathe” in the shape of a cross inspired by the murder of George Floyd. Goldstein says she incorporated the cross on the label to reflect the fact that George Floyd was a human being who did not deserve to lose his life.

 

Goldstein believes that one of the key lessons of being on this planet is that we have to take care of each other. We have to do better. She is a big fan of Paul Newman and all the charity work he did through his food brand. She would love to do something like that so she can continue to help people, because as she says, “At the end of the day, we cannot take it with us. The Egyptians tried it and it did not work.” For more information on her winery and wines, please, click here.

Monday, April 05, 2021

What You Need to Know About Romance Scams

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

The Coronavirus, COVID-19, has had a major impact worldwide. With a pandemic, comes a proliferation of scammers. Therefore, it should not surprise you that there has been a swell of individuals attempting to separate you from your hard-earned cash.

 

Millions of people turn to online dating apps or social networking sites to meet someone. Instead of finding romance, many find swindlers trying to trick them into sending money. Read about the stories romance scammers makeup and learn the #1 tip for avoiding a romance swindle.

The Lies Romance Scammers Tell

How to Avoid Losing Money to a Romance Scammer

How to Report a Romance Scam

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If you have ever been a victim of a romance swindle, One World Singles Blog would like to hear from you. Send your experience to info@oneworldsinglesblog.net - And in the subject line write “my romance scam incident”. If we decide to post it, we will only post your initials and the country where you reside. You must state that you are over 18 years of age or of legal age in the country where you reside. Thank you.