Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Welcome Lila!

Welcome to my blog, readers.  I have a special treat for you today.  Lila Monroe agreed to guest blog for me!  Lila, welcome.  Thank you so much for coming.


Before I get started, I’d like to thank Elaine for hosting me today. The invite and the space are most appreciated. J

I thought I’d talk a bit about a question I was faced with in a recent interview that threw me a little bit and reminded me of those dratted theme papers we all had to write as children every year until we reached middle school it seemed. What did I want to be when I grew up?

Honestly, I could write pages on this, because it seemed I wanted to be everything under the sun at one time or other. My earliest memory of what I wanted to be was a mommy and housewife…Yes, girls there are still a few of us out there that aspire to this oft times thought of as menial and degrading task. I was all girl—and still am truth be told—and had every dolly known to man, the entire kitchen from Sears, pots and pans, cribs for said dollies…You name it, it was in my repertoire in preparation for finding the ideal man and bagging him then filling his house with our offspring. J I got it partially right…I finally bagged the right man after a few failed attempts, but ended up working outside the home for many years for various reasons which we won’t speak of. **shudder** Thankfully, those days are behind me now. I also didn’t fill the house with as many children as I might have liked, but the ones we did have gave us a run for our money.

After I grew a bit in the britches, as my granny used to say, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Yep, just like that. I even asked for a toy typewriter for Christmas one year, which Santa delivered thank you very much jolly red man. That dream was pushed to the side for dreams of becoming a singer, a teacher, a nurse, a psychologist, a professor of literature…And the list goes on. Good grief, what didn’t I want to be was an easier question. But, somehow the writer gig just kept surfacing every few years to be pushed away for things that were in dire need of my attentions.

Want to know what I actually ended up doing once I grew a bit more in the britches? Are you sure you’re ready? The list is extremely long. I went to college and got two or three degrees, none of which I’ve ever used by the way. One in English, one in sociology and one in psychology. Now just so you know, I may never have utilized these degrees in their intended sense, but they sure as heck prepared me for all the jobs I did land and subsequently have helped immensely with the primary dream of becoming a writer. So, here goes. I worked at McDonald’s, manned a register at a quicky mart, cleaned rooms in three different motels and a resort, worked as a front page news reporter for a small town paper, worked as a seamstress in  Lee jeans factory on several different lines, I was a bank teller at one point and as we moved I moved to several different “brands”, took a temp position as an office assistant, worked for a vendor for the MCX chain of stores in the music department, and stocked for another vendor at the commissary dealing with soy products. Oh, and I have been the head domestic goddess for fifteen years now. Whew! I think that’s all.

None of them were what I wanted to be, but I learned something from them all. And every single thing I’ve ever done led me to what I do now. I’m a writer. It’s exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up…

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13. Ms. Munro also works as the VP of Business Affairs for Rebel Ink Press. She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted via her website http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com  or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com For more information about Rebel Ink Press please visit their website at www.rebelinkpress.com


Monday, January 30, 2012

Book Review: Love At First Sight

Vincent Zandri’s new story is about the devastating effects of war on people on both sides of a conflict.  Zandri’s hero Nick is an American soldier who has been stricken with what his doctors think is hysterical blindness brought on by things he had to do as a soldier.  When all their treatments prove ineffective, the army sends for his fiancée Margo.

The scenes between Margo and Nick are excruciating and charged with emotion.  They reveal the stress and strain the characters are under and graphically illustrate the changes in their relationship brought about by Nick’s blindness.  I especially liked Margo whose reactions seemed very real and genuine to me.  I also thought the pacing was good.  The story built inexorably toward the conclusion which said a lot about Nick and Margo’s future.

The book doesn’t have any spelling or grammar errors to distract from the story, and all of the details seemed authentic to me.

There’s nothing new in Zandri’s premise, but I loved his rendering of the topic.  Nick is a man with a conscience who in punishing himself is also punishing Margo, truly showing the extent of war’s reach and the mountains the two must climb to reach a happy ending.
If you've read Zandri before, be aware that this is not his usual style of writing.    No crime fiction, but a good read anyway. 

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday

In this excerpt my hero's old girlfriend decides it's time to move back home.  A New Dream is available at either Amazon or Barnes and Noble


She heard the child cry out and hurried to comfort him. As she patted his back, he burped and drifted back to sleep.  “How would you like to meet Matt?” she whispered.

Yes, that was a good idea. New York hadn’t worked out exactly like she had hoped; she had been torn about what to do.  Seeing Matt’s picture had clarified her half‑formed resolve.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample



Remember the thrill of dressing up for that special date?  Watch my heroine Violet decide what to wear on her special date.  A New Dream is available at Amazon or Barnes and Noble

 “How should I wear my hair?” Violet chewed at her lip.  “I’m wearing the blue dress I wore to Henry and Julie’s wedding.

Marjorie sighed and rolled her eyes. “Violet, I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t have encouraged you to go out with Matt. His friend’s wedding is all you’ve talked about for days now.” She sighed again. “Wear your hair just like you always wear it. Mattnlikes it that way.”

“He does? How do you know?”

“Because of the way he looks at you.” Marjorie passed a tub of cake frosting to Violet. “Now, Violet, you still have several cakes to ice. You’d better get at it.”

“I don’t like my shoes. I think I need to get something nicer. Where could I find something sort of unusual?”

“Patterson’s at the mall. Now about those cakes…”

“Do you think I should get a makeover before the wedding?” Violet surveyed her reflection in the glass display case.

“No. Cakes…”

“I’ll stop by Nada’s Dress Shoppe after work. Everything there costs the earth, so I can’t afford to buy anything, but I’ll get some ideas on how to accessorize my dress.”

Marjorie iced the cakes.

Fashionista Friday: Statement Jewelry

As all of my nearest and dearest will gladly attest, I love jewelry.  I think that smaller pieces look better on me, but as the years go by I find myself attracted to big, bold statement pieces.  I started looking for things to share with you, and I couldn't stop myself!  Every one I found was prettier than the last.  So, enjoy looking.

The first piece is this lovely gold mesh set with vividly colored lucite 'stones'.  The shapes of the stones are all different.  Definitely eye catching.  $47.95 at http://www.fantasyjewelrybox.com/s0029.html


The next piece I really liked is this retro styled choker made of white West German vintage lucite.  It's unique and relatively timeless.  Buy it for $95 at



I like this bib necklace from Chico's too.  Get it at
for only $55.




Last, but not least, don't you love this turquoise and coral number?  It's by Erica Lyons, and you can get it at http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Primary/Handbags_And_Accessories/Shop/FashionJewelry/Necklaces/PRD~5800399350517/Erica+Lyons+Eden+Rock+Necklace.jsp?off=12 for $33.60.




I tried to keep the price down on these necklaces, but if you have more to spend there's plenty of good stuff out there.  Happy hunting.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Purple Heart

I missed signing up for Six Sentence Sunday, but in case someone drops by I thought I'd post an excerpt from one of my readers' favorite novels, Purple Heart.  This is the prologue.  You can get Purple Heart at Amazon or Barnes and Noble or at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88_119&products_id=404


Prologue



The dark Iraqi streets looked deserted, but they heard movement all around them. Captain Perry motioned Mike forward. “Sergeant Hightower, take a couple of guys with you and cover the side exit.”

Mike nodded. He gestured toward Ramirez and Mason, and they silently followed him around the side of the building where they took their positions behind an old burnt-out wreck. Mike had just finished adjusting his night vision goggles when an explosion erupted behind them. The reverberations from it hadn’t died away before another shell detonated in front of them.


The bright flash of light temporarily blinded Mike.

“Fall back!” he heard Perry scream from somewhere on his right.

Mike staggered, tripped, and fell. The men beside him each grabbed an arm and hauled him to his feet.
“Move your feet, Hightower,” Ramirez snarled.

They had gone about ten yards when gunfire opened up behind them. Ramirez screamed, and Mike felt him go down. He tripped again but managed to hang on to his gun. “Shoot, Mike! Hostiles at ten o’clock!” Mason yelled.

Mike fired, but he must not have hit anything because seconds later a hot, boring pain almost tore off
his shoulder. Blindly he fired into the dark, and moments later, his leg took fire.
 
Shots came from the street. Captain Perry yelled, “Hightower, Mason, hold your fire.”

Moments later Perry knelt beside Mike. “Where are you hit?”

“Shoulder and leg.”

“Sit tight. We’ll get a medic as quick as we can.”

“What about Ramirez?”

“Sorry, he’s gone.”

 As his anger built, Mike forgot about the pain in his shoulder and leg. Ramirez had been his friend. These people didn’t appreciate a thing that the United States was trying to do for them.



****

A world away, Jenna West signed her name on the dotted line and became a homeowner. “I think you got a bargain,” the realtor said. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but it definitely has potential. The structure is sound. All it needs is a bit of cosmetic work and a new hot water heater.”

 “I don’t mind the work,” Jenna assured him. “I’ve never owned a home before; fixing up the place will be a labor of love.”

She took her daughter’s hand on the way to the car.

“When can we move in, Mama?” Jo demanded.

“Not for a few weeks yet, but don’t worry, sweet pea.

The place is all ours.”

 “Hooray,” Jo cheered.

“Hooray,” Jenna cheered right back, and Jo burst out laughing, making Jenna feel as if she were the best mom in the whole world.


Friday, January 20, 2012

Fashionista Friday: Classic Fashion

One thing that never goes out of style is a nice trench coat.  They go from the office to an evening out with no trouble.  I did a little shopping at Macy’s and found some really nice coats.

Coat 1 is by Michael Kors.  I love the color which I don’t think would soil as easily as a lighter color.  The notch collar is attractive, and I love the zip pockets.  It also has a detachable hood.  Price: $230


Coat 2 is by London Fog.  It’s a double breasted coat with button through epaulettes at each shoulder.  I like the detail at the wrist.  Price: $99.98.  This coat is lighter weight than the first one.



Coat 3 is also by Michael Kors.  Notice the fold over collar and the storm flap with button closure at the chest.  I like the buckles at the waist and wrists and the onseam front pockets.  Price: $250.00

Personally, I’ll take coat number 1.  What about you?

Monday, January 16, 2012

Stories To Enjoy

Welcome to my blog!  Today's guest is Tom Mach.  Tom Mach wrote two successful historical novels, Sissy! and All Parts Together, both of which have won rave reviews and were listed among the 150 best Kansas books in 2011.  Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a viable entrant for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Award. He also wrote a collection of short stories entitled Stories To Enjoy which received positive reviews. Tom’s other novels include: An Innocent Murdered, Advent, and Homer the Roamer.

His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award. In addition to several awards for his poetry, Writer’s Digest awarded him ninth place in a field of 3,000 entrants. His website is: www.TomMach.com He also has a popular blog for writers of both prose and verse at http://tommach.tumblr.com

Tom, I appreciate your devoting some time to us.

1. Could you tell us a little bit about you and your writing?

 I’m a retired marketing research manager engaged in writing fiction and poetry full-time, although prior to my retirement I was also a magazine editor and wrote numerous articles for magazines and newspapers. Currently, I have written a collection of short stories (Stories to Enjoy), five novels (An Innocent Murdered, Advent, Sissy!, and All Parts Together), a children’s chapter book (Homer the Roamer), and a collection of poetry (The Uni Verse).

                                                                                                           
2.How long did you write before you got published?

 It wasn’t until I was 37 before I started writing articles for newspapers and magazines. I received rejections for a couple of months before I got my first break and published articles on a weekly basis through a newspaper syndicate in the South Bay in California. I went on to publish pieces in magazines and had written two novels and two nonfiction books that garnered me several agents but none were accepted by the New York publishing houses (although I received flattering rejection letters).

 3.I've received some of those letters too!  What are you working on now?

 In the early part of 2012 I will be coming out with a historical novel dealing with 19th century politics called Angels at Sunset. Rather than tell you what it’s about here, I’d be happy to tell folks about it if they go to my website (www (DOT) TomMach (DOT) com) and press the “Contact Me” button.  All I can say is that it’s been favorably reviewed by a major published author and the foreword to it was written by a direct descendant of a major historical figure.

 4.As a history teacher, that sounds super interesting to me.  What advice would you give aspiring writers?

 I would say three things. First, write what you love and forget trying to write novels that are “hot” right now. I could never write a romance novel like a Harlequin because I would not enjoy reading such a book. Second, learn all you can about the craft of writing. The Writer and Writer’s Market are two excellent magazines that can help you. Read books that give you tips on writing and attend writing conferences. Third, sit down and actually write. Get rid of a defeatist attitude (“I can’t write…No one would read me…I’d be embarrassed being out there with my book.”) and don’t worry about rejections. You’ll get a ton of them—even famous authors received them. Don’t simply THINK about being a writer. BE one.

 5.Good advice.  Who are your favorite authors when you read for pleasure?

 I love the classics, such as books by Dickens, Dostoevsky, Melville, Steinbeck, and others. I like contemporary authors too, like Grisham, Clancy, King, and Patterson.

Readers, I know you'll want to check Tom's work out, so here are his links.

http://www.facebook.com/kansasauthor
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tommach

Tom's going to share an excerpt from Stories To Enjoy, but first here's a little blurb about his work.
This unique collection of 16 short stories written by prize-winner Tom Mach includes stories such as "Real Characters," which is about a writer who gets his wish--that his characters come alive.... "Breakfast, Over Easy" makes you wonder about loyalty in the face of temptation.... "When Kansas Women Were Not Free" takes you to a time when women were less free than former males slaves.... "Son" make you think differently about compassion. One novelist describes STORIES TO ENJOY as "memorable and intriguing, with O. Henry twists that are sure to surprise and entertain."

And now for that excerpt.  Tom, I loved it, and I'm not just being nice.
The professor focused his entire attention on what Ford’s Theater looked like back in April of 1865. He imagined himself to be John Wilkes Booth’s friend and stagehand—Edman Spangler. After a long while he felt himself growing exceedingly tired, and when he opened his eyes he found himself in the real Ford’s Theater. There was no one in the presidential box and Wilson, who now believed he was indeed Mr. Spangler, ran his hand over the balustrade.
“Spangler,” a voice called out to him from below, “are you still working on removing the partition of the box to make room for the President and General Grant?” It was John Wilkes Booth himself speaking to him!

Readers, Tom is giving away a $25 gift certificate to one lucky commenter.  Follow the tour and comment often for a chance to win.  Click the link below for the other tour stops.  Tom, thanks so much for coming.  Good luck with your book.


Sunday, January 15, 2012

And The Winner Is...

Savannah Miller, you won my book in the Friday 13th blog hop.  Congratulations, and thanks for participating.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample: Oh, I Know!

I know Christmas is over, but I'm still reading the Christmas books I bought, so maybe you are too.  Why not?  The story is still good.  So, I'm sharing an excerpt from my Christmas release The Table in the Window.  Table is a long short story.

The minute they left the building the wind assaulted them. “My teeth are ch…ch…chattering,” Marley stutterered.

Mentally crossing his fingers for luck, Rob put his arm around her and hugged her close. “It’s only a little way to the theater.”

Marley was either too cold to mind, or she really didn’t mind, because she didn’t move away from him. By the time they reached the theater, Rob felt as warm as toast, and it didn’t have a thing to do with the weather. She felt so small, so feminine, snuggled into his side. His arm tightened around her as he breathed in her warm female scent.

Thanks for stopping by!

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_15?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+table+in+the+window+by+elaine+cantrell&sprefix=the+table+in+th%2Caps%2C307

Friday, January 13, 2012

Friday Thirteenth Blog Hop

When I was a small child my mother taught me to love reading. Every Friday afternoon she took my sister and me to the public library, a one room building about the size of a large living room. We would choose several books, and then she would take us to the discount store to spend our allowance. Afterwards, she would take us to dinner. This was a great Friday treat.  

So, from an early age books were associated with something good. Both my sister and I became avid readers. I remember thinking how incredible it would be to put words on paper and tell a story that people would enjoy reading. I daydreamed about becoming a writer, but it never occurred to me that I could really do it.

It was my younger son who showed me the way. He called me one day a couple of years ago and told me that he had written a book. I wasn’t surprised. I knew he had a lot of talent because he had won a prize for a short story he had written when he was in college. I liked his story, and it made me think. If he could do it, why couldn’t I?

While I was thinking about it, I had dinner with several of the teachers from the school where I teach. One of them suggested that each of us should write a book and critique each other’s work.

Well, that did it. I sat down to write my masterpiece. The problem was, I couldn’t think of how to begin. There were umpteen dozen ways to do it. Finally, I realized that it didn’t matter. Pick one way and get started. I typed my first sentence, and from that point the words seemed to fly from my fingers to the computer screen. It was absolutely exhilarating!

I finished my first story in record time. Nobody but me liked it much, but I didn’t care.  I wrote another book right away.  It was almost finished when I found out about a small publisher who sponsored a yearly writing contest. The first prize was publication of your novel. I decided to try it, and several months later I received a call from the publisher telling me that I was one of two grand prize winners.

Since that day, I’ve been published 8 times and have 3 signed contracts.  Talk about dreams coming true!

Matt McCallum, my hero in my last full length novel A New Dream, also knows a lot about dreams coming true.  He was an NFL player who kicked the winning field goal in the Super Bowl before he had an accident that destroyed his career forever.  Here’s the first part of the prologue in A New Dream which is available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+new+dream+by+elaine+cantrell&sprefix=a+new+dream%2Caps%2C338   or at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-new-dream-by-elaine-cantrell?keyword=a+new+dream+by+elaine+cantrell&store=allproducts

The red convertible cut a path through the moonlight, its headlights dancing along the arched limbs of the trees above the road.

“Oh, Matt, it’s such a beautiful night,” Stacey declared with a sigh. “I’m going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

Matt reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ll miss you too, but if I don’t report on time, I’m in trouble with the coach.”

“That’s what I get for falling in love with a pro football player,” Stacey teased, her blonde hair turned to frosted silver by the light of the full moon above them.

Matt squeezed her hand that wore his engagement ring. “It’s too late to back out now,” he teased. “You’re mine.”

“Mmm, do I like the sound of that!”

The car rounded a curve, and without warning a deer bounded across the road.

“Look out!” Stacey screamed.

Matt braked sharply to avoid the animal. The tires slid on patch of loose gravel in the road, and he lost control of the convertible. It fishtailed and started to spin in the road.

Matt hauled the steering wheel to correct the slide, but it was useless. The car turned around once more and skidded backwards for a short distance before it charged off the road. It jumped a steep ditch and went airborne. All Matt could see was a blur of trees and darkness as the car careened into the woods. It made a lazy turn in the air and came to rest bottom side up.

The last thing he remembered was the sound of Stacey’s screams.

Leave me a comment to be entered in a drawing for a PDF copy of A New Dream. Become a blog follower and tell me so, and I'll enter your name twice.

 Thanks so much for stopping by.  Your next stop is Sharon Hamilton.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

You'll Like This

It's raining in SC today.  It's raining so hard I can't imagine anyone besides a fish wanting to go outside.  Weather like this makes me want to cook something warm to take the chill off.  What do you think about this chicken pie?  Come by my house around 6:30, and I'll have it ready.


Chicken Pot Pie 



1 chicken stewed, debone, and chopped

1 can mixed vegetables drained

sage to taste

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 stick butter

1 cup self rising flour

1 cup buttermilk



Place chicken in the bottom of a casserole dish.  Layer mixed vegetables on top.  Sprinkle sage over vegetables.  Mix soup and broth.  Heat until smooth on low heat.  Pour on top of vegetables.  Mix melted butter, flour, and buttermilk until smooth and pour on top of casserole.  Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until brown.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Matt Gets Jilted.

What do you do when you lose everything?
After an auto accident destroys his NFL career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.
Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef’s Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new manager’s broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.
Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt’s past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?
Of course, before Matt meets Violet he had a fiancée, Stacey Thomas.  In this excerpt from A New Dream Stacey agonizes over the accident that took Matt’s football career away.

Stacey shuddered and splashed some more water on her face. The nausea had passed now. She staggered back into her bedroom and threw herself across her bed. Matt’s legs looked horrible! She’d give anything not to have been at the hospital when the bandages came off. It had been bad enough when a sheet covered Matt, but to actually see his mutilated legs turned her stomach and made her feel faint.

She knew one thing, though. Until this afternoon she hadn’t really understood that Matt’s football career had ended. Oh, she realized he had lost a leg, but somehow it hadn’t been real to her until she saw it for herself. Rolling over, she curled into a tight, little ball. She had had such fun going places with Matt. People always recognized him and wanted his autograph. He had plenty of money too, and he wasn’t stingy with it. The fame and money had thrilled her, but it was all over and done with now. No more autographs or big money.

Her stomach lurched again. She had more than just fame and money to worry about. Matt had wanted to kiss her this afternoon. In fact, when the doctor came in to take off Matt’s bandages he had caught her sitting on the edge of the bed kissing Matt. The doctor had kidded him about it, but she hadn’t minded being interrupted at all. She…didn’t like to touch him too much now.

Her thoughts drifted to the afternoon of their accident. Their parents wouldn’t approve, but she and Matt had gone to Greenville and checked into a luxury hotel that morning. They had spent his last day of freedom in bed together. She drew a deep, shaky breath.

The day had been everything she’d dreamed it could be. Her body tightened with the faint echo of passion. Matt was a good lover.

Oh, why did they have to have such a terrible accident? What would happen to Matt now? Her engagement ring winked and twinkled as it caught the light. She stared at it for a moment and began to cry.

Pretty bad, huh?  Yeah, she jilted him the next day.  She didn’t have the nerve to do it face-to-face.  She returned her engagement ring by messenger.  What a witch!  Oh, well.  If she hadn’t jilted Matt, he never would have met Violet.  I guess there can be an up side to getting jilted. 

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Six SentenceSunday.

Welcome to my blog, and thank you for checking out my sentences.  In this excerpt which shows how my hero's accident and the loss of his NFL career took a toll on his entire family, my hero's mother confronts her husband.  Stacy is the hero's old girlfriend, and Chris is the hero's brother.


You’re thinking he’ll be another Matt. Chris doesn’t quite measure up does he, so I’m sure you’re overjoyed.” Her face suffused with color.  “Anyway,” she spat, “you were always hot for Stacey yourself. You couldn’t sit still from the minute she came into the house until the time she left. You panted after her like a dog after a bone.”

A New Dream is on sale for only .99 at http://www.amazon.com/A-New-Dream-ebook/dp/B004TAWHO4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325992976&sr=8-2  Hurry.  The sale ends today.


Friday, January 6, 2012

What's Your Dream?

What’s your dream?  Have you achieved it yet?  As an adolescent most people formulate grand dreams, some of which aren’t based on reality.  And this is a good thing.  During adolescence we should explore all the possibilities before our values and talents dictate what we ultimately become in life.  For some people reality dictates that we settle for something less than what we wanted.  Luckily, most of us find happiness in our new, revised dreams and have a fulfilling life.

Guess what I wanted to be when I was a child?  I wanted to be Miss America.  My family made a big deal out of watching the Miss America pageant every year.  My aunts and girl cousins would all come over, and we’d eat snacks, criticize the talent competition, and try to pick the winner.  Well, I didn’t become Miss America.  Instead, I became a social studies teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, and finally an author.  Am I content?  Yes, I am.  My life is full and happy.

But what would happen if you had a huge dream that came to pass and gave you everything you’ve ever wanted, and then you lost it?  Could a replacement dream ever take the place of the first one?

That’s exactly what happens to Matt McCallum, my hero in A New Dream.  Matt achieves his dream of playing for the NFL.  He was a first round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers, and during his rookie year, he kicked the winning field goal in the Super Bowl.  He has fame, money to burn, and a sexy fiancée.  For Matt, life doesn’t get any better than this.  And then he loses it all when a car wreck takes his career away.  All that self-discipline, focus, and hard work counts for nothing now.

My husband sometimes reads for me, and when he read A New Dream, he threw a fit.  We share a home office so I spun my chair around to see what was wrong when he snarled, “I hate this book.”  

“Buy why?” I asked.  “I like it.”

“You shouldn’t take his career away,” he answered. 

I ignored him.  Matt was going to lose his career no matter what.  My husband didn’t understand that I was tired of perfection.  I mean, come on, how many times have you read that a hero has sculpted abs, craggy features, and makes the heroine’s knees go weak the minute he walks into the room?   Yeah, I hear you.  You like drop dead gorgeous heroes.  Matt McCallum has all of the above qualities, but I wanted do a little something extra, something that would make him stand out from the pack. 

I wanted to show how Matt’s rather superficial life gives way to something deeper, stronger, and more fulfilling, and to do that he had to lose everything.  As one of my readers said, “Sometimes you have to lose everything to make way for something better.”

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Fashionista Friday: KISS

What's KISS?  KISS is my fashion philosophy.  It stands for keep it simple, sweetheart.  In my opinoion the following dresses are almost perfect.  They're sexy, but classy, not slutty, and they can be accessorized beautifully. 

Here's choice one, a belted tweed dress from Jason Wu.  Buy it from Nordstrom for $1495.



My next pick is this Michael Kors stretch wool sheath dress.  Buy it at Nordstrom for $1795.


My last choice is super simple.  How do you like this V neck milano knit dress?  Buy it at Nordstrom for $795.