I went Ghost Hunting!

It was a stormy night with unusual energy in the skies, a perfect night for lots of paranormal activity. And I spent the night wandering through the old Tooele Hospital with only my flashlight looking for ghosts!

The hospital is reputed to be one of the most active places for paranormal activity in Utah. They have a team of psychics and paranormal specialists who meet weekly and have recorded some very interesting voices and sightings. They're dedicated ghost hunters who have developed new tools to enable them to record very unusual things.

Our guide was great. She'd personally experienced many unexplained voices, smells, and visitors while she's been in the hospital. She says there's even a cat spirit that has been seen. There's also a room that she refuses to go back into because of the weird things that have happened. Needless to say, I'm a chicken and I didn't go into that room either.

My daughter in law took some random pictures with her digital camera and at first glance, two of them have clear orbs in them. Orbs, we were told, are energy bursts that the spirits use to move around our world with. We showed her pictures to one of the specialists and were warned that we may have had a spirit following us -- definitely unnerving! Later, as we were looking at some of her other pictures, we found one that appears to have the form of a woman standing between two beds in the nursery. Can't wait to see them once they're blown up on the computer.

In the old conference room they've identified three small kids who hang out there. The little spirits play pranks and don't appear to be threatening, but they do like to surprise you by going home with you. We're told they'll talk and move things in your home and drive you crazy teasing you until you get them back at the hospital where they belong (that's what we're told any way.) The night we were there the paranormal specialists actually recorded some activity in the conference room and we got to watch it happen. Unreal.

It's reported that several of the spirits like to follow you home from the tour. Needless to say we definitely let them know they weren't wanted and they were not to go home with us. So far I think that did the trick because I haven't experienced anything unusual at my house. Relief.

Check out their website at http://www.asylum49.com/

Most cities have "haunted" places. Here's an interesting web site you might want to visit. Type in your state and city and see what comes up. http://theshadowlands.net/places

I really enjoyed the tour. Great fodder for a new story -- maybe a hero spirit who follows his heroine home, hmm, have to think about that.

Do you live in a city that's haunted????

Spring is Here???

It's April, the tulips and daffodils are starting to bloom. Our grass is greening up, the snow is melting, excitement for warm afternoons and barbeques on the patio is in the air. And yesterday it snowed, today it snowed, and now I wonder, is it really spring or are we still in winter?

I'm being facetious. We need the moisture. We're way behind our water levels here in Northern Utah and with the rainy weather, I'm on my computer which is where I need to be. Writing. Answering e-mails, working. After all, I'm a writer. I have edits to do. I have stories to write. So instead of sitting here moping about the weather, I'm enjoying the time I do have indoors with my computer. I don't feel the pull of warm weather and sunshine. I'm working.
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Happy reading -- if you're not working on writing a new story, then pull out a good book and let it take you away. If you'd like some suggestions, pick up a Rachel Gibson or Phyllis Campbell story. If you like spice and erotic, pick up a story by KyAnn Waters. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the afternoon.

What makes you different?

I heard the saying: What makes you different may also be your greatest strength.

It made me realize how nice it is that we are all different. What a boring world this would be if we didn't each have our own strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncracies.

As a reader, I'm so glad that each author is different. Each creates a story in their own unique way. The stories they weave are different from others, the characters they create are unique based on the author's background, beliefs, and knowledge. The settings they describe takes us to worlds we've never known. Thank heavens every place is different.

As an author, I find myself bringing in my own background into my stories. I was raised around Morgan horses and so many of mystories will have horses, ranches, and cowboys in them. I have a yellow lab and he is a loving part of our family and you'll also see that many of my stories will have a dog who adds a new dimension to my characters. I enjoy spending time in the outdoors, enjoying the mountain in northern Utah so you'll see many of my stories are set in or around the mountains.

Even if you are different, don't let it bother you. In fact, enjoy your uniqueness -- celebrate your differences. That's what makes you - you. It also keeps the world a fun, interesting place to be.

Happy Easter

Just spent the morning with some of my little grandkids and they were all excited to show me the prizes they got from an easter egg hunt this morning. I smile because they are so full of excitement, energy and happiness. After they left and the house got a little quiet, it made me stop and think about Easter and the special day it is.

I just wanted to wish you all a very special Easter whether you are going to a religious service, enjoying family and friends, or playing easter bunny to your children. Life is so great - enjoy it to the fullest.

Enjoy Good Things

Life is a journey---
Enjoy good things!

I saw this saying on a T-shirt today and it started me thinking of the things I enjoy:

The first blooms of spring in their beautiful pastel colors
The giggles from my grandchildren when they are playing
A warm fuzzy feeling when I hold my husband's hand
Seeing how happy and loving my dog, Max, is when I've just come home
The warmth of the sun on my face just after a rain storm
Reading a good book

What types of things do you enjoy?

What Is Love?

I got an e-mail from a friend and loved it. A group of youngsters, ages 4 to 8, were asked what love means. The depth of their understanding of love was so great.

Rebecca, age 8, said:
When my grandmother got arthritis and couldn't paint her toenails any more, my grandfather does it all the time even though his hands have arthritis too.

Billy, age 4 said,
When someone loves you, they say your name different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.

Tommy, age 6 said:
Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who still love each other even though they know each other so well.

Elaine, age 5 said:
Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.

Chris, age 7 said:
Love is when Mommy sees daddy sweaty and smelly and still says he is more handsomer than Robert Redford.

Ah, the words from the mouths of babes. I thought these words were so touching. As I write some of my romance stories, I hope I can bring this type of emotion and understanding into my characters. Sometimes I think we forget, as adults, what that fuzzy feeling of love is. Life's chores seem to get in the way. Things that irritate us take over and we speak with words we don't mean.

My challenge is to try to remember the little things that I love about the most important people in my life. I challenge you to do the same.

As you read a new romance novel, let that loving, fuzzy feeling fill your heart.

Have a great day.

Banished Scoundrel

I'm excited to give you a brief preview of a fellow author's book Banished Scoundrel.

Here's an Excerpt of Banished Scoundrel by Anita Philmar:

"Have you dropped off your stipend for the game tomorrow?" She laid her finely, manicured hand on his arm. The dainty touch sent sparks of awareness through him, and his cock swelled. "The governor likes to put all the money in his strongbox for safekeeping before the party begins."

Jack reined in his desire and reminded himself of his primary objective—to transport the lady back to Ardenia. However, he liked Sloan’s clever rule. If a man didn’t contribute the required gold coins to the game, the governor shouldn’t waste resources entertaining him. "No, I can’t say that I have. I arrived just a few moments ago."

"Then let me show you to the study, and I’ll fetch you a drink." She touched his arm again and
stepped into the foyer.

He bowed his head slightly and played the unfamiliar part of a refined gentleman. "And you
are?"

She fluttered her hand over her face and brushed a wisp of light brown hair from her brow.
"The governor calls me Kitty. It’d probably be best if you did, too."

"What an alluring name? It makes me think of a cat with its lips covered by a luscious coat of cream." Jack stared at Kitty’s mouth, and his tongue tingled at the idea of tasting her rich, flavorful lust.

She giggled and wove her hand through the crook in his arm. The soft swell of her breast
bumped against his arm. "Oh, you’re naughty, but I love the alluring image."

"Then, I hope you’ll let me have a taste later." He didn’t crowd her but allowed her to step back.
She led him across the entranceway to a door on the other side. Remember she’s a princess.

Blurb:

Known scoundrel Jack Avery must earn the queen's forgiveness by rescuing her missing daughter from the human world. His sources reveal the Princess Noelani is being held by a powerful man who likes a good game of chance. So with twenty borrowed pieces of gold Jack enters the high-stakes game. Only the lady he encounters is no princess. This pretty Kitty makes him want to hear her purr.

Under a memory spell, Kitty recalls nothing before the governor bought her from her parents and offered her protection from those he claims would kill her kind. So what if, in order to control her, he forces Kitty to morph then deprives her of sexual release after transformation. But the crafty card player she is assigned to "entertain" reveals himself as a kindred spirit—a shape shifter—and unravels the lie she’s been forced to live.

Together Jack and Kitty risk it all, for the stakes are high and the prize is worth it...freedom, forgiveness, love.

You can purchase this book at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php

Enjoy!