Terrific Tuesday with Lyn Armstrong:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.
Hi Molly, thank you for having me here. My name is Lyn Armstrong and I’m an Aussie author living in Florida. I write historical erotic romance with paranormal elements. So there is something for everyone. My latest release is “Witch Hunter”—the fifth and last book in the Celtic series. You can read it with the Celtic series, starting with “The Last Celtic Witch”, or by itself. I loved writing Witch Hunter as I was able to research the history and prosecution of witches in Scotland. Their stories moved me so much, I dedicated “Witch Hunter” to all the innocent people accused of witchcraft, tortured and sentenced to death. I added real names of those who went through witch trials in 16th century Edinburgh to give the story a sense of dark reality.
Witch Hunter has received the Reviewers Recommend Award from Coffee Times Romance along with five star reviews.

WITCH HUNTER
Entwined Fates…Forbidden Love

Commissioned as an Inquisitor, Lord Lachlan Fairbairn is a skilled Witch Hunter feared throughout Scotland. When King James VI sent him to investigate a noble lady with wild golden hair and an untamed spirit, his instincts warns she is guilty of witchcraft. With mystery and intrigue surrounding the beautiful lass, he could not resist her luring charm beneath her protected heart. Torn between his forbidden desires and royal duty, can he make the impossible decision?

Outcast from her clan, Lady Rhiannon Campbell struggles with conflicting powers. Half good witch and half evil sorceress, she battles to control the darkness within for fear of plunging Scotland into chaos and death. With time working against Rhiannon, she has to rid herself of the seductive Inquisitor or face the horrific torture of the King’s dungeons. Can she endure a broken heart and a gruesome death to save her family? Or will she protect her enchanted secret and force herself to slay…the Witch Hunter?

I hope you all enjoy reading Witch Hunter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?
I haven’t written a story which scared me, but the research for Witch Hunter haunted my dreams. I can’t imagine how a person dealt with such gruesome torture in Scotland dungeons.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?
I get a lot of people asking me if any of the love scenes were based in reality. Unfortunately, very few are. I guess that is why I have a great imagination. Tee Hee.

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?
I do heaps of research. Especially since all my novels are set in history. I try to be authentic to my characters. Sometimes, researching a book will take longer than writing the book itself. I don’t mind. I love history and its people. Why they did the things they did, why they dressed in those clothes and had certain beliefs that didn’t always make a lot of sense. It’s like unraveling a time-old mystery.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?
Good question. I would like the reader to walk away with a little more knowledge on how people lived in history and be thorough engrossed with the fantasy of an era gone by. As well as enjoying the love scenes. It’s awesome when a book spices up your life and makes you feel alive.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?
I am both. LOL. Sometimes I plot my story, then sit down to write. Other times I just sit down at the computer with an idea I got from a dream and start typing, allowing the characters to speak to me. However, there is one thing I do every time. I find a picture of my characters on the internet or magazine and stick them up on the wall next to my computer. These pictures come to life as real people with real issues, conflicts, inner demons, hopes and dreams. If I am stuck for dialogue, I would look at my picture and ask myself, what would this person say or do in this situation. And the answer would come instantly.

How long did it take for you to be published?
I was writing and learning the craft full time for four years before Resplendence Publishing offered a contract for The Last Celtic Witch. I had written three manuscripts before The Last Celtic Witch. However, those “practice” manuscripts will never see the light of day. LOL.
There is a funny story on how I was “discovered”.

I met the Resplendence Publishing editors in a bar at a writers conference and I didn’t know who there were. A few people in the group started to talk about my “love scenes” and how much they enjoyed reading them. I nodded my head at them with resignation and said, “From your lips to the editors’ ears.”

Little did I know, those editors were sitting right next to me. LOL. They asked me about my manuscripts. I thought I was talking to just another author until one of them gave me their business card and asked me to submit. I did and a week later, they called and offered me a contract.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?
Good question. I wouldn’t change a thing, because every lesson I learned helped me to be a better author. I guess I would say never give up hope no matter how dark it seems. Just keep writing and you will become better with each manuscript. It’s inevitable.

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?
I do both. I use pen and paper to plot. I use the computer to write, revise and edit. When I cannot edit anymore and I feel I am about to pull my hair out, I print the manuscript on recycled paper, grab a red pen and re-edit the hard copy.

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?
My favorite authors tend to change a lot. LOL. In the beginning, I was a huge Joanna Lindsey fan for historicals. I also love Sherrilyn Kenyon, Angela Knight, Connie Mason, Lyn Armstrong (lol, just seeing you were paying attention). But I would say an author who influenced me greatly was Nancy Friday. She doesn’t really write fiction, but collates erotic fantasies from women and men. Her books really opened my mind to writing erotic romance novels. She taught me it is not only okay to be sexual, but it is very normal to have a freaky imagination. LOL.

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.
Thank you for having me, Molly. ;0)

You can find the Celtic series on ebooks at Resplendence Publishing or on print at www.Amazon.com.

The Celtic Series Titles:

The Last Celtic Witch
The Celtic Witch & the Sorcerer
Heart of a Warlock
Lady of the Mountain
Witch Hunter

Daughters of Odin (Released July 6th, 2010 at Resplendence)

For more information on titles and Lyn Armstrong, go to my website.




Witch Hunter

Entwined Fates…Forbidden Love

Commissioned as an Inquisitor, Lord Lachlan Fairbairn is a skilled Witch Hunter feared throughout Scotland. When King James VI sent him to investigate a noble lady with wild golden hair and an untamed spirit, his instincts warns she is guilty of witchcraft. With mystery and intrigue surrounding the beautiful lass, he could not resist her luring charm beneath her protected heart. Torn between his forbidden desires and royal duty, can he make the impossible decision?

Outcast from her clan, Lady Rhiannon Campbell struggles with conflicting powers. Half good witch and half evil sorceress, she battles to control the darkness within for fear of plunging Scotland into chaos and death. With time working against Rhiannon, she has to rid herself of the seductive Inquisitor or face the horrific torture of the King’s dungeons. Can she endure a broken heart and a gruesome death to save her family? Or will she protect her enchanted secret and force herself to slay…the Witch Hunter?

Excerpt for Witch Hunter

Rhiannon spent the eve sitting on cold stones in the king’s dank dungeon, thinking about all things she wished she could change. If she had a chance, she would tell her mother, father and the rest of her family that she loved them. She would apologize to Lachlan for being the cause of his downfall. She never wanted him to be in the middle of the trial, which was why she trapped him in the mountain.

She rubbed her hot hands on her thighs. Since the middle of the eve, her palms constantly burned. There was not much time left before the sun rose and all goodness left her soul. How could she face the look of fear from Lachlan when the hex took effect? If only she were executed yesterday.

A nervous giggle erupted from her mouth. To think she was wishing in her last moments to die earlier.

The door opened, and the repulsive lanky Inquisitor pulled her to her feet. “I can help you escape,” Grigor offered.

Rhiannon stared at him, her heart leaping to throat.

“If you promise to use your powers to my benefit, we can work out an accord.” Grigor cupped her breasts and she shivered.

She spat in his face. “I would rather die.”

He gripped her arm and pulled her up against him, his teeth clenching. “Then I will torch you myself.”

Grigor dragged her along the cavernous hallway. For once, the Inquisitor was silent which terrified her more than his threats.

He placed her in the same cart she took to Tolbooth yesterday. “Where is Lord Lachlan?” she asked.

“You will see him soon enough,” Grigor replied in a scathing tone and sat beside the driver.

Tilting her head up, Rhiannon observed the eve’s fading stars, appreciating the last chance of seeing the sky’s dark beauty. Conflicting emotions tore at her heart. Although she was afraid to burn on the stake, if the dawn came before she died, everyone in Edinburgh was in danger of the evil that simmered beneath.

The cart rumbled out the castle gates and she willed the horse to trot faster.

Perhaps the sorceress would not be up this early.

Rhiannon hopes were dashed when she arrived at the hill outside the castle. Upon a high white horse sat the sorceress in a red gown and hat, her bosom almost spilling out of the exquisite dress. On a black steed next to Torella sat the king, appearing bored and impatient.

As soon as the crowd saw her, they shouted curses. The noise was so loud she wanted to cover her ears, but her bound wrists could not reach far enough. She glared at the hundreds of people who eagerly woke early to witness another witch burning.

The cart halted and Grigor roughly escorted her up the nearest scaffold of four.

Lachlan stood against one of the posts on the platform next to her. His tunic hung open at his sides, his muscled back exposed to the vicious mob.

His head hung low; he appeared defeated.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat.

A heavy-set soldier near Lachlan cracked a whip into the air and the crowd replied in awe, their eyes glistening with blood lust. The man picked up another whip near his feet and held it high for everyone’s pleasure. The claw-like pincers at the end of the whip held bloodstains. Every lash of the cat’s paw would tear Lachlan’s skin like a knife through butter until it reached the bone.

Damn the sorceress for blocking her powers. She could have saved Lachlan from feeling the pain. Allow his soul to escape into a world of bliss.

Grigor bound her to a post, and she peeked below at the pile of dry timber. Her heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest. Sweat poured down the sides of her face. Her breathing increased.

“I pray you do not burn too fast, witch,” Grigor taunted and left the scaffold. He snatched a fire sconce from one of the guards and waited nearby, his eyes burning with impatience.

“Rhiannon,” Lachlan called to her above the din and she turned her head. “Try to escape if you can.”

She shook her head. “I cannot.” Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed the acidic taste.

Something was happening to her beyond just fear. Her body seemed to blaze from within.

Rhiannon looked at the sorceress, and she held a sinister smile. Torella’s face turned to the east. She was waiting for the sun, for the hex to take place. She whispered into the king’s ear.

King James ordered, “Whip the traitor!”

“Nae,” Rhiannon screamed but it was lost in the mob’s cheers.

The soldier swung his arm to gain momentum then cracked the whip against Lachlan’s back. He squeezed his eyes shut, his body spasm against the pain, but he did not cry out.
Rhiannon struggled against her binds. She had to stop this.

The cat’s claw flicked through the air and tore his skin again. Blood dripped down his legs. The soldier flicked the pieces of flesh from the pincers and whipped him again and again.

“Stop it!” Rhiannon shouted at the sorceress. But she shrugged her shoulders and pointed to the east.

A reddish-orange glow colored the morning sky. The sun would soon appear over the mountains.

“I am a powerful witch!” she shouted as loud as she could.

The crowd hushed down to a whisper, their attention on her.

“If you do not leave this man be, you will all be cursed for the rest of your days,” she warned.

“Nae, Rhiannon,” Lachlan groaned.

The crowd’s faces changed from hatred to panic. They turned to the king.

His Majesty whispered into the sorceress’ ear and she nodded. “Burn the witch!” he ordered.

A mixture of terror and relief filled her being. She did not want to die, but could not allow the hex to darken the world.

Grigor pushed the other guards away and walked forward. Holding the fire sconce in the air, he stared at her with a huge grin on his face. He brought the flame down in an arc, and the timber easily caught fire. The Inquisitor practically danced around her scaffold, adding fire to the pile.
Her steady composure collapsed with the horror of a painful death. The crackling of the flames grew louder, drowning out the noise of the mob. Even Lachlan’s pleas for mercy for her seemed like a whisper.

The spot on her forehead seared the skin, while her insides burned even though the flames had not reached her flesh. She closed her eyes against the sting of smoke, the smell of wood clogging her lungs.

Suddenly, a sense of peace overcame her being. Her limbs instantly cooled and her skin prickled. The beat of her heart and her intake of breath slowed in pace.

She was ready for death.

A piercing light shone from beyond her eyelids and she opened her eyes.

Yellow beams of sunlight shot over the mountain range.


WITCH HUNTER – available on ebook at Resplendence or on print at Amazon.

Reality Show Wrap-Up

Amazing Race:
I've only watched this show twice; once when Rob and Amber from Survivor were on it (I think they came in 2nd or third) and this past season, when Big Brother's Jeff and Jordan participated.

I actually find this show sometimes tedious to watch, because instead of competing in challenges simultaneously, you watch it over and over and over with each team. This is why I only tune in occasionally! Initially, I was rooting for Jeff and Jordan, but after the 1st episode I watched (halfway through, I think), it was painfully clear that only divine intervention was going to help them. And sure enough, two episodes later they were gone (I missed it). So then I was torn between the Jeff and Cord, Louis and Michael, Dan and Jordan, and Brent and Caite. I missed the episode where Louis and Michael were eliminated, and cheered Dan and Jordan as they cleverly jumped into the lead by persuading the flight attendant to bump them to 1st class on the airplane, enabling them to grab the 1st cab and not look back as they ran the final leg. Jeff and Cord were close behind, but Brent and Caite lucked out with a cab driver who could barely speak English and didn't know how to get to the park near the Golden Gate Bridge. I was NOT proud of Caite's childish behavior in the cab as she cussed the poor guy out.

Steph and Carol let their true colors show at the finish line. Still sore about being U-turned by Brent and Caite, they still demanded an apology. They didn't get one, nor did they really deserve one! It's a GAME, people! Get over yourselves.

Survivor:
Sandra won last night!! I was ticked when Rupert and Co failed to believe Sandra whenever she tried to rally everyone behind her to vote off Russell. And that dumb move of JT...earning his the Dumbest Move In Survivor History...rightly earned.

And Russell needs a week at a spa, to chill out and get over his sour grape attitude. Rob had him pegged; he played to get to the END, not to WIN. He's good at manipulation; good at strategy. But LOUSY at maintaining relationships, and voting friends off in a cheerful manner. He needs to go back and watch past episodes to get a clue.

And he even griped about it this morning on the Early Show! He's just showing what a big baby he is.

Celebrity Apprentice:
Still on my DVR, so I have no idea who's won. Don't tell me; I'll report it the day after I watch it. I'm torn between Holly, Brett, and Sharon.

Goals for Today: (yes, I slacked off last week. I solemnly promise to do this room this week!)
-Wash S's BRM curtains
-Wash down baseboards along SE corner
-De-clutter W's toy area. Check.

Saturday's Stupid Saying

Newlywed Game host Bob Eubanks:
What was the first thing you said to your husband on your wedding night?

Female contestant: Uh, gosh that's a hard one. Oh, wait, I don't mean THAT!

Slacked off this week due to being in pain and catching up on my DVR'd shows: L&O are slowly being dwindled to one per day; weekly One Tree Hill, The Celebrity Apprentice, Amazing Race finale, 90210, and last weekend I also DVR'd a Deadliest Catch, Best of...series. I finally watched the Eureka episodes, and am down to just the few DC, L&O, and one L&O:SVU episode.

Today I will get to the middle room in my house, and at least get it de-cluttered and vaccuumed! We also have another Eagle Scout Court of Honor to attend this afternoon, in honor of a particular scout whom I championed two years ago (See August 17, 2008 Scouts Got Talent NOT post:)

Have a good weekend! I'm off to take more Advil and drink another cup of coffee.

Flashback Friday: 1990

Currently Reading: Curses by Cindy Spencer Pape. I was pleasantly surprised; I'd expected something different, but I LIKE it:) Obviously, I didn't read the blurb or excerpt very well when she posted it earlier. Sorry Cindy! I'm loving the story, and I think I've figured out one of the 'twists'....I'll keep reading and see if I'm right:) I'm up to Chapter 4.

1990:
At my job, I was given a list of tasks to perform with each 'child' (the residents ranged in age from five to sixty years old, and were varying functioning levels), with the higher functioning ones stationed at one end, and the lower ones (including major behavioral problems) at the other. Workers would switch ends every hour, so we had equal time with all residents.

The day I was supposed to start, only two workers showed up, so I was pretty much thrust into it without any formal training. And one co-worker had a tendency to record all the reactions, so when we'd switch, she'd tell me the book was completed for that hour; all I had to do was maintain control of the room.

After a while, I got bored in the lower-functioning room, and started re-doing her stimuli. I spent about five minutes with each resident, trying to coax a different reaction to stories, lotion rubbed on their skin, music, finger plays....anything to keep my own mind active, and not just waiting for someone to be changed or have their behavior redirected. And in May, the State came in to evaluate the facility, and not surprisingly, we didn't pass inspection.

Our QMRP was fired, along with other staff. During the inspection, I didn't know I was being observed as I re-worked the checklist. The people brought in to change things around questioned all of us, and based on their observations, bumped me up to supervisor. When I objected, because many other workers had seniority over me, I was told it was because they had seen me actively working with the kids, not just being a watchdog.

After eight hours of intense training, the kids were divided into eight different groups, and I was relieved to see myself in charge of the highest functioning ones. Unfortunately, this is also the time when The Idiot in my life was showing his true colors, so this particular time was very turbulent.

But that month taught me a valuable lesson: Go the extra mile in whatever job you're given, and take pride in your work. You never know who may be paying attention.

Oh also, Ari Lyendyke won the Indy 500 that year! Woo hoo!

Flashing back to 1983 for a brief moment...On this date, my best friend B and I were pronounced 'people' in the hallway. The encounter went something like this:

B's friend J walks up to us at B's locker.
"Hey, B...how's the missus?"

(I stand there with my mouth open)
B: "Molly, he's talking to you."

Me: "I'm fine J. Yourself?"

J nods. "And how are the kids?"

I shoot a look at B, who's laughing. "They're just fine! They miss their Uncle J. When are you coming over?"

"I'll be over after practice...." He walks away.

B slams his locker shut and we head in the opposite direction.

"Okay; clue me in. When did we get married?"

B: "Last year. You don't remember? Geez, Mol..."

M: "And we have how many kids?"

B: "I don't know; you had 'em!"

We arrive at my classroom; he winks at me and continues on.

One hour later...
B meets me at my locker. J arrives just as I slam the door shut.

"Hey you two; wait up a sec. By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you 'people'. B, kiss your bride!"

Several people started cheering. I ducked under B's arm and headed off to my next class, totally embarrassed!

We actually carried this joke until I became 'engaged' to my AF officer three years later:)

May Pictures

W, helping neighbor load the lawn mowers onto trailer:)













2010 Confirmation class of our old parish. Had we not moved, S would have been in this picture. The majority of these kids were in her 1st Communion class.

M (top row, red shirt) is the son of our good friends R & J. His parents are also W's godparents.

I haven't seen many of these kids in over three years; it's hard to believe they look so grown up!




We were at St. Agnes Church in Nashville, IN. Beautiful little church on a hill, and tucked into the woods:)

To the left, in white, is my friend D;
Center, in blue, is J, R, my SU, W, and S (hiding behind her little brother).

Between my SU and S is K's friend A, who has grown into a lovely young woman. She'll be attending IUPUI next year. Her little brother was also being confirmed.



M, doing the first reading. I didn't get a good picture of he and K receiving the Bishop's blessing; it was rather crowded.

I also walked up to our priest before the service and asked, "Is it appropriate to hug your favorite priest?"

Fr. J opened his arms and said, "Of course!"

Since I'm not Catholic, I can't receive Communion, but I did go forward for his blessing. Our priest down here doesn't do that.



Afterwards, R & J treated us to a wonderful meal at the Holy Cow restaurant:)

Here are the boys acting goofy.











Then M attempted to pick up K! Ummm...I think he needs a little more help...










True or False?
1) I'm an only child Nope; I have a younger sister.
2) I married right out of high school Nope; went on to college and married at age 25.
3) I've won a Grammy and an Oscar In my dreams, maybe....
4) I was named after The Unsinkable Molly Brown Partially true; my parents used to tease me about it.
5) I once slam-dunked a basketball TRUE! I had a little help from a 6'7" basketball player in the summer of 1986:) Dolas, I'll always be thankful!
6) I'm a Coke gal Nope. It takes me 90 minutes to drink a Pepsi, and I once managed to drink nearly a can of Coke in 8 hours. I'm strictly a Pepsi gal...unless it has rum in it. Then I'll drink it in about an hour or less, if the mix is just right:)
7) I can run a mile in 8 minutes Not anymore; I could do this in jr. high and high school, but now I'm good if I can WALK a mile in ten minutes...

So how did you do?

Rainy Wednesday

Goals for Today:
-Wash S's BRM curtains
-Wash down baseboards along SE corner
-De-clutter W's toy area. He stayed home with the stomach flu yesterday, so didn't get a whole lot accomplished!


Currently Reading: Bad Conduct by Ashley Ladd. Discovered I never uploaded Cindy's books to the e-reader. Bad Molly....Thoroughly enjoyed Golden Opportunity! Recommended Read:) Print-wise, I'm slowly working my way through Irving's Trying To Save Piggy Sneed. This is part memoir, part short story collection.

Made the fatal mistake of reading Anny's blog post out loud. Now he's chosen to lord it over my head that he was right and I've been wrong the past year. Yes, I'm griping.

Our deal was, if I didn't make a profit from the books at the end of 2008, I would go back to writing in my spare time and go get a job. Well, I not only made a tiny profit from Love Finds A Way, but received my first contract from Freya's Bower. Didn't cost me anything but early promo materials, but yes, I've sold several copies and am receiving small checks in the mail. But since it's only amounted to 'pin money', he's concluded my time could be better spent elsewhere.

Time to win the lottery; open up my own shop; and keep writing! Besides; if I worked forty hours a week outside the home, he'd be griping about being left home alone all day long. So what the hell does he want? Don't answer that.

Come back tomorrow; I promise I'll post some cheery pictures!

Terrific Tuesday with Danielle Thorne:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.
Hi Molly. Thanks for having me today. Writing from south of Atlanta, I'm an author of historical and contemporary adventures. My current release is TURTLE SOUP, an environmental sweet romance set between Atlanta and the island of St. Thomas. All of my books have sea themes, but TURTLE SOUP is one of my favorites because I have a soft spot for sea turtles.

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?
The only time I'm ever scared when I write a story, is if I don't know where I'm going. I can't write by the seat of my pants like some authors. The story already has to be in my head, and working up an outline helps me to see the waypoints I need to help the plot progress.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?
Absolutely. Although I don't base characters on myself, I do use a lot of my experiences to bring stories to life. I've taken dive classes, gone on cruises, and even taken a weekend tour of Savannah, Georgia, to eat at a famous restaurant in order to make everything as realistic as possible.


How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?
I usually dip my toe into a subject before I begin writing, but I leave major research for my second draft. Getting the story down on paper is the hardest step for me; afterwards I submerge myself in the details and work them into the scenes.


Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?
Besides taking my readers on faraway adventures, I hope to inspire others to care a little more about people, animals, and the planet. There is always a romantic subplot in my work, and I strive to keep the romance sweet and refreshing.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?
As I mentioned, definitely a plotter, but that doesn't mean the story doesn't take some turns that surprise me!


How long did it take for you to be published?
Once I sincerely began submitting my work, it took a little over a year to get my first contract. I have been writing all my life--the journey has been a long one. Now that I am seeing everything I've hoped for come to fruition, I feel that every sacrifice has been worth it.


If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?
Trust yourself. I've never had a hard time taking criticism because I understand I can learn from it. That being said, I do wish I would have been more confident and bold when I first began.


Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?
Both! I must have paper and pencil to draw out plot maps and outline my ideas. When it comes time to write the story, I can't do it without a keyboard. I type faster than I think these days.


Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?
I would say my writing has been most influenced by Jane Austen and Patrick O'Brian. I love their voices, style, and wit. Right now I am into the PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIAN series when I'm not reading new releases for review purposes. I have also discovered some new authors I enjoyed this past year: Miss Mae, Linda Swift, Anne Patrick, P.I. Barrington, and many other exciting authors on the rise.

I LOVE the Percy Jackson series!
What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
I've been asked this before and I'm sure those familiar with me already know—that I have four boys. Growing up with four brothers, it hasn't been a big deal for me to be surrounded by all this bedlam, but some people find it interesting. I couldn't imagine myself with a house full of girls. Just doesn't process.

For Fun:
What is your Prom story?
My parents moved right before my senior year. My prom date was some kind of parental intervention--a set up. Luckily, my date and I were good friends and both survived but I try not to think on those times. Being a teenager was the hardest thing I ever endured, bar none!


Favorite Mother’s Day memory?
All of my memories of Mother's Day blur together. Just good times with my family—a few flowers and rose bushes. It's nice to be appreciated.

If you have children, does the end of school signal loss of writing time for you?

Yes! I write during school hours and then late in the evening when everyone is in bed. It's important to me to balance the free time I have seeing to my duties as a mother and homemaker. I'm not perfect, but I try to make sure that I keep in mind what is most important in life—and that's family.

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.

Thanks for having me! Guests can find out more about my books (and me), and especially TURTLE SOUP, by visiting my website.

My next release will be out July 1st with Desert Breeze Publishing. Titled BY HEART AND COMPASS, it's a shipwreck adventure for contemporary romance readers. Watch for it!



TURTLE SOUP Blurb:
Sea turtles may be endangered but after an encounter with marine biologist, Jack Brandon, nothing will stop Sara Hart from naming her deli Turtle Soup. When Jack takes a job at the nearby Georgia Aquarium, Sara finds the environmental poster boy at her door, hungry and carrying a chip on his shoulder. Neither thinks the other has what it takes, until a scuba class reveals what lies beneath the surface.

BUY NOW LINK: Click here


TURTLE SOUP Excerpt:


Jack rotated and refilled some of the tanks. Guffin gave him a slap on the back. "Lock-up the classroom, will you? I've got to call the front office."

"Sure." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sara peeling off her wet suit. She was under the shower head in the rinse area, one hand against the green tile to keep her balance.

He couldn't help watching the little wiggle in her hips. The harder she pulled, the longer the rubber stretched as if it were a piece of black gum. He would have laughed out loud if jets of water weren't smoothing her hair down in a wheat curtain against her back.

Her legs were athletic and trim. She needed a tan, his defenses observed. Before he could stop himself he stepped into the shower to help her pull the wetsuit the rest of the way off. He caught her off balance and had to grab her wrist so she didn't fall. Her hand landed squarely on his bare chest, his eyes in the valley between the cups of her dark bikini.

One leg of the wetsuit had flopped to the tiles, while the other was still glued to her calf. She looked down foolishly for a moment as if unsure what to do but their eyes met and she seemed to trade her embarrassment for unease.

The words I'm sorry passed through his mind, but he kissed her instead. Without thinking, he closed his eyes and put his mouth on hers, timidly, in case she bit him. She didn't bite, but she didn't lean into him either. Her lips had a light layer of salt residue that had not rinsed off and he kissed her harder enjoying the scent of her breath that rose up with the steam.

With a jolt the water temperature switched to ice cold and he stumbled back. Sara had not been lost as lost in the moment as he'd thought. "I'm sorry," she said as she screwed the faucet handle off.
She wiped the water off her face and ran her hands over her hair. He moved to put his arms around her again but she stepped back out of reach. "Don't. I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

Her face was so red it looked like her cheeks could bleed. Humiliation singed Jack's pride. "You didn't mean that?"

"No." She tripped over her wetsuit trying to escape.

He reached for a towel and wordlessly she accepted. Struggling, she pulled the other leg of her wetsuit off at last. He stood on the pool deck waiting for something more.

Of course she didn't mean it. She didn't like him one iota. She would head straight home and tell her little niece everything. There'd be a cookie on the menu tomorrow called Crummy Kiss.

He drew an angry breath but before he could insult her, she stuck her hand out like a traffic cop. "Don't say it."

"Say what?" A cold wave of disgust washed over him. Why had he let himself think she was different? "What makes you think I meant it either?" He thought he saw her eyes water but she quickly wiped her face. He spun on his heel and stalked off before she looked up again.