• December Memos

    Dear Snow, So you couldn’t hang around for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? What’s up with that? It’s 8 degrees outside, so a little of the white stuff wouldn’t be out of line here. Shiveringly, Nan **** Dear James Taylor, Thank you for your Christmas CD! It’s awesome and I’ve nearly worn it out this Christmas. I especially love your rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River.” You are, as always, amazing. Caroling, Nan **** Dear Christmas Cookies and Fudge in the Freezer, Shut up! Resistingly, Nan **** Dear Grandboy, What a wonderful time Pops and I had watching you and Daddy baking this past weekend. Skype surely rocks! You’re such a…

  • Welcome, Author Ainsley Brooks

    I’m so pleased to welcome pal and fellow author Ainsley Brooks to the blog today. We’re celebrating the publication of her debut novel, The Star Prophecy, Book 1 in the Daughters of Prophecy series. Ainsley and I met online, but I knew right away she was a kindred spirit. She beta-read for me and is introducing me to a whole new world of fiction, fantasy!  I hope you’ll join me in making her feel welcome. Take it away, Ainsley… How I Became a Fantasy Romance Writer by Ainsley Brooks Science Fiction and Fantasy—the two genres are inexorably linked. Oh I like science, sure, when it comes to electricity and my…

  • 8-Sentence Sunday

    A new 8-Sentence Sunday and I stayed in Sarah’s story because it’s the one that’s on my mind this week. This snippet picks up from where we left off last week. Mack and Sarah are talking about her abusive ex-husband, whom she’s convinced is sitting outside the shelter in a limo waiting for his chance to confront her… “No, he won’t give it up,” Sarah’s voice sounded flat to her own ears as Mack followed her out into the courtyard. Even as she said the words, the truth of them sent a chill down her spine. She couldn’t shake the image of a mountain lion patiently stalking a gazelle. Watching,…

  • Welcome Author Mellanie Szereto

    Today, I’m happy to have pal and fellow romance author Mellanie Szereto as my guest. When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies or the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of twenty-seven years, their two children, and two cats. She is a member of Romance Writers…

  • 8-Sentence Sunday

    8-Sentence Sunday is back around and I’m switching it up on you again. Here’s the next 8 from Book 4 of the Women of Willow Bay series. For the previous snippets, head back to the the October 20 and 27 posts. Remember, this is Sarah Everett’s story, and as it opens, she’s terrified knowing that her abusive ex is out of jail. She suspects he’s stalking her because she’s seen a limo parked outside the shop where she works and her gut tells her it’s him. She and Mack, the night watchman are discussing possibilities… She couldn’t help thinking of the vehicle as a huge dark monster, crouched on the…

  • 8-Sentence Sunday

    Here we are! Not only is it Sunday, but it’s December 1! Wow! 2013 zipped by, didn’t it? Today’s 8 picks up where last week’s snippet from Book 3 of  my series, The Women of Willow Bay left off. Captain McGuire and crew are in a pickle as they make their way through the choppy waters of Lake Michigan on a cold November afternoon. It’s started to spit snow now and McGuire’s mind is not only on the weather, but also on the cargo he’s carrying… McGuire slumped into the seat by the wheel and let his mind wander to the last of the cargo tucked behind the false wall…