Tribute to A Wonderful Friend

It's been nearly a year since I got the call that my good friend Terri J. Lynn passed away. It broke my heart. Today, for some reason, she's been on my mind.

I remember the first day we met. She walked into one of our Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America meeting and the only chair available was next to me. She stood, looking around the room, not knowing anyone -- ever been there? I have. You're a bit nervous, anxious to be seated, but wanting to feel comfortable.

I motioned to the chair by me. I asked her the usual get to know you questions -- introduced myself, asked where she was from, etc. We started to chat. We bonded. From there a friendship grew. Come to find out she and her family only lived a few miles away. I asked her if she was interested in joining a critique group. She jumped at the chance, and that's when I found out what a fantastic author she was, and how knowledgeable she was. What a great addition to our critique group.

We laughed. We criticized and made recommendations. We brainstormed along with Alysia S. Knight. Our group just clicked. We had fun. We got work done. She even suggested the name of my story, Dark Secrets. After reading it, she called me and said that had to be the name because of all the secrets revealed in my story. As soon as she said that, I knew it was what I'd name that book. Dark Secrets.

About three years ago she and her husband moved to Las Vegas. I missed her so much, but we talked now and again. We still shared bits and pieces of the books we were working on. Then I couldn't get hold of her. I worried about her, and a few months later, I received the call from her sister. Broke my heart. She had passed away.

Funny how a stranger walks into your life and your world changes. She was that type of person. Encouraged me to do better. Helped me along the way with suggestions. Pushed me at times to work a bit harder. Became a friend and mentor, and I can't thank her enough. She was a wonderful lady, and I still miss her so much.

So I wanted to write this as a tribute to her - my good friend, a wonderful critique partner, a super great person and gifted author. Rest in peace with God.

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

Birds of Sadness

You can't prevent the birds of sadness
from flying over your head,
but you can keep them from
nesting in your hair.

I haven't blogged in awhile. It seems like life keeps throwing things at me and I find it's hard to get back to my normal groove. Do you ever feel that way?

I've had my father fall and hurt himself and my family tried to take care of him at home but it just didn't work out so we had to move him to an assisted living center. He was very angry, and that is so hard to face. Thankfully, he is starting to get stronger.

But then my husband took sick with pneumonia, and that meant lots of doctor visits and worry before he finally started feeling better. Thank heavens.

Then guess who caught the crud that's been going around, and so I've been working my way through that.

I know -- everyone has woes. Everyone has sickness. Everyone has family issues, and I don't mean to blog because I'm asking for everyone to feel sorry for me. I'm just saying, I've been faced with birds of sadness flying over my head, and I'm sure you have too.

When I saw the above statement, I thought, yes, that's exactly true. Birds of sadness have been flying a little close for comfort, but I'm determined to keep them from nesting in my hair. I made up my mind to smile, to be pleasant even when it's been hard. You know what I mean? When you want to throw things and scream, you force yourself to be nice, to keep your chin up and smile.

Well, that's my words for you today. Don't give in to adversity. Don't throw things -- instead smile and make up your mind you will do your best to be pleasant and happy.

Don't let those birds of sadness take root and make a nest in your life. Life is too short to give up.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

http://KRBailey.com

Dark Secrets

Dark Secrets. Don't you just love the title?

Originally, I had a different title for this story, but I gave my manuscript to a friend of mine to critique, and she came back with this title. I think it is perfect.

I really enjoyed writing Dark Secrets. I had the opportunity to visit West Virginia and Kentucky and  I thought the area was beautiful. I knew I had to write a story set in that area.

Have you ever just knew in your heart that something wasn't right, that you weren't getting all the details? Well, that's exactly what Moira felt when she made the decision to take the assignment to go to West Virginia and write an article on the ginseng business. What she was really doing was uncovering what really happened to her brother. She couldn't accept he had an accident and died. What she uncovered were secrets that she would never have believed if she hadn't experienced them.

Here's a brief blurb:

She’s searching for answers ...

Under the guise as a journalist learning the ginseng trade, Moira Dawson is determined to learn the truth about her brother’s death. Someone knows the secret of how he died, and she’s sure it’s murder. 

He’s determined to protect what’s his …

Beau Johnstone looks like a rugged mountain man, and he hates diggers who tear down his fences and destroy his property to dig the coveted ginseng roots, and he’s not afraid to run them off with a loaded shotgun.  

Can they succeed?

In the competitive world of the ginseng business, Moira wants answers, and she’ll not stop until she gets them. But what she learns could kill her. Beau is the key to her survival, but after meeting him at the end of his shotgun, he’s the last person she plans to trust.

If you're looking for a new book to read, try Dark Secrets. I think you'll be glad you did.

Dark Secrets is available in both paperback and kindle through Amazon.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

It's Official!

Finally, I can announce that Dark Secrets will be available for order this week. I'm really excited about this story.

What's it about?
Here's a brief excerpt:

Her fingers tingled when he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. The heat from his body enveloped her as she slid into his arms. It felt so good nestled against his body. His grasp on her waist was firm.

Electricity arched between them as they danced together, moving as one, her leg between his, her breasts pushed against his muscled chest. His scent surrounded her as she closed her eyes and breathed deep. Beau. She brought his name to her mouth, and it rolled off her tongue like butter.

“I think that blue bottle had some magic potion in it,” she whispered.

“Enjoy.” He smiled and placed a feathered kiss against her forehead.

His lips were soft and left trails of fire on her skin as they traced down her check and to that spot just below her ear. She closed her eyes, relishing his touch as they moved in sync to the slow, sensuous music. Without realizing it, she ran her hand across his shoulders and to that long, curling hair. As she pulled her fingers through it, she heard him groan.

“Wanna get out of here?” His voice was a low growl, and she heard the want – the need – in it. Her heart pounded and she fought to catch her breath at the knowledge that he felt just like she did.

“Okay.” She stepped back, but before she broke contact, he pulled her against him, so close her body was tucked up against him like a tight tee and stretchy jeans. He kissed her. His kiss beckoned for more, and she gasped at its intensity. She met his kiss and dug her fingers into his back with all the passion she held inside. Her heart pounded as he explored her mouth, and all she wanted was more. More of his kisses, more of his touches.

The music stopped, but they remained locked together, lips tasting, opening to allow the warm, moist exploration of tongues dancing.

Someone cleared their throat.

Moira looked up to see three couples watching, grinning at their actions. She ducked her head into Beau’s shoulder, and he led her off the dance floor and to his truck.

The cab surrounded them, making a warm secluded cocoon.

Beau put his key into the ignition, but before he started the truck, he pulled her against him one more time. His lips met her already kiss-swollen ones, and she whimpered with need. They remained pressed against each other. Moira fought to control her breathing and the pounding of her heart.

Beau kissed her once again. His lips lingered. She closed her eyes at the feel of his warm breath against her skin when his mouth slid from her lips down her throat. Her legs quivered at the want of more. Her breath caught at the touch of his lips down her neck.

“Gotta stop,” he growled.

Cold air whooshed between them as he pulled away and started the truck.

“Hurry,” she urged as they drove away from the pub and into the mountain. Moira marveled at how right it felt being with Beau, holding his hand, their thighs touching, her body trembling with need.

The inky sky lit up like a million twinkle lights as the stars glowed in the heavens as if fireworks exploded along with her pounding heart. Excitement flashed through her when she looked at Beau.

He glanced at her and his eyes were dark pools of gold. He smiled and all she could think about was his full lips kissing her  ̶  everywhere. He squeezed her hand, and she glanced down at the long fingers and anticipated their touch. All memories of the wild mountain man escaped her as they traveled up the dark, winding road that she knew would lead to his cabin. Their hideaway. His bed

Dark Secrets will be available in ebook format exclusively from Amazon this week.  The print book should be available shortly.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

www.KRBailey.com

 

It's Here!

Received my cover for my newest story, Dark Secrets, from my cover artist.  I think she did a fantastic job and I'm excited to share it with you.

Dark Secrets is a romantic mystery and here's a short blurb:

She’s searching for answers ...

Under the guise as a journalist learning the ginseng trade, Moira Dawson is determined to learn the truth about her brother’s death. Someone knows the secret of how he died.

 He’s determined to protect what’s his …

Beau Johnstone looks like a rugged mountain man, and he hates ‘sangers who tear down his fences and destroy his property to dig the coveted roots. When Moira meets Beau at the end of his shotgun, he’s the last person she plans to trust.

Together, can they succeed?

As Moira unravels the mysteries of Cold Hollow, Beau may be her only chance of survival if she can get past the secrets he’s keeping. But without his help, she’s destined for the same fate as her brother.

I'm excited about this story. It should be available later this summer.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

Want To Be A 'Sanger?

What's a 'sanger you ask? Well, until I watched the reality TV series on the History Channel, Appalachian Outlaws about digging ginseng, I had no idea either.

Ok, why am I blogging about this? Because it gave me an idea about a new book - Dark Secrets that should be coming out later this summer.

I had no inkling that ginseng grew wild in parts of the United States, as well as areas of Quebec and Ontario. When I started doing some research, I found not only that it grows wild but that many states regulate the entire ginseng business from those who dig the roots to being a registered dealer. You need a license to be a 'sanger or ginseng digger. There's even regulations about how old a plant must be before it can be harvested.  How do you know a plant's age? Count the scars near the base of the stem. Each year the stem and leaves die back and leave a scar. Count these and it will give you an approximate age of the plant. The berries must be replanted near the harvested plant so more can grow.

Many of these facts are placed sporadically in my story.

There's even websites on how to dig, harvest, store the roots and when it can be sold or certified and when the actual season is. I was amazed at all the information about harvesting ginseng. I thought it was just something from China and Korea, used in herbal medicine. Boy did I get my eyes opened.

Of course my story, Dark Secrets, is a work of fiction with a few facts sprinkled throughout. The TV program portrayed the business as very competitive thus I've tried to  bring that into my story.

I enjoyed creating this story. It has a few twists and turns that I hope will keep you wanting to read more.

Dark Secrets should be released later this summer.  Watch for it!

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

www.KRBailey.com