Luke – on his way

I finished Luke yesterday, well the first draft. Now on to the read through and embellishment process. Oh the fun times of a writer. I have to admit that sometimes the embellishing can be quite fun.

Luke’s story was the toughest of all the Five oak Ranch books. Now to the one I’m really looking forward to, Maggie. I look forward to writing in the female perspective again. If you’ve read the first three, then you know they were from the man’s perspective. Writing a man’s perspective is interesting to say the least.

Maggie is almost two complete chapters in after only two hours work. Yeah, I’d say her story is going well. This will be an exciting story of secret love, family drama and romance flowing freely. This may be the best on yet. Can’t wait to get deeper in the story and yes I have it outlined so that’s why I’m so excited to fill in the blanks.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Time Travel

Just in time for Halloween, throwback to one of my older releases, “Finding the Right Time”. This book is really different as it slips in and out of the past. I’ve had mixed reviews on this one. It’s in the revision stage at the moment, but I still love it.

This story came to me in a dream and it pulled me into the mystery of time travel. You’ll fall in love with this unique love triangle that spans 100 years. Once the story starts you just have to know what happens and who she chooses, but the surprise ending will leave you saying, What?!

The revised edition will be available soon, but the story will stay the same. Romance can span the ages and this story sets out to prove it. True love never dies, even when one of the participants does. As I said, it’s a good read for Halloween.

Here’s a little excerpt to intrigue you…

He stood up and walked over to stand beside her. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but do you think that people sometimes do not cross over immediately?”

“I don’t know, why do you ask?” She looked back at the head stone. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

“I believe that when someone has unfinished business that maybe they stay here to finish that business. Maybe that’s what a ghost is, someone with unfinished business.” He watched her reaction to that and noticed that she looked a little perplexed.

“Are you saying there are ghosts here in the cemetery?” A shiver ran down her spine.

He noticed her shiver. “I’m just saying that sometimes we bring on things with emotions so when you read that head stone try not to get emotional.”

She laughed and looked back at him. “You’re kidding right.” She quit laughing when she saw his face. He wasn’t kidding and she’d hoped he was.

“I’m just preparing you for the emotions that may come over you if you’re sensitive.”

“I’ll take my chances.” She turned back to the head stone and read it. “Lilliana Faith Kennedy – Loving wife of Rafe, caring Mother, dedicated Friend. Born August 8 1839 – Died November 20, 1899. Married on August 12, 1965. The love they shared will never die, but will last forever…” She sat back on her heels and tried to hide the tears that suddenly welled in her eyes. The words were so familiar to her and she couldn’t figure out why.

“I tried to warn you. I think it has a meaning more than just a saying on a grave marker. It carries a promise.” He looked down at her and he had a sudden feeling of protectiveness. Why did he feel like he knew her from another time? He didn’t want to tell her how he felt because it might scare her.

When he saw her the first time it was like a hit in the chest. His heart beat so fast that he couldn’t even think straight. Was it just the fact that they both were sensitive to time?

She stood up and walked over to the old oak tree. It felt as though a slight vibration came from the old tree. She looked back to see if Anthony felt it, but he seemed preoccupied at the moment. She reached out and placed her hand on the bark. Then suddenly the wind picked up and the chimes got louder and louder.

My favorite quote from this book:

He bowed his head and shook it from side to side. “I don’t understand how a man that’s been dead for over one hundred years can just take over your heart. How can you even think about going back to him? If you love me, how can you love him too?”

So check it out!

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

50 Years of Days!

This is sort of a Throwback Thursday for me. I have people ask me constantly what inspired me to write romance. Well, as you know I read a lot, but I do have to give credit where credit is due. Yes, I watched soap operas when I was younger. Days of Our Lives was my favorite. It was a 3 generation thing for my family. Both of my grandmothers watched it, then my mom and it trickled down to me.

The Today show had several of the actors from the show on and it brought back some great memories. I remember crying with those characters, laughing, getting furious, giving up and so much more. I watched the show for so many years that I can’t count them. As my son grew older and my business busier, well I had to push it to the side, but sadly. The funny thing is that every once in a while I turn it on at lunch time and fall right back into the story and characters that I know so well.

Several years ago I actually got to meet one of the men of the show, Wally Kurtz, (Justin Kuriakis). He was in town to promote his music. I was mesmerized to say the least. He was such a nice guy.

As for the inspiration to my writing, well duh!!! The romance that’s integrated into the story lines pulls you in. Not to mention the mystery, intrigue, and other elements sprinkled in.

I’m sending out a huge congrats to Days of Our Lives for surviving for 50 years. Thanks for bringing many wonderful years of entertainment to me. I warmly remember watching the characters that were like part of the family. By the way, thanks for the inspiration.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Staying in the top 100

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,889 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

#74 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Holidays
#157 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Holidays

Good Tuesday morning! It’s hard to believe that The Winner is Love has been out for three years… Time flies when you’re having fun is all I can say. This book has stayed in the top 100 of the Holidays General Fiction in the Kindle Store for over a year which is exciting. Yes it’s free and I know free books tend to do better.

This story is a step out of the box type of book. I enjoyed putting this one together. The cover itself was a crazy couple of days of pictures, photoshop and lots of coffee. Today I downloaded a revised edition of this book. The reason was the original manuscript wasn’t as polished as I’d like and since my writing has changed in three years, well, it needed a facelift, but I wasn’t touching this cover. It’s one of my favorites.

Hope all of you are having a great day!

As always, good writing and May God bless You…

Working ahead of yourself!

Good Friday morning! Yes people, it’s Friday. For me, I’m on my second cup of pumpkin spice infused coffee and thinking about the third. Hope all of you have great plans this weekend that don’t include going to the West Coast of Mexico. Hurricane Patricia is scary looking. To my Mexican friends and all of those in the path, stay safe.

Now on to today’s post. As you know I’m working on the last three books of the Five Oaks Ranch series. Luke is over halfway completed and Maggie is outlined. My mind has been drifting this week to Maggie’s story. Since it’s outlined, I’ve been playing with some of the pivotal scenes within her story. A couple are really exciting and I had to get them out of my system so that I can finish Luke, hopefully this weekend.

Of course I’ve been looking for photos for the Cauthen Christmas book which will end the series, sadly. I feel like I know the Cauthen’s personally. But that’s what happens when you spend a good chunk of time creating every aspect of their lives. That’s why Maggie’s story is pulling at me.

The Christmas book will be so sweet that I almost started writing it the other night, but I have to make sure that Maggie doesn’t become rogue and go in a different direction. You know how sneaky those characters can be 😉

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

As my finger hovered…

Well, it’s a little warmer this morning here in the south, but not by much. The trees outside are beginning to turn slightly, some a little more, which tells me my favorite time of year is upon us. I love the Fall.

But on to the post. Last night I did something that quite frankly scared me to death. No, I didn’t go to a haunted house, not one for those at all! I waited patiently, not exactly patiently, but somewhat, for the final notifications to stream in on the Top 25 for the SYTYCW15 contest. Deep down I knew my name wasn’t on the list, but I had to know for sure before I made a life changing decision. Let me just say this, I was so honored and totally humbled to have made the Top 55 among so many great authors, it was a little overwhelming if I’m to be totally honest.

So as I sat last night, playing with the decision at hand, I took a deep breath and jumped. Yes, I hit submit on Tuscany, meaning it’s in Harlequin’s hands now. To what end, I’m not sure, but we’ll just have to see. This book was totally different from my other ones, it was like a part of my soul went with it last night. Was this the right decision? I think so.

Recently I was on a discussion on Twitter with a couple of Harlequin editors and I asked about this type of book. Would it be something that they’d look at? Immediately a couple of them tagged other editors with Harlequin, stating it was what they were currently looking for. That intrigued me enough to hit the submit button last night.

As for Tuscany’s presence on Wattpad, I don’t know. I’ll probably pull it soon, but for now I’ll leave it there. I’ve received a couple of really great reviews. One said simply, but powerfully, “SWOON!”. This made me smile because I almost swooned as I typed the last paragraph of this book and if you have read it then you know why. Then this morning I received another review stating and I quote, “Wow! One of the best books I’ve ever read on Wattpad or anywhere else for that matter!!” With wonderful reviews like that, I just have this feeling. It’s the feeling I had the first time I hit the submit on Ghost Lover, my first published book. And I’ve never regretted that move, not even once 😉

So, with that said, I’ll keep you updated on what’s happening, but I know it will be a while before I hear anything, if I hear at all.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

One Last Push for Tuscany

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany-sytycw15 Vote for Pitch Part One!!!

Alright, I’m sending out one last push for Tuscany then I’ll be silent and wait. It’s been a long week of promoting, promoting, and more promoting… One thing can be said, I gave it my best and that’s all I can do. Since a Harlequin Editor said she liked the premise of Tuscany, if I don’t make it to the top 25, which I’m hanging on the edge, I’ll be sending it to Harlequin. Why not?

One sweet lady read it on Wattpad and her comment of the last paragraph of the book was ‘Swoon!’. That made me smile. This book was totally different from any of the books I’ve written before. I’m totally pleased with the outcome and plan to push it forward.

So, how is everyone out there in the world today? Hope it’s going well for all of you.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

The letter that started Tuscany’s story!

Just to get you up to speed on what’s happening, Tuscany, my newest manuscript has made it to the top 55 in Harlequin’s SYTYCW15 contest. I’m posting like a crazy woman trying to get to the top 25, but I have to get enough votes to do so. If you get a moment, please give a vote on Wattpad at https://www.wattpad.com/161892410-tuscany-sytycw15-pitch-part-1

So, in the last two posts I introduced you to Lana and Romeo, now let me give you an idea of what Lana’s up against. Here’s the letter she received from her grandmother at the time of her death. This would definitely be an eye opener.

My Dearest Lana Rose,

I know you have many questions for this old woman, but first things first… Don’t you dare shed any tears for me. I’m in a good place surrounded by my loved ones.

Now for the reason you’re on this plane…I want to be buried in Tuscany where I left my heart over forty years ago. I know I never told you about that part of my life, but there was a reason.

When you arrive in Tuscany, a wonderful couple will meet you at the airport. Roberto and Marianna have been my friends for many, many years. They will take you to my small olive farm, Olive Hill. Another secret I know, but that too will come to light soon.

I want you to try it for a year. If after a year you’re not happy, then Roberto is prepared to sell everything and send you back to Georgia. But please give it a year. I know you’ll love it there. It’s the most beautiful place on earth and the magic it holds is beyond anything you’ve ever seen.

You should have my journal safely with you. As instructed, I want you to wait until you’re at the house before you open it. Everything will be explained in the pages of my journal.

I’ve raised you to be independent and I expect you to pull your weight at the farm. And please give your heart a chance to love. If you can fall in love anywhere, it’s Tuscany. Your heart will guide you in the right direction, but first you have to open it up to the possibility of love.

Roberto has my burial instructions and will follow them exactly as I’ve specified. Marianna will help you with the house. She’s an angel and I wouldn’t have made it through my youth without her.

Now you take care of yourself and remember that I love you with everything I have. We’ll be together again one day, but until then please be happy.

Love Abounds,

Mama Leona

Are you a little intrigued, if so go by and vote. Let’s see Tuscany in a Harlequin cover!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!!!

Fall in love with Romeo…

You’ve met Lana, but now you need to meet Romeo… Well for starters he’s a dark haired, dark eyed Italian with a heart for Olive Hill. Then in comes Lana and he feels she’ll take everything away that he’s worked his whole life.

One thing you need to know about Romeo is he’s passionate, strong willed and loves with everything he has. When Lana comes into his life, everything changes. He fights the feelings with his Italian will, but love is stronger than that. The passion he feels for her takes over his senses. With the first sight, he feels it, but the first kiss sends him in a spiral.

My idea of Romeo is Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. Yeah, he’s that good looking. As I wrote this book, that was the picture in my head, some picture too. Imagine Ian as you read Tuscany, believe me, it brings a whole new meaning to the word, Romance….

So, give Romeo a chance with a vote. Let’s get him to the Top 25 on Harlequins contest. Here’s the link, all you need to do is vote for the Pitch part 1, that’s it. https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085/write/161892410

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…