2024-05-29

Wine Wednesday: Arrington Vineyards, Part Two


 Today I'm going to talk about the second wine I tried at Arrington. Their Kinzley Reserve, which is a Sauvignon Blanc. Colorwise it's pale with a faint green tinge, which I thing has to be due (at least in part) to the fact that it was aged in steel tanks, rather than oak barrels. Or maybe not. Because if you look at green grapes and you try and imagine what color the juice would be if it were absolutely clear with no sediment at all, you'd probably imagine something close to this wine. 

The aroma is grapefruit candy. There was a pronounced citrus flavor as well. Almost a  limeade flavor, or really--and this is going to sound horrible, but it really wasn't--what's left in your glass when you've almost finished your margarita and the ice has started to melt. It was cool and refreshing, with definite hints of minerality. 

I'd pair this wine with Mexican food, or Texas BBQ, or anything you'd think about drinking a margarita with (and then maybe wouldn't because a margarita might be too sweet). The (really superlative) website suggested goat cheese and herby dishes, and I'm not sure I'd agree with that. But they also mentioned oysters and...yeah. I think I could see that working.  

As with the Chardonnay I mentioned last week, this is another great wine that screams SUMMER to me and begs to be enjoyed outside. Very talkative wine. lol

2024-05-28

Romance Writers Weekly ~ The Hardest Part ~ #LoveChatWrite



 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked "What is the hardest part of writing a book?"

So glad you asked! It's all hard. Beginnings are something I find especially tough, because until I have that NAILED I can't move on, and keep circling back to tweak and edit, etc. However, I am currently three days past my deadline on a book that has just been a nightmare to write.

It's in first person present tense and I keep losing the characters' voices. They aren't supposed to sound alike. They're not supposed to sound like EVERY character I've ever written. In third person, that's usually only a problem when I'm writing dialogue. But in first--it's EVERYTHING!

Despite all of that, I'm really liking this book. And, assuming I can power through the next few days, I think it will be really good. Fingers crossed!

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to learn her opinion on what the hardest part of writing is. 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!

And COMING SOON: “FOLLOW ME”.




Love and Espresso

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSKS814M

This collection features meet-cutes that take place in a bookstore/coffee shop. The heroines are looking for their HEA but never expected it to happen while picking up a cup of coffee or picking out their next book boyfriend.






2024-05-27

Musical Monday: What If I Never Get Over You? Lady A

 


Lady A does some of the best songs about broken hearts and good love gone bad. This is one that I wasn't too familiar with, but it's perfect for the story I'm working on now. Honestly, I think it would be perfect for a lot of my books. Including A Taste of Honey (which was supposed to be re-released this month, but got pushed back due to another deadline)




I'm not really ready to share the new one, so here's one of my favorite scenes from A Taste of Honey. It's a flashback to sixteen years ago when Lucy and Dan had broken up. Don't worry, they get back together. But if there was anyone who'd ever wondered "what if I never get over you?" it would be Dan Cavanaugh. 

Excerpt:

He’d been on his way home after work, but only because he hadn’t been able to think of any place better to go.  The idea of spending another night there alone was unbearably depressing, but he couldn’t stand the thought of being around other people either.  The hills he drove through blazed like red gold in the light of the setting sun.  The canyons surrounding the town were protected from the coastal fog that blanketed the rest of Oberon for most of the summer, and the grass that covered the hillsides here had all been bleached blonde by months of unremitting sunshine.  

            It had still been fresh and green when Lucy left town.  And he had been so stupidly certain she wouldn’t stay away for long.  It was almost September now, and she was still gone.  Was she never coming back, he wondered in an agony of despair.  And what in the world would he do if she didn’t?

            He’d been so angry with her at first.  Plate throwing, chair smashing, fist through the wall furious.  Two years they’d been together.  Had that counted for so little with her, that she could throw it all away like that?  And for what? Flirting?  Damn the woman!  She’d known full well how he felt about her.  Christ, he told her often enough!  She knew he had no real interest in anyone else.  It was just...he liked the ladies.  He enjoyed their company and their conversation.  And yeah, okay, he didn’t mind looking at them, either.  But was that really so awful?  Hell, she knew that about him from the get-go.  Just like she knew that he’d always been faithful to her--she even admitted as much.  

            And still she’d left him.

            He thought about that as he reached the end of the canyon road and swerved onto the coast highway, taking the turn way too fast for his truck, not even bothering to check for oncoming traffic.  Okay, so he’d made a few mistakes.  And obviously he should have taken her complaints more seriously.  But they’d always seemed like such small, petty, trivial things--surely nothing worth troubling himself over.  Not when he could always talk her around again, anyway. But then...he’d never thought she’d do anything like this!

            She sure knew how to make a point, though.  He had to give her that.  She’d shown him, in no uncertain terms, exactly how much it meant to her.  And how little it mattered to him—all this time spent time in other women’s company—if it meant having to forego hers. 

            The biggest joke of all was how little pleasure he now found in any other woman’s company: the only discernible effect of the great plan he’d hatched for getting over her.  

            A plan born of desperation, sleepless nights and several drinks too many.  

            Sleep with enough other women, he’d reasoned--with what had seemed like consummate clarity at the time he thought it--and the resultant blur, of names and faces and assorted female body parts, would make it that much easier to forget the one woman he wanted.  

            Maybe he hadn’t kept at it long enough, or maybe there weren’t enough women in the world to make it work.  Whatever the reason, a month and a half had been about as long as he’d been able to stand trying.  

            The persistent whine of a siren behind him finally got his attention.  He thought fleetingly of the bag of weed he’d stashed in the truck’s glove compartment, only that afternoon.  Well now, this is perfect isn’t it?  A little jail time is pretty much all my life’s missing lately, to reduce it to total shit!  

He pulled over to the edge of the road and watched in his side view mirror as the cop approached.  A tiny flame of relief flickered briefly to life as he recognized Lucy’s cousin Nick, and then went out again.  Sure, he might have expected to be cut some slack back when he and Lucy were together, but now?  Not much chance of that.  And especially not if Nick had been speaking to his mother any time in the last couple weeks.

            “Hey, there Dan,” Nick greeted him.  “How’re you doing?”

            “Lousy,” Dan replied.  “You?”

            “Oh, ’bout the same, I guess.”  Nick’s lips twisted in a brief, bitter smile.  “You uh, were going kind of fast.”  

            “Yup.”  Dan leaned his head against the headrest and stared out through the windshield.

            “You in a hurry to get somewhere in particular tonight?”

            Oh, like that would make a difference, Dan thought, but couldn’t be bothered saying.  He shook his head.  “Just on my way home, Nick.  Same as every other night.”  He was aware of the other man eyeing him with what seemed like a little more curiosity than the situation warranted.  Probably wondering if he was stoned.  Probably deciding whether to trump up some charge to arrest him on, or to just invite him out of the truck so he could kick his butt right here.   

            “Uh-huh.  I haven’t seen you around much these last few weeks?”  

            “Nope,” Dan answered, wondering a little wearily if this was going to go on much longer.  The last time he’d seen Nick had been in one of the local bars, a few nights after he’d come up with his genius brainstorm.  After three or four drinks he’d found himself waxing enthusiastic over his hopes for it…

            “I don’t know, bud.”  Nick had seemed sympathetic, but not overly encouraging.  “Somehow, I don’t think it works that way.”

            “What’re you talking about?”  Dan remembered demanding.  “Why the hell shouldn’t it work?  Something’s got to.”  He’d gulped down his whiskey and pushed his glass back across the bar for another refill; glaring angrily at the doubtful expression on the bartender’s face.  The bartender had glanced at Nick, and waited for his nod, before he reluctantly poured out another double.

            “Thanks,” Dan muttered, making an effort to drink this one more slowly.  

             “De nada.”  Nick took a long pull from his beer.  “I’ve been there, too, man.” 

              The two of them had nursed their drinks for a few moments in silence, until finally, “It has to work,” Dan insisted.

            Nick sighed.  “Yeah, well, if it does, you be sure and let me know.  


If you want to read more about Lucy and Dan, there's a FREE prequel to their story available here:   https://tinyurl.com/OberonPrequel



2024-05-22

Wine Wednesday: Arrington Vineyards, Part One


 I was in Nashville recently, and visited a vineyard in nearby Franklin--because that's something I really like to do. Arrington Vineyards has beautiful grounds and interesting wines that have won awards (some in San Francisco).

I'm always somewhat surprised by which wines win awards. I think that's because they usually strike me as being very atypical wines. But maybe that's what judges are looking for? I don't know. 

I enjoyed four different wines there (and took copious notes) and I'll be discussing them over the next four weeks. But first...

Here's a picture of the grounds. We sat outside at that first table there. It was warm and somewhat humid (there was a big storm later and a tornado!) and we had to climb a steep-ish hill to get up to the winery (because we mistakenly parked in the overflow lot at the very bottom of the hill) but otherwise, it was quite an idyllic setting. 



Oh! And there was a Tulip Tree! When I was a child, the Sunday papers often came with adds for interesting plants one could buy. Assuming one was not a child, of course. And assuming that one lived some place that A. the company in question was allowed to ship plants to and B. said plants would survive.

I remember being enamored with Tulip Trees, but of course I never managed to acquire one...have I mentioned that they're also quite large? But I recognized it right away and, honestly, it was thrilling!


But now, onto our first wine--the 2022 Chardonnay!

This Chardonnay was a lovely, light gold color. I thought it smelled like spiced cider, or perhaps apple pie. I smelled apples and cinnamon, maybe a little vanilla. The tasting notes were dead on with this one.  The taste was light and refreshing with notes of lemon zest and poached fruit. It was the perfect wine for that day and location. This is an outdoor wine. The kind of wine I'd drink on the porch (if I had a porch) in summer--in place of lemonade. Or in early fall--in place of cider. 

I'm always talking about how versatile Chardonnay can be, and this is a great example of that. I generally consider Viognier to be the perfect picnic wine but this wine might be even better. Depending upon what food you've chosen, obviously!

For example, I think I'd pair this with cold fried chicken rather than a charcuterie board. 

Also...shout out to Arrington for having some of the best tasting notes! I'm very often frustrated with wineries in Texas because their websites typically say NOTHING useful about their wines. And I want ALL the deets!





2024-05-21

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Pets ~ #LoveChatWrite



 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to "Tell us about your pets and how they help your writing. If you don’t have one, which would you choose and why? Pictures please."

I'm pretty sure we did something very much like this--and not too long ago. But that was probably before my dog died. So this is a difficult post to write. He's the big boy on the left below, btw, and I miss him very much! We still have our little girl, but who knows for how much longer? She's older than she appears in this picture and very gray now. But then again, so am I!


Anyway, I've always had pets. I love sharing my space with animals of all kinds. During the very short periods when I've found myself between pets, I didn't like it. It's been too quiet, too empty, too sterile. Of course, there's nothing wrong with any of those things, but it's not for me. 

When I began work on the Oberon series I had an absolute menagerie. Something like 6 cats, 5 chickens, 4 lizards, 3 frogs, 2 turtles, 2 fish tanks, a tarantula and 1 dog. As a result, nearly everyone in Oberon ended up with multiple pets (including some suspiciously well-behaved dogs). But, as I'm just now realizing, you can pretty much tell who the villains are by checking out their pet situation. No furbabies for bad guys!

So yes, my pets have always provided me with inspiration--and that's even before I started writing shifters. 


Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page to learn what pets she has or would like to have. And don't forget to check out her book, Gateway Crescent.




GATEWAY CRESCENT

 

Luke Donwell detoured from his expected vocation when he became a high school music teacher. Now it’s time to choose—commit to his students or tend to a larger flock. Then destiny throws his best friend’s alluring younger sister into his path.

 

Frivolous and flighty Jo Bendixon doesn’t have her life all worked out like her older sisters do, but what’s the rush? She’s having fun being a barista, teaching kids to code, and living down to everyone's expectations.

 

She’s never given earnest, steadfast Luke a second glance. Volunteering to help with his youth concert seems a safe harbour in her stormy world.

 

Neither prophesies the temptation flaring hot and bright between them. It might scorch them to the heart…or spark a match made in heaven.







Welcome to Oberon
Oberon Omnibus #1


Three connected tales of love, murder, mystery...all set in a mystical small town where anything might happen.​

This volume contains the first three books of the Oberon series:

 

Scent of the Roses

A Sight to Dream Of

Sound of a Voice That is Still. 

Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.

Buy Linkshttps://books2read.com/welcome-to-oberon/









2024-05-20

Musical Monday: Chasing Stars


 Today's song comes from one of the playlists I've been listening to while writing a short novella that I'm tentatively calling Whole Latte Love. It's a very sweet, second chance at love story featuring two childhood friends who became high school sweethearts and are now trying to find their way back to each other. I think this song really captures the feeling of the story.


2024-05-14

Romance Writers Weekly ~Which Character Would You Be?~ #LoveChatWrite



 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked "If you could be any one of your characters, which one would you choose?"

So hard! While I love all my characters dearly, as an author, I tend to put my characters through some pretty tough times. That's kind of the job. Would I want to trade places with them? No, not really.

Gabby is the exception that proves the rule, I guess. She'd like that. She's a Pisces, so am I. Her hero is a Scorpio, as is my husband. She walks dogs for a living, I nearly did and still think it's an awesome job! We both lived in Los Angeles--I even gave her my first apartment there! AND I gave her a cool backstory (in the sequel, Going to the Chapel) in which she got to grow up on a farm in Oberon! 

Plus, she and Derek each get cool cameo appearances in the other LA Love Lessons books, AND there's a Christmas sequel in the works. So, yeah...if I had to be any of my characters, I think I'd want to be her.

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to learn which of her characters she'd like to be. 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!

And coming soon: the sequel “Follow Me”!












Waiting for The Big One

https://books2read.com/b/the-big-one

One girl, two guys and a quest for ultimate satisfaction.

Aspiring actress Gabby Browne refuses to consider her best friend, and personal trainer, Derek Novello for the role of soul mate fearing sex will ruin their beautiful friendship. When she meets Zach, she's convinced that he could be The One. Too bad Derek isn't willing to share-leaving Gabby forced to choose between two sexy co-stars.

An early morning earthquake provides Gabby with the impetus she needs to stop waiting for the stars to align and finally cast her leading man.

Going to the Chapel


In Waiting for The Big One, Gabby and Derek went from being friends to being lovers. Now, they're waiting for their "big day". But will it be the wedding of their dreams? Or a bride's worst nightmare?

 

A quick trip to Gabby's hometown turns into the wedding from hell when Gabby and Derek are plagued by hailstorms, lost reservations, voracious goats, angry bees and enough family drama to fill a barn.

 

Guess it's true what they say, "The course of true love never did run smooth." But can the happy couple hold it all together, or will their Big Day turn into a Big Mess?

 

***A slightly different version of this book was previously released as part of the Sapphire Falls Kindle World program***





2024-05-13

Musical Monday: Beyoncé Texas Hold 'Em


 Today's song is yet another in honor of the Texas Heat shared-world series, which is due to release next January but is available for pre-order now!

My story in the series is Fall For You (which will also be the first book in my new Heartwood, Texas series). 




I didn't actually like this song when I first heard it, but it's been growing on me. If you want to know what's happening with this book, you can sign up for my newsletter for updates. 

Links




Heartwood Playlist (work-in-progress)

2024-05-07

Romance Writers Weekly ~A Family Gathering ~ #LoveChatWrite



 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to "Describe a typical family gathering - a birthday celebration, a nothing special dinner, Thanksgiving, Christmas or other holiday. Whatever gathering you like!"

I take issue with the word "typical". lol I'm not good at forming habits. What's "typical" for my family now, is different than it was a few years ago; which was different from a few years before that.

Recently, the holiday hosting mantle has been passed to my son and daughter in law. At least for my family. My sister and brothers haven't ceded their control. And, I have to say, I do miss hosting gatherings. However, my son and daughter in law have a beautiful home and it's not exactly a hardship!

My daughter in law grew up in England and Sweden, so we get a proper Roast Dinner. And because my son loves pie, and my daughter in law does not, she'll bake a pie for dessert (for him) and I'll typically bake something else (madeleines, meringues, sticky toffee pudding) for her...most of the rest of us have both, of course. Lately, I'll also bring a vegetable dish and/or sourdough bread.

It's usually very low key. We'll sit and talk and eat.We might take a walk before or after dinner. Their home is set in a very forested area and it's only a short walk to a river. Sometimes they have guests, or my daughter will fly in to visit. And my grandson usually has some new Lego creation he'll want help with. Apparently, that's a new area of expertise for me!

Anyway, that's what most of our gatherings look like, at the moment.


Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page to see what she has to say. And don't forget to check out  Secrets Under the Covers.




Secrets Under the Covers

 

Start the Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance Series for FREE!

 

(Helen and Nathan are both 55)

 

Two long-time friends…one impulsive seduction…zero percent chance their lives will ever be the same again.

 

The peace Helen Mansfield struggled to achieve after the death of her husband is threatened when she discovers a lump in her breast. Determined to keep the alarming news to herself until the biopsy results are revealed, she sets out to wring every drop of delight from her days.

 

Nathan Spieth stood by his wife while she fought and ultimately lost her battle with cancer. Since then, he’s devoted his energy to rebuilding the career that he neglected during her final years, and all his hard work is about to pay off.

 

As neighbours and friends, Helen and Nathan’s lives have been woven together for more than twenty years. One impetuous, impassioned night might destroy everything they share—or prove to this fiercely independent woman and determinedly solitary man that love is always worth the risk.







Welcome to Oberon
Oberon Omnibus #1


Three connected tales of love, murder, mystery...all set in a mystical small town where anything might happen.​

This volume contains the first three books of the Oberon series:

 

Scent of the Roses

A Sight to Dream Of

Sound of a Voice That is Still. 

Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.

Buy Linkshttps://books2read.com/welcome-to-oberon/









2024-05-06

Movie Monday: The Fall Guy


 So I saw the movie The Fall Guy last week and I enjoyed it very much. I love books and movies that combine different genres and this certainly fits that criteria! It's an action adventure, mystery suspense, romantic comedy. 

I loved how there'd be a throwaway line (or a random post-it note) in one act that would eventually turn out to be a set-up (or maybe even the punchline) for a joke that doesn't occur until the next act. I love how they repeatedly nudged at the fourth wall within the context of their  "movie within a movie". I loved how over the top it was--every trope, every cliche, every plot twist and complication...well, okay, they might have missed a couple of twists, but not many. I loved all the movie references and the way that some of the characters communicated almost entirely by quoting lines to each other. I loved how I could see everything that was coming, and they still managed to surprise me.  It was a very charming, epic, madcap, screwball, slapstick farce. 

I personally would have been just as happy if a good percentage of the fight scenes-slash-stunts had been left out, but I understood that the sheer, absurd superfluousness was kind of the point. You've probably heard that it was designed to be a love letter to the stunt industry, so it made perfect sense that they just threw everything they had, everything they could think of doing, into this movie. 

It was joyful and playful. It looked like the kind of film that everyone had a blast making. I saw one review that complained that the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt wasn't that good. And all I can think is that we must have been watching two different movies. Because I completely disagree with that assessment. I think they're an amazing comedic duo.

It's snarky, ironic, clever and very meta. The actors in the film-within-the-film are frequently asked to do another take--and another, and another--to the point where the audience (or maybe just me?) was saying, "enough already. we get it!" But, aside from it sometimes being a point that "the director" or "the movie star" was making (and/or an important plot point, or an excuse for another stunt) it was also very true to life...which made it a very self-aware, intentional, commentary on the movie making experience. 

I enjoyed it a great deal. HOWEVER, if you go and see it, don't be like me and leave during the credits. I knew it was exactly the kind of movie that would have an additional scene and I was right, but I let myself get talked into leaving. 

Now I suppose I'll have to watch it again. Oh, darn.

I'm giving this movie a rating of four popcorn buckets. They lose one due to the fact that they made Aaron Taylor Johnson SO unlikable. It's similar to how I reacted to Julia Roberts in Notting Hill. The way she played the role, she really sold the whole "just a girl standing in front of a guy" thing so well that it was hard to take her seriously as a famous movie star. Even though, at the time, she was the most highly paid female actor in the world. 

Which, I know, sounds like a me problem. But it's my popcorn. 

And also...I was hoping for a little more of a payoff for the missing mouth guard bit.