Sunday, October 14, 2018

THE HAIR OF THE DOG...

Not a shelter dog,
but a treasured gift 
from a friend

I brushed my Collie the other day
and this surprising amount of hair came out.
It's autumn in my corner of the world,
though we've had sunshine and 
temperatures in the 70's. 
However, I did not expect this much shedding!

My son remarked that we might want to save
the hair for when the weather turns cold.

Monday, October 8, 2018

OCTOBER IS ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

Batman was my second foster dog...
until I gave in to what we both wanted
and adopted him from the shelter.
That was twelve years ago.

Friday, August 17, 2018

WE RIDE TOGETHER

Book 8 in Bernie's Legacy 
series of Romantic Mysteries
Posted by Genie Gabriel

The bad boy in a family of overachievers holds the key to why his adoptive dad was killed. But unlocking those childhood memories opens the door to destroying his entire family. 

Available in digital formats
Coming soon in print
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!

THOMAS O'SHEA
How would his life have been different if he had allowed Bernie to be his dad? A knot of fear formed in Thomas O'Shea's belly. He didn’t deserve a father or a real family. How often had his mother shrieked at him about how worthless he was? 

Thomas tumbled back in time to the four-year-old boy hiding in a closet watching Bernie O’Shea choke his mother. But she hadn’t died that night. She had been part of a cruel hoax to blackmail Bernie, with no one thinking of the consequences to a kid who might have experienced the nightmare. 

Now Thomas had a family who covered his back, and a woman who challenged his excuses. He vowed his path was going to be different. 

Without the filter of his adolescent anger, Thomas could see the love Bernie had for each of his kids–even him. And though Bernie tried to hide it, Thomas also saw the hurt and disappointment flicker in his eyes when Thomas pushed away Bernie’s efforts to show that love. 

“Too late to apologize now, Bernie, but I can help prove you didn’t kill my mother.” 

More than a chance to make up for his years of being the family’s bad boy, the future of Thomas’ family and the small town of Halo hinged on the outcome of this dramatic plan. 


JENNY BATTAGLIA
Asked to leave her adoptive parents’ house when she was eighteen to make room for more adoptees, Jenny dreamed of college and a new life. These dreams were destroyed in a heartbeat when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and plowed into the passenger side of the car Jenny was driving.

“There’s no physical reason you can’t walk,” the doctors said after months of tests. Yet living her life in a wheelchair seemed small penance to pay for the guilt over her best friend’s death. 

Jenny became a zealous adoption search advocate known as The Wizard for her ability to leave no keystroke untouched to find biological families. 

Meeting Thomas O'Shea brought out Jenny's determination to walk again. Not just toddle around using walls or counters for assistance like a child learning to walk. But to stride across the middle of a room or down a sidewalk. Maybe even ride a motorcycle.

Sharing Thomas' journey to save his family, Jenny finds love and a new career hiding out in boarded up buildings and bringing the bad guys to their knees.  This grand adventure appealed to her desire to see justice done. In spite of the danger, she was excited about this new challenge and thought it might be rather exciting to be someone different with each assignment. 

Read more at my web site:

Saturday, July 21, 2018

SHADOW OF THE LEGACY EXCERPT


Shadow of the Legacy

for a limited time!
Print book $4.99

Excerpt
Rochelle closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, then moved into her warm-up routine. She hadn't had the time to do any kick-boxing for awhile, but already her body hummed in anticipation of the challenge. 

Johnny was not her opponent, but the cancer that had invaded her body. No battle was more important than this one. No prize more vital: her life.

Her first moves were simple. A few easy punches before she bobbed and danced away, though there was no need for defense as Johnny threw no punches. If only the disease was as yielding. Instead it had snuck up and attacked without warning. Rochelle jabbed with her right hand and followed with a punch from her left. 

Adrenaline pumped through Rochelle's body as the familiar moves flexed and worked her muscles, and brought a smile to her face. Then she lifted first one knee and the other, followed by a series of alternating punches. Right, left, right.

Rochelle drew a deep breath and blew it out, already feeling winded less than ten minutes into sparring and hating that weakness. 

She pushed herself to throw the momentum of her body into a right cross, then spun around to deliver a one-two kick before bouncing away on the balls of her feet. 

She moved toward Johnny again, throwing another flurry of kicks and punches, feeling the heat in her body and fighting the fatigue slowly creeping over her.

"Let's take a break." Johnny caught her in a clinch. 

Rochelle shook her head and moved away, throwing another right hook that fell wide of Johnny's head. 

A vision of the damning spots in the x-rays filled her head, and Rochelle delivered another combination of kicks to Johnny's mid-section. In her mind, the lumps dissolved a little more each time she made contact. 

She threw a knee, followed by a side-kick, and another spot disappeared from her mind's eye. Rabbit punches with her right hand eliminated a few more. 

Rochelle kicked and punched until the vision in her head was clear of spots and fatigue was claiming her body, sapping her energy as it spread from her arms, down her torso, and turned her feet to leaden weights. She fell against Johnny in a clinch, and he supported her as her body went limp. Spent and sweaty, Rochelle surrendered to the exhaustion claiming her. 

(Excerpt copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel.)

Friday, July 20, 2018

Johnny O'Shea was a rookie cop 
living an easy-going, playboy life. 
Until a letter from his dead adoptive father turns up, 
confessing he killed a woman.
Under a shadow of suspicion, 
Johnny returns to his hometown to find the truth.
Betrayed and pregnant by her former lover, 
Rochelle Wymer vowed never to love again. 
She became a skillful EMT and firefighter 
in the small town of Halo, Oregon, 
and pursued a hobby of kick-boxing.

Rochelle's daughter, Ariel, became the center of her life. 
Her mother, Della, came to help, 
forming a female family of three generations.
Seeking the truth brings Johnny into danger, 
love, and the determination to 
win the hearts of all three Wymer women.

Shadow of the Legacy

for a limited time!

Thursday, July 19, 2018

ENTER BOOK-A-DAY GIVEAWAY!

July 19, 2018 only!
FEATURED TODAY AT
the Romance Studio's
A letter from his dead father 
confessing to killing a woman
 throws a shadow of suspicion
 over the life of an easy-going cop. 

When he returns to his hometown
 to find the truth, 
he discovers love 
with a woman determined to be
 no more than friends.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #22

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Smart, arousing psychological thrillers while deciphering world events. 
What caught my attention:
Marsh is a former Broadway performer and beauty queen...

"Thinker, artist, wife, author and writer, relationship savant, 
foreign policy watcher, recovering hyper partisan, Broadway babe, 
beauty queen, kitty whisperer, citizen of the world, #MeToo."

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #21

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

What caught my attention:

Writing steamy yet sweet compassionate stories of fate that are wonderfully romantic...
#1 international bestselling author of the Tales of the Dragonfly Romance Suspense Series and others...
She remains a full-time caregiver for an autistic son (along with a bunch of adopted pets!)...


AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #20

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Soraya Naomi <https://sorayanaomi.com>
What caught my attention:
"Nothing is what it seems in this romantic suspense mafia series" (Chicago Syndicate Series). 
Saroya is a "freelance bilingual editor and writer (Dutch and English)."

Saturday, July 7, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #19

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Sahara Roberts <http://sahararoberts.com
Romantic suspense
What caught my attention:
"...steamy romance set against the backdrop of deadly Mexican Cartels."

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #18

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Naomi Bellina <https://www.naomibellina.com> 
Romantic suspense and light romantic science fiction
What caught my attention:
Tagline: Escape to wildly dangers Happily Ever Afters
"The country needs heroes, even if they are messed up...
when a deadly virus attack is launched on America, everything changes...
danger awaits and messed-up is the new normal."


Friday, July 6, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #17

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Romantic suspense
What caught my attention:

From her bio: "In 2009, Michelle was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer, and she realized that 'somedays' aren’t guaranteed. This life changing event motivated Michelle to pursue her dream of becoming an author. After publishing her first two novels in the Long Shot Series, Michelle (now a cancer survivor), decided to use her platform to promote awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms. In January 2014 she published, Are You Listening: A Personal Journal of an Ovarian Cancer Survivor...one hundred percent of the proceeds from this $.99 ebook go directly to the Vicki Welsh Ovarian Cancer Fund..."

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #16

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra <https://mariaelenawrites.com
Romantic suspense
What caught my attention:
Another author with an impressive background: "Her adventure novels take place in locales across Europe and the United States, reflecting her international upbringing and extensive time as a global traveler...A lover of all things medieval, she became a speaker of many tongues—literally—including Spanish, French, Italian, and German, as well as reading Latin, Middle English, and old French."

Thursday, July 5, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #15

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Laura Haley-McNeil <https://www.facebook.com/LauraHaleyMcNeil/>
What caught my attention:

An array of impressive accomplishments in her bio--in addition to being an award-winning author--including: "...she renovated homes, bought and managed several residential properties and obtained a real estate license...She is an accomplished ballet dancer...and has studied piano for over forty years. Musical studies also include violin and organ."

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #14

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Kathy McIntosh <http://kathymcintosh.com>
What caught my attention:
Humorous suspense --Sounds like an oxymoron, but I'm intrigued! 
And that's the point, isn't it? 
Her books include Mustard’s Last Stand, 
the first in the Havoc in Hancock humorous suspense series, 
and Foul Wind, second in the series, 
about blackmail, murder and hogs at a wind farm...

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #13

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

K A Servian <https://kaservian.com> New Zealand
What caught my attention:
From her "about" page: "I then enjoyed a long career in the fashion and applied arts industries including running my own successful women’s wear, children’s wear and jewellery labels...I enjoy several hobbies including photography and making historical costumes. Fortunately, I can combine these two interests and use them to produce the covers of my (historical) novels. The costume on the cover of The Moral Compass was the first one I made. I enjoyed the process so much that I have made several more costumes from various periods that will feature on future covers."


Monday, July 2, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #12

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Julieann Dove <https://julieanndove.com>
contemporary women's fiction
What caught my attention:
Tagline "because love is messy"
From her "about" page: "I’m not a morning person"--Boy, can I relate to this!
Interesting--This author has a series of books that follow 
one woman's fictional experiences (Amy #1, #2, #3)--times two! 
There's also the Searching for Sarah series #1, #2, #3.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

AUTHOR QUICK TAKES #11

Sometimes I do promotions with authors I know. 
June's Targeted for Intrigue promotion 
is with 22 other authors I don't know. 

So I wanted to try something new 
with the co-sponsors of the Targeted for Intrigue giveaway. 

Each day of the promotion, I'm going to post something from the online home of these authors--web site, blog, facebook page, etc.--and share something I find that catches my attention. 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
These are my fellow sponsors of Targeted for Intrigue, 
listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Uhl • Anna Hub • Anne McClane • Authors Billboard • Bethany-Kris • Calinda B • Ethan Jones • Greta Boris • Inge-Lise Goss • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Vester • Julieann Dove • K A Servian • Kathy McIntosh • Laura Haley-McNeil • Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra • Michelle Grey • Naomi Bellina • Sahara Roberts • Soraya Naomi • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Marsh

Jennifer Vester <https://www.jennifervester.com>
Romance Suspense
What caught my attention:
"...a romance author whose ambition is to entertain readers 
with quirky, off-beat female characters and the men that love them."