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.
2024-10-07
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.
2024-10-04
TWO new Releases from PG Forte: Visions Before Midnight and Hungry Heart
Visions Before MidnightOberon 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?***
https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon
2024-10-02
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.
2024-10-01
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)
It's Release Day for:
Visions Before Midnight
Oberon Book 7
and
Hungry Heart
Hungry Heart
An Oberon Halloween Story
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?***
2024-09-30
Musical Monday: A Taste of Honey ~ Herb Alpert
I'm still finding it hard to believe that I didn't post this several months ago when I re-released A Taste of Honey. It seemed like a missed opportunity. However, now that the Omnibus is here, I guess I get a second chance...which is the theme of so much of my work.
Anyway...
Yes, the book took its title from this song. I was looking for titles to fit the five senses, and Taste was an obvious and immediate no-brainer. I've been listening to this album for most of my life. It definitely fits the Oberon vibe. I don't know anything about Herb Alpert as a person, but this morning (the reason I'm thinking about this now) I saw a recent article about him still going strong -- and still putting out albums! -- at 89. Definitely #LifeGoals You can read it HERE if you subscribe to The New York Times (I don't, so I haven't read it, although I'm sure it's fascinating).
The album this song appears on is called Whipped Cream and Other Delights and features an iconic cover:
But again, I digress.
If you'd like to listen to the entire album, you can find it here (although it may be a little glitchy): https://youtu.be/4X6sEzwSS34?si=eZTFKQnDTfsxhsYJ
If you'd like to read the whipped cream scene (and others) it's included in the FREE Prequel Novella Such Fleeting Pleasures, which can be downloaded here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5xxljdbblb
OR, if you'd like to read the newly released Omnibus Two (books 4 - 6) that can be found here:https://books2read.com/Return-to-Oberon
2024-09-25
Wine Wednesday: William Chris Enchante
I think William Chris has to be one of my very favorite Texas wineries--not so much for the wine as for their website and the fabulous tasting notes. Here's the link to the page for Enchante:
https://williamchriswines.com/product/2021-enchante
I love their Winemaking and Vineyard notes. I wish EVERY winery would do this. This is, in fact, one of my favorite things about wine tasting. I find it endlessly fascinating to learn how long the grapes were fermented, and in what and for how long. I love knowing what percentage of what type of grapes has gone into the wine I'm drinking and where those grapes were grown.
So, well done Willian Chris.
On the other hand, I'm not sure I'd describe this (or any other) wine as they have done as, "brooding, wild, and sexy." I mean...really? Just how much wine did they drink to reach that conclusion?
It's a very nice wine, however. I definitely got the "lingering black cherry finish" along with the blackberry jam nose and cinnamon. And I think my recent favorite term--off dry--has now been supplanted by the ineffable, "almost full body."
In any event...one thing they don't say on the website--but which I've learned thanks to the research I've done for one of the books I'm currently working on--is that this wine is what's known as a Meritage.
Here's an excerpt from the book (whose title has not yet been announced--really NOTHING about this series has been announced, and that's mostly my fault since my book is the one that's not finished yet). These are song lyrics, meant to be sung to the tune of I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General. And since the book is set in California, that's in the title and lyrics. But the wine doesn't HAVE to be from California to be a Meritage. Enjoy!
And if you want to be among the first to learn more about this book/series, you can either subscribe to my newsletter (https://www.pgforte.com/newsletter ) or join my reader group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheCronesNest/).
I am a Pricey Bottle of a California Meritage©
(Sung to the tune of “I am the very Model of a Modern Major General”)
I am a pricey bottle of a California Meritage,
(A word that combines merit in a portmanteau with heritage).
I’m only made from “noble” wines, those vintned from a Bordeaux vine,
’Cause that is what it takes to make a California Meritage.
You start with two or more of these particular varieties,
Cabernet (Sauvingnon or Franc), St. Macaire or Carménère,
Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, or possibly some Gros Verdot,
For that is what you’ll need, you know, for a California Meritage.
You have to use the very best of these specific vintages,
Adjusted with a sweet finesse like all the best of marriages,
To best ensure my taste is great, no single grape can dominate,
’Cause otherwise I will not rate as a California Meritage.
I’m known for being robust with a silky-smooth complexity,
I’m good to drink while young but I’m renowned for aging beautifully,
I’m more than just a simple blend, and that is why I am a TREND!
And why you pay the big bucks for a California Meritage.
2024-09-24
Romance Writers Weekly ~ Season ~ #LoveChatWrite
This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What season inspires your writing the most and why?"
This is tough. Because I find all the seasons inspirational. But I suppose I'll have to go with the holiday season, because I do love writing holiday-themed stories. I'm actually planning to release one new (or newish) story each Sunday this December.
You can find more details here: https://www.pgforte.com/only-for-the-holidays
I think what I find inspirational is all the infinite variations on similar themes. Plus, an element of magic is almost expected, and since I like to add that into even my most contemporary books, that's very much in my wheel house!
I also like the challenge of including as many of the traditional holiday romcom "elements" as I can in my books. In last year's release, Christmas Angel I even included a checklist. You can find that HERE
Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to learn what season inspires her. And don't forget to check out her book, Colorado Golden Sunset.
Colorado Golden Sunset
There’s no better place to fall in love than the Colorado mountains in autumn. When Kelly Charm relocates to the small mountain town of Peakview with her son, the last thing on her mind is romance. That is until Handsome EMT, Jake Midnight shows up. Can the weeks leading up to Christmas also lead to love?
The Spirit of the Place
Oberon Book 6
The Spirit of the Place
Oberon Book 6.0
'Tis the season to be jolly, but Jasmine Quinn is far from happy about her mother's latest folly: her upcoming wedding to former Wall Street financier, Sam Sterling. Jasmine doesn't like her future stepfather, or his values. Anybody with as much money as Sam, should be spreading it around, aiding worthy causes, making it count for something. Instead, he seems intent on using his wealth to embarrass her mother by throwing a ridiculously lavish wedding. But there's one thing about Sam that Jasmine can't help but admire, no matter how much she'd like to--the graduate student he's hired as an intern.
Brandon Ablemarle is also finding it hard to get into the holiday spirit. Especially since his dream job has just become a nightmare, thanks in part to the fiery redhead with some of the goofiest ideas he's ever heard of. But what else can you expect from the daughter of a self-proclaimed psychic? Marsha Quinn has a lot to answer for. Not only has she encouraged her daughter's esoteric craziness, she's also turned one of the most brilliant stock analysts Wall Street had ever seen into a nutcase as well. One who actually appears to believe that the answers to the stock market can be found in the stars!
It's a clash of ideologies when Jasmine and Brandon get together. Can the spirit of the season, and the spirit of the place help them to see beyond their differences?
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