Musical Monday: Boy with a Coin by Iron and Wine

 

I like this song, but I LOVE the video. It's got that subtle supernatural hint that I love to incorporate into my stories. It also reminds me of Autumn nights in Berkeley. When my daughter was very young she took Flamenco dance classes and I liked it so much, that I signed up for classes, too. We were not in the same class--or even in the same school, for that matter. 

Anyway, it's one of the songs on my Visions Before Midnight playlist, which is why it's been on my mind lately. Enjoy.

https://books2read.com/VisionMidnight

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

Wine Wednesday: Driftwood Estate Winery 2018 Tempranillo

 Driftwood Estate was the very first winery I visited in Texas. Might have been the first time I tried Tempranillo, as well. They grow grapes in Driftwood, but they also have a vineyard in Newsom, Texas in the High Plains area. Tonight I'm drinking the Newsom Reserve. What's interesting though, is if you go to (either I'm sure) their winery you can taste the same vintages, made in the same way, in the same location under the aegis of the same winemaker--but made from grapes grown in different terroir. And it really makes a difference!

This is a very dry, full-bodied red, leather, lavender, blackberry and baking spices on the nose. Maybe a hint of pipe tobacco. The blackberry and tobacco notes are more pronounced in the flavor along with notes of pepper and even more spice--cumin, cardamom, cocoa, maybe a little turmeric. After it breathes for awhile, the dark fruit flavors are more pronounced.

This is a wine that you'd drink while seated around an Autumn bonfire. I'd pair it with grilled or roasted corn, or anything Tex-Mex. It could definitely stand up to those bold, spicy flavors. 

Anyway, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I'm writing a winery-set book that will hopefully release next year. One of my characters likes to make up songs about wine (or, more specifically, she makes up lyrics about wine). Which of course means that I have to make up song lyrics about wine. Here's one about Tempranillo. 

Tempranillo

(Sung to the tune of “Oklahoma”)

 

Tempranillo, you’re the first to ripen on the vine. 
You’re the fourth most planted red wine grape, and a top-tier rojo noble nine!

Tempranillo, you’re the wine Phoenician traders drank
As they sailed the Med’terranean ’til the last of the penteconters sank!

We know that you pair well with meat,
And with aging exhibit fruit and heat.

And when we say, "Hey!

You taste like cherry, fig and suede!"
We're really sayin'
"You’re a fine wine, Tempranillo!"
Tempranillo, olé! 

Romance Writers Weekly ~ How Do You Write? ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "Do you write chronologically from the start of the book to the end, or do you write scenes and then piece them together?"

And the answer to that is a resounding YES! lol Seriously though, it depends--on the book, on my mood, on what kind of time I have. 

I vastly prefer to work chronologically--from start to finish. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. There are some scenes that demand to be written and nothing else will work until they're done. Some scenes are too hard to write in the moment, so it's better to put a pin in them, move on and come back to them later.

And then there are times when you think you are writing sequentially, but then you get to a scene that (once you've written it) you realize it's in the wrong place--or even the wrong book, if it's a series--and you need to take it out and add it in later.

But, all things considered, and whenever possible, working chronologically is the best, most comfortable way of writing a book...at least for me.

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to find out how she likes to work. And don't forget to check out her book, Ride into Love.

Ride into Love

 

When Robin Outlaw’s husband dies suddenly, she’s determined to run their cattle ranch on her own. But she finds herself leaning on their long-time cowhand, Travis.Can their mutual love for the ranch lead to something more and a second chance at love? Maybe a small, abandoned puppy will be all it takes to open their hearts to new possibilities. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZN61C33

Visions Before Midnight

Oberon Book 7

and

Hungry Heart

An Oberon Halloween Story

https://books2read.com/Vision

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

Visions Before Midnight

Oberon Book 7.0

​

Chay Johnson is a traditional man; and the educator, flute maker, apprentice shaman has a lot of traditions to uphold, especially when it comes to choosing a life mate.

​

 Erin Allridge is a modern woman, with modern ideas about relationships and a painful personal history she has no intention of repeating.

 

 When terror and tragedy strike the small town of Oberon, the pair are forced to re-think their visions for the future.

 

 In this world of form and spirit it can be hard to find balance and harmony, but sometimes, particularly when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, love can find a way to bridge the gap.

 

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 live up to it, right?

​

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

 

***Please note: This is a companion book to Visions Before Midnight. While it can stand on its own (and does contain scenes and material that does not appear in Visions) this is essentially Cara's version of events, which may or may not be accurate. Do you trust her?***

Musical Monday: The Last Goodbye (Billy Boyd)

 So I lost my dog last week--the little black one in the pictures below (although she hasn't been black for several years). I lost my big boy last year. I've had them both for quite a while, and now I have none. So it's the end of an era. 

TWO new Releases from PG Forte: Visions Before Midnight and Hungry Heart

 

Visions Before Midnight

Oberon Book 7.0

Chay Johnson is a traditional man; and the educator, flute maker, apprentice shaman has a lot of traditions to uphold, especially when it comes to choosing a life mate.

 Erin Allridge is a modern woman, with modern ideas about relationships and a painful personal history she has no intention of repeating.

 

 When terror and tragedy strike the small town of Oberon, the pair are forced to re-think their visions for the future.

 

 In this world of form and spirit it can be hard to find balance and harmony, but  sometimes, particularly when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, love can find a way to bridge the gap.​

https://books2read.com/VisionMidnight

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 live up to it, right?

​

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

 

***Please note: This is a companion book to Visions Before Midnight. While it can stand on its own (and does contain scenes and material that does not appear in Visions) this is essentially Cara's version of events, which may or may not be accurate. Do you trust her?***

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

Wine Wednesday: Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon

As far as I can tell, this wine comes from the same people who run the Caymus winery in Napa. But it's sold under the Bonanza label. Which seems strange until you factor in Napa's very strict regulations about what wines can and cannot be labeled with the Napa name. So, I'm guessing not enough of the grapes that go into this wine come from Napa.  

But I digress...

The most notable fragrance is that of black cherry, but there are also notes of cassis and dried fig. This is a very fruit forward wine. It's juicy and oaky with notes of  vanilla and plum. There's also an herbaceous note--almost like blackberry-sage.

I enjoyed this wine with a nice rib-eye and some balsamic-glazed roasted Brussels sprouts. But I think it would also go well with dark chocolate. 

Romance Writer Weekly ~Genres~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "Do you usually read the same genres that you write? Why or why not?"

I do tend to read the same genres and sub-genres as I write. Except that (as I've probably mentioned) I love cozy mysteries, but haven't been able to successfully write one...yet.

In general, I read A LOT more m/m than I write--for no particular reason. And recently I've been reading less romantic suspense than I used to--and writing less, as well.

The why is simple. I write what I like to read. In fact, my motivation for writing my first full-length book was that I knew what I felt like reading, but couldn't find it anywhere, so I wrote it myself. 

Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page to find out what genres she reads. And don't forget to check out her series, Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance! 

It’s RELEASE DAY for Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance: The Complete Series Books 1 to 5

Five steamy, slow burn, contemporary romances. Main characters 35 to 55 years old.

🧡Friends-to-lovers ❤️ Found family 💚 Second chance 💙 Opposites attract 💜 Fake relationship

Only $9.99 for a limited time.

SECRETS UNDER THE COVERS

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

(Helen and Nathan both 55)

LOVING BETWEEN THE LINES

A one-night stand neither will forget.

She wanted a final fling before choosing science to make her a single mom. He needed an escape from the regret grinding him into dust. Her baby isn’t his…but maybe family is more than DNA.

(Lynn 40, Benjamin 35)

TURN THE NEXT PAGE

High school sweethearts, their marriage was shattered by tragedy. Thirty years later, a startling confession reignites long banked embers.

(Aubrey 52, Phillip 53)

STRICTLY BY THE BOOK

An adventurous, go-with-the-flow historian…a scrupulous, stick-to-the-rules scientist…an attraction so wrong it’s absolutely right.

(Natalie 36, Rafe 42)

TOO GOOD FOR WORDS

Ride hard or stay home…

A phony friendship between an ex-con biker haunted by his past and a suburban mom with an uncertain future shifts gears with startling consequences.

(Penta 44, Cash 48)

https://books2read.com/SilverberrySeduction

It's Release Day for:

Visions Before Midnight

Oberon Book 7

and

Hungry Heart

An Oberon Halloween Story

https://books2read.com/Vision

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

Visions Before Midnight

Oberon Book 7.0

​

Chay Johnson is a traditional man; and the educator, flute maker, apprentice shaman has a lot of traditions to uphold, especially when it comes to choosing a life mate.

​

 Erin Allridge is a modern woman, with modern ideas about relationships and a painful personal history she has no intention of repeating.

 

 When terror and tragedy strike the small town of Oberon, the pair are forced to re-think their visions for the future.

 

 In this world of form and spirit it can be hard to find balance and harmony, but sometimes, particularly when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, love can find a way to bridge the gap.

 

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 live up to it, right?

​

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

 

***Please note: This is a companion book to Visions Before Midnight. While it can stand on its own (and does contain scenes and material that does not appear in Visions) this is essentially Cara's version of events, which may or may not be accurate. Do you trust her?***