“I Love You” How do you say it?

As a romance author I’ve studied a lot about romance. I’ve read different view points from very different types of people and cultures. It’s amazing how people say three simple words.

Do you just throw “I Love You” out there constantly?

Do you tell your loved ones when you see them coming or going or both?

Do you say ‘Ditto’ when they say they love you?

Do you put conditions on your love?

Do you feel like you have to buy love?

Does love feel your heart or just roll off your tongue without your heart being involved?

Does you love show in your actions or your eyes? 

These are just a few questions to ponder on this day of love, which in my opinion should not be designated for one day but everyday. Love is such a wonderful feeling. Maybe you don’t have someone special in your life, but you still have the capacity to love. 

True Love can be found in what Jesus did when He died on the cross for us. Some of you may not get into religion, but for those of us that have faith and believe it’s a love that fills your whole being. It gets you through the hard stuff and gives you pause when things are going great. 

When you love, love with your whole heart, your mind and your soul. Give it your all and be ready to apologize when you let it slip. Let people know you love them. Sometimes simple actions mean more than three simple words. Show your love today and everyday. 

As always good writing and May God Bless you…

Happy Valentine’s Day…

 

 

Tomorrow’s Valentines Day…

This is a post to remind you that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Some of you are probably making growling sounds about now. Maybe you’re smiling secretly thinking about the plans you have with the one you love. I just hope you are planning on doing something.

So, go today before the stores run out and pick up a card. Don’t just pull one out of the stand and never read it. Make it ooey gooey romantic. Don’t forget your kids. My son always loves to get valentine candy so remember the little guys.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

Now get shopping!

Only one day for romance?

ImageWhy do we have only one day to show our romantic side? We should show the one we love everyday, but some only show it on Valentine’s Day. Why? That’s my question.

We should start showing romance every day. I know some days you just don’t feel romantic, but don’t just save it for one day a year. It starts with a simple handwritten note that simply says ‘I Love You.” You don’t have to buy an expensive box of candy or roses or even jewelry to show romance. To me it’s the simple things like a look, a kiss, or maybe just a touch.

Sometimes my hubby laughs at the simple things I like. He says I’m too easy to please. I told him that should make him happy. Sometimes he just blows me a kiss from across the room.To me that’s romantic and it shows he still loves me. Our son just makes a choking noise and pretends to throw up 🙂

I know I constantly talk about romance, but guess what, I’m a romance author. That’s what I do. So get with the program and get on the wagon. Give your special someone a private note tonight. Surprise them with candles at dinner or even just a kiss for no reason at all. You might be surprised at the results…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

 

Starting new book brings on frustration…

How many times have I spoke about the many books going on in my head? Well add a new one. Why is it being a writer messes with your head? You see something or hear a song or even just trip over something and suddenly there it is. Well that happened to me this past Saturday.

I was sitting on my couch looking at my book sites when I was suddenly drawn to my book page. My Christian romance “With All My Heart…” has done fairly well and I’ve received some good reviews. Suddenly my heart started pounding and my mind whirling. Even before I finished “With All My Heart…” I had an idea for book two. This is a series called “Lean On Him” and the whole series is based on leaning on your Faith. Finding the answers through Him.

So there I was starting a new word document and before I knew what was happening I was 2000 words into the new book. Amazing how it just poured out of my fingers. My son sat beside me on the couch laughing at me. He said I was going to tear up the keys on my laptop. I didn’t even realize I was so immersed in the writing. 

Here is a very unedited excerpt. Let me know what you think. I can take it good or bad.

Randy came back to the current from his daydream. He felt her weakly try to squeeze his hand. He looked up and saw her looking over at him. Her eyes were only barely open. He stood up and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Hey baby. Do you need anything?”

“Only you here with me.” She tried to smile but failed. “You look tired. Why don’t you try to rest?”

“I’m not leaving you. I will be here for you if you need anything.” He felt his heart hammering in his chest. It was odd the feeling he had. It was as though he knew this was the last time they would talk.

“Randy, will you hold me. I just need you to hold me tight. I’ve missed your bear hugs.” She looked up at him and made another attempt to smile.

“Anything for my girl.” He leaned over and gently pulled her into his arms. She tried to put her arms around him but she was too weak. He hugged her as tight as he could without hurting her. It was heavenly to hold her in his arms. He’d missed this too. She was his heart, his soul mate. What would he do without her?

“I love you so much.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“I love you too baby.” He felt her tears dampen his shirt. “Don’t cry, it will only make you start coughing.”

“I just needed this time with you. Will you do something for me?”

“You know I will do anything thing for you.” He pulled back so he could look in her eyes. She settled back on the pillow.

“I love you and I’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve had together. We have two beautiful girls to show for the love we’ve shared. I want you to be happy. Promise me that you’ll love again. I don’t want you to lock yourself in the house. I want you to find love again and to marry a woman to help with the girls and to love you. This is my daily prayer.”

His tears came in a steady stream now. “Rachel you’re my love and my heart. How can I love anyone like I love you? I can’t even think about that right now.”

“I know, but I want you to think about it later down the road. You and the girls need a good woman to take care of you. Promise me you will open your heart to love again. Promise me.” She squeezed his hand.

“Ok Rachel. I promise that if my heart feels love again I will think about it. Nobody will ever take your place.” He reached out and stroked her cheek feeling the wetness from her tears.

“I will feel better knowing you’re happy again.” Her heart was heavy knowing they would not grow old together and do all the things they’d talked about.

“I’ve been happy enough with you to last a lifetime. I’ll have the girls to keep me busy and happy.” She’d made him quit saying things like ‘you’re going to be fine’ or  ‘don’t talk like that.’

She felt her breathing get harder. It was only a matter of time now. “Baby, it’s getting close, I feel it.”

“Do you want me to get the doctor? Are you in pain?” He went to get up but she pulled at his shirt.

“Don’t leave. Let’s just be here together. I’m not in pain. I actually feel like I’m relaxing.” She looked up at him and saw her eyes were more rested than she’d looked in over a week.

“What’re you feeling?” He wanted to make sure she was comfortable.

“I’m having a little harder time breathing. I feel a little heavy in my limbs. But I’m so at peace.” She did smile that time and it was the most beautiful  smile. He noticed that her heart monitor was acting weird. The beats were getting further apart. Her breathing became a little more labored.

“Baby, let me call the nurse. She can give you something for the breathing.” He reached for the nurse’s button but she shook her head.

“Don’t Randy. Let’s just have this moment together, not with nurses and doctors. Just us.” She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep shuddering breath.

“Ok, if that’s what you want. I love you so much. You’re my soul mate. I know God made us for each other. Nobody can take your place.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. His voice was breaking up with emotion.

“I feel the same way sweetheart. I will save a place for you in Heaven. I know that one day we’ll be back together. That’s what’s so wonderful about being saved. This is not goodbye.  It’s just ‘see you in a little while’.” She closed her eyes again and a single tear slipped from one eye.

He got up and maneuvered himself so he was lying beside her and he pulled her into his arms. She laid her head in the crook of his arm. He savored every moment he could with her.

Quietly she spoke, almost so low he had to listen hard. “Randy, I love you and I’ll see you again my love.” She got very still and he noticed her breathing slowed. He knew it was close.

Then the heart monitor alarm went off and he knew she was gone. He leaned his head down and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you again my love.” Tears burst from his eyes as he held her.

Well, that’s just a snippet of a portion of the manuscript. As I said it’s a very rough draft. I will tell you this, I cried for most of the writing so forgive any smudged letters 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Celebrating 19 years with my hubby…

You heard right. Yes in this world of divorce and short marriages, my husband and I are celebrating our 19th Anniversary today. We have kept the romance alive. It’s hard to believe we’ve been together for 19 years. Wow, overwhelming.

Too bad we both have to work today. It would’ve been nice to spend the day together, but life goes on. We’ll probably treat ourselves to a nice dinner out tonight. 

We don’t take our marriage lightly. I talked with a friend yesterday that said her daughter was getting a divorce after only a little over a year. What’s up with people today? Don’t get me wrong, I know that some circumstances are hard to overcome and work through, but I’ve heard so many people say they just got tired of being married. Really! Marriage is work and you have to constantly work at it. It’s not a piece of cake and even the best of marriages have to be worked at. 

So, hope everyone is finding romance and love today. Do the little things that just say ‘Hey I Love You’. It makes a difference.

As always, good writing, great romance and May God Bless You…

While looking through the attic…

Saturday afternoon I ventured into my attic which is taking your life in your own hands. I’m, how would you say it, a pack rat. I confess, it’s a thing I inherited. When I was younger I had a book issue. I’d buy books everywhere I went. Needles to say I have a lot of books. Yes actual physical books. You remember those right?

I noticed that the pasteboard boxes that contained my books were looking a little worse for wear. So I had some extra plastic bins so I decided to take on the task of going through my books and putting them neatly in the bins. It was like a journey through my history. I laughed as I went through the different types of romance genres I’ve gone through in my 44 years. I love history, so I went through a rather lengthy historical romance stage. Everything I bought was a historical romance.

There are a couple of books that I hold close to my heart and have been known to reread several times. One of those was a book named “Violet Fire” by Jo Goodman that was published around 1987. It’s an awesome romance. It’s actually the second copy of that book I’ve owned. The first one I let an old family member borrow it. She passed away not long after that and the book never resurfaced. Not sure what happened there. I was lucky to find a copy a couple of years later in a second hand book store. You would have thought I’d found the Ark of the Covenant. I squealed and danced. Needless to say I was happy.

Well, I thought I’d lost it again as I couldn’t find it a couple years ago when I wanted to read it again. I thought I was just destined to not get to read it again. I picked up one of the boxes at the bottom of the stack and guess what, there it was with a couple of other books I thought I’d lost. I let out a whoop and my son came to the bottom of the attic steps. I assured him that I was fine and did a little silent dance. I’ve read every small moment I had. Funny how your hand cramps when trying to hold an actual book. I love it… My Kindle feels a little left out, but it will get some loving real soon.

It’s crazy how you find a book that you love and you just have to read it every once in a while. If you ever find this book on Amazon or in a book store I suggest reading it. It’s rather lengthy, but really good. I like Jo Goodman’s writing and this is one of my favorites.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you!

Romance…

Romance is so elusive and sometimes hard to find unless you’re reading it in a novel. That’s the comment I hear so often. I don’t believe this state of mind that many people have. Romance can be found, lost, and revived. Still a skeptic?

Romance has been around since the first day of creation. Some people search for it as they would gold in the hills. Sometimes you have it and just don’t see it at all. It’s that simple touch from your lover that sends tiny tendrils of goosebumps up your spine. It’s that simple look of pleasure that you share across the table.

Have you ever wondered where romance hides? Everyone has a moment when you think romance has gone away. Maybe it’s when finances are bad, tragedy looms, or when a marriage fails. Romance is still there, we just as humans put it behind our heart and refuse at times to pull it out again.

As a romance writer I try to bring romance into everyone’s heart. It’s one of the biggest sellers today, romance. Everyone wants it, but what lengths will they go to? Some will spend a fortune buying gifts to show romance, but true romance can’t be bought. It’s a part of you. A kiss is free, a look is free and a touch is free. Give it a try. You might enjoy finding a little romance.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you!
rosel_3903276582

Testing and Undecorating…What a Saturday!

Well, I spent my morning taking the decorations down from every corner of the house. It was sad to see it all go. I love Christmas and every aspect of it. The Christmas tree just lights up the room. As I took each ornament off the tree I smiled. Especially the ones my son Hunter has made over his 13 years of life.

It was then that I looked at the mangled boxes littering my living room floor and I sighed. Well, it’s over and I’ve got to get this mess up before I go nuts. So I pushed forward and managed in a couple of hours to have everything packed in boxes and put into the attic. I looked at my clean house after much vacuuming and dusting. Amazing how dusty everything gets when it’s covered with Christmas things. Even the artificial tree had shed all over the carpet. Go figure…

Well on to other less exciting things. Since I’m an Accountant I have to meet my requirements set forth by the IRS. This year they set forth new testing deadlines late in the year. I have to complete 15 credit hours of testing before the end of 2012. I spent a good part of Friday and today finishing that up. Wow, I had forgot how much I hate taking tests. Especially tests on Tax law and regulations, many of which I will never have to deal with.

Needless to say I’ve had to push my writing aside for a couple of days, but no worry. I’m back in the groove and ready to finish the novel that was supposed to be finished over a week ago. Yeah I know, get with the program Stephanie. Well, hopefully everything will come together tonight and Monday morning my editor will have it out and ready to go. Fingers cross 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!

xmasmedium_2175000931

Where your writing takes you…

As I start this post I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was wonderful. Now on to the clean up and take down and enjoying time with my son. My husband says it looks like Christmas threw up in our house. So I like to decorate. What? On to the post…

Where does your writing take you? It can take you to different countries, different lives and let your dreams come true at your fingertips. When you are writing open up your heart and experience it.

As I write I usually try to throw in a fantasy or something I love. That way I get to live the fantasy and make it come true for my characters. I get to do the things I wouldn’t dare do in real life.

Through my characters and lots of research, I get to go to places that I have dreamed of going. It’s so much fun to experience the places through my characters. If you put enough descriptions you can carry your reader off to places beyond their Kindle, Nook or paperback. You can take them to exotic destinations with the sun dancing on the clear blue water or even take them to snow covered chalets with crackling romantic fires.

The sky’s the limit when writing.  Give your reader and yourself an adventure, you both deserve it. So get writing and live your dream through your writing. Go to that place, or do that thing you want to do, live the dream.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!