Alyson Raynes's Blog, page 4

Monday Blues

Monday Blues

It’s not every Monday that I can say that I have a case of the Monday’s, but today I certainly do.  I don’t know why, but everything seems off.  I had big plans today to make a blog post (which I’m doing), schedule a giveaway and send out my monthly newsletter.  I’m not really sure how much of that is going to get done.  I’m in a funk, and when I get in one of these moods, everything seems to go to the wayside.

It’s also not very often where I am at a loss for words.  Guess what? I am. I have nothing to say or to really add that would be beneficial to anyone.  And now, I realize that I am rambling on this post as I listen to my husband talking to a client in the background.  This is irritating me today.  I’m going to call this post good and share something positive and yummy.  Sugar always makes me feel better and I hope it makes you feel better too!  I’ve made this recipe before and it is delicious!  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Cheerio,

Alyson

Easy Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler by Tasty

https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/

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Summertime Love

Summertime Love

Letting Go

It’s been a while since I made my last blog post. There have been a couple of reasons for that, as the last couple of months have been kind of a whirl wind for me and my family. I shared a post a couple of months ago about some of the things that my family and I were going through. As some of you know, my mother-in law was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Easter 2015. She has fought long and hard, been through several rounds of chemo and various doctor’s appointments. On Saturday, the decision was made for her to go on Hospice Care. It was not an easy decision, but a decision that will be best for her. She has good days and bad days, but as you know, we are now getting closer to the end. I thank those of you who have kept my family and I in your thoughts and prayers, we appreciate it very much.

I named the post Summertime Love, because my mother-in-law has always loved Summer. Hell, if I’m being really honest, she just loves life. I’ve never seen a person who loves life more than her.  She loves to swim, walk, but most of all…she loves to play golf. It is sad to see her confined to her home now. At least she can still go outside and sit on the front or back porch, but she is weak. My heart breaks every time I see how frail she has become. My heart just hurts and I’m sad. So very, very sad.

Kiss of Summer

In addition, Kiss of Summer will be coming out this Summer as well. It’s bittersweet! This story has taken me a very long time to write. How much time? 2 years! You might be asking yourself “Why would it take you 2 freaking years to write a book?” The answer is…I lost my best friend 2 years ago to kidney cancer, then my grandmother died 6 months later and then my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer the following year. It has been a rough 2 years and that story in particular deals with some of the things that I am going through. It’s great therapy for me, but it also takes me on a painful journey of loss and mourning. Sometimes I have to just walk away, because I get so emotionally drained.

Happy Note

On a much happier note, I am so excited to share with all of you that I am going to be a Grandma! This will be my first Grand Baby and my daughter is due January 14th. I know that I have shared this news before, but Facebook likes to hide posts and sometimes people don’t see things. So in the midst of all of the anguish, new life will be born and I feel so blessed knowing that everything is going to be okay.  Here is a picture of my little Prince or Princess.  I know it looks like a little frog, but soon, you will be able to see his or her precious little face.

Fixer Series Sale

THE FIXER SERIES BY ALYSON RAYNES

FIXER SERIES SALE:

ON ‪#‎SALE‬ FOR ‪#‎99CENTS‬ EACH ‪#‎AMAZON‬ #iTunes #B&N

DECEPTION: AMAZON, B&N & ITUNES

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REDMEPTION: AMAZON, B&N AND ITUNES

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DECEPTION:

I am not the child my father wanted. He’s hated me since the day I was born because I’m not a boy. I was never good enough for him, until I met Stefan. Not that it earned me my father’s love, but being with a man my father adored, made my life easier. I thought Stefan was my forever. Until an afternoon of unanswered calls revealed he wasn’t the man I believed he was. I had nowhere to turn except into the arms of a stranger. Dylan Prescott, the mega billionaire, playboy…my co-worker. The one man I’d sworn I’d never have anything to do with. In my moment of weakness he was strong.

PROMISCUOUS:

A cold front was moving in and a slight chill moved through me. Knowing how he felt about me, I knew he would do anything to keep me safe. Committing murder wasn’t beneath him and it was dangerous for me to think that he could be involved in Amber’s death.

I was trapped in a dark place, scared with nothing to eat; barely breathing. I missed the man I could no long remember but knew existed long ago. The promise of rescue keeps me from losing what’s left of my mind. I loved him, believing he loved me too but time had passed, my memories scattered, almost non-existent. I longed for a closeness, to be with him; then realized I don’t even know who he is.

REDEMPTION:

Dylan Prescott is a man who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to keep the woman he loves safe. Living a privileged life has afforded the Prescott family many luxuries–until one of the family’s deepest, darkest secrets is revealed.

Alone and fighting for his life in a Russian hospital, Dylan realizes he is in way over his head. Unsure of how to sever his ties with those who are most corrupt, he begins plotting a new way to help people and finally become the man he knew he was always destined to be.

Brooke Prescott has been missing for nine months. Unsure of who–or where– she is, she must fight to remember and find her way back to those who love her the most.

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Springtime Swag Giveaway

Springtime Swag Giveaway

Springtime swag giveaway. I haven’t done a giveaway in a while and since I am making room for new swag, I thought I would include some old and some new. Everything pictured here is up for grabs for one lucky winner! Included is: Signed book bag, coffee koozie, notepad, pen, chapstick, magnet and signed sticker. You can either click on the photo or the link below to enter. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you have. I appreciate each and every one of you and I thank you for your continued support. If you would like to share the giveaway on your pages, feel free to do so.  The links for sharing are located at the bottom of this post.  Thank you to all who enter and GOOD LUCK! Hugs- Aly

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alyson Raynes

#Giveaway #BookSwag #AlysonRaynes

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Once Upon an Alpha 30K Likes Giveaway

★★★ Once Upon An Alpha Giveaway ★★★

Once Upon an Alpha 30K Likes Giveaway!  TWO Lucky Winners will win a Kindle Fire, $400 Amazon Gift Card, AND in the kindle will be loaded with an eBook from ALL the participating Authors! Some reading material that will keep two readers very busy wink emoticon

Click HERE to enter: http://bit.ly/21yYbfz

Thank you EVERYONE for being part of what makes Once Upon An Alphaso great. To be able to share a love of books, authors, and friends. There are not enough words to express “Thank you.”

Please make sure to show love to all of the authors!! Because of them, they allow us to escape into a world they’ve beautifully written for us.

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Writer’s on the River Giveaway

Writer’s on the River Giveaway

‪#‎KindleFire‬ ‪#‎Giveaway‬ ‪#‎WOTR‬ @TwinsieTalk @WritersonRiver

Who needs a new Kindle? Do you want to get it filled with over 50 authors? Why you do of course!! Follow the link –http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9706570380/? and enter yourself. Sharing is caring!! So tag a friend and share the giveaway.

HINT : Bonus Entries for Ticket Holders!! Need a ticket? Go towww.Writersontheriver.weebly.com and grab them. VIP are going fast!!!

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Re-Release Blitz- Promiscuous by Alyson Raynes

Re-Release Blitz

Promiscuous by Alyson Raynes

Hosted by:

Cover Design by:

Robin at:

Wicked by Design

A cold front was moving in and a slight chill moved through me. Knowing how he felt about me, I knew he would do anything to keep me safe. Committing murder wasn’t beneath him and it was dangerous for me to think that he could be involved in Amber’s death. I was trapped in a dark place, scared with nothing to eat; barely breathing. I missed the man I could no long remember but knew existed long ago. The promise of rescue keeps me from losing what’s left of my mind. I loved him, believing he loved me too but time had passed, my memories scattered, almost non-existent. I longed for a closeness, to be with him; then realized I don’t even know who he is.

I stood, looking up at the tower window and saw Dylan peeking out watching me as I contemplated our new life together. Last night had been one of the best times in my life and I felt in my heart that it was only going to get better. Dylan swore he was the lucky one, but in reality, it was me that was lucky. He had helped heal the scars of my past, showing me true love and teaching me to forgive and let go of the past.

I walked along the riverbank, the breeze catching my breath. Summer in Ireland was different from back home. I closed my eyes enjoying the peace and quiet that it afforded me. The birds chirped and the sound of the water brought me a peacefulness that I hadn’t felt since before my accident as a teenager. I was no longer afraid of what the future held but knew that Dylan had demons of his own that needed to be dealt with. He had suffered so much loss in his younger years, making me wonder if that’s what his nightmares were about. I’m not sure he even realized that he was having them. Whenever one would strike, I would hold and comfort him as he cried.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to my right to see who was there. No one appeared and then I felt the heat of his breath on my left. I knew it was Dylan; I could always sense when he was near.

 

Alyson enjoys bringing characters to life and has been writing since she was a little girl. Her first published book was in elementary school where it was put on display in the library for others to read. Alyson’s love for books is what compels her to write and create new worlds of her own for others to enjoy.

A Colorado native, Alyson loves to travel. She has visited Ireland, Mexico and most of the United States. Her favorite vacation hideaway is Hawaii. She has a love for the ocean and enjoys swimming with sea turtles in the wild. Alyson is a former accountant who has traded in her abacus for a full-time writing career. She enjoys writing everything from erotica to suspense thrillers. Deception is the first book in the The Fixer Series which is both an erotic romance and suspense thriller.

She has been happily married for twenty-three years to her high school sweetheart and is the proud mother of two. Her love of quilting keeps her busy in the winter months when she isn’t writing. Alyson’s favorite past time is spending time with her family, watching football and laughing together.

 

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Chronic Illness Kills Your Social Life

Chronic Illness Kills Your Social Life

Chronic illness kills your social life in more ways than one, at least that has been my personal experience. It started for me back in 2012, two weeks before my 40th birthday.  I had big plans to celebrate, but my body had other ideas of how I would spend it.  Two weeks before my birthday I was admitted to the hospital with severe pain on my lower left side and kidney failure.  It was one of the scariest things that I have ever been through.  I hadn’t been feeling well for quite some time, but ignored the possibility that something could be wrong.  After all, I was in the best shape of my life.  I was healthy, or so I thought.  After spending a week in the hospital, I learned differently, that my partying days were over.  There would be no more drinking or staying out late for me. 

Later that year, in October, I had surgery to remove 18 inches of my colon. A surgery that nearly killed me.  What I learned during that time was that I am not invincible, I’m not 25 years old and the only thing that matters in life are those you love.

Now you might be asking yourself, how in the world does that kill your social life?  I am getting to that.

Before my illness decided to rear its ugly head, I was actively going out with friends, staying out late, drinking and dancing at the clubs til 2 a.m. They were great times!

Flash forward to today and I’m not quite the exciting little social butterfly that I used to be.  As a matter of fact, I’m down right boring!  Or so I’ve been told.  The funny thing is, I no longer have the desire to do those things anymore.  Not because I don’t think they’re fun, but because physically, I just can’t.  I need my rest.  If I don’t get the right amount of sleep, I feel terrible the next day.  And I’m not just talking about being tired either. I mean I feel absolutely horrible, like I have the flu.  It’s not fun and I wish people understood this.  They don’t!  And how could I possibly expect them to when they haven’t experienced it?  But…yes, there’s a but; when people try and make me feel bad for not wanting to go out and party my ass off, it pisses me off!  I hate the guilt trips I get for not being able to enjoy what I once did.  I know it sucks, because I live with it daily.

I would never wish what I have on another human being.  However, a little compassion and understanding would be nice.  I get tired of the threat that I will my lose my friends if I don’t go out with them.  Really?  If they were truly my friends, I don’t think they would make these ridiculous statements!  I know I’m not alone.  I have read many articles from others who suffer from chronic illness, who say the same things.

No one chooses to get sick.  We all want to have fun and live our lives feeling good and happy.  Sometimes it just doesn’t happen that way.  Everyone is fighting a battle of some sort.  But being an asshole to another person because their battle isn’t the same as yours, doesn’t lessen what they are going through.  Be respectful, be kind.  Remember, the shoe could be on the other foot.  Count your blessings!

Alyson Raynes

Chronic Illness Kills Your Social Life

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7K Likes Facebook Giveaway

$25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

To enter, click on the graphic above!
 
1. LIKE MY PAGE (If you’re already a LIKER, Thank you)
 
2. Tag some friends that might like this giveaway too. If not tagging, comment with “I love to read” in the comment section.

3. Sharing is caring, but is optional. (Double entries for sharing)
 
Have fun! Good Luck! FB not responsible for prize reward, Alyson Raynes, Inc. assumes full responsibility.

Link to Alyson’s Facebook Page

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Kiss of Summer Chapter 3

          Kiss of Summer – Chapter 3

Copyright 2016 – Alyson Raynes

No words, quotes or any part of this works may be copied without the authors written permission. This is an unedited version and is subject to change.

   Kiss of Summer Chapter Three.

   “What the fuck is that smell?” Angie complained, stepping out of the car plugging her nose.

            “That my dear, is the smell of money,” I retort, grabbing our bags out of the trunk and setting them on the pebbled driveway.

            “It smells awful! Who in their right mind would want to smell shit all day?”

            “Don’t worry, City Girl, you’ll get use to it,” a voice from behind replied.

            “Grandpa!” I shouted, turning and giving him a hug. “How have you been? How is Rocky? Does my room still look the same? Is Jen still here? Does she still make apple pie?”

            “Whoa! Slow down, Peanut. We have plenty of time to catch up. Why don’t you and your friends grab your things and take them into the house and I’ll have Jen whip something up for ya gals to eat.”

            “Thanks Grandpa. Come on girls, let’s go find our rooms.”

            Walking into the house, I showed Natalie and Angie up the grand staircase that was wrapped in wrought iron and sported a white banister. It felt odd seeing the renovations that had been done over the past two years, and honestly, I’d liked the way things were before. But I guess like all things, over time they got worn down and needed replacing. I just hoped that nothing in my room had been changed. The room that I had spent almost every summer in since before I could remember.

            I loved coming to the ranch and helping out, but after my last visit…I just figured it was best if I stayed away. I never told Grandpa Carl why I didn’t come to visit, because I assumed that he thought it was ice skating related. He knew how pushy my mother was about the whole situation, even though he didn’t always agree with her tactics. I wish I could have blamed my absence on ice skating, but deep down inside, I knew the truth, and his name was Jesse Austin.

***

            My room looked exactly as I remembered it. All white linens, white furniture and the canopy bed that my grandfather made for me when I was a little girl, still remained. Everything was still intact, right down to the little pink flowers that my grandmother, Donna had stenciled on the wall when I was just a baby. Just being there, standing in my room, reminded me of how special Jacobs Ranch was.

            I didn’t remember much about my grandmother, since she died when I was two. The only memories I had of her were through pictures that were scattered throughout the house. She was a beautiful woman and I’ve been told many times that she had a heart of gold. She was one of those people that was always gracious to those who came to the ranch and she never turned a soul away. If someone was in need of room and board, or just a hot meal, Grandma would see to it that they had it. I wish I could have known her, but then again, Grandpa Carl wasn’t too far from being that kind of a person either.

            I suppose that’s why they found each other. It had to be fate, because it’s not every day that you see two people as special as them come together. Grandpa Carl never re-married either. Instead, he spent his time building up the ranch, caring for his animals and making it a homestead that his family could enjoy.

            There had been small changes to the ranch over the years, but it wasn’t until about six years ago that the ranch really began to grow. That was when Grandpa had decided it would be a good idea to open his home to troubled teens and teach them a different way of life. He always said that everyone deserved a second chance at life, no matter what they had done in their past. That was exactly what it was…the past. And that young people didn’t always get dealt the best hand in life, some of them got the short end of the stick and all they needed was a little love and some guidance.

            None of it would have been possible though, if it hadn’t been for Grandpa Carl’s friend, Kitty. She had spent years working with troubled youth in juvenile detention centers throughout Texas. When Grandpa had told her about his plan to help rehabilitate troubled youth, she was one hundred percent on board. She had seen it all. Kids that had been abandoned, abused and tossed on their ass, left to provide for themselves at a young age. Most of the kids at the ranch were victims of the street, mostly from prostitution.

            Grandpa believed that giving them a positive purpose to live was the answer. The kids spent time on the ranch learning construction, care for animals, but most of all responsibility. It prepared them for life, a life free from the streets and crime, while living in a safe and loving environment.

            It wasn’t a free ride though. They had to earn their keep. And it wasn’t always cherries and roses. There were a few of the kids that were kicked out of the program. If they were caught stealing or abusing the animals, they were immediately dismissed. Grandpa truly believed that if a human being was capable of harming an animal, that they were most likely to harm humans. He had no tolerance for that type of behavior, and although it broke his heart to see these kids return back into the system, he knew it was for the best.

            Since taking on the kids, a new stable and living quarters had been added to the property. The stable was a huge, beautiful addition and it was where my Rocky was residing. A new barn was also built, which where the cattle hung out and then there was the housing where the teens lived, which was adjacent to Grandpa’s house. I like to refer to the new building as The Dorms, because that’s what it reminded me of the first time I saw it. Everything was changing, the only thing that remained uniform on the property was the red roofs that sat on top of the structures.

            Behind the ranch was a large lake that had a slide going into it. The slide wasn’t there when I was little, but on my fourteenth birthday, Grandpa saw to it that one was installed. I loved the slide, but I loved being at the lake more than anything. For me, the lake was a peaceful retreat from the rest of the world. My favorite thing to do was grab a blanket and lean up against one of the massive trees that surrounded the lake, and read a good book. I had spent countless hours down there, listening to the birds chirp, the cow mooing and watching the others splash and laugh in the water. It was my sanctuary, the only place on this Earth where I felt like I could be me and not be judged.

            Which was why I’d brought Angie and Natalie along. Neither of them had ever been on a vacation and I figured this was closest they would get to having one, at least until they were out on their own. I wanted to share all of the special things about the ranch with my two best friends before we graduated from high school and left for college. My only hope was that they enjoyed it as much as I did and understood what it was about the place that kept me coming back year after year. It wasn’t just a visit to see my grandfather, or ride my horse, but a place where I could come and find my true self and be one with nature.

            I’ve always been a simple girl, not the superstar my mother wanted me to be. I would have been happy growing up on the ranch, shoveling horse shit and getting eggs from the chickens every morning. My mother never understood or liked the lifestyle, which was why we didn’t always get along. If it had been up to her, she would have had me training year round, with no breaks in between. I was thankful that my father saw the need for me to have other things in my life besides ice skating. Not that ice skating was a bad thing, because I actually did love the sport, but it wasn’t my dream to be an Olympic skater or even a professional skater when the gig was up. My dream was something different, something my mother would disapprove of because it didn’t come with the same status as a professional athlete. And truth be told, I wasn’t good enough to be a professional athlete.

            My dream had always been to be a writer for a national magazine with hopes of one day writing and publishing my own book. I wasn’t sure what I would write about, but I knew it would be amazing. I had been writing in a notebook since I was seven, and although much of it didn’t make sense to me anymore, I knew I could turn it into something wonderful. I had often thought about writing a children’s book, but it seemed like everyone was doing that now. Then I thought about writing a romance novel, but…well…what did I know about romance? Nothing. I had never even kissed a boy, so how would I know how to describe a kiss, let alone a scene where they had to do it. I still had some time to decide what I would write, but I knew that’s where my heart was and that it was what I was going to study in college.

***

I had just finished unpacking the last of my clothes, placing them in the dresser, then headed down to the kitchen. I saw that Natalie and Angie had already beaten me and we chatting up a storm with Jen, trying to convince her to make more apple pie.

            “Summer!” Jen shouted, walking over and giving me a hug. “I’m so happy that you’ve finally decided to join us.”

            “Well Jen, you know me. I never could say no to your delicious cooking. Could you imagine how fat I would be if I lived here with you and Grandpa? My mother would have a massive coronary.”

            We all laughed. “Summer, you know she only means well. Sometimes she goes a little over board, but she just wants the best for you.”

            “I know, but sometimes, I just want to be a crazy teenager.”

            “It looks to me like you might have gotten your wish. Of course you know you still have to behave or your Grandpa will take you over his knee,” she said, walking away laughing.

            “Very funny! I’m too old for spankings,” I huff.

            “I’m not,” Natalie piped up.

            “What the hell? Since when did you turn into Angie?”

            “Hey,” Angie interjected, acting hurt with her hand on her heart.

            “It’s true. I’ve never heard Nat talk like that before,” I said, surprised.

            “Like I told you, Summer. Things have changed. We’re not children anymore.”

            “We’re not entirely grown up either, Natalie. You act like we’re old ladies or something.”

            “Not old, but not babies either. God, I can’t wait to finish school and move out! I hate my mother’s rules,” she complained.

            “What? You have the coolest mom on the block! How can you even say that?”

            “You only think she’s cool because she lets you do whatever you want when you come over. Everyone thinks she’s cool, but y’all don’t have to live with her. Veronica and I can’t do anything, unless she knows where we’re going to be at all times.”

            “Sounds like your mother is a smart lady,” Jen said, walking back into the kitchen.

            “You only say that because you’re an adult. It gets really annoying,” Natalie argued back.

            “Well with an attitude like that young lady, I can see why your mother keeps a tight leash on you. I live with kids that haven’t had any guidance and let me tell you, it ain’t pretty. You should thank your lucky stars that you have a mom that cares about you as much as she does. There’s plenty of trouble out there in the world, as you will soon find out when you are on your own. Then you’ll be wishing that you were back living with your mother and all of her rules. Being an adult isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.”

            “I guess, but it doesn’t mean that I have to like it,” Natalie replied, rolling her eyes.

            I felt uncomfortable. I’d never seen Natalie act that way. I realized that I hadn’t been around all that much lately, but it was awkward. I didn’t like confrontation, so I walked over to the sink and washed my hands, offering to give Natalie and Angie a tour of the ranch. I grabbed the towel laying on the counter, dried my hands and insisted on showing them the stables first. It had been too long since I last saw my Rocky and I couldn’t wait to see him.

            I placed the towel on the counter and turned to look at my friends, whose mouths were gaping wide open. I stopped as my hands fell to my sides and took in the hottest guy I’d ever seen.

            “Bookworm? Is that you?” he questioned.

            Fuck!

Thank you for reading.  To find out more about Kiss of Summer, please visit the following link: http://www.alysonraynes.com/books-by-alyson-raynes/jacobs-ranch-collection/kiss-of-summer/

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