Friends

Good friends are like stars ...  You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

I really liked this thought and wanted to share it.  I've been lucky to have really wonderful friends.  Friends who I know are there for me through everything life has thrown at me.  I have a husband who is my best friend and soul mate.  I have a sister who has always been my confident, supporter and listener.  I have so many great friends.  I hope each of you do too.  And if you do, be sure to be a great friend back.  Nurture your friendships.  They can hold a special place in your heart.

My newest book - Dangerous Deception

Watch for my next story, Dangerous Deception.
I just signed a contract with Siren-Bookstrand Publishing and this book is scheduled to be released in August in electronic format.  It should be available in print prior to Christmas. 

Here's a brief blurb:

After her father's freak riding accident, Saxon Hunter gives up her dreams of being on the rodeo circuit to rush home only to find her happy ranch life replaced by odd accidents and murder.  Deception is everywhere.  In her quest to unravel the mysterious clues, she's plunged into the dangerous world of murder and drugs.

Morgan Michaels, a DEA agent, goes undercover to expose a drug ring.  When he meets Saxon, he isn't prepared for the srong attraction he feels.  Things get complicated because evidence indicates Saxon and her family are involved in the case he's trying to solve.

When Saxon learns that Morgan has deceived her, she's devastated; but as things heat up, she finds he's her only chance for survival.  The question is can they make their way through all the lies to regain trust and find love?

A Tribute To Mothers

Mother's Day is Sunday, and I hope you all take time to honor your mothers.  They are special people, and even though my Mom has been gone for nearly nine years, I still have a special place in my heart for my mom.  As I sit here thinking about Mother's Day, several things come to mind I'd like to share with you.

1.  My Mom was my special support during my life.  She was always there for me as my best friend, my helper, and my champion.  I always knew she'd be there if I needed to talk, and I have missed having her in my life these past years.

2.  She provided love and nurturing in my life.  I never had to wonder if someone loved me because my Mom was always there.  I think back and realize how much she gave up for herself to give to me and my siblings.  I never took the time to thank her like I should have so I can just hope that she knew it even if we didn't say the words.  Don't take that chance.  If your Mom is still alive, take time to tell her how much you love and appreciate all she has done for you.

3.  She was a great example of what a wonderful woman should be.  She stood strong for what she believed.  She actively taught me what she always felt was important in this life, things that I'll never forget, and I am so appreciative of the time she took.

4.  She loved my father and showed our family what it was like to be a loving wife in a loving family.  I feel so lucky to have been part of that union because in today's world, so many don't have the luxury of having parents who still love and enjoy each other's company.

For everyone who is a mother, I honor you and wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.  For those lovely women who don't have children, take time to show your love and support to others, be an example of what a woman should be.

My God bless you mothers this mother's day.

Cindy Christiansen's New Book

Cindy A Christiansen has a new book due out this summer.  Its title is Caskets and Corruption, and it's a great story.  It's one I know you'll enjoy.

Ms. Christiansen writes a fast-paced story where two very different characters are thrown together with a funny, hairless dog, and must find a way to survive. She takes them on a wild ride, throwing them into situations that take them deeper and deeper into trouble, and you wonder how they can ever get out.  Add in some humor, suspense, and tenderness, and you’ve got a great story I’d recommend to everyone.

If you've never read her books, you're really missing out.  Visit her web site at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.com/

Happy reading! 

Never Too Late, My Love

My book, Never Too Late, My Love, is available in print!  It's my first in a print edition.

You can order your copy through Amazon.com or Barnes and Nobles.

Here's an excerpt:

Elisa lay next to Henry listening to his soft snoring, still in wonder at what they had done. Their joining had been perfect, but she felt sad. She knew it was wrong. They were so wrong for each other, and it broke her heart. She knew it was time to leave before they got so involved they couldn’t break it off. She didn’t belong here, and he had made his life in this desert community.

She leaned up on her arm and gazed at his strong face and committed the sight to memory. She knew she couldn’t stay. She wanted his love but knew he could never give her his heart totally. She craved his warmth and realized she would never be completely happy if he wouldn’t give her his total love.

She kissed her fingers and gently placed them on his mouth, being careful not to wake him. Her eyes caressed his body, and she smiled at the sweet memory of their lovemaking. He had been kind and gentle, taking care to please her before himself. She sighed as she pushed those thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t stay. It wasn’t right. He didn’t want to be in love.

Life with Henry would be hard, and Elisa wasn’t sure she could live in this desert town, and even if she could, she wasn’t sure how long she could take the roller-coaster ride their life together would be. One moment he was kind and gentle. The next moment, he withdrew and became cold and unfeeling. She wanted the loving, gentle person but didn’t know if she could accept the other side of Henry.

Moving slowly, Elisa got out of the bed and picked up her clothing. She paused at the door and looked at the sleeping form covered with light from the bright stars. She blew a quiet kiss and tiptoed back to her room where she dressed hurriedly, put her things into her suitcase, and made her escape. Once she got into her little car, she took one long, last look at the old ranch house that had become so dear to her. Before she drove out of the driveway and down the deserted lane, she once again pondered the enigma of the sleeping man, the man she had just lain with and made love to. What had caused him to run away and resist letting someone into his heart and his life? Why would he fight letting someone love him the way she was willing to love him?

Elisa shook her head, took one last glance at the old farmhouse, the dilapidated barn, the mountains, and the large fields, then drove her car down the lane.

The sky was full of stars, and a bright moon shone in the dark night. It was easy to find her way, and she didn’t turn on her headlights until she was well away from the house. She couldn’t take the chance of waking Henry. If he came after her, she would never be able to leave him.

Just as she stopped at the stop sign before turning onto the long road toward Wendover, she felt the presence of something and turned to look around. A prickle of unease filled her, but there was nothing, only the sensation of being watched.

She pulled the car onto the highway and drove away from Henry. Once she left the community for the deserted road, the feeling of being watched filled her again. She looked around once again. This time, two golden eyes shone eerily in the blackness of the night. The wolf spirit.

“Oh, go away,” Elisa cried out. “Why are you here? What do you want? Stay away from me.”

She kept driving, but the sensation that someone or something was out there stayed with her. She kept looking around. She knew the two golden orbs that reflected around her were just her imagination. There was no such thing as a wolf spirit, and she refused to allow it to change her mind about leaving.

At the next stop sign before pulling onto the main road to Wendover, the eyes were there in front of her, shining stronger and brighter than ever. She sat staring back at those eyes, trying to understand. Didn’t Chief Mountain Eagle tell her if she listened, the wolf spirit would tell her things? She couldn’t hear anything. She didn’t believe in spirits anyway. It was absurd, and she needed to get away. She was tired of the ghost lore. The desert was getting to her. Everywhere was quiet peacefulness, and yet her heart was crying with the knowledge she would never see Henry again.

“Oh, God, help me.” She put her head into her hands once again and let the tears flow. Her soul craved what it couldn’t have. Her body still burned for the touch of Henry. Her mouth was still swollen from his kisses, and her breasts still tingled from his touch. But it would never work. He was too old and stubborn and set in his ways. She didn’t need to feel the unease of wondering what had upset him and made him pull away from her. She couldn’t continue to live like this anymore. He had said the same thing. He wasn’t ready for love. He didn’t want a woman in his life. He liked being an old bachelor, alone on his farm. There was no choice. She had to leave. She couldn’t put either of them through it again. They had slipped and let their bodies love, but she knew it couldn’t happen again. It wasn’t right. They were two opposites.

Elisa pulled the Mustang onto the highway and headed away from Ibapah, away from the wolf spirit that haunted her, away from the gentle people she was learning to love, away from the man who had captured her heart, and toward her home, her life alone.

Success Tips

I'm a Utah Jazz Fan.  Have been since the days of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Can't quit watching now even with all the changes happening.  Anyway, last night as I sat watching the Jazz game -- and they won, yeah! I started thinking about what an NBA player needs to do to succeed and I got to thinking so many of the steps are what any of us need to succeed.  Let me share some of the things I came up with.  Perhaps they can help you or perhaps it will bring other things to mind. 

1.  Enjoy what you do.  This is a must.  Can you imagine an NBA athlete playing ball every single day, week after week, being away from home and family if he didn't enjoy the game?  Well, I think that applies to being a writer or doing anything else you want to to do.  My sister is a quilter and she lives and breathes it and it's a good thing because I think it would drive her nuts if she didn't -- and because she loves it so she is definitely succeeding.  I enjoy writing my stories.  It's fun to create new characters, put challenges before them, and somtimes I'm even surprised at the outcome.  But, bottom line, I enjoy it.

2.  Practice, practice, practice.  An NBA athlete must practice constantly, and as a writer, I feel I have to practice writing.  The only way to improve your craft is to practice it, strive to improve.  Spend time going over and over what you do, working hard to be the best.

3.  Do it every day!  Before every game, I hear about NBA players working out, playing scrimmage, dribbling the ball.  It's on going day after day.  It must work for them.  We need to take that to heart and do the same. You've heard the old saying, if you don't use it, you lose it.  Well, I believe that is so true.  If you don't continue to push yourself, working at it regularly, day after day, you lose your touch.  I'm a piano player or at least I used to be pretty good, but it's sad I don't play much any more and because of that, I've definitely lost my touch.  Oh, I can still read the music and figure out where the keys are, but the flow, the ease of playing has gone.  I think your writing is the same.  You have to keep writing, keep producing, use new words, keep your mind thinking of new stories, settings, etc, because if you don't, you'll start to lose your touch.  Don't let that happen to you.

4.  Keep learning.  NBA players are constantly learning new plays from their coaches.  They are constantly challenged by other players and other teams. Writers need to keep learning their craft.  Take classes.  On-line courses are easy and inexpensive.  Strive to keep learning ways to fine-tune your writing, tighten up those sentences, try new words, learn and research constantly.  Don't become stagnant or the world will leave you in the dust.

5.  Talk to writers.  Join writer's groups.  Share your talents.  Let them share with you.  Be a mentor to someone who is just starting.  NBA players are great at mentoring and sharing.  Just in the last few weeks, I listened to C. J. Miles one of our Utah Jazz talk about how much he appreciated Deron Williams for working with him and showing him in practice.  I know, myself, that since joining our Utah RWA Chapter, I have learned so much from the experience of other writers.  I challenge you to do the same.  Not only will this help you continue to learn and grow, but it will enforce the things you know by teaching others, talking about what you've learned.

6.  Celebrate your successes!  Ever watch a ball team after they win?  Oh, yeah, they definitely celebrate their success.  It could be a high five, a hug, carrying their leader on their shoulders or pouring their drinking barrell over the coach's head, but they celebrate.  We have to do the same thing.  Whether it be the completion of your first novel, a request from an editor for your manuscript, or a book that finally is published, celebrate.  Let the world know how you've succeeded.  Let others be a part of your happiness.  I can't tell you how fun it is to hear all the words of congratulations I get from my critique partners and my RWA Chapter.  It definitely boosts your confidence and gives you the energy to take the next step on your journey to success.

You create your own destiny. Take charge.  Take the first step.  Keep working.  There is nothing so sweet as succeeding.

I'd love feedback if anyone can think of other things to add to what I've written.

Have a great day!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Today is traditionally a day for lovers, and I wish you much love.  Spend it being happy even if you don't have a special love.  Give love to those around you -- especially to yourself.  Do something you love -- eat some chocolate, watch your favorite movie, or read a great book.  If you have a special someone, cherish them, laugh together, and love together. Remember:

If you love something, let it go free
If it comes back to you, it's yours ---
If it doesn't, it wasn't supposed to be.
      ---anonymous