A Letter Across the Rainbow Bridge

My Dearest Miss Molly, my Baby Girl

I write you today from my side of the Rainbow Bridge. A place I stood a year ago today with great sadness. Even a year later it hurts as much as it did that sad, sad day when I helped you cross the bridge. It was the saddest day of my life. I would do anything to have you back in my life.

For 22 years you were there beside me, through good times and bad, happy and sad, lean and financially stable, boyfriends and breakups, you were the quiet, loving presence beside me. When you got sick you were stalwart and through five years of medications and sub-q fluids you never complained but took it all in stride. I think you know that we did what we could to not only keep you alive but give you a good quality and happy life. To say it has been hard without you would be an understatement. At times I wondered how I would get through each event without your constant presence because you had faithfully sat by me through each change in my life for so long.

Good things happened like we finally got our mortgage modified -- Mel will always have a stable home.  Missy and Bogie came into our lives -- Mel isn't too fond of Missy -- even with some of your traits, she isn't you. And Bogie, he's a feral and while he's come a long way, he still runs from people. At least he has a home where he is safe and has plenty of food, water and love.

And not so good things happened -- in September last year the doctors found a blood clot in my leg and a pulmonary embolism. If I hadn't dreamt of you that September morning I would never have gone to the hospital. While if I had not gone I would have crossed the bridge to be with you, Mel, Missy and Bogie would not have their mommy. There was no doubt you looked out for me across the bridge from there to here.

A car accident, the end of the furloughs at work, new friends, good times with old ones, betrayals from other -- it would have all been easier and better if you were still here. New book contracts, one that will star you soon, new stories on the horizon.

Changes at work making it better -- no drama these days and it's good, so much better. I work with a number of cat people and you know how special we are.

But still, life without you just isn't the same. There is still a huge hole in my heart that can't be filled. I miss you baby girl and not a day goes by I don't with I could hold you one more time. Thank you for the gift of your time in my life; thank you for saving mine last year. Sleep well little Princess. Mommy will always love you.

Welcome to Anne K. Albert

Anne K. Albert has taught high school art, sold display advertising for a small town weekly newspaper, and worked for a national brand water company, but now writes full time.

A member of the Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and married to her high school sweetheart for more than a quarter of a century, it's a given she'd write mystery and romantic suspense.

When not in her home office, she enjoys traveling, visiting friends and family, knitting, crocheting, and of course, reading.

Regan –How would you describe your series to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?

Anne - The Muriel Reeves Mysteries is a series of ‘gentle” mysteries that focus on crimes that take place around a special date on the calendar. Tied in with the festivities are the antics of Muriel’s eccentric but lovable family. My books chill the spine, warm the heart and soothe the soul – all with a delightful touch of humor.

Regan - What inspired you to write your first book?

Anne - The sad truth is a few years ago the neighbor from hell moved in next door. It was an ugly situation, made all the worse by the ever present police cruisers who were monitoring the situation. I’d had a particularly bad day, and decided I needed a good laugh and a diversion as I hadn’t written in such a long time. To be honest, I wondered if I even remembered how to write. Still, I placed my fingertips on the keyboard and FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL was born. It took me about five months to write the book from start to finish, and it was a godsend for my sanity. As for that horrid neighbor? He moved away shortly after we did!

Regan – Did you have to do any research, and if so, how?

Anne – I used and continue to use Google for just about everything I need to research. It’s an amazing resource and always at my fingertips.

Regan - Tell us about your book.

Anne – FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL is set the week before Christmas when the stress of the holidays is enough to frazzle anyone’s nerves. Tensions increase when a close friend begs Muriel to team up with a sexy private investigator to find a missing woman. Forced to deal with an embezzler, kidnapper, and femme fatale is bad enough, but add Muriel’s zany yet loveable family to the mix and their desire to win the D-DAY (Death Defying Act of the Year) Award, and the situation can only get worse.

It received a 5-star review and Reviewer Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews. Reviewer Diana Coyle said, “Ms. Albert has a way of telling a story that pulls you in from the very first sentence and holds your attention to the very last line. If you’re looking for a story with a little bit of humor, a whole lot of suspense and plenty of insanity, then you’ve found the perfect story.”

Regan - Where can readers get a copy of your book?

Anne: It’s available in e-book format now at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Incense-and-Muriel-ebook/dp/B004CLYDRO/

Barnes and Noble, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Frank-Incense-and-Muriel/Anne-K-Albert/e/2940011142123/ Smashwords, http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30192

or from my publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing. http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com The print edition will be released in July 2011.

Thank you so much, Regan, for hosting me on my third stop of the Murder We Write Blog Tour. I’d like to invite readers to visit my website http://www.AnneKAlbert.com/ or my main blog http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com.

If they drop by my Muriel Reeves Mysteries blog http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com and leave a comment mentioning this interview, I’ll enter their name in a draw to win a pdf copy of FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL. I’ll announce the winner at the conclusion of the tour, sometime during the week of August 22, 2011.

Welcome to Vivian Zabel

For our chat I asked Vivian who she'd like to go back in time to visit with.  Here's what she had to say

Back in time to visit with Gram, Bess Gibbs, from Stolen for Regan Taylor


VZ: Mrs. Gibbs, you lost your daughter and her husband to a drunk driver, and now you and your husband have their daughter to raise. How will you manage having a seven-year-old?

Bess: Please call me Bess. Roy and I will do fine. Besides we have Roy and Gloria to help. They don’t have any children yet, and they love Torri as much as we do.

VZ: You and Roy manage the bed and breakfast with your son’s help, and his wife’s, but will a child disrupt things?

Bess: Oh, my no. She has visited us since she was a baby and has never been a problem. She loves this huge, old house.

VZ: Will you tell us about the Light House? I understand it originally was a duplex for Roy’s grandfather and twin brother.

Bess: Yes, it was. The elder Mr. Gibbs wanted his sons to have a special home. I’d say this huge Victorian is more than special. When Roy’s great-uncle didn’t have any children, the property came to Roy, who decided to create a bed and breakfast.

VZ: Why did you name it the Light House?

Bess: Because of all the antique oil lamps. We placed at least one in each room.

VZ: The house is beautiful. I’ve always been partial to Victorians.

Bess: Me, too, and antiques.

VZ: Bess, I’m writing a novel about a family who own and manage a bed and breakfast, and I could use some help presenting things clearly. How do you and Roy and Bob and Gloria live in the building and keep your privacy from visitors?

Bess: We still have the building divided. Roy and I have an apartment on the second floor on the south side of the building. Bob and Gloria have one on the first floor next to the large family room where we all can congregate. Of course, Torri has a room by us, in one of the tower rooms.

VZ: Do you have other employees?

Bess: We have a cook and gardener, who live in the apartment over the garages. Two young women do housekeeping and wherever needed. They have rooms on the third floor. They aren’t really employees, more like members of the family.

VZ: Thank you, Bess. You have helped me very much. I’m sorry for the torment I’ll put you through in my novel, though.

Bess: Whatever faces us in the future, we have our faith to strengthen us, and our love for each other.


A bit about Vivian --


Vivian Zabel always has had a vivid imagination and, when a child, used it to tell her siblings and friends stories. As soon as she could write, she began to put those stories on paper. She wrote her first poetry when she was eight, and still writes it. Poetry was and is her therapy. When a “friend” laughed at her announcement that she would write a book someday, Vivian didn’t share her goal any more, but she didn’t stop planning on writing that book.

As she reared her children and was a stay-at-home-mother, with spells of working in the business world, Vivian wrote short stories, poetry, and articles, which were published. Vivian taught English and writing for 27 years and retired in 2001. Every year she taught, she attended writing classes, workshops, and clinics, not only to learn how better to teach her students, but also to hone her own writing skills. Finally in 2001 she was able to write full time and write longer works, after she retired from teaching.

At present, Vivian has six books to her credit, two co-authored. Her latest books are Prairie Dog Cowboy (written under the name V. Gilbert Zabel), Midnight Hours (written under the name Vivian Gilbert Zabel), and Stolen, released in November 2010.

Her interests besides writing include her family (husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren), reading, helping other people publish their books (through 4RV Publishing), and traveling.



As an editor for over thirty-five years, an English and writing teacher for nearly thirty years; an author with poetry, articles, short stories, and novels published over a span of forty-two years (with more than her share of rejections along the way) and the head of a small publishing company for over three years, Vivian Zabel experienced both sides of the submission experience. Since submissions for 4RV go to acquisition editors anonymously (only fair way to do the job), one of her submissions was rejected a couple of months ago.

Her publishing company 4RV Publishing produced the Oklahoma Book Award winner in fiction for 2010: Confessions of a Former Rock Queen by Kirk Bjornsgaard. Other books have received regional awards in their categories. 4RV has released children’s books, middle grade and young adult books, novels, and nonfiction books.

Vivian has also received emails from rejected writers thanking her for sharing evaluation comments that help and some swearing at her for being so blind she can’t tell wonderful writing when she reads it.

Since submissions for 4RV go to acquisition editors anonymously (only fair way to do the job), one of her submissions was rejected a couple of months ago.



Links:



Vivian’s blog: http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com

Vivian’s website: http://VivianZabel.com

4RV Publishing http://4rvpublishingllc.com

Stolen http://Stolen.yolasite.com

Orders (other than from bookstores, online suppliers) http://4rvpublishingcatalog.yolasite.com

And when I saw her picture and that great smile, I knew she was someone I wanted to have as my friend.

Welcome Jennifer DiCamillo

JENNIFER DICAMILLO writes memorable characters in unforgettable stories. She’s won over 180 writing awards, so you can be assured you’ll be reading a well-written story. She’s also a motivational speaker, poet, and playwright who loves kids (she has five!) and animals. She lives in a haunted hollow just north of Branson, Missouri, with her two four lb yorkies, Mojo and Pixie; her calico cat, Sibli (Sister of the meadow); and her tobiano paint horse, W.C. (Wild Card).

LOGLINES:

The Price of Peace (Publish America) is a tongue lashing, sword slinging epic saga of clan warfare set in 13th Century Wales. It begins with murder, rallies in romance, wallows in intrigue, and culminates in suspense. Once you finish this, you really will have survived the war!



Deadknots (Hard Shell Word Factory) is a fun anthology filled with paranormal mysteries. You won’t want to miss The Banshees of Baxter County which easily could have been called Gophers Gone Wild. Gophers from the high school science lab are mysteriously set free. Before long, gophers are showing up all over the county, and so are dead bodies. And if that’s not strange enough for you, ghosts have been seen at the local cemetery.



Four Dead (Mojocastle Press) isn’t your traditional romantic suspense. Four bodies have turned up in dumpsters in just as many months. One week before another body is due to show up, detectives Mike Barber and Beth Thompson realize that Beth fits the profile of the victims and her apartment sits smack in the middle of the other murders. With no leads, and very little hope of surviving the week, Beth decides to let loose a little bit by cornering Mike into setting up dates with his brothers. The week is fraught with high tension, scant new leads, and frightening revelations.



Mentally Unstable (Under the Moon Press) is a collection of short mystery stories that are sure to entertain readers of all ages. From cozy to hardboiled, humorous to dead serious, this anthology really has a good variety of award-winning tales.

***

The answer to the 40 million dollar WIP question "If I could go back in time to ask anyone in the world, living or dead, what you need for your current WIP, who would it be and what would you ask them?"



My response: I'm a multi-task writer. I always have at least one poetry collection in the works (I have four published!) and I've also got about twenty things started, usually one in every genre I write in, which is pretty much ALL. So, narrowing all that down, I'd go back in person to meet William Shakespeare. I'd get him to tutor me on the basics required in every production he ever created. I figure I'd learn some things about pacing and meter, maybe pick up the iambic pentameter beat, but certainly get the quintessential list for long lasting success. I figure he'd be pretty surprised to hear how long his works have ruled the world. I plan to flabbergast him with the crazy notion that we let women play women in productions these days. I'm sure he'll be scandalized.



As for my current MYSTERY IN PROGRESS, I'd ask ol' Will if he liked it, get his notes on improvements. I think he'd find any holes in my plotting. Or places red herrings should be put. Maybe he'd name some viable herrings himself. Wouldn't that be fun to say? Wouldn't the headlines be great? Time Travelin Writer Consults Shakespeare! Will on Jenn! She could have asked Jesus, Ghandi, or a make-it-or-break-it best selling sponsor like Oprah, but no, she picks the bones of the great master instead!

Exciting News at Our House

Last year when my 22 year old kitty died I was devastated. She'd been with me almost half my life. Her 12 year old brother, Mel, was also having a hard time so a week after her death I went to Humane -- just to see if they had any cats -- they might run out, you know. I met Bogie, an 8 month old feral who they felt could be socialized. What I didn't know at the time, but they told me later, was they found him in a feral colony when he was maybe 2 months old. They are a no-kill shelter but they do pick up ferals and spay or neuter them. Because he was so sweet they kept him instead of re-releasing him into the wild. He lived at Humane for 2 months but no one took him so he went to foster care for two more months and then back to Humane. He'd been there about 2 more months when I met him -- apparently every time someone picked him up he lost his home. He's a pretty smart little guy.

Well we hit it off -- I spent about 2 hours with him, pet him, he let me comb him and when I told him I was having a hard time reaching him on his high shelf he moved, on his own, to a lower shelf. I decided against bringing him home at 5 on a Sunday when I'd have to leave for work the next day and he'd be in a strange home with just him and Mel and who knew what they'd do. So I said I'd pick him up the next Saturday.

Saturday morning, June 26 I set the alarm and as I was leaving for Humane to bring Bogie home I was hit with that overwhelming feeling of loss when someone you love dies. I just sat there crying for Molly and told her no one could ever fill the hole left by her death.

I got to Humane and this little black kitty came running up -- insisting quite loudly she was ready to come home. Her bags were packed, bring on the carrier, she was ready to go. She climbed up my leg and hung on. I held her a minute and she gave me mega kitty kisses and I put her down to go to Bogie. She climbed up on me again and meowed to beat the band -- I'm sure she was saying "It's me! What's the problem? Let's go." I put her down again and started again for Bogie...and she was right back up my leg.

What is a mere human to do? So I went out front and said I'd take both of them. We got home and Bogie ran and hid. For two days I had no idea where he was, just that he was in the house. Missy, however, made herself right at home -- it was if she'd lived here all her life -- all 6 months of it. Two days after they came home I saw Missy herding Bogie downstairs for breakfast.  She figured out the "rules" and made sure he knew them. He's a quick study -- especially when it comes to food and most especially when it's treats or his all time favorite, whipped cream.

But since the day I brought him home he has never let me touch him. He runs from everyone. When the vet comes we have to plan ahead and it takes 3 of us to catch him. He's been determined not to let anyone touch him because if they do, he will lose his home -- or so he thinks. It's really quiet sad because he's one of those kitties you just want to pick up and cuddle.

Bogie hangs out in one of the front bedrooms -- he has this little corner where you can't reach him for beans. It's his safe little kingdom.


Well this week, being home on vacation, I decided every day I'd go in there and at least get him to sniff my hand.

Sunday I touched his front paws and he let me pet them for oh, maybe a minute before he pulled away.


Today I went in and I was able to pet his tummy, his ears and under his chin and he didn't run for almost 2 minutes! That's pretty huge, you know? He turned after that and I'm not sure if he was moving away from me or giving me the other side of his body to pet him but I figured we'd accomplished a lot for one day. He didn't panic, just laid there while I told him he was a good boy and this is his forever home.

It may seem a small thing to a non-pet owner, but if you've ever loved a kitty who is afraid of everyone (or other animal) and they finally let you near, it's one of the best days of your life. (That's Bogie in the front)

The Three Muskateers -- If It Were Written Today

I've been enjoying, once again, reading Alexandre Dumas' Three Muskateers.  For the weekend I also ordered the earlier Hollywood film with Don Ameche. I love the old classic movies almost as much as the classic novels.

I started it about two weeks ago and it's about 800 pages in a hardback -- a hefty volume. Each page is filled with the rich prose only Dumas could write. I adore his books, especially the Count of Monte Cristo. This morning while I was reading over coffee it felt like I'd been with Athos, Porthos, Aramis and, of course, D'Artagnan for quite some time and that led me to thinking about how would the Three Muskateers be written today.

While it is mostly D'Artagnan's story, readers are also treated to pretty full stories of his companions. They have their loves, their losses, their personal battles and their crusades. They also have their close friendship. I thought back on one of the more "recent" portrayals, which isn't that recent at all Richard Lester's 1973 version with Michael York, Oliver Reed, Faye Dunaway, Richard Chamberlain and a host of other marvelous actors and actresses. When he originally made the film it ran over four hours and was broken into two -- the Three Muskateers and then the Four Muskateers. I'm still a little in love with Michael York although in retrospect, Oliver Reed is quite appealing as a hero. Even with the longer length of the movie, the screen version does not even begin to compete with the book.

I have to wonder if the book were written today, given our rushed world, our 142 character lives on twitter and slightly more on facebook, in a world of novellas that are quick reads on our e-readers, how would The Three Muskateers fare at being published as an original today. A part of me suspects that the author would either write it as a four book series from the git go or that an editor would ask him or her to divide it into four books, one for each of the heroes. It wouldn't be the same story, far from it -- yet I think many of our modern series books draw from Dumas' idea of four devoted friends who are larger than life who ride in to save the day. Maybe not on horses, but in helicopters, fast cars and motorcycles.

I like the way Dumas wrote his story -- I like that the four threads are woven into one action packed and often emotional tale and not broken into four books of a series. I'm not sure it would fly in today's reading world.

I Love Book Cover Day! Introducing The Photograph

Just as the eyes are the windows to the soul, book covers are the gateway to being transported to another time and place. The portal to leaving our day to day life, no matter how exciting some may be, to "be" somewhere else for a short time.  One of the best experiences in publishing is working with a cover artist who "gets" your book. The best cover artists are the ones who, with a few words from you, can weave amazing magic to give you the perfect cover.

This morning I received my cover for The Photograph, book one of my Treasures Antiques series, arrived.  Niki is an amazing artist. The not only captured my vision of the antique shop where some of the story takes place, but she brought the very street I envisioned to her palatte. I'd love to walk down this street and stop into that very antique store.

Best of all is the couple gracing the cover. As a friend of mine at work said, "I could let him whisper in my ear all day." Niki created a cover that captured my vision of The Photograph and that slightly off base feeling that I imagine you would have if you suddenly found yourself in another time.  She didn't fall into the cliche trap of slapping a bunch of old photographs on the page and thinking it was a unique idea -- which I've seen happen with a book that has the mention of a picture or photograph or painting in the title. She gave me a totally unique cover that, I think, evokes a number of romantic emotions.

Without further ado -- my cover for The Photograph

Meet Regina Andrews! And Check Out her Latest Book Light of the Heart

Light of the Heart


By


Regina Andrews


More than anything, Cascade Preston wants to forget her dark childhood in Sterling Lakes, so there’s no way she’ll agree to help refurbish that town’s church. Then she meets Dan McQuay. Will she be able to forgive the past and let the light of God’s love shine through into her heart?


Back Cover Blurb


A stained-glass artist based in Boston, Cascade Preston’s world is a kaleidoscope of color and beauty. She has overcome a dark childhood, deeply shadowed by domestic violence, in the town of Sterling Lakes. When she is approached to design new windows for a refurbished church in Sterling Lakes, she ignores the request. But when the no-nonsense Project Manager Dan McQuay appears looking for the window plans, the project takes on a whole new light. Will Cascade be able to keep the dark, protective cocoon she has built around herself intact, or will McQuay break through and shine new light into her heart? Is it possible that God’s plan for Cascade will lead her to forgive the town that ignored the situation in her family?

Excerpt from “Light of the Heart” by Regina Andrews













Chapter One

The afternoon class at Tanglewood Women's Prison was a spectrum of tension, as separated and splintered as a beam of light refracted through a prism. Cascade Preston held her student's template assignment up to the light overhead, and spoke carefully on the quality of the stained glass project.



"With two lights, or openings, Brenda, I would say your idea of a church window for this one would be correct."



Sighing, the student replied, "So you think I'm making progress?"



"Of course." She tossed her honey-colored curls behind her shoulders. "Don't you?"



Brenda snorted. "Heck, no. I'm in here for domestic assault. What do I know about progress? My life is over."



This stopped Cascade in her tracks. "Look, we all make mistakes. God has told us that sinners should flock to him. What do you think? "



Brenda shrugged. "God has his own agenda. We'll see what the parole board says about mine in two weeks."



"For now, let's focus on next week's class. Bring me a flower for that one.”



"Where are we supposed to get a flower?" someone muttered.



"Draw one, stupid," Brenda answered.



"Bye, ladies. Take care."



"See you." Sad-eyed, Brenda gave her a high-five as Cascade walked past her.



Cascade's heels clicked efficiently with her every crisp step, and she made sure to shuttle as closely as possible alongside the beefy guard who escorted her from the holding room. Getting into her Corolla, she whispered a prayer. "I don't think I'm doing any good here, Lord, but I feel you telling me to stick with it. So I will. Maybe this is the kind of thing that saved my mother." She tried to block the images of her mother's bruises from her mind, but they wouldn't go away. They never did.



The drive back into Boston passed by quickly, without too much traffic. "Lean on Me" blasted from her audio system, and she sang along with all her heart. At twenty-seven, she knew it was technically an oldie, but to her, it was fresh and filled with meaning. Cascade wondered as she sang what it would feel like to have someone to lean on, because she had always been alone.



"There's only one thing that could make tonight perfect," she mused as she pulled into the parking area for her condo complex, "and that's not going to happen, for sure."



Images of her long-gone fiancé, Kevin, came into her mind and heart. Where was he this fine June evening? More importantly, why were things so much better for him without her in his life?



A form crossing her path brought her back to reality. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed someone walking towards her car. A guy -- a big guy she did not recognize.



She shaded her eyes from the late day sun. Dark hair and outdoorsy looks. Work boots. "Nope,” she murmured to herself, “I don't know him."



Hopping from her car, she said, "Can I help you?"



"If you're Cascade Preston, you sure can."



He folded his arms across his chest. With all those muscles moving, Cascade could only imagine the stress put on the seams of his light blue cotton shirt.



"And you are..."



"Dan McQuay." He extended his arm towards her. "From the site."



"Hi." Cascade pumped his strong hand, lost in his sky blue eyes. "What site?"



He tilted his head. "The construction site."



"I'm not following you."



He looked at her steadily. "I'm project manager for the retrofit on the church in Sterling Lakes. The one that you're doing the windows for."



Cascade’s heartbeat quickened. Just hearing the name of the town where she grew up made her anxious and tense. "It seems there's been a misunderstanding. No way am I working on anything in Sterling Lakes." She started to bustle past him. "Now if you'll excuse me?"



"Don't run away, Ms. Preston. There's a problem here."



His tone of voice got her attention. He sounded like he cared... about her. That was crazy. She was a total stranger to him.



She nodded. "Apparently there is a problem, you're right. I don't know what you're talking about. Like I said, I'm not doing any work in Sterling Lakes, and I never will. That's the last place in the world I ever would go."



He gave a slow whistle. "Well, that's a loaded speech if I ever heard one."



In spite of herself, she smiled. "I didn't mean to get all hot and huffy, but it is how I feel, and I have my good reasons."



He eyed her intently before he finally spoke. "Understood. The thing is, your name is on the plans that I have, and my crew is ready to get going. We haven't heard from you, and we need to have a job meeting. Mostly, we need your specs."



Cascade noticed the strong line of his jaw when he spoke, and oh, those bluer than blue eyes of his were so easy to get lost in. She swallowed.



"I don't know what to tell you. I'm not contracted for that job. Your project executive should be able to answer your questions." She toyed with the zipper on her oversized leather shoulder bag as she watched thunderclouds roll across his handsome face. "Look, why don't you give me his name? I'll check things out at my studio in the morning and get in touch with him. Maybe I can get to the bottom of this."



"Yup." He took his hands out of his pockets. "Here's my business card, and here's his. Try and remember, every day is money to me."



"Okay, I know. I'm in business, too, so I get it. I know every job I'm on, and this one is not on my list. Let me see if I can find out why I'm on the list of subcontractors... if I really am."



"You are."



"I shouldn't be, so there's a mistake. I never even sent in a bid."



"At least we found out something tonight," he said with a shrug. "Other than you being a whole lot prettier in person than in the pictures all those magazine articles and newspaper stories print about you."



Cascade’s face warmed up at his compliment. "Now you're trying to butter me up."



"Just stating the truth, plain and simple like I always do, Ms. Preston. That's my way. Thank you for your time."



"You're welcome."



He started walking over to his truck. "Talk to you tomorrow."



"Right. And there's one more thing."



He questioned her with a wondering look.



"Please call me Cascade." Her smile lingered as she watched him drive off into the Boston twilight. Too bad this job was in Sterling Lakes. It might not be that bad to do a job with Dan McQuay. Not bad at all.



Light of the Heart will be available for purchase Tuesday, March 1st, at Desert Breeze Publishing.







Our St. Patrick's Day Hide and Seek Contest!

Welcome to our St Patrick’s
Day Hide & Seek!!

In an attempt to fill his love’s new e-reader, Paddy the leprechaun has been visiting lots of author’s websites. Unbeknownst to him there was a hole in his pocket and he has lost his gold. He needs your help to refill his pot and ensure a Happy St Patrick’s Day for everyone going to the party at the Rainbow’s end. What you need to do is visit the author’s sites and find where the gold fell out of Paddy’s pocket.

(check for the image on the contest page of my website:  www.regantaylor.com)

 

Keep a list of who and where you found it and in one (1) email send your answers to corinnedavies @ rocketmail.com. (no spaces)


Be certain to type: St Patrick’s Contest in the subject box.


The contest is open from 12:01am, March 7st to 11:59pm on March 17th . Entries with all the correct answers will be entered into a drawing.


One (1) prize will be awarded per winner.


The names of the winners will be listed on the site of all participating authors. Each winner will be contacted by the individual author of the given prize.


Participating authors & prizes:


Mechele Armstrong ~ A green candle set


Drea Becraft ~ A surprise of Irish goodies


Savannah Chase ~ An electronic copy of her novel, Pleasure After The Pain


Kris Cook ~ An electronic copy of Perfection


Corinne Davies ~ A one of a kind pendant made by Shameless Fashions


Stacey Espino ~ A $10 gift certificate to either Siren or Evernight Publishing


Erin M. Leaf ~ An electronic copy and autographed print copy of Appassionato


Chloe Lang ~ a $10 Strandbucks gift certificate


Aubrey Leatherwood ~ An electronic copy of her novel, Model Lover


Missy Martine ~ An electronic version of any book on her site, along with a printed t-shirt,
hat, cloth tote bag and some swag (pens, magnets, etc)


Sophie Oak ~ An autographed copy of Two to Love and Three to Ride & $25.00 Strandbucks gift certificate


Heather Rainier ~ $20.00 gift card for Hips and Curves


Zenobia Renquist ~ 2 copies of Harley on the Rocks (**2 winners**)


Jenika Snow ~ Readers choice, an electronic copy of any of her books


Regan Taylor ~ A shamrock necklace


Kiera West ~ A $10 Strandbucks gift certificate

May the Luck of the

Irish be with you!!!

An Early Valentine's Wish for All My Friends

Here’s something to brighten your day ladies . . .

Happy Valentine's Day a little early ….. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Sick of angel emails?

Ok BE HONEST...how many of you REALLY ENJOY getting little angel love notes from every person in your address book? You know the ones with "I love you so... here's an angel" ... and some mushy poem crap..... And like the cute wasn't bad enough, they then THREATEN you with bad luck if you don't send it on to others!!

So here's my version:

Take the fairy dust:

Add it to one of those angels

And POOF!!!!....

He's good luck because he probably made you smile.

When you're finished trying to see up his loincloth,
(AND YOU JUST LOOKED AGAIN, DIDN'T YOU??),

why not send this on to some of your girlfriends to make them smile, too?

Come by and Meet Mary Martinez - one of my most awesome friends!

Thanks, Regan, for hosting the third day of my blog tour. Anyone who would like to know the schedule can check it out here. http://www.marymartinez.com/news.html#events Each blog a different question from the host. Sort of like a continuing interview. I will also have two giveaways at the end of the blog tour. At the bottom, I’ll tell you how you can participate.


Okay! My turn!
Regan: If you could go back in time and meet one person, who would it be and what would you ask them that might help further your writing career?

Mary: What a question, you’re going to make me think are you? There are so many people in history I’d love to have met. But to ask them for help in my writing career, I’m not sure.

I think it would be Charles Dickens. He wrote some fantastic stories, and one of my favorites isn’t one of his more well known stories, like Oliver or a Tale of Two Cities. It’s Hard Times, how many of you have read that?

Regan: Actually I have. Several years ago I dug into my dad's collection of all Dickens' work and read all of his books.  He was such a marvelous author and chronicler of his time.
Mary:  He led such a hard life and many of his characters were from those hard times. When he was younger, he pasted labels on bottles of shoe polish for only six shillings a week. Then he was in debtors prison for a while. I guess he had to learn to survive the only way he could. The impressions from his youth made him the great author he turned in to.

What I would ask him? If he considered his early years, what made him a great author or can a person achieve success without living the trials and hardships he went through. Did that make sense? Sometimes I wonder if you have to suffer and feel what your characters feel in order to know how to write it down make your reader feel it also.

I hope not.

Thanks again Regan for having me today.

Um, Mary, you aren't leaving without a blurb for your lastest release, are you?
Mary: You got me. Here is a blurb for my new release Classic Murder: Mr. Romance



Adam enjoys a lifestyle most men only dream of. Then one day he wakes up to find the morning headlines blaring, "Another victim falls prey to Mr. Romance. Who is next?" He suddenly realizes his way of life is not only frivolous, but deadly.

Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. But lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house. Can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worthy enough to merit giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer. The murders seem unrelated with one exception--all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.

Adam’s assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.

Where can we find this super sounding read?

Mary:  It's now available from BookStrand Publishing (Electronic Format, Print coming in spring 2011) http://www.bookstrand.com/classic-murder-mr-romance



For an excerpt and to see the trailer visit my web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/mrromance.html

And you have some giveaways?
Oh yes. Everyone one who participates by commenting on each day of the tour will have their name placed in a drawing for a Photo Album and a signed copy of Watching Jenny.


Everyone who participates and comments on half of the days will have their name in a drawing for a download of Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (or they can wait u

Thanks Mary!!!!!  Oh, and if you want to check out a fabulous cover:
 

Vampires -- Design your own and fall in love!

It's time to GET YOUR VAMPIRE ON! Today begins Susan Blexrud's three-day event at Love Romances Book Club (link follows). Your challenge is to design a vampire employing FIVE vampire characteristics. Each day's prize is a download of one of her four fang titles, and the grand prize is a print copy of DCL's fabulous anthology, Seven Sins. Will your vampire have a reflection? Will he/she cavort in daylight or only at night? Will respiratory allergies keep your vamp confined to a coffin? HAVE FUN!






http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesBookClub/

Check out the Latest from my Friend Marilee Brothers!

I love historical romances and dashing knights.  Her newest release, CASTLE LADYSLIPPER is due out this week with Awe-struck (www.awe-struck.net) 

When a chavinistic knight lands in a castle full of women, somebody has to change . . .

Soldier of fortune, Garrick of Hawkwood, is ill prepared for the women of Castle Ladyslipper, especially its hostile mistress, Emma d'Arcy. Garrick is haunted by the spirit of Emma's great-great grandmother, Rose, the person responsible for the curse plaguing Emma and her female relatives. Though clearly at odds, Emma and Garrick cannot deny the sultry heat rising between them. Liberally laced with humor, Castle Ladyslipper resonates with a timeless theme; love can flourish even when sown in the rocky soil of misunderstanding.

You can find out more about Marilee at: http://www.marileebrothers.com/

The Comfort of a Small Town

I've mentioned before I live in a city of 55,000 people but we are, still, very much a small town. We have some of the "city" type stuff happen, like a shooting this week at a local grocery store, and the big name banks and a few of the big name stores, but for the most part, we're still very much like your basic small town.

I used to bank with one of the big banks. They it started to buy up other banks and I became a number. So back in the late 90's I went to one of the local banks. Just one branch, here in town. They now have 6, but it's been slow, controlled growth. They know every customer by first name, remember the names of even my cats. They have coffee and fresh baked cookies at the entry every day and always a pleasant word.

I ran out of deposit tickets so I went in to see if I could get some blank ones. I'd heard that the big name bank across the street charges for even blank ones; we won't get into printing out extra checks. So I asked for a couple of blank ones and the teller didn't just hand over a few; she printed up 20 with my name and account information -- free of charge. It's a small thing, but it's part of what makes living in a city that retains it's small town feeling, that makes it a really great place to live. I wouldn't trade my "small town" for anything.

Netiquette and Plain Good Manners Revisited - Common Sense, Common Courtesy

This isn't really writing related, but it's been brewing for me for the past few weeks. I suppose it's all the hubbub of the holidays and that desperation that seems to grow between Thanksgiving and New Years. The days don't mean a whole lot to me personally. Mostly I look forward to them because they generally mean days off with pay. That said, I do respect the excitment most people have for those days. However, it seems to me that that time period brings out the "me-ism" in people. Add to that the world of social networking and 140 characters to talk about our lives, I think we've lost touch with people. Used to be you looked for a 500-1000 page book because you could sit with the characters and become involved in their lives a bit longer. Today's world has moved to shorts and novellas, in and out, to accommodate the limited quality time we have to enjoy ourselves. And by "ourselves" I mean enjoyment in general and in specific, enjoying our own selves and time.

So what set me off (this) time? Not just the pokes, prodes and constant invites on Facebook, although they add to it. No, it's someone angling for a lawsuit and a personal pity party in a very public forum.

Back in oh, I guess September, this person appeared on my radar. What caught my attention was she didn't see the problem in not paying her rent for the month and when, in the last week of the month her landlord/roommate told her to pay or go away, the renter very publically lamented how mean the landlord was. Hmmm, you move into a place, you agree to pay X number of dollars rent and then you don't pay and it's someone else's fault? Wow. Interesting concept. Of course the landlord was psycho for wanting the rent paid -- so said the renter. Oh, yeah, she has a job, but was having money problems and more disabilities than I've ever seen one person have. (I was a rehab therapist/counselor for several years, I'm familiar with how debilitating disabilities can be).

She suggested that if all her facebook friends sent her but $2 she could pay her rent for months on end. People sent money.

Well she moved out and away from the landlord who was psychotic because she wanted the rent paid. Renter found the perfect place to live. Life was good. Then a roommate moved out.

Then we had Thanksgiving and serious depression moved in because she was all alone. Interestingly, here in San Francisco, several venues (like Glide Memorial Church) had to turn volunteers away because so many people decided to give their time to help those less fortunate. Volunteer time was limited to 2 hour blocks. But you still got to spend time with people, give something back to the community and maybe make a difference just by smiling at some other person. I guess where she lives there aren't volunteer opportunities, I don't know, I didn't ask.

Apparently she was all alone on Christmas too and that plunged her even deeper into depression and suddenly she wants, excuse me, needs, a service animal. Now here's where I get into the common sense, common courtesy thing.

I am a landlord. I rent a room, bathroom and other amenities in my house. I realize people have life changing events. As a landlord I care about two things: pay your rent on time and leave the place in as decent a shape as you found it. I'm not your mother, your sister, your best friend, your therapist or any other personal relationship that cares. I rent the space and expect payments to be made on time.

When I rent the space I ask very particular questions. As a still licensed, although not practicing therapist, I don't want to share living space with someone who has a boatload of emotional problems. There is a reason I took down my shingle and went back to work as a legal secretary. So I ask about the renter's emotional health. I ask if they have allergies -- I do have 3 cats, one is a long haired persian and the other two have medium length hair. They are indoor so they poop in the house. If that offends someone, they don't want to live with me -- I'm not going to start letting the cats, especially the feral one, out so accommodate someone else's sensitive nose. If you know it moving in, you accept that's life. I insure they can pay the rent -- yes, I do job verification. But people can have money from other sources so as long as they can verify that paying the rent on time teach month isn't a problem.

I don't smoke, I'm allergic to it. No smokers -- and I've had two people move in who assured me they didn't smoke and then, when I saw (and smelled) them smoking out front they "clarified" they don't smoke in the house. I still smell it -- no smokers means no smokers.

There are other things that I do ask to make sure my lifestyle isn't going to have to change all that much to accommodate someone else in my living space. Someone "suddenly" developing the need for a companion animal isn't going to work with my cats -- there is a reason I do month-to-month with 30 days written notice.

So this person up above, the renter, decided she wants a cat...and is labeling it a service animal because that's not the same thing as a "pet". A pet is a choice; a service animal is necessary to maintain health and/or a quality of life. She didn't have an animal when she moved in, she didn't express she might need one. This just came up after having to spend Christmas day alone, talking to several therapists on the hotline throughout the day.

Instead of sitting down and chatting with the landlord about it, she's coming in with both barrells, threatening the ADA, suicide attempts, and lawsuits. She wrote this long piece about her various disailbities and how she would die, just die, if she doesn't get her way.

As a landlord, that wouldn't fly with me. There are criteria to be met in obtaining a service animal. They are trained a certain way. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for animal adoption. Last summer when Molly died I was going to adopt one cat, Bogie, as a companion for Mel (the persian). When I went to pick up Bogie, Missy insisted she lived with me, her bags were packed and she was ready to go. "No" wasn't an option, so they both came home with me. I like to say I have an oreo cookie at all times because Mel is white and Bogie and Missy are black. Get it? Oreo cookie! I wish all homeless and rescue animals could have good homes. Believe me, I would adopt more if Mel would tolerate having more -- and I almost did bring home Mollie, a black kitty born a few days after my Molly died.

BUT, I don't go for playing the system and relying on a disability to get what you want. She wants a pet; she's calling it something else to get what she wants. And offensive to me is using her disaiblities to get what she wants. And if she doesn't, she will sue.

If I were her landlord, I'd be looking at that 30 day written notice to leave. End of discussion. Like I said, as a landlord I care about two things: paying your rent on time and leaving the premises the way you found them. I don't care about your emotional state. (Cold, I know, but I don't) and if you start to tell me you are feeling suicidal because you aren't getting your way, I sure don't want you around to carry out your threat. (Even colder, huh? But the thing is, based on my experience as a therapist, if you are going to do it, you don't advertise it. When you publically state it -- for all the world to see on Facebook, chances are you want the attention).

But all this person's drama just brings me back to common sense and common courtesy. We get so wrapped up in our own desires, wants, needs, we sometimes forget, too often forget, that the other people in the equation also have feelings, needs, desires and wants.

Now, about the Facebook thing.....there are any number of us who wish we could say "block all invitations" because you don't just get the invitation, you also get hammered with updates and reminders. If you write someone to please not send them you get a message back that they just can't be bothered sending the invites to someone who might actually be able to or interested in attending. It's easier to just send it to everyone on your list and not care that they aren't interested. And boy, do people get defensive when you ask "please, don't invite me anymore." and explain why.

Well, as a writer, these are all characteristics that can (and will) show up in a character at some point or other.

America's Hero - My New Cover

I tend to be a non-promo kind of person. I'd rather have some good discussion and get to know people a bit. But,I am an author and I do get excited about my books and the incredibly brilliant covers done by my amazingly talented cover artists. I have my cover for America's Hero -- which I absolutely LOVE and in this case I got to double dip because my cover artist was also my editor and knows the story almost as well as I do.  So introducing Austin Quinn and Major Cass Winter:

You can fly with America's Hero

Waiting for Your Dream

In several venues lately I've been a party to discussions about starting to write, writing, fear of failure if you finish, submit and publish a book and, in some cases, even more frightening, the fear of success because someone may expect you to do it again.

Not a week goes by it seems that someone doesn't tell me they wish they could write or they always wanted to write or that some day they plan to write. They have any number of reasons why now isn't the time. I know those reasons well because I certainly used my fair share of them before I went back to school to complete my masters. Once I got there one degree didn't cut it for me and I did a double masters--as long as I was there I figured I might as well get it all out of my system in one shot. While I've never directly used that piece of paper, I have used the skills I learned in that four year process.

Years ago there was a diet program called Thin Within. It may still be around. The philosophy was similar to what Weight Watchers speaks about these days where if you want something, you crave something, if you don't give yourself a sample of it, you'll go overboard and eat many large portions of it and then beat yourself up with guilt after the fact.

Of course sating our desires doesn't apply to everything. Killing off your real life nemisis, unless it's in a book that is purely fictional, probably isn't a good idea. But for things that might make your life happier (okay, so killing off your nemisis might do that for you) like writing, maybe those reasons need to be re-examined.

I have a close friend who is unable to travel. In the past year or so she sat down and thought about the direction she wants her life to go. She thought about if time and money was not an issue, what would she most like to do. Instead of being frustrated that she couldn't travel to and study at different places like the pyramids or the Monroe Institute or spending time at any number of historic and spiritual places, she made a list of where she'd go and what she'd study. She then began to buy or borrow the books that would take her there, at least in her mind. She's pursuing those dreams, if only in her living room, but she's achieving those goals in a way she can.

I thought about this after an event at work this week and it hit home tonight talking with someone who plans to one day write. He has ideas, he has the goal...and he has reasons for not doing it just yet. And sometimes those reasons are valid.

One of my co-workers was planning to participate in an arduous hike in South America. She'd been training for it for quite some time and last weekend she went on what was supposed to be a day hike. She was an experienced hiker/mountain/ice climber. For whatever reason she left her cell phone in her car and ascended the mountain. The weather took a turn for the worse and while no one knows what happened, some how, she fell 2100 feet. A wrong turn, a mis-step, a slip on a patch of ice, a heavy gust of wind and in a heartbeat, she died. What little consolation we have is that she was doing something she loved. She embraced life, lived it to the fullest and pursued the things she loved, like climbing that mountain. It is those of us left behind that have the gaping hole of unfilled thoughts, desires, needs and the wish to hug her just one more time.

Her closest friend said that she grabbed life with both hands and lived it fully. When she reached the unexpected end of her life, I don't think there was regret that she hadn't done the things she wanted to.

For me she left behind inspiration, the inspiration to pursue my dreams. To make them happen. That when the time comes for me to take stock of my life, I will have at least tried to accomplish the things I wanted most to do.

I've met any number of "want to be" writers. They've got half a book written and spend weeks upon weeks revising those beginning chapters, never to finish the book. I've met any number of people who "wish" they could write, but the time never seems to be there to begin. There are kids, animals, the day job, shopping, cleaning and a host of other good reasons. I always tell the people who tell me they want to write to go for it. Try it.

Reflecting on my co-workers life I say give yourself time each day or 1,000 words a day as a gift to yourself. Don't worry about what you'll do when you finish it or that it may not be "good" or that an editor will find errors or that your family will either knock you or push for another one. Take it one step at a time, but take the step. I think my co-worker would say you won't regret pursuing your dream.

Marine needing some cards & letters… wanna help?

I feel an affinity for this guy because I have a Marine in my life and my upcoming release of America's Hero has a Marine in it. Let's make sure this Marine has a very merry holiday filled with lots of good wishes!


Marine needing some cards & letters… wanna help?

HONORING OUR VETERANS

Today in the United States we honor our veterans. I believe in Canada they call it Rembrance Day and I like that.

I found out for the first time last night one of my favorite uncles was a Marine. In retrospect, I should have guessed. My Uncle Neil was one of those men who loved is family and was a quiet presence that gave comfort just by his being there.

Today I think about my friend Jim who died on February 2, 1991 in a friendly fire incident at the Kuwaiti airport during Desert Storm. It's been 9 years but I miss him like I saw him just yesterday. Jim was another of those quiet presences. Sitting in the background but would let you know you were special to him. It seems all the Marines I know are like that -- a stoic presence, not intrusive unless they are partying and partying together, solid, stable in their support to those they care for. If your immediate family has a Marine in it, you are part of the larger Marine family.

I read about the incident that killed Jim in the paper the day it happened. It upset me more than the other daily reports I saw. He was based out of Camp Pendleton and was among the first to land in Saudi Arabia in August 1990. I still live in Northern California, where I lived then. I was at work the next day and looked up to see two Marines come up to our floor. My heart lodged in my throat because my boyfriend, one of Jim's best friends was over there as well as a forward air controller. Rick has recently transitioned from flying COBRAs to being a forward air controller. I knew he'd be at the battle for the airport. All I could think when they arrived was something happened to Rick.

I stood and in one of those moments when you don't know if you should run toward someone or run away as fast as your can, I stood frozen as they approached. They came to tell me they'd received a call from my key wife at Camp Pendleton. She didn't want me to hear the news over the phone so she asked for someone from Alameda to go tell me about Jim.

The battle for the airport was intense, fast movers (jets) screaming over head, both ours and Iraqi--they still had aircraft then, Fast and easily manueverable MiGs. We had COBRA helicopters firing an enemy aircraft, CH-46's bring in ground troops and performing medivac duties. Jim was a CH-46 pilot.

As I said, it was a friendly fire incident. I don't think I need to tell you what happened. There was no Pat Tillman-like cover up. Just a tragic battle where four Marine's all people I knew, died.

Rick was never the same after that -- how could he be?

It was another Marine, one who is still in my life, that got me through the ensuing months, wanting to help Rick through his darkest days.

I miss my uncle Neil and I miss Jim and today we honor all of our vets, living and dead.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Nano 2010!

I usually get it together to say something about Nanowrimo long before this, but the first week has been hectic. That said, I did get in 8066 words the first 5 days making me only about 300 words short of the 1666 daily word average. Too many numbers?

Let me back up.

Nanowrimo, referred to as Nano by many, is held each November. The goal is 50,000 words in thirty days. If you break it down into a daily average it's about 1666 words per day. I've found if I make the average I finish right on time at the end of the month. Most years I've gone beyond and every year I've done it a few months later the book is contracted. I find just telling the story that wants to be told works best. If you stop to edit, double check names, eye colors, research the best restaurant in Petaluma, you get bogged down with minutae that you do need to deal with, but unless you are fortunate enough to write 8 hours a day like a regular job, you may be crunched at the end.

This year I'm writing two novellas. I have contracts for The World and the Devil with eXtasy and it's the perfect time to write them. First up is The World. I was kind of struggling with it. It's a romance but I just wasn't able to get the feel for a lot of romance for a woman who just gave birth to twins via C-section. Somehow a candlelit dinner with hubby and a romantic evening with dining and dancing, soft kisses and moonlight leading up to some fabulous sex, isn't high on the new-mom list.

I needed to get to romance, you know?

Inspiration comes to us in myriad ways. The romance for this book came to me in the form of one of my favorite co-workers. He's such an awesome guy. A true friend. Caring, compassionate and a privilege to know. Without giving away a part of the story which I am thoroughly immersed in now, I now have a cop who's going to save someone from herself and a very bad man. It's a totally awesome feeling when a story clicks.

Halloween Chat with DCL Authors! Contests and Prizes!

My friend Ashley Austin has extended the use chat room at the Writer's Lounge for a Halloween (Samhain) chat on October 30 from 2-5 Pacific time (5-8 eastern). Dark Castle Lords will offer up some freebies and I'll do some tarot readings for the new year (our new year starts November 1).

Come hang out with us at http://thewriterslounge.weebly.com/index.html

Life's Surprises

You never know when life is going to throw you a curve.

When Molly, my 22 year old kitty who had kidney disease for almost five years died on June 16 I thought the worst of things was over. I never begrudged her a moment of care and if I could have her back with me now, doing her fluids and meds, even for a day, I'd take it. She was an integral part of my life.

In the days that followed more than once I reached for her sub-q fluids bags and started to warm them, I started to set up her meds, only to realize she was gone. Mel, my 12 year old white Persian was also involved in the routine and for several weeks after he continued to want me to do the same things I had done with Molly. Even with the addition of Bogie (who will be a year this week) and Missy who will be a year in December, we still had a rough go of it.

That was why when, a week after Molly's death, I didn't think too much of a sudden onset of shortness of breath. I was certain it was simply a reaction to my grief. But when I had to stop half way up my stairs to rest I figured it was time to go to the doctor. I described to her how my leg was bothering me, but I couldn't remember twisting my knee or anything. She ordered an x-ray of my lungs. With a cortisone shot for my knee and an inhaler for what she thought was pneumonia I went on my way.

A month and a half later I told her I was still having some problems breathing and she sent me to a cardiologist -- just for some tests. Before I could see him though, in early September, it seemed I had sprained my ankle. How else could it have gotten swollen? I didn't remember doing anything, but I must have, right? After 3 days of icing and the pain getting worse I went to the emergency room and much to my surprise I had a blood clot that ran from my upper thigh to my ankle. As they asked more questions and took more tests it became apparent that the shortness of breath in June was a pulmonary embolism.

More times than I can count in the past 5 weeks I have heard how lucky I am that the clot traveled to my lung and just sat there -- that it didn't go to my heart or head. Life truly is precious and just like that, without having any idea why, you could lose it.

In the weeks that followed the diagnosis my life has undergone some changes. Some favorite foods like cranberry and spinach are off the table. A one cup serving of spinach equals almost a week's ration of vitamin K. Life on coumadin brings with it some other issues -- a simple scratch can bleed for an hour or so. Regular "girl" things can be problematic. With your blood 2/3 thinner than usual, your body reacts accordingly. The literature tells you if you notice certain types of bleeding call your doctor immediately because it could be fatal. It doesn't tell you about the fact that some things are going to bleed anyway.

You tire easily and something you could normally shrug at becomes a concern, possibly a major one.

For me there was -- is -- an upside. When my blood pressure tanked the beginning of the month and they finally go a reading, it was 90 over "we don't know". The paramedic, Karl with a K, assured me it was normal and that they don't take a lower number. After about the 5th time he passed his hand over my mouth I expelled a loud breath. He asked what that was for and I asked if I was wrong that he was trying to see if I was breathing. He admitted he was.

Now he know .

To help me relax he asked what I did for fun and I told him I write on the side. He was excited to hear romance because his 80-something mother is a HUGE romance fan and loves the steamier books. He shyly told me that if I wanted to create a great hero it should be a blond haired, blue eyed fire fighter/paramedic named Karl with a K. He even offered to give me professional advice and input on how to make my character -- coincidentally Karl with a K -- realistic.

His mom will be happy to know her son will be behind a fabulous hero named Karl with a K who happens to be a fire fighter/paramedic.

But seriously, if something seems wrong, if you have a swollen ankle you don't know where it came from or if your breathing is off, check it out and keep asking questions until they can prove you are really all right.

Alone or Lonely

ALONE OR LONELY




This subject came up in another context earlier this week and it led me to thinking about what some people think of as lonely is what someone else considers being alone—quality time with oneself.

To me being lonely is craving or simply needing company. Needing someone to be there to talk with, do something with or fill in the empty spaces of our lives. It can also be something that one person projects on to another, generally someone who prefers their alone time.

Most of the avid readers I know enjoy their alone time. Solitude may perhaps be a better choice of word. We read for entertainment, simple enjoyment, to escape our day-to-day world for a period of time. We read out of choice; not because we have no other choice. I suspect that is in part why historicals, especially romances, are so popular—they transport us to a time out of our own. When I read, which is for a time every day, it’s because I want to. It has never ceased to amaze me how non-readers think I am doing so because I am lonely and have nothing better to do. They do their best to entertain me and fill in my time for me when all I really want to do is bury myself in my latest read. I generally have another book handy and will offer it up—in the hopes they’ll leave me in peace to read. Generally I receive a smile and a pleasant refusal of the book. And they still talk on. Nodding and not closing the book seems to work after a bit.

Growing up my mother was one of those people who couldn’t bear to be alone for more than a short time. She wasn’t very good at entertaining herself although she did knit and crochet and sew, she still needed to have someone to talk to. If no one was home she’d start her way through her phone book, calling everyone she knew so she could have someone to talk to. Interesting to me because she was an only child. She projected that desperate need for companionship on to me and it was really quite frustrating. She simply did not understand I preferred to be alone in my room with a good book. My favorite day of the week was library day—when we’d head on down to the library to choose a week’s worth of reading. I’ve sort of recaptured that day in the past year only now it’s picking out classic movies along with an occasional book. Given the economy buying books is a luxury and the San Francisco library has virtually every new release and it’s still free (several libraries in my area are starting to charge a rental fee for new releases).

My habit of sitting up in bed reading started young although back then I sat under the covers with a flashlight. The last time I sat in an otherwise dark room with a flashlight reading was when I was in law school and a fellow classmate asked me to join him for a movie. I didn't realize till we got to the movie he thought it was a date and I thought it was just two classmates getting out of the school rut…errrr pressure for a night. When he started talking about goodnight kisses I started talking headache. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten out of a car as fast as I did that night and then, out of an excess of caution, I hid in my walk-in closet for several hours, reading with my flashlight as my only source of illumination. Why?

The guy was one of those really sweet and considerate people who would have gone to pick up some medicine for me, brought it back and then sat with me till I felt better. I just wanted to be by myself and read something beside my law books for a short while.

I don’t think I know what it’s like to feel lonely and that’s okay. I carry a purse large enough to hold a book in addition to my e-reading device—and with that I can have pretty much as many books as I want with me at any given time. I read on line at the store, waiting for a teller at the bank. I prefer in person instead of ATMs which may seem odd, but I figure if I go into the bank and speak with a person I’m doing my part to help someone keep their job. It’s the same reason why I won’t use the self-checkout at the grocery store. Can’t off-shore a grocery checker or teller job as much as the big corporations may want to because I’m not going overseas to pick up my groceries.

No, I don’t think I have ever had any idea what it is like to be lonely. If I’m craving a particular food I will go out to eat and bring a book. Riding the bus, waiting in line, it’s all found reading time. With interesting characters, their adventures, their mysteries, their dark moments, their happy endings and my imagination I’m never bored.

And with writing, as a fellow author said this week, her characters keep her company and are fascinating to be with. I suppose you could say with my steady ones from my series and the new people they encounter in each book, I’m never alone. Each new book takes me to a different place and in a sense I experience new events. Through research for my historicals I have a taste of life as it was lived in different periods. In my futuristics I create worlds I would choose to live in.

A reader is never really alone and even less so, a writer. I don’t think we are ever truly lonely either. Our worlds are fun at best and thrilling when we are in the midst of a good book and all from our cozy worlds.