Sloane Taylor's Blog, page 6

THE MOST USELESS JOB IN SPORTS BROADCASTING

 from Anne Montgomery

I spent about 15 years as a sports reporter. I’d like to say things aregetting better for women in the field, but there’s a lot of room forimprovement.  

I wasa sports reporter for about 15 years. I spent about ten years in television,where I worked for five TV stations – anchoring and reporting – and about fiveyears as a print journalist. I mention this because I pay attention to mediasports positions, having given a large chunk of my life to that world.

Backwhen I wormed my way into the sports world, there were few other women. In mydaily interactions, I almost never dealt with others of my gender. But, as morewomen joined the ranks, I truly believed that eventually the field would becomemore welcoming.

Sadly,that hasn’t happened.

Someof you may be thinking, “Gosh, Anne. You’re wrong. There are womensportscasters all over the place.”

Well,technically there are more women working in sports media today, perhaps becausethere are so many more broadcast outlets when compared to the days when mosttowns had just three TV stations and cable and the Internet didn’t exist. Ahandful of women have even had the opportunity to share their expertise in thebooth, doing play-by-play and color commentary. But the numbers are dismal whencompared to all the sportscasting jobs out there.

Kate Scott has doneplay-by-play for the Pac-12 network.  In The Ringer article“Where Are All the Women in Play-by-Play Broadcasting?”, Scott called the lackof women in the field a numbers game.

Most sportscasting jobs, especially the ones in color and play-by-play , are still held by men.

“Ifthere’s 10 guys applying for a job, and one woman, there’s more of apossibility that a guy’s going to get hired, just strictly because of thenumbers of it,” Scott said. “Plus, many of the people in charge are men, whomay be more likely to hire other men for the job. And on top of all of that,women need to have champions in order to succeed in these roles, or peoplewilling to take the risk. Hiring a woman to call a sports broadcast still goesagainst the industry norms and often requires taking a chance on an unknown.But recently, albeit slowly, that’s starting to change.”

When women do get a shotat the booth, it’s most often to call games where the participants are women.

Mostoften, the women called on to work in the booth are covering sports with femaleathletes. I’m not complaining here, just stating a fact. The logic seems to bethat since women play basketball, for example, giving them a shot in the hoopsbooth isn’t that great a stretch. But women who call baseball, football, or icehockey – especially at the male professional level – remain a rarity.

And when networks dodecide to give women a chance, a closer look reveals they don’t have much faithin the viewing public’s willingness to listen. Remember the Thursday Night Football game when Hannah Storm andAndrea Kremer – two women who’ve been in the field for decades – became thefirst female team to call an NFL game? Nice! I thought! It’s about time. Butthen I discovered that that broadcast was an alternative feed, one that viewershad to select instead of the “normal” booth team that featured Joe Buck andTroy Aikman. That clearly showed that the folks in charge aren’t quite sure theviewing public can handle women in the booth.

Sideline reporters like Erin Andrews are often asked to be nothing morethan a pretty face.

That leads us to themost useless job in sportscasting, one which, perhaps not surprisingly, isoften held by women: sideline reporting. There is absolutely no reason, in myopinion, for this job to even exist. Sideline reporters rarely talk aboutanything but injuries. It would make more sense to have a medical professionalmanning the sidelines than a sports reporter. “Now let’s go down to NurseBecky on the field!” And I’ve watched entire games where theguys in the booth only go to the sideline reporter a couple of times. So,what’s the point? I sense the position was created just so the networks canbrag about how inclusive they are. “Look! Wow! We’re letting a woman step ontothe field. Aren’t we great!”

Here’sthe thing. Sports broadcasting is not rocket science. So, can we move along here?Open those doors and give some women a chance.

Really,what would it hurt?

Here is a brief peek at Anne's latest release.

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.”  Midwest Book Review

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley 

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true.  When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” –  Kathryn McLeer NetGalley 

Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and KoboAnne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia . Stay connected on Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter .

 

The History of Halloween

by C.D. Hersh

Most people think of Halloween as a holiday for trick or treating, dressing up in costumes, a time for ghouls, ghosts and monsters to roam, a celebration of the harvest, or an excuse to have a really scary party.

In reality, Halloween has its roots in four religious holidays, three that deal with death:

• The celebration of the Celtic Druidic holiday Samhain

• The celebration of the pre-Christian Roman goddess Pomona

• The Roman festival of Feralai

• And Christianity’s All Hallow’s Eve, also called All Saints’ Eve

Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter for the Celts. Druid priests performed ceremonies in honor of their sun god Baal, whom they thanked for the harvest and asked for support to battle the coming winter. They also believed that the veil between the world of the living and the dead was opened during the celebration of Samhain, and the souls of the dead roamed the earth. The ghosts were believed to play tricks on the living and cause supernatural events to happen, the origins of today’s belief that ghosts and ghouls roam freely on Halloween evening.

The Roman celebrations honoring the goddess Pomora and the festival of Feriala were also held in late October. Pomora was the goddess of fruits and trees. The use of these fruits for fortune telling stems back to her celebration. The feast of Feriala honored the dead, much like the Celts’ Samhain festival.

The Christian festival of All Hallow’s Eve is a celebration honoring the dead saints and martyrs of the church.

When the Romans conquered the Celts their autumn festivals and the Celts autumn festivals were combined until the Romans decided too many of their Roman citizens were adopting the Celtic religion. Rome’s answer to this problem was to ban the Druidic religion and kill its priests. However, the Romans could not wipe out the old Celtic beliefs and many people continued to keep the traditions alive.

When the Christians came into power they, too, wanted to do away with the very popular, old pagan rites. So, the church moved their feast of the saints (which was held in May) to November 1st , and later to October 31st, in an attempt to absorb the ingrained Samhain traditions and rites into a Christian holiday. By doing so they hoped to hold onto their new followers by allowing them to celebrate a festival on a date they had long held sacred. Once they had established the new Christian festival the church tried to discourage the old practices in favor of more Christian ones, but, like the Romans, they were not successful.

Using Christian holidays to absorb pagan ones was a tactic the church used often. Elements of pagan celebrations can be found in Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas celebrations. Over the years, most of the pagan holiday traditions in these celebrations were christianized. Not so with Halloween. Both the Roman Catholic Church and the Puritan founding fathers of America, who banned the celebration in the New World, could not christianize this pagan holiday.

It’s no wonder that Christianity hasn’t been able to overcome the pagan elements of Halloween. Celebrating all that death seems to be a perfect transition into one scary holiday. Ghosts, ghouls, and all things magical keep Halloween’s roots firmly planted in the otherworld that many people are drawn to…and you have to admit, they are perfect elements for stirring up for a wild paranormal tale.

While not normally thought of as a romantic holiday, Halloween has its share of divination traditions for finding true love. Since this is a website of romance authors, we would be remiss not to include some of this holiday’s romantic folklore in this article.

• Insert a plain ring, a coin, and other charms in a fruitcake, known as a barmbrack (báirín breac), before baking. The one who gets the ring in their slice of cake will find true love in the following year.

• You can divine your future spouse by peeling an apple in one long strip. Toss the peel over your shoulder. The peel will land in the shape of the first letter of your future spouse’s name.

• Unmarried women should sit in a darkened room and gaze into a mirror on Halloween night and the face of their future husband will appear in the mirror. But beware. If you are destined to die before marriage a skull will appear instead of the face of your intended.

• Name nutshells after prospective love interests and place them near a fire. If they burn steady it indicates true love. If they crack or pop or fly off the hearth your prospective love interests are only a passing fancy. Another version of this divination involved throwing two hazelnuts, named for two different suitors, into the fire. The nut that burns steadily is the suitor who will be true. The nut that bursts will be the one who will be unfaithful.

• Bobbing for apples is a traditional game used for fortune-telling on Halloween. (Bet you didn’t know that when you had your head in the barrel with some boy, or girl.) The first person to pluck an apple from the water without using their hands will be the first to marry. If a bobber catches an apple on the first try it means he or she will experience true love. If it takes many tries they will be fickle in their romantic endeavors.

• Water was often used for divination. To determine someone’s romantic fate, fill four bowls with water. Place soap in one, pebbles in another, clear water in the third, and leave the fourth bowl empty. Ask blindfolded guests to stick a hand in one of the bowls. If they choose the bowl with the clear water they will have a happy marriage. Soapy water foretells widowhood, the pebbles predict a life of hard work, and the empty bowl represents a single, happy life.

• Another popular, and dangerous, activity practiced when young women wore long dresses, was jumping over lit candles. If a woman made it over all the lit candles without extinguishing them she would be married before the year passed. Every candle her long skirt blew out meant another year without a husband.

Do you have a romantic divination you’ve practiced on Halloween or another time? Share with us in the comments.

C.D. Hersh–Two hearts creating everlasting love stories.

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after.

They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life.

Social Media Info:WebsiteFacebookAmazon Author PageTwitterGoodreads

To All Our Friends North of the Border,Wishing youfromth...

 To All Our Friends North of the Border,

Wishing you

from
the Taylor Family

EASY CHICKEN NUGGETS

From Stella May
It's Keto, so zero carbs, very tasty and healthy and easy tomake!
Six months ago, I embarked on my new dietary adventure— Keto diet—I am inconstant search of new recipes with low to zero carbs. This one is by farone ofmy most favorites. I hope you like it too.
Zero Carbs ChickenNuggets
1cup grilled chicken, fine⅓cup cheddar cheese, shredded⅓cup mozzarella, shredded¼cup parmesan cheese, grated 1large egg1ripe avocado, optional1½tsp. garlic powder1tbsp. dried chives Saltand pepper to taste

Preheatthe oven to 350° F.

Placeall the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until you have the consistencyof chunky paste.
Eitheruse and ice cream scoop or your damp bare hands to form the mixture into mediumsized balls. Set them on a parchment covered baking sheet.
Bakefor 20-25 min until light brown.
Anotherway to bake the nuggets is to scoop them into the muffin pan. Either way isgood, it depends on what works best for you.
Enjoyeating with marinara sauce, or Greek yogurt.
Bonappetite!
Here is a little from my latest release for your reading pleasure.

In a kingdom heldtogether by secrets and lies, the truth could heal—or destroy.

The queen is dead. But thedamage Elizabeth Rostoff leaves behind to lives, hopes, and relationships liveson.

Seven years ago, Peter Rostoffsevered all ties with his family—including his sister, Kat.
But at his father’s insistence,he reluctantly returns for the funeral worn thin by his FBI position and burdened by a secret shame. Butmostly by one haunting mystery—why the woman he loved like a mother disappeared…
All those years ago, NatashaSokolova thought abandoning Dmitry Rostoff and the children she’d come to love as her ownwas the right thing, the only thing, to do. Resurfacing after Elizabeth’s death isn’t thehealing experience she’d prayed for, but a gut-wrenching discovery of yet more secrets, and news thatcould destroy her for good. 
Kat Rostoff lives in a bubblefilled with her doting father and a mentor that helped mold her into aworld-renowned artist. Yet nothing can fill the empty space, and avague sense of guilt, left behind by the mother figure she barelyremembers, and the brother who fled Paris seven years ago without looking back.
Four lives, set on divergingpaths with only a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. But will the queen’s evilreach out from beyond the grave to destroy it for good?

Amazon Buy Link

Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.

Stella writes women's fiction, fantasy romance, as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 2 bestselling series, Rostoff Family Saga, Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors.
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 30 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business. 
Follow Stella on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

LET'S GO CAJUN!

from Sloane Taylor

I had the greatpleasure of attending a cooking class with my friend Bonnie several years ago.We were in New Orleans when this bright idea hit us. That’s what enjoying toomany Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s in the French Quarter will do to a person. 😊 Thenext day we were still hot to try our hands at Cajun cooking when we happenedon The New Orleans School of Cooking. We enrolled in a class and, as our goodluck would have, were the only two students. A great time was had by all! 

Sincethen, I’ve used up all the Joe’s Stuff I bought to season the dish and had todevise a new recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

JAMBALAYA

 

2 tbsp. olive oil1 cup onion,chopped½ cup celery,chopped½ cup greenpepper, chopped½ tbsp. garlic,chopped¾ lb. andouillesausage, sliced to pieces 1 inch thick2½ cups chickenstock, possibly more½ tsp. dried thyme¼ cup paprika1 tsp. driedoregano½ tsp. red pepperflakes½ tsp. tabascosauce2 tsp.Worcestershire sauceFreshly groundblack pepper to taste1 cup rice1 cup greenonions, chopped, include plenty of green

Warm a Dutch oven on medium heat. Pour inoil. When it shimmers add onion, celery, and green pepper. Sauté 7 – 9 minutes,or until onion is translucent. Adjust heat so onion doesn’t burn. Add garlic. Sauté1 minute, stirring constantly.  

Stir in sausage and stock. Add remainingingredients, except rice and green onions, and then stir well.

Add rice and bring to a boil. Cover thenlower heat to simmer. Cook 25 minutes. Stir well after each 10 minutes so ricedoesn’t stick to pan. Add more stock if the food looks dry.

Sprinkle green onions across the rice mixturewhen you serve.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table!

Sloane

Sloane Taylor is an Award-Winning author with a second passion in her life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.
To learn more about Taylor go to her website  Stay in touch on Blogger ,  Twitter , and LinkedIn .

Taylor's cookbooks, Hot Mean Wear Aprons, Date Night Dinners, Date Night Dinners Italian Style, Sizzling Summer, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.

NEW RELEASE FOR STELLA MAY

Multi-published romance author Stella May is elated to announce the release of her latest novel New Life, Book Three in the Rostoff Family Saga! Here's the blurb and an excerpt to pique your interest. 

In a kingdom heldtogether by secrets and lies, the truth could heal—or destroy.

The queen is dead. But thedamage Elizabeth Rostoff leaves behind to lives, hopes, and relationships liveson.

Seven years ago, Peter Rostoffsevered all ties with his family—including his sister, Kat.
But at his father’s insistence,he reluctantly returns for the funeral worn thin by his FBI position and burdened by a secret shame. Butmostly by one haunting mystery—why the woman he loved like a mother disappeared…
All those years ago, NatashaSokolova thought abandoning Dmitry Rostoff and the children she’d come to love as her ownwas the right thing, the only thing, to do. Resurfacing after Elizabeth’s death isn’t thehealing experience she’d prayed for, but a gut-wrenching discovery of yet more secrets, and news thatcould destroy her for good. 
Kat Rostoff lives in a bubblefilled with her doting father and a mentor that helped mold her into aworld-renowned artist. Yet nothing can fill the empty space, and avague sense of guilt, left behind by the mother figure she barelyremembers, and the brother who fled Paris seven years ago without looking back.
Four lives, set on divergingpaths with only a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. But will the queen’s evilreach out from beyond the grave to destroy it for good?

BLURB

A candid snap of a teenage girl, beautiful in her budding femininity,smiling shyly in the camera. Hair of true platinum color, a rare Nordic shade,long and silky, and eyes the color of a sky before it rained. Katie... Hisbeautiful princess, his baby sister...No, not a baby anymore. Peter sighed.

Ekaterina Rostoff, a famous artist, sculptor, celebrity.

His salvation. And curse.

Just thinking about her made his heart melt and sigh and stutter.

And burn with shame.

Peter lifted his hand, then dropped it down without touching herbeautiful image. With a helpless oath, he turned away, pulled at his hair withboth hands. Defeated, he dropped into a chair, and closed his eyes. As ifconjured by his unruly imagination, her face swam before him. Peter fisted hishands.

Dammit.  

Seeing Katie in ZolotoeSelo took a toll on him. For almost seven years, he deliberately stayedaway from her, from California and his grandmother’s estate  where they grew up. If not for Elizabeth’sfuneral, he would never have returned to that place.

That estate and the monstrosity of the manor house repelled andattracted him at the same time. Two days ago, as soon as he saw it again afterall these years, the memories ambushed him. Bittersweet and poignant andheartbreaking.

It made him feel again like a lost little boy from so long ago.

Or just yesterday? Two decades seemed to shrink to just two days. Oreven minutes. His imagination played a nasty trick, as the painfully familiarface of a young woman swam before his eyes. Red curly hair, impossibly greeneyes, petite frame. And the voice, deep and velvety, like raw honey drizzledover milk. Natasha. His firstadolescent crush, his best friend, his second mother.

With an effort, he banished her image from his mind, shut a lid on hismemories. Eighteen years ago, Natasha vanished into a thin air after accepting ahefty check from Elizabeth. She never reappeared again.

Her betrayal still hurt. It always will. He forced himself to stopwondering where she might be, or worrying if she was alright. No point to dwellon it. He wished her well.

But dammed if he was able to forget or forgive.

Even the vivid reminder of Natasha paled in comparison with meetingKatie.

She stole his breath the very first time he saw her. Just a tiny baby,to him she seemed the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. That moment etchedinto his memory forever. The gazebo in his grandmother’s estate, the smallcradle, and the tiny baby with a mop of a silky hair. She slept with hercherubic mouth half-open, covered in a pink blanket. And when she opened hereyes, blinked, and smiled at him, she claimed his young heart. Forever.

Almost two decades later, she still remained the most beautiful thingunder the sun. And still every time she aimed her pewter eyes at Peter, hisheart broke.

Katie. His princess. His greatest joy.

His worst nightmare.

Amazon Buy Link

Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.

Stella writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 'Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors. 
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 30 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business. 
Follow Stella on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

PITCH YOUR STORY

from C.D. Hersh 
In March of 2013, we had the best editor pitch in our careers—the one that sold our book The Turning Stone Chronicles—The Promised One to Soul Mate Publishing. It wasn’t the first time we had pitched this book, or others, and it probably won’t be the last time we have to pitch. Pitching is a constant for any writer and that face-to-face contact goes a long way. Along our journey we’ve picked up a lot of tips. Here are twelve pointers we hope you’ll find helpful. 
1 - Dress for success. Whether you realize it or not, this is a job interview. Even though you might type in your PJs, you want to make a good first impression on the editor. 
2 - Make a cheat sheet note card (small enough to fit discreetly in your hand) with your title, subgenre, book length, hook, your blurb and any contests the book finaled in. These are notes for you, not for the editor. We all get nervous and forget the simplest things. A cheat sheet comes in handy when this happens. 
3 - Smile. It makes you look confident. 
4 - Keep eye contact with the editor. This also helps you look confident. 
5 - Give her your business card. Make sure all your contact information is on your card: website, email, telephone, and any other contact information you’d like to add. We put our book blurb on the back of our business card so it’s available for her to read (should she choose) after we’ve left. It’s also a great way to keep your story in front of her since most editors don’t accept one-sheets or other papers at a conference, but they will accept your business cards. Remember, they have to carry anything they accept back with them on the plane. 
6 - Take a deep breath and talk distinctly and slowly. It’s natural to speak quickly when you’re nervous, but in a room with several other editors and writers giving their pitches it’s easy to miss words that are said too fast. 
7 - Start your pitch with your book title and book cover blurb. Don’t read it—memorize it. Do your best to make it sound like you’re telling a friend about your book, not reeling off a commercial. Practice makes perfect on this hint. After you hooked her, hopefully, with your great blurb, let her know the subgenre, length, contest wins, or other pertinent information about the book. 
8 - Be enthusiastic about your book. She’ll notice your passion and it could spark her interest. 
9 - Keep your initial presentation to about half the time allotted for the pitch. This leaves time for her to ask questions. 
10 - If you see she’s not interested, or she says she just bought something like it, or you have extra time, have another book ready to pitch. Just make sure it’s in a genre she’s accepting. Catherine actually pitched three books in one session because her initial pitch went so fast. The editor asked to see all three! 
11 - Ask her how to submit. Make sure you get her business card with contact information. There’s nothing worse than leaving the interview and realizing you didn’t find out where to send your manuscript. And, yes, Catherine has been so nervous and excited that an editor asked for her book that she walked out without her contact information. 
12 - Don’t forget to say, “Thanks” as you leave. This may seem like a given, but in tense situations it’s easy for things slip your mind, as noted by Catherine’s mistake in the hint above. If she doesn’t ask for your book, be sure to thank her for her time. You don’t want to burn any bridges. You might have another book later you’ll want to pitch to the same editor or house. 
Our chance came, not at a scheduled meeting, but at the breakfast table. When you’re at a conference you need to be ready to give your pitch at anytime. Just keep it short and to the point. 
Do you have any tips to add to this? Please insert them in the comments.Here's a little from our latest release, a time-slip book. We hope you like it.



Susan Trowbridge is the victim of mistaken identity, trapped in the past by a ghost and a haunted wedding gown. To return home she must discover the identity of the ghost’s murderer. Can Susan stop the murder, or will history repeat itself, with her as the victim this time? And if she does stop the murder, must she return home and leave the man she has come to love? 
Duncan Hawthorn is a man battling his own demons. But when Susan falls into his life, Duncan finds himself inexplicably attracted to a woman he thought he hated. Should he believe she is in danger? Should he believe her irrational claims that she is from the future? Either way, he realizes he will lose the woman who has become his salvation and his true love.
                          Amazon Buy Link 
C.D. Hersh–Two hearts creating everlasting love stories. 
Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to award-winning co-authors C.D. Hersh. 
They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after. 
Their paranormal series titled The Turning Stone Chronicles can be found on Amazon.They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life. 
Social Media Info: Website, Soul Mate Publishing, Facebook, Amazon Author Page, Twitter

COVER REVEAL for STELLA MAY

Acclaimed romance author Stella May is elated to share the cover for her soon to release novel New Life, Book Three in the Rostoff Family Saga! Here's the blurb and an excerpt to pique your interest. 

In a kingdom heldtogether by secrets and lies, the truth could heal—or destroy.

BLURB

The queen is dead. But thedamage Elizabeth Rostoff leaves behind to lives, hopes, and relationships liveson.
Seven years ago, Peter Rostoffsevered all ties with his family—including his sister, Kat.
But at his father’s insistence,he reluctantly returns for the funeral worn thin by his FBI position and burdened by a secret shame. Butmostly by one haunting mystery—why the woman he loved like a mother disappeared…
All those years ago, NatashaSokolova thought abandoning Dmitry Rostoff and the children she’d come to love as her ownwas the right thing, the only thing, to do. Resurfacing after Elizabeth’s death isn’t thehealing experience she’d prayed for, but a gut-wrenching discovery of yet more secrets, and news thatcould destroy her for good. 
Kat Rostoff lives in a bubblefilled with her doting father and a mentor that helped mold her into aworld-renowned artist. Yet nothing can fill the empty space, and avague sense of guilt, left behind by the mother figure she barelyremembers, and the brother who fled Paris seven years ago without looking back.
Four lives, set on divergingpaths with only a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. But will the queen’s evilreach out from beyond the grave to destroy it for good?

PREORDER HERE

Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.

Stella writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 'Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors. 
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 30 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business. 
Follow Stella on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

To all our friends and family, We wish you a fun and safe...

To all our friends and family, 
We wish you a fun and safe holiday!
from the Taylors

MUM'S THE WORD

 From Emma Lane

It’s almost that time of year again. Nothing is more refreshingthan a vivid blue sky accented by fiery leaves of the hard woods, yellows ofthe aspens and some maples, and various reds of the underbrush. Many shades oforange and yellow are accented by the dark greens of spruce and pines. Autumnis foliage showing off and we love it. It’s nature’s last hurrah before thesettling of wintertime and rest.

The flower gardens are looking a bit seedy (they have causeas they are making next year’s seeds.) Have your Hibiscus, Rose of Sharon,Obedience Plant finished? Sunflowers are nodding their heavy heads with birdsand rodents feasting on the bounty of oil rich seeds. For relief we turn to aplant we nicknamed, MUM, but it is so not mum as it speaks with rich fallcolors on a plant that stays tidy and easily tucked into existing gardens. Chrysanthemum hasbeen shortened to mum; the real name almost forgotten.

Are mums perennial? Do they survive the freezing temps and come back nextyear. The answer is . . . maybe. Indeed, the plant is cold hardy at least toagricultural zone 4/5. So why have so many gardeners been disappointed when themums succumb to the cold? Might be from too much love? Actually, mums arefairly tough plants that need little attention to thrive. The problem is a shallowroot system. Simply put, it cannot stay in the ground during frost heaves whichcome and go with a changing temperature.

Give it up. You aren’t about to run out every time a warm day and a frostfreeze night happens. It’s probably many more nights than you suspect. Mulch isthe best remedy. A good mulch will cut down on the possibility of the shallowrooted plant being thrust out of the ground and left high and dry to die.

 Two other remedies: Stick a pot ortwo of your favorite colors in a corner of the garage and give a sip of wateroccasionally. It might work; worth a try.

Next is treat the low-cost mum plant like an annual and don’t worry aboutit. Just buy new next year.

 I’ve done all of the above withvarious successes. I refuse to give up new and different colors, so I buy everyyear. I, also, cover my favorite yellows with solid mulch and try to rememberto trim until the 4th of July. (Otherwise, they grow leggy andunattractive.) I’ve been known to pot up an unusual color I want to try andsave and tuck it into a corner of the garage. It works maybe half the time. Idon’t get upset with failures, as I remember mums are not expensive and I canreplace them as autumn approaches. It’s a lovely plant; indulge and enjoy.

Here's a look at oneof my cozy mysteries to warm your heart: MURDER AT THE LOOKOUT, 4THin the Detective Kevin Fowler series. 

When is it not fun to be a blond? 

What happenswhen a blond beauty hits town like a tornado stirring up memories and causingturmoil? Detective Kevin Fowler and his wife, the former Beverly Hampton, ownerof the local newspaper, are settling into blissful married life. AlthoughBeverly is sanguine over the demand on Kevin’s time by the good people ofHubbard, she is more than dubious when his duties include the escort of adrop-dead gorgeous female from his past.

There is some concern over the persistentvandalism of residential mailboxes, but an infamous arsonist has decidedpeaceful but dull Hubbard would make a great place from which to operate. Hebrazenly locates down the block from the detective and his wife.

What bait and tackle shop in the village has adual purpose? Kevin ponders why two goons have invaded town shooting at andattempting to kidnap and murder three women. A state patrolman, aptly nicknamed Rooster, teases Fowler at the riotous scene of a traffic accident wherethe press, not the police, wins the day.

Another mystery and adventure with a satisfyingending unfolds in peaceful Hubbard, New York, small-town Americana, whereDetective Kevin Fowler keeps an ever-vigilant watch.

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Emma Lane is a gifted author who writes cozy mysteries as Janis Lane, Regency as Emma, and spice as Sunny Lane. 

She lives in Western New York where winter is snowy, spring arrives with rave reviews, summer days are long and velvet, and fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world. Her patient husband is always available to help with a plot twist and encourage Emma to never quit. Her day job is working with flowers at Herbtique and Plant Nursery, the nursery she and her son own. 

Look for information about writing and plants on Emma's new website. Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma's face.

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