Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 84

Just In Case You've Been Wanting A Print Edition...

It's here early, the print edition of A Healing Love.

It was scheduled for November release, but I got an email saying it was available a few days ago.

So, just in case anyone has been wanting a print copy, here is the data and buy link.

Blurb: Kimberly Rogers vowed to fight a tragic past the only way she knew how: she joined the Army and became strong. No man would hurt her again. But a war wound sends her to her brother's in Cripple Creek, WY, with vision and hearing impairments.

Whereas glasses can help her see and hearing aids can help her hear, nothing can force her to talk again. Is she really unable to speak, or is she hiding behind her disability to protect herself, her pride, and her heart? Regulated to the most menial of jobs, her world in shambles, Kimberly is finally convinced to seek medical assistance.

Carlos Medina is Jackson Hole's best therapist. If anyone can make Kimberly speak again, it's him. But Kimberly has to meet him halfway, and Carlos has his own past tragedy that the young, mute woman threatens to force him to conquer. They both have wounds…and sometimes wounds must be reopened before they can heal. Can they open up to each other? Can Kimberly find her voice again and open her heart? Can love heal them both?

Touched by Fire by Irene N. Watts

I find this well written and engaging. Even though it's aimed at middle-grade readers more than adults, I was sucked into the story. The simplicity of it--in order to appeal to and be understood by younger readers--did not deter me. I simply found it a quick but enjoyable read.

It's about a young girl in Russia, whose family is tired of pogroms. They are Jewish and constantly being punished for being so with high taxes, forced moves, and brutality, such as having their homes burned down.
They dream of going to America, where they will not be persecuted, but the fare is expensive and most families could only go a few people at at a time. From Russia to Germany, we follow this family and the story is told from the POV of the older daughter.
It's a story about hope, dreams, and finally, making the journey. It's about a family divided--the horrid little brother...oooh, I wanted to slap that boy. He needed a spanking.
It's about pinching pennies and worrying and just imagine being fourteen and traveling all alone from Germany to America on a ship full of strangers! With sea-sickness, lewd sailors, catty passengers...
What was new to me was the details about health check ups and turning immigrants away before they even board the ship. That was interesting.
Then we get to New York and learn about the Shirtwaist fire--the conditions the women worked in, the fire escape that doesn't reach street level, the ladders that don't reach the ninth floor, the locked doors that only open inward and permit a person at a time... WOW!
My only quibble is the blurb made it sound like much of the book was about the factory life. It's not. It's only the last quarter.
On another note, I felt the ending was a very unique and creative way to end this tale. I didn't see that coming and I liked it.

My Ever-Growing TBR Pile 9/7/2013

Didn't find a whole lot this week, but here is what caught my eye and why:

Dark Oil by Nora James. I was attracted to the cover and then the women's fiction label caused me to read further. Spotted on Netgalley.

Home isn’t always where the heart is...

When lawyer Lara Beckham is sent to Africa to save her company’s multi-million dollar investment, she’s devastated at leaving her husband behind. But what can she do? She’s needed on the other side of the world, fighting corruption in a country of rolling sand dunes and roaming camels.

On her return, however, it becomes clear that Tim has had plenty of company while she was away. Now, on top of dealing with a complicated legal system, an African coup and a marriage beyond saving, Lara has one more ball to juggle: her effortlessly seductive co-worker, Jack Norton, is joining her on the job...and he oozes trouble.
***
Also spotted on Netgalley..a book that according to the data on there "Sometimes Life Gives You Two Choices: Leave Him or Kill Him. NEW BOOK EMPOWERS WOMEN TO STOP THE CYCLE OF ABUSE."
Well, that right there had me interested. Check it out: How to Knock a Bravebird from Her Perch by D. Bryant Simmons.
After two years of marriage, a gnawing feeling leads Belinda “Pecan” Morrow to suspect that getting married before the conclusion of her senior year in high school and after her father’s sudden death—was a huge mistake. She packs up her few belongings and her baby girl and attempts to leave her husband, Ricky Morrow, the up-and-coming boxing sensation from Mississippi.

When he catches her, she learns that Ricky has no qualms about using his fists outside of the ring.

As the years rolls by, Pecan does her best to protect herself physically and her four girls emotionally from the tornado that is Ricky. Then one day he crosses the line and their marriage comes to a dramatic end.

But leaving Ricky is only the beginning because as she quickly finds out, he doesn’t need to live under the same roof to wreak havoc in her life.


***
On my wishlist. I spotted it during an Amazon, women in aviation search. I'm not spending 9.99 on a brand new author. Will keep my eyes on it though.

Reaching for Polaris by Jean Chardon. Veteran pilot Elizabeth Stewart exposes corporate corruption within a multi-billion-dollar Postal contract. As an informant for the Department of Justice, Elizabeth strives to protect citizens from derelict aviation maintenance practices—and shelter the U.S. Government from egregious billing. She is besieged by company executives, attorneys, federal marshals, and the solitude of protective custody while recovering from a near-fatal gunshot wound—probable retaliation for her filing a federal qui tam complaint, alleging violations pursuant to The False Claim Act.

Woven into this riveting plot is Elizabeth’s involvement with Alex Ward, a fellow pilot and manager, with whom she is determined to develop a meaningful, committed relationship from one borne out of clandestine, sexually charged encounters in airport hotels.

Elizabeth’s bittersweet journey will captivate and inspire readers buoyed by the courage of a strong, intelligent female patriot, an ethical professional “reaching for Polaris.”

***Words Once Spoken by Carly Drake. Firs to of all, this cover just screams STRONG chick. 

The blurb had me convinced it is. I also like that's it YA, which means there shouldn't be any sex. I need a break from that stuff sometimes. *smh*


YA meets high fantasy in this lush series debut about a girl who never quite fit in — and the reason why...

Evelyn might not love the confines of her village life, but she takes her small freedoms where she can get them. But everything changes when her parents decide it’s time for her to wed. Suddenly she loses her tunic and breeches, her bow, her horse, and gains rigid gowns, restrictive manners, and carriage rides.

The best way to escape is through her dreams, but as they become more and more real, Evelyn begins to worry that she is losing her grasp on reality. It is only when she makes two new friends that the truth is revealed: she is destined for far, far more than even she could imagine.

***
Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes. FREE TODAY. Caught my eye because it's about a lady smuggler. 


It seduces her like a lover. It bewitches her like a spell. It is something mysterious and powerful that Darcy McBride must follow beyond the cliffs of Kerry. Ireland in 1755 is a terrible place ravaged by famine and the brutal occupation of the British, there seems to be no escape. Darcy joins a group of smugglers who trade illegally with the French and when operation is discovered, she is transported to the English Colonies for servitude. Shattered by war and bloodshed, Darcy finds the colonists on a feeding frenzy of survival. She refuses to be devoured and meets them with determination and fire stopping them in their tracks. When she confronts the brash and attractive Jean Michel Lupe', a surveyor for the Crown, sparks fly, and Darcy meets her match. His blend of refinement and frontier masculinity unsettles and entices her. Together, they are swept into a whirlwind of violence and intrigue that threatens their love and their survival.

Strong is Sexy Woman of the Past/Heart: The Marilyn Bell Story

I watched a biographical movie on TV last month and it introduced me to a woman I'd never heard of before but will never forget.


In 1954, this girl was the first person to ever swim across Lake Ontario, from the NY side to the Canadian side. 21 hours in the water, over 32 miles. She passed out three times. Fell asleep...and trudged on when American swimming starlet Florence Chadwick was forced to bail due to hypothermia.

In the movie, we meet a sixteen-year-old Marilyn. She has a horrid mother, a mother that tells her she's not good anything...so it's best to not try. Naturally, this drives Marilyn to be good at something. I think driving her along was def the desire the please that awful mother.

Marilyn approaches a coach known for making swimmers into champions. He refuses to take her on at first and she proceeds to stay in the pool and swim for two hours straight. She's persistent.


[image error] The real Marilyn.Meanwhile, the CNE (some kind of Canadian entertainment people) hire the famous Florence to swim lake Ontario, as they're desperately trying to compete with television and draw in the crowds. This was funny, actually. A very nice touch, the two competing publicity people. You'd have to see it to understand it. It's even more hilarious when their plans go awry and they suddenly sing a different tune. At first, when Marilyn announces she's competing against the starlet, the CNE people are mad...but they sorta betrayed their own people by bringing in an American to cross their lake.


So Marilyn has a heck of a lot to proof--to her mother, her country, her coach, herself...and that stuck up Florence who waited like 4 days to do the swim...ugh. Long story.


[image error] The movie MarilynThe last half of the movie is Marilyn actually swimming it...and I swear I didn't think she'd make it. I felt my own muscles ache as I watched her. I got mad at her coach as he yelled at her. I wanted to scream at her mother, "Are you happy now?? Oh, NOW that's your girl?" I felt the eels around her legs.

And...this is a true story! At the age of sixteen, Marilyn Bell was the first to swim across Lake Ontario. She proceeded to become the youngest to swim the English Channel and she retired at 19 to be a teacher.

This is a woman worth learning about. I recommend watching this incredible movie (released in 2001 and starring Caroline Dhavernas, Amy Sloan, and Ron White--not the comedian) or just taking a moment of your day to think about this incredible feat.

This...is a prime example of strong is sexy! It's a woman with HEART. Sometimes, that's what we need most of all.

Tasty Review & Giveaway: The Unraveling of Lady Fury by Shehanne Moore

 Genoa 1820Rule One: There will be no kissing. Rule two: You will be fully clothed at all times…
Widowed Lady Fury Shelton hasn’t lost everything—yet. As long as she produces the heir to the Beaumont dukedom, she just might be able to keep her position. And her secrets. But when the callously irresistible Captain James “Flint” Blackmoore sails back into her life, Lady Fury panics. She must find a way to protect herself—and her future—from the man she’d rather see rotting in hell than sleeping in her bed. If she must bed him to keep her secrets, so be it. But she doesn’t have to like it. A set of firm rules for the bedroom will ensure that nothing goes awry. Because above all else, she must stop herself from wanting the one thing that Flint can never give her. His heart.
Ex-privateer Flint Blackmoore has never been good at following the rules. Now, once again embroiled in a situation with the aptly named Lady Fury, he has no idea why he doesn’t simply do the wise thing and walk away. He knows he’s playing with fire, and that getting involved with her again is more dangerous than anything on the high seas. But he can’t understand why she’s so determined to hate him. He isn’t sure if the secret she keeps will make things harder—or easier—for him, but as the battle in the bedroom heats up, he knows at least one thing. Those silly rules of hers will have to go…

***MY REVIEW***
I liked some, I didn't like some. I absolutely loved the subtle and surprising LOL moments. The banter between the hero and heroine was downright hilarious at times.

"Forced intimacy is very difficult. Your face is getting in the way of the ceiling--"

"My face?"

"--which is what I wish to look at..."

You know from the blurb that this woman needs an heir and stat. Seems her husband is dead in the cellar and she's going to be flat-broke and on the streets if it's known she doesn't have a bun in the oven. MIL's terms.

That's the second thing I loved: this entire premise. Woman with dead husband, needs to conceive an heir, a little black book to blackmail folks, and a man at her beck and call. 

"Afterward--rule six--you will remove yourself in all respects and wait until, rule seven, you are summoned again."

And the rules: no touching, no kissing...because she feels that if she prevents herself from enjoying sex, she won't fall for him...again, cause it seems there's a history here.

And here is my quibble: The story kept referring to things in the past, a prior story. It was confusing at first, like a sequel attempting to tell us about book one, but not done well. I even went so far as to go look for book one, feeling as though I'd missed something. Perhaps a prequel should have been released. It would have knocked about 40k of this and would have set the scene. Cause too often I felt like I was reading a sequel--and it couldn't stand alone. The whole past story: her taking another woman's identity, getting ravished on a ship, falling in love, meeting and marrying someone--that's an entire novel.

Lastly, I couldn't make sense of some of the sentences. Sometimes--both dialogue and narrative, didn't matter which--I had to read passages over and over again and still couldn't figure out what they were talking about (if it was dialogue) or what the sentence was saying (narrative). Not sure what happened here. I THINK some of it could be cleaned up with different punctuation.

...just like the day he had flung that trunk on her on the quay, nipping his--if he'd had a heart, that trunk would be on the Calypso.

There were many more passages. I had to reread them and the paragraphs around them to figure out what the narrative was trying to tell me. 


But the premise is terrific.




Author InfoShehanne Moore is a Scottish author, who writes gritty, witty, as much risky as risqué, historical romance, set wherever takes her fancy. Stories that detail the best and worst of human behaviour, as opposed to pouts and flounces. For years she worked at various things, while pursuing her dream of becoming a published writer, so she was gobsmacked to sell her book, The Unraveling of Lady Fury, written in three months,  to U.S. publishers, Etopia Press,  six days after subbing it.
Shehanne still lives in Scotland,  with her husband Mr Shey. She has two daughters. When not writing intriguing historical romance, where goals and desires of sassy, unconventional heroines and ruthless men, mean worlds do collide, she fantasizes about cleaning the house, plays the odd musical instrument and loves what in any other country, would not be defined, as hill-walking. Her second book featuring a hottie scottie, His Judas Bride was recently released.
Author Links http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/ http://pinterest.com/shehanne/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shehanne-Moore/163736780417433 https://twitter.com/ShehanneMoore http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Three Digital Copies of THE UNRAVELING OF LADY FURY and a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card)

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Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Jennifer from Sekhmet's Guardians

Series: Sekhmet's Guardians
Author: V.S. Nelson
Heroine: Jennifer


Jennifer wasn’t always a strong independent heroine. Born in poverty and raised by her Native American grandmother she learned at an early age to hide her unique abilities. She constantly reminded herself to fit in.
At twenty four, she learned the truth of her heritage and grasped the reality she wasn’t the only one who was different. Finally she was free to embrace her Selkie self. Now there is no stopping her. Weighing less than 100 pounds she’ll stand up to anyone, including her 280 pound, 6’8” warrior husband.
By the time the readers get to Eternal Blades, book three in Sekhmet’s Guardians, Jennifer has masterminded a plan to lead her lady friends into a never ending war. No longer content to stay safe within the confines of the estate, Jennifer enlists the assistance of her friends and forms a unique fighting unit, one made up of women only.
About the series Sekhmet’s Guardians, an unusual twist of Egyptian, European and Native American mythologies come alive near the shores of modern day Lake Michigan.
Eternal Lovers - Book One – Sekhmet’s Guardians Jennifer, a young Native American, is confronted with the reality, not everything is as it seems and things do go bump in the night. The questions she has long since asked are answered in this epic tale of self discovery when she meets Gabriel, the director of Guardians Incorporated.Born in New Tuat, Netchkhet, now known as Gabriel came to Earth some five thousand years ago to protect the human race. Disillusioned by an unfulfilled prophecy, he has become cold and distant – even from those of his kind. He secretly waits for his enemy to take his head so he may leave this world for good. Can a tiny Selkie melt his hardened heart and restore his faith in a power far greater than himself?
When history repeats itself, can he save her from death’s embrace or will they be robbed of a future again?
Eternal Nights – Book Two – Sekhmet’s Guardians No one knew of Jessica’s existence, not even her sister, Jennifer, until the ghost of her grandmother appears and tells Jennifer the truth. In a plea for redemption, she asks Jen to free her baby sister from the magic performed long ago. Although Jen was unaware of Jessica’s presence, Jessica has remained content, being by her side since her birth some twenty years ago, until she lays eyes on Raphael. Now, she too, struggles to be free and be the woman she was always meant to be. To walk on two legs with arms to hold him is more than she can hope for.
Eternal Blades – Book Three – Sekhmet’s Guardians (coming Fall, 2013)Jennifer and the ladies of the estate are attacked by Set’s Legions while enjoying a day of relaxation on the water of Lake Michigan. After the attack, Jennifer is convinced she can no longer remain an observer in the Guardian’s never end war. She enlists the help of her lady friends to assist her in her ultimate plan, to form a unique all-female fighting unit. She along with her sister and Tshering Snow, a new comer to the estate, set off on a secret mission to rescue several abducted children. Sadly, their plan backfires. When they are taken hostage by Set’s Legions Jennifer is confronted by their leader, Bagsu, Gabriel’s identical twin brother. Will she be able to convenience him to set them free or have her actions set in motion an all out war which will cost the lives of hundreds?
Quick intro to the ladies of the estate. “the Blades.”
Jennifer, their leader. Half human – half Selkie, married to Gabriel, the leader of the Guardians.Jessica, Jennifer’s mute sister. The youngest of the ladies, lifemated to RaphaelAlice, Jennifer’s best friend, a human is lifemated to Mick. She thinks shopping is a competitive sport.Marie, born from Spanish royalty, she is lifemated to Keith and although human she is over 300 years old.Kathleen, a blood born immortal, lifemated to Bryan.Allison, a blood born immortal ballet dancer. She is destined to be lifemated to Alan, a one time member of Set’s Legions.Jasmine, a human belly dancer of Lebanese and Egyptian decent she lives with Ronan, Jennifer and Jessica’s full-blooded Selkie father. Tshering Snow. It is soon discovered Tshering is not just another human. Being born in the Himalayans she is half human, half Were-tiger and can shift her appearance at will. Katy, a call-girl from one of Thomas’ clubs is rescued by the Guardians and remains at the estate with her daughter. 





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Fargoer by Petteri Hannila

This was very different from my usual reading material. I haven't read anything like this since my school days when I had to read mythology, folklore, stuff of that nature. I'm not the best judge, not having immersed myself in books such as this, but for folklore, I feel it's well done. It felt literary, which I believe it should be.


I loved the beginning very much. I was immediately hooked and drawn into the story. Two girls entering womanhood, only one can be chieftain of their woman-dominated clan. They're even pitted against each other. The survivor can be chieftain...

Did I mention they are cousins?

One becomes a chieftan, one becomes Fargoer. I loved the introduction into this woman-dominated society. I wanted more of it, their beliefs, their ways, how they live...but all too soon, the story took me away from them and threw me into the world of the Vikings--cruel bastards that enslave others and pillage and very nearly break the heroine.

The book began to drag at that point, and there were some things I just did not understand or believe..such as a bunch of slaves...with ONE master...in three years, they never once manage to best him? At three against one?

But...it makes for a good yarn. However, my quibble still stands. I would have loved this book a lot more had it stayed with the woman-dominated clan, delved deeper into that world. I also felt like I never got to know the heroine as much I wanted to, especially before all this bad stuff started happening to her.

She's really very kick-ass and realistic--has strengths and weaknesses. The short story formatting of this (a few shorts in a novel), the jumping ahead many, many years and not really focusing on anything beyond the major moments of her life didn't do her justice. She's really very awesome.

I recommend this for anyone who loves strong women and folklore both.

FOOTFALLS ON CRISP SNOW AND OTHER LOST SOUNDS by Linda Root

  
In 1992, Sir Ian Mc Kellen brought his famous portrayal of Richard III to a limited engagement the Royce Theater at UCLA. As soon as I knew he was coming, I bought tickets that were so pricey that my family was sitting two rows in front of Tony Dalton. My ten and seventeen-year-old sons and my adult daughter told me that the performance was beyond excellent. I had not heard a word of it. That was when I realized how much my hearing had deteriorated and that without intervention, renting the movie with subtitles was as good as it was going to get. That was the beginning of my misadventures as a person who is hearing impaired. At the time I traipsed out of Royce two steps behind James Bond in a green silk shirt, I had no idea that I was about to join the ranks of the disenfranchised, ignored and often scorned. 
In 1992, I was a trial prosecutor with ten years experience and was handling major crimes. I was assigned to a courthouse that did not have a Superior Court until 1991, which meant I had tried my felonies out of a carpet bag. By 1992 when I finally scheduled an examination with an ENT and testing by an Audiologist, I had been trying my cases in my home court in the Morongo Basin, which had expanded to add two Superior Court departments staffed with excellent judges. But a major cocaine processing case popped up on the Barstow calendar at a time when there was no experienced narcotics attorney available to try it. While I was not excited about going to Barstow to try a drug case when I had homicides pending, it was one of my favorite courts, the one where Erin Brockovich made her mark. The defendants had waived jury because they thought the street value of the drugs would prejudice just about anyone who heard the number, so there were probably less than a dozen spectators in the courtroom when the judge peeked around the door to his chambers and announced:

“My bailiff has just informed me that Mrs. Root has AIDS.”

That was the moment when I realized that my smart practical wedge hair-style had to go. The devices I was wearing were humongous clunkers, they did not respond well to microphones, and if I was the least bit animated in my arguments, they were apt to go coruscating to the floor and into the forbidden area called ‘the well’. Obviously my hearing loss was not the sort of disability that was considered off limits like facial disfigurement or the loss of a limb, the physically apparent injuries that about which my mother had scolded me: “Don’t stare, Linda Alice!”

Everyone knew that the judge’s comment was a joke, and that he only made the remark because he and I had good rapport. He would have been shocked to learn that I went to my hotel room and cried. I got over it when the judge found the defendants guilty, but I did not forget it. As soon as I could afford them, I spent more than eight thousand dollars on a pair of little color-coded ‘in the ear canal’ devices so small they looked like misshaped jelly beans. They did help my hearing but were incredibly fragile and in the shop for repairs within days of the expiration of their warranty. It did not help that the repair facility I used was in Texas. Sending them away became a regular event whenever I had a murder case on calendar. But I did have my court-appropriate hairstyle back. And while I did not Sign, I got pretty good at lip-reading.

Then I got promoted and my hearing issues became acute. I stopped trying cases when I was promoted to Supervising Deputy D. A. That did not relieve me from nearly daily court appearances, and it added additional duties that may me acutely aware of my disability, even if others were not. The year 1997 was before Blue Tooth compatible hearing aids and telephones hit the market, and a supervising prosecutor spends a lot of time conferencing by telephone. I was also expected to attend functions to represent our office in the community. I have been told that there was more than one keynote speech in which I was the only person in the room who did not have veins throbbing in the temples before the speaker sat down. Being insulated from the inane or patently offensive was the upside. The downside was that I missed a lot of comments that warranted a response. As to my own public appearances, I did fine in front of mike banks, since all reporters shout their questions and do not generally comment on the answers as long as they get a sound bite. I also did some crime-network syndicated television, and the shows went well because of the level of expertise of the assistant directors and interviewers. Somebody who liked me must have edited my several requests ’Could you repeat the question?’ out of the final cut.

In watching the Director’s Cut of Arrest and Trial I discovered that a hearing impaired professional should never say, “Can you repeat the question?” which makes the impaired person sound rude, stupid or inattentive. It occurred to me later that the alternative request, ‘Could you rephrase that?" when accompanied by a raised eyebrow or a frown tossed the Frisbee back to the interviewer. But I could only fake so much.

There were situations when my loss was interfering with my job performance as I saw it, even if others never noticed. For example, our chief deputy had a habit of lowering his head and staring at his shoelaces when he was being critical, which meant that half of the time I did not know what I had done that had caused him to drive from Victorville on a back road only traveled by Harley choppers and hay trucks. Those conversations usually ended with him looking up with a smile and telling me that overall I was doing an excellent job, so I continued doing what I had always done, until the next time.

However, it was different when I was meeting in my office with members of a homicide detail out of San Bernardino. In that situation, I needed to hear what they had to say, and I had to be humble enough to tell them that I needed them to repeat certain bits of information because my hearing aids were not working properly, Actually, my loss was advancing faster than the technology. That was when I decided to retire. I was fortunate because I left the job I loved while I was at the top of my game, and no one had to tell me to either retire or go downtown to the Appellate Department where the written word was the tour de force. The beard.
Since then, I have spent another three thousand for the pair of Siemens I bought on Ebay, and yes, they are over-the-ear clunkers, but I left my vanity in the courthouse. I am profoundly deaf in one year and approaching a similar degree of loss in the other. It does make me wonder why I cannot hear the telephone ring but I can hear my husband snore.
There are personal as well as professional issues that have caused me pain. My daughter and granddaughters do not like to go to restaurants with me because I tend to talk too loud. I have a hideous vision of the four of us in Applebee’s text messaging one another. For years I could not understand my brother-in-law’s speech because he is a professional Santa. It is nigh impossible to talk to a Santa Claus whose lips are hidden in a snowy beard.  
It is also impossible to do business on the telephone, especially with the decreasing number of customer service personnel who speak English as their first language. Most of them are patient and polite, and probably take a leave of absence as soon as the struggle with me is over. And while I can usually manage through a social event when I am in a circle of men because my hearing loss is at the upper, upper middle and very low ranges, I have much more difficulty hearing women in the typically higher range of female speakers, even if they are shouting at me for monopolizing their men.

I did go to an all female house party recently where the guest of honor Dr. Gilda Carle had a wonderful sonorous voice and the facial expressions that reminded me of what beautiful women looked like before Botox. I doubt that I missed a word. It was a lucky day for me, and those are becoming rare. Like most people who are hearing impaired, I tend to be reclusive at a time of my life when reaching out to others is vital. Ask AARP.

I have solved the issue of isolation in a way that may not be all that mentally or physically healthy, but it is better than looking out the window at a world full of sounds I cannot hear. I have a whole new group of friends whose every word is within my range, a world of symphonies and chorals and violins and even hip hop. I have become a creator of speech and sound, and in a small way, I know how Beethoven must have felt. I cannot hear Joshua Bell other than in my memory, but I can create someone like him and I can give my creation the talent of a Joshua Bell, and even hand him a red violin. Sometimes I play the CD A Tramp Shining and pretend to listen to Richard Harris sing James Webb’s enigmatic MacArthur Park. And then I go to my laptop and I write a living, breathing, sexy brawling Irishman with pathos and I give him song, and I bring my personal Richard Harris back to life.
As a writer of fiction, I am able to follow a crisp dialog because I am the one creating it. I can hear doors slam and coins drop. I can listen in on lovers’ whispered secrets. I hear footsteps on crisp new snow.

But even a writer suffers from being hearing impaired. Seminars and writers groups are out of the question for me. What good is a book launching when my personal interaction with prospective readers would be a ‘Say, what?’ I would be happy to do a reading for a book club, but I could not respond to questions from the audience unless they were written on note cards.

So, like Tara, I do not launch. I blog! Thank you for letting me share this.
Linda's BLOG. Follow her on Facebook.Twitter: @LindaRoot1

Style Me Sexy Available Again

At the moment it's just pre-order but as of October 1st, it will be available all the time and I'm not planning to nag you about it so this is the only post you'll get. LOL



A charming short story about beauty, the beholder, and believing in yourself.

Bridget knows she isn’t beautiful; her ex made that point abundantly clear. So when her online-only romance suddenly leads to a real-life blind date, she beelines to the salon for a makeover. She’s dismayed and embarrassed when her usual stylist isn’t available and the sexy Javier steps in.

Javier has long been aware of the timid but kind woman, and vows to take this opportunity to make her see that she's beautiful on the outside, as well as in. Will he succeed in keeping his own feelings at bay and style her sexy?


You can mark it To Read on Goodreads.

On Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Q & A With Kaye Michelle, Author of Return of the Heroine. What Inspired Her to Resuscitate Joan of Arc?

Joan of Arc, from Wiki Commons1. What inspired you to write the book?

My fascination with Joan of Arc and my brief stay at West Point as a cadet back in 1980 lead me to write a story about how powerful historical figures can serve at real-time inspiration for modern-day heroic actions large and small.

2. Why did you choose to write about a West Point cadet and military sexual assault?

I chose a female West Point cadet as a modern-day heroine based upon my brief stay at West Point in 1980. Military sexual assault is one of the largest cultural problems we face today as a nation and the world, and I felt we needed a larger than life heroine's voice, like Joan of Arc, to help spread the word and gather women and men together to put an end to these insidious crimes.

3. Why did you write about Joan of Arc?

Joan of Arc exists as an icon of strength and courage for both men and women. I felt the modern-day issue of military sexual assault needed a leader of her magnitude to beak through the current status quo and inspire
positive changes.

4. How is this historical figure applicable to today's women? Joan of Arc appears in songs, movies, and is mentioned as a brave heroine in countless writings. Women and men continue to derive inspiration, strength and courage from her ideal as the breakthrough heroine.
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5. How is the veil of time accessed and why is it integral to the book?

Jung talked about the collective unconscious as a source of information available to everyone. By tapping into a particular archetype, in this case Joan of Arc as a heroine, we potentially gain the character traits, and in some cases, the knowledge inherent from that archetype.

6. How might this book be a call to action for everyday acts of heroism? My modern-day heroine, Jane Archer, breaks through the old archetype of martyr-hero and shows us that all of us must take action when called to do so for the greater good of all, without coming to harm. She shows us that if we work together—no one needs to go it alone—we can make smart choices, keep ourselves safe, and make the difference needed in the world today.

7. What will readers like most about the book? Readers will enjoy the rich detail in which I portray Joan of Arc and her modern-day cohort, Jane Archer. We follow alongside Jane’s rise in power at West Point and cheer her on as she reclaims some of the power Joan lost due to her long incarceration, trial, and early death (being burned at the stake at 19 years of age).

8. Will it appeal to men and women?

Everyone who enjoys a fast-moving tale with excitement, suspense and romance will enjoy this book! Men and women will savor the rich detail in both heroes’ journeys within the book. If you like reading about triumphing through life challenges both large and small, then this book would appeal to you.

Blurb:
For Joan of Arc, it was about surviving in a man's world. Nearly six hundred years later, at West Point, not much has changed.

One of the greatest heroines of all time returns and reveals the wisdom she received from Archangel Michael. "When you dare to commit to your deepest desires, your heart grows to accommodate the task at hand, no matter how daunting," Archangel Michael advises Joan of Arc before she embarks on a mission that will change the course of history. With only eleven days left to live, she must take yet another leap of faith, surrender to the guidance of Archangel Michael, and set the record straight to ensure those in the future know the truth.

Her legacy reaches across the veil of time to awaken the heroine in all women. And for one twenty-first-century woman, Jane Archer, a West Point cadet, it means finding the courage to expose a cultural crime that has been disempowering women for centuries. In the process, she must learn to trust her own inner guidance.