Divine Desserts Publishing, LLC

African-American Hair!

I hope all of you are enjoying your week!

African-American Hair!

Do you like your hair? Do you struggle with taking care of it?

Like many people of color, especially African-Americans, hair has always been a struggle for me. In the late seventies through mid-eighties, I grew up in an all-white area and had extremely limited access to hairdressers specializing in Black hair. My mom used a hot comb to straighten my thick unruly hair after she’d washed and dried it. The entire ordeal took the whole weekend and she had to do this to four girls!

On a related note, I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride! I’m crafting a scene about a twelve-year-old girl who gets her hair done so that she can attend a birthday party. My story takes place in 1867. The hot comb was not widely used in 1867. To care for African-American hair, wide toothed combs made of animal horns or wood were used. Stiff boar bristle brushes were also used to tame hair. Various oils and sometimes lard was used to moisturize. The hair was then braided or coiled and styled with hair pins or ribbons.

An 1867 hair style may have looked like this:

I’m enjoying researching The Blacksmith’s Bride and encourage all to order a copy!

I’m anxious to hear your thoughts about your own hair! Do you like your hair? Did you struggle with hair care when you were growing up? How about now?

Currently, I go to a Dominican salon to get my hair done! Those ladies do an awesome job with my locks! I always receive lots of compliments! They do use some hot dryers though!

Good Times!

I met up with some relatives last Sunday for lunch. Two of them were visiting from out of town. I’d not seen some of them in years! Here’s a group photo! I’m on the end wearing blue and white!

The Candy Beach Series Book Proofs

I’ve selected a winner for the set of book proofs! I’ve reached out to the person who won! Once they’ve confirmed – I will update this blog post – later this week – to let you know the results from the drawing!

The Homefront!

Our bathroom and basement walls are finally finished! Only problem? There are still a few cracked tiles on the bathroom floor. The repair people said that it was virtually impossible to repair separate tiles without replacing the entire floor. I was told that the insurance would not pay to have the floor redone – so that repair would be out of pocket. The cracked tiles are still in our bathroom.

Our finished bathroom wall!

cracked tile

cracked tiles

Christmas In July!

Want a summer treat? Check out my Christmas Holiday Romance Book Bundle for only $20 – continental US only! Grab a bunch to celebrate Christmas in July! These are paperback books that make great gifts for yourself and your friends and family!

I’m sure you’ll enjoy these wonderful stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Summer is Here!

Want a nice emotional treat during the summer? Check out my Candy Beach Series! These are heartwarming delicious novels and novellas that you can read all summer! All are beach themed! Perfect for reading during your summer vacation!

The Blacksmith’s Bride

As stated previously, I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride – a historical novel set a few years after the Civil War. The Blacksmith’s Bride is the third book in the Romance Bride Series.

I’m enjoying writing The Blacksmith’s Bride as each character goes through an emotional journey of change and faith. Pre-order a copy for yourself and a friend!

Writing Services

As a reminder, I offer writing-related services. I work with writers who may need help with their fiction. Interested in working with me? Details here.

Butterscotch Bliss

If you’re reading this on my blog, then I can only assume that you’ve not subscribed to my newsletter! If you subscribe you will receive a FREE eBook, BUTTERSCOTCH BLISS! Subscribe today so that you can immediately enjoy this wonderful, emotional, captivating love story!

“Butterscotch Bliss” by Cecelia Dowdy is a captivating story about how Raquel and Patrick reunite and resolve their past issues. Once deeply in love, they were tragically separated. Now, Raquel discovers that her father is not dead, prompting questions about the truth behind his absence. – 5-star review – AMAZON

A beautiful written story with a lot of feels. This book will stir your emotions and keep you reading to see what’s next. Absolutely loved this book! – 5-star review – AMAZON

Book Proof Giveaway!

I’m giving away an entire set of book proofs for The Candy Beach Series. You must follow instructions to enter. Again, these are proofs – so the words NOT FOR RESALE are displayed on all of the covers! You must leave your email address on this blog post to enter!

The Candy Beach Series Book Proofs

Homeless Children in 1867 Philadelphia

I’m still hard at work on The Blacksmith’s Bride! I have a 14-year-old secondary character who is struggling. He’s being raised by his grandmother and she can’t afford to properly feed him. So, he’s on the street during the day, finding ways to feed himself. I did some research and found that in 1867 Philadelphia, the setting for The Blacksmith’s Bride, there were many homeless and semi-homeless children.

Some lived at home at night, but, during the day they managed to do odd jobs and petty thefts in order to afford food. Many orphans lived on the street. Orphanages existed, but, they didn’t accept all homeless children. Many orphanages had strict rules and harsh punishment – which was a big turn off for most kids. The cut-off age for most orphanages, at the time, was 10. They believed that kids who were older than 10 could find work.

I’m learning so many things as I write The Blacksmith’s Bride.

Plants

My plants have been sprouting hot peppers! We love eating them on sandwiches and in salads! Here’s a pic of one of my plants!

Do you have any plant pics to share? I’d love to see them!

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Trouble Still on the Homefront!

Our bathroom and basement walls are almost finished! The repairman is here now! He needs to replace paneling and then he must paint. Will post pictures next week!

Summer is Here!

Want a nice emotional treat during the summer? Check out my Candy Beach Series! These are heartwarming delicious novels and novellas that you can read all summer! All are beach themed! Perfect for reading during your summer vacation!

Want an extra treat? Check out my Christmas Holiday Romance Book Bundle for only $20! Continental US only! These are paperback books that make great gifts for yourself and your friends and family!

I’m sure you’ll enjoy these wonderful stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

The Blacksmith’s Bride

As stated previously, I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride – a historical novel set a few years after the Civil War. The Blacksmith’s Bride is the third book in the Romance Bride Series.

I’m enjoying writing The Blacksmith’s Bride as each character goes through an emotional journey of change and faith. Pre-order a copy for yourself and a friend!

Writing Services

As a reminder, I offer writing-related services. I work with writers who may need help with their fiction. Interested in working with me? Details here.

Events

I have a few events in the works, but they have not been finalized! I will update you when things are set!

BUTTERSCOTCH BLISS – A FREE eBOOK for all who join my email list!

Thanks to all for your wonderful compliments about Butterscotch Bliss. Currently, the eBook version is FREE and only available for those joining my email list. The paperback is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  If you feel inclined – please leave a review – only if you enjoyed the book!

Our Country!

Remember to keep our country in prayer as all/some of these changes take place! At times, our country does not run smoothly! Also, remember to pray for all that are suffering in our nation! Be sure to check on your friends and loved ones to be sure they are okay!

Enjoy your day!

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Fourth of July!

I hope all of you have had a lovely holiday weekend! We had a barbeque. It was so hot outdoors. My husband reprimanded that we should have started earlier in the day. The reason why we didn’t start during his suggested time was because I was yakking on the phone! After we cooked the food and ate, we offered a variety of ice cream for dessert. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and socializing indoors. We also watched The Twilight Zone marathon on the Sci-Fi Channel!

How was your Fourth of July? I’d love to hear about it!

Fourth of July Food!

Our Barbeque Setup!

Assorted Ice Cream for Dessert! I forgot to include the vanilla ice cream in the pic!

The Blacksmith​​

I’m still working on The Blacksmith’s Bride! The Blacksmith’s Bride is a historical novel that takes place a few years after the Civil War. It’s a story about Benjamin, a blacksmith who relocates to Philadelphia with his twelve-year-old-daughter. He’s a widower and he’s anxious to start a new and better life due to a heartbreaking tragic event. As mentioned in previous newsletters, Benjamin is of African American and Caucasian ancestry. In my novel, I often mention his blue eyes. When I write my novels, I try to picture the characters. I imagine that Benjamin looks similar to this – only with historical clothing and shorter hair!

The Blacksmith’s Bride is also about Francine, a former socialite who is now impoverished. You first meet Francine in The Baker’s Bride – she’s the villain in that story. She redeems herself in The Blacksmith’s Bride. If you’ve not yet read The Baker’s Bride, I highly recommend that you do so!

Morning Walk

I often run into geese during my daily walk. Here’s a pic of me beside some of those birds from this morning’s trek!

Trouble Still on the Homefront!

We’re still dealing with trouble on the home front! The insurance company has finally returned our calls! We’re still ironing out details with the construction and insurance companies! Construction company is supposed to reach out to me TODAY – July 7th – to arrange a time to fix my walls! It was terrible having guests over the holiday weekend with unfinished walls in my house!

Summer is Here!

Want a nice emotional treat during the summer? Check out my Candy Beach Series! These are heartwarming delicious novels and novellas that you can read all summer! All are beach themed! Perfect for reading during your summer vacation!

Want an extra treat? Check out my Christmas Holiday Romance Book Bundle! Continental US only! These are paperback books that make great gifts for yourself and your friends and family!

‘m sure you’ll enjoy these wonderful stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Do you have any cool summer plans? If so, I’d love to hear about them!

The Blacksmith’s Bride

As stated previously, I’m still writing The Blacksmith’s Bride – a historical novel set a few years after the Civil War. The Blacksmith’s Bride is the third book in the Romance Bride Series.

I’m enjoying writing The Blacksmith’s Bride as each character goes through an emotional journey of change and faith. Pre-order a copy for yourself and a friend!

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful compliments about Butterscotch Bliss. Currently, the eBook version is only available for those joining my email list. The paperback version is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  If you feel inclined – please leave a review – only if you enjoyed the book!

Writing Services

As a reminder, I offer writing-related services. I work with writers who may need help with their fiction. Interested in working with me? Details here.

Events

I have a few events in the works, but they have not been finalized! I will update you when things are set!

Our Country!

Remember to keep our country in prayer as all/some of these changes take place! At times, our country does not run smoothly! Also, remember to pray for all that are suffering in our nation! Be sure to check on your friends and loved ones to be sure they are okay!