by Angela Smith | Jul 2, 2015 | Introspective
Can you believe it’s already July? This year has just flown by for me, and I hate to admit I don’t feel I’ve accomplished much.
I never feel I accomplish much if I’m not writing. I have been writing, albeit way too slowly for my liking, because my husband and I have been so busy with a huge remodeling project. First, our roof, now our kitchen, and eventually we will replace the entire floor in our home. Combined with our real jobs, it’s been a long and tiring process, and not one I’m sure I’ll ever do again.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s been fun, and I’m learning so much! But…ugh, it’s hard work and I’m at the point I feel it’ll never be done.
Also, we’ve had my niece this summer. That’s slowed our remodeling project down a bit, but we’ve had a blast so far and it’s been worth it!
July used to be a time for me to reevaluate my yearly goals, but right now my yearly goals are to finish this dang house project. And maybe take care of myself in the process. Part of that taking-care-of-myself-process includes writing, because I get cranky when I’m not writing.
I’m not much of a blogger, so until next time, I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer, and have a safe and happy July 4th!
by Angela Smith | Jun 4, 2015 | Guests
Today, I welcome Nancy C. Weeks to my blog as she talks about her latest release, Shadows and Light: The Complete Series.
Angela, it is such a joy to be on your blog today. Thank you so much for inviting me and giving me a chance to introduce your readers to my new release, Shadows and Light: The Complete Series.
What intrigues you about Shadows and Light: The Complete Series?
I think I’ll answer this question by explaining the theme of this series. The seed that spouted Shadows and Light came from a common, but powerful adage: love conquers all. In the real world, our lives are constantly shadowed by adversity. It’s the people that love us that help us through difficult times. Accepting that love and trusting someone enough to allow them into our hearts can be so overwhelming.
What intrigued me in writing this series was finding a way to bring this natural conflict to life on the page. From In the Shadow of Greed to In the Shadow of Vengeance, I engulfed my characters in one conflict after another and demanded they learn to love and trust each other—to work through their problems together. I also surrounded them with a large family of secondary characters who gave their all to help my couples reach their well deserved happy-ever-after. And I couldn’t allow those wonderful secondary characters to just disappear. Instead, I gave them their own book, their own happy-ever-after.
Who or what is your greatest writing influence?
My greatest writing influence is my mother. She always saw this side of me long before I had the courage to pen that first sentence. Dementia took over my amazingly strong mother, but out of the blue, there were days she would look at me and ask, “Nancy, when are you going to write that book? When I finally took that first step, she was the angel sitting on my shoulder, my biggest heavenly fan.
When did you absolutely know that you had to be a writer?
I think I have always wanted to be a writer but never thought it was something I could do. I didn’t believe I was smart enough to write a novel. I don’t know why I had so little faith in myself. When I meet people now and hear my words coming out of their mouth, “OH, I could never write a whole book,” I give them a hug ― because I’m a big hugger — and tell them that they sure the heck can write a book if that’s their passion. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t start calling myself a writer until the day my first novel, In the Shadow of Greed was released. But by then, I caught this magical bug. It was no longer an option for me not to write because I loved it so much.
What was your favorite part of writing Shadows and Light: The Complete Series?
After reading one of my books, readers might believe that I just love to blow things up. Well, that’s true, but what I really loved about this series was writing my hero and heroine’s love story. The romance that begins in chapter one and follows my characters through to the last page is such a joy to write.
Are you a plotter, a pantser, or both?
Oh, I’m a pantser and proud of it. In each story I have written, I have had a general premise, an outline of how I wanted to story to go. But somewhere along the way, something magical happens that is really hard to explain. The story takes on a life of its own. It doesn’t necessarily change the direction of the story, but I can’t help sitting back and enjoying the WOW moment―where in the heck did that come from? The story always ends the way I plan, but the way I arrive at the ending is a real mystery. The wow moments in writing are just magic.
Do you ever use your life experiences in your novels?
I don’t live in my characters’ worlds. I go to great lengths to separate who I am from them. If I didn’t, my characters would come across so boring. J With that said, there are certain parts of myself, my beliefs, my intimate knowledge into certain areas that I can’t help bringing to each novel.
Are you working on any projects right now?
Yes! I can’t help myself. As soon as I turn in one book, another story begins churning away, begging to be told. My next project will be another romantic suspense series about three siblings whose worlds’ fall apart the night their father is murdered. This series will have a cool supernatural element based on the proverbial principle to ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.’ This is all I can share at this point because I’m still working the synopsis for all three books.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
This question is an easy one to answer but so hard to follow. Here goes: I would like to tell my younger self to love myself the way those around me love me; see myself through their eyes and have a little faith in my God-given abilities.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Oh, there are so many books I wish I could have written. The one that came to mind when I read this question was the Harry Potter series. What an amazing imagination. Those books captured the world.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website and Blog: http://nancycweeks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyCWeeksAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyCWeeks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nancycweeks/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FQmKbs
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7009278.Nancy_C_Weeks
BLURB FOR SHADOWS AND LIGHT: THE COMPLETED SERIES:
Meet five Irish brothers, all sworn to protect and serve – and the smart women who help them take down the terrorists gunning for their family. Lock up your heart: when it comes to love, the sexy McNeils know how to walk this beat.
- In the Shadow of Greed: Brilliant cryptologist Dr. Sarah Tu races against time to block the most dangerous Internet malware ever created – and it’s up to FBI agent Jason McNeil to make sure she stays alive long enough to do it.
- In the Shadow of Evil: After ten years with Maryland’s Special Crime Unit, very little rattles Jared McNeil. Then his nemesis resurfaces, with his sights set on the woman Jared is honor bound to protect.
- In the Shadow of Malice: Adam Blake, ex-CIA operative, has gone to great lengths to keep his identity a secret, but his cover’s blown when he ends up on the run with waitress Calista Martin to protect his little girl.
- In the Shadow of Pride: When Lexie Trevena’s matchmaking friends accidentally place her smack in the path of a terrorist who intends to use her as his pawn, the only person who can help her is Special Agent-in-Charge Luke “Mac” McNeil – the man she holds responsible for her husband’s death.
- In the Shadow of Vengeance: Elizabeth Merlot can’t afford to let handsome Detective Noah McNeil discover her secret past. But when trouble finds her son, Noah may be the only one who can save their lives.
Sensuality Level: Sensual
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE
KOBO
by Angela Smith | Apr 9, 2015 | Guests
Today’s guest post is by Amber Kallyn, Editor with Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions where they offer Two editing beasts for one smoking price.
Does Your Written Gem Need An Editor? How about Two? #WDWS #editors
You’ve finally typed the two most important words: “THE END”, but your precious treasure of words needs one final polish before you usher it out on to the cruel world. Welcome to Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions, where you can get two editing beasts for one smoking price!
Between Amber and I, we have 13 hard-won years of word crafting experience, not just in published work, but in editing for other authors. While we’ve been doing this without gathering our fees, we decided it was time to put our pens to work for us. We know how vital editors are to Creators of the Written Word, and what’s better than one editor? How about two editors putting their eyes to the jewelers loop to examine your precious treasure, and you’ll only be out the gold for the price of one. Think of it as an Editorial BOGO (buy-one-get-one-free).
Feel free to come on over and check us over at Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions!
In celebration of our grand opening, if you book your adventure during the month of April, we are offering 10% off your hoard of gold, just note code: WDWSOPEN when booking your spot!
If you’re anxious to start your epic journey, feel free to reach out to wickeddragonsolutions@gmail.com and we’ll get you set for your editing adventure.
by Angela Smith | Apr 3, 2015 | Introspective
“Furious 7 poster” by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Furious_7_poster.jpg#/media/File:Furious_7_poster.jpg
My husband and I are HUGE Fast and Furious fans, and Paul Walker. We have never missed a opening weekend movie, ever, and I’ve never missed a Paul Walker movie. From the beginning of the first Furious movie, we have been relentless fans, standing in long lines at the theater and then buying the movie as soon as it comes out so we can watch it again. And then watching it again if it shows up on a channel somewhere.
We are the type of couple who would rather sit home and watch a movie, and only on special occasions do we go to the theater. Even now, with the ease of buying tickets online and picking your seat (love that option!), we only go when it’s a movie we know we don’t want to miss!
Fast and Furious movies are always special occasions.
So this morning, we got up and headed out to our favorite theater, the Alamo Drafthouse, for breakfast (if you count breakfast as Hatch Green Chili Queso, Loaded Fries, Corona, and Rocks Margarita!) and watched Furious 7.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I told my husband later I needed Xanax just to watch that movie, because I was so scared and happy and sad, experiencing so many emotions with that movie, sometimes at the same time. And of course I cried at the end.
I was worried how they would do Paul Walker’s scenes, but they were all so seamless. So very well done. It’s hard to pick a favorite Fast and Furious movie, but this might be it for me.
No kidding. For true fans, you know when you hear a line, or a music (loved how they played the Tokyo Drift music!) I was disappointed that they didn’t have more of Lucas Black. I thought he did so well in Tokyo Drift, I was hoping they’d make him part of the team. And I’m hoping they’ll keep Brian (Paul Walker’s character) and add Lucas Black to the next Furious movie.
Action, comedy, romance, drama, thriller. This movie truly has it all! I can’t say enough about it. I know these characters like the back of my hand, I feel like I’m a part of the Furious family that Dom always speaks so much about! Loved the tribute to “Brian” (Paul) at the end! So so so so so very good. Would love to see it again tomorrow!
Oh, and being such a huge fan of Jason Statham, I was almost disappointed to see him as a bad guy. But he makes such a good bad guy!
I don’t want to spoil too much for those who haven’t watched it yet, but if you haven’t watched it, what are you waiting for? Go now!
by Angela Smith | Mar 29, 2015 | Introspective
This is Greta before treatment.
Greta after surgery. Yes, she’s a little upset.
Greta-one year later
One year ago, I had a few feral cats hanging around my property. I “inherited” feral cats when I moved into my home, but I made the mistake of not having enough knowledge or foresight to do a trap, neuter, release program with them. I have my own indoor pets and I fed the outdoor cats to help them, but that was the extent of my knowledge and care.
Boy have I learned a lot since then.
First, if you don’t know what a feral cat is, let me explain. To many, “feral” denotes savage and uncontrolled creatures, but that is not true. A feral cat is an untamed, undomesticated cat that prefers to be outside away from humans. Doesn’t mean it won’t eventually learn to trust humans and it doesn’t mean it is aggressive or full of disease. What it does mean is that it doesn’t trust you and likely will always have fear. Which is probably best, because there’s a lot out there for them to fear. Feral cats are often scared, but can still make good pets. I have made feral cats into pets.
Many people believe that killing feral cats is the best way to deal with them but what they don’t realize is if you kill one, more will take its place. Cats are territorial and will rarely let other cats in, unless they are gone. So if you kill one, more will take its place. What’s the point in that?
Last year, this particular cat I speak of had babies. She was incredibly wild but we were working on getting her to trust us. Before we got her close enough to us, she ended up dying, I’m pretty sure because my neighbors shot it with a BB gun. Unfortunately, that BB eventually killed her (yes, BBs can kill, although not always right away!) This cat had kittens, and I was able to rescue them. Soon, I had them tame and on an eating schedule. They were a little messed up, their hair matted, ringworms all over their body.
That word is enough to scare anyone, but it didn’t scare me. I did my research and know that most healthy cats can get rid of the fungus and yes, you can get rid of it around your property, too. So I bought lime sulfur dip, and the results were almost immediate. Soon, the kittens were growing back their hair and were the cutest, softest, cuddliest babies I’ve ever known.
I did get ringworms, I will admit. That’s because it was the springtime and I thought I had mosquitoes. I put cortisone on it, the worst thing you can do for fungal infections! It looked worse than it was, but I lived through it none the worse for wear.
It isn’t okay to kill nuisances. I know most people would have done that, but I am not most people.
Because I intended to spay/neuter the cats and release them back into the property and care for them, I took them to my local humane society to be fixed. I was nervous and scared of what would happen to these animals since I’ve never done this before. I had bonded with, but I’ve never been so impressed with a facility as I was with The Austin Humane Society. Walking in, I saw many animals for the TNR program, some from a company who helps people and some from people like me who were trying to help the world.
The humane society had other cats they allowed you to visit while you waited, and I felt so sad for these animals. Yet, these animals weren’t exactly abandoned. They had a home in a no-kill shelter, given free time to play and be petted. I blinked back tears as I checked in so no one would think I was crazy, but I cried. Some of the cats lost their parents and were relinquished. Some might never be adopted out. And the effort of the humane society, the love these people felt, the good they were doing with their jobs, made me realize there is still good left in this world.
Molly before
Molly now. The ear tip indicates she is spayed. Leave her be.
Next time you see a cat with an ear-tip, leave it. It was part of the trap, neuter, release program and is fixed, released back into the wild, where it will make its home. Don’t consider it a nuisance because killing it will only bring in more animals. And if it isn’t fixed, consider trapping it or calling someone to find out if there’s a local trap, neuter, release program nearby. For more information about ear tipping, go here http://www.feralcatproject.org/faq.aspx
My dad, being the cautious dad he is, lectures me on rabies. TNR programs also do rabies shots, and now the cats are tame enough I can give them their updated shots. I’m still working on helping the other neighborhood cats get fixed, and am still feeding the wild ones that won’t get close enough for me to tame. Call me a crazy cat lady, but I love what I do and love helping these animals!
Romeo before
Romeo now. He comes by his name naturally. It’s a close-up, but those are his real eyes!
Emirys lounging in the sun!
Esme. How can you say no to that face?
So that’s my experience. If you want to know more about trapping and releasing animals, feel free to ask. Curious about ringworms and how to safely help them? Lemme know and I’ll be glad to give you info. I promise it isn’t as bad as it sounds.
by Angela Smith | Mar 5, 2015 | Introspective
It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged! So much going on in my life. 2015 hit with a bang and is continuing to pass way too fast. Not that I’m complaining. All is well.
So what have I been up to? I’ve been writing, lots. (Got stuck right now, which is probably why I’m blogging). And of course, writing comes between my real job (the one that pays the bills) and my real job has been busy busy. I’ve also been working on and planning a minor house remodel. And I’ve been saving kittens! (More on that at a later date).
Right now, I’m at a research point in my writing. I’m so used to Texas law that during the flow of my writing, I sometimes forget that California law is different. First off, once you turn seventeen in Texas, you are considered an adult if you commit a crime. Any crime. Not so in California. Unless it’s a heinous crime, seventeen is still a minor. However, in Texas, you cannot visit a prisoner alone if you are not at least eighteen. This research came because a seventeen-year old male was heading to prison to visit his father, and I realized his mother must join him. But they are in California, so I had to make sure California law was the same (it is when it comes to prison visits and age).
The weather has been frightful! I’m missing the sunshine, but the rain has been vital to us in the Texas drought. And I know our weather has been minor in comparison to other states. I was thinking about sunshine the other day and looking up the annual amount of sunshine and found out my area has about 220 days of sunshine. That means 145 days of cloudy skies! Whew, that’s a lot, especially to someone who loves the sun. That averages out to over two weeks a month. And really, since some months aren’t really cloudy, it’s usually way more than two weeks. When it’s two weeks straight, that’s when I start to go a little bonkers.
So when I started looking up annual sunshine, I found that Colorado Springs, Colorado averages 247 days of sunshine. That’s only 27 more days than Texas, but when you really think of it, it’s almost an entire month! California’s annual sunshine, depending on where you are in California (Los Angeles Downtown vs. Los Angeles Airport was a difference of 30 days according to this website: http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/California/annual-days-of-sunshine.php) Anyway, Downtown Los Angeles was 292 days! That’s almost 2 extra months of sunshine than Texas.
If you look at this chart, http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/US/average-annual-state-sunshine.php, Nevada has the highest amount of sunshine, followed closely by Grand Junction, Colorado (where my sister moved, who keeps telling me it almost always shines there). The lowest is of course Alaska, followed closely by Syracuse, New York! The sunshine state of Florida averages 66%. That doesn’t seem accurate, LOL!
So that’s my sunshine research, probably because I’m missing it terribly right now. Hope everyone is staying warm and well, maybe I’ll blog again in the near future. Until then, I’ve got more writing to do!
by Angela Smith | Feb 28, 2015 | Introspective
This is Greta before treatment.
Greta after surgery. Yes, she’s a little upset.
Greta-one year later
One year ago, I had a few feral cats hanging around my property. I “inherited” feral cats when I moved into my home, but I made the mistake of not having enough knowledge or foresight to do a trap, neuter, release program with them. I have my own indoor pets and I fed the outdoor cats to help them, but that was the extent of my knowledge and care.
Boy have I learned a lot since then.
First, if you don’t know what a feral cat is, let me explain. To many, “feral” denotes savage and uncontrolled creatures, but that is not true. A feral cat is an untamed, undomesticated cat that prefers to be outside away from humans. Doesn’t mean it won’t eventually learn to trust humans and it doesn’t mean it is aggressive or full of disease. What it does mean is that it doesn’t trust you and likely will always have fear. Which is probably best, because there’s a lot out there for them to fear. Feral cats are often scared, but can still make good pets. I have made feral cats into pets.
Many people believe that killing feral cats is the best way to deal with them but what they don’t realize is if you kill one, more will take its place. Cats are territorial and will rarely let other cats in, unless they are gone. So if you kill one, more will take its place. What’s the point in that?
Last year, this particular cat I speak of had babies. She was incredibly wild but we were working on getting her to trust us. Before we got her close enough to us, she ended up dying, I’m pretty sure because my neighbors shot it with a BB gun. Unfortunately, that BB eventually killed her (yes, BBs can kill, although not always right away!) This cat had kittens, and I was able to rescue them. Soon, I had them tame and on an eating schedule. They were a little messed up, their hair matted, ringworms all over their body.
That word is enough to scare anyone, but it didn’t scare me. I did my research and know that most healthy cats can get rid of the fungus and yes, you can get rid of it around your property, too. So I bought lime sulfur dip, and the results were almost immediate. Soon, the kittens were growing back their hair and were the cutest, softest, cuddliest babies I’ve ever known.
I did get ringworms, I will admit. That’s because it was the springtime and I thought I had mosquitoes. I put cortisone on it, the worst thing you can do for fungal infections! It looked worse than it was, but I lived through it none the worse for wear.
It isn’t okay to kill nuisances. I know most people would have done that, but I am not most people.
Because I intended to spay/neuter the cats and release them back into the property and care for them, I took them to my local humane society to be fixed. I was nervous and scared of what would happen to these animals since I’ve never done this before. I had bonded with, but I’ve never been so impressed with a facility as I was with The Austin Humane Society. Walking in, I saw many animals for the TNR program, some from a company who helps people and some from people like me who were trying to help the world.
The humane society had other cats they allowed you to visit while you waited, and I felt so sad for these animals. Yet, these animals weren’t exactly abandoned. They had a home in a no-kill shelter, given free time to play and be petted. I blinked back tears as I checked in so no one would think I was crazy, but I cried. Some of the cats lost their parents and were relinquished. Some might never be adopted out. And the effort of the humane society, the love these people felt, the good they were doing with their jobs, made me realize there is still good left in this world.
Molly before
Molly now. The ear tip indicates she is spayed. Leave her be.
Next time you see a cat with an ear-tip, leave it. It was part of the trap, neuter, release program and is fixed, released back into the wild, where it will make its home. Don’t consider it a nuisance because killing it will only bring in more animals. And if it isn’t fixed, consider trapping it or calling someone to find out if there’s a local trap, neuter, release program nearby. For more information about ear tipping, go here http://www.feralcatproject.org/faq.aspx
My dad, being the cautious dad he is, lectures me on rabies. TNR programs also do rabies shots, and now the cats are tame enough I can give them their updated shots. I’m still working on helping the other neighborhood cats get fixed, and am still feeding the wild ones that won’t get close enough for me to tame. Call me a crazy cat lady, but I love what I do and love helping these animals!
Romeo before
Romeo now. He comes by his name naturally. It’s a close-up, but those are his real eyes!
Emirys lounging in the sun!
Esme. How can you say no to that face?
So that’s my experience. If you want to know more about trapping and releasing animals, feel free to ask. Curious about ringworms and how to safely help them? Lemme know and I’ll be glad to give you info. I promise it isn’t as bad as it sounds.
by Angela Smith | Feb 24, 2015 | Guests
Watch
out. Things are about to get really bad.
Looking around the room Sandra asked, “Is this an FVA party? It
seems too far away.”
“No. SVA. You didn’t even know which school’s party you were
crashing?” Disdain dripped from Oceanus’s words.
The condescending tone was too much. Hadn’t she been nice to Oceanus
when she dropped by unexpectedly? Anger surged inside Sandra. “What does it
even matter? The schools are all balanced now anyway. Thanks to you!”
Lexa’s mouth dropped open.
Oceanus clenched her fists. “I told you, I had nothing to do with
it.”
Before Sandra could spit back a reply, a boy sidled up to Oceanus,
his eyes scanning the partygoers.
“Hey, babe. Those mozzarella things you made were a huge hit. Can
you make more?” The boy ran his hand down her back and finally dropped his gaze
to Oceanus. “What’s wrong?”
He followed her glower and squinted at Sandra. “Do I know you?”
“Aaaahhh!” Sandra yelled. “You arrogant jerk.”
She spun toward Lexa, who was all but drooling over the boy. “Let’s
go!”
The boy frowned. “So obviously I’m supposed to know you.”
“Set, it’s Sandra. Polar’s sister,” Oceanus grumbled.
“Ah, right. You cut your hair,”
he said.
“Yeah, one does that after it’s burned off!” Sandra
tugged on Lexa’s arm. “We can’t stay here.”
SUPER BAD The unexpected conclusion to the
Super Villain Academy series.
The world is in chaos. Violence and thievery reign. And with
the supers still balanced, it’s only getting worse. Without good versus evil,
the supers care less and less. In order to restore purpose, the world needs its
super heroes and its super villains, but the one who balanced them in the first
place is missing.
Sandra’s concern over finding her brother, Jeff, isn’t her
only problem. Her pathetic excuse for super powers has left her needing a new
ankle. And though she’s still very much committed to her boyfriend, Source,
she’s growing unreasonably attracted to Set, the boy who double crossed Jeff by
stealing his girlfriend.
When Sandra is taken and held as bait by kids who want to
unbalance the super world, it becomes the inciting event that changes things
for supers everywhere and forces them to answer the question, “Hero or
villain?”
Super Bad is scheduled for release in June, but there have been whispers
of it releasing sooner. Don’t miss out. Subscribe to Kai’s mailing list and be
among the first to know.
King of Bad – Jeff Mean would rather set fires than follow rules. He wears his bad
boy image like a favorite old hoodie; until he learns he has superpowers and is
recruited by Super Villain Academy – where you learn to be good at being bad.
Is Jeff bad enough for SVA?
Polar Opposites – Heroes and villains are balanced.
After Oceanus is kidnapped, Jeff learns the supers are so balanced, they no
longer care to get involved. Ironically Jeff’s superpowers are spiraling out of
control. Will they find Oci before he looses it completely, and will they find
her alive?
Win a $10 Amazon gift card or an ecopy of either King
of Bad or Polar Opposites. Plenty of chances to win. Open internationally. Enter
here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the author:
When
her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her
family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her
boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an
award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to
provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for
young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for the younger ones,
Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and
her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.
by Angela Smith | Jan 31, 2015 | Books
Barnes & Noble La Cantera
Saturday, Feb. 14th, 3:00 PM
Support SARA and stock up on your Romance titles for Valentine’s Day!
Stop by and purchase new books by:
D’Ann Burrow, Laurie Olerich, Angela Smith,
Andrea Stehle and Teri Wilson!
If you shop in the store on this date in the café, music/dvd department, NOOK dept., or in Books – make sure to give this flyer to the cashier, or let them know you are with SARA. A percentage of your sale will benefit our organization!
What is SARA? SARA is San Antonio’s Romance Authors. It’s a group of romance writers in the San Antonio region (although many members do drive several hundred miles to find this support).
Download Flyer Here:
Standard Bookfair Flyer 8.5 x 11 Color1-1-SARA[1]
Visit bn.com/bookfairs to support us online from 02/14/15 to 02/19/15
by entering Bookfair ID 11553351 at checkout.
A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases
will benefit our school/organization.
by Angela Smith | Jan 2, 2015 | Books
Happy New Year!
As we venture into the new year, most of us plan to eat healthier, exercise better, and work towards our goals for the upcoming year. Of course, my goal is always to eat healthier, exercise, and write more.
So today I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes, which is mostly healthy.
Jake, the hero in Final Mend, is a recovering alcoholic who cooks food as a means to relax and work off his anxieties. Saucy Baked Chicken, paired with Herbed Vegetables and cherry cheesecake or strawberry shortcake for dessert is the absolute perfect way to impress a date. And to eat healthy!
My husband cooked this for me, and it’s one I beg for time and time again. This dish pairs well with chilled Moscato wine, but Jake chooses to drink sparkling apple juice. Following the recipe is a short excerpt of this scene where Jake cooks for Winona.
I’d love to hear what you think!
Saucy Baked Chicken
Adapted from Time Life recipe card
Ingredients
6 chicken cutlets (about 1 ½ pounds)
1 medium onion, sliced
8 oz sliced white mushrooms
¼ cup olive oil
1 ½ cup chicken broth
4 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 450. Pour oil into large roasting pan. Add chicken, onion, and mushrooms, turning to coat with oil. Bake 5 minutes; turn chicken over and stir vegetables. Bake an additional 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, whisk flour into chicken broth. Add vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, stirring well.
When chicken has cooked for 10 minutes, add broth mixture to roasting pan, cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. Remove foil; stir vegetables and baked, uncovered, until sauce bubbles and is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
Heat broiler. Turn chicken over. Place pan 6 inches from heat and broil until chicken just starts to turn golden, about 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Side Dish: Herbed Squash, Potatoes, and Green Beans
Ingredients
1 to 1.5 pounds total of the following: green beans, squash, and potatoes, or any vegetable in season at the time. Almost anything works well with this dish.
2 tsb olive oil or butter
3 largely sliced shallots
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tsp grated lemon zest
¼ cup thinly sliced basil leaves
½ cup heavy cream
Directions
Bring ½ cup heavy cream to boil. Add vegetables and simmer low under tender-crisp, about 8 minutes. Adjust to taste or depending on how saucy you like it. You can also drain any sauce if you don’t want saucy.
Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sugar; cook until softened and golden, about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, lemon zest, basil leaves, and vegetables. Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
Excerpt:
Bags in hand, he walked to her condo, praying she was home. If not, well, hell, maybe he’d knock on her brother’s door and offer to make him and Naomi a meal. He had to cook before he went crazy.
He heard scrambling behind the door after he knocked, a muttered curse, and a “Just a minute.” His heart fluttered as he wondered what all the commotion was about. Had she just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed? He should have called, but he wanted to surprise her.
Winona opened the door with green on her face and her hair wrapped in goo. She wore a pink, slinky robe tied tight around her, but it didn’t completely conceal her cleavage. His body responded, but he urged his lust to go away. Now was not the time.
She eyed his grocery sacks. “What’s this?”
“Dinner.” He pushed her aside and set the sacks on the bar. Removing the wine, he stored it in the fridge to chill. “What is that on your face?”
“An avocado mask.”
“What’s in it?”
“Avocado.”
He swiped his finger across her cheek and licked his finger. “Mmm. Pretty. I brought dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Excuse me? I thought we were meeting at your place later.”
“I’ll go crazy if I don’t cook and my room doesn’t have a kitchen.” Jake unloaded the vegetables and set them out on the counter, hoping to entice her with the pretty colors and fresh smells. He stored the chicken in the refrigerator and washed his hands. “Do you mind if I use yours?”
“You could have called first.”
“And miss that green gunk on your face?” Jake stopped what he was doing and looked at her, grinning.
God, she was beautiful, even with a green face and goo in her hair. His eyes trailed the length of her robe and he caught a glimpse of her leg as the robe sliced open. She was barefoot, save for a glimmer of silvery pink on her toenails.
She set her hands on her hips and wrinkled her nose. “Fine. I’m going to take a shower. Help yourself to the kitchen and anything you need. And pour me a glass of wine.”
“Yes, Ms. Boss.” He felt better already as he watched her sashay her hips down the hall to her bedroom.
She paused at the door. “Wait a second.”
“What?”
“What are you doing with wine?”
He hesitated. She’d called him a recovering alcoholic last night, her scornful voice still trolling through him. “It’s for you.” He held up the sparkling juice. “I’m not drinking.”
“I’m not either.”
He shrugged. “Your loss.”
She tossed her head and stuck her tongue out at him, then disappeared into the room.
Chuckling, he preheated the oven and set about preparing the marinade for the chicken. As it set, he cut up the veggies and prepared the sauce. While the chicken baked and the vegetables simmered, he prepared the cherry cheesecake and stewed over Winona.
He’d never tried to hide his problem. It was all over the Internet. And she’d been right that it wouldn’t take long for the paparazzi to proclaim news of a relapse if someone saw him, recognized him, and called. His reputation would be ruined, possibly his career, especially because he was already in the spotlight with Brandon’s death.
Winona emerged from her room while he was in the middle of mixing the cream cheese. He stopped what he was doing to look at her. She smelled of jasmine and roses. She’d dried her hair and it flowed down her back in soft waves. A natural beauty. He barely noticed her eye makeup. She wore a flirty summer dress that flared at her knees. Her eyes flickered when she met his gaze.
“Is this a date?” he asked as he topped the cheesecake with cherries.
“No,” she barked. “It’s a business meeting.”
“Do you attend all your business meetings looking like a sex goddess?”
She blushed, and fire shot straight to his loins. Frowning, she rolled her eyes and glared at him. Probably doing everything she could not to look like a sex goddess. It didn’t work.
“Sorry,” he said. “You look really beautiful.”
“Should I go change? Put that green gunk back on my face?”
“I liked the green gunk,” he admitted.
“Whatever you’re cooking, it smells good.” Winona eyed the table, which he hadn’t had a chance to set up yet. He finished adding the fresh cherries on top of the cheesecake and placed it in the fridge.
“Can I help with anything?” she asked.
He checked his veggies and the temperature on the chicken. He’d bought a meat thermometer at the store because he didn’t know if she’d have one. The secret to good chicken was the right temperature.
“I just finished setting the table. Do you want to pick out music?”
“Music? I’ve never had a business meeting with music.”
“It doesn’t have to all be business,” he said. He already felt better after cooking, and Winona would be enjoyable company.
“If you think this fancy dinner and charming table set up with soft music and candlelight is going to make me sleep with you, think again.”
“If I wanted you to sleep with me, I wouldn’t go for dinner.” Jake carried plates and utensils to the table. Arranging a small arrangement of flowers he’d picked up at the market, he lit the array of candles beside it. “I do this for Amy all the time. She loves it. Cooking is my … I don’t know. It’s how I relax. I love it.”
“So you’ve never done it to impress a woman?”
“I never said that.”
“What would you do?”
“About what?”
“If you wanted me to go to bed with you. What would you do? How would you play it?”
The fire in Jake’s loins made camp, blasting his entire lower extremities with heat. He burned with the need to watch her squirm. Sweeping his gaze over her body, he grinned and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d start by kissing you. I’d slowly come in with my mouth.” Heart pounding, he swaggered slowly towards her, his smile wide and confidence at its peak.
She impeded that confidence with a palm to his chest as he closed in.
“Won’t work.”
“Maybe not right now,” he drawled.
by Angela Smith | Dec 8, 2014 | Guests
WINTER DREAMS
Winter Dreams Bundle: 7 Heartfelt Holiday Romances
$0.84 on Amazon for a Limited Time (Prices at other e-retailers vary)
Bundle Blurb:
Winter’s crisp cold is the perfect backdrop for holiday lights, snowball fights, and starry nights by the fire, curled up with hunky heroes. Let these seven couples show you how to find the warmth of red-hot romance.
• Christmas Dinner: Amanda dreads returning home single for Christmas, but the only available man is her rival for the TV anchor spot. Can the holiday spirit turn animosity into love?
• The Winter Fairy: Recuperating ballerina Penelope Glazier can enchant the young girls in her class, but will her magic work on Carson Langley, the sexy but straight-laced single father of her most talented student?
• Holiday Hoopla: Halle is about to lose her gift shop, until banker Blake walks into her life, dangling an offer that could save it all, or cost her everything.
• Wynter’s Journey: Twelve years after tragedy tore Wynter and Sam apart, can another predicament bring them back together?
• The Winter Promise: War throws Lady Emma and Lord Robert together, where they must decide if they can listen to their hearts – or if they would be wiser never to trust each other.
• Winter Storms: Daniel’s sailing accident cost Carly her shot at Olympic dreams, while his own athletic success was unhindered. Now he’s returned and they’re stuck in the Cornish village where storms lash them from outside – and within.
• Old Christmas: Casey needs help from the magic that walks on Old Christmas Eve to find her way back home, and to the love she left behind.
Sensuality Level: Sensual
Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
About Robyn
Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places, watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit, can’t live without Recess Peanut Butter Cups and has never met a Christmas cookie she didn’t like. (Her favorite cookie made it into Holiday Wedding!) She writes romantic comedy, sometimes with a hint of magic, but always with a happy ending. Visit her at www.robynneeley.com.
About Lola
Having worked as a wide variety of jobs as she moved through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Georgia, and Virginia, Lola decided she needed a more portable career. Writing fit the bill.
Lola currently resides in Minnesota with her husband, two children, two hairless cats, and a fluffy ex-stray cat. When not writing, she enjoys baking, reading and drinking coffee.
She is the author of Bad Traveler and Winter Fairy. Visit Lola at lolakarns.com
About Dana
Dana Volney lets her imagination roam free in Wyoming where she writes romances and helps local businesses succeed with her marketing consulting company. Surrounding herself with good friends, family, and boating on the lake whenever she can, she thrives on moments and memories created with loved ones, especially on sun filled days. That’s when Wyoming’s charm really sinks in. Dana is bold, adventurous and–by her own admission–good with plants, having kept a coral cactus alive for more than one year. Visit Dana at www.DanaVolney.com.
About Jennifer
Jennifer DeCuir grew up in a small town in Maine, which provides the basis for Scallop Shores, the fictional town in Drawn to Jonah. She’s busy raising two kids and a husband. She loves including children and babies in her stories, as her own provide endless story ideas. Currently residing in rain-soaked Washington, she can usually be found working on her latest book in a local Starbucks. Visit Jennifer at http://www.jenniferdecuir.com/home.html.
About Jenny
Jenny Jacobs, a writer living in the Midwest, is still kissing frogs, but likes to write about people finding their happily ever after—even if they have to go through some difficulties to get there. She is the author of Sadie’s Story and The Winter Promise. Visit her at www.jennyjacobbooks.com
About Lucy
Lucy Oliver grew up by the sea and particularly loved walking along the harbor in winter, when the streets were deserted and waves crashed against the seawalls. Now living inshore, she likes to return to those memories by writing passionate romances set against the backdrop of the English countryside. Lucy enjoys writing about characters that like all of us, have flaws, mixed in with her trademark touch of spice.
She also writes under the name Lucy Hartbury for higher heat level works, including an exciting and saucy version of Dracula. Join her on Twitter at Writingoliver or check out her blog at http://lucyoliverwrites.blogspot.co.uk/
About Kathryn
Kathryn Brocato writes contemporary romance with a small-town touch. She is a scientist and business owner who lives in Southeast Texas with her husband, dogs, and chickens. Her first published romance was a Kismet Romance, Storm Warning. She also wrote The Cartwright Heritage, writing as Katy King for White Rose Press. Currently, she writes contemporary romance for the Crimson Romance line. Visit Kathryn at http://kathrynbrocato.com/.
by Angela Smith | Nov 21, 2014 | Introspective
In Final Mend, Jake is a recovering alcoholic who has also abused drugs in the past. Within the pages, we read about his ongoing struggle, the struggle with alcohol, his fight to keep from drinking and his fear that, with just one drink, he’ll go back to the way things used to be. I wrote about this very sensitive subject because of my own experience with this terrible disease. Not me, but within my family.
Monday, I lost my uncle to a senseless death at only fifty-three years old. He drank and drank and drank, knew he was doing it and just stopped caring. He gained a lot of weight over the last few years. He stopped being the person he used to be and started being a drunk. Still, pieces of his personality came out. Some would even say he was so much fun to be with as they were partying with him. But I wonder if they knew who he was, the potential he had before alcohol consumed him.
Finally his liver and kidneys shut down. The poison ended up effecting every part of his body and he ended up with encephalopathy as well as other problems. The only thing they could do was put him in comfort care and watch him die. Thankfully, it didn’t take long, and the family didn’t have to see him suffer. He already lost his dad, a brother, his sister, and other cousins and family members (not all to alcohol, though!), so his mother, still living, faced the loss of her 3rd child.
The range of emotions loved ones feel is too chaotic to put into words. They face the same emotions anyone who has experienced death faces, but on a difference scale. I think for some, denial usually comes before death. Denial that it’s as bad as it really is. Denial that this disease is going to kill them. Denial that they really have that much of a problem. And we all know alcoholics have that denial. Then there’s anger. I was so angry at him. Even stopped going to see him when he was alive and well because it was pointless. He was always drunk or drinking. And when he was in the hospital and finally put in comfort care, I still felt anger until I went and saw him. I thank God I had the chance to say good-bye and tell him I love him.
Then there’s the bargaining. Oh, if he could only get through this, I’d help him this time. I’d try harder. Maybe I could have done more to help.
And then of course comes the depression. A person dies, is gone forever, and leaves those behind with such terrible sadness. Some things can’t be controlled, and alcohol, unfortunately, can be one of them. Many people destroy themselves. Drinking isn’t bad, but the excessive drinking is. Your body has to repair itself, and cannot when you have that poison running through your veins every second of every day. For those with a problem, it’s a terrible terrible thing. And although my uncle has succumbed to this terrible disease, I still see people in my family with this struggle. It scares me to death as I wonder how I can make them see, how I can help.
Those with an alcohol problem usually get angry when you confront them. That’s the denial talking. They don’t have a problem. They can quit anytime.
Alcohol fixes nothing. It gets ahold of you and will never let up. It takes a lot of strength to get it under control. And for those too depressed to just not care, it’s even harder. If you know someone like that, it’s hard to help them. The experts say they have to want to get help in order to help. But I’m not sure I believe that. Sometimes it takes a force, a huge stand, but you can help. Learn everything you can about this, but don’t empower them to keep drinking by being acquiescent or supplying liquor or even drinking with them.
I know how hard it is to stop. Alcohol is fun, it makes you feel good. You’ll stop tomorrow and drink less today. You bargain with yourself or others, but it becomes a pattern. Maybe you don’t drink on Tuesday but you drink more on Wednesday.
Hey, if you can have one or two and be done with it, that’s great, you probably don’t have a problem. But it can turn into a problem, and if you’re drinking more than 2 or 3 every night or waking up waiting for your next drink, please get help. Even if you go to work every day but guzzle half a bottle of vodka when you get home, it’s a problem or the start to a problem.
Most likely, you won’t be able to do this alone unless you have a huge amount of will power. Find new hobbies, new friends. It doesn’t have to be AA. A true alcoholic needs a healthy way of quitting because quitting can be just as dangerous as drinking.
I’m not trying to lecture here. I just needed to talk over my thoughts. Eventually, I’ll experience the 5th stage of death, which is acceptance. I accept that he’s gone, but I never want to forget or accept that alcohol took him, and if I can help someone else from succumbing to this terrible poison, I’m at least going to try.
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