Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 19
December 21, 2020
Dangerous Child
I found this old poetry book in my things and thought I’d share.
©RuthAnneHeimerman 2004 (maiden name) published on poetry.com
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Dangerous child be not afraid
For your future is ahead
Don’t cry for yourself
Cry for those you hurt
.
Your brother is in the hospital
And all you can do is stare
Why didn’t you think before exploded?
Be not afraid for you will be saved
.
Dangerous child you are lost
Don’t become the distant mind
Fight hard before you wander off
If you hold dear, you will be free
Blogmas Day 21: End of the Year Book Tag
This year I’m participating in the #Endoftheyearbooktag created by Ariel Bisset over on YouTube. Check out her channel and see what she’s up to this year.
I hope you follow along and do the tag as well. 
December 20, 2020
Brightness
©RuthAnneGarcia Bleeding Orchid Poetry Collection
FREE with Kindle Unlimited or $2.99
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I never saw the dark
I never saw the end
Yet, here I stand to bark
The words around the bend
.
I never saw the curve
I never saw true wind
Yet, here I am ready to swerve
Where the words are sinned
.
A light is up, up too high
A corner lit is too sunny
My weary head is dry
Yet, my faith is sweet as honey
.
The taste of freedom is near
A future I can finally see clear
A touch of happiness I don’t fear
All my problems in the rear
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Blogmas Day 20: Holiday Recipes from Nora Roberts
As some of you know, Nora Roberts is my favorite romance author. I picked up a copy of her book, Christmas With You last year. It has both Gabriel’s Angel and Home For Christmas in them. In the beginning, there are a few recipes detailed and I wanted to share them with you.
If you’d like the little stories for the recipes, you’ll have to pick up a copy of her book. I only posted the recipes here as to not completely copyright it all. Go read her book and get a glimpse of the recipes.
POP’S PANCAKES ©NoraRoberts
6 eggs, beaten
1 can evaporated milk
¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 ½ cups regular milk (1 cup for waffles)
3 cups flour
6 tbsp baking powder
Combine ingredients in the order listed. Mix well. Let stand for 10 minutes to rise. For pancakes, spoon batter onto hot griddle. Be patient–don’t flip until bubbles appear. Enjoy!
PLAIN OR PAINTED HOLIDAY COOKIES ©NoraRoberts
¾ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Optional: colored sugar or sprinkles, small paintbrush, evaporated milk, food coloring
Mix shortening and sugar in a bowl. Add vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill one hour. Preheat oven at 400°. Roll out dough to 1/8 thick”. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle if you wish. Bake for 6-7 minutes.
(Go to her book to see the cute writing of how she describes how to make these. It’s wholesome and adorable).
OLD-FASHIONED BREAD PUDDING ©NoraRoberts
6 to 8 slices bread, torn into pieces
3 to 4 eggs, lightly beaten
¼ cup margarine, melted
¼ to 3 ½ cups milk
About ¼ cup raisins (it’s up to you)
Cinnamon to taste (I like a lot myself, maybe 3 tbsp or so. I really don’t measure—I go by how it looks.)
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix all ingredients, gently but thoroughly, in a casserole dish. Pop it into the oven for 1 hour. Can be eaten warm or cold.
I can’t speak for the first two recipes, but I did make the bread pudding last year, and it was delicious. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of her book. The stories are amazing to read during the holidays.
December 19, 2020
Blogmas Day 19: Top Authors of 2020
Similarly to my top ten books of 2020, I decided to create a list of authors that I’m giving the spotlight to this year. I may not have necessarily read their books this year, but I’ve seen what has been published and what kind of reactions they’ve gotten.
I have read these authors and I’m really looking forward to what they come up with next.
10. Mia Knight
Mia Knight is the author of the Crime Lord Series and Singed Series. She writes dark, contemporary romances that will make you question your beliefs and leave you feeling drained and emotionally bereft. If you like your men dark with questionable morals and a possessive edge, you may have come to the right place.
When Mia isn’t writing, she’s exploring. She prefers traveling by car or train, but will take boats or planes when there’s no other choice. She loves coffee, fast food, daydreaming, and the sound of rain storms. She is constantly shadowed by her dogs who don’t judge her when she laughs and cries with the voices in her head. Mia’s also a notorious hermit so please be patient if she doesn’t get back to you promptly on social media.
You can follow her here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miaknightbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormiakn…
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mia-k…
Twitter: http://twitter.com/authormiaknight
9. Jules Bernard
Jules Barnard is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic fantasy. Her contemporary series include the Never Date series and the Cade Brothers. She writes romantic fantasy under the same pen name in the Halven Rising series LIBRARY JOURNAL calls “…an exciting new fantasy adventure.” Whether she’s writing about sexy men in Lake Tahoe or a Fae world embedded in a college campus, Jules spins addictive stories filled with heart and humor.
When Jules isn’t in her sweatpants writing and rewarding herself with chocolate, she spends her time with her husband and two children in their hometown on the Pacific Northwest. She credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.
Join Jules’s Facebook Fan Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/66563…
8. Lexi Timms
Lexy Timms is a mom, business woman, dreamer and writer. She finally decided to write her first romance novel and Saving Forever is her debut story.
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/SavingForever
7. Eve Gaddy
Eve Gaddy is the award winning, national bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels and novellas.
Eve is a member of Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll for Bestselling authors. Her books have won and been nominated for awards from Romantic Times, Golden Quill, Bookseller’s Best, Holt Medallion, Texas Gold, Daphne Du Maurier and more. She was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Innovative Series romance as well as winning the 2008 Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Series Storyteller of the year. Eve’s books have sold over a million copies worldwide and been published in many foreign countries.
Eve’s writing career began when she was in search of the perfect job and a friend challenged her to write a novel. Naturally, she thought of romance, since that is one of her favorite things to read.
Eve loves her family, spring and fall in east Texas, the Colorado mountains, dogs, chocolate, books, and electronics. She enjoys cooking except when she is creating, and has been known to tell her husband that is what takeout was created for.
Eve also loves a happy ending. That’s why she writes romance.
6. Kate Alexander
Kate grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. While attending school she was actively involved and published with the literary magazine. She also participated in writing competitions and workshops for young adults. After college she stayed in Cincinnati and chased her passion of helping others with her work in social services and volunteering in the community.
Shortly after marrying her husband, Tom, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she again found a love for reading and writing romance books. When she isn’t writing new stories she can be found out with her husband taking in a movie, playing mini golf, shopping or cuddling with their dog Sally.
5. Lea Coll
Lea Coll worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.
She currently resides in Maryland with her family.
For new releases, sneak peaks, and updates check out my website and sign up for my newsletter.
Website: https://www.leacoll.com
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor…
Join my VIP group: http://bit.ly/LeasReadersGroup
And follow me everywhere else:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/LeaColl
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/LeaCollBookbub
Instagram: http://bit.ly/LeaCollIstagram
Twitter: http://bit.ly/LeaCollTwitter
Bloggers sign up here for my Master List: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1onfs…
4. Dawn Hosmer
I am a lifelong resident of Ohio. My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 18 years and we have 4 children, although 3 of them are now adults. I have spent my career in social work and have a passion for helping others. I was diagnosed with Crohns disease 15 years ago which has been both a blessing and a curse. My illness has prevented me from continuing to work (the curse) which allows me to pursue my passion for writing with many less time-restrictions and focus my energy on being a wife and mother (the blessing).
My writing is often sparked by a true story which creates a cast of fictional characters/situations in my mind. In addition, I sprinkle pieces of people’s true -life stories they’ve shared with me throughout the years into my fiction as a way to honor many of the tragedies and joys that people live through.
In addition to God, my family and writing, I love coffee, traveling, reading, HGTV and naps. I believe that a story lives in all of us and that it’s important to share ours with others, never knowing who will benefit from what each of us has to say. Sharing our stories not only helps others, it changes us as well.
Websitehttps://www.dawnhosmer.com/
3. Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown and coming in November 2020 — The Awakening — the first book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
Websitehttp://www.noraroberts.com/
2. Erika Wilde
Erika Wilde (aka Janelle Denison) is the USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances for multiple print publishers.
Websitehttp://www.erikawilde.com/
Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sweet, sexy and witty. Her heroines are strong and smart and her heroes have hearts of gold and fantastic funny bones. She’d love to give you a free book today! Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.com/one-free-book/
Connect with Lauren here
➜ WEBSITE: laurenblakely.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: laurenblakely.com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks/
➜ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblake…
➜ TWITTER: www.twitter.com/laurenblakely3
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December 18, 2020
Blogmas Day 18: Festive Playlist
I am a huge lover of music in all its forms. I love classical, pop, rock, and even the annoying songs that are in the grocery stores on repeat. I thought I’d share a few playlists that I really enjoy listening to during the holiday season.
Pentatonix
Old Classics
Cozy Coffeeshop
Christmas Croons
Michael Bublé
Best Pop Christmas
New one
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Tell me, what are your favorite Christmas playlists?
December 17, 2020
Book Review: Boyfriend for Hire by Kendall Ryan
I’m the guy you call when you need to impress your overbearing family, your boss, or your ex. Yeah, I’m a male escort, but not just any escort, I’m the escort. The one with a mile-long waiting list and a pristine reputation that’s very well-deserved.
I’m the guy who’ll make you feel beautiful, desired, and worshipped… all for a steep price. I’m hired to make you shine, and I always deliver.
I’ll be whatever you want me to be for one night — except my true self. This is just a job, a role I play to earn a paycheck.
But I’m not the guy who falls for a client. Not once in six years.
And then I meet Elle. Her friend has hired me to escort her to a wedding, but Elle doesn’t know we’re just pretending.
There’s a fire between us I never expected. A connection I haven’t felt in so long. One kiss, and I’m losing all control.
But what will happen when she finds out who I really am?
My Thoughts
If you’re in for a cat chasing mouse or slow burn romance novels often have, this book might be for you. Half of this book contains a lot of set up, flirtatious banter, in your head conflicting emotions, and very little events happening outside of the wedding the escort was hired for.
Nic was hired to escort Elle to a wedding by her best friend due to her being dumped by her boyfriend. The unsuspecting Elle has no idea he’s an escort. Therefore, she thinks he’s really into her. Nic, the escort, seems to develop “real” feelings for the “first time in years” for Elle.
I will say that I do like the slow-burn in romances, but I found this lacking in keeping my attention. The banter wasn’t nearly as sexy or engaging, there wasn’t very much happening, and despite the cute dinners, it was a bit dull for me. The characters had some qualities that I found intriguing but the writing didn’t expand on them and left me disappointed.
When she finds out about his job, it seems that the new budding relationship skips quite a few steps into him not being able to live without her and that just screams unhealthy and creepy to me. If the first half has you hanging on, keep reading to find out what happens. But, I think you can guess based on the genre.
Overall, I’d give this a 3 star, but I really didn’t enjoy it all that much. I enjoy Kendall Ryan’s books, but this one just didn’t hit the bar for me.
Book Review: Our Shadow Selves by J.M. Mills
Locked in emotions our minds can dream, remember, construct or believe. Existing in reality or imagination this poetry collection thrives on visions from the soul.
Escapism at its best, wondering in and out of illusion and truth, everyone has something to connect to, remember or dream of.
Fantasy, love, loss and hope. Dreaming in the shadows of our mind, remembering the darkness and hoping in the sun. Each poem succinct in its fortitude to digress into the deepest corners of our minds.
Our Shadow Selves is truth and fiction. The fact is it does not matter except that it exists and can fade or come to pass.
Determine your own path, take with you what you need and learn from what has helped you grow.
My Thoughts:
Broken into five sections, Mills’ collection of poetry weaves you through fiction and reality. Moments of clarity, struggle, resiliency, and overcoming. Emotional snapshots into moments in time bring about the feelings we often don’t focus too closely on. Poems like Broken Pieces, No Home, and Insanity, for example, can be the picture of confusion and darkness. The opposite of poems such as Selfless, Friendship, and Picture This bring about a different set of emotions.
In the rest of the collection, emotions rose in me in poems like Forgotten, Gracious, Into the Flames, Misfortune, A Love Letter, Bright Spark, and Connection.
Mills poetry evokes those emotions in many others and while I read these poems in a few days, I will take my time to re-read these overtime again to get the full effect. Mills has a gift and I for one am glad to have her book on my shelf.
Book Review: 7 Days in Hell by Iseult Murphy
Nestled between counties Limerick and Cork in Southern Ireland, something evil lurks in the place of High Death.
When Vicky’s boss offers her a free vacation in a self-catering cottage over Halloween break, she jumps at the chance to spend quality time with her twin sister, Irene, and Irene’s miniature schnauzer, Ronnie.
The village of Basard may boast Ireland’s longest running Halloween celebration, and one of the country’s best preserved standing stone circles, but Vicky finds the place rather dead. What’s more, she can’t sleep for the nightly roars of a distant crowd.
Will the twins survive this Halloween vacation to wake the dead, when their 7 days in paradise turns into 7 Days in Hell?
My Thoughts:
Murphy never disappoints to deliver engaging stories, fun characters, and a creepy storyline.
Irene and Vicky wanted a holiday to get away from their lives and go to a small town with its quirks. Things start off well but halfway through, I was getting anxious with each page I turned. The characters, setting, and plot were on point. I really enjoyed the little dog, Ronnie. The town was pretty awesome and made me want to visit a town like that on a real holiday (not in this situation, lol).
I love the page-turning adrenaline that I get from reading Murphy’s book. I’m looking forward to reading the next book 7 weeks in hell in 2021.
Blogmas Day 17: Top 10 Books of 2020
Out of all the books I’ve read this year, I’ve created a top 10 list. I’m a romance writer, so I love romance books. However, I read a ton of other genres too. Horror, suspense, crime fiction and more. I love to be sucked into an adventure and to be carried away from the real world.
So, join me in listing the Top ten books of this year.
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10. Zoo of the Dead by Iseult Murphy
Ever wondered what it would be like to see a loved one in a zoo exhibit? How about where Death takes his girlfriend on their dates, or what kind of client a zombie private detective might have? Well, wonder no more! ‘Zoo of the Dead and other horrific tales’ compiles six of Iseult Murphy’s horror shorts for the first time in one collection, together with three brand new toe curling tales.
Iseult Murphy will turn your world upside down. Nothing is ever as it seems in her tales of everyday life. A dreadful delight! – Stella Night, author of The Call of Her Wolf
ZOO OF THE DEAD is a totally convincing world where Zombies and Werewolves are captured and used for entertainment – David Rae, author
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9. Her Eyes Underwater by Ramona Simon
People have been disappearing in the vast and pristine wilderness of 1970s Montana. One evening, restless university student Julia Strauss meets the captivating Alex Bowman and finds him irresistible. He is handsome, polite, and mysterious. If someone seems too good to be true …
This is a romantic suspense novel inspired by true events. The hero is Mr. Perfect when he is with the heroine. However, this cultivated persona melts away to reveal something frightening and unforgiving when they’re apart. Will Julia be able to see beyond the haze of her infatuation before it’s too late?
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8. A Taste of Sweetness by Kate Alexander
Zoey needed to make changes to her life. She left her controlling ex-boyfriend and an unexceptional job in Lexington and took a chance for new start. Moving Blossom Hills was the perfect way to her new life. She would be closer to her best friend, and fulfill her dream to open a bakery. She arrived in town full of hope and optimism for her future. What Zoey did not expect was to find such great new friends, immediate success for her bakery and even love in this new charming small town.
Tyler moved back home from Philadelphia after realizing he was on a self-destructive path and needed to rethink his priorities. He wanted to reconnect with his family and friends, and start his own business in software development. He wasn’t looking for love, but he also didn’t expect to be charmed by the intriguing girl who broke into his apartment and fell asleep on his couch.
Tyler and Zoey started building a loving and trusting relationship, but strange things began to happen to Zoey and her bakery. Would Zoey’s past prevent them from having the future they dream about?
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7. Burn for Me by Lea Coll
I will fight for this promotion.
I want it. I deserve it. I’m determined to get it.
Nothing is going to get in my way,
Not even the sexy, charming, irresistible Logan Gray.
We used to argue on opposite sides of the courtroom.
Now, we’re in the same firm, on the same side,
Vying for the same promotion.
Like always, only one of us can win.
Attorneys are stubborn and fight for what they want,
And I want Logan.
I’m playing with fire, getting too close to the flame.
God help me, I want him to burn for me.
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6. Somewhere in Between by Dawn Hosmer
My name is Mackenzie Bartholomew, or at least it was. I’m staring at my dead body, lying in a casket. I was a healthy, thirty-nine-year-old, mother of three.
I have so many questions but very few answers.
Was I murdered? Did I commit suicide? I don’t know if I’m in some sort of purgatory or if I’ve gone straight to hell.
I’m stuck somewhere in between life and death, forced to travel back in time to relive moments from my past, ones I’d rather forget. I’m desperate to piece together the details surrounding my death. If I don’t, I fear my soul will never find rest.
Chock full of family drama, secrets, betrayal, and lies, Somewhere in Between is a Psychological Thriller with wicked twists that will keep you hooked until the last page.
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5. Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts
Little else in life is as dangerous as fire jumping. Flying past towering pillars of smoke, parachuting down to the edge of an all-consuming blaze, shoveling and sawing for hours upon hours, days at a time, all to hold the line and push back against the raw power of Mother Nature.
But there’s also little else as thrilling – at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are one of the most exclusive fire-fighting squads in the nation, and the job is in Rowan’s blood: her father is a legend in the field. She’s been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home – even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering in the air.
Fortunately, this year’s rookie crop is among the strongest ever – and Gulliver Curry’s one of the best. He’s also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kid’s arcade. He came to Missoula to follow in the footsteps of Lucas “Iron Man” Tripp, yet he’s instantly more fascinated by his hero’s daughter. Rowan, as a rule, doesn’t hook up with other smoke jumpers, but Gull is convinced he can change her mind. And damn if he doesn’t make a good case to be an exception to the rule.
Everything is thrown off balance, though, when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year’s tragedy. Rowan knows she can’t complicate things with Gull – any distractions in the air or on the ground could be lethal. But if she doesn’t find someone she can lean on when the heat gets intense, her life may go down in flames.
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4. The Lonestar Lawman by Justine Davis
He never lets anything get to him. Except her.
Police Chief Shane Highwater has the respect of the entire town of Last Stand, Texas, and they all believe he was blameless when an accident several months ago ended one life and tore apart another. All except reporter Liliana Jones, who blames him for her fiancé’s death.
There’s more to the story than she knows, secrets that might change her mind. Secrets Shane can’t tell her. But oh, does he want to, because Lily Jones is the first woman he’s been undeniably drawn to in a very long time.
When a tragedy in town throws them together, Lily is forced to admit Shane is everything everyone said he was and ignoring the growing attraction is near impossible, and she’s no longer sure she wants to. Has her change of heart come too late?
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3. NSFW by Piper Lawson
Being bad never felt so good…
Everything in my office is off-limits. Making a charity calendar of the hot guys on your floor? Not allowed.
Shrinking your boss’ underwear when he sends it for dry-cleaning? Can’t do that either.
But those things keep the natural balance. See, Avery Banks, our resident rising star, is a shark.
The tall, blond, and gorgeous kind with zero patience and even less forgiveness.
Good thing I’m the Mae West of executive assistants. I live to put grown men in their place.
He wasn’t supposed to find out.
Now he’s made it his personal mission to screw me the way I screwed him.
OK. Not exactly the way I screwed him..
Avery’s new game is hot. Messy. Twisted.
But he’s my boss. And what we’re doing is strictly NSFW.
Luckily, Avery and I have one thing in common.
We both suck at following the rules.
NSFW is a fresh, modern twist on office romance from bestselling author Piper Lawson.
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2. Swipe Right for a Cowboy
They’re wrong for each other, but nothing has ever felt so right
Uptown girl Emmaline Claiborne needs a man, and not just any man. She needs the kind of man who can make her lying, cheating, no-good ex-boyfriend insane with jealousy. The same ex-boyfriend who is now engaged to her sister, and whose extravagant wedding she must suffer through in just three weeks’ time.
She selects the perfect candidate through an online dating app, but instead of the smooth, sophisticated software magnate she expects, a rugged cowboy shows up instead. He’s the complete opposite of everything Emma is looking for. In fact, he’s exactly the kind of man she swore to her Texas ranching family she would never fall for.
Which makes Cort Channing kinda perfect. Only before the weekend is over, Emma finds herself wishing she could keep her fake boyfriend, spurs, chaps, and all. Can this committed city girl take the biggest chance of her life, and swipe right for a cowboy?
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1. Bitter Heat by Mia Knight
She was the wood. He was the flame. After this, they would be ash.
A cruel twist of fate leaves Jasmine Hennessy stranded in a remote cabin with her worst nightmare—her ex-husband, James Roth, who she hasn’t seen in five years. He isn’t acting like the man she married, but did she ever really know him?
One night together kicks off a series of events that threatens her freedom as Roth seeks vengeance on those who ruined him seven years ago. He’s determined to bring her back into the world she left behind where money is king, reputation is everything, and people will kill to keep their secrets.
Author’s Note: This is a dark romance novel with triggers and mature themes that may make some readers uncomfortable.
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What is your top 10?
