C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 134
April 13, 2017
Friday Feature What’s Next
Guest talks about
Cookies!
by
Chris Pavesic
This is a new family favorite. I made these in place of my traditional Christmas Cookies last year, and have requests to make them for all upcoming holidays. For New Years I made an extra batch to store in the freezer for any time an unexpected guest visits, and they lasted about a day.
Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cookies
½ cup unsweetened baker’s chocolate powder
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter (plus an additional amount for coating the baking tray)
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 ¼ cup all purpose flour (plus an additional amount for coating the baking tray)
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. sea salt
1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ package raw pecan halves
½ cup (approximate) coarse sugar or sanding sugar
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Prepare the baking sheet by coating the surface with butter and then dusting with flour. This will help ensure the cookies do not stick.
Prepare the plate. Sprinkle the coarse or sanding sugar on the surface for pressing the cookie dough.
Mix chocolate powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and egg in a large bowl until blended.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until mixed. (The dough will be stiff.)
Stir in chocolate chips until evenly mixed.
Using the tablespoon-sized measuring spoon, scoop one cookie and drop it onto the plate.
Using your fingers or the back of the spoon, press and mold the dough until it is shaped the way you desire. (My family likes the traditional rounded cookie shape—but you do you!)
Lift the cookie and place it sugar-side up on the baking sheet. Press one of the pecan halves into the center. Repeat for the remaining cookies.
Space the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Remove from the cookie sheet. Finish cooling on a wire rack.
This recipe makes about 36 cookies.
What’s Next?
I am currently working on two projects. I have a two book epic fantasy in the draft/beta reading stage and I am working on a LitRPG novel concept. For those who might not be familiar with the genre, LitRPG is a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy which describes the hero’s adventures within an online computer game. Finally my love of gaming and writing are coming together! I knew all of those nights I stayed up playing MMORPGs would pay off someday. Right now I am in the world-building stage for my LitRPG.
It all boils down to more time in front of the computer and putting words on the screen. Over the next few months I will make more announcements as events warrant. Until then my short stories are available on Amazon.com and are free if you have Kindle Unlimited.
Praise for Heart & Mind
“The author has managed to weave an intricate web about being true to yourself. One shouldn’t be guided or led by others. Above all, feel the magic in your own heart. As the fairy godmother believes sometimes it is best not to mess with destiny.” –Chief, USN Ret…VT Town—a Top 500 Reviewer on Amazon.com
Praise for The World In Front of Me
“Picked up this short story because I noted it was previously published in Penumbra, which was a pretty high quality publication. And this story lived up to my expectations for a professional quality piece.
The story’s main idea reminded me a lot of the Lakeside community in Neil Gaimon’s American Gods, but I won’t say anymore about that for fear of giving away spoilers. But fans of Gaimon should really enjoy this story. Fans of strong women who make tough choices should enjoy this as well”—KSluss—Review on Amazon.com
Praise for Going Home
“This is an excellent short story that is full of surprises for the reader. Martial law is about to be imposed in the colony.
A secret room, trips on a train and a clandestine meeting are all part of this superb short story.
Most highly recommended”—Off Grid . . . And Loving It—a Top 500 Reviewer on Amazon.com
Praise for Wonderland
“The writing is beautiful, the characters are complex and thoroughly developed and the story is fascinating. All of it together creates a world you don’t want to leave when the book ends. I am so glad I discovered this author and I cannot wait for her next book”—Mary—Review on Amazon.com
Read excerpts from all of the books written by Chris Pavesic on Amazon.
Chris Pavesic is a fantasy author who lives in the Midwestern United States and loves Kona coffee, steampunk, fairy tales, and all types of speculative fiction. Between writing projects, Chris can most often be found reading, gaming, gardening, working on an endless list of DIY household projects, or hanging out with friends. Learn more about Chris on her website.
Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
April 11, 2017
Wednesday Special Spotlight The Soul Mate Tree book four
Shares
The Trail to Love
by
Tina Susedik
Donald calls this an enjoyable, interesting, and captivating story that keeps you reading.
ABOUT TINA SUSEDIK:[image error]
Tina Susedik is a multi-published author with books in both fiction and non-fiction, including history, children’s, and military books. Her favorite is writing romance stories where her characters live happily ever after. She lives in Northwestern Wisconsin and is a member of Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.
This is her sixth book with Soul Mate Publishing.
The legend of the soul mate tree:
I am old, I am ancient, my purpose is clear
To give those who are needy a treasure so dear.
They who come to my roots, touch my bark, stroke my leaves
Find the soul of their lives if they but believe.
When I call and you listen, your prize will be great
If your heart remains open and you don’t hesitate.
Do you yearn? Be you lonely? Is your time yet at hand?
Reach for me and I’ll give to you. I’m yours to command.
For your trust, for your faith, keep my secrets untold
And I’ll gift you forever, to have and to hold.
An ancient legend spanning eras, continents, and worlds. To some, it’s nothing more than a dream. To others, a pretty fairy tale handed down through the generations.
For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.
Jack Billabard, mourning the loss of his wife and baby in childbirth, vows to never to love again. After their funeral at Fort Laramie, he rides into the Wyoming hills beyond the ranch he built for his wife. Through his grieving tears, an ancient tree appears, giving him the hope he doesn’t believe is possible. For the next four years, he acts as a guide on the Oregon Trail, taking families to a new life while his looms lonely and stagnant.
The night before her abusive husband’s death, an ancient tree appears in Sarah Nickelson’s yard as she agonizes over how to survive her marriage. The tree gives her hope she can’t help but reject. After all, a tree doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. After her husband ‘s death, and with no options as a widow in Independence, Missouri, Sarah decides to travel to Oregon City as a Mail Order Bride.
During their trek west on the Oregon Trail, Jack and Sarah encounter one another, each afraid of being hurt again. Can they survive dogs and puppies, wind and rainstorms, Indians and unfavorable fellow passengers, while their love blossoms? Will the tree fulfill its promise?
Amazon Buy Link: https://amzn.com/B06WLHXMDX
Book Trailer for The Soul Mate Tree:
Short Excerpt:
Cold seeped into his bones. Something warm blew across his face and ears. Jack swatted at his ears and peeled one gritty eye open.
“Papaya!” He pushed at the horse’s nose. “Go away.” Papaya continued prodding at him. “Damn horse.” He rubbed his cold hands together.
In the dim light, he wasn’t sure if it was morning or evening. The previous day’s events came back to him. He sat up and wiped a hand over his stubbly chin. Tears burned behind his eyes.
Papaya tugged at his sleeve until the only thing he could do was stand. “Dammit, horse, leave me alone.” He pushed the horse to the side. The sun rising behind the mountains from the east cast a shadow on a tree Jack swore hadn’t been there the night before.
Standing at least twenty feet high, the trunk was twisted and gnarled like the arthritic hands of his grandfather. Several roots rose from the ground making it look as if it would walk away. Some of its massive branches drooped close to the ground, like arms dragging across the grass.
As the sky lightened, he realized that, unlike the rough bark of the pines at this altitude, the tree’s light brown bark was smooth. Was it the lighting, or did some of the bark actually seem golden while in other places it was rough and dark brown? The surrounding trees paled in comparison.
Jack stepped closer. Pale green, oval leaves reminded him of an elm tree, only much smaller. When the wind blew, the undersides shimmered with a silvery glow.
Had he been so distraught yesterday he’d missed the massive structure? The tree seemed to beckon, calling him to its embrace. He dipped beneath its branches.
His hand shook as he reached out to touch the trunk. The instant he came in contact, his icy fingers warmed. Then his arm. He tried to pull away, but he couldn’t move.
Warmth spread through his body then settled in his aching heart. Was he hallucinating or was the tree humming? Had the tree actually whispered, “Love will come.”
A calmness settled over him and the darkness of the past few days diminished.
Between the hanging branches a person, surrounded by a foggy haze, appeared. Actually, two people. One tall, the other waist high, with a smaller version of Jack’s hat on its head. Suspenders held up too-short pants over the little one’s plaid shirt. A woman and a boy? They held hands, swinging them back and forth as if they hadn’t a care in the world. The woman’s bonnet hung down her back, loose hair flowing to her waist.
Was the tree showing him what Lily and his child would have been like if they’d lived? His heartbeat pounded in his ears, and he swore his heart cracked. As quickly as the despair washed over him, the tree hummed again and his heart warmed and peace settled through him.
Then the woman looked over her shoulder. This wasn’t Lily. The sun struck the vision. Instead of his wife’s dark hair, this woman’s shimmered like gold. Even from this distance, her sparkling blue eyes pierced through him.
Her smile beckoned him, and when she crooked her finger, all he could do was follow. The closer he came, the farther away they moved, until their bodies faded and nothing stood before him except the large boulder he’d slept against.
The tree. What if he touched the tree again? He pivoted on his foot, ready to run back and feel the twisted branches. What the hell? Maybe he’d lost his bearings while chasing the woman and boy. He spun in each direction. Nothing. The tree was gone. Poof. Was he losing his mind and dreaming the whole incident?
Something light brown on the ground caught his eye. Jack picked it up, his fingers warming at its touch. Bark from the disappearing tree? Had it all been real after all? If so, then where had the woman and boy gone?
Jack retraced the steps he’d taken to follow them. Only his own impressions in the dirt showed. He was going crazy. That was it. Crazy from grief. Maybe what he needed was to get away from the land and the memories it held.
Papaya pushed against Jack’s back, nearly knocking him to the ground.
“What do you think, old boy?” He ran his hand over the horse’s soft nose and recalled Samuel Hunt’s offer of a job from before he’d married Lily. “Should I see if Sam still needs someone to help take those crazy emigrants to Oregon?”
As if he understood what Jack was saying, Papaya nodded his large head.
“Well, since I’m already crazy, I might as well listen to you.”
After a quick breakfast of cold biscuits and hard tack, he swung onto Papaya’s back and headed back down the mountain. Back to his empty home and future.
LINKS FOR TINA SUSEDIK:
Website
Twitter: @tinasusedik
Facebook: Tina Susedik, Author
Goodreads
Pinterest
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April 10, 2017
Tell Again Tuesday Publishing & Marketing
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Streamlining Your Writing, Publishing, and Marketing Process to Become a More Profitable Author
2016 was a tough year for a lot of indie authors, with people reporting everything from flawed reporting and not getting credit for page reads in Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program to no longer being able to get Bookbub ads to no longer being able to afford Facebook ads due to their increasing popularity with authors. Every year, there’s more competition, with more ebooks than ever for readers to choose from. Where the Kindle Store was once flooded with mediocre covers and blurbs full of typos, we’re now seeing lots of self-published books that look as good as (or better than!) trad published books.
The industry has matured, and a lot of authors are finding . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://lindsayburoker.com/e-publishing/streamlining-your-writing-publishing-and-marketing-process/
April 6, 2017
Friday Feature The Sun God’s Heir
Guest talks about
Memories are funny things
by
Elliott Baker
Yes, they are. Sometimes they’re there when we want them, and sometimes they’re not. Unless you’re one of those eidetic folks who can remember every minute of their lives, early memories are often of higher emotional occurrences like birthdays or the time you broke your arm. I grew up with four sisters and brothers and for whatever the reasons, we rarely went out to eat. When we did, it was usually a special occasion. As a food lover, something about being in a restaurant has always been magical to me and has served as an anchor for more memories than I might have been able to recall without.
One of my favorite memories was dinner at Patti’s. This large, many roomed, Italian restaurant was a staple of Jacksonville, Florida dining. The people were friendly, the atmosphere, at least to a twelve-year-old boy was about as elegant as possible, and the food was good and more important to my twelve-year-old memory, plentiful.
If you were there for your birthday, you were served a small everything pizza. I was assured by my father we didn’t have to be there on the exact day of someone’s birthday. In fact we sometimes missed it by months. The restaurant didn’t seem to be concerned, and neither did I. Great pizza.
This restaurant is where I was first introduced to chicken parmesan which I have loved ever since. My memory of the dish combines the excitement of being there with the actual preparation of the food, but given how busy the restaurant was, I don’t think its popularity was due only to the free birthday pizza.
I came across this a while ago and would like to share it with you.
Restaurant reviews
Thursday, March 1, 2001
Duplicating Sauce an Inexact Science
By Dan Macdonald
Jacksonville Times-Union food editor
“Here’s the sad truth — you won’t be able to replicate Patti’s famous Boneless Chicken Parmesan at home.
This dish was the most popular menu item during the restaurant’s history, nightly outselling everything else 3 to 1, said John Patti, grandson of founder Peter Patti and a former chef.
You won’t be able to make the sauce exactly as it was made in the restaurant. It’s doubtful that you’ll want to buy a large round of goat’s milk Romano cheese to hand grind. It’s unfathomable that someone would go to the trouble of making bread from scratch just for the bread crumbs.
————–
PATTI’S STYLE SAUCE
Place all ingredients in a large pot and stir together. Simmer on low heat for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
4 (10-ounce) cans tomato puree
2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons salt
24 ounces water
Pepper to taste
Yield: 2 quarts.
Source: John Patti.
—————
Or maybe Patti is just being coy.
When asked for the recipe, Patti said he didn’t know it. At least he didn’t know how to make it in anything less than 15-gallon quantities. As unbelievable as it sounds, he doesn’t make it at home for the family.
“I have a [bottled sauce] that I use, Classico Four Cheeses Di Parma, It’s a little more seasoned than what we used at the restaurant, but it is pretty good stuff,” Patti said.
While he wouldn’t give us a specific recipe, he did describe how to make the Chicken Parmesan.
First, the sauce (an approximation of the recipe follows). It is made from a thick tomato puree. The restaurant would buy it in No. 10-size cans. The puree had to be thick enough so that if you stuck a kitchen knife into the center, it would stand up.
The puree was diluted somewhat with water and seasoned lightly (a light hand is necessary) with oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. It is then covered and left to simmer for five to six hours.
That’s it. However, the quantities remain a mystery. Patti suggests preparing 2-quarts of sauce (enough for four servings of Chicken Parmesan and some spaghetti side dishes).
Patti’s served a whole chicken breast. When it was de-boned, they left them connected at the top. When served, the breast halves were pushed together to give the appearance of a super large half-breast.
The chicken was dredged in flour then an egg wash and then in dried bread crumbs.
At the restaurant, the chicken was deep fried, though pan frying at home in a good vegetable oil is more practical.
Once the chicken is fried, it is placed in a baking dish and then lightly covered with the tomato sauce (it shouldn’t be smothered), dusted with the Romano cheese and the covered with a rather thin slice of provolone cheese. The provolone should be so thin that when placing it on top of the fingertips, you can see the fingers make an indentation without tearing it.
Place under the broiler long enough to allow the cheeses to melt and blend together with the sauce.
But wait, where’s the Parmesan?
“You got it,” Patti said. “You discovered the secret. We left out the Parmesan. That’s what put us on the map.”
Now while you mull over why Patti decided to leave out the Parmesan, how about a brief intro to my action adventure story? I hope you like it.
For three thousand years a hatred burns. In seventeenth century France two souls incarnate, one born the child of a prosperous merchant, the other, determined to continue an incarnation begun long ago.
In ancient Egypt, there were two brothers, disciples of the pharaoh, Akhenaten. When the pharaoh died, the physician took the knowledge given and went to Greece to begin the mystery school. The general made a deal with the priests and became pharaoh. One remembers, one does not.
The year is 1671. René Gilbert’s destiny glints from the blade of a slashing rapier. The only way he can protect those he loves is to regain the power and knowledge of an ancient lifetime. From Bordeaux to Spain to Morocco, René is tested and with each turn of fate he gathers enemies and allies, slowly reclaiming the knowledge and power earned centuries ago. For three thousand years a secret sect has waited in Morocco.
After ages in darkness, Horemheb screams, “I am.” Using every dark art, he manages to maintain the life of the body he has bartered for. Only one life force in the world is powerful enough to allow him to remain within embodiment, perhaps forever. Determined to continue a reign of terror that once made the Nile run red, he grows stronger with each life taken.
Read more on Amazon.
Award winning, international playwright Elliott B. Baker grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. With four musicals and one play published and done throughout the United States, New Zealand, Portugal, England, and Canada, Elliott is pleased to offer his first novel, Return, book one of The Sun God’s Heir trilogy.
A member of the Authors Guild and the Dramatists Guild, Elliott lives in New Hampshire with his beautiful wife Sally Ann.
Learn more about Elliot Baker on his website. Stay connected on Twitter and Facebook. Like Elliott’s Author Page on Facebook to learn all his latest news.
April 4, 2017
Wednesday Special Spotlight Abbey’s Search for Sanctuary
Shines On
Eris Field
Amazon Best Selling author Eris Field leads us into an exotic world seldom experienced by Western women. Abbey’s Search for Sanctuary is book one of the Destiny: Choice or Chance Trilogy. This contemporary international romance was released by Soul Mate Publishing March 15, 2017. This is one well-written novel that sweeps you away. A definite must read.
Honor killings aren’t common in Buffalo, NY. But Turkish-American nurse Abbey knows she must protect her dead sister’s infant daughter, Jenny. Abbey’s sister was murdered by her Muslim husband for leaving him when she learned his mother would perform the cruel ritual of female circumcision on Jenny.
Once a fighter and medic with the Kurdish forces in Iraq, Rami now works with the refugees in Buffalo. Shunned by his grandfather for failing to demand retribution when his arranged marriage failed, Rami has mastered the art of avoiding emotional attachments. That is until he meets Abbey.
Warning Abbey that honor killings are family affairs and she and Jenny are in danger, Rami offers her a way out: a marriage of convenience and a safe place to live–his homeland, Kurdistan where they’ll be protected by the clan.
Abbey has vowed to do what it takes to protect Jenny. Can she face going back to the world of her childhood, a world of headscarves and submission, a world she escaped once?
Eris Field was born in the Green Mountains of Vermont—Jericho, Vermont to be precise—close by the home of Wilson Bentley (aka Snowflake Bentley), the first person in the world to photograph snowflakes. She learned from her Vermont neighbors that pursuit of one’s dream is a worthwhile life goal.
As a seventeen year old student nurse at Albany Hospital, Eris met a Turkish surgical intern who told her fascinating stories about the history of Turkey, the loss of the Ottoman Empire, and forced population exchanges. After they married and moved to Buffalo, Eris worked as a nurse at Children’s Hospital and at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
After taking time off to raise five children and amassing rejection letters for her short stories, Eris earned her master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing at the University at Buffalo. Later, she taught psychiatric nursing at the University and wrote a textbook for psychiatric nurse practitioners—a wonderful rewarding but never to be repeated experience.
Eris now writes novels, usually international, contemporary romances. Her interest in history and her experience in psychiatry often play a part in her stories. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Western New York Romance Writers. In addition to writing, Eris’s interests include: Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders; Eradicating Honor Killings, supporting the Crossroads Springs Orphanage in Kenya for children orphaned by AIDS, and learning more about Turkey, Cyprus, and Kurdistan.
Learn more about Eris Field on her website. Stay connected on Facebook.
April 3, 2017
Tell Again Tuesday Fun
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Posted on January 20, 2017 by Joanne Guidoccio
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://joanneguidoccio.com/2017/01/20/fun-friday-57/
March 30, 2017
Friday Features Celebrating Women
Guest talks about
Celebrating Women
by
Carol Browne
March is Women’s History Month, an event that can be traced back to 1911 when the first International Women’s Day (March 8th) was initiated in the USA. In 1981 Congress authorised the President of the USA to proclaim that the week beginning 7th March should be Women’s History Week. The National Women’s History Project subsequently petitioned Congress which led to the month of March 1987 being designated as Women’s History Month. Congress continued to pass annual resolutions requesting the president to make a proclamation to this effect and this has continued down the years.
This month is celebrated in a variety of ways, from demonstrations of respect, love and admiration for women, to acknowledgement of their political, historical and social achievements and contributions. It is also a time to speak out for women’s rights, to bring to light the struggles many women face now and to honour those they have overcome in the past. As we are becoming more and more aware of the roles women have played throughout history, it is fitting that we remember the stories of Holocaust survivors like Krystyna Porsz, who are such powerful examples of the resilience of the human spirit and the endurance of women in particular.
If, like Krystyna, you were just 18 years old, your country was invaded and your family threatened, what would you do to survive? Being Krystyna is one woman’s story of surviving horror and loss in Poland during World War II. It’s a story with lessons still relevant to us today.
To celebrate Women’s History Month with a beverage appropriate to the era, why not try a recipe for a Champagne Cocktail that dates back to World War II?
Photo by m_bartosch
Champagne Cocktail
½ oz (15ml) ginger liqueur
½ oz (15ml) blackcurrant liqueur
Champagne
Wartime Britain was cut off from supplies of fruits like oranges but people were able to grow an abundance of blackcurrants in their own gardens and allotments. Would you believe that these tiny fruits contain vitamins B5, B6, B1, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and potassium, as well as humungous amounts of vitamin C? Ginger is also very beneficial for the health. And champagne is…well, delicious. Bottoms up!
Here’s a glimpse into the tough life of a strong woman I admire.
It’s 2012, the year of the London Olympics, and for young Polish immigrant Agnieszka, visiting fellow countrywoman Krystyna in a Peterborough care home is a simple act of kindness. However, the meeting proves to be the beginning of a life-changing experience.
Krystyna’s stories about the past are not memories of the good old days but recollections of war-ravaged Europe: The Warsaw Ghetto, Pawiak Prison, Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, and the death march to freedom.
The losses and ordeals Krystyna suffered and what she had to do to survive, these are horrors Agnieszka must confront when she volunteers to be Krystyna’s biographer.
Will Agnieszka find a way to accomplish her task, and, in this harrowing story of survival, what is the message for us today?
Buy Links
Dilliebooks – Amazon UK – Amazon US
Born in Stafford in the UK, Carol Browne was raised in Crewe, Cheshire, which she thinks of as her home town. Interested in reading and writing at an early age, Carol pursued her passions at Nottingham University and was awarded an honours degree in English Language and Literature. Now living and working in the Cambridgeshire countryside, Carol usually writes fiction and is a contracted author at Burning Willow Press. Being Krystyna, published by Dilliebooks on 11th November, 2016, is her first non-fiction book.
Stay connected with Carol on her website and blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
March 28, 2017
Wednesday Special Spotlight Stacy Hoff
Shines On
The ever-engaging Stacy Hoff who brings us her latest captivating book Building Love in Vegas . Be sure to get your copy today!
Catherine “Cat” Warner has problems. The profits from her inns are down. The pressure from her parents is up. Her love life is non-existent. But Cat did manage to get the attention of tough, powerful, gorgeous hotel magnate Ty Orland. Unfortunately, his interest in her is for all the wrong reasons. Instead of wanting Cat, this debonair CEO only wants her land—a parcel he desperately needs for his next big development deal. Too bad, it’s not for sale. A people pleaser by nature, Cat knows to stand strong. If she caves in to the demands of this sexy, alluring man, it will be her own neck on the line.
Ty Orland has a lot of things going for him. Success. Power. Respect. Unfortunately, he’s also got an old chip on his shoulder and a new financial nightmare. His development deal is going down in flames—and fast. His only way out is if Cat sells him her strategically located parcel. But romancing the land from her is not easy when love gets in the way. The woman is as beautiful as she is beguiling. And Ty no longer knows which prize is more valuable.
***
Like any astute businessman, Ty knew when to act fast. To make an offer so appealing it could not be refused. He got into the batter’s box, ready for anything Cat threw his way. “We had a great time downstairs at the bar, right?”
“I hope you’re not implying I now owe you my land because of it.”
Strike One.
“Of course not,” Ty said hastily. Despite his firm, confident words, he was sweating. “What I’m saying is, we may not bond on a business level, but we seem to connect on a personal level. Am I right?”
Cat remained silent.
Ty arched an eyebrow at her, daring a confirmation.
“Yes,” she relented.
“Then if you won’t let me buy your land, our business transaction has concluded for tonight. Correct again?”
“Yes. Correct.” Her eyes narrowed, probably wondering what was he getting at.
“Great. We’re leaving. Together. If you want to take a coat, get it and let’s go.”
“What? Don’t take me wrong, I’m glad you’re giving up so easily, but I’m . . . surprised.”
Foul ball.
“Surprised? Why?”
“You’re not going to harangue me about my land anymore?” Her eyes were wide. She seemed afraid to believe him, yet hopeful.
Well, he was trustworthy. Mostly. “Oh, I might.” Ty grinned slyly. “But tonight both of us are done talking business.”
Slowly she smiled back at him.
Home run.
Amazon Buy link for BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS
About Stacy Hoff[image error]
Stacy Hoff is a contemporary romance author, as well as an attorney. She has practiced law for over two decades, primarily handling contracts. Romance novels have always been her secret passion. She writes her romantic stories until the wee hours of the night. Stacy lives in New England with her husband and two boys.
Stacy’s full-length contemporary romance novels are:
JOCKEYING FOR YOU, LAWFULLY YOURS, DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES (DESIRE series #1), and DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC (DESIRE series #2). BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series #1) released 3/22/17. Book #2 in the BUILDING LOVE series will be released October, 2017.
Author’s websites
Amazon Buy link for BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS
March 27, 2017
Tell Again Tuesday World vs Writer’s World
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
The Real World vs. the Writer’s World
The Internet offers plenty of distractions from writing. Tons of websites provide viewers with a steady stream of world news. Some news is positive. Most news is negative. I try to be savvy about current events and yet still shut out the world so I can focus on my writing.When I feel anxious about world events, it’s hard for me to create my own world—one for my characters to live in.
I need to focus. It’s important that . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/the-real-world-vs-the-writers-world-by-stacy-hoff/
March 23, 2017
Friday Features The Trouble with Nerds
Guest
Confessions of a Serial Writer
by
D.R. Grady
The Trouble with Nerds is my newest contemporary romance release. This is Clay Morrison and Sara Newton’s story and is book eleven of The Morrison Family Series. Throughout this series, I’ve made an observation about my career. I’m a serial writer.
I’ve tried with all five of the series I’ve written thus far to write a single, standalone book. I was certain The Nerd and the Marine (book one of The Morrison Family Series) would be a standalone book, as I was already in the middle of writing a romantic suspense series. (The Me Series – comprises five books.)
Imagine my surprise when book one’s heroine’s brother obviously needed his own book, and their cousin needed one, and pretty soon I have eleven books in that series. (And more coming!)
The cousin mentioned above had a long lost sister he didn’t know about, but who found him in the second book, and her story is book five. Now, she and her husband are major secondary characters in The Trouble with Nerds.
I marvel at how favorite characters from preceding books keep popping up in the newer ones. Perhaps I’m just nosy, but I love new opportunities to interact with beloved characters from earlier stories. And wanting to know more about them after their story ends must be the basis of my serial writer tendencies.
I adore knowing how the characters from previous books are doing. Are they still in love? Do they have kids? Are they happy?
I believe we human beings were made to be interested in other people’s lives. This is why we enjoy books, movies, and hearing about the lives of royalty and celebrities. (Perhaps I’m trying to justify my nosiness here…) Yet I take comfort in knowing my favorite characters are content and continuing with their promised happily-ever-after.
The Trouble with Nerds has been especially gratifying because I’ve been able to introduce new characters, while also bringing in some favorites from prior books. Again, the main characters from book five (and seven) help the heroine in book eleven. Book eleven’s hero, Clay, is a cousin to the heroine in book five, Janine, and he’s worked extensively with her husband throughout his career.
I’m happy to report that the characters from book five (and book seven) are still happily in love. And they’re still the amazing people we fell in love with then. Now, they’ve helped us get to know the newest characters, Clay and Sara, who we met in books nine and ten.
By the way, yes, book twelve, The Nerd Who Spied Me, is already written. (I told you I’m nosy, and I couldn’t wait until I finished edits on The Trouble with Nerds before writing the next book.) This is the curse of serial writers. I’m not unhappy about that…
Pick up your copy of The Trouble with Nerds today!
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ3CK1G
Blurb:
Odd things keep happening to Dr. Sara Newton. She’s a soon-to-be-unemployed pediatrician with an alleged stalker, a hot cop on her heels breathing dire warnings, and way too much student debt.
It doesn’t help that the hot cop is Clay Morrison, her best friend’s older brother. The man has made her heart pound and her palms sweaty since puberty. The trouble is, he only interacts with her when he’s expounding on new security measures. He sees threats everywhere.
Clay Morrison is frustrated. He hates his new job, misses his Army Ranger days, loves his well-meaning, pushy family—and when did sweet Sara Newton grow up? She won’t admit she has a stalker, and she won’t keep out of his thoughts. He can only protect someone in denial for so long. No matter how attractive she is…
Clay and Sara are circling each other, trying to meet in the middle. Then a brand new threat sends them in a completely different direction.[image error]
EXCERPT:
The man in front of her grinned. In a twisted parody of a grin as he reached for her. She eluded with a slick move from Janine, but the man flowed with her. As though he had anticipated her action. This time she thrust forward to jab him in the knee, then followed through with a shot to the crotch. He dropped to the floor, grabbing at his damaged goods as she stepped over him to flee the small room.
And slammed into a solid object. The hard hands circling her arms weren’t friendly. This man’s gold tooth gleamed in the dimmed light, and the flash made her heart sink. To the catacombs. She spun, trying to break his grasp, as Greg had taught her.
His grip didn’t falter. Instead, he used his hold on her upper arms to sweep her off the rug and over the men all around them. She shrieked. Just because they wanted to keep quiet didn’t mean she had any intention.
Especially with fear now clouding her thoughts, because her heart thumped and sweat coated her top lip. She knocked her head into his chin and let out another scream. Putting as much volume into it as possible. He countered with a fist to her chin.
The blow snapped her head back, and blanked her mind as pain ratcheted up her jaw into her head. Everything blurred before she yanked up a hand and thrust two fingers into his eyes. Greg had warned there was no need to play fair in battle, so she jabbed at his eyes and used her aching head to free herself, head butting him whenever the opportunity arose.
Her feet were free so she aimed for his knees. Desperation and pain fueled her actions, no matter how cliche. The man laughed at her efforts. Red slashed across her vision as she thrust away her aches and the nasty taste in her mouth. At the clamoring of her common sense, yelling at her to shrivel into a sack of pleading.
She wiped blood off her lip as the images in front of her narrowed to this leering man with his ugly golden tooth. Maybe she wouldn’t win this, but she’d do her best to make Clay proud.
This time when she jabbed him, she did so with her medical expertise. She hit him in the solar plexus and then followed through with a blow to the nose. Next, the money shot. A swift knee to the groin. It was gratifying when he cried out, and crumpled.
Her success surged to her head. Triumphantly, she spun, right into the chest of the largest man she’d ever seen. This might be a gorilla pretending to be a man. He was hairy and needed to bathe, and he leered at her just like the idiot she’d just toppled.
Sara’s bravado faltered and scuttled away with a whimper as she stared at this person so much bigger than her. This is why guns had been invented. Because there was no way . . .
“Sara, run,” Clay bellowed.
Not about to disobey, she darted between the gorilla’s legs and slid across the rug. Her sweater caused drag, but she scrambled to her feet, and sprinted down the hallway. Away from the terror behind her. Her heart pounded in tune with her fleeing footsteps as her breath came in short, staccato gasps.
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ3CK1G
D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.[image error]
Website: http://www.drgradybooks.com/
Twitter: @drgradybooks https://twitter.com/drgradybooks
Facebook Page: D.R. Grady
Google+: D.R. Gradybooks
Other works by D.R. Grady
The Morrison Family Series:
The Nerd who Spied Me
Free Short Stories:
The Me Series:
The Dragon Chronicles Series:
The Dragon Chronicles Book 1: Learning
The Dragon Chronicles Book 2: Shifting
The Dragon Chronicles Book 3: Healing
For additional buying options and updates, please visit D.R. Grady’s website
