2023-10-31

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Halloween Flash Fiction ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to contribute a piece of "Halloween Themed flash fiction--500 words or less using - pumpkin spice, ghost, and costume."

Annnnd...I might have messed up. I saw the list of words to use and said, yes! I've got the perfect idea! And then, when I was mostly done, I realized that it was supposed to be Halloween-themed.

Does it count that I didn't have time to start over because I had to attend a Halloween party? No? Well, it is what it is. I've written plenty of Christmas stories that have skimped on the actual Christmas part...maybe this is just the same. It's a Halloween adjacent kind of thing. It's giving Halloween vibes. I'm calling it, Coffeehouse Blues.

A good coffeehouse is a wonderful thing. And I ain’t been in one of those in a while. Ever since my usual hangout—Cup O Joe’s—closed down. They say it’s just for remodeling. But that seems sus to me. I mean, why’s it taking so long? What could they possibly be doing to the place that would justify my having to make my own coffee for the last few months…or weeks? Yeah okay, probably just weeks. But it feels like months. Because coffee at home is just not the same.

A coffeehouse is not just about the coffee. It’s the community, the vibe. It’s that feeling you get when you push through the door and the barista catches your eye and smiles and says, “The usual?”

My cousin, who gets all the tea from the Chamber of Commerce, assures me I’ll be happy when Joe’s reopens. That it’ll be ‘worth the wait’ and ‘better’ but I’ve got doubts. It’s practically Halloween! The TSMs (that’s Typical Suburban Mom’s, in case you’re cheugy or weren’t sure) have already togged their babies out in the most basic of costumes (low maintenance stuff, without a lot of chewable pieces) ghosts and pumpkins and baby bats. Which means I’ve missed half of Pumpkin Spice Latte season!

There is such a thing as diminishing returns, I tell my cousin. And ‘better’ is a relative term.

He laughs when I say it and tells me to stay in school. Right, because the idea of me, with my coupla semesters at community college, tryna tell him about matters of economics is ridiculous. But that’s not what I’m saying at all!

If I miss out on too much, if I have to wait too long, then how much better will better really be? I’m living in a post coffee apocalypse dystopia here. A postcoffalypse? Dude, I don’t know: something.

Anyway, I’m feeling kind of down as my ramble takes me past the graveyard…I mean the coffee-shop-that-was. And then I stop in my tracks. I smell coffee. Real coffee. Good coffee. I glance up and see that the paper that’s been covering Joe's windows has been removed. And…it's not Joe's anymore. In its place is Whole Latte Love. And the sign says Open!

Feeling hopeful, I push through the door. I glance quickly around, and freeze once again. Because it is better. It’s a coffeeshop-slash-wine-bar-slash-bookstore now. And I’m just so happy I want to cry.

But then my gaze tracks back to the counter and I want to cry for real because the barista’s a ghost. No, not that kind. He’s bussin—a total snacc, and yummy af. But he’s a ghost from my past and, in that moment, all I can think is, "Of all the coffeeshops in all the towns in all the world, he walks into mine."

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to read her flash fiction (probably more on point than mine). And don't forget to check out her book, Christmas in the Montana Pines.

It time to get in the Christmas spirit. Hallmark Christmas movies have begun, and now’s your chance to get new Christmas novels as well. Christmas in the Montana Pines brings you to the mountains of western Montana for this seasoned romance that proves it is never to late to fall in love, especially at Christmas.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH5KP3TP

FREE Today Only!

Going Back to Find You

A Children of Night Halloween Story

Because even a vampire deserves a second chance.

When Jason Cook boarded the train to San Francisco, he didn't plan on coming back. He never expected to see Nebraska or Lizbeth Petersen ever again. But when an unexpected turn of events threatens the woman he'd been forced to leave behind, he has no choice but to go back and try to make things right.

Warning: This is not a drill. Vampires are invading your favorite, small Nebraska town this Halloween. Does this mean Type-O flavored Booze will soon be the new rage in Sapphire Falls? Hopefully, it won't come to that. But you never can tell...

***This story was originally released as part of the Sapphire Falls Kindle World. It takes place between books six and seven in the Children of Night series.***

https://www.books2read.com/GoingBack

2023-10-29

Musical Monday: Season of the Witch

In honor of Halloween, here's a witchy little number that I stumbled across while writing Hungry Hearts. It's not a new song--which I think is why I love it. But it is a new rendition. New to me, anyway.

I won't say it's necessarily better, but I have been listening to it on replay for awhile now, so I think it's fair to say that I like it a lot!

It's not the version I used in the playlist--but that was a timing decision. I think this version fits Cara a little bit better. So feel free to swap it out, if you want. And don't forget you can download the story for free for the next few days.

Then it's into the crypt with it for another year. So what are you waiting for?

Hungry Heart
An Oberon Halloween Story

Cara Matthews is trouble—with a capital T. That's one thing that pretty much everyone in Oberon can agree on—parents, teachers, other students, her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Seth Cavanaugh.

Well, if you give a dog a bad name, they’ll probably try and live up to it, right?

This Halloween, after receiving one insult too many, Cara's hellbent on wreaking revenge—no matter who gets hurt in the process.

https://tinyurl.com/Hungry-Heart

2023-10-27

This Week on Freebie Friday: Going Back to Find You!

FREE! Now through the end of the month!

Only on Amazon

https://books2read.com/GoingBack

HERERE

It's almost here!!! Be sure to join the Worth The Wait Seasoned Romance Readers group in order to participate in their fun fall event, Never Too Late To Fall In Love, on October 28!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/worththewaitseasonedromancereaders

FREE PNR Books -- One day only! October 28th!

www.witchybookworms.com

MORE FREE PNR Books -- TWO days! October 28 and 29!

https://possessivelyparanormal.com/

2023-10-26

Thankful Thursday post for October 26, 2023

Well, it's another Thankful Thursday and today I'm grateful for...rain! We've been in a drought state for months. The rivers are drying up. My son's well dried up and they had to drill a new one. Pools and swimming holes had to stay closed all summer...and yes, I'm living in a place with swimming holes. Which is just...so amazing to me. I guess that's something else I'm grateful for--having lived most of my life near one ocean or another. Because beaches get closed for lots of reasons--like red tides, sharks or hurricanes--but never for a lack of ocean.

Anyway, today it's raining and it's nice! In large part because I don't have to go out in it, so that's two more things I'm grateful for. There's a lack of thunder, which means my dog's not freaking out like she usually does. And I had the forethought, back before I knew we were heading into a drought, to purchase a new pair of shiny, black rubber boots.

I've finished annotating Sound of a Voice That is Still this week--and that story is ALL about the rain, so it's fitting and synchronistic and...I'm thankful for that, as well.

I also have a new book out this week! Well, sort of new. The Twentieth Anniversary edition of A Sight to Dream Of released on Tuesday! I'm thankful and relieved about that. Pre-Orders make me tense! I can't relax until I have the files uploaded--and have received confirmation! So, having that ordeal over with, having another book out in the world...is a very good feeling.

2023-10-25

Wine Wednesday: Opolo Viognier

As I think has been pretty well established by now, I like wine. Red wine, white wine, sparkling, rose—I’m a fan. A somewhat snobby fan at times, it’s true. But an eclectically snobby fan. I do tend to drink red wine more than any other, but I think that’s due in large part to practicality. I like a wine that I can drink at room temperature, that I don’t have to refrigerate after opening, that I don’t inevitably feel the need to pair with food. Red wine is an anytime wine. White wine…not so much.

Viognier, for example, which is one of my favorite white wines, in general is very much a picnic wine, in my opinion. If I’m not drinking it outdoors, surrounded by nature, on a warm, gorgeous, sunshiny day…well, it always makes me feel as though I am.

Opolo Winery is a Paso Robles institution. And their Viognier is everything I think a Viognier should be. It’s a pale gold—a little lighter in color than a Chard, a little more yellow than your typical Sauvi Blanc. It’s floral on the nose, with a crisp, green taste. There’s a hint of new mown grass (but not in an herbaceous way) with maybe a trace of minerality. There’s an almost smoky sweetness to the finish. The label says caramel, but I disagree. It has more of a dark, wild-flower honey flavor. Or maybe apricot preserves.

And, as I said, you won't go wrong if you pack it in your picnic basket. It has enough body to hold its own against cheese and crackers, or fried chicken, or fajitas, or fresh apples and figs, or even coconut cake. And yes, I'm speaking from recent experience.

I'm currently working on re-editing and annotating Sound of a Voice That is Still. It's one of two Oberon books that features a winemaker's dinner. And yes, one of the wines served at the dinner is Viognier. Here's a glimpse of that.

Inside the cave the torches gave way to double rows of potted ficus trees, their branches strung with tiny white lights. The music grew steadily louder as they went forward, following the curving passage further into the earth. Shadowy side tunnels, their entrances guarded by double glass doors, led off at odd angles from the main chamber. Abruptly, the cave widened into a large grotto. A double ring of tables encircled an intimate dance floor. Rainbow colored lights set in the ceiling reflected off the glittering rock walls and even more lights twinkled from the centerpieces set on each of the tables.

Men in dark suits and women in colorful gowns drifted dream-like toward their seats. White-jacketed servers hurried about between them, balancing large trays of crudités on their hands. While others poured wine and water into the waiting glasses.

“It’s like fairyland,” Sam murmured, as they made their way to their table. He sounded slightly dazed.

Scout took a deep breath. The air was cool and dry. She could smell earth and wood and dark, red wine. A waiter sailed past with a tray of bruschetta redolent of garlic and cheese. She sighed happily. “No, it’s better than that. It’s real. And it’s perfect.”

Gail and Larry, Dan, Lucy and Siobhan were already seated when they arrived at the table. White wine sparkled in their glasses and the table was littered with plates of olives and brie and fried baby artichokes. The seat beside Siobhan was empty, but Scout had only a moment to wonder about it before its mystery was resolved.

“Ryan.” She smiled up at him in pleased surprise. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight?”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” he said, returning her smile as he shook hands with Nick.

As he seated himself, Ryan’s glance went to the glass in Siobhan’s hand. “What’s this? You started without me? And here I thought it was my drinking you were so worried about.”

Siobhan opened her mouth to respond, but then seemed to change her mind. She shook her head slightly and sipped at her wine instead.

Surprised, Scout studied them both more carefully. “I didn’t realize you two knew each other?”

Ryan shifted around to face her, his arm brushing casually against Siobhan’s as he did. “Well, you knew that I’ve been benched because of my leg, right? I was going stir-crazy before I got the idea to volunteer at Siobhan’s center.”

“Really?” Lucy regarded him curiously. “That’s got to be some switch from police work, huh?”

“You have no idea how different,” Ryan told her as he reached back to pick up his glass of Viognier. This time his arm just missed making contact when Siobhan leaned suddenly away from him, her hand moving quickly to pluck a stuffed mushroom from a tray of appetizers. “And you’d be amazed by how much I know about rocks right now.”

Sound Of A Voice That Is Still

Oberon Book 3.0

Some wounds take a long time to heal, others never do. Four months after being wounded in the line of duty, Ryan Henderson is beginning to fear that his is of the latter variety. He's a patient man, but a poor patient. As winter drags interminably on, he's growing desperate for distraction--anything that might take his mind off his injury, before he goes insane.

Siobhan Quinn could give the injured officer a lesson or two in living with pain. It's been ten years since her life was changed and her heart critically wounded as a result of the tragic accident that robbed her of her family. She knows firsthand how grief can cripple a soul and drive a sane mind over the edge.

Sometimes it seems like Spring will never come again. Sometimes, the only alternative to living in inner darkness, is death. Your own, or someone else's. In the depths of winter, Ryan and Siobhan will have to make a choice: to help each other heal, or die trying.

Available for Pre-Order: https://books2read.com/SoundVoice

2023-10-24

Romance Writers Weekly ~ An Influential Author ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we were given the following prompt: "Write about an author who has influenced your writing."

Ooh. This is TOUGH! There are so many authors who've influenced my writing in so many different ways. But, I think, if I have to pick just one, it's going to have to be Joan Didion.

"I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means."

― Joan Didion, Why I Write

I discovered Didion's writing at a time in my life when I was absolutely in love with literature--and in a time before ebooks. So when I traveled (and I traveled a lot back then: Europe, North Africa, India, South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, all across this country and up and down both coasts) I would have to take actual books with me. More often than not, I chose one or more of hers.

I wouldn't exactly call them comfort reads, because she rarely wrote about things that were comfortable. But I guess, for me, they were comfort reads just the same. I was fascinated by the worlds she described--the made up ones and the real one she lived in. I wanted to live in them, too--always. And I think a lot of my writing (my early short stories, especially) really reflects that influence.

Everything she wrote was raw and compelling and vivid and memorable. And I very much wish she were still alive and writing today.

Now, hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's page Leslie Hachtel's page to find out what writer has influenced her.

Release Day!

A Sight to Dream Of
Oberon Book 2.0

Get ready for MORE—more magic, murder, mystery in a mystical smalltown setting!

A Sight to Dream Of, book 2 in the Oberon series is a slow-burn, hero in peril, later in life, paranormal romantic suspense story featuring a (47M) big city financial wizard and the wounded, small town witch (37F) who unwittingly saves him.

“The Oberon Series needs to come with a warning. HIGHLY ADDICTIVE needs to be printed in very large letters.”

“A Sight to Dream Of is the 2nd book in the series and P.G. again torments her readers by crafting a suspenseful story from beginning to end, but it's the best kind!”

“Sam has brought drama to Oberon and the mystery will suck you in and you will be unable to put this book down.”

Sam Sterling is a man with problems. Including a partner who is trying to kill him, and a nosy reporter, who's just turned up dead. It's going to take a miracle to save him. Or, better yet, an angel.

Marsha Quinn is used to being called a witch. Her abilities as a psychic make a lot of people uncomfortable. But no one has ever thought of her as an angel before!

Happily Ever After was not a possibility Marsha had envisioned for herself, until Sam the skeptic arrives in Oberon, and teaches her to see past the scars she carries, and the lies he's told her, to the love that lies within their hearts and minds. But now, with danger closing in and a hired assassin gunning for them both, they might not live long enough to enjoy it.

https://www.books2read.com/SightDream

2023-10-22

Musical Monday: Love of My Life

There were a very few albums that I played incessantly while I was writing the first few Oberon books. This was back in the pre-streaming days, and I had not yet figured out how very important the right music was to my writing.

The right song could put me back in the proper mood and frame of mind--no matter how many times life(or my children's schedules) interrupted me.

One of these albums was Santana's Supernatural, which released in 1999. It was romantic and sexy and totally fit Oberon's Coastal California vibe.

Love of My Life (which I understand was written by Carlos Santana for his wife) could have been written expressly for Nick and Scout.

2023-10-20

This Week on Freebie Friday: Scent of the Roses!

Surprise Sale Starting...Soon!

Scent of the Roses will be available for FREE beginning tomorrow and continuing through Halloween!

Check it out here:

https://books2read.com/ScentRoses

2023-10-19

Thankful Thursday for October 19, 2023

This week I'm VERY thankful for the cooler (dare I say Fall-like?) weather. I am spoiled by my years in California's San Francisco Bay Area and I want EVERY DAY to be in the mid 70s. And I really don't think that's too much to ask for.

I love Fall the most of all the seasons, but I do appreciate the others...although in smaller doses. But I'm thankful that it's Fall now, and I'm grateful that I live in a Pumpkin Spice world, for all the crap it sometimes gets. I'm thankful that A Sight to Dream Of is re-releasing next week IN THE MIDDLE OF Pumpkin Spice Latte season, because that's where it belongs. I'm very grateful to have learned that the PSL debuted exactly twenty years ago--because that's when A Sight to Dream Of was first released and I love the serendipity of that!

I'm thankful that I grew up in New Jersey because it's given me an appreciation for certain foods--Jersey corn and tomatoes, pizza and bagels, for example. And even though most of what I'm eating (of those particular foods) are NOT up to Jersey standards, they're close enough to spark my memories, and it's all good. Well...not the tomatoes, because no place has tomatoes like Jersey. And, actually, not the pizza because (whisper it now) Detroit style pizza might be the best. (Shhh!)

Moving on...

I am thankful that I got to spend a lot of time with my grandson this week--I'm always thankful to spend time with him because he's delightful! And I had NO IDEA that watching five-year-olds play soccer could be so mesmerizing. At that age, you can REALLY see them improving at every game or practice. It's fascinating! I'm also VERY thankful for the parents of his friends/classmates/teammates because they're lovely and welcoming and I've enjoyed spending time with them, as well. And given my introverted nature, that's really saying something!

I'm thankful that I got to Zoom with Kelly Jamieson earlier this week and drink wine and talk books for a lot of the same reasons listed in the last paragraph, ie, lovely, delightful, fun, etc.

I'm thankful that I'm currently working on THREE book projects...although I could wish the timing were better because I am NOT a multi-tasker. OTOH, life is short and uncertain so better to squeeze in a few extra books at once than to leave them unwritten.

Which sounds terribly morbid, doesn't it?

I'm taking a course on writing and business and one of the subjects was crafting an exit strategy for when you no longer want to write. And I understand that that's a thing, but all I can think is...why would I no longer want to write?

So, I'm thankful that I get to write and I'm excited about the books I'm working on, and I'm thankful for all the readers out there for giving me a reason to keep doing it. I'm ESPECIALLY grateful for anyone who picks up A Sight to Dream Of either now (as a pre-order) or next week as a new release because visibility matters! And if you're one of those people who read it and love it and LEAVE A REVIEW--I'm really, REALLY thankful for YOU!

2023-10-18

Wine Wednesday: Frog's Leap Zinfandel

For today's inaugural post, I'd like to introduce you all to a wine I just discovered this week. Frog's Leap Winery (not to be confused with the much better known Stag's Leap--more on THAT in a bit!) has the CUTEST website of any winery that I've ever seen. Although I don't really know that I should have been quite so surprised, given the winery's name AND its logo: "Time's Fun When You're Having Flies!"

There's something immensely whimsical about the name, the site, the story...and dare I say the wine?

This is not anything like your typical Paso Robles Zin--which tends to be big and bold with massive tannins--and is, hands down, pretty much my favorite type of wine. To the extent that I even have a favorite.

This zinfandel is softer, gentler zin. It's old-skool zin. The kind of wine that even my non-wine-drinking-husband (I know! Right? But, on the other hand, someone's gotta be the designated driver, so...) ~~likes to drink~~ doesn't mind tasting.

And yes, I am cringing a little right now because I know how that sounds. I've had my share of "wines for people who don't like wine," and I know how genuinely awful those wines can be. This is NOT one of those wines. It reminds me very much of some of the wines I used to get at Coppola, which actually makes a lot of sense, now that I'm thinking about it, since both wineries are/were located in teeny, tiny, little Rutherford. All I can say about that is, terroir tells!

Also, what would you expect from a winemaker who helped bottle the '73 Stag's Leap Cab (the wine that won the first Judgment of Paris in '76) and has been making Zinfandel on his own since 1981?

Or, to quote Eliza Dushku's character (Joe) in Bottle Shock: "What were you expecting, Thunderbird?"

Anyway, check out the super-cute website here: https://www.frogsleap.com/

This winery is going on my just-dreamed-up-this-minute Winery Wishlist of places I plan on hitting the next time I'm in Napa.

2023-10-17

Romance Writers Weekly ~ How Writers Connect ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we were given the following prompt: "Writing can be a lonely business. Share how you stay connected. Do you have an in-person writers group? Or chat with other writers on social media? Share your experiences."

I haven't had an in-person writers group for a very, very long time! My first writing group was a spin-off of a writing class I took at NYU. We'd meet once or twice a month in each other's apartments to read and comment on each other's WIPs. But then I moved away from the East Coast and never really found a local group again.

I've belonged to quite a few online groups over the years. I was published by several different publishers and most of them had author groups. I was a member of several online RWA chapters, and they all had groups as well. And I've also joined several small blogging groups, or blog hop groups (like this one!) as well. I also belong to Angela James' Book Boss group, which has been hugely supportive--I highly recommend it!

Up until five years ago I attended conventions, conferences, and book signings on a more-or-less regular basis. And, of course, I have several author friends who I'd occasionally visit with. Currently, ALL my interactions are online mostly via Zoom.

Do I miss hanging out with other writer-types in person? Of course, I do. So maybe it's time to try and find another local group.

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to learn how she connects with other writers. And don't forget to check out her book, Come Back to Me.

What would you do if you could go back in time to find your soulmate?

For Skye Blaine, the answer is clear: she would do whatever it takes to be with the one she loves.

Follow her as she travels through time in search of her heart's desire, finding that the path to true love is never easy, but always worth it.

Will she find her happy ending? This page-turning story of love, sacrifice, and courage is sure to captivate and inspire. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey through time!

https://amzn.to/3thW8BR

Available For Pre-Order