Sandra Harris's Blog, page 6

Peaceful Places

Today I’d like to tell you about one of the peaceful places I go for a spot of spirit rejuvenation and dog walking.

It’s called Lake Dennis.

The property on which the lake stands was originally purchased in 1871 by one James Dennis for the purpose of cattle grazing and to plant mango trees. In 1951, James’ grandson built a dam on the property and included a small island in the midst as a bird sanctuary.

Eight days after the completion of the dam, a storm of epic proportions filled it in just four hours. Since that time the dam has never been empty.

In 1968 the property was subdivided, with the lake being retained. Today private properties border most of the lake, though one side is open to public access. We often see Pacific Black Ducks, Hardheads, Australian Wood Ducks, Eurasian Coots, Spoonbills and Australasian Grebes (these are the cutest little tackers!)

And this is the little raspscalion that takes me for a walk, though here she is at the beach.

 

Sandy

Signed Contract for Love, Encoded

Hooray! I just signed the contract for my latest book to be published with Soul Mate Publishing. My working title was Love, Coded, it’s been changed to Love, Encoded. Release date will be autumn/fall (Northern Hemisphere), spring (Southern Hemisphere).

I’m hoping for a book cover similar to this one:

 

Earth: Near Future

Experience has taught Sarah Rasmussen that hot guys don’t go for geeks like her. Their retreat speed is usually proportional to the value of her IQ. However, for every rule it seems there is an exception—or in her lucky case, two.

When she discovers she has been genetically manipulated in order to save an alien race stranded on Earth for a thousand years, she needs the strength of both men’s devotion to deal with the life-changing news. But when she learns that the love of the two men she has come to deeply care for is not quite as it appears, it could shatter her heart forever.

Nick Bannister and Adam McKeoun will never stop fighting to convince Sarah she is their world, no matter what the source of their emotion. They will let nothing stand in their way of forging a happiness that will transcend any challenge, especially not a calculating and determined enemy bent on Sarah’s destruction.

 

 

 

This is the first book in a new series.

Sandy

Thursday Threads

Obviously I have a very flexible approach to the days of the week. This week’s Thursday Threader is Cathy MacRae with her sensual historical romance set in the Scottish Highlands, 1377, The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride.

The Blurb:

Determined to keep the Macrory clan’s holdings out of the clutches of the Lord of the Isles and marauding pirates, King Robert II sends his man, Lord Ranald Scott, to hold Scaurness Castle. There, Laird Macrory lays dying, awaiting word from his son who is missing on the battlefields of France. If the son is not found before the old laird dies, Ranald will take over as laird—and marry Laird Macrory’s headstrong daughter.

Lady Caitriona sees no reason she cannot rule the clan in her brother’s stead, and is bitterly disappointed with the king’s decision to send a man to oversee the castle and people. Not only is Ranald Scott only distantly related to the Macrory clan, but he was her childhood nemesis. She has little trust or like for him.

Her disappointment turns to panic when the king’s plan is completely revealed and she realizes she must wed Ranald. Pirates, treachery, and a 4-year-old girl stand between her and Ranald’s chance at happiness. What will it take for them to learn to trust each other and find the love they both deserve?

The Excerpt:

“So, the king forced Eaden to wed,” Riona murmured. Her gaze caught Ranald’s. “What will he do to me?”

Ranald noted her sudden pallor, her grey eyes widening until they were naught but huge silver orbs glowing against her skin. Now was as good a time as any to tell her what King Robert intended for her, but he could not force the words.

“Ye are a laird’s daughter,” he reminded her. “And an heiress. Yer mother’s dower lands north of here are of great value to the king.”

“And I am of little worth, aye?” Riona flared.

“Nae. Ye are of great worth.”

“But a pawn to the king.”

Ranald sighed. This was not going as he planned. “We are all pawns in one way or another, Ree. The king willnae let ye stay on yer own. Ye are a ward of the crown, now.”

“So, he’ll marry me off to some rebellious laird he wants to drag over to his side, using me and my lands to hold him?”

“Nae. No’ so bad as all that.”

“Then, to a wealthy laird who’s all but doddering in his cups, hoping I’ll no’ breed an heir before he dies, giving title to the land to the king and my next husband?”

Ranald lifted an eyebrow. The lass was getting worked up over nothing.

“Marriage, yes. Doddering auld man, no.”

Riona snapped her head to one side, a glower on her face. “Then, who?”

Ranald swallowed and gave her a crooked smile.

“Me.”

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ANZAC Day

Anzac Day (Australian & New Zealand Army Corp)

April 25th is Anzac Day, Downunder. Originally 25th April marked the day the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli in 1915. They suffered horrendous losses to overwhelming opposition, but held their ground for eight months.

Today the 25th is celebrated as a tribute to all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in the service of their countries.

Reflecting the spirit of the Anzacs is the tale of one “Jack” Simpson, a stretcher-bearer, who found a donkey upon arrival at Gallipoli

Image courtesy of WIKI commons

and used the little creature to carry wounded soldiers from the front lines back to the beach for evacuation. He worked night and day, dodging bullets and shrapnel to rescue approximately 200 soldiers before he died, killed by machine gun fire, three weeks after landing.

He was 22.

His gravestone reads: He gave his life that others may live

The traditional reading for Anzac Day is The Ode from the poem For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon.

 

They shall grow not old,

as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the

sun and in the morning,

 

We will remember them.

 

 

Lest We Forget

 

A Chuckle for Friday

More paraprosdokians for you.

I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way, so I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

 You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice.

 Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

 There’s a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can’t get away.

 I used to be indecisive, now I’m not so sure.

 You’re never too old to learn something stupid.

 To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

 Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

 Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

 A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.

 Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.

 I always take life with a grain of salt—plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.

 When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

 The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

 I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

 :)

Sandy

Thursday Threads with C.D. Hersh

This week we have the dynamic duo of C.D. Hersh revealing the cover of their latest novel, a sensual paranormal romance, Blood Brothers (The Turning Stone Chronicles), due for release northern hemisphere summer, 2014 (winter, southern hemisphere).

Take it away C.D. —

We are very happy with our cover and excited to share it for the first time on the Thursday Threads group post. Only our daughter and closest friends have seen the cover before now. The SMP artist did a wonderful job in capturing the concept of our book and the city skyline continues to be a part of the cover as this is the second book in the five part series of The Turning Stone Chronicles which primarily takes places in and around Cleveland.

When our heroine Delaney Ramsey saw she is on the cover of our new book she about passed out. Not unlike she did when Rhys tried to bring out her alter ego. She just couldn’t believe she had made the cover. Delaney has never wanted to be noticed or the center of attention, but she now is out there for the world to see.

Blurb:

When Delaney Ramsey is enlisted to help train two of the most powerful shape shifters the Turning Stone Society has seen in thousands of years, she suspects one of them is responsible for the disappearance of her daughter. To complicate matters, the man has a secret that could destroy them all. Bound by honor to protect the suspect, Delaney must prove his guilt without losing her life to his terrible powers or revealing to the police captain she’s falling for that she’s a shape shifter with more than one agenda.

The minute Captain Williams lays eyes on Delaney Ramsey, he knows she’s trouble. Uncooperative, secretive, and sexy, he can’t get her out of his mind. When he discovers she has a personal agenda for sifting through all the criminal records in his precinct, and secretly investigating his best detective, he can’t let her out of his sight. He must find out what she’s looking for before she does something illegal. If she steps over the line, he’s not certain he can look the other way for the sake of love.

Excerpt:

The telephone jangling pulled Delaney Ramsey out of a deep sleep. Moving the digital clock on the nightstand closer to her, she squinted at the bright green numbers. Three a.m. She fumbled for the receiver.

“If you’re calling at this ungodly hour, someone better be dead,” she mumbled into the phone.

“Delaney, ’tis Eli McCraigen.”

Sitting up, she pulled the duvet cover with her. Why was the Keeper of the Stone calling her? “What’s wrong, Eli?”

“Dinna worry yerself. ’Tis good news.”

Slumping against the headboard, she yawned, the adrenalin draining away with his words. “If it’s such good news, why couldn’t you wait until tomorrow?”

“I need ye tae call a special meeting o’ the council before they get away from the city.”

“All fifteen?”

“Nay, only the senior council. I’ve a new Promised One tae present.”

“Why wasn’t he presented last night at Samhain?”

“He hadnae committed tae the cause, and he dinna have a ring until minutes before midnight.”

“This is highly irregular, Eli. I don’t know if I can get the council to agree.”

“Ye have tae. He’s a verra special man.”

“A Promised One who hasn’t even had his ring more than a few hours. That’s unheard of. How can you expect someone like that to pass even one proof test?”

“He’s already shown me two–and they’re not the paltry tests most Promised Ones have failed. He has the elusive, legendary powers, and he did them using the power of other shifters’ rings.”

She snapped awake. “Other shifters’ rings? Whose?”

“Mine, Alexi Jordan’s and Sylvia Jordan’s.”

Delaney switched the light on, knocking her reading glasses to the floor with the motion. Great. She’d just bought them. Leaning over the edge of the bed, she retrieved the glasses and put them on. “Sylvia Jordan Riley?”

“’Tis that what the she-witch is calling herself now?”

“Seems so. Her name has come across my desk in her official capacity with Homeland Security.”

“That’s the other thing I need from ye. Sylvia’s butting intae Rhys’ and Alexi’s jobs and personal lives. I’m pretty certain she knows what he is, too. I need reinforcements.”

In all the years she’d known Eli, he’d never asked for assistance. And he comes to me now. At the worst possible time. “I’m honored you’d think of me, but I can’t do more than call the council for you. Ask one of them to get your reinforcements.”

“Fine, the council can arrange that, but I need ye on a more personal mission.”

“I’m in the middle of something very important and time consuming. I can’t help.”

“Dinna ye know who’s asking ye, lassie?”

She knew all right. The most powerful man in the entire Turning Stone Society. She was crazy to even consider refusing him. Her position on the council rested on his say so. However, finding her daughter meant more to her than anything else. “Normally I’d be willing to die for you, Eli, but–”

“Let’s pray dying won’t be what we’ll be needing. But I could be putting ye in a verra dangerous position.”

That did it. No way could she help if it might cost her life. Not now. Not until she found Lila. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

“I need ye, Delaney. Come tae University Hospital and see me. I’m in ER.”

“ER? Are you all right?”

“We had a little run-in with a panther.”

 

C.D. Hersh Bio:

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after.

Together they have co-authored a number of dramas, six which have been produced in Ohio, where they live. Their interactive Christmas production had five seasonal runs in their hometown and has been sold in Virginia, California, and Ohio. Their most recent collaborative writing efforts have been focused on romance. The first book of their paranormal romance series entitled The Promised One (The Turning Stone Chronicles) is available on Amazon. The second book in the series Blood Brothers is coming this summer.

 

Connect with C.D. Hersh

Website: http://cdhersh.wordpress.com/

Soul Mate Publishing: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/

Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/cdhershauthor

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/C.-D.-Hersh/e/B00DV5L7ZI

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCDHersh

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CDHersh

 

Buy Link for Promised One, first book in series:

Amazon buy link: http://t.co/yW59QqvkLh

A Chuckle for Friday

Some paraprosdokians for you this week. Yes, I had to look up the definition of paraprosdokian, it is:

“Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation. “

 Here’s an example:

“Where there’s a will, I want to be in it,” 

 Hope you get a laugh out of these.

Do not argue with an idiot—he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it’s still on my list.

Light travels faster than sound, this is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

War does not determine who is right—only who is left.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Evening news is where they begin with ‘Good Evening,’ and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism, to steal from many is research.

A bus station is where a bus stops, a train station is where a train stops, on my desk, I have a work station.

I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay-checks.

Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, ‘In case of emergency, notify:’ I put DOCTOR.’

I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

Behind every successful man is his woman, behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

 :)

Sandy

A Chuckle for Friday

My husband works in the aviation industry, so I’ll be including a few aeronautical funnies in these regular posts.

Budget air travel..

One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated, waiting for the cockpit crew to show up so they can get under way. The pilot and co-pilot finally appear in the rear of the plane, and begin walking up to the cockpit through the centre aisle. Both appear to be blind.

The pilot is using a white cane, bumping into passengers right and left as he stumbles down the aisle, and the co-pilot is using a guide dog. Both have their eyes covered with huge sunglasses. At first the passengers don’t react, thinking that it must be some sort of practical joke. However, after a few minutes the engines start revving and the airplane starts moving.

The passengers look at each other with some uneasiness, whispering among themselves and looking desperately to the stewardesses for reassurance. Then the airplane starts accelerating rapidly down the runway and people begin panicking. Some passengers are praying, and as the plane gets closer and closer to the end of the runway, the voices are becoming more and more hysterical. Finally, when the airplane has less than 20 feet of runway left, there is a sudden change in the pitch of the shouts as everyone screams at once, and at the very last moment the airplane lifts off and is airborne.

Up in the cockpit, the co-pilot breathes a sigh of relief and turns to the pilot: “You know, one of these days the passengers aren’t going to scream, and we’re gonna get killed!”

Sandy

Thursday Threads

Brenda Stinnett is here this week with her sizzling, historical paranormal, set in London after the Restoration of Charles II.

Darius Einhard, demon slayer, will stop at nothing to help Elizabeth Curran, immortal vampire, break the bonds of vampirism, even while helping her protect Charles Stuart II, who’s in danger of being entrapped into becoming an immortal vampire and leading his people into the abyss of hell by the psychic vampire demons. 

 

Excerpt:

A heavy mist swirled from the cold river, and the melancholy sound of the horns of ships and the mournful cry of gulls drifted into the room. A huge, black raven landed on the windowsill, a messenger who had come, but too late to be of use to Charles.

The priest pulled up a small Venetian table inlaid in gold, and covered it with a snowy white linen cloth before placing a silver candlestick on it. The crisp, cold sea breeze blew in from the Thames, causing the candle to flicker. He placed a jeweled rosary between Charles’s long fingers. Then put a bottle of holy water, a silver salver of oil, and a silver-plated bowl on the table next to a well-worn wooden crucifix.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned,” Charles said. “I loved many women and committed much adultery, but the one woman I truly loved was my darling Elizabeth. Never would I have taken another woman if she were mine. The story I beg you to share with others is not my story, but rather hers, for she was the king’s own vampire.”

The priest paled and stroked Charles’s cheek. “There, Your Majesty, you are feverish. Don’t speak of this thing right now.”

Charles drew in a painful breath. He had to make the priest understand before he grew any weaker. “My Nelly told me the parts of the story I didn’t already know, and as for the rest, well, I was there. It’s a story that may frighten you, but it’s a warning to all–because it could happen again.”

That’s my snippet from The King’s Vampire, and I hope you liked it. Thanks for stopping by for SMP’s Thursday Threads.

Brenda

Buy link

Amazon:      http://amzn.to/12HHQ7e

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrendaStinnett

Web Page:  http://brendastinnett.com

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/brendastinnett

 

 

 

Thursday Threads

Hi, all. Well this past week got all out of whack so the Thursday Thread is Saturday.

This week we have Maggie Mundy’s sensual, paranormal romance, Hidden Mortality.

Excerpt:

Cara kept searching but couldn’t find the book she wanted. The assistant at the empty counter smiled politely as she approached.

“I’m looking for a book called Immortality and Witchcraft, Fact or Fiction,” Cara said.

The woman typed the title into her computer. As Cara waited, someone walked up to the other counter beside her. She turned to look. Her world stopped as she met the slate grey gaze of the man staring straight at her. This wasn’t possible. He couldn’t exist. He was just a dream lover. Yet there he was, standing next to her as big as life.

She tried to smile, but it probably came out as more of a grin. He didn’t smile back. Her legs turned to jelly. If she didn’t breathe, she would pass out. She reached out and gripped the counter. One of them had to look away but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Someone was talking to her and the moment was broken.

“Excuse me.”

“Sorry.” Cara replied, as she forced herself to look at the salesperson. She was afraid if she glanced back, he would be gone. Her imagination must be playing tricks on her.

“It looks like we should have one copy left,” the woman said.

“I think I’m just about to sell it,” the other shop assistant said coming up to the register. “We could order it in for you. It might take a couple of weeks.”

“Please, take my copy.” The man at the other counter held out the book. His voice was deep, exactly as it was in her dreams. She was caught again in his gaze. The world disappeared and for a moment they were the only two people alive locked in the gaze they shared. Her hand went to her chest. She could feel her heart racing at the thought of him being near.

“Thank you, but no I couldn’t. You had the book first.”

“Please, take it. I have plenty of time to wait for another copy to come in.”

She found it hard to say no. Perhaps, it was the fact he was about six three and wore grey bike leathers. They added to the effect of making him look powerful. The shaved head and the stubble on his face gave a menacing look, but she wasn’t afraid of him. This wasn’t right. Her life was wild enough without dream lovers becoming real.

Plus, she wouldn’t want her other dreams to become real as well. She needed to say something, or he would think she was an idiot standing there with her mouth gaping. He held the book out to her. As she took it, her hand touched his. It was such a tiny touch and yet it meant he was real. She felt the heat rising up her neck as she blushed. She also sensed another heat inside her. It was the same way he had made her feel in her dreams.

“Thanks.” Cara paid for her book and listened as he confirmed his contact details. Seth Scanlon. She had a name. She wasn’t really stalking. Taking another book off a shelf, she flipped through the pages. He glanced her way before he left and caught her gaze once more.

She couldn’t fool herself. The look he gave her was so intense she felt he was seeing inside her soul. Her breath caught. She shivered although the shop was warm. For a split second, she considered following him and saying he must remember all the times they had made love.

She could just imagine the expression he would give her. He didn’t know her. She was a stranger. The shop became suffocating as she pulled at the collar of her jumper. She needed to be outside. There was no sign of him on the street. For a moment, she wanted to cry. At this rate, she would give the silly schoolgirls in the shop a run for their money.

 

http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428101.Maggie_Mundy?from_search=true

https://twitter.com/MundyMaggie

www.maggiemundy.com

https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMundyAuthor

Buy link http://tinyurl.com/lsu98dv