First Family

Wow just finished this book and the only negative thing I can say is don’t start it if you have to be somewhere or do something. I couldn’t put it down.

I’m a big fan of David Baldacci’s stories and I think this is one of his best.  From the first when the daughter of the First Lady’s brother is kidnapped to the end when the plots come together it never slows down.

It might seem like a lot of plot twists but Baldacci does it so well you can’t help but be amazed at his imagination and storytelling skills.

Former Secret Service agents King and Maxwell are bigger then life when at the request of the First Lady they investigate the kidnapping that is off the charts and find horrendous secrets.

A father’s love propels the story as he spends his life avenging his daughter. The innocent pay a high price to bring a justice that he seeks.

I envy those of you that haven’t read First Family. You are in for some good reading.

 

 

 

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Energy

I don’t know if it’s age, the time of year, laziness or what, but I don’t seem to have a speck of energy. In fact, the picture on the left looks like I feel.

So what to do about it? I could just wait and maybe even enjoy the downtime but that doesn’t seem to be working. And there’s the risk of depression. I’m not prone to mood swings. I have, at least in the past, been able to ward them off, but why risk it.

So, a project. Ummm, maybe?  A trip, now I like that idea. A lot — but I’m already planning a get-away in May so guess that won’t work. Writing works but right now I’m just finishing a story and I’m in the process of putting together the submission packet.  I always have to work to stay motivated at this point in the process.

I did a little research about human energy and it’s a pretty complex subject so maybe I’ll just practice a little ‘mind-over-matter’.  Starting with the picture. What if you comb the hair, wash the face, brush the teeth and put on make-up. Better? For sure. Now sling on a feel-good outfit. No… not old stretched out sweats. But, nothing fancy either.  Feel better?

So going into these next few weeks and hoping for sunshine I’m going to get up and get dressed in the morning. And, I’m thinking spring house cleaning.  I always feel energized after a bout of activity. Maybe a trip or two or three out to the nursery.

I’m feeling better already.  What about you? What do you do to dig out of the winter blahs?  

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Survival Book #1 in the Earth Legacy Series

Survival is the first book in a new series, Earth Legacy. I just finished reading it and couldn’t put it down.  Think, of our world on the edge of extinction. It’s been one hundred years since the Great War where Earths magic was taken. Magic you might say, but magic is all around us. Again think, visualize spring when earth awakens with blooms that have lain dormant.  Now think, what if spring never comes. This is the world of Survival, a fantasy rich in emotion with characters you’ll remember and action that will keep you turning pages.

Earth is dying and Rianth Royan is the only one left that can free the healing magic that will save it and mankind. The story takes you through her journey of love, betrayal, hope, and courage.

If you enjoy stories like Divergent, and Hunger Games you won’t want to miss the Earth Legacy series.

Enlightenment, Earth Legacy book #2 is available for pre-order.  Can’t wait for my copy.

 

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December Blog

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I love this time of year and what a fun way to end a year.  Only 10 more days until we see 2019.

Today is the first day of winter and we have been getting some nasty weather.  Twice, in as many days, we have lost power.  Not good, but at least it’s at night so I can go to bed with warm blankets and a good book.

Speaking of good books….  I found Noelle Adams with Bookbub. I’m not sure if Hired Bride was free or on sale but a definite find. I hadn’t read anything of Noelle Adams but have since purchased another book.

If you are an author you might want to note the excellent branding that Noelle has. I love marriage of convenience plots and it’s looking like that is the main plot points in her stories.  She also writes in series, but stand-alone books.  I get caught up in her characters so I know I will be picking up stories to follow her secondary characters.

Hired Bride is part of the Beaufort Brides series. There are 3 books in this series. I just started Part-Time Husband (Trophy Husbands) and I love it.

I’ve been watching a lot of Christmas Hallmark movies and the tag I’d attach to Noelle Adams books is “Hallmark story with heat”.  The stories are predictable and sweet but ….,  there certainly is an erotic element in them.  Of course, this is only the second one I’ve read so far and Part-Time Husband is hotter than Hired Bride so I may revise on the heat level as I read more.

Buy yourself a good book for Christmas. It’s a gift you’ll love.

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Cracks In The Sidewalk

First of all I owe an apology.  Looking at my blog I realized that it has been over a year since I’ve posted anything.  Every time I’ve done this I swear that I will post on a regular schedule.  I love writing especially the creative side when the story comes together. I hate marketing and promoting, no wonder I’m horrible at it.

With that said, this blog isn’t about me. In fact I’m cheating a little in that it is a cross post. I am a member of the Over The Backyard Fence bloggers group where almost all of the blog members are authors.

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Cracks In The Sidewalk is a story based on true life. The author, Bette Lee Crosby interviewed the Grandparents extensively.  It’s an amazing story of courage, love and forgiveness.  It might not be an inspirational genre, but it was for me as in the end I found myself thinking, “God is Good.”

It’s a story that was thought provoking. For one thing I’m afraid I wouldn’t or couldn’t be so forgiving.  And, yet you could see how the mother and grandparents always put the children first. It was unselfishly never about them.

I hate to risk putting in spoilers but nothing I can say takes away from the impact of the story.  When the daughter, Elizabeth, is pregnant with her third child she is diagnosed with a terminal cancer.  Instead of supporting and caring for her, her husband uses the children to extract financial funds from her father. The grandfather, after financing the son-in-laws failing business for over $100,000 finally says enough.

Elizabeth is forced to move in with her parents when her husband refuses to let her come back home and eventually stops bringing the kids to see their mother and grandparents.

Elizabeth is fully aware that her condition is terminal and wants more than anything to instill in her children that they are loved. She wants to leave them with memories that will insure they never feel abandoned. The bravery of Elizabeth is amazing. As she fights to stay alive and see her children, her parents are right there with her.  Finally with no other recourse they take the fight to court where Elizabeth’s husband is ordered to comply to visitation.

You see the best and worse of humanity in this story. Sometimes it’s so horrible on the ugliness of the husband that it’s hard to believe it isn’t fiction. Can people really be so cruel?  The husband with a failed business and unpaid bills disappears with the children and for years the grandparents don’t know where they are. Not only have they lost their beloved daughter, her children are lost to them too.

This story ends well.  It brings tears, but also in the end you regain faith in humanity.

This is the first time I have read a story from this author and I might have missed it if not for Bookbub.  I joined a few months back and would highly recommend it. I get a list of books everyday. Some are free and others at discounted prices. There is nothing I’d rather shop for than books so I start my day with a cup of coffee and Bookbub selections for the day.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

I’d love to hear from you. If you have a minute leave a comment or drop me an email.

Lavada 

 

 

 

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Indie Author Fringe

I know those of you who follow this blog are both writers and readers and I try to do posts that speak to both. However this one is for authors or those who might be entertaining the idea of writing.

Indie Author Fringe is an online workshop put on by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLI). They are putting on the next event this coming Saturday, June 3. It starts at 10:00am Eastern time. But the good thing about Fringe is that you can view the workshop sessions anytime. And you can pick which ones you want to do. I usually try to do one session a day sometimes skipping a day.

There is a wealth of information in the Fringe sessions and on the ALLI website itself. I can’t say enough about the value to Indie authors this group provides.

I will look forward to hearing from anyone who attends. If you have time please get back to us with your comments.

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Happy 4th of July

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve posted a blog. I know I’m horrible at promoting but not every post is a promotion, or it shouldn’t be.

So a new non-New Year resolution ––– “Stay in touch.”

I wrote a blog on Over The Backyard Fence for the 4th. I’d love for you to pop over and maybe comment. OTBF is eclectic blog by a small blog community. We have a lot of fun and would love to have you join us.

Here in the Pacific NW (known for it’s abundance of rain), we have been having record-breaking temps. As you might guess a lot of us don’t have A/C. So right now I’m trying to get one asap. I’m regressing. Must be the story teller in me.  🙂

Anyway, I recently purchased a plant  that like me droops in this weather. It looks about ready to gasp its last breath, I water it, and it comes back to life. Yesterday I finally took a bucket and a bit of yarn and helped the poor thing out. I’m thinking some containers like this might help some of the other plants that want more water.

I know this doesn’t take a rocket scientist so why did it take me weeks to do it.    🙂

Have a Happy Safe 4th and stay cool.

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