PROMISES TO A STALLION

Tomorrow is the official release date for PROMISES TO A STALLION. Thanks to early shipping, many have already gotten their hands on a copy and the feedback has been wonderful. Everyone’s kind words have warmed my spirit and motivated me to keep the stories coming.

PROMISES TO A STALLION is the story of Stallion cousin Travis Stallion. Staff sergeant Travis is home on leave for thirty days. An unwitting pawn, Travis delivers a Dear John letter from her overseas fiancé to the beautiful Tierra Braddy, breaking the woman’s heart. Hoping to take the sting out of her heartbreak, the rugged, caring soldier goes out of his way to comfort the incredible woman. When he finds himself falling for the love-wary beauty Travis maps out a campaign of seduction to persuade Tierra to take that fateful walk down the aisle…with him.

PROMISES TO A STALLION was a fun story to write. Motivated by a real life love story I was challenged to write a believable story of a couple meeting, falling in love, and marrying in thirty days. Until I’d encountered such a couple I didn’t believe such a thing was possible. I know firsthand that relationships are tough. I couldn’t imagine making such a definitive connection in such a short period of time. What I was reminded of as I laid out the details of this book was to never say never. Once I could imagine the possibility, Travis Stallion took shape and came to life. The possibility of what could happen in thirty days suddenly took on a whole new meaning.

This book is one of my favorites. It’s laugh out loud funny, sexy and sensuous, heart-warming and engaging. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

HANG ON TIGHT

I swear, I am the bane of all computers. I’m like kryptonite to a keyboard. In the past year, my personal computer has blown up on me no less than three times. The last time it heaved its very last breath, it took much money to recover the files that I failed to back up. Then the computer geek technician advised that it needed yet another hard drive replacement. Opting for a much cheaper route I commandeered baby boy’s computer, applying its depreciated value against my son-shine’s outstanding debt to mommy dearest. That computer is now in the shop getting what…a hard drive replacement, having blown up on me last week. Thank goodness for baby boy’s extended warranty!

My very special friend has allowed me to use his computer while I am laptop-less. Then last night, while attempting for the umpteenth time to write a blog post, his electronic gadget heaved a low sob and went blank. I pushed buttons, unplugged cables, re-plugged cables into different outlets, pushed buttons some more and then sheepishly told the boyfriend that yet again, I had killed another one. (BIG SIGH)

So now I’m at the library. If this one keels over there are nine more for me to get my hands on. If need be, I’ll play musical computers until I can get this post written and actually posted. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

This summer has had its share of extreme highs and some exceptionally low lows. I am in desperate need of a vacation but there isn’t one coming any time soon ‘cause I am broke. The very special friend got to go gallivanting on an island cruise for a week. I had to work and got left behind. I won’t say I was jealous but I admit to having had some issues. I did get pretty gifts (of the gold and diamond variety) when he returned, so I could only pout so much. And he has promised me our own private holiday before the year is out. So, like most things, I know I’ll get over getting left behind.

At the moment I am in a serious state of flux, caught between my wants and my needs and not quite sure what direction I’m headed in. With the SOLD sign officially posted on my grandmother’s residence, I need to find me a house. I am desperately wanting to finally have myself a home. The very special friend has been kindly housing me but he’s not ready for anything permanent and I don’t want to wear out my welcome and risk ruining all that’s good about our relationship. I feel as if I’m trapped between the proverbial rock and the hard place.

There’s a part of me thinking that when I do make a move, it needs to be out of the state of North Carolina. I’m feeling like it’s time to make a change but I haven’t determined to where. I thought about the big city of Atlanta. Phoenix is still on my radar as well. Then for two nights in a row I dreamed of Kiawah Island with its haunting whispers calling me to come home. I’m looking forward to wherever the wind may blow me. Of course, then I have to question what that will do to my nearly perfect relationship.

And I’m writing. There’s a book deal on the horizon which will allow me to spread my creative wings and fly outside the constrictions of writing romance. When the ink is dry on the paperwork I’ll be able to tell you more. As well, I am one step closer to self-publishing a literary piece that is near and dear to my heart. I had never seriously considered self-publishing anything, afraid of all that would entail. But fear has been the motivating factor to move me in that direction; me being afraid that if I don’t put myself out there that I will never know what I might accomplish.

So, with the comprehensive editing behind me I am on to layout and design, seeking a printer and having angst over distribution. I'm not quite sure what I've gotten myself into but since I'm already knee deep into it, it has truly become a sink or swim adventure.

The balance of the year should be quite interesting. There’s my 30th high school reunion on the horizon, a wedding, or two, or three, much relationship drama, I’m sure, and who knows what else might be thrown in my direction. So hang on tight. I think this ride is about to get bumpy.

I'MMMM BACKKKKK!

Hey there! I am finally back from my extended break. I've spent the last few weeks trying to decide what I wanted to do with my blog and my writing. I was seriously considering giving it all up for good, dejected that writer's block was becoming more prevalent and my writing career wasn't progressing like I wanted it to. The crux of this blog was becoming too depressing, reading like a perpetual woe-is-me pity party. It was more than I could take so I can only imagine what others were beginning to think about it.

And then in a moment of self-reflection I made the decision that I wasn't going any place any time soon. I love doing this. Sometimes I forget just how much and I have to be reminded. And then I'm enraptured by words...words on a page...words in a song....words strung together with such precision that the emotion is all consuming and I can't help but be drawn back to what I love most...words, in all their perfection.

It took a moment of clarity to remind me that I'm not done yet. There are too many sunsets I haven't seen....too many stories I have yet to tell...many the miles to get where I need to be. My thanks to Sara Bareilles and the beauty of words sung with such sheer perfection that I couldn't help but be reminded.

So, if you want to take this ride with me, strap on your seatbelts and hold on tight. I have a sneaking suspicion that I haven't come close to hitting my stride yet.

"Many The Miles"

(Sara Bareilles)



There's too many things that I haven't done yet
Too many sunsets
I haven't seen
You can't waste the day wishing it'd slow down
You would've thought by now
I'd have learned something

I made up my mind when I was a young girl
I've been given this one world
I won't worry it away
But now and again I lose sight of the good life
I get stuck in a low light
But then Love comes in

How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
But send me the miles and I'll be happy to follow you Love

I do what I can wherever I end up
To keep giving my good love
And spreading it around
Cause I've had my fair share of take care and goodbyes
I've learned how to cry
And I'm better for that

Sing how far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Send me the miles and I'll be happy to
Follow you Love

Red letter day and I'm in a blue mood
Wishing that blue would just carry me away
I've been talking to God don't know
If it's helping or not
But surely something has got to got to got to give
Cause I can't keep waiting to live

How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
But send me the miles and I'll be happy to yeah
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
Been talking to God don't know if it's helping or not
Many the miles
Many the miles
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
Oh send me the miles and I'll be happy to
Follow you Love

There's too many things I haven't done yet
Too many sunsets I haven't seen