This week, Terri Webster Schrandt gives us the challenge of showing our state/provincial symbols on #SundayStills You can join the challenge here.
From the Spirit Bear to towering cedars, British Columbia is a land of beauty and mystery.
Share some of your favorites- we’d love to see them 🙂
Since moving to the west coast, DH and I have quickly become avid bird watchers. Being in Canada, we know how important it is to have food out for our feathered friends, but I hadn’t realized February was National Bird Feeding Month!
Check out Terri Schrandt’s interesting #blog to learn more and to participate in this week’s #SundayStills Challenge.
Here are some of the many birds we have on the island:
The quote above is particularly apt as the years go by.
When I was a child, Christmas meant decorating the tree we went into the forest to collect. My mom would pack up a lunch and bundle us in warm winter coats, mitts and toques, and then away we would go, my dad driving us deep into the woods where the very best trees were hidden.
We’d traipse through deep snow, broken only by Dad’s footprints, until we found the perfect tree. Not too big, not too small, even branches and a crown made for an angel.
A few days later, we could finally decorate. Lights first, then garland, tinsel, and ornaments- some we made and some passed down through the family. Then Dad would add the tree topper and our living room was transformed into a magical place!
Years later, when I married and had my own family, we switched to an artificial tree for the holidays. They’re convenient; you don’t need to fight with the lights, and it’s better for the environment.
But, the magic was gone.
Other traditions took its place- family breakfast Christmas morning before the exchange of gifts. Afternoons spent outdoor skating or tobogganing while the turkey cooked. The passage of time marked by those who joined the festivities, and family members we’d lost.
Then my grandson was born.
Christmas is made for children. The wonder on their precious faces fills our hearts with love and joy. They remind us of the magic of our youth and the importance of family.
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Then, my daughter was given the opportunity to gain her masters degree, but it was across the country and suddenly Christmas was down to DH, Mom and I.
I’m not complaining, many people spend the holidays all alone, but I have to admit I’m floundering.
We went to look at lights last night, DH and I, (Mom stayed home) and it was nice- quiet, but nice.
It’s so different looking at lights without snow on the ground and freezing cold air in your lungs! lol
What do you do to allay depression during the holidays?
I’m trying, really, I am!
I’m thrilled to have James Cudney on the blog today! He is as kind as he is handsome, and a darn good writer to boot. 🙂
I’ve followed his blog, This is My Truth Now, for some time and appreciate his generosity as much as the informative reviews he shares. If you need a good book to read, look no further than James Cudney IV!
James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College. I spent fifteen years building a technology career in the retail, sports, media, and entertainment industries. I enjoyed my job, but a passion for books and stories had been missing for far too long. I’m a voracious reader in my favorite genres (thriller, suspense, contemporary, mystery, and historical fiction), as books transport me to a different world where I can immerse myself in so many fantastic cultures and places. I’m an avid genealogist who hopes to visit all the German, Scottish, Irish, and British villages my ancestors emigrated from in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind, and my body. I decided to pursue my passion by dusting off the creativity inside my head and drafting outlines for several novels. I quickly realized I was back in my element growing happier and more excited with life each day. My goal in writing is to connect with readers who want to be part of great stories and who enjoy interacting with authors. To get a strong picture of who I am, check out my author website or my blog. It’s full of humor and eccentricity, sharing connections with everyone I follow—all in the hope of building a network of friends across the world.
When I completed the first book, Watching Glass Shatter, I knew I’d stumbled upon my passion again, suddenly dreaming up characters, plots, and settings all day long. I chose my second novel, Father Figure, through a poll on my blog where I let everyone vote for their favorite plot and character summaries. It is with my third book, Academic Curveball, the first in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, where I immersed myself in a college campus full of so much activity, I could hardly stop thinking about new murder scenes or character relationships to finish writing the current story. I can’t believe I’m already writing the sixth book in this series. Come join in the fun…
Websites & Blog
Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/
Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com
Next Chapter Pub: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/james-j-cudney
Social Media Links
Amazon: http://bit.ly/JJCIVBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyIVAuthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonCampusMysteries/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jamescudney4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescudney4/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jamescudney4
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4
What do you write?
I have seven (7) published books. Two (2) are stand-alone family drama novels (Watching Glass Shatter and Father Figure) and five (5) are part of the Braxton Campus Mysteries. Both the family drama novels include some amount of romance / relationship sub-plots. The mystery series follows all the cozy rules (no graphic sex, violence, vulgar language), but they are not very light anymore… they’ve gotten complex and push the envelope. I’d deem them murder mysteries with a twist. I’m working on three books for 2020, and there will be one from each of these two genres plus a third I will share more on early next year.
Ooh, I’m looking forward to that!
What genre do you favor?
At my core, I’m a mystery guy… but I intend to write a book in all major genres within the next ten years.
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I can’t help but want to try all styles and angles to fully develop my writing skills and hone my areas of expertise. There will always be twists and cliffhangers (in my series) because that’s what I love doing.
When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?
I loved writing as a child, but it wouldn’t pay the bills, so it was only a hobby. After nearly 15 years in the workforce, I took a break to begin my writing career. Almost three years later, I will have 10 books published in 2020. Now, I think about finding a happy medium – both writing and part-time work in technology and corporate operations. I don’t know how to not be busy or multi-task.
You’re well on the road to success!
What do you think is the best way to publish these days?
That’s a tough question! Couldn’t you ask my favorite drink instead? Oh, wait… that’s coming up later. LOL Let’s see… finding an agent and securing a publisher rarely happens when you look across the wider industry. I think that’s often the best opportunity to get your work noticed by the bigger sites and marketing companies; however, given the amount of time you might have to wait to even get lucky, it’s probably not ideal anymore. I tried for six (6) months, then decided to just jump in the water and navigate it myself.
Becoming ‘famous’ is fine balance of networking, strong writing, unique personality, and luck.
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Sometimes you’re in a writing group and a literary agent notices you. Other times you’re writing an article or short story and the right publisher stumbles upon it. For many of us in the digital age, we build our following though book reviewing, blogging, and social media interaction. Ultimately, I think that’s the future… publishing companies don’t want to pay for expensive marketing, and if you don’t have your own following somehow, they often won’t take a big risk on you. That said, I’d suggest a compromise in between the two spectrums. Don’t do all the work yourself; you have to pay someone to help with either editing, promoting, marketing, or sales management. Know your own skills and use those first; let others with stronger talent handle the other aspects.
Good advice- obviously it’s working for you.
What are your favorite genres to read? Why?
Cozy mystery, historical fiction, and thrillers. I like suspense a lot. I’ve read a few romance novels, and as long as they are about the relationship and the drama between the lovers, I enjoy them. (Hence why I like yours!!!) I was reading something lately where the term bodice-ripper was used (any idea where that came from? LOL). I’ve heard it before, and it’s kinda funny… under the right conditions, I could be caught reading one or two. But they would mess with my head too much, so I have to balance them with lighthearted fun and massive gore! 😊
I think bodice-ripper came from historicals featuring pirates ‘capturing’ fair maidens’ hearts 🙂 This from Urban Dictionary: An historical romance where the heroine has lots of non-consensual sex, which becomes consensual.
How do you approach starting a new book?
Outline. Outline. Outline. Outline. Should I keep going? Phew, it’s exhausting, but I first dream about it. I lose sleep until the main plot is worked out. I write it out, then edit it until I love the story. Then I can write the book based on pre-determined scenes in my chapter by chapter breakdown. Within those scenes, it’s totally on the fly. I just know where it needs to start and where it needs to end up. Whether the characters laugh, cry, cheat, or kill… it’s all up to them at that point!
Sounds like you’re a plotser- part plotter, part pantser 🙂
What are the best writing books or blogs you’ve ever read?
Oh, you won’t like my answer. Ummmm… none? I don’t mean that how it sounds. I don’t learn from reading ‘how-to’ books. I learn from experience, conversation, and reading other people’s works. I see how they write, decide what works for me, incorporate pieces into my style, and end up with my own version of an approach. On the flip side, I’ve read some of the biggies and always find advice that makes perfect sense. I just struggle to read a ‘how-to’ book without actually doing the writing work while I’m reading.
That makes perfect sense to me- I’m the same way 🙂
What are your non-writing hobbies, or what do you do to relax?
Genealogy. Cooking. Gardening. Exercising. Playing with my dog. Theater. TV. Reading. I’m more of a homebody, but I do like to travel a lot too.
Do you have any personal heroes/heroines?
Oddly enough, not really. I admire something in everyone I meet. Even when I dislike someone, they do something I think is good / acceptable enough that I figure out what I can learn from them. As a kid, I adored JFK, but as an adult, when I learned more about him, there were things I found troublesome to accept. In the end, I like personality types rather than specific individuals. For instance, JFK was a strong communicator and had amazing ideas to change the future, but if he truly had affairs, I am disappointed in some ways. I choose to focus on a person’s most common traits and actions, then I can consider them someone to admire, a hero to some degree.
I like that idea.
Have you had any unusual or noteworthy occupations?
Nothing too atypical… but I did teach people how to bowl. I worked in a bowling alley for two years and learned the entire operation from 14 to 15. My favorite job was a grocery store clerk when I was 16 to 17.
What was your best date ever?
What’s a date? I think I remember those from a very long time ago. Is that when two people do something fun before they move in together or get married? Just kidding!!! I’m not sure I have a favorite one, but I do recall my second date with W (significant other) the most. We had our first date right before Christmas in 2011, but W left the next day to visit family and then travel to Europe for two weeks. The anticipation of having our second date was intense, and I always remember how nervous I was… I worked in Manhattan but lived in Long Island. It took 90 minutes by train each way, and I kept thinking… we’re not meeting for dinner until 8… I’m not getting home until well after midnight, then I have to come right back into the city for work the next morning. It helped me decide to sell my house in Long Island and buy a place in Manhattan. And the date lasted well past midnight, so I was a very tired guy the next morning after that ridiculous commute. (Keep those thoughts clean, friends… you didn’t think I stayed over in the city that night, did you?)
Sounds like you were already committed to the relationship- a romance in the making!
Tell us something you are really proud of.
For someone as shy and nervous around other people as me, and for someone who absolutely hates conflict and being judged, I wrote and published 7 books and deal with the negative feedback in a much healthier manner now. It’s simple. If you didn’t like my book, there’s something wrong with you, right? Ha! Just kidding… about that last statement. I get angry or upset when it happens on occasion, but it takes a day to feel better now. It used to take me weeks to recover.
Readers don’t realize how much courage it takes to put our precious book babies in their hands.
Can you confide something you wish you were better at?
Relaxing. I can’t stop my mind from working in overdrive. Ever. I try to do nothing, but it never works out. I have to drink a bunch, but then I feel bad the next morning, so it’s a vicious cycle.
Chocolate or chips?
Chocolate all the way. I am a sweet dessert guy, not a salty snack guy. Feed me chocolate and I am yours forever.
Good to know 😉
If you could have a superpower what would it be? Why?
Read people’s minds or move from place to place more quickly. I don’t like not knowing what someone’s thinking, so I’d rather hear it and deal with the consequences than let the worry eat me alive. Plus, if I moved quickly enough, no one could catch me!
Fancy restaurant or picnic?
Picnic, but I do go to my fair share of fancy restaurants. I enjoy it, but there’s something comforting and thrilling about a stunning picnic in nature.
Beer or wine?
Wine. I drank beer in college. I like the occasional one now at a picnic or BBQ, but I’d rather have a glass of wine with dinner. And Jack Daniels and ginger ale as a pre-dinner cocktail. Or seven. Whatever is appropriate for the evening.
Favorite author?
Agatha Christie. Kate Morton. Henry James. Ken Follett.
Smooth or hairy?
Oh! Hmm… are you asking if I am, or what I prefer? Now this is an interesting question… Based on reading your past interviews, a majority of your interviewed authors are female. Now I’ve got a spotlight on me and have to figure out how to respond appropriately. Can we jump back to the beer or wine question?
Lol- put you on the spot, did I?
I have a little bit of hair. If you follow my social media accounts, there was a recent shirtless picture (which I hemmed and hawed over for at least thirty minutes before posting), so you know it’s just a small amount. I HATE shaving my face too, so I tend to have 3-day growth all the time. I get too itchy after a week, so the sweet spot is twice per week to shave, often based on meetings or other events.
In others… I am an appreciator of all varieties. There are days when I think smooth is much cleaner to look at and ogle from a distance. On some occasions, the rugged and rough look can really be an intense picture to drool over, right? I think I’d settle on somewhere in the middle… then it’s up to the moment to decide what to do or how naughty to be.
I think I navigated that well unless you were actually talking about furry or non-furry throw pillows on couches and beds. Did I mess up this question? Let’s see what Jacquie actually prints. I think I need to go hide now… I say with a scarlet red complexion cascading from my ashamed forehead down to my shaking toes.
You did fine, though now I want to see the shirtless photo!
Watching Glass Shatter (Contemporary Fiction / Family Drama)
The wealthy Glass family lost its patriarch, Benjamin Glass, sooner than expected. Benjamin’s widow, Olivia, and her 5 sons each react to his death in their own way while preparing for the reading of his will. Olivia receives a very unexpected confession from her late husband about one of their sons that could shatter the whole family. Prior to revealing the secret to her children, Olivia must figure out which boy Ben refers to in the confession he left her in his will. While the family attorney searches for the mysterious Rowena Hector whom Ben says holds the answers, Olivia asks her sons to each spend a week with her as she isn’t ready to let go of the past. When Olivia visits her sons, she quickly learns that each one has been keeping his own secret from her. Olivia never expected her remaining years would be so complex and life-altering, but she will not rest until her family is reunited after Ben’s untimely death. We all need family. We all want to fit in. We’re all a mix of quirky personalities. Will Olivia be able to fix them or will the whole family implode? What will she do when she discovers the son behind Ben’s secret? Check out this ensemble cast where each family member’s perspective is center stage, discovering along the way who might feel the biggest impact from all the secrets. Through various scenes and memories across a six-month period, you’ll get to know everyone, learning how and why they made certain decisions. Welcome to being an honorary member of the Glass family where the flair for over-the-top drama pushes everyone to their limits. https://amzn.to/2ol6IHe
Father Figure (Contemporary Fiction / Family Drama)
Between the fast-paced New York City, a rural Mississippi town and a charming Pennsylvania college campus filled with secrets, two young girls learn the consequences of growing up too quickly. Amalia Graeme, abused by her mother for most of her life, longs to escape her desolate hometown and fall in love. Contemplating her loss of innocence and conflicting feelings between her boyfriend and the dangerous attraction she’s developed for an older man, Amalia faces life-altering tragedies. Brianna Porter, a sassy, angst-ridden teenager raised in New York City, yearns to find her life’s true purpose, conquer her fear of abandonment, and interpret an intimidating desire for her best friend, Shanelle. Desperate to find the father whom her mother refuses to reveal, Brianna accidentally finds out a shocking truth about her missing parent. Set in alternating chapters two decades apart, the parallels between their lives and the unavoidable collision that is bound to happen is revealed. FATHER FIGURE is an emotional story filled with mystery, romance, and suspense. https://amzn.to/2NagJiD
Academic Curveball: Death at the Sports Complex (#1)
When Kellan Ayrwick, a thirty-two-year-old single father, is forced to return home for his father’s retirement from Braxton College, he finds the dead body of a professor in Diamond Hall’s stairwell. Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family. Could one of them be guilty of murder? Then he finds a second body after discovering mysterious donations to the college’s athletic program, a nasty blog denouncing his father, and a criminal attempting to change student grades so the star baseball pitcher isn’t expelled. Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up. With the help of his eccentric and trouble-making nana weeding through the clues, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way. Fate has other plans. Kellan is close to discovering the killer’s identity just as someone he loves is put in grave danger of becoming victim number three. And if that’s not enough to wreak havoc on his family, everything comes crashing to a halt when his own past comes spiraling back to change his life forever. In this debut novel in the Braxton Campus Mystery Series, readers discover a cozy, secluded Pennsylvania village full of quirky, sarcastic, and nosy residents. Among the daily workings of Braxton College and the charming Ayrwick family, Kellan weighs his investigative talents against an opportunity to achieve a much sought-after dream. When this first book ends, the drama is set for the next adventure in Kellan’s future… and it’s one you won’t want to miss. https://amzn.to/2JlmHMw
Broken Heart Attack: Death at the Theater (#2)
When an extra ticket becomes available to attend the dress rehearsal of Braxton’s King Lear production, Kellan tags along with Nana D and her buddies, sisters-in-law Eustacia and Gwendolyn Paddington, to show support for the rest of the Paddington family. When one of them appears to have a heart attack in the middle of the second act, Nana D raises her suspicions and asks Kellan to investigate who killed her friend. Amidst family members suddenly in debt and a secret rendezvous between an unlikely pair, Kellan learns the Paddingtons might not be as clean-cut as everyone thinks. But did one of them commit murder for an inheritance? Kellan is back in his second adventure since returning home to Pennsylvania. With his personal life in upheaval and his new boss, Myriam, making life difficult, will he be able to find a killer or will he get caught up in his own version of stage fright? https://amzn.to/2qGofKB
Flower Power Trip: Death at the Masquerade Ball (#3)
Braxton College is throwing the Heroes & Villains Costume Extravaganza to raise money for renovations to the antiquated Memorial Library. While attending, Kellan stumbles upon a close family friend standing over a dead body that’s dressed as Dr. Evil. Did one of Maggie’s sisters kill an annoying guest at the Roarke and Daughters Inn or does the victim have a more intimate connection to someone else on campus? As Kellan helps the school’s president, Ursula, bury a scandalous secret from her past and unearth the identity of her stalker, he unexpectedly encounters a missing member of his own family who’s reappeared after a lengthy absence. When all the peculiar events around town trace back to the Stoddards, a new family who recently moved to Wharton County, the explosive discovery only offers more confusion. Between the special flower exhibit that’s made an unplanned stop on campus and strange postcards arriving each week from all around the world, Kellan can’t decide which mystery in his life should take priority. Unfortunately, the biggest one of all has yet to arrive at his doorstep. When it does, Kellan won’t know what hit him. https://amzn.to/2Jm7E5r
Mistaken Identity Crisis: Death on the Cable Car (#4)
A clever thief with a sinister calling card has invaded Braxton campus. A string of jewelry thefts continues to puzzle the sheriff given they’re remarkably similar to an unsolved eight-year-old case from shortly before Gabriel vanished one stormy night. When a missing ruby is discovered near an electrified dead body during the campus cable car redesign project, Kellan must investigate the real killer to protect his brother. Amidst sorority hazing practices and the victim’s connections to several prominent Wharton County citizens, a malicious motive becomes more obvious and trickier to prove. As if the latest murder isn’t enough to keep him busy, Kellan partners with April to end the Castigliano and Vargas crime family feud. What really happened to Francesca while all those postcards showed up in Braxton? The mafia world is more calculating than Kellan realized, and if he wants to move forward, he must make a few ruthless sacrifices. Election Day is over, and the new mayor takes office. Nana D celebrates her 75th birthday with an adventure. A double wedding occurs at Crilly Lake on Independence Day. And Kellan receives a few more surprises as the summer heat settles in Wharton County. https://amzn.to/2N67tw4
Haunted House Ghost: Death at the Fall Festival (#5)
It’s Halloween, and excitement is brewing in Braxton to carve jack-o’-lanterns, go on haunted hayrides, and race through the spooky corn maze at the Fall Festival. Despite the former occupant’s warnings, Kellan renovates and moves into a mysterious old house. When a ruthless ghost promises retribution, our fearless professor turns to the eccentric town historian and an eerie psychic to communicate with the apparition. Meanwhile, construction workers discover a fifty-year-old skeleton after breaking ground on the new Memorial Library wing. While Kellan and April dance around the chemistry sparking between them, a suspicious accident occurs at the Fall Festival. Soon, Kellan discovers the true history and dastardly connections of the Grey family. But can he capture the elusive killer – and placate the revenge-seeking ghost. https://amzn.to/2Pdc5TT
Frozen Ice Bank: Death at Danby Landing (#6) – Coming in 2020
A winter blizzard unlike any other descends upon Wharton County. Everyone’s so busy preparing for the four towns to shut down that they don’t realize Nana D has gone missing until it’s too late. Madam Zenya predicted the raging storm would change the course of Kellan’s life, but the famed psychic never could’ve prepared him for this level of massive damages. Once a dead body turns up beneath the snowbanks, Kellan must turn to April to face his worst fear of all. What tragedy has befallen his beloved grandmother? Meanwhile, Kellan’s brother Hampton learns essential life lessons the hard way after his father-in-law accuses him of embezzlement. While trying to prove his innocence, Hampton digs himself a deeper hole that might lead to prison. April wants to save him, but she receives the shock of her life as the past hurtles forward with an unremitting vengeance. Between helping Kellan locate Nana D and solving the scandalous murder of a prominent Braxton citizen, April’s world explodes with more turmoil than she can handle. Too bad neither one of them knows what to do about Madam Zenya’s latest premonition—the suspicious deaths happening around town aren’t ending anytime soon.
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I love having guests on the blog. If you have a new release, a sale or just want to chat, send me an email via the contact page and we’ll set something up. Hope to see you soon!
Small towns hold the darkest secrets.
Fifteen years after leaving his criminal past and estranged brother behind, widower Dane Carlisle returns to his hometown on the banks of sleepy Eclipse Lake. Now, a successful businessman, he has kept his troubled past a secret from most everyone, including his seventeen-year-old son.
But memories in small towns are bitter and long.
Ellie Sullivan, a nature photographer for a national magazine, has a habit of ping-ponging across the map. Her latest assignment leads her to Eclipse Lake where she becomes caught up in the enmity between Dane, his brother Jonah, and a vengeful town sheriff. When freshly-discovered skeletal remains are linked to an unsolved murder and Dane’s past, Ellie is left questioning her growing attraction for a man who harbors long-buried secrets.
A member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Mae Clair is also a founding member and contributor to the award-winning writing blog, Story Empire. She has achieved bestseller status on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with several of her novels chosen as book club selections.
Mae writes primarily in the mystery/suspense genre, flavoring her plots with elements of urban legend and folklore. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats.
Discover more about Mae on her website and blog at MaeClair.com
Renewing family connections shouldn’t be this hard!
Dane Carlisle is returning home after a fifteen year absence. Many things have changed; he’s a widower, father, and a multi-millionaire entrepreneur- his life couldn’t be more different than when he was a troubled youth. Problem is, his older brother, Jonah, doesn’t want him there.
Jonah wants nothing to do with the selfish delinquent who’d landed himself in jail and disappeared years ago, leaving him to care for an aging alcoholic parent. Dane hadn’t even come home for her funeral, so why should he expect a warm welcome now?
When a skeleton is uncovered along the shores of Eclipse Lake it sends the two brothers on a road of self-discovery. Will long-buried secrets destroy any chance of reconciliation, or will it finally bring peace to Eclipse Lake?
This is my kind of story; family turmoil, mysterious events, romance- it was hard to put down!
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I give Eclipse Lake 5 lovely kisses- Mystery meets family saga in this page-turner!
Check out all of my book recommendations on BookBub
Graduate student Maddie Clare is never talking to her ex-boyfriend Joze Evans or God again. Still broken from Joze’s betrayal, Mattie has to go home for her Aunt Lonna’s funeral. But after a run-in with a stalker who insists Maddie knows the secret that had Aunt Lonna investigating him, Mattie is afraid for her life and must accept Joze’s protection.
As the stalker draws closer, Maddie and Joze have to face the past and a love that never died. Maddie sees she needs God’s help to end her fears and to get through the new danger.
Can Maddie stay out of the stalker’s grip long enough to figure out who he is and what secret he possesses? And how will Joze keep Mattie from being buried with the stalker’s true identity?
Erin was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. She learned to imagine the best and worst of life in those years. That imagination grew as she became a voracious reader. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel but too young for real life, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby and best friend. They have five children who are almost too old to believe and a couple grandkids.
When Maddie Claire is attacked by a man at the carnival who insists she knows more than she’s letting on, it triggers a sequence of events Maddie could have never expected.
EMT Jose Evans wasn’t expecting to run into his ex-girlfriend at the carnival, or to find out she was in danger. Much as he wants to avoid the drama that seems to follow Maddie Claire wherever she goes, he can’t ignore his urge to protect the woman he’d once sworn to love forever.
This book had a lot of potential- look at that stunning cover!- but fell short in the plotline and badly needed editing help. Even the blurb has marked errors.
I don’t like to give negative reviews, but can’t in good conscience recommend this DNF (Did not finish) story.
“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”
What was the last story you couldn’t get into, and why?
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Of all the books I’ve written, Maggie’s Revenge was the hardest. Maggie is a DEA agent who has been through hell. She went undercover in order to track a human trafficking ring and ended up in the hands of a monster.
In book #6 of the Wounded Hearts series, Maggie has a chance to escape the prison she’s been kept in for months, but she refuses to leave without the other women in captivity. Meanwhile, her thirst for revenge grows into an all-consuming rage. She can’t move on until the man who has tortured and raped so many is brought to justice.
Even if it kills her.
DEA Special Agent Maggie Holt is fierce, smart, beautiful– and in over her head.
Undercover DEA Agent, Magdalena Holt, has experienced the seedy underbelly of human trafficking. Sent to capture a drug king she finds more than she bargained for and is held captive for months before she escapes.
Now, Maggie is after one thing, revenge.
Read the exciting continuation of the Wounded Hearts saga today!
International Link: books2read.com/MaggiesRevenge
Add to TBR List: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36604203-maggie-s-revenge
Recommend on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/maggie-s-revenge-wounded-hearts-book-6-by-jacquie-biggar
The dust and heat beat down on Maggie and the other women in the Humvee. She glanced back the way they’d come. Dangerous as it was, they needed to find a better used road in order to hide their tracks. The goat trail they were on would lead anyone chasing straight to them.
The sun directly overhead made it hard to know which way they traveled. Every bump and rut exacerbated the wound on her side until it felt as though she was getting jabbed by a red-hot poker. She hoped it wasn’t festering, but there wasn’t much she could do about it out here.
Olga glanced at her from the driver’s seat. “You should drive, you’d be much better than me. I don’t even have a license.”
That’s right, Olga was such a commanding presence, Maggie had forgotten she’d been a child prostitute before her capture by the traffickers.
“No, you’re doing fine. I need to keep watch.” She tapped the rifle, aware of her friend’s aversion to firearms.
“What’s going to happen to us?” a woman-child asked from the back. Two women huddled on the narrow seat, the body of the young girl who’d given her life for them wrapped in a blanket on the floor at their feet.
Maggie wished she had a positive reply. Truth was, unless they found help soon, they were in as much or more danger than before. This area was overrun with warring factions from two of the most powerful cartels in Mexico. If they were found, they would die.
She forced a smile for the girl. “We’re heading for the border and then we’re going home to our families and a nice hot bath. Okay?”
The girl looked out the front window at the undulating sea of sand and something heartbreakingly sad passed over her face.
“Sure,” she said.
I don’t know about you, but I find it extremely hard to concentrate on my writing in the summer. I’d much sooner be outside, in the garden, or lounging under the cherry tree reading all the amazing books on my TBR pile (which is ready to run away and hide, it’s so tall! lol).
I have deadlines I have to meet, but maybe, just maybe, they can wait another day or two. 🙂
How about you? Do you find summer distracting?
Here’s this week’s freebie links- enjoy!
A woman and child in danger teaches Nick life is worth living.
ALL SHE WANTS IS TO LIVE HER LIFE
Abused, Sara Sheridan finds the courage to escape her husband. She has no interest in getting mixed up with another alpha, attitude-laden male. Especially with her ex hot on her trail.
ALL HE CRAVES IS PEACE AND QUIET
Marine, Nick Kelley prefers solitude, away from the memories haunting him. So what is it about his reticent neighbor and her child that tempts him to give it up?
UNTIL LOVE GETS IN THE WAY
Nick and Sara’s growing attraction leads them down a dangerous path as her ex-husband closes in on the new life she’s made for her daughter and threatens to blow it all apart.
“How did you find me?” Sara fell back as Tom pushed his way inside, followed closely by Sam, and then she caught sight of Fiona being led in by two other men. Her friend was cuffed, arms pulled taut behind her back. Her mouth, covered by a bright red handkerchief tied so tight it cut into her whitened cheeks, highlighted an obscene bruise. Her eyes, one of them black and blue, filled with tears, begging Sara to forgive her.
“GPS, my dear, you’ve heard of that I presume? I traced you from your own phone, that wasn’t very smart of you. So, this is where you’ve been hiding.” He waved the others into the room, locking the door behind them. “What, no kiss for your Husband? You do recall you have one of those, don’t you?”
He looked the same, so tall and handsome standing there in his perfectly pressed suit and tie, not a hair out of place. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. It was so obvious to her now. The narrow, cold eyes, the supercilious attitude, the rigid stance, the not-so-well-hidden-anger, had he always been that way? She didn’t like to think so. How could she have been so wrong about him? He’d pulled the wool over her eyes from the beginning.
Let the authors of Summer Heat tempt you with some mouth-watering recipes. Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Pistachios, Decadent French Toast, Marinated Steak, Devil’s Food Cake, Beer-Steamed Mussels, Baked Apple with Custard Sauce, White Chocolate Cherry Scones. These are just a few of the wonderful dishes you’ll find in this unique cookbook. Each is linked to a novella in Summer Heat, a collection of sixteen sexy romances by New York Times, USA Today and other Bestselling Authors. The food is great, and each recipe will whet your appetite for one of the stories in the boxed set by giving you insights into the life of the author’s hero and/or heroine. So enjoy the fabulous food along with the outstanding prose from a seasoned group of authors.
Book Bites offers samples for 9 romance novels and novellas. We hope you will find them not only delicious but also arousing an irresistible craving for more.
So, you ask, what is this boxed set all about?
At no other point is passion put to the test as in dire times of war. From the American Civil War to WWII, from Vietnam to the War in Afghanistan to the Persian Gulf, the stories in this boxed set summon the strength of true lovers.
Written by bestselling, award-winning, and USA Today authors, the novels and novellas in this collection tell of overcoming loss, injuries, and separation, to celebrate the victory of love.
If you like Military Romance, Wounded Warrior Romance, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, or Romantic Suspense, this anthology invites you to triumph over the worst of conditions and find the courage to bring forth the best in us.
The Authors’ Billboard is proud to publish Book Bites 9. Enjoy a sampling —the first chapter or two — of a scintillating peek into the contemporary romances from award winning and NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors from two of our boxed sets: Unforgettable Heroes and Sweet and Sassy.
Can’t figure out which flavor you’d like tonight? Maybe these will fire up your appetite. After all, your Kindle isn’t completely full, right?
These seventeen teasers are for lovers of romance stories of all heat levels. They are available in their complete versions in: UNFORGETTABLE HEROES and SWEET AND SASSY
Many of the so- called baby boomer era are facing empty nesters’ syndrome. That is to say, their once boisterous, happy homes are now quiet wastelands of space.
According to CIGNA HealthCare, family life cycles have five stages:
There has been an upsurge in the housing market, which in turn, has led to many couples who are coming into their retirement years, selling their homes and either moving into condos, tiny homes, like the one pictured above, or RV’s.
We chose the latter route. With our daughter grown and hundreds of miles away, we found ourselves alone and lonely in a five bedroom bi-level that was much too big. My mother had a suite downstairs, but most of the time it felt like we were simply keeping the dust bunnies company.
There are RV resorts all over Canada and the United States that cater to year round travelers. Some are very fancy with golfing, pools, tennis courts, and fitness rooms:
http://arizonaluxuryrvresorts.com/
And others offer the wilderness in all its glory:
Our new home may not be thirteen hundred square feet, but it can take us to places we’ve never seen before.
And maybe even relieve some of that, ‘What are we going to do without our kids?’ feeling we all go through sooner or later.
How about you? What do you do to relieve that empty nester’s syndrome?
My holiday romance, Silver Bells is #Free July 12-14/2019!
Click the covers to visit Amazon for the books.
Will a Christmas wish give a lonely author a family?
Mystery writer, Joel Carpenter, has no time for romance. He has a deadline to meet, and too many skeletons in his closet to trust the slightly spinny artist renting his house.
Christy Taylor has her hands full dealing with an ailing business and a diabetic daughter, she doesn’t need the temptation that is her landlord, Joel Carpenter.
Can a Christmas wish bring two stubborn souls together and give a little girl the gift she wants most?
Being the new girl in town is hard, especially when you’re running from your past. It even gets harder when your handsome neighbor is a police officer who wants to get to know you. No matter how much Casey tries to avoid Thad, something is always pulling them together.
Thad has lived in Celebration Township his entire life, and it’s not until a beautiful brunette moves in next door that his eye is finally caught. If only she didn’t push him away at every chance she got.
When an unexpected visitor shows up at Casey’s house a few days before Christmas, her future and past collide. Will Thad figure it out what’s going on in time, or will Casey end up being a conspirator to a murderer?
Wounded warrior, Ben Michaelson is a former rock star who’s at Dragonfly Pointe intending to make a comeback at the town’s yearly charity event.
The adopted daughter of a music superstar and an artist herself, Rose Atkinson has suffered her own share of heartache, long ago deciding she’d never get involved with another musician.
But will the magic of a kiss beneath a Christmas star help Ben convince Rose that fate has always meant for them to be together?
Today, I have a fun surprise I’d like to share with you.
I’ve teamed up with 30+ fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of Military & Hero romances to 2 lucky winners, PLUS a brand new eReader to the Grand Prize winner!
You can win my novel Tidal Falls, plus books from authors like Piper Rayne, Leeann Morgan, and more — just by following me and other great Military & Hero romance authors on BookBub!
Enter the giveaway by clicking here 👉bit.ly/HeroRomance-July2019
Good luck and enjoy!
Jacquie Biggar
This past week was a tough one for me. We returned from a quick trip home (2500 miles in 3 days!) tired and a bit depressed. The hometown four generations of my family grew up in, is dying.
What was once a vibrant, growing town deep in the middle of oil, gas and coal country has been hit with a downturn in the economy like nothing I’ve ever seen.
To say it was disheartening would be an understatement.
I understand climate change is a concern for everyone, but should it come at the cost of livelihoods? People are losing jobs, homes, hope.
There has to be a compromise and it’s up to us to find it.
A day or two after our return, I developed this horrible pain in my lower back, left side. I put it off to a kink and took my ever faithful pain killers. But, it didn’t get better. In fact, it became unbearable every time I laid down- like a fist grinding into my back.
I hate, hate going to the doctor (it’s been 6 years since my last visit, other than for Mom and grandson) so that’s my explanation for what I did next. I attempted a self-diagnosis via the internet.
Please, don’t do this at home!
Talk about freaking out! When many of the so-called professional sites started throwing the ‘C’ word around, I quickly changed my mind and decided to call Mom’s doctor and see if I could get in. I nicely explained my dire emergency to the receptionist and that Mom, darling daughter and buddy were all patients of the clinic- imagine my surprise when she didn’t care, lol. They were fully booked and not accepting new patients- sorry.
Okay, fine. Give it another day or two to mend on its own then. Except, it didn’t. That night I moaned and groaned the hours until dawn away. The moment the walk-in clinic opened I was there. Forty minutes later, I got into the clean, stylish office (not half as bad as I’d imagined) and met with a doctor half my age, who kindly didn’t laugh when I explained the diagnosis I had come up with. Instead, he assured me it was nothing more serious than a muscle strain- possibly caused by all the gardening we’ve been doing- and subscribed some pain killers and muscle relaxants.
When I arrived home, DH ran outside to hear the news and give me a relieved hug and kiss- after all, who else was going to do his laundry? 🙂
Moral of the story- Don’t let pride go before the fall. If in doubt, visit your physician, they’re there to help.
A few of the flowers in our garden.
Busy bee
When Navy Seal Operative Luke Kiersey, who suffers from amnesia, is finally granted leave after five years, he finds himself driving to a house he doesn’t recognize in a town he’s never been to. The house is home to a beautiful woman and a little girl with big blue eyes. Day after day, he drives back only to hide in the shadows and wonder why he can’t seem to walk away from them.
His therapist says is PTSD.
His handler tells him he’s just not cut out to be part of the civilian world.
Luke can’t help but feel like it’s more.
The dog tags that once hung proudly around his neck, now feel like a collar; leashing him to a life that he fears he didn’t choose. After the terrible things he’s done in the name of freedom, could he possibly be worthy of something as precious as the woman and child he continues to watch?
When the two worlds collide, Luke needs his mind to be stronger than the implant the government placed in his back. They’ve told him he can’t survive without the implant they use to control him, but Luke’s wondering if he can survive without the little girl with big blue eyes and the gorgeous woman she calls mamma.
Andrea is a wife, mother and writer from small town West Virginia. She spends her time while she’s not dreaming up lovers and villains alike chasing after her two kids and husband.
Her overactive imagination and her husband’s wacky dreams attribute to her love of the written word. Guilty pleasures include reading all night and Reese Cups.
Luke Kiersey doesn’t remember much before a near-death encounter overseas five years ago. He woke with a computer implanted in his back that literally kept him alive, and a debt to his country he could never repay.
Trained to become one of the deadliest assassins in the United States Navy, Luke is more machine than man.
Until a chance encounter triggers memories of his past.
Jen Kiersey has a counter full of unpaid bills and a hole in her heart from the death of her husband when her daughter was an infant. It’s not easy juggling a five-year-old with a demanding job and sometimes the loneliness gets overwhelming.
Until a tall stranger saves them from an intruder. Her not-so-dead husband.
Furious at the lies he’s been told, Luke tries to walk away from a government with its own hidden agenda, but learns the hard way it won’t be easy.
This book had an interesting concept and some twists I didn’t see coming.
One of my favorite lines between Luke and his daughter:
“Sometimes when I lose my favorite stuffy, Mamma makes me go back to where I last remember having it to help me find it. Maybe that would help you. Do you remember us at all?”
“I think that’s a really good idea, Bella. Maybe I can try that.”
“Uh, Daddy?”
“Yes?” Luke responded, hoping he didn’t sound as uncomfortable as he felt at being called that.
“I have to go potty.”
Bills, Andrea. Hardwired (The Brotherhood Series) (p. 112). Kindle Edition.
And between Luke and Jen:
Luke covered her small hands with his, afraid she would disappear. “Sometimes I’m afraid you’re just an illusion. As if my PTSD has conjured this all up in my head.”
Bills, Andrea. Hardwired (The Brotherhood Series) (p. 137). Kindle Edition.
I give Hardwired 4 lovely kisses- an entertaining read!
This novel has been revamped, reformatted, re-edited, has a new cover and an extended epilogue with bonus content. 1/22/19
THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE
Alex Gardener has her life planned out, down to the smallest detail. She has a skyrocketing career as a litigation attorney, a close group of socialite friends, and is engaged to one of the most successful businessmen in Beverly Hills. Everything is just as she wants it: comfortable, predictable, secure…if lacking passion. Fire.
Cory Bishop is a struggling working man, trying to make ends meet while fighting to keep custody his young daughter. He knows that working hard is the only way to achieve his goals, but lately it seems everything he wants hangs just out of reach.
The bank robbery changes everything.
Alex and Cory spend three harrowing days as hostages locked in a bank with fifty frightened people and six criminals who grow more desperate–and dangerous–by the hour. Alex and Cory find comfort and safety with each other and reveal their deepest hopes and fears and secrets, unknowingly building a bond forged out of desperation and fear, one that they can’t break, even once outside the bank’s walls.
Their lives are turned upside down, irrevocably altered, and they seek to move on and put the robbery–and each other–behind them.
But some bonds, once forged, cannot be broken. Save a Life
Emma Scott is a bestselling author of emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels.
RECENT RELEASES
Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts #1)
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts #2)
COMING SOON
A Five-Minute Life (standalone)
Someday, Someday (M/M standalone)
You can follow me at all the places…
Super-cute NON SPAMMY newsletter: http://bit.ly/2nTGLf6
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaScottwrites/
Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/906742879369651/
Emma Scott turns up the heat!
Lawyer, Alex Gardener, is getting married, but before that can happen a life-altering experience changes her life- possibly forever.
Cory Bishop is under no delusions about the crap life can dole out, so he’s not really surprised to find himself in the middle of a bank robbery. But he IS shocked by the instant attraction between him and fellow hostage, Alex Gardener.
Held for three days in an airless room with little food or water, Alex and Cory, along with the other captives, fight through their fear and pray to survive. Bonds are made, vows are broken, and the fallout might be worse than death.
I enjoyed this story, though not as much as some of her other books. The robbery takes up roughly a third of the story and was edge-of-the-seat thrilling, but after that it became a lot of back and forth about Alex and Cory’s forbidden attraction. I felt it carried on for too long, though there were some incredibly touching moments with Cory’s young daughter and his ailing father.
Hello, gorgeous. The face bent close to mine was ruggedly handsome with a strong jaw, chiseled chin, broad mouth with full lips, and—most surprisingly for a man with lighter hair—rich brown eyes, which were sharply intelligent and soft at the same time. I smelled his crisp scent—aftershave and something like freshly chopped wood—and it seemed that scent settled into my chest and remained there, warm and clean.
Unbreakable- Emma Scott
He shook his head. “Why did he do that? Sell our name like that?” “He did it for you,” I said quietly.
“For me,” Walter said. “What have I got left? I’m fading away like a picture in the sun. He should’ve let me die.”
Unbreakable- Emma Scott
I started to speak, but my mother flapped her hands, her eyes filled with angry tears. “It was going to be such a beautiful wedding.”
“I don’t want a beautiful wedding, Mom,” I said gently. “I want a beautiful marriage.”
Unbreakable- Emma Scott
I give Unbreakable 4 lovely kisses- Worth the read!
I was reading the #blogs and came across this fun topic on ABook. A Thought. and thought I’d give it a try. WWW Wednesday (originally hosted by A Daily Rhythm, and revived by Taking on a World of Words, I’ll share the books that I’ve finished, my current and upcoming readings.
This meme tries to answer the following three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you finish recently reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
This book of poetry is perfect for the soft, sweet scents of spring. I’m thoroughly enjoying the author’s beautiful lyrics and can already say this will be a 5 star read!
The story of fraternal twin sisters trying to make changes in their lives- and maybe find love along the way!
I’m halfway through this one and am still waiting for the grab-me moment. You know, the one where you burn dinner and forget to go to bed because it’s too good to set down? Yeah, not happening- at least so far 🙂
I LOVED Soul Swallowers and immediately bought this after. The author is a gifted writer with beautiful turns of phrase. I’m a slow reader, so it’ll take a while to finish (Kindle edition is 1264 pages) but well worth the read!
#13 in her much-loved Tracer series, Stone Cold Heart delves into the world of sexual predators and left its mark on me. It’s scary how easy these monsters can lure their prey!
This book had me laughing almost every chapter! If you’re looking for a fun romance, give Kyra’s book a try.
Alex Gardener has her life planned out, down to the smallest detail. She has a skyrocketing career as a litigation attorney, a close group of socialite friends, and is engaged to one of the most successful businessmen in Beverly Hills. Everything is just as she wants it: comfortable, predictable, secure…if lacking passion. Fire.
Cory Bishop is a struggling working man, trying to make ends meet while fighting to keep custody his young daughter. He knows that working hard is the only way to achieve his goals, but lately it seems everything he wants hangs just out of reach.
The bank robbery changes everything.
Alex and Cory spend three harrowing days as hostages locked in a bank with fifty frightened people and six criminals who grow more desperate–and dangerous–by the hour. Alex and Cory find comfort and safety with each other and reveal their deepest hopes and fears and secrets, unknowingly building a bond forged out of desperation and fear, one that they can’t break, even once outside the bank’s walls.
Their lives are turned upside down, irrevocably altered, and they seek to move on and put the robbery–and each other–behind them.
But some bonds, once forged, cannot be broken. Save a Life
Emma Scott is one of my top five authors. I’ve been saving this for the right moment (does anyone else do that? lol) and think now, with those warm summer days on the way, is the perfect time.
How about you? Any favorite books you’re looking forward to reading this summer?
Pain goes in, love comes out.
"It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them."
The Joy of Slow Travel
Write your story in any genre.
Adventures in Writing
Life on the Big Island of Hawaii
Taking steps to live a healthy and enriched life
I read lots of books, from mythology retellings to literary fiction and I love to reread books from childhood, this is a place to voice my thoughts for fun. I also like to ramble about things such as art or nature every now and again.
