Barbara Edwards's Blog, page 24

#Review: Twice the Trouble by Sandra Dailey

Twice the Trouble by Sandra Dailey

Lacey Carlyle has more trouble than she can shoulder when the farm she has built into a viable business is bought for development. Desperate, she wants the new owner to consider selling to her only he’s Alex Benson, who abandoned her thirteen years ago.

Alex wants revenge for Lacey’s betrayal. He’s never gotten over her and hopes forcing her into a short-term marriage will free him from his past hurt. She never answered his letters and when he was badly injured in an explosion she ignored his plight.

The biggest problem is each still feels the sexual attraction that overpowered them in the past. Lacey can’t tell Alex their lovemaking resulted in pregnancy and the birth of twins she’s been raising alone.

Conflict arises at every turn. Family interference makes problems worsen and neither Lacey nor Alex is ready to trust again.

The resolution results from a building tension and returning love. It was a satisfying read and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for romance.

Published by The Wild Rose Press

Buy it at:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_72_1?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Atwice+the+trouble+by+sandra+dailey%2Cp_72%3A1250222011&bbn=283155&keywords=twice+the+trouble+by+sandra+dailey&ie=UTF8&qid=1363797411&rnid=1250219011

Visit me at http://www.barbaraedwards.net for excerpts from my books, buy links and free reads

 

Filed under: My Favorite Books, writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, review, Sandra Dailey, Twice the Trouble

A squirrel drove me nuts by Barbara Edwards

Re-enactment camping

I love camping and have since the first time I went as a Girl Scout. There’s a freedom to being in in the outdoors that can’t be matched. I’ve camped in a hurricane while hiking the Appalachian Trail, been snowed in by a blizzard in Connecticut and dry camped in National Parks. Every experience was special and lead to more stories than I have time to tell.

I have a routine. We set-up the camper, then make the campsite comfortable. A screened room sometimes is necessary to escape the bugs. Definitely need folding chairs and fire wood to enjoy the evenings under the stars.

So we come to this story. Next it’s time to arrange the picnic table so it’s easy to use. I have a plastic tablecloth that covers the entire surface. It’s easy to keep clean and I clip the corners down to beat the wind. This time I noticed the clips must have slipped because the corner had been torn ragged. I adjusted them and told my husband we’d need to buy a replacement.

The next morning the other corners were shredded. We exchanged puzzled glances. Maybe the raccoons? The dog would have barked, wouldn’t she?

We watched for a week as pieces of the tablecloth disappeared. It looked really the worst for wear, but I wasn’t ready to get another until I knew what was happening.

I noticed a squirrel sitting on a nearby pole late this afternoon. He eyed my table with longing, looked around then hopped over.

Within seconds he’d flipped the cloth up and was removing the soft flannel lining with his teeth. I’m using the universal ‘he’ since I don’t know if this was the mommy squirrel or the daddy. My husband grabbed the camera and took pictures through the screen door.

Looks like I’m not getting another tablecloth until the squirrel nesting season ends.

 

Visit me at my website www.barbaraedwards.net or http://www.barbaraedwardscomments.worpress.com for other adventures, opinions and a few reviews.

 

   

Filed under: writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, Blue Herons, camping, Saint George Island, squirrels

Bloodstone is My Birthstone? By Barbara Edwards

March Birthstone, Bloodstone

I’m still surprised by what I learn daily. I was window shopping an estate jewelry sale when I noticed a bland, small ring. Debra, my favorite jeweler, held it up and the light picked out a red veining in a dark green stone. Bloodstone, she explained. The delicate filigree setting was 18 carat gold and on each side depicted a fleur-de-lis. I couldn’t resist. I slipped it on my pinkie finger and fell in love with it. She assured me it could be resized for another finger but I refused. It felt right. I even joked that it would help me to read my Tarot cards. The problem was this was two weeks before Christmas and we had already gotten presents. Sigh. Then she told me it was March’s birthstone, too. My birthday is March first and I wanted to cry. But….. we left.

Bloodstone is a dark green Chalcedony with splashes or occasional spots of red Jasper. Bloodstone is reputed to be a powerful healing crystal. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Heliotrope’ especially in old grimoires. Legend says the stone formed when the blood of Christ was spilled on the rocks below the cross, and the stone is blessed with healing power. Older legends link Bloodstone with the healing powers of the Sun God.

Bloodstone instills courage which lead to it being called ‘hero’s stone’ at times.

Roman soldiers believed Bloodstone could staunch the flow of blood and prevent wounds from becoming infected.  India uses it as an aphrodisiac. Bloodstone is said to be especially effective for lower back pain and blood disorders such as anemia, diabetes, high blood pressure or circulation problems. It is a useful crystal to use in any healing work, believed to increase the flow of blood to the tissues, boost the immune system and improve overall health.

Heliotrope, Herb

Bloodstone is said to have a special affinity with the herb Heliotrope (‘turns with the sun’), and if the two are used together in spells or charm bags the herb is believed to amplify the stone’s power. According to old magical writings, a charm made with Bloodstone and Heliotrope will make the bearer invisible. Sleeping with Bloodstone and Heliotrope under your pillow is said to cause prophetic dreams. Maybe that’s why I felt a connection to Tarot cards.

On Christmas Eve, my husband gave me a small box and I ‘knew’ he’d gotten me the ring. Imagine my pleasure. I wear it more often than anything else I own. Do I believe it has special properties? I can’t say that I’ve noticed, but it does make me feel good.

Visit my website: http://www.barbaraedwards.net for excerpts from my books and buy links.

 

 

Filed under: history, writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards. Ancient Blood, birthstone, bloodstone

Back on Saint George Island by Barbara Edwards

Back on Saint George Island by Barbara Edwards.

Filed under: writing

Review: Lost Honor by Loreen Augeri from Barbara Edwards

I never know when I start a Historical Romance what to expect so I was pleased that I was immediately drawn in to the action with the capture of the female stowaway. Descriptions of the American Sailing ship were vivid and believable.

Arianna Pemberton is a feisty heroine fighting for a measure of freedom not allowed to women in her time. Her resolve is eroded by her growing attraction then love for Captain Danvers. How can she actually sail the seas when he is as protective as her father?

Morgan Danvers honor is threatened by his lust for the lovely stowaway. He can’t return to port if he hopes to rescue his pirate captured brother and he can’t allow Adrianna free run of his ship. His engagement to another woman leaves him fighting for his honor as he is overwhelmed by love.

A tangled plot with several unexpected twits kept me reading until a satisfying end.

I gave this novel 5 stars out of five.

You can find it at The Wild Rose Press

or Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AD99TSM/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_img_sol_1

Filed under: My Favorite Books, writing Tagged: Loreen Augeri, Lost Honor, review

Addicted to the internet? by Barbara Edwards

Am I addicted to the internet? I scoffed at my husband when he said yes. I work on my computer I insisted. I don’t play video games or text. My use of Facebook is for promoting my writing personae and my books, not to be social as in chat with friends. I tweet about my friends’ blogs or new books, not my dog or cat. I have my books listed on GoodReads, Shelfari and LibraryThing and belong to a few groups devoted to reading.

I use Triberr as a huge timesaver to keep my contacts active and I limit it to one visit a day.

Am I addicted to the internet? When I was hacked I discovered, to my horror, that I am. If you call go into cold sweats when I couldn’t connect a problem.

Oh yeah. I realized I needed that daily dive into the wide wide world of cyberspace. I couldn’t concentrate on other things like writing my book or blog. My contact list was gone. I was essentially alone on a cold plane of reality.

This is not a funny as it sounds. For four days I frantically worked to get my loops and groups back into my life. I had a temper tantrum. I ate continuously. On the fifth day I realized I was acting like a nut. I hadn’t written anything productive in days. The real focus of my life, my writing, had somewhere gotten lost in the shuffle and I sat down for a long look at my work habits.

I used to get on my computer right after breakfast and write until lunch. Most days I did housework, exercise or fun stuff in the afternoon. I didn’t work on the weekends, choosing to do stuff with my family. That had changed. I got on the internet. I spent anywhere from an hour to two or three daily. Even weekends have become a part of the cyber-flow.

What should I do?

For one thing, I’ve written more on my book in the last week than I have in the past month. I let my groups and loops slide. I’m not sure what’s happening and although I miss my contact with on-line friends I’m refocusing.

I made a couple decisions about time on the net. I visit Triberr before breakfast. It’s quicker that early and I’m off in less than 20 minutes. I am slowly revisting the sites I joined to promote my books and taking a look at each. If I’m not using it to my benefit why am I there? What is the most efficient use? Often I don’t know and I shake my head. What am I doing?

As to my addiction, I recognized I have a problem. I am limiting the time I spend on the net by putting a limit on its use.

The best thing I’ve done is to make a list of places that need attention and the time I will devote to each. This is a serious work in progress.

Are you also in denial? Are you addicted to the internet?

Blog reposted from Roses of Prose

Visit me at my newly updated  Author Website: http://barbaraedwards.net

Blog Site: http://barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/BarbaraEdwards.Author

Twitter: http://twitter.com/barb_ed

Authors Den: http://authorsden.com/barbaraedwards

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/barbaraedwards

http://www.shelfari.com/authorbarbara_edwards

 

 

Filed under: writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, internet addiction, loops and blogs, writing

Hacked by a creep who sold my info by Barbara Edwards

I got hacked. I’m the real Barbara Edwards.

I am safe at home. Recovering from a flu virus but otherwise fine. I don’t need money.

If you were one of the people on my contact list you already got the email and have my apologies.

You might be under the impression that those begging emails were the sum total of the intrusion and you would be wrong.

The destructive results are piling up and I am struggling to recover.

The first thing I notice was no email in my inbox folder.

I knew enough to change my password immediately, but didn’t know how to change my account back to English. It was now posting in Arabic and I had to find the translate to, then change it back. This took hours of my time since for some reason yahoo was slow translating then accepting my return.

I thought I was done until I discovered my contact list had been wiped. How do I tell people I’m not the spammer?

That’s when I found the added email address very similar to mine. My mail was being forwarded to this bogus account. Obviously is a friend emailed, they got a response from the hacker.

Today I deleted that account. I hope.

I also deleted the forward mail to that account.

Gosh this is horrible.

I’ve temporarily sent my group emails to a secondary account I rarely use, but event that doesn’t get me my mail.

I’m sure I’ll find other things that need to be fixed over the next few weeks.

Be assured, I regularly change my password and recommend you do, too. I do keep my passwords secret.

My son the computer guru says I got hacked while signing on through a site while on vacation. Probably someone with a live scanner. Another cyber thing to be concerned about in a world full of problems.

My only upbeat note is that I’ve been online since the early nineties and this is the first time I’ve been hacked thanks to the advice of my son and his help over the years with learning cyber stuff. Thanks. Love you, Mom

 

 

Filed under: writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, hacked

God’s Gift to Me by Barbara Edwards

God’s Gift to Me by Barbara Edwards

Barbara Edwards, Author

Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone, but my daughters-in-law are the most wonderful women in the world. With five sons to raise, I had nightmares about what kind of girls they would marry. I should have trusted their judgment.

I can’t post any pictures of them since they shriek and hide from the camera. “My hair is a mess!” “ I look awful!” “ Don’t take my picture!” they scream and cover their heads. They don’t understand that they always look beautiful. Their hearts shine through.

Each one is an individual, but they share lots of nice characteristics. Smart and funny, good mothers and loving wives, they are hard-working and care about everyone in their circles. They laugh at my corny jokes.

I can’t tell you all the stories because they’ll know who I’m talking about and be embarrassed.

When my sons married, I made the decision not to fight the instinctive wish that daughters have to spend the holidays with their Mothers. I invited everyone for Christmas Eve, a family tradition still going strong. On Christmas day they have dinner at their Mom’s.

I have a Fourth of July picnic to gather the family in the summer.

They have given me so many rewards over the years. They refuse to read the sex scenes I write since the very idea embarrasses them.  Hours of conversation, support when I was ill, thoughtful gifts on the holidays, and the greatest grandchildren anyone could ever have.

I must mention my son-in-law, Donald Spahr who died way too young but left many memories of his joy of living.

Did I tell you about the children they brought into the world and cherish?

Or how good they are to my sons?

Thanks you, God. I can’t express how much they mean to me.

Barbara Edwards, mother-in-law

Visit http://www.barbaraedwards.net to read my free Christmas short story.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Filed under: family and friends Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, daughter-in-law, holidays

Grief is Ours by Barbara Edwards

Barbara Edwards

Grief is a universal emotion, yet everyone’s grief is their own. Until Elizabeth Kubler-Ross did her study on the stages of grief, it was considered simple. I found her advice and insights of tremendous help when dealing with my own loss.

She found there are five stages to grief-each distinct-each part of the process of living through this powerful emotion. I suggest everyone read her books.

Each person deals with grief differently. The five stages are the same.

Stage One is DENIAL:

Denial helps us to survive the loss.  The world is meaningless and overwhelming. Life doesn’t make sense. You are in a state of  denial.  Numb, you wonder how you can go on. You try to simply get through each day. Denial helps you to cope and makes survival possible. Denial is nature’s way of letting in only as much as we can handle. Once you start to question you’re belief you are ready for the next step.

Stage Two Is Anger:

Anger is a necessary stage. You need to feel that anger. Anger is limitless. The target can be friends, the doctors, family, yourself and your loved one who died, but also to God. You may ask, “Where is God in this?

Stage three is BARGAINING:

In bargaining, you will do anything if only your loved one would be spared. “Please God,” you bargain, “I will never be angry at my wife again if you’ll just let her live.” Afterwards, bargaining changes. “What if I devote the rest of my life to helping others? Then can I wake up and realize this has all been a bad dream?”

“If only…” or “What if…”  We want to return to what was; we want our loved one back. We want to find the cancer sooner, recognize the illness more quickly, stop the accident from happening…if only, if only, if only. Guilt is bargaining’s partner. You will do anything not to feel the pain. You remain in the past, trying to negotiate.

People often think of that grief lasts weeks or months, but the stages are feelings that can last for minutes or hours. Mine lasted for years. You do not enter and leave each individual stage in a linear fashion. You can bounce from one, then another and back again.

Stage Four is DEPRESSION:

After bargaining, empty feelings present themselves, and grief is deeper than we ever imagined. Depression is not a sign of mental illness. It is the appropriate response to a great loss. You withdraw in a fog of intense sadness.

The loss of a loved one is a very depressing situation, and depression is a normal and appropriate response.

Stage Five is ACCEPTANCE:

Don’t confuse acceptance with being “all right” or “OK”.  Most people don’t ever feel OK or all right about the loss of a loved one. This stage is about accepting the reality. Your loved one is physically gone and this new reality is permanent and   eventually you accept it.

This is a very simple explanation. For those struggling with grief, there are options like counseling, support or a variety of books on the subject. I hope if you are near a person suffering that this short essay will help you to understand.

I’ve followed my own advice and gone for grief counseling, read the books and had help from my friends and family. Life does go on.

Just remember, your grief is an unique as you are.

Please visit me at http://www.barbaraedwards.net

 

Filed under: family and friends, writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, grief

A really special holiday by Barbara Edwards

Chapter Three

“Matt!” she yelled despite her scratchy throat. I can’t reach the car.”

The silence was broken by the patter of dirt falling. A rumble followed by another threatening heave made her press to the floor. She crossed her arms over her head and prayed.

“Where are you?” Matt shouted.

“The headlights are near my head, a big slab of concrete to the right between me and the car,” she gasped.

“Stay where you are,” he ordered. His commanding voice filled her with relief. He was a fireman. He knew what he was doing. The headlights went out but a powerful light flickered back and forth over the crack. “I’m looking for an opening.”

“Hey, If I could move, I’d be out of here,” she replied. The sudden surge of relief had her dizzy. Matt had come for her. And she planned to accept that dinner invitation. Her fingers curled in the silt and she pushed sideways so she could look the other way. A faint gleam appeared and she realized there was a hole. With fierce determination she managed to wiggle around. Her blouse tore with a ragged sound and her shoulder scrapped painfully on the encroaching walls.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“Just scratches and bruises,” she panted as she crept forward. “I can see your flashlight. There’s a hole.”

“Be careful. Don’t knock anything lose. The whole garage came down.”

Belle winced but didn’t ask about her store. That wasn’t as important as Matt’s safety.

“But you’re okay? Do you know about the rest of the city? The church? My parents?” her voice ended on a wobbly squeak.

“Hush. Hush. The quake is pretty localized. No reported loss of life. I helped rescue some others on the upper levels, but I told them I had to find you.”

“Can you see me?” Belle reached the opening and thrust her arm through. She started to cry. “It’s too small. I can’t get through.”

His warm hand closed around hers. “I’ve got you. Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not. Not since you got here. I know it’s silly to feel safe, but that how you make me feel.”

Know he was so close sent hope rocketing through her. She tried twisting her shoulders sideways, but remained trapped.

“I should have gone on a diet,” she grumbled under her breath.

“Don’t be silly. You’re perfect the way you are.” Matt shook her hand gently. “I’ll get you out.”

“But how? That concrete is a foot thick.” She wondered if she sounded as frantic as she felt.

“I wish I could hold you. I know you’re anxious.” His fingers tightened and her eyes filled with tears. “Hang on. I have tools with me to chip away some of that block and if that doesn’t work, the department had bigger ones. Are you thirsty?”

“Oh, yes,” she managed, suddenly aware her throat felt like a desert road. The light brightened as he moved the flashlight closer. Her gaze moved over the jagged cement and twisted rebar as he fit a plastic bottle into her fingers.

“You need to keep hydrated. Drink that,” he instructed.

“Is it like the magic potion Alice drank? Will I shrink so I can get through that opening?”

“Don’t I wish. Then we could share a magic chocolate to return you to normal.” His familiar laugh wrapped around her like cocoon and she drank carefully. It wasn’t easy lying on her stomach. Water splashed down her chin. She dug in her pocket for a tissue and found the chocolate. The wrapped pieces were intact. She took a couple out.

“Matt? I have that magic chocolate here. Take one.” Although she was enclosed by the blocks, she managed to reach out and handed him one of his favorites.

“What a girl! Just what I needed. Did you know your kiss tasted sweet? ” She heard the rustle of the wrapper and smiled.  She bit into one and the flavor filled her mouth.

The walls shook. Rumbling deafened her. Matt’s hand snagged hers and she clutched him. A piece of rebar jabbed her in the back and she squirmed sideways. The slab was coming down.

Matt yanked on her arm as the world tilted.

She popped through the twisting hole like a raft over rapids. She felt his powerful arms wrap her in a protective embrace. When everything settled she was sprawled over him.

“Don’t call me,” she whispered.

“Why not?” he said and gave her a quizzical stare. His arms remained locked around her and she pressed her face to his chest. The thick rubber protective clothes felt strange under her hands, but his familiar form reassured her.

“That number is no longer in service.” She sighed and gestured at the rubble. He laughed and kissed her. His mouth felt like home.

A long moment later he lifted his head. “Much as I’d like to continue, we need to get out of here.”

Belle nodded. He crept through a jungle of broken slabs and she kept on hand on his thigh as she followed.

Her parents were waiting outside. She scrambled to her feet, but didn’t let go of Matt. Her heart filled with joy. Everyone she loved was safe. She had gotten her best wish.

“Come and meet my parents. You’re coming to dinner. I’m not wasting another day wishing.”

A happy ending.

Please visit http://www.barbaraedwards.net for excerpts, buy links and more free reads

A really special holiday was post on the Roses of Prose blog and will be in

Just One Wish, a Christmas Anthology

 

 

Filed under: My Books, writing Tagged: A really special holiday, Barbara Edwards,, Christmas short story