Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 7

A Little Bit Irish

Thanks to Ancestry.com/DNA I have discovered some Irish in me. As I do more discovery using them and FamilySearch.com it looks like some of my Scottish ancestors decided to move to Ireland. Needless to say, my 'family' can trace our roots way back.

I wish I had known there was some Irish in me when growing up. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with green beer would have meant more!

Have a great day and enjoy the rest of the week. Although weather is showing some people that Spring is far away, I will cross my fingers that it arrives soon everywhere.

Nancy Lee Badger

Spring Ahead Equals Lose an Hour...maybe

In many areas across America, time zones keep up with the movement of the sun with what we call Daylight Savings Time which this year ends at 2 a.m. on March 12. Some people harp on the thought of losing an hour of sleep every spring. (Hey! We gain an extra hour in the fall.) 

How interesting that some places, such as the islands of Hawaii, do not reset their clocks. Ever. Come to think of it, Arizona does not go along with this idea either. I heard some other states as well as the Government of the United States is considering doing away with Daylight Savings. You might not know, but I remember that our country tried to eliminate it many decades ago. All too soon, parents complained about kids waiting for the bus in pitch darkness. Didn't last.

What will losing an hour of sleep do for me? Nothing. I am retired. I get up too early and sometimes have no idea what DAY it is, let alone the hour. I have so many projects and a ton of medical appointments (for me and many family members) so I set alarms for the important items and fill my day with projects. Getting back to writing books can take its toll, but I enjoy it almost as much as reading books.

My next book The Rogues Ring will be released on May 12th. Two months away from now sounds like a long time, but then I look at a calendar I wonder how am I going to get it all done?

Calming down, I remember my 10 steps for writing and publishing in 2023 and continue the work needed to have a great book release. I have plans for Amazon gift card giveaways, so make sure you hear about all the plans by receiving my newsletter. You can sign-up HERE. 

Nancy Lee Badger

p.s. don't forget to reset your clocks!

Writing in Retirement is a Great Life

I was happy as a 911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher back in New Hampshire, but the chance to move to the south had its reasons such as:

*no more shoveling snow

*move closer to relatives

*no more working 10 hour shifts starting at 6 a.m.

*no more worrying how to pay the taxes and flood insurance

*no more driving through ice and snow

It helped that I had started writing romance novels with hopes of being published. My husband found out that he could transfer from his New Hampshire company to its Raleigh affiliate. We agreed I would do nothing but write. I was off and running!

My first book, Secret Love Match, was soon purchased by a small publisher and released months later in June 2010. What was lucky, was that I sold another story titled Dragon's Curse to a second small publisher. They also published my book in June 2010. Actually, on the same day! Dragons Curse is still available.

48 or so books later, I have survived several ups and downs such as the pandemic and recent cataract surgeries that kept me from reading or writing until now. Then, a family member got Covid (no the pandemic is NOT over). Caring for her through her hospitalizations and then rehab took up some time, but this is what good families do.

I will release my next book on May 12, 2023 and am currently creating a cover that will intrigue and get noticed by readers. The Rogue's Ring is mainly set in Scotland. I have plans to finish another historical romance also set in Scotland. (Can you see a pattern?) 

Until then, I wish y'all good weather and clean drinking water. And, please do not forget Ukraine. 

March is Marching Closer

Here in Raleigh, NC the weather has improved, but much of the northern Midwest and New England is suffering through the aftermath of ice and snow. Is there anything more inconsistent than the weather?

My phone, the television, and the radio keep me up-to-date but the real hint of spring is felt the moment I walk outside. (At this writing, our doors are open and the birds are singing, while the squirrels are chasing each other.)

For me, just a few weeks after cataract surgery, I am getting back into writing. On Wednesday last I finished editing and formatting my next book, The Rogue's Ring. It is the third full-length book in my Treasure Tales series and follows The Earl's Treasure and The Duke's Diamond. Here is the plot in a nutshell (yep, still thinking about those darn squirrels.)

Heading out on his horse, Ghost, into the snowy Highlands of Scotland in January 1817 was not sane, but Bryce Ketteridge would never let down his friends. If a duke, an earl, and a former spy felt finding the owners of nobleman’s rings was important, he would do his share. Coming across masked bandits, and shooting one, turned his life on end. What follows was not in his plans. 

The last thing Cat Douglas wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger she meets at a tavern. When he later shoots her while she threatened a nobleman’s coach, she suspected he had no idea it was her. Kidnapped boys, pirate threats, and murder propel them to save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.

My next challenge is creating a book cover that does the story justice AND reminds readers of Books #1 and #2. I have already chosen the couple who will grace the cover, but I still need a background. Should I use an ocean scene? A pirate ship? His horse? The cave she lived in? Lots to decide. Once I have a cover, I will upload the ebook information to Amazon and others, which will give me a chance to let my readers know that the book will be released on May 12th.

I hope you signed up to get my infrequent newsletters because I also will be giving away an Amazon gift card very soon! Signing up is free and I NEVER share your name or emails. Click HERE to sign-up.

While you wait for my new book, make sure to read Books #1 and #2. Each will take you on a fantastic treasure hunt while my three brooding men find love in the Highlands of Scotland.

Find all Buy Links on my Book Page HERE

The Weather Here has Turned Balmy

 

...but reading outside will take a few more days of sunshine. The daffodils are up at my Raleigh, North Carolina home, but they will soon fade away...especially if the nights dip to below 40F.

So, I will continue to work on my manuscripts, think about making book covers, and enjoy the idea of pleasant weather coming my way.

I recently enjoyed a 2 hour meeting of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers (we are the only NC chapter of Romance Writers of America). The meeting was a blast, with four well-spoken authors (Sherri L. Hollister, Donna Steele, Laura Browning, and Linda Tiffin)  sharing tidbits on such things as story Bibles and formatting. Even the snacks were a reward for not staying home and participating on Zoom.

Back to the drawing board I go. My next release will be in May, so watch for the book blurb, chapter peeks, and a contest or two. In the meantime...

THINK SPRING!

...and read books from the authors mentioned above or my Treasure Tales series

Find ALL Buy Links HERE

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Books!

 

Since my cataract surgeries are over and I can see to write again, my cat, Blaze, and I are back to work.  

Sit by the fire, grab a cup of cocoa and a cat (or dog), and read a book!
Such as...
A Regency Historical Romance   
with a Scottish FlairBook #2 ~ Treasure Tales series

The Plot:
Payton is on a quest to return signet rings to blackmailed noblemen. Instead, he walks into his own kidnapping and wakes alone with his kidnapper’s Scottish stepsister. Saving her from despicable plans, as well as his murder, takes a turn during a costume ball. Tara Scott cannot believe her stepbrother kidnapped a nobleman. She saves Payton from the bitter cold and starvation, then is punished by an irate stepbrother. Payton helps her escape. they find themselves on a journey into Scotland filled with ruffians, a Highland bull, wild weather, and a sexual awakening that surprises them both.

Amazon     Amazon UK    Goodreads

Amazon CAN      Amazon AUS   NOOK

My next book, the 3rd in my Treasure Tales series, 

will be released in May. Keep watch!

How About a Little Winter Ebook Sale?

          

Sit by the fire, grab a cup of cocoa and a cat (or dog), and read a book!
A Regency Historical Romance   
with a Scottish Flair Book #2 ~ Treasure Tales series
 This EBOOK is on SALE for $.99 US (Reg. $5.99)  until January 30, 2023

The Plot:
Payton is on a quest to return signet rings to blackmailed noblemen. Instead, he walks into his own kidnapping and wakes alone with his kidnapper’s Scottish stepsister. Saving her from despicable plans, as well as his murder, takes a turn during a costume ball. Tara Scott cannot believe her stepbrother kidnapped a nobleman. She saves Payton from the bitter cold and starvation, then is punished by an irate stepbrother. Payton helps her escape. they find themselves on a journey into Scotland filled with ruffians, a Highland bull, wild weather, and a sexual awakening that surprises them both.

Amazon     Amazon UK    Goodreads

Amazon CAN      Amazon AUS   NOOK

What Friday Means to Me

January is half over and the weather is up and down here in Raleigh, North Carolina. The days are getting longer and the holiday decorations are boxed up and returned to the attic. Family health problems and my own recent eye surgery are keeping me from doing what needs to be done but better days are on the horizon.

I am writing this on a special day to me. You see, I was born on a Friday a LONG, LONG TIME AGO. The saying goes that "Friday's child is loving and giving." Is that true? Maybe so, but I consider myself extra special for having also been born on the 13th of a month that landed on a Friday. 

The odds of being born on Friday the 13th is 1 in 214. This means that over the long years (since the 13th lands on a Friday only once or twice a year) 1 in 214 people will be born on my special day.

So...whenever there is a month where the 13th falls on a Friday, I celebrate!

p.s. the next one is in October 2023

Find all my book links HERE

HAPPY HOGMANAY and Welcome to 2023

The biggest holiday of the year is just a memory, but with the New Year revelry just around the corner, now is the time to look back on another year.
2022 was filled with the continuation of a milder but still scary Covid pandemic. For me, I was busy writing. SANDY was released in May. Clan of Dragons boxed set came out in July. I was a contributor to The TAF Omnibus and Yuletide Kisses Medieval Christmas anthology. All this writing really kept me busy!
Let’s hope 2023 is happier, healthier, and just as productive. Bring on the bright lights, fireworks, and crowds…well, I will continue to keep my distance, but the future looks pretty bright.

After a family dinner on New Year’s Eve, I look forward to a quiet night watching TV here in Raleigh as the North Carolina Acorn drops, with quick channel changes to see how Time Square is doing. Because of my part-Scottish heritage, which is why I write books with Scottish characters, I will celebrate Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) my way. Many of my books are on sale through Mid-January. Check them out HERE and enjoy!

 

 

SALE! SALE! Ebook SALE!

 

After a fire, her injured dad heads to the hospital and hands responsibility for the fire department to her. As acting Fire Chief, Elinor Danville offers the stranded stranger a ride. When she drops him at the Peabody Inn, Ellie explains that Snowflake Valley has no rental cars, taxis, or 5-star hotels Something about this suit-wearing rich guy grates on her nerves, but intrigues her. Unfortunately, her responsibilities include the upcoming Christmas Festival. The lack of snow could ruin everything.

Stuck in Snowflake Valley for several days, Bradley is swept up in the people, their volunteerism, their problems, and commitment to see that the Christmas Festival goes on no matter what. His interest in the town and a pretty firefighter makes Bradley come up with a few ideas of his own. By rescuing Christmas for Elinor and the townspeople, can he make her truly see him, and not the suited businessman only interested in going home?

The Ebook is on sale for a limited time
Reg. $4.99  $.99 (US) at AMAZON