D.V. Stone's Blog, page 26

Around The Fire returns to New Jersey

Hi, everyone! After almost four months in Perry, Florida, I’ve returned to the north. If you follow me on social media, you know we left camp in the 80s wearing shorts and t-shirts. By the time we hit the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, things were a tad different. Like the postal carrier creed—neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night. Yep, we were in it all. Pete did a great job navigating 2HOOTS while I followed in Snowball. During the trip, I listened to Jan Karon’s Mitford books. Many years ago, I read and loved them. Listening is a whole different thing. I recommend both print and audio series if you like inspirational books.

Arriving home in The Garden State gave me a chance for a second spring. We left Perry as it was turning to summer. Pollen, bugs, and humidity were slipping in. I don’t do well with either of those. Not that New Jersey doesn’t’ have exactly that during the summer. If you read Rainbow Sprinkles, I wrote about the three Hs—Hazy, Hot, and Humid.

Florida was good for my work and reading. I finished several books and enjoyed the local life. Fests happen all the time in the Sunshine State. We went to the Manatee Fest and the Fiddler Crab Fest. The Bluegrass Fest was rainy, so we decided to stay at camp. Crystal River gave me an up-close with manatees. If you didn’t eat Somewhere, you could eat Nowhere. Pete’ enjoyed Grumpy’s Diner while I plowed my way through seafood at the Crazy Crab.

The downside was pizza. You just can’t get a straight-up pepperoni pizza in the area we were. Also, believe it or not, there wasn’t any ice cream parlor to be had. Not even a DQ. Tragedy nearly ensued when we couldn’t find a Dunkin closer than forty-five miles. Say what you want about Walmart; at least we could buy the coffee there and make it at camp.
Flea markets, vintage stores, and antique shops were in abundance, and you know Pete, and I, enjoy poking through those. I post some of my favorite finds on Facebook for #whatsitwednesday, so follow me and check it out.

Leaving Perry, Florida, KOA was bittersweet. We made lots of friends and spent many nights around the campfire with people from all over the US and Canada. So many are coming back next year, and we look forward to returning as well.
We dropped our landing gear at home on Monday, the day after Easter. Hali leaped from the truck and sniffed and prowled, reclaiming her homestead. My sixteen-year-old cat, Baby, stretched and yawned before assuming her regular sleep spot. To my surprise, she made a great traveling and camping cat.
One of the reasons for us returning in April was the Wine, Romance, and More event held at the brookhollowwinery in Columbia, NJ. There were fifty authors from all different genres signing books and fellowship with other writers and especially readers. Agent Carter and the first edition of Felice moved off my table at an amazing pace. I even had an author assistant. Thanks, Desi M., for pitching in and pitching my stories.

NJ is putting on a show with foliage. The forsythia is blazing yellow. Bulb plants like daffodils and hyacinth are coloring my yard with yellow, pink, and purple. Tulips are ready to pop, too.
After collapsing from travel exhaustion, one of the first things we did was set up our deck. The second was a fire in the pit, and then Sunday, a propane fire on the deck. You can take the girl out of the campground, but you can’t take the campfire out of the girl.

I will wrap up by letting you know what I accomplished this winter. First Jazz House went to the final-final galley. I wrote and submitted another story along the lines of Rainbow Sprinkles and waiting to hear back. Felice has been re-edited and will be released as a second edition this fall. Kisa will be going to the editor on August first. A top-secret book I’m cooperating with other authors will be going to another editor in October. So as you can see, I’ve been sitting on my laurels eating bonbons.

I enjoyed catching you up. If you have any questions or comments, leave them in the sections labeled um… comments. Or you could always email me if you’re shy.  
Here's a few highlights from our time... #wsite-video-container-854575965391897985{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/81573318-373... } #video-iframe-854575965391897985{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-854575965391897985, #video-iframe-854575965391897985{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-854575965391897985{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } }

Around The Fire welcomes today's guest M. S. Spencer

I love that today’s special guest wrote about St. Augustine. Hubby and I returned just last night from Florida. We visited St. Augustine last year. My cousins live there. While I pour us a chilled beverage, why don’t you get us started, M. S., by telling our visitors who you are other than the official bio.

Thanks so much for letting warm myself at your fire! I was—until I’d had enough—a perennial student (did you ever watch the movie The Librarian? That was me). I hold a BA from Vassar College, a diploma in Arabic Studies from the American University in Cairo, and Masters in Anthropology and in Library Science from the University of Chicago. Among other posts, I’ve been a librarian, a nonprofit president, a Congressional aide, and a speechwriter. I’ve lived or traveled on five of the seven continents. Antarctica is not really on my bucket list, but Australia is!
I finally came back home to DC in 1980 and landed a temp job on Capitol Hill which turned into a professional staff position. While it was thrilling to be involved in creating legislation, it was the brushes with celebrities that blew me away. Charlton Heston graciously allowing this breathless legislative assistant to have her picture taken with him. Or standing in the Rose Garden when Margaret Thatcher came to visit Ronald Reagan. There were embarrassing moments as well, as when Paul Newman called my husband and I answered the phone, “Joe’s racetrack and speedway, place your bets.” I distinctly remember the puzzled pause at the other end of the line.
I started publishing in 2009 and have released fifteen romantic suspense or murder mystery novels, with two more on the way. I have two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter and currently divide my time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
 
Huh, I’m sort of speechless. That rarely happens to me. Ask my husband. Wowzah! What an exciting and unique life. I’ll bet you have tons of stories to tell, and this was only the iceberg.  What do you like to read? Which books or authors are your inspiration?
I don’t read as much now as I did before I started writing—mainly thrillers and mysteries. As a child and adult I was a voracious reader—especially of those books called “classics,” figuring it was a classic for a reason. I devoured English writers—Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Evelyn Waugh—for their delicate, precise prose, and the mystery writers—Christie,  Sayers, Allingham, and Marsh—for their deceptively simple puzzles. I loved biographies as well—a more interesting way to learn history.

I’m a voracious reader and also enjoy biographies. One of my favorites was Gracie A Love Story by George Burns. What is your neighborhood like?
My husband died in 2010, and after hours spent staring at my bedroom ceiling, I picked myself up and moved to Florida. My complex—on a Gulf coast key—is full of fascinating characters retired from all walks of life. It is an intellectually diverse population with one common element—we love the constantly blue Florida sky. My neighbors perfectly blend the art of being socially welcoming while sensitive to one’s need to be alone.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I am, however, in awe of someone who is able to put their life together and find their place again. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
The ability to wiggle out of any public speaking engagement. Oh, also: I had vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens at my house in Virginia, and learned to make all kinds of pickles, relishes, jellies, and preserves. Here in Florida, I’m experimenting with recipes from my Meyer lemon, my Beautyberry, my fig and maybe someday my passionfruit vine and my grapefruit tree. I think of it as free food 😊.
 
I love gardening. When I was in Perry, Florida, tomatoes went into containers and traveled back with me in the shower of the camper. Herbs in the front of my DH’s truck. Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
Sitting on my desk is a ceramic statue of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh. Underneath him runs a mouse. It depicts the Indian tale of the mouse who became so proud he made the gods angry, so Ganesh sat on him. It had pride of place on my father’s desk while he wrote his books, and on mine now. Not sure why.

Favorite childhood book?
I loved the Oz books & collect them now. When I finished my BA thesis at Princeton I went to the library and borrowed all the Oz books they had.

If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?
A tin of the finest Russian beluga caviar, with toast points, chopped boiled egg, and sweet onion. Washed down with a bottle of Bollinger brut.

Did you ever win something?
I suffer from a strange malady—I can have a thousand chances to win $2 and still fail. I once spent three hours in a charity bingo event. Several hundred people attended. There was only one person who never got a bingo. Guess who. I have only won one thing—a sixteen-pound Butterball turkey. The day after Thanksgiving.

Lol, I won a turkey once. My aunt dropped it on her foot and broke a toe. So, it really was a loss. What was your first job?
If you don’t count the lifeguard gig and research assistantships in the Library of Congress, National Academy of Sciences, and the American Museum of Natural History, then I’d cite the first real job with benefits: a publishing assistant for the magazine Electric Light & Power.

How do you select the names of your characters?
That’s one of the more entertaining aspects of writing. Sometimes—not often—the character chooses her own name and I can’t dislodge it no matter how many “find & replace” I insert. In many books I choose a theme related to the story. In Whirlwind Romance, every character had a 17th-century English name. In Hidden Gem, the heroine is named after an obscure island, because her father loved maps. Usually the names are in place by the third chapter.

M.S., thank you so much for joining me today. You are such an interesting person. Before you head out to either the garden or another adventure, will you leave us with some information about your new release and where to find more about it and you? 
​

Hidden Gem
​The Secret Of St. Augustine
by
M. S. Spencer

Barnaby and Philo’s story begins with very bad chili and a dead body.

Barnaby is in St. Augustine, Florida, to teach a college seminar, and plans to use The Secret—a treasure hunt book—as a framework for his class. He enlists Philo Brice, owner of an antique map store, to aid him in seeking clues in the historic sites of the ancient city.

Together they face murderers, thieves, thugs, and fanatics, heightening their already strong attraction to each other. Can they solve the puzzle and unearth the treasure before the villains do? Philo and Barnaby pursue several twisting paths and false leads before arriving at a startling conclusion.
 
Specs
Hidden Gem: the Secret of St. Augustine
The Wild Rose Press, April 4, 2022
Cozy mystery/Romantic suspense
418 p.; 96,570 words
 
Buy Links
Books2Read
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
ITunes
Rakuten/KOBO
GooglePlay
Indigo
Angus&Robertson
 
Social media
Blog: https://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencermysteries
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-s-spencer

Welcome Back To Around The Fire, Judythe Morgan. (Yes, that's how you spell it.)

Sitting around the fire is for both old friends and new. We're on our way back home after living for 4 months in Florida. Pete and I shared many fires with new friends. Now heading home, we look forward to catching up with our old friends. Today's guest returns to us with a new release. Judythe, please introduce yourself while I pour us a nice beverage. The the folks who you are other than your official bio.

​I’m a mother to three, grandmother to eleven, and great grandmother to two (another due next month). They are the joy of my life.

Wow! You need a big table for those holiday get togethers. So, other than grands what What interests do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have?
I’m a gardener, singer, and I love doing jigsaw puzzles and playing bridge.
 
My garden is portable this year. Started the tomatoes in Florida and hope they make it back to NJ. The have support stakes helping them. Who are you're support stakes? 
My husband is my chief cheerleader, copy editor, and plot partner. I am also blessed to have several ultra-supportive writing friends who inspire me and help me burst through the writer blocks.
 
Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
JoAnn Ross’s books have always inspired me. Mary Buckham and Donald Maass have grown my craft skills and been encouragers.
 
Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
I’ve long been called a jack of all trades, master of none. And it’s the truth. Not sure it’s a talent, though. I love trying new things and will always say yes to a challenge.
 
It's absolutely a talent. What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special?
We live in a small community of farmers that is rapidly becoming cityfied. Trees are disappearing, replaced with subdivisions whose houses sit on postage stamp lots. It’s sad and exciting. Our little group of homes sits on a hill in a grove of oak trees. We’re far enough from main roads that our immediate area will remain unchanged. I’m so glad, too, because our home is a designated Wildlife Habitat, and the animals will have a safe place to come.
 
I call them house farms. I'm glad you have your little oasis in the midst of it. Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
I am an antique dealer as well as an author. The Victorian era (1837 until 1901) is my favorite era. The Victorians were sentimental, and acrostic rings were popular during the era. The rings used the initials of gemstones to stand for letters. Put together, the gemstones would spell a word. These were basically little love letters full of passion and affection.
An acrostic ring hallmarked 1830 that I found has become a precious keepsake. My ring spells DEAREST. D – Diamond, E – Emerald, A – Amethyst, R – Ruby, E – Emerald, S – Sapphire, T – Topaz
 
That is very cool. I had no idea. Do you play board games? What games do you like?
Board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, and Parchisi are favorites with the grands. Personally, I love adult card games, especially Bridge, but I’m always up for a game of Go Fish or Battle with the wee ones.
 
Hubby and I enjoy grownup cards. My grand are getting older and now we play UNO with them. What was your first job?
My first job is almost embarrassing, considering all the robocalls we all receive these days. I worked in a phone pool soliciting for charities and fundraisers.
 
LOL! I had that job too. It's the only job that fired me for not generating anything. I'm a fan of research on my books. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I usually have a solid base knowledge of the background for all my stories. Things that pop up as I write tend to be the ones that lead me down the rabbit hole of research. I can spend hours finding the perfect restaurant or house plan, or dress.
 
How do you select the names of your characters?
My character’s names come from family and friends…with their permission, of course. Sometimes the personality of the character matches their name, and sometimes the character’s personality is more how I see the family member or friend than how they see themselves. So far, no one has protested. It’s a sneaky way to get family and friends to read my books to see how their characters turned out.
 
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I do read reviews but rarely dwell on them. If a bad one has good points, then I, for sure, take the criticism under consideration. I just wish more readers wrote reviews.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
I’ve spent lots more on workshops, and craft writing retreats with outstanding authors, editors, and agents. I prefer the small setting to the larger conference arena. The investment was worth it. I’ve never regretted all I learned or the friendships I made.

Judythe, thank you for stopping by the fire today. Before you head out on your next adventure will you leave a bit about your new book and where to find you? And I hear you have a picture of the "Dearest" ring you described. When Love Trusts
by
Judythe Morgan
HEAT LEVEL: Clean and Wholesome, PG-13
 
A second chance at first love
 
Growing up together in a small Texas town, Josh Fitzpatrick and Mara Burke always had each other’s backs, right up until Mara dated—then dumped—his best friend. A relationship built on love and trust… until it wasn’t.
 
Now, an Army sniper home on medical leave, Josh’s wounds go deeper than the shrapnel dug from his thigh. Nightmares torment him. No one knows he’s responsible for a senseless tragedy and the death of his fellow soldiers. While his body recovers, he wrestles with guilt and waits for news of possible disciplinary action.
 
Mara’s a single mom and administrator at a home for boys, still hiding the terrible secret that created the ten-year chasm between them.
 
When the boy’s home needs volunteers after a fire, Josh steps in. The sparks from their youth soon ignite a new passion, but will sharing their secrets be enough to overcome the pain and hurt that lies between them?
 
REVIEW for When Love Trusts
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for When Love Trusts!
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Morgan’s Fitzpatrick series!! Well, of all her books! And When Love Trusts is another winner. I love how her characters are so real to life with problems, with pasts, with a love of family, and sense of honor. Josh and Mara shared their childhood together and have never forgotten what they meant to each other. But when they reunite, SO much that has happened since they parted ways holds them at bay. I found the patience of these characters to be something everyone should aspire to possess. I enjoyed all the characters, seeing characters from the other books, and meeting a few new ones. Heartfelt and gritty I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next.

 
Get your copy today 
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pdkqrN
B&N: https://bit.ly/3hdxaKM
 
Paperback:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/37EnlUj
B&N: https://bit.ly/3NYLqpI
 
For more about the author follow her on social media
Website https://judythemorgan.com/  
Blog https://judythewriter.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Judythe2   
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JudytheMorgan/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6450879.Judythe_Morgan
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judythe-morgan

Remember the slogan "Make Love Not War"? How About This One. Love Wins! Around The Fire with N. N. Light & Starfish

What can one person do?
There was a story I heard years ago. A man walked along the beach. He spotted another man picking up a starfish and putting it back in the water. The first man looked around. Hundreds of starfish were beached. He shook his head in disbelief when the second man picked up another of the creatures and walked back to the shoreline. The first man called out to the second man, "What are you doing? You can't save them all."
The second man place the starfish in the surf and went to retrieve yet another. 
"But I can save this one." He lifted one into the air.
The second man paused. Then he too scooped up a stranded animal and returned it to the water.  
My guest today is like the first man. Will you be like the second? Please? Thanks. D. I’m so thrilled to be a guest on this blog. Thank you so much for hosting me.
​My name is N. N. Light, otherwise known as Mrs. N. I write uplifting stories with my husband and better half, Mr. N. 
In late February of this year, Russia invaded Ukraine. My heart plummeted as I saw the brute force of Russia’s army attack a sovereign nation. Can this really be happening? After all, we have been through as a people, can we just sit by and watch the elimination of a race of people? I knew I needed to find some way to help. I certainly didn’t have the resources to fly over there but what could I do? The answer came in an Instagram post about two weeks ago. My fellow author, Dania Voss, put out a message on Instagram asking for more romance stories for a charity anthology. I signed up right away and I’m so honored to be a part of the Love Wins anthology. 100% of the proceeds go to a charity with boots on the ground helping Ukrainians in need. 
We can’t stop the bombs from falling but we can do our part from this corner of our world. Please consider purchasing the anthology for $1.99. Not only will you be helping innocent people struggling to stay alive, but you’ll get fifteen romance novellas/short stories. These stories vary between sweet and contemporary. 
Series Title:  Love Wins: A Ukraine Charity Anthology
Series Authors:  Dania Voss, Maribelle McCrea, Marlene Cheng, K.M. Jenkins, Deborah King, Annie McEwen, Pamela Clayfield, Tiffany Carby, Aimee O’Brian, R.A. Clarke, N. N. Light, Judy Fisher, Robert Beech, E.J. Powell, Alex Grehy, Maris Parker
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Charity Anthology, Romance Short Stories

LOVE WINS is set to publish on April 21, 2022, with 100% of the proceeds going to World Vision’s Ukrainian Refugee Fund. This organization has people on the ground in the Ukraine and Romania, providing food, shelter, medical aid, and all necessary assistance for the needy, with the focus of making sure children are safe and provided for.

LOVE WINS is available for a limited time only. Make a difference for the people of Ukraine—buy your copy today! LOVE WINS—a Charity Anthology to support Ukrainian refugees

More than 15 contemporary romance authors have joined forces to create this unique collection of stories, covering an assortment of different sub-genres and tropes.


Stories include:
ALL ROADS LEAD TO SHEPHERD GROVE--DANIA VOSS PAST, PERFECT, POLO--MARIBELLE MCCREA THE MADAM’S FRIEND--MARLENE F CHENG THE SUNFLOWER MEADOW--K.M. JENKINS DESTINED DREAMER--DEBORAH KING THE SLEEPLESS CAFÉ--ANNIE MCEWEN HAVEN OF SECRETS--PAMELA CLAYFIELD GOLD MINE--TIFFANY CARBY MISROUTED BY LOVE ~ A TALE OF MAYBE--AIMEE O’BRIAN CLICKING--R.A. CLARKE PLANTING THE SEEDS OF LOVE--N. N. LIGHT THE POWER OF LOVE--JUDY FISHER LOVE, ETERNAL--ROBERT BEECH SHIFTER: A WERE-CAT’S TALE--E.J. POWELL ON THE WINGS OF KITES--ALEX GREHY  MOANA ACCOUNTANT--KERRY CARLISLE TWO WEEKS IN THE TETONS--MARIS PARKER
Authors include Dania Voss, Maribelle McCrea, Marlene Cheng, K.M. Jenkins, Deborah King, Annie McEwen, Pamela Clayfield, Tiffany Carby, Aimee O’Brian, R.A. Clarke, N. N. Light, Judy Fisher, Robert Beech, E.J. Powell, Alex Grehy, Maris Parker

THANK YOU so much for supporting those in need.
Excerpt from Planting the Seeds of Love:
Jack took a step back letting go of her pinky. He crossed his arms; his eyes glittered angrily.
"You love me?" He snorted. "You don't even know I exist."
Sally's nostrils flared. Taking a step back, she crossed her arms.
"That's a fine thing to say to me after all we've been through." She turned to leave. "Maybe Trevor's right..."
"What?" Jack sat down on the cot, not looking at her. "What did Trevor tell you?"
"Trevor has a buyer for the farm. It's a friend of his father's and he loves the idea of a brewery out here in the country. He wants to add a restaurant and make it some sort of oasis for city folk." She ran her fingers through her blonde hair.
"A buyer?" He put his head in his hands and sighed. "It's too fast."
"What are you talking about?" She looked down at her watch, wishing she hadn't come. Her sister was right; men were nothing but trouble.
"Look, I know I've messed things up." He stood and walked towards her. "But you've got to give the farm and me a second chance." He extended his hand through the bars.
Sally's emotions shook her body. Guilt, love, pain, regret, anger and hope battled for supremacy in her heart. She eyed his outstretched hand warily. Could she trust him? Could he be depended upon?
"Why should I give you another chance, Jack?" She let her arms fall to her sides. A force not her own pulled her body closer to his. She whispered, "You hurt me." Tears welled up but she didn't care.
He reached up and wiped her tears away.
"Oh Sally," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. 
Her lower lip quivered.
"I'm so sorry. I'm a first-class jerk." He cupped her face with his hands. "Please don't cry."
Sally closed her eyes. She felt like a tiny dingy in the middle of the ocean, battered and torn in pieces. She leaned her head against the bars.
"Your opinion matters most, it always has. When you say things like you just did, it tears me apart." She lifted her head. "I need you, Jack. I can't do this without you."
Jack exhaled slowly.
"That wasn't me; it was my jealousy rearing its ugly head."
"What do you mean? What do you have to be jealous of?" Her brows furrowed, she thought hard. 
“I’m jealous of how happy you seem to be with Trevor,” he replied. 


Preorder your e-copy for only $1.99. The price goes up to $4.99 after release week! 100% of the proceeds going to World Vision’s Ukrainian Refugee Fund.

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WP6XHRF
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09WP6XHRF
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WP6XHRF
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60739931-love-wins
BookBub  https://www.bookbub.com/books/love-wins-a-ukraine-charity-anthology-by-dania-voss-and-pamela-clayfield 

Author Biography:
N. N. Light is the award-winning husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N. Books are their addiction and lifeblood.
Life is meant to be lived; cherish the exciting moments, and relish in those all too brief moments of relaxation. They are here to live their own lives, read as many books as humanly possible and live it passionately. N. N. Light's Book Heaven serves as a vessel to project their passions, and clue in their loyal readers as to what inspires them in this crazy world. So, sit back, relax, and read on. One link to rule them all: https://bio.link/nnlightsbookheaven 

Social Media Links:
One link to rule them all: https://bio.link/nnlightsbookheaven 

Website http://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/ 
Twitter https://twitter.com/NNP_W_Light 
Instagram https://instagram.com/nnlightsbookheaven 
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7873791.N_N_Light 
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/n-n-light

Around The Fire Welcomes Author Jan Sikes.

Thanks for stopping by my fire. We had a campfire last night and I made Paella. About fifteen people joined us to say goodbye to a few new friends as they headed home. The fire is a place of good food, good conversation, and good friends. I'm glad you're here to meet my fellow Wild Rose Press author. Say hi Jan, while I grab us a couple of beverages and tell our readers Who you are other than your bio?
I am a widow. My husband passed away almost thirteen years ago, and I had to discover who Jan Sikes was and find ways to completely reinvent myself without him. It’s an ongoing challenge, but I love the life I’ve created.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My sister is also a young widow. What I know about her situation gives me insight into reinventing and challenging. Good for you and I'm so happy you're finding you place. What interests besides writing do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have?
I am an avid music lover! I volunteer at music festivals around Texas and have done so for the past 12 years. I enjoy promoting indie music artists on social media and on my blog. In the recent past, I wrote features for a music magazine and loved interviewing the artists.

Wandering through a shop not long ago I found a sign ~Music is what feeling sound like~. I know I count on my support system. Who is your network or support system? 
Most definitely the Story Empire group. We have a total of eleven members, counting me, and everyone is so super supportive and happy to jump in with all kinds of help when needed. We also have an active blog that is filled with great writing and marketing information.

I'm meeting with a group of authors now via Zoom who help share my good stuff or let me cry on there shoulders. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
I have been reading my entire life. I can remember my excitement when I could finally decipher words on my own. I devoured books. So, this is a hard question, but one of my biggest inspirations is my older sister, Linda Broday. She is a USA Today best-selling author and has been not only a mentor but a great inspiration to me.

Wow! That's amazing, good for you and her. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
The most outrageous talent I have is reading Tarot Cards and Runes. It is something I’ve studied for years and love doing it. I’m not sure that counts as a talent because it was something I had to learn.

Is fame and fortune in my future? No, don't answer that. Instead, what is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special?
When my husband passed away, I left the small town we’d lived in for twenty-five years and moved to the huge metropolis that encompasses Dallas. It’s where my children and grandchildren are. I live in a 55+ apartment complex, and my favorite place to visit locally is a restaurant and bar called Love & War. Not only do they have great food, but always have incredible live entertainment from music artists I love to follow.

If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play you?
My biggest dream is that my first book (which is a true story) be made into a movie. I often thought I’d like Meryl Streep to play my part, but she is too old to play a nineteen-year-old, so maybe Maya Hawke. I had the opportunity to put the book “Flowers and Stone” in Kevin Costner’s hands, so I keep the dream and hope alive that someday it will be a movie.

Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
I have a silver cross necklace that my late husband made. He always told me it held magic, and I wear it almost all the time. It helps me feel closer to him.

What is your favorite mug or teacup?
I have three grandsons and two granddaughters. The boys all call me “Gran” and the girls call me “MiMi.” So, a couple of years ago, my daughter bought me a coffee cup that says, “I’m a MiMi. What’s your superpower?” I love that cup and drink my coffee from it every morning.

Favorite childhood book? Or writing that inspired you to become an author.
My favorite childhood book was Grimm’s Book of Fairy Tales. I checked it out of the elementary school library so many times that they had to create a new card. I think it was the idea of magic and happily-ever-afters that I loved the most. I still do.

If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Dance by Garth Brooks. It is such a deep, meaningful song and always reminds me that even though the pain of losing my husband is something I will never fully recover from, I wouldn’t have missed the dance for anything in the world.

~I could have missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance. It's such a profound lyric. Here's the link to the video  www.facebook.com/mortyfinkle/videos/58703133871 Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with?
The most interesting person I’ve met and talked with is Willie Nelson. Back in the sixties, my husband’s band backed Willie on a tour through Texas. So when we had the opportunity to see Willie again in 2004, it was such a fun reunion. What a gracious human!

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Yes, I read book reviews. I find them invaluable for improving my writing and am always open to constructive criticism. There is no way to “deal” with bad reviews. You just take them with a grain of salt and move on. If there is something I can do better, I always make that my goal. 

Jan, thank you for spending time Around The Fire with me. Before you head out will you share a bit about your newest book and were our readers can find you?
[image error] ​
Jagged Feathers
by
Jan Sikes

Caught in the crosshairs of ruthless killers an ex-soldier and a psychic race to stay alive. 
 
Vann Noble did his duty. He served his country and returned a shell of a man, wounded inside and out. With a missing limb and battling PTSD, he seeks healing in an isolated cabin outside a small Texas town with a stray dog that sees beyond his master’s scars. If only the white rune’s magic can bring a happily ever after to a man as broken as Vann.   
On the run from hired killers and struggling to make sense of her unexplained deadly mission, Nakina Bird seeks refuge in Vann’s cabin. She has secrets. Secrets that can get them all killed.

A ticking clock and long odds of living or dying, create jarring risks.
Will these two not only survive, but find an unexpected love along the way? Or, will evil forces win and destroy them both?
​
Get your copy
linktr.ee/Rijanjks

A Lovely Review about Jan's Book Thoughts: Wow. One of the top books I’ve read in a while. I’d give it more sparklers if I could. The author had me from page one and didn’t let me go until the end. She starts off hard and fast, then things kind of work out and the book goes into a “safe” lull, which is where most romantic suspense stories would end. But no. She doesn’t let you rest as the danger ramps up again before our hero and heroine are really safe and have a satisfying ending that leaves you happy for them.
I loved all the Native American imagery and symbolism in the story. The blue feathers, the blue jay, the dream catcher…all of it added to the story. Even the paranormal aspects added a layer that helped set the stage for the plot.
Nakina is a woman in trouble. Vann is a wounded veteran with PTSD and a missing leg who wants nothing more than peace and solitude. But when he finds Nakina, sick and terrified of the men chasing her, what can he do but help? He takes her in, nurses her back to health, and then helps her with the “problem” she has – one that killed her boss and may end up with her dead too. They enlist the help of neighbors and friends and the DEA gets involved. Vann also finds out that Nakina has visions, but she can’t control them and doesn’t know if they’re from the past, present, or future. They learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets and discover love in the process. I loved the dog Champion. And the “messages” from Nakina’s grandmother that keep popping up. One thing I hope is that Colt, the neighbor, gets his own story. I can’t wait for that one!
To Find Out More About Jan Follow Her On Social Media
WEBSITE 
BLOG 
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Around the Fire welcomes author and adventurer, Terry Segan

​It’s been a heck of a time in Florida over the past few weeks. I believe this is the ‘rainy’ season. LoL, at one point the camper had river front property when the storms hit. But all to soon it’s coming to a close here. We’ll be heading back to NJ this month. One of the cool things is we are members of Harvest Hosts and will be staying at our first host location on the way home. Check out this great service. For a small annual fee (usually the cost of an overnight stay at a campground) you can stay at a farm, winery, brewery, church and all kinds of other places at no cost. You are just encouraged to purchase something if a product is offered for sale. Things like a bottle of wine or a pie. Here’s the link for you to check out if you have a camper https://harvesthosts.com/
Don’t forget to join my monthly email list. I have a few personal appearances coming up, including a huge author event at Brookhollow Winery in Columbia NJ. Here the link to that https://www.facebook.com/events/226911728627793/
If you’ve been with me the past couple of blog posts, I’ve been discussing inspiration and how it effects my life and writing. I think you are going to enjoy today’s guest. Who must get a ton of ideas from just living her life. Please help me welcome Terry Segan to the fire.
​
Hi Terry! I’m so glad you could join me today. While I grab us a bit of refreshment please tell our other guests who you are other than your bio?
I’m a bit of an adventurer. Life is meant to be lived, and I don’t enjoy sitting on the sidelines as a spectator. When I was twenty-two (many moons ago), I wanted a change, so I moved across the country by myself from Long Island, NY, to Los Angeles. At the age of fifty-five, I passed the training course and got my motorcycle license. Despite my perseverance, the clutch finally beat me, but I’m content to ride backseat. And, I will forever have the ‘M’ endorsement on my driver’s license!
 
So you’re a motorcycle mama! How fun. Pete and I always talked about getting a couple of bikes but hey, we got the RV instead. Other than the motorcycle and writing what other interests do you enjoy?
 
I love exploring something new, whether it’s a museum I’ve never been to, or a new place to go camping. Half the fun is researching things to do, whether it’s near where I live or someplace I’ll be traveling to.
 
Nice, my girl is a camper too. Who is your network or support system?
 
At home, that would be my husband. He cheers me on every step of the way and tolerates my ramblings while I work out plot lines. His only request is to someday be a chalk outline in one of my books. I believe I can accommodate that request. Out in the world, I belong to a wonderful writer’s group who have become a huge part of my writing life over the past seven years. Through their constant encouragement and critiques, my stories have been greatly enriched.
 
Your hubby sounds like a fun guy. Chalk figure LOL. I enjoy a group of author friends as well. Couldn’t do it without them. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
 
Mystery books with a dual timeline or stories in the present time with a tie to something in the past inspire me. One of my favorites is The Eight by Katherine Neville. It tells a tale with a dual timeline as well as an ancient, mystical chess set.
 
That sounds intriguing. I’ll have to check it out. What is your neighborhood like?
 
It’s quite unique because I live in an RV Resort. We’ve been full-time for over six years in the same park and love the lifestyle. It’s fun meeting new neighbors and hearing about where they’re from and places they’ve gone. Paring down our belongings to the bare minimum to fit into our rig was very freeing. Both my husband and I agree. We don’t want stuff. We want experiences, which is what we get every chance we can.
 
This winter was our first long-term stint in the RV. I did love learning the ins and outs of camp life. We’re not ready for fulltime though.  Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort?
I wear a silver ring that had belonged to my mother. It’s a band with waves engraved all the way around. She bought it while on a bus tour in the Southwest. Like me, she loved to travel, and this piece of jewelry had been her favorite. Whenever I wear it on a trip, I feel as if she is traveling with me.
 
How wonderful. Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours?
 
My wedding picture—the two of us kissing while wearing matching masks. We’ve been together for seven years but tied the knot only a year and a half ago. Since we married in the midst of the pandemic, it was just us, the officiate, and our two witnesses. Our way of announcing the nuptials was to post our wedding pic on Facebook and changing our status. The comments were great!
 
Congratulations! Best wishes for a long and happy life. Pete and I are celebrating 28 years in May. Speaking of celebrations, what is one without food. If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?
 
Seafood! My favorites are lobster, shrimp, and steamed clams.
 
Worst household chore?
 
Hands down, it’s laundry. I have trust issues with the washing instructions on a garment, and bleach terrifies me. Luckily, I married well, and the hubby handles this chore.
 
Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?
 
As I might have mentioned a time or two, I love to travel, so I would definitely want the unlimited tickets. They would be in constant use!
 
Do you play board games?
 
Yes! My favorite is Scrabble, but I rarely get to play as my older daughter is the only one who’ll play it with me. (Might be because I usually win—seven letter words with the 50-point bonus!)
 
 What was your first job?
 
Working as a clerk in a Jewish bakery. It was there I discovered the most amazing substance on the planet—almond paste! I gained ten pounds that year.
 
I convinced Pete to add almond paste to his homemade cinnamon buns. Sadly he only makes them once or twice a year {{{sigh}}} Terry, thank you so much for joining me at the fire today. Before you head out on your next adventure, can you leave a bit about you and your latest book?

Terry sent a photo of her doing something on my Bucket List. Route 66 will one day be mine. ​Precious Treasure
by
Terry Segan
 
​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Debbie S
Fast-paced mystery with a friendly ghost and laugh out loud humor
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2022

 
Janie Holcomb prays for closure once the courts declare her missing husband dead. Instead, she’s sent spiraling down a dangerous path.
 
When her lawyer delivers a package held in trust, she finds a cryptic warning along with a Civil War journal promising buried treasure. While seeking a connection between her spouse and the decades-old diary, Janie attracts the spirit of a Confederate soldier pleading for help.
 
Enlisting her brother’s assistance to chase down clues, they discover that not everyone they know should be trusted. Janie overlooks potential threats when the promise of new love stirs her emotions. Will her digging uncover the answers she craves or doom her to a similar fate?
 
Get your copy today 
Amazon book link: www.amazon.com/dp/B09PJXMD9Z
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/precious-treasure-terry-segan/1140834503
 
Follow Terry 
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerrySegan
Author Website: https://terrysegan.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrysegan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeganTerry
 
More about the author 
Terry Segan resides in Nevada. The beach is her happy place, but any opportunity to travel soothes her gypsy soul. The stories conjured by her imagination while riding backseat on her husband’s motorcycle can be found throughout the pages of her paranormal mysteries.

Around the Fire Blog. Inspiration And Art Imitating Life. The Horse Connection.

I love horses. Just yesterday on my walk with Hali, the horses from the neighboring farm visited us at the fence line. Hali loves horses too. Things I miss in life are those soulful brown eyes. The smell of horse. The connection sometimes they allow us to feel with them. Now, I haven’t had a horse in my life for many years. Where I live and my traveling lifestyle isn’t conducive to horses, but that hasn’t dimmed my adoration of these magnificent animals. I watch and cry my way through horse movies. Read books and enjoy when an author includes them. You see, I grew up with horsey books.
I don’t remember when my fascination began, but I do recall the early years of reading everything I could get my hands on. If you follow me, you may have noticed when I went to Assateague Island National Park last year to see the wild ponies. It was a dream come true.
Nature’s music filled Jordan, and happiness bubbled in her chest. “I’d like to come back here when the leaves are out.”
Michael reined his horse, Jack, up next to her. “Something for us to look forward to.”
“I remember my grandpa’s barn. The smell of horses.” She patted Rose’s neck. “He taught me to ride when I was a young girl.”
“Your grandpa?” Michael blinked, opened his mouth, then shut it.
Her heart ached at his pained expression. “Like I told Olivia, I had a family.”
He scratched his forehead. “I just don’t know what’s taboo and what we can talk about.”
“I’m sorry.” Jordan sighed and pulled the mare to a halt. Bands of regret tightened around her chest. “I’ve made this so hard for you.”
And
The eggs sizzled in the pan, and Michael stirred them around, then pushed down the toaster button. When everything was finished, he sat back at the table eating while watching the dogs running the fence line in the early dawn. The two horses grazed in the field behind them—a peaceful scene. Dear God, when did his life get so complicated?
I enjoy including things I love into the books. Several of my dogs have made it into the Agent Carters. Fred and Sadie found their way into Rainbow Sprinkles.
Life and art including writing come from withing us. The things we see, hear, or experience. Oh, I included this little video I made. And if you’re interested in the horse from the vid, here’s the website https://pointofviewgifts.com/
Don’t forget to signup for my newsletter for exclusive and first peeks at https://mailchi.mp/1172dfb299fb/d-v-stones-around-the-fire
See you next time. Remember
"There's something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill
​ #wsite-video-container-794757711729382311{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/81573318-373... } #video-iframe-794757711729382311{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-794757711729382311, #video-iframe-794757711729382311{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-794757711729382311{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } }

Does art imitate life? Why, yes it does. A series of fortunate events.

Hi everyone. If you joined me on March 17th, I talked about "inspirational" Now, I want to move on to inspiration.

Nounan inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.something inspired, as an idea.a result of inspired activity.a thing or person that inspires.As an author, so many things can inspire me. Make the proverbial light bulb go off. Ask the question, what if. So, if Rock House Grill can be inspirational, what is inspired the thought. I've been doing a series on Social Media about life and art intersecting #authorlife. Posting videos of "Easter Eggs" planted in Agent Carter, insider information in Rock House Grill. Where do my ideas come from? There's a meme I've seen... Some of you may remember the television show “Dragnet” and its disclaimer “Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.” In many of my stories, that is true. My family often glares at me when some antic ends up in my book. Well, one of my favorite scenes from Rock House Grill is between the main character Aden House and his health aid John. Here’s the snippet

After changing into boxers and a clean T-shirt, Aden sat on the side of the bed, staring down at his legs. He picked up the grabber tool and hurled it across the room. What if he never recovered? Could he live with being broken? Would he ever have a normal relationship again?

“Do you need anything?” John, the rehab aide, popped his head in the door. “Can you get your legs on the bed?”

“I’ll be fine.” The man flinched at his sharpness. Aden took a deep breath. “Sorry, thank you.”

“I know it’s frustrating.” John came in, picked up the grabber and leaned against the wall. “It might help to talk to someone.”

“I’ve already talked.” He grabbed one leg, then the other, lifting them on to the bed. “See, it’s all good.”

John didn’t back off, though. “So, you’ve talked to someone. What did they say?”

Aden leaned back, put his arms behind the pillow, and stared at the ceiling tiles. “I would experience anger, frustration, insecurity—blah, blah, blah.”

“And what were you experiencing when I heard you throwing things and stuck my head in?”

Aden closed his eyes. “All of it.”

When he opened his eyes, John stood at his bedside. “You’re still the man you were. It’s a rough patch. You’ve hit rough patches before?”

“Not really.”

“Welcome then to the other 90% of humanity.” John stooped down, so he and Aden were eye level. Laugh lines and slight graying at the temples were the only indications he was older than Aden. “Circumstances change us. We can either curse them, and let them control us, or allow whatever happens to make us better.”

“I get it.”

No, I don’t think you do.” John paused a moment, grabbed a chair, and straddled it. “I have this friend. He’s a runner...

John happens to be based on my good friend Andy. Now the story is different, but its heart is the same. Andy is a runner, you see. He went to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Just before the last stage before becoming an Olympian, Andy got bronchitis. He missed his chance, but he moved on with life. Was he disappointed? You bet. Angry? What do you think? We all suffer disappointments. Trials. Our body betrays us. Loved ones let us down. But my favorite quote from this section is, “Circumstances change us. We can either curse them, and let them control us, or allow whatever happens to make us better.”

I try to live my life like this. Never give control of your emotions to flawed systems or human beings. I’ll be a bit vulnerable here. I’m a divorced person (remarried and very happy now) with one son. It’s wasn’t a pretty split. Every time the ex’s name came up, I ran the gamut of emotions. Anger, frustration, sadness, you get it. The ex was living rent-free in my emotions and mind. But one day, while out to lunch with my son, he mentioned his father and the troubling circumstances he’d gotten himself into. Rage rose up. But divine intervention happened. “Let’s pray for your dad,” I said. Funny thing, when you pray for someone, it’s hard to hold on to those negative feelings. It put control back in my own hands and heart. Yes, it would happen again. But instead of letting bitterness move back in, I lifted it to God. 
Several things followed this situation. The most important was my relationship with my son. I never spoke badly of his father. I think that’s an important thing. Before my son’s wedding, he called to say he wanted to invite his father to the ceremony. Would I be okay with that? If I let bitterness have its way with me, my answer could have been much different. The wedding could have been a disaster. Instead, we were cordial, and everything was beautiful on my son and his lovely bride’s special day.
​
Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. NLT Hebrews 12:15 

What or who is stealing your joy? How do you get past hurts and situations? If you want to share in the comments, great. Or send me an email if you’d rather it be private.d.v.stone.wordsmith@gmail.com

Thanks for bearing with me, and if you want to see my goofy videos follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. I’ve added the one about today’s blog below. 
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Around The Fire discusses What does "inspirational" mean? Maybe not what you are thinking.

booksweeps.com/giveaway/march-2022/inspy-romances/… Before joining this giveaway I did a great deal of thinking. I don't want to mislead others. So I looked into "Inspirational" when the opportunity to join this group arose. 
I don't write "religious" but one of the often words in reviews and talking to readers about my books is they are "inspiring" so why not? Whether it's Aden overcoming his accident. Or Shay stepping out of her comfort zone to reach for her dream. I'll be doing another group contest in a few weeks with Rainbow Sprinkles. Why? Gloriana and Nathan are both inspiring. They take a chance on life and love after so much pain. 

What does "inspirational" mean?
So many things can be Inspirational. Here the definition.
in·​spi·​ra·​tion | \ ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən  , -(ˌ)spi- \
Definition of inspiration
1: an inspiring agent or influence
2a: the quality or state of being inspired
b: something that is inspired
a scheme that was pure inspiration
3: the act of drawing in
specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs
4a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation
b: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions
c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for inspirational
inducing, inspiring, motivating, motivational, motivative
charged, edgy, exciting, inciting, instigating, instigative, piquing, provocative, provoking, stimulating
affecting, emotional, impactful, impressive, moving, poignant, stirring, touching
activating, energizing, galvanizing, quickening, vitalizing
explosive, fiery, incendiary, inflammatory, triggering.

Things and people can be an inspiration. Here's a few ideas...Read a book (you had to know that was coming LOL)Take a walk.Volunteer- Here's a D.V. tidbit. I've been involved in "mission" work. Helping people, you know. But guess what? More often I'm the one blessed and ministered to than those I've gone to serve. Missions? Sure, collect things for shelters-human and animal. Volunteer in a food pantry. Look around your community, see and ask. Where can I make a difference?Take a classVisit somewhere you've never been. I do that a lot. You don't have to travel. There are treasures in your own back yard.Go to a park. Sit on the bench. Listen to the birds. Take a minute without your phone and breathe.I spent some years volunteering in a Nursing Home. Some of those folks have the most amazing life stories.Stare into a campfire, fireplace, or sunset. Don't just see the main colors but look closely. There enjoy the variety of hues.
And here are some "inspirational" quotes for youThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. ~Helen KellerKeep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you. ~Walt WhitmanI can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.~Jimmy DeanDo your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. ~Desmond TutuStart by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ~Francis of Assisi
Well, it is St. Patrick's day so may the luck of the Irish be with you.

​
#Giveaways #bookalert #inspirational #read #book #bookstagram #thursdayvibes #ThursdayThoughts #amreading #wrpbks

Around The Fire brings you the series you've been looking for by Marilyn Barr.

One of the nice things about having your own blog is the ability to help a friend out. So many of us live far a field that it's nearly impossible to get everyone in the same room at the same time. Enter Zoom or as me and my cohorts call our little get togethers, Zoom Zoom. Through this bit of modern technology Marilyn Barr and I have gotten to know each other. Bonus- she's a camper too! Exciting, right? Well my friend is an amazing author and she has a new line of books coming out. It's a steamy paranormal romance with not just vampires-but Pirate Vampires! Here's what you need to know about her pre release and the gorgeous covers.  Walk the Walk by Marilyn Barr now available for pre-order

Walk the Plank
Branko learns he will be sold into slavery when they dock in Charles Town, so he doesn’t hesitate to jump ship onto a neighboring sloop in the harbor. This boat will weigh anchor with him at the helm–once he decides what to do with the lady chained in the cargo hold who claims she’s a vampire.

Magda Dashkovari’s body has been given to science while she’s still living in it. Her prayers are answered when a pirate boards her boat, but she should have asked for her rescuer to be less bloodthirsty than she is…

Scientists hunt her in town, plantation owners hunt him from the north and south, Blackbeard blocks Charles Town Harbor to the east, and a war rages between settlers and natives to the west. These unlikely allies will have to link together to escape a life in chains…but will their trust in each other endure their journey to freedom?

Walk the Deck
Branko has created a monster. Magda grows more aggressive by the day as she reclaims her inner identity. He would be proud of her if she didn’t risk her life at every turn. With each ship they take over, she’s first over the rail…taking his heart with her…

Magda loves life on the high seas and wants to claim the treasure only piracy can bring. Why does Branko want to settle on an island when he could have riches beyond his imagination? When evidence of a treasure galleon schedule turns legend into fact, Magda divides the crew into those members who wish to chase it and those who wish to settle…with Branko.

When Branko pushes his agenda, Magda must face her greatest fear or risk losing him forever. Will their opposing visions for their future tear their tenuous partnership apart, or will they find their love is worth more than gold?

Walk the Night
Magda’s second chance at marriage promises to be a dream come true—if she survives her mysterious nightmare illness. She has been married for a week and is desperate for a much longer happily ever after.

Branko would trade places with Magda in a heartbeat, but the sickness plaguing Nassau prefers European hosts and spares the natives of the Caribbean. While he believes Mother Nature is punishing those who destroy her beautiful islands, he refuses to accept that Magda deserves to be on the list for retaliation.

The civilized world hasn’t a cure for Magda, but Branko will try anything to save her—including reuniting with a ghost from his past. He requests the help of a Hoodoo priestess but magic always comes with a price… She’s asking for Leaf, the young wildcrafter and ship’s cook, in exchange. Will Captain Branko repeat the betrayal of Blackbeard and sell a deckhand for treatment, or say goodbye to the love of his life?Walk the Walk Amazon will be available on KU after release dates.Book 1: Walk the Plank - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TYHPKPC/Book 2: Walk the Deck - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TYM1MCW/Book 3: Walk the Night - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TYJ49Q9/

​Marilyn’s Social Media Links:
website 
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon author profile
Goodreads
BookBub

 
About the Author:
Marilyn Barr currently resides in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and rescue cats. She has a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, published microbiologist, special education/inclusion science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant, certified spiritual/energy healer, and advocate for the autistic community. This puts her in the position to bring tales containing heroes who are regular people with different ability levels and body types, in a light where they are powerful, lovable, and appreciated. 
 
When engaging with the real world, she is collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. She is a sucker (haha) for cheesy horror movies, Italian food, punk music, black cats, bad puns, and all things witchy.
(She is also VERY funny. D.V.)
 
And if you want to see a fabulous Book Trailer by Purple Rose Videos​ @ www.kristalharris.com/teaser-trailers #wsite-video-container-863041219222501425{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/81573318-373... } #video-iframe-863041219222501425{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-863041219222501425, #video-iframe-863041219222501425{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-863041219222501425{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } }