Thursday, January 31, 2013

Currently Reading: Micro was a page turner!  If you're a fan of thrillers, this is definitely a Recommended Read!  Now reading Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes.  E-book-wise, Winter Interlude was wonderful!  Another Recommended Read:) I'm now enjoying TV Bride by Meg Bellamy:)Books Read (print): 12 completed, with 3 did-not-finish. 

Books Read (e-book): 6.  I'm on the 7th:)

Days Spent Editing: Counting today, 14.  I hope to finish Ch 9 today, and am 30 pages from the end:)

Karaoke: Went twice, added Delta Dawn to my line up, and maybe Do That To Me One More Time. 

Days Spent On Antibiotics: 21. 

Days Spent With One Ear 'Clogged': Today is Day #26.  And I go back to the doctor this afternoon.  Hoping I don't have to have another tube inserted. 

Looking Ahead To February:
I'm hoping to submit Love Weighs In by the 14th.  I think I still have to write a blurb for it and #8.  And get back to writing #8....and edits for #5 should arrive soon.  Cover art for #6 should arrive soon. 

Plus, putting ourselves on a strict financial 'diet'.  We've enjoyed our surplus (going out to eat, spending too much at the grocery store or shopping) and now it's dwindled to an unacceptable level.  Time to build the savings back up so we can go to RT in May; Colorado in July; and move out of this house. 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

How about more of Susan from Love Weighs In?  I overslept this morning and didn't feel like pulling up a new file.  There, you caught me slacking.  Enjoy!  And visit here for more Hump Day madness, lol! 

“Rob!  Move.”  She pushed him away and readjusted her bra
just as her brother knocked on the door, then entered. 
“Suze? 
I heard a thud.”  Ted grinned. “ Oh, am I interrupting anything?” 
“Get out, Ted.”  Susan scrambled to her feet. “ Mom!” 
She pushed past him and stormed into the living room. “ Will you tell him to leave us alone?  We’ve only got two more weeks before school
starts.” 
Mrs. Best motioned to her son. “ Leave your sister alone, Ted.” 
“What’s the score, Su?”  asked her older
sister, Robyn. 
“Three to one, Cubs,” Susan shot back. “ Unless, of course, the Blue Jays have scored
in the last few minutes.” 
“Just checking,” Robyn laughed. “ See, Ted, they are actually watching the
game.” 
“Ooohh!” 
Susan whirled and left the room, slamming the door to the den behind
her. 
Rob had returned to the couch, and was
drinking a Pepsi. “ Cubbies are up at
bat, Su.  Toronto never even got on base.”  He looked surprised as she threw herself in a
chair. “ What’s wrong, babe?” 
“Everything. 
I will be so glad to get back on campus, and away from my stupid brother
and his stupid comments.”  She crossed
her arms. “ Why does everyone up here
make sex jokes?  Did I miss
something?  Is there an unspoken rule
about college equals loss of virginity? 
First that idiot John and his comments, now my own brother and sister,
making sure we’re not doing anything we’re not supposed to be doing.  Even you can’t keep your hands to yourself,”
she continued in a hushed tone. “ You
were never this insistent in high school. ”I've made it up to Ch 8 on the self-edits of this book.  Doesn't look like I'm going to meet my personal deadline of Jan 31st, but that's the beauty of self-imposed deadlines: They can be extended with no headaches for anyone:) So now my deadline is Valentine's Day. 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Currently Reading: Finished Safe House, and my only comment is, when did the heroine sleep?  I was exhausted by all the amateur-detective-ing.  This is WHY the police are there; let them do their job!  It drove my crazy in some spots because a worried mom couldn't sit still and 'do nothing' while everything around her fell apart.  And it turned out she was wrong anyway.  But hey....if the mom hadn't done anything, then there wouldn't have been a story....Next up:Winter Interlude by Sandy Lloyd.  I can see where this is headed, and can't wait to see how everything works out!Print: Finished FullCupboard Of Life and In the Company of Cheerful Ladies.  I was disappointed there wasn't more 'detective work' going on in these, as did the others in this series.  I do want to read the next book in this series though.  The blurb has me curious. Next up:Stranger in the Moonlight by Jude Deveraux.  Apparently this is the 2nd book of a trilogy; I'll have to get the 1st one also. 

I'm amazed I don't have a swelled head from last week. 
Mon: Shook loose from not-so-great publisher
Tues: Found out new projected release date AND I'm going to have my favorite editor back
Wed: Filled out interview for ARE, plus Off The Clock was accepted
Thurs: Received release date for Class Reunion
Fri: ARE Interview went live

I made the family take me out to dinner Friday night.  Last week was cold, miserable, and windy.  But I felt my 'adrenaline wave' earned the right to be uncomfortable for a few minutes. 

Then on Saturday, my youngest had his basketball tournament.  His team was 6-2, and while we were on a winning streak, the boys on his team had been sick at one time or the other, and even practice had been cancelled on Thursday, due to 4/7 boys being sick.  But Saturday at 1, we had six players ready to go. 

First up, a team we'd beaten easily twice before.  And won, 18-11.  Off to McDonald's for lunch, then back to the school at 3. 

Next up, a team who'd beaten us quite soundly the one time we played.  Our boys hung on to win, 16-10.  Now a fifteen minute break and on to the championship game! 

At first it looked a little bleak.  This team had also beaten us rather soundly, so we were hoping that fatigue all around would at least make the score close, and not a runaway.  The other team led at halftime by six points.  But in the 4th quarter, we suddenly surged ahead.  And won, 39-34. 

Kids were pretty excited! 

Yesterday was low-key.  I edited; daughter and granddaughter arrived to do laundry; I was able to watch my shows LIVE for a change. 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Jan 2003:
I neglected to mention an important event in my life Dec 31, 2002: I became a published author!  Yes, my husbands then-medical concerns were a bit of a distraction, lol....

Story thus far: Hubby hit a 9000-volt powerline with his excavator while on the job.  Two months later, his BP readings were wonky.  Heart cath revealed his aortic valve was in shreds where it meets the heart.  Surgery was scheduled for Jan 10, 2003. 

Our kids went to their grandparents for the night, while we spent Jan 9th filling out paperwork and doing all of his hospital intake stuff.  The hospital put us up in their hotel overnight, free of charge, and paid for a nice meal in their restaurant.  In the morning, we had a brief moment of prayer before heading over to the hospital.  I was allowed to stay with him until it was time for him to be wheeled into surgery.  I kissed him and told him I'd see him in about 8 hours.  I then went to the quiet waiting room. 

I found a nice empty space for myself and settled down with my notebook and reading book.  I first tried to read, but was too restless.  So out came the notebook and pen, and I spent the next several hours writing what is now called Love Weighs In, or book #7.  Around lunchtime, my SIL, MIL, parents, and kids showed up.  Dad took us all downstairs to lunch, and when we came back to the waiting room, I was a little upset because 'my spot' was taken.  We ended up crowded in another section, but it was noisy, and more people were talking, watching TV, and while I was happy for my support group, I really missed my privacy. 

When the surgeon came to talk to me, he said he had replaced my spouse's aortic valve with the largest artificial one possible, and he'd be good as new.  We were able to go back and see him while still on the respirator; I held back and let his mom go first. 

Another several hours went by.  We were able to see him again right before dinner, and he was off the respirator and still woozy.  Against the nurses advice, I let 11-y/o K go back and see his dad.  D held his hand, told him he loved him and repeated the phrase 'You are my #1 Favorite son', a private joke between the two of them.  Then Dad paid for all of us to spend another night in the hotel, and took us out for a nice meal. 

Two days later, my author copies of the now-rereleased Love Is Sober arrived.  I took three copies to the hospital with me; one for my mom, one for my SIL, and one to show off to anyone interested.  D was already astounding the nurses by demanding to get out of bed!  He discovered where the coffee pot was, so as soon as he could walk w/o help, he would unplug his IV, walk down and get his morning coffee, then order breakfast.  He hated being in bed and spent most of the day in a chair.  I would give him sponge baths every evening when the kids and I would visit after school.  And the nurses were soon passing my book around the ward:)

When he was moved to Cardiac Care, my grandmother came up to see him and bought the 1st copy of my book:) By now, I'd noticed a glaring mistake in my print baby and emailed my Author Assistant, who said she would see what could be done. 

Two weeks later, D came home with the help of my parents.  They took him to the house and got him settled, while I took his 17 new prescriptions to the pharmacy to have them filled. 

And then we began planning our Super Bowl party. 

Next Month: Another trip to the hospital, bad weather, and kids' activities! 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

First of all, some AWESOME news!  Kenzie has a Release Date!  Details can be found here!  Currently Reading: Finished Class Reunion by Rona Jaffe and was a bit 'put off' by the sometimes seemingly TSTL characters.  If all women wanted out of a Radcliffe college experience was an 'M. R. S' degree, and had so little self-esteem, then I'm glad things had changed by the 80's!  I wanted to slap Emily; I expected better things of her.  And Chris, thinking she could 'change' someone?  Give me a break!  Also finished Sidney Sheldon's Are You Afraid Of The Dark and probably should have read this in the daylight hours....but was bored about halfway through with all the flashbacks.  I skipped to the final chapters to find out who the bad guy was and to read about how he got his 'come-uppance'.  I'll select another print book later today. E-book-wise, I'm enjoying Christine Duncan's Safe House still. 

I have never been so happy to see a book end in my life....well, okay....when I was in Jr High/High School and that time I decided to read The Bible all the way through in a year (1st Chronicles is boooooorrrrrring!!!) 

Ch 21:
Sex in the playroom.  Takes him 4 pages to get to the action.  Ho hum....and then she wonders, 'Can one lust after one's own husband (or soon-to-be, anyway) like this?' 

Duh....who else would you lust over?  Movie stars?  Another man, after you're married?  I seriously cannot believe that line was in there. 

She fixes him a birthday lunch and cake....and there's some inane discussion about what the hell she's wearing and 'is my skirt too short'.  Brainwashing is beginning to take effect, but thankfully she does NOT change. 

Then they go to his parents' house and friend K confronts them about an interesting email.  End of chapter. 

Ch 22:
All about explanation of said email, and K 'just making sure' everything's on the up and up.  And then they rejoin the party and A's response is 'crap...how many people are HERE?'  Does she NOT remember other gatherings?  When these people celebrate an occasion, everyone of their closest friends are invited, no matter if it goes into the triple digits.  Get used to it. 

Then a strange encounter with Mrs. R....and I don't know why this was necessary, except now C's mommy knows what her little boy was up to with the older man. 

At the end, there's a page of intrigue.  A male is plotting revenge or finalizing plans since his 1st one failed.  Oh boy.  Wondered what made people buy the 3rd book....but I'm taking a break.  These posts will resume maybe in a month or so.  I am NOT recommending these books to anyone, unless you:
a) don't mind repetitious words
b) Have never read any books with any mention of BDSM
c) Just want to read a 'best seller'
d) want to join the discussion. 

If I ever see the word 'smirk' again, I may hurl the book across the room.  And I used to like it! 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Having a hard time getting moving this morning, so this will be short and sweet:)

This is from book #7, Love Weighs In, and I'm currently self-editing it in order to submit it by the end of the month.  Since it's cold outside, how about a taste of summer?  When her turn came, she executed a perfect
dive into the clear blue water and felt her body temperature drop from the icy
shock.  She surfaced and swam to the
ladder, slicking her hair out of her eyes. 
“Hey Suze! 
That was a good one,” called a friendly voice. 
Susan looked up in surprise.  The lifeguard was a young man who had been in
her class two years before, and whom Susan had greatly admired during their
senior year. 
“Thanks, John.”  I’m
amazed he remembers me! 
“I’m serious. 
You’ve been practicing.”  He
twirled his silver whistle. 
Susan climbed up the ladder, conscience of the
fact he could see right down her suit. 
She crossed her arms and rubbed her elbows, trying to think of something
to say and hating the awkwardness. “ I
sort of have been.  How’s your summer
going?” 
John Hamilton flashed his brilliant white
teeth at her as his gaze traveled from her face to her hips. “ It’s been okay, and now that I know you come
to this pool, I think I’ll fill in more often. 
You’ve filled out nicely, Susie Q.
Quite a difference from sophomore swim class.” 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

I've nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by fellow SCP author Colette Saucier:) *round of applause* Thank you Colette for this honor!  From reading her posts, it would seem we both share a desire to travel and drink wine:) Can you see us on a cruise? " Um, ladies, time to let the kids have a turn on the water coaster now.  Maybe you two should switch to coffee." 

The rules:

1) Display the award on your blog

2) Link back to the person who nominated you

3) State 7 things about yourself

4) Nominate 15 bloggers for this award and link to them

5) Notify said bloggers of their requirements

It's been a few years since this was last floated around, and 'back then' we only had to nominate 5 bloggers.  And just discovered everyone I was about to nominate has already posted!  So if you're reading this and feeling left out, by all means, consider yourself nominated! 

7 Things About Me:

-I've been a Domestic Engineer (homemaker) for the past 22 years, with the exception of the odd job here and there. 

-I wrote my first story in the 5th grade, and still have it in the filing cabinet

-I was the 'ugly duckling' of our class, and didn't have too many friends until high school. 

-When I was 8, I wanted to play the harp.  My mom steered me toward the piano, lol.....

-I also wanted to be a ballerina, but by then was too old.  So I joined the swim team for two years. 

-Reading has always been a passion of mine, and always carried a book everywhere. 

-And finally, I cannot draw a straight line, even with a damn ruler!  Did not get that 'artistic' talent. 

Correcting An Oversight:

Kellie Kamryn posted an excerpt of her book Lost In Her Mind, which I read last August, but missed raving about it due to other things going on.  Ever wonder what a head injury can do to a person?  Ever wonder if you experience an 'alternate reality' when you go into a coma?  This book explores what can happen while someone in a coma 'awakens' to find she's the only one who knows the true story about her abusive relationship.  Remember, love can bring you back to reality:) Enjoyed this short story very much, and wished there was more.  Recommended Read:)

Currently Reading: Still on Class Reunion and enjoying this, even though it jumps around a little too much.  I'm glad I fashioned my stories the way I did, focusing on one heroine at a time! 

Awesome News! 

Kenzie has been awarded the rights to Wild At Heart again, so look for it re-releasing next summer (fingers crossed), and maybe we'll have that launch party in Colorado, after all! 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Currently Reading: Thought I'd do some checking on that TBR list, and I'm not doing too bad:) So far, I've read 9 print books (okay; I skimmed 1.5 of them!),  and am now on the 10th, Class Reunion by Rona Jaffe.  E-book-wise, I've read four, plus two not on the original list.  Found 61 AD languishing near the bottom of the 'shelf', so opened up the file.  And Carol Preflatish's A Kitchen Affair landed on amazon last week, so read it after I finiished Love Lost and Found.  OMG....I loved it; gave it 5 stars everywhere!  Definite Recommended Read!!!  You will love this well-paced, sweet love story, and be hungry for cheesecake at the end.  This was well worth my 3 or 4 year waiting period from the time Carol posted an excerpt and I was immediately hooked!  So get this one NOW!  I'll make it easy for you; here's the link:AmazonB&NSweet Cravings

And while you're there, pick up Kellie Kamryn's Celery, Sex, and Other Good Things For Your Heart.  I'm loving this series!  Another Definite Recommended Read:) Now I'm reading Christine Duncan's Safe House.  Since I once volunteered in a battered women's shelter, I find this topic interesting.  Others might think it too real but I'm enjoying it!Okay, The Question You're Now Asking: Why Am I Sleep-Deprived? 
Not exactly sure.  I've been plagued by hot flashes the past two nights, and interrupted sleep patterns due to an over-active bodily function.  Plus, our cat is still missing; my oldest son tried to burn the house down for the 3rd time by leaving the space heater on in the shower (at 3am, the spouse smelled something and went downstairs to investigate.  K had showered at 6pm, and the heavy duty extension cord was very hot.);  and last night the spouse had a nightmare.  At 5am, I gave up on trying to sleep and got up to watch my DVR'd news shows. 

Went to karaoke on Sat, and since it was a new venue for me, I played it safe.  Plus, I wasn't sure if my voice was up to it or not, but enjoyed myself and did okay:

Before He Cheats: According to BC, wasn't 'angry' enough.  And I felt my voice was too 'gravely'. Do That To Me Once More Time: A little low, but it sounded okay:) I'll sing this again once my ear clears up!Birmingham: Nailed this one:)
I'd also put in for Black Velvet, but my time ran out.  But the Bottom's Up saloon was wonderful!  The music was low enough so people could talk to each other, only getting loud for karaoke.  And the bartender made me a rum and coke that tasted so good, I had to force myself to slow down on it.  And the smoke wasn't too awful either, though I smelled it on my clothes. 

Update on Oreo:
If you've been following my FB statuses, then you know my cat has been missing for over a week now.  At first I wasn't too worried; after all, he vanished for 3 weeks last February, then arrived home.  We speculated he'd curled up in the back of the neighbor's tow truck and woke up on the other side of town.  The Pet Port reported they had been feeding a stray with similar markings, and would let us know if they caught him.  No phone calls, but about a week later, he was home. 

However, this time, the day before I last saw him, my neighbor two doors down arrived home to find several cats in her living room, all marking their territory (they'd gotten in through her doggy door), and vowed to kill all the strays in the neighborhood.  Since Oreo refuses to wear his collar, he could have easily been mistaken for a stray....however, we've had him for 3 years and he's also well known around the neighborhood.  But anyway; that was Thursday the 11th.  I remember last seeing him on Friday the 12th; the spouse let him out sometime between midnight on the 12th and 2am on the 13th.  On Saturday, the neighbor reportedly baited a trap and took all the cats caught in it somewhere.  No word on if she dumped them; killed them; or what.  Hopefully we'll see her this week (she works 2nd shift, so it's hard to catch her home) and learn whether or not she took our cat.  Oreo's not one to pass up free food; he gets milk from another neighbor on the corner, and mooches food from the girl across the street.  And the neighborhood kids have even been on the lookout for him. 

Space Heater?  In The Shower? 
Our shower is downstairs in the basement.  And in the winter, it gets veeeeerrrry cold down there.  It's just a rigged shower spiggot, framed in with 3 shower curtains for privacy, and those rubber interlocking mats to stand on.  And so we have a tiny space heater set up at the end, so after the water is shut off, you can quickly dry off and warm yourself before getting dressed/putting on the robe.  I don't understand WHY my oldest can't seem to remember to shut it off; he said he was distracted the 1st time by a text message (really?  He took his phone downstairs to shower???);  no clue why he forgot the 2nd and 3rd times. 

I don't find it hard to remember: Incorporate it into the damn routine!  Dry the body, put on robe; place towel on carpet side to dry feet for 'shower shoes' (my crocs); turn off heater; dry feet; put on shoes; hang up towel.  What's so hard about that?  Maybe his newly-acquired '21' status has affected his memory skills. 

Spouse Had Nightmare? 
Being trapped in the bathroom with a demon.  Maybe he's been watching too much SyFy channel.  That, and he 'heard' a cat meowing.  I checked the front porch; no cat. 

I'm going to require a nap later today. 

Update on Self-Edits for Love Weighs In (AU #7):
I'm well into Ch 5:) Hoping to get this book in shape to submit it by the end of the month. 

Come back tomorrow; I just remembered the good news I received on Sat! 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Currently Reading: Finished Jean Joachim/Ben Tanner's Love Lost and Found and loved it!  Now I want to go to St. Thomas (pout!).  Recommended Read:) Also finished Amber Skyze's Pretend With Me, and discovered when my Sony locked up, I was only 3 or 4 pages from the end!  Still, it was nice as I skimmed, refreshing my memory about the story line.  This one is also a Recommended Read:) As soon as I recharge my Kindle, I'm going to curl up with Carol Preflatish's A Kitchen Affair, which I've been dying to read for 3 or 4 years! ( see Monday's interview...)Print-wise: Finished both This Calder Range and Calder Pride.  TCR I mainly skimmed, and as I said earlier, I'll probably pick this one up in ten or so years and read it cover to cover.  Just wasn't that interested in all the details.  And CP I read all the way until 3/4 of the way through, then began skimming when I realized the blatant plot.  Another one to put away for ten years.....And am now engrossed in The PerfectFather by Peg Sutherland, one of my favorite HQ authors.  I had an eye-roll moment when I realized the 'mistaken identity' part, so am interested in seeing how this plays off.  I hate it when characters don't talk to each other and base everything on assumptions....but that wouldn't keep us turning pages, would it?  But I don't like to read and yell at the characters. Jan 1993:
The mother of the 5 y/o I was baby-sitting was having money issues, and decided to quit paying for the day care, and so would drop him off at my house every morning at 5:30am before going to work.  Little B was still sleepy, so I'd get up, welcome him in, lay him down on the couch with a blanket, and go back to bed myself for two more hours.  Baby T didn't arrive until 7:30, and my now-toddler K was usually up by 7, so this worked well.  My spouse left for work between 7 and 8, so I'd turn on PBS kids while I fixed breakfast for the two boys.  I'd then leave them eating cereal and go get dressed while T rolled around the living room floor with his toys.  We'd then turn off the TV and color, play games, and play with toys. 

It was somewhere during this month that K took it upon himself to feed T spaghetti dinosaurs.  T was now nearly 6 months old; my lunchtime routine was this: Get K and B settled at the table with their lunch while I changed T's diaper and put him in the high chair.  I'd then mix up T's cereal and baby food.  One day as I had my back turned, I heard B try to stop K, then heard my name being called.  I turned around just in time to see K put his spoon in T's mouth.  Knowing the pasta wasn't going to hurt him, but he could possibly choke, I sent K back to his chair, and watched T's reaction.  Sure enough; soon he spit out the pasta T-Rex and grinned at me.  Since his mom and I frequently spoke on the phone, I called her and related the event.  She got a good laugh out of it! 

The afternoon routine was enjoyable.  I let the kids watch another Barney episode and at 1:30 would get everyone settled down for a nap; T in the crib; K on my bed; B on the couch.  I should also point out B was legally blind, so taking off his glasses ensured two hours of sleep, no matter how hard he protested, and it usually took 20-30 minutes before he'd settle down.  I dimmed the lights and turned on some soft classical music.  2-4pm was 'my time'.  I'd settle on the floor with a notebook and pen, with the coffee table as my desk, and worked on Keri's story or Gretchen's while everyone slept.  Then it was change diapers, feed T a bottle, and start dinner.  T would be picked up around 5:30, and his mom usually stayed around to talk some more before heading home.  My spouse was usually home at that time also, but B's mom sometimes worked until 9 or 10pm.  So B would often eat with us, and I'd give him a bath with K. On her early nights, B's mom would sometimes eat dinner with us also.  She was a paramedic, and worked long shifts with only a bite to eat here and there, and appreciated a hot meal when she came to pick up her boy. 

Next Month: That moment when you realize your day care kids listen to you more that their own moms. 

********

Present Day:
I am sooooo sick of the latest 'news': Who cares about Kim K's pregnancy?  Who really gives a shit about Lance Armstrong's confession?  And why are we speculating soooooo much on Manti Te'o?  So what if he got caught up in the hoax?  Maybe he continued the farce to save face?  Or who cares if it was all a cover up to hide his sexuality?  I. Don't.  Care!  Let the guy have his privacy, for god's sake!  He needs time to deal with this, not having every news and entertainment show shoving cameras in his face. 

Rant over; here's what I plan to sing at karaoke tonight:Do That To Me One More Time-Captain and TenilleDo Wah Diddy-Manfred MannDo You Know The Way To San Jose-Dionne WarwickDo You Really Want To Hurt Me-Culture ClubDo You Want To Know A Secret-Beatles

Two more, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart and Do You Want To Touch Me by Joan Jett need more practice.  I may even save these two for when we sing at Cincy Saloon again.  The Railroad Inn is more suited to country and oldies; it's an older crowd.  Toward midnight, we can get more into the rock and roll! 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Currently Reading: I found a 'starting place' in That Caulder Range:) Read several chapters last night, and skimmed the 'boring' parts also.  Not going to recommend this one.  Or maybe it's just me.  I'll finish this and put it away.  Maybe in 10 or so years I'll come across it and have a totally different opinion?When I Left Off: C's helicopter had gone down in flames and he was 'missing, presumed dead'.  Obviously he wasn't; otherwise, why write a 3rd book to this mess?  Sigh....but the characters don't know that, so on we go.....

Ch.  19:
Aside from starting off maudlin, I have no idea why an entire chapter was devoted to the aftermath.  I nearly had another one of those I-want-to-hurl-this-book-under-the-next-train moments when A realizes C's parents, sister, brother, and two friends have gathered with her during this waiting period, and all she can think about is is What would he think about them being here?  Okay; they're offering you SUPPORT!  And it's his FAMILY; in times like these, people gather together to offer support and be close to their loved ones.  Geez....if all you think about is 'you're invading his personal space', then he's brainwashed you so badly.....don't get me started.  I'll rant about it instead of continuing. 

5 pages later, he arrives and she thinks Holy fuck...he's alive!  What, like you were expecting him to be dead, and planning what items to keep to remember him by? 

And his explanation....has soooo many holes in it!  He says they caught a ride with a trucker, with no cell phone.  What about the CB radio they all have?  I just find it incredibly hard to believe he had no way of getting word to anyone, once the trucker told him about the news.  And wasn't the trucker fawning over him, knowing the 'Great and Powerful C' was in his truck?  Ooohhhh....oh wait.  Maybe that only applies to females in the Seattle area. 

And why does she hesitate to tell K he's asked her to marry him? 

Ch 20:
I skimmed a great deal of this chapter, since it was all about her saying 'yes' to the proposal, followed by a lot of I'm-so-glad-you're/I'm-alive make-up/celebration-sex.  But in the morning, when she begins to realize she's going to have to tell her family, I wanted to hurl the book across the room again.  What will my mom think?  She'll be THRILLED, you idiot!  Do you not remember her reaction to meeting him?  What will my step-dad think?  He'll be thrilled also!  Give me a break.....

Thankfully, there are only two more chapters in this annoying book.  I may not buy the 3rd until Valentine's Day. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Currently Reading: Finished Public Secrets and it was okay.  Despite my issues with the font size of the paperback, I seemed to be reading this book to 'get through it'.  I enjoyed the main plot idea, but this is not going to be one of my favorite Nora titles.  I also read an HQ book in the series 'Born in the USA', of which I own three or four titles.  This one was New York, and entertaining.  I did want to shake the heroine for not asking questions; she did a great deal of 'assuming', and we all know what happens when people do THAT!  Still, I loved the scenes between the hero and the heroine's adopted child.  Now reading This Calder Range by Janet Daily and I'm sorry to say I'm doing a great deal of skimming.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading ThisCalder Sky (Under A Calder Sky?)  several years ago, and this one's not living up to my expectations. Anyway, on with today's post! 

Monday, January 14, 2013

I've had the honor of meeting Carol twice now:) Once when she came up to see me while at an event in Washington, IN, and this past fall when she joined author BC Brown and I in Bruceville, IN:) And I'm delighted her 3rd release is due to my bullyingnaggingcoaxing her to finish and submit!  Why?  Several years ago she posted an excerpt of this book and I wanted to read it.  Now.  But she hadn't finished it, so Molly sits and waits.  And waits.  And twiddles her thumbs.  But a title change (thanks a lot, Carol!  You mean I could have used it after all?)  and a bit of polish and it's here!  And me with a TBR list a mile long...But enough about me.  Turning this over to fellow Hoosier Ms Carol while I go off and finish reading so I can get to her book sooner!  Take it away:)

First, I want to thank Molly for hosting me here today.  We've been online friends for years and last fall, I had the honor of spending the day with her at a festival where we shared a table, along with BC Brown, selling our books.  It was a blast and I hope we can get together again for something like that. 

Two of my favorite things to do is cook good food and write romance, so it only made sense for me to combine those two things and the result is my latest romance novel, "A Kitchen Affair," which was just released last week from Sweet Cravings Publishing. 

Blurb:When culinary student Jenny Marshall struggles to pay her tuition, she decides to become a Personal Chef to make ends meet.  The most eligible bachelor in town, Derek James, has a crisis.  Two days before his Thanksgiving dinner party, his cook has to quit due to a family emergency.  Desperate, he hires Jenny to cook for his party and there's chemistry from the start. He likes her, she likes him, but Colleen Michaels, a manager at his company, has set her sights on Derek also and she does everything she can to sabotage his relationship with Jenny.  Everyone thinks Colleen is the perfect match for Derek; everyone that is, except Derek.  He desperately wants Jenny in his life.  However, Colleen has other plans to keep that from happening.  What lengths will she go to in order to keep Derek and Jenny apart?I'd like to share a excerpt where Derek and his best friend Wes, who's a real player, buys drinks for a couple ladies at a bar.  After the excerpt, you'll find the recipe for the drink that they bought.  It will definitely warm you up on a cold night. 

Wes motioned for the waiter. " Would you take those two ladies over there each a hot Peppermint Patty drink?" 

Derek could only shake his head and chuckle when the waiter left with the order. 

"What?"  Wes asked. 

"You uphold your playboy reputation very well." 

"I try, my friend.  I try.  Did you tell Jenny you were leaving?" 

"Yes.  For all the good it did." 

"What do you mean?" 

"She stopped by my office yesterday morning and gave me a sweater for Christmas and I gave her a gold necklace with a chef's hat pendant.  I was just about to kiss her when Colleen walked in to thank me for the tennis bracelet I gave her." 

"Wait a minute, you gave Colleen a tennis bracelet?" 

"No, I didn't.  Ellen bought it with my credit card and gave it to her saying it was from me.  Jenny left pretty fast when Colleen started waving the bracelet in front of her.  After work, I drove over to Jenny's to explain about the bracelet." 

"Did she understand?" 

"I never spoke to her.  When I drove toward her house that Stefano guy had just arrived and she was in the driveway hugging him." 

"All the more reason to enjoy the company of some ladies here in Aspen, which I believe is just about to happen."  Wes and Derek stood as the ladies Wes had bought the drinks for approached the table. 

"I'm Wes and this is Derek and we're from a little town close to Cincinnati." 

Peppermint Patty

Mix one shot of Peppermint Schnapps, 1/2 of a shot of Creme de Cacao into a cup of hot chocolate.  Garnish with whipped cream and any type of candied sprinkles as desired. ( Ooooh, I looooove the sound of this!)"A Kitchen Affair" is available in several e-book formats on my publisher's web site, http://bit.ly/Z5Q2i2 and hopefully soon you'll be able to find it on my Amazon Author's page, https://www.amazon.com/author/carolpreIt will be available in paperback in a couple months. Thanks for being with me today Carol!  I can hardly wait to get this on my Kindle and read it:) Just as soon as I finish the one I'm currently reading.  Look for my mini-review sometime in the next two weeks! 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Currently Reading: A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries.  Finding this one hard to put down also!Jan 1983:
I returned to school with a definite distance in my relationship with A, even though we finally shared a class together, along with my ex-b/f K and the rest of our circle of friends.  Friend B began walking in the halls with me again, so the rumors about us persisted.  I was also taking a Child Development class which meant for two hours twice a week, I'd be a 1st grade teacher's aid across the street at an elementary school.  Also on those days, B was taking a PE course in which he left twice a week to help the PE teacher at another elementary school.  So we would often meet up, leave school together, and he'd walk me to my school before continuing onto his. 

One day, BFF J met me for lunch and said K wanted to set up a meeting with me for the next day at lunch. 

"He didn't say what it was about.  Just that it was important." 

I was curious, so I agreed to talk to him. 

The next day, we ate lunch in a hurry, then K approached our table.  J and her new friend, and friend R stood up. " We'll leave you alone so you can talk." 

But instead of remaining in the cafeteria, K and I walked down to one of the private practice rooms in the music area.  He proceeded to apologize for the way he'd treated me over the summer, especially the trick he'd pulled in August, and wanted to be friends again.  I told him I'd think about it.  Then before the bell rang, I told him I'd forgiven him.  J and R were relieved when I told them. 

In basketball, our team wasn't doing so well.  But still, the weekends were full of games, then Church and Youth Group on Sundays, and Bible Study.  I was beginning to feel like a 5th wheel around friends JL and KS, who had been dating the same men for the past several months.  Plus, our choir director decided to create an ensemble within our choir, and while he told me I had a pretty voice, I didn't make the final cut.  We also began rehearsing the material for the Florida trip in June.  I would soon have a choice to make: Band Camp, where I'd be a senior, or choir trip? 

*********Present Day:
Did I mention that Saturday night I put some numbing drops in my ear and when I woke up Sunday morning that ear was clogged?  The fluid still hasn't drained.  I'm thinking I'll have to make an appointment with the doctor. 

We're also karaoking tonight!  Despite my nasty cough, I'll be attempting the following new songs tonight:
Delta Dawn-Helen Reddy
Desperado-Eagles
Dixieland Delight-Alabama
Do That To Me One More Time-Captain and Tenille
American Pie (if Brown has it!) 

Plus, may try some old favorites from my existing list.  Just depends on the crowd. 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Currently Reading: Finished The Charm School, and loved how she wrapped up the entire story lines for everyone:) Now I want to read the sequel to this one, about Ryan's half-brother Hunter.  Next up: A LadyNever Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries:) I still need the first two books in this series. Okay; back to The Other Book, the one I have to force myself to remember to read. Where We Left Off: A's boss had trapped her in the break room; she managed to get away as C 'charged' the building and promptly fired her boss.  Then A and C have sex. 

Ch.  17:
I was very thankful that on the 2nd page of this chapter, the 'camera pans upward toward the stars' and 'fades to black'. 

They eat breakfast, then C shows A the bells and whistles of her new car.  And I'm back to screaming at the characters to SPEAK to each other.  They're in a car, and in private.  So why the hell are they suddenly 'murmuring' and 'muttering' again?  Excuse me while I go off and have a tantrum. 

She gets to work and is summoned by HR.  Is she fired?  Who will take her boss's place?  Will she again be chastised for inappropriate emails on company time? 

Hell no.  They make her the temporary boss.  Needle scratch.  WHAT?  A's only been there a WEEK!  Isn't there someone more qualified?  Someone more experienced? 

Pg 408: A's been called to a meeting and can't make her lunch date with C's sis.  So when K's brother arrives with the same offer, she asks him to take M instead.  I don't see the problem.  But after work, when she meets C, she's suddenly apprehensive.  Why does she feel she needs C's permission to have lunch with his sis?  Or is he upset because she went to lunch with K's brother?  Confusing.....

After meeting with C's psychiatrist (and A putting the skids on when the conversation gets to be about her instead of C), they have a stupid argument over who's going to drive her car. 

Ch 18:
He takes her to see a house (she finally let him drive) and the realtor goes all gooey-eyed over C. Give me a break!!!!  Can't these women control themselves?  Maybe they need lessons in comportment from Liz Crowe's characters in The Biz. 

Anyway, I skimmed most of this chapter, since it was getting late last night when I remembered what day it is.  Yes, I'm still 'recovering' from the holidays and not back to my regular schedule yet. 

Pg 428: He takes her to his Club for dinner and maybe it was the lateness of the hour, but I really didn't see the point of this scene.  I get he's ordered the same meal as in Book #1, but it was rather tiresome.  Then there were some groping in the elevator, and I don't understand his-I don't even know what to call it- anger?  Frustration?  Over a simple statement of 'I've never had sex in a car before.'  Duh....he's the only man she's slept with, and he knows it.  So why the sudden 'harshness' in his voice?  And her confusion?  Anyway, they make it back to his apartment and have sex. 

Pg 443: The next morning, she puts on a dress 'cut quite low', and thinks, 'yes, this will do for work'.  Ummm....a low cut bodice?  For WORK?  Maybe 'off camera' she puts one of those lacey insert-things.  You know; the kind which looks as if you have a camisole underneath? 

Anyway, she gets 'snoopy' again and discovers a box of photos taken in the playroom.  She's looking for his ties.  What self-respecting man keeps his ties in his bureau?  With the exception of a token few, who only drag one out for special occasion, most businessmen have a tie rack/hanger.  But maybe all the men her mom married were blue-collar? 

Pg 447: After another string of emails (on her Blackberry-Yay!  She remembered!),  she gets busy with work and when she surfaces, 4 hours have passed, and she realizes C didn't answer her last email.  So she starts to panic.  She emails; she calls and leaves a message.  She finishes work and is thrilled when K calls....and J calls.  Then J arrives at her job and tells her she's 'looking so grown up now'.  Maybe he's not used to seeing her with cleavage?  Or the low-cut dress was to show J she's 'taken'?  A and J go downstairs for a drink and K joins them.  As they're catching up on each other's lives, C's brother calls and tells A that C's helicopter has gone missing. 

Cliffhanger!  Oh, how will I go to sleep?  I must keep reading, right?  I must know what happens next!  Nope.  I closed the book and went to bed.*****Present Day:
Did you see my shiny new cover for Endless Love?  Look to your right:)

And come back tomorrow for my memories of Jan 1983.  Ex-b/f K does something unexpected. 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Caitlyn McCarty
plans to marry her high school sweetheart, Bryan Johnson, and teach elementary
school after graduating from ArborUniversity.  But after Bryan's life turns upside down with an
unexpected turn of events, Caty begins to question her goals and every decision
she’s ever made. 

Peter Criswell
fell for green-eyed, opinionated Caitlyn when he first met her.  However, her determination to hold onto a
dream frustrates him.  Sometimes you meet
the right person at the wrong time, and falling for a woman who’s caught
between her parents’ wants versus her own desires isn’t always easy. 

When the
foundation of Bryan Johnson’s relationship with Caitlyn is tested not once, but
twice, he faces the possibility of losing the only girl he’s loved since high
school.  When Caty does make up her mind,
will she stand by her man or run into the arms of another? 

Here's a snippet, in honor of my new cover:) This is from the prologue, July 1984. 

"What's wrong, Cait?"  His deep voice was full of concern. 
With a sigh, she settled into the circle of
his arms. " Just hold me.  Maybe the night won't end." 
"You don’t want to go to Canada, do
you?" 
"You know me so well.  We only have one more month before college,
and my parents plan a three week fishing trip, in Ontario. 
What's wrong with fishing in the lakes around here?"  She fell silent, enjoying the closeness. " Besides, I can't understand why they
wouldn't let you go with us." 
"You know why."  His arms tightened
around her. " We've been together
for four years, and our parents think we need some time apart." 
"But...that's why you're going to the University of Illinois, and I'm being shipped off to
Arbor U, wherever in the hell that is. 
The town is so small, only the university is on the map. "Bryan’s
body shook with laughter. " You're
not even taking this seriously, are you?" 
Caty sat up, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. Bryan
coughed. " Sweetheart, I've loved
you ever since that day you cut into that frog in biology class, and flipped it
across the room into Beth Eiken's hair." 
He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. " No matter what our parents think, I
will always love you, even if we're a couple hundred of miles away from each
other.  No, look at me." 
He tipped her chin up with one finger. 
"Let's make a pledge, right now, that when, in four years, if our
feelings haven't changed, we'll still be together." 

Want to read more?  I'm expecting edits any day now and this book should be releasing some time next month:)

Currently Reading: Still on The Charm School and really enjoying it!  This is a Definite Recommended Read!  The problem I forgot to mention about Just Breathe is the comic strip excerpts are so tiny, I needed a magnifying glass to read it.  Either my eyesight has gotten that bad....or the print is too small.  And I had no problems putting it down.  I hate being interrupted while reading Charm School! 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Currently Reading: Finished Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs.  Enjoyed it, but it dragged in spots.  And I wasn't thrilled with how the arsonist was revealed.  But maybe that's just me.  I'm on Charm School now and really enjoying the first few chapters!E-book: Still on Love Lost and Found by Jean Joachim and Ben Tanner.  I'm enjoying the pacing of this story! 

Laura T and Stacey P!!! 

Congrats!  Your gifts are on their way:) Thanks for cruising with us on the SS MJ Daniels....(aren't you glad you weren't on the Minnow?  LOL!) 

On second thought, being shipwrecked on St. Maartin's Island wouldn't be so bad right now.  There is still snow on the ground and the temperature has been in the single digits every morning. 

Kenzie posted her goals for the year; what about mine?  Well, since we share a brain and body, pretty much the same, with a few exceptions:

-Figure out how to balance my wife/Mommy duties, the grandmother duties, and the writing job.  According to my family, I'm severely dropping the ball when it comes to the wife/Mommy duty.  It's true that since the SU retired, he watches TV and I thought I was being respectful by not barging in on him every Monday to dust and vacuum.  But he sees it differently. 

"There's nothing I'm watching that can''t be interrupted.  If you want to clean, go ahead.  I'll even help you." 

-I'm determined to increase my sales somehow.  Spending more time networking online?  More contests?  Or more signings?  It would help if my book were to arrive in print soon. 

-I also want to attend more conferences.  RT in May (a definite, according to the SU!);  Lori's in June (3 hour drive); and maybe even RomantiCon (October) or even RomFest (held in Gatlinburg, another of my favorite vacations spots!). 

-Self-edit Book #7 and get it subbed, so it can arrive next fall, and write/self-edit/submit #8; begin writing #9. 

And on a personal note....
-Move us into a better home
-Convince the daughter to get rid of the dead weight in her life
-Encourage College Kid to return to school (currently, he's sitting out a semester to work)
-Help the youngling be ready for 3rd grade

Friday, January 4, 2013

Jan 1973:
I don't remember the exact month this happened, so I'm choosing to post this now.  Did I mention I was an anxious child, and always wanting to please?  Well for whatever reason, I had to use the bathroom at the exact time my 1st grade teacher chose to call our names and handing out papers.  I didn't want to be laughed at for being in the bathroom when she called my name, so I tried to hold it.  And didn't make it. 

Mom told me recently, "You talked to her more in that ten minutes than you had the entire 1st semester, while she took you down for some dry clothes." 

I don't remember that part; I just remember the humiliation of wetting my pants in class, all because I was too darn scared to run to the bathroom in case my name was called! 

All you have to do is start here and visit the participating author's blogs.  Leave a comment on each one; some authors are offering individual prizes.  Also, match the authors with their Port O'Call and send it in an email to Dawne Prochilo: reviewcoordinator@secretcravingspublishing.com

*NOTE: On the SCP site, both Sandy Sullivan and Chloe Waits' blog links are incorrect.  I have their correct links above.  Enjoy the cruise! 

Ready to start the fun? 

Blurb:

Gretchen McLaren has her life mapped out.  A tour of duty with the Peace Corps, then working as a social worker for the elderly.  But her boyfriend Joe Walker doesn't agree with her plan, and tries everything in his power to change her mind.  But will he succeed?  Or will his efforts drive her into the arms of another man? 

Troy Anderson finds himself hearing the words no man wants to hear, "I just want to be friends."  But when a skilled manipulator tries to tear down the woman he loves, will he fight for her?  Find out what happens when jealousy upsets the balance of love and ambition.  Has Gretchen been blind to true love the entire time? 

I picked this particular SCP book because I'm going through this issue with my daughter, and now seems like a perfect time to sail away to....Saint Maartin's Island!I'll throw all the names in a hat and draw one lucky winner at the end of the contest for a copy of this book or any of my others.  Book #5 will be out hopefully next month.  So good luck and enjoy the cruise! 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Brief recap: An ex-sub of C's waves a gun at A, who manages to distract her until help arrives.  Then C decides to 'finally' explain his side of things, and ends up proposing.  A, stressed out from a) being held at gunpoint; b) C's revelations; and c) the unexpected proposal, goes off to bed to 'decompress' and think about all that's transpired. 

Ch 15:
I believe I ended last week's post with 'please-don't-let-there-be-a-sex-scene-in-Ch-15' but she wakes up; C is 'wrapped around her like a vine'.  She gets out of bed and is contemplating everything when C cries out, ala nightmare.  She wakes him up and-you guessed it- they have sex.  I skipped over it. 

Then in the morning, she oversleeps.  Finds her boss in a very grumpy mood, and 'forgets' C's warning not to email him from her office PC.  After picking up her boss's lunch, she heads out, but instead of eating, spends time thinking about C....and is late getting back to the office.  What IS it with this girl and 'forgetting' to eat and losing track of time?  Even when I was having boyfriend issues while on my 1st job out of college, I never let it interfere with my work! ( Just had too many sick days, but hey....that's MY story not hers....)

Later in the day, she and C again have another e-mail exchange, interrupted by his 'shouty caps' to her to use her blackberry, not the office pc!  End of the work day; A 'remembers' she's not eaten all day-does her stomach never 'remind' her?  If I go all day w/o food, I'm so hungry I could eat nearly anything in front of me-and goes to the break room.  Her boss traps her in there for a little 'chat'. 

Ch 16:
O. M. G. Boss 'comes on' to her; tries to blackmail her about her emails to C, but reveals their IT guy can't find the ones C's sent her.  He demands to know if she's a spy or what C's intentions/interest in the company are.  A remembers her self-defense classes and effectively gets away from him just as C and Co arrive outside.  C goes in to confront/fire the boss, then reads A the riot act about WHY she was supposed to use her PHONE to email him, not the OFFICE PC!  She's still 'bewildered' by his anger.  Does she not understand simple instructions?  It baffles me how the Non-Disclosure Agreement sticks with her, but not a 'please use your Blackberry to email me' request does not.  Was she dropped on her head as a child? 

Crisis averted, he goes off to do some work.  She thinks he's acting childish when he says he's not talking to her at the moment.  Can she not see he's ANGRY and needs a 'time out'?  So she wanders through the house and discovers the 'red room of pain' is unlocked.  So she goes inside and explores.  He catches her, but instead of being angry, explains some of the 'toys' when she has questions.  And yes, they have sex again....

I did have one 'YES!'  moment in this chapter.  On page 376, she remembers a phone call from photographer J and 'informs' C about where he will be staying; if at her place, then she'll go see him.  Or, if it's okay J spends the night as C's guest, then they will both see him.  She's not asking permission; she'd Informing C of her plans to see J. C's not happy, but agrees to let J spend the night under his roof. 

********Present Day:
I didn't read yesterday; I spent it with my darling granddaughter and doing laundry.  Then 'remembered' I can watch DVD's on my computer, so popped in the 1st season of Mary Tyler Moore.  Don't laugh; I was too young to remember the first few seasons, so my father got them for me as a birthday gift.  I own Seasons #1, 2, and 6, so have many hours of catching up.  I may even own #3 and 4; I'll have to double-check. 

Warning: Rant is about to follow.  If you have no desire to read family drama, exit this post.  Or if you keep reading, I'd appreciate any ideas of how to proceed. Update on the Daughter:
Unfortunately, after a 12-hour phone call/text session with Her Idiot, she caved and took him back. 
"He broke up with X to go back with me." 

Does she not see this was just a ploy on his part to guilt her back into being with him again?  I've told her I've been there and know EXACTLY what he's doing, but ooooooohhhh nooooooo....I know nothing.  If he stays true to form, what will follow will be 2 weeks of 'lovey-dovey' behavior, followed by a week of slowly critical getting-on-each-other's-nerves, and then a blowup. 

I'm seriously thinking about calling CPS and warning them about a 'dangerous person' being around my grandchild. 

I even asked her, 'So destroying your apartment wasn't the last straw; what will it take?  For him to hurt her?  Or their daughter? 

And when I saw her FB status after returning from our family Christmas, I was both hurt and angry.  How did this lovable little girl get so hateful?  Where the hell did I go wrong as a mother?  I can trace some of her anger back to '06, when I had to uproot her and move her to a new town and new school.  But maybe I should have taken the neighbor's offer to keep her with them that year.  But the spouse was having none of it, so she came down here, gave up her saxaphone, and began dyeing her hair black. 

I'm just going pray about it, and see what today brings.  If it's too alarming, then yes, I'll contact CPS.  And hopefully my oldest won't give into HIS anger and go after Idiot #2 with a ball bat.  I don't need a child (or spouse!)  in prison for murder. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Currently Reading: Finished Kellie's Tumbling Hearts and LOVED it!  I'd made a mental note to email Kellie about a certain part in the book, but that was not quite 24 hours ago, and I'll have to go look it up again.  This is another Definite Recommended Read:) Began Jean Joachim/Ben Tanner's Love Lost and Found. Correction: Was told I left a book off my list yesterday.  So as soon as I BUYA Kitchen Affair by Carol Preflatish, it will be added to that list of books:) And Carol, you need some Tussin, sweetie....that's a nasty cough you have there;)

Today's holiday snippet is from the upcoming Endless Love.  Caty and Bryan have been together since their junior year in high school, and have made it all the way to their senior year in college.  There have been bumps along the way, but nothing prepared them for what they'd face the year Bryan placed a 1st Promise Ring on Caty's hand.  Will that ring be replaced by an engagement ring?  Or will Caty return it? 

This actually takes place over Thanksgiving.  Cait and Bryan have temporarily broken up, but their parents are doing everything in their power to get them back together (rough draft; unedited):

“I’m sorry, too,” he said. “ It’s just, I warned you.  I still love you, and I just hope that you’ll
decide you want me, rather than the other guy.” 
“Oh Bryan, not you too?  Nobody sees my side of it,” she cried,
shoving the pillow aside and scrambling off the bed. “ I don’t want to follow in my mother’s
footsteps!  I don’t want my father
punishing me for something I think is right! 
I just want this confusion to be over,” she said, pacing back and
forth. “ Why did Valerie have to be at
that party?”  she moaned, leaning against
her dresser. “ Why did you have to get so
drunk that night?” 
“That’s it, isn’t it?”  Bryan jumped up and went
to her. “ You’re still mad about the
circumstances!  It’s not pressure from
your family that’s tearing you apart; it’s the guilt and anger you have toward
us.” 
“Yes,” she said. “ If I could have come down that weekend,
instead of staying at school, this would never have happened.” 
“Cait, you can’t beat
yourself up with if only’s,” he said gently, stroking her hair. 
Caty sank down to the
floor. “ I know.  I thought I’d gotten through that.  It’s the first time I’ve ever thought
that.  If I had come up, like you asked
me to, you wouldn’t be going through this. 
But no, I had to stay behind and have fun with my friends.”  She covered her eyes. “ It’s my fault,” she whispered. “ It’s all my fault. ”News:Had a bit of family drama over the weekend; I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say my daughter has finally seen her boyfriend's 'true colors' and has left him for good.  Unfortunately, now his family has chosen to hurt her by saying he's now with one of his ex's, and the reality of being a single mom hit her hard last night.  But we've reassured her we've got her back; she's not alone and has a wonderful support system in place for raising Miss Alex.  Just praying that a) she doesn't change her mind and b) she opens a new chapter in her life and does well.  Only five months til her 'Walk of Pride' at her HS graduation:)

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About Me

I've been writing since age 11, and wrote my first romance novel at age 19.  I finally had the guts to seek publication for my series in 2002, much to the delight of everyone who's read my work and demanded to know why I wasn't published yet!