Tressa Ensley's Protect Us Blog Tour

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  We sure loved all the snow that finally blanketed our area.

Today I'm part of Tressa Ensley's blog tour for the release of her new book, Protect Us.  It came out on the 15th and is the third book in her paranormal romance series.     

Anna-Marie and Alessandro work hard to provide a stable life for their only child, Gemma. The
child that was bestowed to them by their goddess Ameretat for reasons still unknown. Like
Alessandro’s mother did to him, Anna-Marie works diligently to protect her special daughter and lead her away from following in her father’s footsteps in becoming a Protector. Weeks before Gemma’s eighteenth birthday Gemma has a magical night with a boy, Ford Chase, who just may have been “the one”. They laughed and danced and kissed under the moon light. That is before he was forcefully taken away from her by a Rogue. Gemma desperately chases after them, but to no avail. Heartbroken and angry Gemma vows right then and there, despite her parents pleading, she will join the Protector order on her eighteenth birthday and avenge Ford’s death. No one could foresee the events that would ensue thereafter and little by little the gifts that Ameretat blessed Gemma with become apparent and are far more than anyone could ever imagine.

You can find Tressa here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tressa-MessengerAuthor/214642735322269?ref=hl
twitter: @tressamessenger
http://tressamessenger.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5091799.Tressa_Messenger

Have a Happy New Year!
Kathy :)

Romantic Writer's Holiday Spirit Blogfest

First, I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful anniversary wishes!  You guys are super!  We had a fabulous evening taking the kids out to dinner and enjoying some great family time.

Now on to the main event!  

I'm participating in the Romantic Writer's Holiday Spirit Blogfest today, hosted by Denise Covey and Donna Hole.  I decided to write a flash fiction. Hope you enjoy.

ALONE

I handed Ellie her bags.  “Hey, you’d better get to the taxi or you’re going to miss your flight.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be all right?” she asked scrunching her eyes up.  

“I’ll be fine, now go and have a Merry Christmas in snowy New York.”

“Ok, call me.”  She  hugged me and hurried out the door.  

I told her I’d be ok, but as the door closed and our little apartment fell silent, a lump formed in my throat.  I couldn’t believe it was Christmas Eve and I was spending it alone.  When John dumped me two days ago, Ellie asked me to join her, but I didn’t want to barge in on her family’s Christmas.  I would have loved the snow though.    

My parents were off somewhere in Rwanda studying mountain gorillas.  I was proud of the important work they were doing, but I longed to see them.

I slunk down on the worn pea green sofa and water flooded my eyes.  I stared at the twinkling lights on our miniature Christmas tree.  At least Ellie had insisted on decorating it.

The colors blurred with my tears.  I was pitiful, but I couldn’t help it.  I let the lights bathe my mind in their soothing warmth.  

A noise at the door startled me and I slowly sat up.  A figure appeared in the doorway.  I shook my head.  It couldn’t be.  Standing in her favorite pink Chanel suit was Grandma Liz.  Impossible.  She died three years ago.  

I was devastated by the loss, we had a connection that Mom and I never had.  

“Trish, come on let’s go out on the town.”  She tapped her gold watch like we were already late for something.  

My mouth hung open.  

“It’s me, come on grab your jacket and let’s get some food,” she said.  

I did as she asked, grabbed her outstretched hand and we were suddenly in the old Italian restaurant she always used to take me to.  

We sat and talked for hours.  It was lovely.  She took my hand and said, “Trish, you have to move on, find someone who appreciates who you are.”  Tears threatened the corners of my eyes.   “You are never alone, I will always be with you...looking out for you.”

Then she was gone, and I was in my apartment gazing at the twinkle lights again.  I got up to clear my head.

Outside, big fluffy snowflakes fell from the sky.  Snow, here in South Carolina?  I smiled.  Grandma Liz had sent me snow.  She really had come to visit.  I felt the warmth of her spirit and I decided I would not spend this Christmas Eve alone.  

I grabbed my jacket and headed for the local soup kitchen.  I could at least help bring joy to others tonight.   

****

Check out all the other great entries here and add your link to participate.

Kathy:)

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

18 years!

Wow, I don't know where 18 years have gone.
It seems like only yesterday.
We've grown so much individuals and as a team.  
I can't imagine life without you.
Thank you for every moment.
Here's to many more!
Happy Anniversary, my love.












Kathy :)

Maggie's Child Book Launch and Hoping for Snow

Hoping for Snow
I hope you all had a great weekend.  I can't believe Christmas is next week already.  Yesterday it was a balmy 50 degrees over here.  And we live in the snow belt of Ohio.

It did give us a chance to get out of the house and and away from our computers for a while to enjoy the festive spirit in our little downtown area.  Sometimes it's hard to pull the kids away from what they're doing, they get stuck in a rut of sitting in front of their screens doing homework, facebook, blogging...etc and they don't want to go anywhere.

So we took them to a little coffee shop where we all sat, drank, talked and reconnected as a family, then we surprised them with dinner out at their favorite restaurant.  It was like a mini-vacation.  It was a great way to start the new week.    

I'm still hoping it snows. There's something magical about those delicate white crystals shimmering on the trees and ground.  

****

Maggie's Child

Today I'm welcoming Glynis Smy, to help launch her second book Maggie's Child.

Author of Ripper, My Love, Glynis Smy, is celebrating the

launch of her second novel today. Maggie’s Child has been born into the world

of ebook and paperback.

When farmer’s wife Maggie Sawbury gives birth to her fifth child, the only one that has lived and the result of an extra-marital affair, she is heartbroken and

desperate. Maggie knows her joyless life with a bully of a husband is not one a

child should endure, and she leaves the baby at the roadside to be found by

passers-by.

Her money-driven husband announces he has found her another job in the village of Redgrave, aside from the many tasks she has on Windtop farm. He is totally unaware the position comes with a secret. One that frightens and yet brings joy to Maggie. She is to become wet-nurse to her abandoned child.

Love, and the possibility of incest, threaten to open old wounds, and Maggie has several decisions to make.  However, will they be the right ones? If she tells all she knows, it will bring about the destruction of three families. Equally, her silence could be just as destructive. She shares her secret with another, the result changes her life, and a death brings with it more secrets. Will Maggie stay or will she walk away and find the love she craves?

 The ebook will be available at a Christmas - New Year price of 99c via

Amazon, (and other Amazon outlets around the world).

Want to win a paperback copy?

If you can tell Glynis the name of the prostitute friend in her novel, Ripper, My Love, you will be put into a draw for a prize copy of Maggie’s Child in paperback format. The email address you need to

send the answer to can be found in the sidebar of, NEW BOOK BLOGGER.

PURCHASE LINK

Glynis Smy, (nee Honeycombe), was born and raised in the

coastal town of Dovercourt, near Harwich, in the county of Essex, England.

She married her school sweetheart, Peter, in 1979 and they

produced three amazing children, Darren, Nicola, and Emma. The long hours of a

nursing career, and running two pharmacies ended in 2005, when she and her

husband moved from the UK to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Glynis spends her time writing historical novels, poetry

and various other projects. When she is not tapping at the keyboard she makes

greeting cards to sell for charity, or enjoys a spot of cross-stitch on the

back porch. Failing that, she and friends sit chewing the fat over a glass of

village wine.

To purchase Ripper, My Love in various formats: Books by Glynis Smy

Meet and Tweet with Glynis ... Ghunibee

Facebook Page: Glynis Smy

Author Blog: Glynis Smy

Thanks go out to Talli Roland, Len Lambert, Jen Moon and Dieter Moitzi for their support with this novel. Also to all those who are hosting the launch event.

Thanks Glynis and good luck with the launch.

Kathy :)

A Beautiful Night

From Wikipedia

Last night I read that the Earth was passing through the Geminid Meteor stream which would produce a great opportunity to view the meteors as shooting stars in the night sky.  Ryan and I decided we had to see it.

Around 10:00 pm we put on our coats and went outside.  The sky was perfect for gazing at stars.  No moon or clouds.  We stood out in the cold for about 15 minutes.  Then we saw it, well I did.  Ryan said he saw a little of it.  But he was getting cold.

We went inside and decided to read together while laying under the window.  That way we could still see the sky.  After reading two chapters the sky called to us again.  We turned off all the lights and huddled up next to the window, gazing to the heavens.  "I see one!" he exclaimed almost jumping out of my lap.  He ran to tell Jess that we really could see them and she joined us.

So the three of us squeezed together and waited, hoping to see some more.  We sat there for about 45 minutes hugging each other and whispering like kids at a slumber party.  Every now and then beautiful streaks of light crossed the sky above us.  In total, we saw about 10.

As I tucked Ryan into bed, I said, "Thanks buddy for watching with me."

"Oh mom, you don't have to thank me, it was awesome! Can we do it again tomorrow?"


Kathy :)
Have a great weeekend!   

Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest

This blogfest, hosted by Morgan Shamy, Stephen Tremp, Mark Koopmans, David Powers King, is to celebrate the awesomeness that is Alex Cavanaugh.  He has helped so many of us by announcing our successes and giving us encouragement when we are down.  He has brought us together with the IWSG and is always there to leave a friendly comment.  So Cheers to you Alex!  Thanks for all you do. If you want to join in add your name to the linky list and then answer these questions.
Here are the four questions:

• In +/- 20 words, what does Alex look like?
• In +/- 20 words, who could play Alex in a documentary? (Living or dead.)
• In +/- 20 words, who does Alex remind you of?
• In +/- 100 words, (excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts:

• Cavanaugh
• Ninja
• IWSG
• Cosbolt
• Guitar

For Bonus Points:

• In +/- 40 words, leave a comment for Mrs. Cavanaugh - thanking her for sharing 
• Join the Linky List
• Be a follower.
• Post your 200 (total) word contribution Monday, Dec. 10.
• Have Fun!

My answers:
What does Alex look like? No one has seen his human ninja form.  He merely leaves a shadow of his positive energy as a trail. I think he shape shifts to pure energy and rides at super-speed through the cosmos. (That explains how he can comment on so many blogs everyday)

Who could play Alex in a documentary? When he's in his human form, I'm guessing either Jason Bateman or Tom Cruise

Who does Alex remind you of?  I don't think I've ever met someone like Alex before.  He's so willing to help any of us.  He's one of a kind. 

The Master of Encouragement(100 words exactly)

Ryan Derckmen sat shredding on his guitar.  More than anything he wanted to be a Cosbolt pilot but his parents wouldn’t allow it.  They expected him to take over the family dentistry practice.
As he played, a burst of electricity exploded out of his guitar.  The smoke cleared and Ryan saw Ninja Captain Cavanaugh sitting in silence.   

“Your rockin’ has brought me to you.  Believe in yourself you must.  The greatest Cosbolt pilot in all of the IWSG(Interstellar Web of the Sortula Galaxy), you shall be, if put your mind to it you do.”

Ryan bowed.  “Thank you Master.”       

****
And here's a special cheers to Mrs. Cavanaugh for sharing the Ninja Captain with us!

This was a ton of fun.  Hop on over to read everyone else's entries and make sure to stop by and say "hello" to the Ninja Master himself.

Kathy :)

Healthy Writers Club

The Healthy Writers Club

Spend too much time sitting?  Then maybe the Healthy Writer's Club is for you.  Come join us.  The Healthy Writers Club was started by Shallee McArthur as a way for us to support each other's efforts to get out of our chairs and get healthy.  

Setbacks

Some days things go smoothly and other days no matter what you do, how well you train, or how prepared you are there are setbacks.  Whether you are exercising, writing, or just trying to get through the day there are times when you hit a major roadblock. 

Lately, I have been feeling really good with my workouts/skating practices and I was getting stronger.  Things were going great. Then Wednesday night I hit a roadblock.  I was practicing off-ice jumps with Jess and Alyssa.  It all happened so fast...yet in slow motion I felt my ankle pop, then I was writhing on the floor in pain.  

Maybe I should have known better, maybe I should have acted my age, then I wouldn't be sitting here with my ankle swollen to baseball size, propped up on the couch.  But I don't want to shy away from things just because something bad might happen.  That wouldn't be a very interesting life.  I've been lucky to have never had any major injury in 30 years of figure skating, I guess it was bound to happen.  Roadblocks have to be expected and you just have to have a good alternate route.

I'm lucky my alternate route is writing.  As soon as my ankle is healed and strong enough I'm getting right back out on the ice, but in the meantime, I'm devoting my time off to working on polishing Hidden Truth.  It may be just the concentrated time I need to get it to where I want it.  I'd love to have it ready for some beta-readers in the near future.  So even though my exercise has taken a back seat, this might be the perfect detour to really jump start my writing.  

****

           

Exciting Things

There are so many good things going on right now.

Talli Roland's new book the Pollyanna Plan is out and I won a copy!  I can't wait to read it.  Jess is super psyched about receiving her cover and getting one step closer to being a published author.  Christmas is right around the corner and Monday is the Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest, celebrating the awesomeness that is Alex Cavanaugh.  It's hosted by  Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, and Stephen Tremp.  It will be a lot of fun to pay homage to a guy who has given so much to all of us.  

And don't forget the Holiday Spirit Blogfest Dec. 12-21, hosted by the Romantic Friday Writers.  They are looking for pieces of fiction or non-fiction which capture the essence of the holiday spirit.  

Have a great weekend!

Kathy :)

IWSG

It's time again for the IWSG started by Alex J. Cavanaugh as a way for writer's to support one another by expressing their fears and sharing their successes.  We post the first Wednesday of every month.  Click here for a list of all the other participants and to add your link to join us.


Commenter's Block
I think I figured it out.  The reason I can't read and comment on hundreds of blogs in a week is because I sit and stare at the little blank comment box, then I glance at the clock and back to the flashing cursor, trying to think of something witty to say.
Nothing comes.
I scan the blog again hoping to spot an easy opening, like a "congratulations".  Finally, I've got just the right words and I notice the person's comment right above me is essentially the same.
Back to the blank white box.
I glance at the clock again, six minutes lost.  Maybe I'll move on to the next blog, but no, I have to write something since I've been here now...seven minutes.
I slump in my chair, type two words, and hit "publish your comment".  It reads:
kmckendry said...
great post!  


Does anyone else do this? or am I all alone in my comment challenges?

Don't forget to check out all the other participants here.  I'm off to try to comment on at least four of them before noon! :)


Kathy :)        

Novel Planning

Jess, has been telling me that I need to make a timeline for my YA fantasy novel.  I resisted for a while, because I wanted to dig in and finish my first round of edits.

But as I got further into my editing, I realized, maybe she was right.  In order to keep everyone's back stories straight, I had to have one document which tracked each person's history.  It's kind of a huge project because in this world I'm creating, there have been some major historical events that occur almost 300 years earlier which impact the main characters.

I mapped out on paper about 12 generations of 5 different families. Now I have to type them in to the spreadsheet organized by year and add little notes to flesh out each important date.    

Even though I'm creating these historical figures' lives I don't feel like I'm actually writing...which is frustrating.  But I've already had a couple instances where I've made big breakthroughs in understanding my characters' personalities by looking into their past.  So for now I'm going to keep plodding through the genealogical charts of my MCs and hopefully it will make my story stronger.         

Do you make any charts or plans to help you smooth out the rough edges in your first drafts or do you just go for it?

Have a great week!

And don't forget to head on over to Jess's blog, she has something special today.

Kathy :)