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Dare! Find a small-town main street offering more than Coeur d’Alene’s.

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While my family visited Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, we spent quite a it of time in Downtown Coeur d’Alene, the lively little town which sets the scene for more than half of my Rhythms & Muse novel.

In addition to its most beautiful City Beach at the west end of downtown, Cd’A’s seven-block main street, aka Sherman Ave., offers a plethora of great experiences:

  • Hudson’s Hamburgers, with it’s 100-year legacy, is a destination for the most delicious, juicy burgers worldwide!
    (I very much regret I couldn’t find a good way to include Hudson’s iin Rhythms & Muse. Those burgers are one of my favorite reasons for visiting Cd’A. A point of interest: the Hudson family, including current proprietors Steve and Todd, lived next to my family in Fairway Hills the entire time I lived up there.)
  • Calypsos Coffee & Creamery, a great coffee venue right off Sherman on Lakeside Ave., where I held my book signing.
  • A number of charming retail shops, including:

    Looking west down Sherman Ave. from 5th St.(?) ©2011 ANVidean

    • Gallery Northwest, filled with lovely unique artwork crafted by local artists
    • Summers Glass gorgeous dichroic glass jewelry and art, beads, and more
    • Possibilities wine and gift-basket shop
    • Coeur d’Alene Chocolates, a family-owned shop with the most beautifully delicious treats I’ve ever seen.

      The sandy City Beach at the west end of Sherman Ave. offers a pristine view of the towering Coeur d’Alene Resort, and Tubbs Hill. ©2011 ANVidean

  • The Coeur d’Alene Resort, a lovely destination towering over the north end of Lake Cd’A right at the foot of downtown, with a  marina and one of the largest boardwalks in the world. It’s connected via skywalk to an indoor shopping mall featuring mid-to-high-end restaurants and shops.

I’ll be doing future posts to provide additional details on some of these distinctive hot spots, so watch the blog.

Do you have a Cd’A story or photo to share? Comment below, or send your .jpg image to me at avidean@videanunlimited.com and I’ll post it in the future.

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Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

One of America’s most beautiful downtown beaches

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My family just returned from a too-short visit to the beautiful northwest. We hung out in Spokane, WA, and Coeur d’Alene, ID, for a week… seeing friends, tracking down old haunts, and visiting places and activities mentioned in my Rhythms & Muse novel.

Lake Coeur d’Alene    ©2011 ANVidean

One lazy afternoon, we strolled the Centennial Trail through the City Park, soaking in sights like this one. But what’s so uber cool about this…? Downtown Coeur d’Alene is just about two blocks to the east of this scene.

Can you see why lovely Lake Cd’A certainly served as high inspiration for a major portion of my novel? Who wouldn’t want to spend time near this blue water?

Do you have a Cd’A story or photo to share? Comment below, or send your .jpg image to me at avidean@videanunlimited.com and I’ll post it in a future blog.

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Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

Spokane Trivia from Rhythms & Muse

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The Spokane River ©2007 ANVidean

I held a Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD signing at Calypsos Coffee & Roastery, 116 E. Lakeside Ave. in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, from 4–7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011.

Beforehand, I visited the coffee house, checking the place out, drinking a delicious tropical green iced tea, and posting this trivia blog about Spokane, Wash.

A number of events in my novel take place in 1970s Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash. If you know the area, or just want to learn some interesting facts about it, check out these questions and see how many answers you can guess?

Spokane Trivia Questions

22. What’s the name of the river on which the Cedar’s Restaurant floats?

23. The novel characters have dinner to escape the pressures of early fame at an oddly named restaurant specializing in Olde English fare and overlooking the Spokane River Falls. What is it called?

24. The former name of today’s INB Performing Arts Center where heroine Alexandra Lauren and her musical peers perform a benefit show for children’s music programs?

25. The name of the central city park, now the legacy of the 1974 World’s Fair in Spokane, Wash.

26. The bridge the main characters stand on, almost directly over the Spokane River Falls, connects to what island? For bonus points, what was the island named before the World’s Fair?

27. What three major landmarks in Riverfront Park can be viewed by the characters Alex and Matt while discussing their future together on the bridge?

28. What type of fish migration created one of the Spokane River’s true natural glories before Washington Water Power moved in to harness the river’s power?

Answers in comments below.

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You can find these, plus more Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash., references in my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

Coeur d’Alene Trivia from Rhythms & Muse, part 3

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We’re nearing the date of my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD signing at Calypsos Coffee & Creamery, 116 E. Lakeside Ave. in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. (4–7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011). Excited! I’m so looking forward to seeing plenty of my friends there…including you?

Just for fun, these trivia questions are based on places and activities in Cd’A, and Spokane, Wash., especially during the 1970s. All the items are mentioned in the book. Do you know the area? How many answers can you get correct?

Cd’A Trivia Questions, part 3

15. What’s the name of the marina surrounded by one of the world’s longest floating boardwalks and with easy access from The Coeur d’Alene Resort?

16. How wide and long is the Coeur d’Alene Boardwalk?

17. When did the Cd’A Resort open?

18. Although the Lake City is now northern Idaho’s center for healthcare, educational, media, manufacturing, retail and recreation, the three main industries in the mid-1900s were…

19. Are there really cougars near Cd’A Lake?

20. Fireworks are set off over Cd’A Lake from a barge. Is the rumor that the barge catches on fire every year actually true?

21. What 23-mile-long improved path stretches in either direction from the City Park?

Answers in comments below.

See Spokane Trivia.

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You can find these and more Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash., references in my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

Coeur d’Alene Trivia from Rhythms & Muse, part 2

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The back cover of Rhythms & Muse features a Lake Cd’A photo taken by the author. ©2005 ANVidean

A significant portion of my Rhythms & Muse women’s fiction novel takes place in 1970s Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane Wash., so it seemed natural to create a trivia blog entry or two about some of the places and activities mentioned in the book. Do you know the area? How many answers can you get correct?

Cd’A Trivia Questions, part 2

8. THE 1970s local hangout after ball games and music concerts was a wooden structure with tall slanted windows, just around the corner from downtown Coeur d’Alene. Do you recall its name?

9. The sledding scene in the novel was inspired by a favorite hill just up from where the author used to live off the Cd’A public golf course. What’s the name of this neighborhood?

10. Student musicians would travel to this city, home of the University of Idaho, to compete in “State” where judges rated their talent/skills.

11. You’ll probably need to have been friends with the author to know this one, but what color and make was the family car Ann drove during high school?

12. What is the name of the 17-acre public park named located just west of downtown Cd’A?

13. You can go for a 2.2 mile hike right from downtown Coeur d’Alene in a 164-acre urban wilderness area. Named for a German immigrant who was Coeur d’Alene’s first Justice of the Peace, this area is called…?

14. Hundreds of bird species are found in Northern Idaho, including majestic bald eagles. What other bird-of-prey, known for building nests on top of lake pilings, is prevalent in Cd’A?

Answers in comments below.

More Cd’A trivia (part 3).

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You can find these and more Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash., references in my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

Rhythms & Muse book signing in Coeur d’Alene, ID

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The back cover of Rhythms & Muse features a Lake Cd’A photo I took in 2005.

I’m so excited to return to Coeur d’Alene in August for a signing of my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD at Calypsos Coffee & Creamery, 116 E. Lakeside Ave. from 4–7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011.

Background

I spent my high school years in Coeur d’Alene, and plenty of time in Spokane, Wash., which inspired the 1970s flashback scenes in the novel. Anyone who’s been around those towns for a while will recognize a number of the places mentioned in the book. Readers can find a sneak peek in my Cd’A Trivia blog entry, too.

For those who don’t know, Rhythms & Muse is a make-dreams-come-true story about a Grammy-award-winning female vocalist, Alexandra Lauren, who is living the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle and hating it. Dreams are guiding her, but she ignores them until one comes true in real life. Her dreams, and flashbacks to her senior year in high school, lead Alex to listen to her intuitions and return to Cd’A. Searching for true fulfillment, she works an elaborate scheme to try to reconcile with her former music partner and first love, Matt Roberts, and to regain the balance she’s lost in her life.

As I was writing the story of these musical characters, I also decided to create original music to accompany the book, using the music and lyrics my characters “composed.” On the Rhythms & Muse CD, I sing all five songs, and also contribute select piano and guitar accompaniment.

Did you know I…

  • Always wanted to write a novel and create music, so publishing Rhythms & Muse this year fulfilled two of my main life goals in tandem.
  • Graduated from Cd’A high school and left Idaho to attend Arizona State University.
  • Graduated cum laude in Broadcast Journalism from ASU.
  • Worked in corporate and agency public relations until starting my own marketing consulting firm in 1996.
  • Was honored by a panel of national judges honored with a Crown Jewel Award for my firm vIDEAn Unlimited, LLC (i.e. the top U.S. home-based business in 2005).
  • Specialize in developing business tribes using word-of-mouth marketing strategy.
  • Am an award-winning writer and editor.
  • Offer a bunch of interesting and valuable information on my Web site (videanunlimited.com), business-tribe blog (videanunlimited.com/biztribe), and novel blog (anvidean.com).

Did you know Calypsos Coffee & Creamery…

  • Is Coeur d’Alene’s Casual Coffee House
  • Was established by local-area natives, the Jenicek family, in 2008.
  • They decided to open Calypsos to share their love of coffee and to be involved with the downtown business district and its people.
  • Serves quality coffee, roasted onsite, in a captivating and comfortable atmosphere.
  • Is located one block from the Cd’A Resort, the Chamber of Commerce and the City Beach.
  • Great menu and services are detailed at Calypsoscoffee.com.

I can’t wait to get back to Coeur d’Alene to share Rhythms & Muse with my friends there.

– Ann

Coeur d’Alene Trivia from Rhythms & Muse, part 1

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The back cover of Rhythms & Muse features a Lake Cd’A photo. Click on image to enlarge. ©2005 ANVidean

A significant portion of my Rhythms & Muse women’s fiction novel takes place in 1970s Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane Wash., so it seemed natural to create a trivia blog entry or two about some of the places and activities mentioned in the book. Do you know the area? How many answers can you get correct?

Cd’A Trivia Questions, part 1

1. The stately old junior high building, demolished after 65 years of service in 1975 and alluded to in the Rhythms & Muse storyline, stood at what Coeur d’Alene cross streets?

2. Coeur d’Alene High School, at least in the 1970s, had a small group of singers selected from among the Concert Choir members who performed pop, jazz, and other popular songs. What was this small group’s name?

3. In the novel, the heroine Alexandra Lauren’s locker number is #77. Why is that number significant to the author?

4. The novel’s hero, Matt Roberts, lives in one of the large historic homes across from a beach, the public/private rights for which have just recently been resolved. What’s the name of that beach?

5. Is there really a “secret” meadow above the shoreline of Casco Bay as detailed in the novel – a verdant green grassy patch formed from spring run-off and surrounded by pines?

6. Inspiration for Matt’s lake cabin and his children’s music camp in the novel came from cabins owned in the 1970s by two of the author’s neighbors in Fairway Hills. What were the last names of those two families? (Hint: The cabins sat next to one another on Casco Bay directly in view of downtown Cd’A.)

7. The characters in the novel record a hit single at a famous crooner’s home on Hayden Lake. Although that blue-eyed singer did actually own a home on the lake, did it really have a built-in recording studio?

More Cd’A trivia (part 2).

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Answers in comments below.

You can find these and more Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash., references in my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

Coffee CommuniTea: Enchanted Grounds, Highlands Ranch, CO

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Today’s Cup o’ Tea
Enchanted Grounds Coffeehouse and Gameporium

Ah, the treasures we found inside... ©2011 ANVidean

Perks (what I really like!)
While in Colorado recently, I visited Enchanted Grounds with my brother Paul and his son Blake. I’d describe this charming spot as the ultimate in nerdy coolness. I mean really, a coffee shop and a gaming store all rolled into one? And I thought Souvia was heaven.

Perhaps it appealed to me so much because I’m a closet gamer. I love board games and cards, video games and, especially, role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. My family played D&D every week for years, starting with a group at Borders Books, and then moving to our living room. Our fabulous friend and Game Master Joanne kept the play creative, and rewarded smart and nonviolent decisions. It taught my kids a lot of great lessons about preparation, teamwork, strategic thinking and problem solving. Ah, but I digress…

Blake loves Batman, and I'm partial to Superman (mostly because of Smallville). ©2011 Paul Narcisian

We’d dropped into Enchanted Grounds for a short afternoon of quiet gaming and something refreshing to sip. When we first walked up to the counter, Paul says Dan to the barista, “Hey, great shirt!” He points out that Dan’s T-shirt image sported Blake’s favorite superhero, Batman.

Blake's scrumptious Batman shake. ©2011 ANVidean

We didn’t think much of it as we found a table and laid out our Harry Potter Lego game. But, when I went to pick up my delicious peppermint tea, I discovered a Batman symbol outlined in chocolate syrup on top of the boys’ chocolate milkshake. Blake loved the sweet surprise! (Not to mention sucking the creamy treat down to half full in about 15 seconds flat, at which point his Dad snagged the other half.)

My nephew Blake and brother Paul set up our game while waiting for tea and a milkshake. ©2011 ANVidean

I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Enchanted Grounds. The atmosphere feels energized, but calm. The food and drinks taste delicious. A well-stocked and roomy game-display area allowed for easy browsing. I can easily imagine playing D&D there, as the gaming tables are spacious and pretty comfortable. I especially like the broad variety of people the place attracted: not only gamer types rolling d20s (20-sided die) and pondering miniatures on maps, but families holding quiet conversations, and professionals working away on laptops.

All I want to know is why can’t Enchanted Ground be in my neighborhood? (I guess it’s so I have another great excuse to visit my lucky brother now… Yeah, that’s it.)

Barista Dan and owner Jeff Kokx. ©2011 ANVidean

Share a cuppa (the stories)
Owner: Jeff Kokx
Do you just love how that last name is spelled?

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

  • Specialty coffee and gourmet espresso
  • A good selection of teas
  • Fruit smoothies, and ice cream shakes (best in town!)
  • Sandwiches and burritos
  • Pastries and desserts
  • Even drink catering (an entire coffee and espresso bar set-up for your private party or office function)

The Grind (what I would change)
It’s Enchanted Grounds. What more is there to say?

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)

  • Online community:
    Podcasts
    Blog posts
  • Games, toys, puzzles and collectible card games (CCGs)
  • Plenty of seating inside and out
  • Game, club, and/or other events almost every day
  • Free WiFi and lots of power outlets
  • Beautiful decor and friendly staff (Dan was thoughtful, helpful…a real charmer!)

The Grounds (location)
8800 S. Colorado Blvd., Unit A
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
303.470.1010

Tea Times (hours)
Open:
M–Th 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
F 6 a.m.–12 a.m.
Sa 7 a.m.–12 a.m.
Su 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Yelp rating:  4 Stars

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I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel in coffee/tea venues, so it seemed natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

Arizona Dreamin’ readers’ event redux

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Thanks to Kris Tualla, I just experienced Arizona Dreamin’, one of the most fun conferences ever!

Held June 4, 2011, at the InnSuites in Tempe, the gathering of romance authors and readers was designed as a conference for readers in the off years between the bi-annual Desert Rose Romance Writer’s Association authors’ conferences.

Kris, the organizer, did a bang-up job bringing together talent, fun, and an opportunity to share great ideas and stories.

As one of the 24 featured authors (with my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD), here are a few of my favorite moments:

  • In the Book Club meetings, readers like these flanking paranormal romance author Gini Koch all met up for an informal chat.    ©2011 ANVidean

    Sitting around in various hotel-suite Book Club meetings to hear readers’ love of reading, their pet peeves, comments and questions.

  • Building relationships with booksellers, publishers, authors and readers while hanging around the conference hospitality suite and book store.

    Authors Tara Quinn, Erin Quinn and Cathy McDavid talk about their writing at the dinner discussion. ©2011 ANVidean

  • Listening to the author panels fielding questions about their stories and craft while we all enjoyed a yummy buffet dinner.

  • Jimmy Thomas took the time to snap photos with attendees like me. ©2011 Liz Muñoz

    Learning about ebook publisher Sapphire Blue Publishing, a finalist for the Ariadne Award for Best Publisher 2008; and Dog-Eared Pages, a homey northeast-Phoenix used book store that managed conference book sales.

  • Watching the romance-cover-photo-model and marketing mastermind Jimmy Thomas comfortably work his magic as the only male among scores of females. (Sometimes puns sneak into my writing even when I don’t plan them. 😀 )
  • I’d be remiss in not mentioning, also, I was quite happy to sell several of my novels and music CDs.

Attendees felt so enthusiastic about the conference, Kris is already putting together next year’s, now annual, event. Check out the June 1, 2012 Arizona Dreamin’ event blog. If you want to get up close and personal with authors and to hear about new their books, I highly encourage you to attend.

Were you at Arizona Dreamin’? Please share your comments.

Two upcoming Rhythms & Muse book events

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Announcing two upcoming events for my Rhythms & Muse
debut novel and music CD

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EVENT #1: Novel and CD signing

Sunday, May 22, 2011
11 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Tempe Marketplace)
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy. #1150
Tempe, AZ

Novel ($17), CD ($6), or both ($22) available for sale on-site 
with cash, or check to vIDEAn Unlimited

Win free attendance to an upcoming Catch Your Dream workshop,
helping you move forward with your life dream.

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EVENT #2: Arizona Dreamin’

I am one of 24 featured authors at this super fun girl’s night out event June 4, 2011. You’ll be up-close and personal with all the authors, learning and sharing about their books and writing. You’ll also have the chance to see the photo shoot for a book cover by model Jimmy Thomas.

Dinner. Bookstore. Raffles prizes. Goodie bags. Movie fest. I hope you’ll consider getting in on the fun!

Saturday, June 4, 2011
2 p.m.– 11 p.m. (or overnight)

Tempe InnSuites Hotel and Suites
1651 W. Baseline Road
Tempe, AZ

Tickets: $20 for general admission, or $39 including dinner with the authors.
Information and tickets at arizonadreamin.wordpress.com.

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Praise for Rhythms & Muse

“I rarely read fiction, but had this book recommended to me by a friend. I started the book on the plane on a recent trip and could not put it down! So well written, the descriptions make me want to take a trip to Idaho and of course I loved all the romance!” — Deb Ortega, Amazon.com review

“Love your writing! What a pro, the way you wove the past and the present together seamlessly.”— Andrea Beaulieu, author Finding Your Authentic Voice and Ah Ha!: 100 Flashes of Insight and Inspiration From Your Authentic Voice (www.yourauthenticvoice.com)

“Wonderful. I love the way you took us from the present back to the past to weave the storyline for each of the main characters. I am recommending the book to my daughters and granddaughters who are searching for their life rhythms.”—Margaret Jacoby, SPHR, the Goddess of Compliance with MJ Management Solutions (www.mjms.net)

“One of the best ‘chick flicks’ I have ever read. Rhythms & Muse, Ann Videan’s freshman release, engages your heart and spirit with the same lilting energy as a romantic soft rock ballad. If ever a dream was meant to be realized, this book is that dream, and you will gladly enfold yourself in its verbal magic.”– JM de Biasi, literary critic, bibliophile

“Definitely a page-turner! I loved the great dialogue, flashbacks and dreams, and the juxtaposition between the ’70s and current day. Plus, a lovely ending.”— Laurie Fagen, writer, publisher SanTan Sun News (www.santansun.com)

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About The Novel

Witnessing a horrific car accident seen many times before in her dreams spurs award-winning singer Alexandra Lauren to reevaluate her glamorous Hollywood lifestyle. With her lofty musical goal now tarnished by reality, and her unfulfilled memories from her senior year in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, haunting her, Alex takes a bold step to change the rhythms of her life. Leveraging her newly acknowledged intuitions, she makes a plan to reconnect not only with her musical touchstone and high-school sweetheart Matthew Roberts, but with her desire to impact lives for the good through the innocence and beauty of music.
***
Even though Matt holds Alex in his heart as his only muse, he resolves to ignore her existence. He cannot stay in control with her powerful presence in his life. Besides, how can he ever forgive her? In alliance with their charismatic friend Daniel, her betrayal demolished Matt’s joy in creating their hit single, not to mention their future lives, together.
***
Can anything in this world shift Matt’s resolve to distance himself from Alex? And, with Daniel still pursuing Alex even as his wife Kathy looks on, can Alex actually find fulfillment? Will music draw the estranged soul mates together again and guide them to realize their dreams?

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About the Music CD

A solid 1970s folk and rock-ballad influence on five original tunes inspired by songs “written” by characters in the Rhythms & Muse novel. The author composed and sang all the vocals, played piano and guitar on select compositions, and mixed the tracks in GarageBand software.

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 Where To Buy (if not at event)

Novel: createspace.com/3485275 [CreateSpace E-Store, best benefit to author]

Music CD: createspace.com/1913103 [CreateSpace E-Store, best benefit to author]

Book, music CD and MP3 files: www.tinyurl.com/ANVamazon [Amazon, most convenient]