#MFRWauthor – My Favorite Story

Looking back on all the writing I have accomplished over the years one story sticks out as my favorite. YOU ARE MINE is set in Yellowknife, the capital city of Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Yellowknife is approximately 250 miles south of the North Pole.  The trees are dwarfed because of the short summer.

Great Bear Lake is clear and cold and the ruggedness of the landscape is truly Canadian.

My husband had to go there for work at the end of June, so we decided to make a family vacation of it.

We got the last of the blackout drapes for the hotel room, a necessity for southerners, and settled in.

We fished at 10 p.m., we golfed at midnight, did I mention the sun shines except for a few hours at night, and we took a flight over Cameron Falls.

It was the best family vacation and I fell in love with the area and the people. I set a romantic suspense tale there so everyone could experience the wonderful setting.

Blurb

Single mother, Molly Jackson, wants to run the family freight business in the North West Territories and take care of her daughter and grandfather. When creepy letters start to arrive she knows she has a stalker. Can she protect her loved ones when she’s not sure she can protect herself?

When Gramps ask RCMP officer Brock Kingston to come home, he can’t refuse the man who took him in. Now he has to return home and save the woman who broke his heart.

Will their rekindled love survive when the truth is revealed?

You Are Mine is available at:

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=you+are+mine+by+karen+blake-hall

Amazon.ca: http://amzn.to/1bbhYJd

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1DIWBXL

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25316463-you-are-mine

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/534981

Please visit all the other wonderful authors on the blog hop.

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

On sale: Baling Wire Promises by Linda Carroll-Bradd

 Baling Wire Promises, Montana Sky Kindle World, Entertainers of the West #4

Author:  Linda Carroll-Bradd

On Sale for $.99!!

What’s a bounty hunter doing escorting a healer and five children through Montana Territory?

Blurb for Bailing Wire Promises:

Healer Fantine Pomeroy and five children, aged five to eleven years, are the only survivors of an orphanage fire. She vows to transport them safely to another orphanage, and then she can return to her music studies. But she soon discovers the task may be more than she can handle.

Bounty hunter Pete Andrews is beaten after delivering his last bounty. Unsure if robbery or retaliation is the motive, he sets out to lay low and make a visit to his brother in Morgan’s Crossing. Unable to leave them on their own, he promises to get the woman and children safely to the next town. When he suspects his old life has followed him and threatens the group who has become dear, he vows to protect them. But will that be enough?

A tragic orphanage leaves healer Fantine Pomery in charge of the five surviving children. She sets out to transport them to another orphanage many miles away but soon discovers the task may be more than she can handle. A victim of retaliation after his last capture, bounty hunter Pete Andrews is headed toward his brother’s shop in Morgan’s Crossing when he comes upon a woman and children. Unable to abandon them, he promises to escort them safely to the next town. When he suspects his old life has followed him and threatens the group who has become dear, he vows to protect them. But will that be enough?

Purchase Links:

Amazon:  BUY LINK  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XP61NY8

Excerpt:

As she got closer to the orphanage, she heard panicked screams from the second floor. The awful cries stayed her feet but only for a moment. Spitting sounds came from the roof as the roaring flames consumed the dry cedar shingles. Fantine ran around the side of the building, looking to see if the sisters had gathered near one of the windows and lowered an escape rope made from tied bedsheets. Nothing. No one.

Biting back a cry, she charged up the front steps and reached for the doorknob but the radiant heat kept her from grabbing it. “Sisters, where are you?” She turned toward the town that lay at least a furlong away. No time remained for her to run in that direction. “Help! Fire! The orphanage is on fire!” Through the front window, she saw the staircase was fully engulfed and sobbed at the devastation she witnessed. The fire must have started on the first floor and climbed.

A form sprawled at the edge of the classroom, a book and candlestick lying nearby. Flames ate at the blonde woman’s clothing.

Oh, Sister Philippa. Fantine pressed a hand over her mouth at the horrifying sight.

On the kitchen side of the house, an upstairs window slammed upward. “Fantine! We’re trapped.”

Trapped? What was the sister saying? Fantine scrambled over the porch railing and jumped into the flower beds before running along the wall. “I’m here.”

Coughing, Sister Catherine leaned over the ledge and tossed down a metal box. “Take the records.” With jerky moves, she wrestled a ribbon from around her neck. “And the key.”

Fantine caught the scratched box and set it on the ground, then reached up and snagged the loop of ribbon. Remembering the flaming staircase, she searched her mind for another escape. No outside stairs had ever been built. A big mistake. Her heart lodged in her throat. “No, you must find a way.”

“We’ve tried. Staircase is gone.” Sister Catherine pressed the crook of her arm to her face.

“I saw, but you could tie the sheets together.” Tears burned her eyes. Everything was happening so fast. She couldn’t think straight. She paced, craning her neck to keep Sister Catherine in sight. Smoke surrounded the sister’s head and crept along the wall toward the roof. “Or dangle the children from the window, so I can catch them.” Fantine stopped and held out her arms like a cradle.

“Smoke is too thick. Many already dead.” She glanced toward the room and pulled the neckline of her nightgown over her mouth. “Go to Virginia City…to Sister Lourdes.”

“No, Sister.” Fantine stood, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Hang from the window ledge and drop. Please, save yourself.”

“Promise…take children…to other orphanage.” She bent over in a fit of coughing.

Don’t give up. “All right, I promise to deliver them to safety.” She stretched her arms high, waiting for the sister to reappear, but her vigil was in vain. Long minutes passed.

Finally, the horrible truth sank in. Fantine dropped to the ground, arms wrapped around her middle, and rocked back and forth. Stunned, she could only whisper, “Can’t be happening, can’t be.” They were all gone. The four caring and devoted sisters who’d run the orphanage, and thirteen sweet, lovable children who would never grow to adulthood. “No, no, no.” Tightness gripped her chest and she could barely breathe. Fantine leaned forward and pounded her fists on the ground. Sorrow threatened to flatten her, and she keened, loud and long. When her throat was raw, she staggered to her feet and grabbed the box. The other children, I must see to them. I promised.

Bio:

As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication–a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.

Linda’s Links:

Website           Blog    Facebook         Twitter             Goodreads

Enter to win a Kindle!!!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e226730a10/?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ethan’s Temporary Fling by Monique DeVere on sale.

QUOTE: “If you love your romance with a dose of humor, this is the book for you. Monique DeVere is a master at tugging at your heartstrings and your funny bone, all at the same time. Highly recommend!” ~ Alicia Dean

Blurb:

He’s so sexy he has the title to prove it!

Super-hunky, weight-loss celebrity Ethan Stone brings out Dr. Karis Van de Burke’s inner bad-girl. To prove it, when Ethan accepts the challenge to persuade the sassy, love-rejected cosmetic surgeon to appear as a guest on his show, she ends up inviting him into her bed for one night of guilty pleasure instead.

Used to women throwing themselves at him boobs first, Ethan knows his way around every female erogenous zone, but the sizzling chemistry he has with Karis blindsides him. Soon he’s convincing her to extend their one-night to another … and another … and…

Karis can’t resist! Yet, if Ethan discovers her secret, he’ll ditch her as fast as her ex-fiancé had – but really, what could go wrong in a one-week tangle-free affair?

Excerpt

Copyright © Monique DeVere 2014

Crystal Swan Publications

All Rights Reserved

Ethan Stone.

The reason his name seemed familiar was that his producers had been hounding her to agree to appear on a segment on his health and weight loss show. They claimed to want the sisters to try to mend their relationship so Andie could have closure.

Karis knew better than to put herself within arm’s reach of her sister.

The doorbell rang.

Karis puffed out a delicious sigh of relief and binned the carton. At eight p.m., it could only mean one thing.

“Thank the Lord—dinner.”

“What did you order?” Her mum’s chastising tone filtered into her ear. “Nothing unhealthy, I hope.”

“It’s usually a surprise. A few times a week my friend from the deli drops by with food. She knows I hardly have time to shop and takes pity on me.”

Karis practically bounded to the front door. She was star-ving. She yanked open the door, ready to devour whatever mouth-watering yumminess was on the other side and nearly dropped the phone.

Her mouth fell open. She blinked, unable to believe her eyes. For sure, something yummy stood before her, but not hers to devour—not that she wouldn’t have equally welcomed dinner in this form. She let her gaze roam down then back up again.

Ethan Stone—he of the title Sexiest Eye Candy To Lust After—towered outside her door. He was tall, far taller than she imagined from his magazine photo. At five-foot-eight—eleven in heels—she looked most men in the eye, but to do the same with Ethan Stone she had to tip her chin six inches.

She must have conjured some kind of freaky fantasy after snagging her own copy of the gossip magazine. Because there was no way Ethan Stone would be standing outside her door at eight-o-five at night in a dinner suit holding a single white rose as he unleashed that incredible smile. Karis glanced behind her to where she’d left the magazine, then back at him.

“Karis Van de Burke?” His deep intonation did something strange to her solar plexus. Made it quiver.

“Darling? Are you still there?” Her mum’s voice was an unwelcome intrusion.

“I’ll call you back, Mum.” She cut the call without taking her eyes off the man in front of her. He was striking, with a straight-edged aquiline nose, chiselled features so even and appealing she couldn’t stop staring. His hair was a lighter brown than his photo depicted, but his eyes … those eyes were just as remarkable. Dark-blue rings surrounded the vivid blue irises, creating a contrast, which added a mysterious air that surely made him stand out in a crowd.

“Yes, I’m Karis Van de Burke.” She cleared her throat. What was up with her voice?

“I’m Ethan Stone.”

“I know who you are.” She tucked the phone behind her back so he wouldn’t notice her slight nervous tremor. “Why are you here?”

He offered her the rose. “I came to proposition you.”

She blinked. The evening sun was still bright and framed him in golden light, making him appear almost dreamlike.

He smiled. Someone should outlaw such a lethal smile. “I’m hoping you’ll let me take you out to dinner, ask you to reconsider my producers’ offer.”

Karis released her grip on the door and took the rose. “I’m sorry to inform you, you’re wasting your time, Mr Stone. As I’ve told your producer—Rob, was it—?”

“Ray.”

“Ray … I’m not interested in becoming a circus act.”

“He relayed your thoughts on the matter. However, I was hoping you’d give me one hour of your time so I can—”

“Try to convince me to let you make a fool of me on national television?” She handed back the rose. “Thanks, but no thank you.”

His fascinating blue eyes flicked to her outstretched hand. He left her hanging.

Choosing that moment, her stomach growled a ravenous reminder.

“You’re hungry, and I’m offering to take you to dinner.” He sniffed the air. “Since I don’t detect the aroma of food, I think I can safely presume you haven’t eaten yet.”

“I was just on my way to pick up something.”

His smile told her he knew she was fibbing. “In that case, will you allow me to join you?”

Arm tiring from its outstretched position, Karis drew the rose back and placed it, along with the phone, onto the side table next to the door.

“So you can talk me into appearing on your show?”

“Because I’m hungry too, and I’d like an opportunity to share my ideas for your sister’s follow-up episode, in the hopes you might consider rethinking your position.”

She couldn’t hold back the wicked smile tugging the corners of her lips, so she bit down on her bottom lip. Any position involving Ethan Stone did deserve some consideration.

Book Purchase Links:

Embedded Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords |

 

Author Bio

Monique DeVere is a full-time author of Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance. She also writes Christian Supernatural Suspense movie scripts. She was born on the beautiful island of Barbados, where she grew up on a large plantation with enough wide-open space to let the imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and shortly after met and fell instantly, and irrevocably, in love with her very own strong-silent-type hero. When Monique isn’t writing or spending quality time with her family, she likes to armchair travel to distant and exciting parts of the world and considers herself to have the best job on earth.

You can visit her at moniquedevere.com where she invites you to join her exclusive Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Readers Club packed full of goodies for her members. Monique loves to hear from her readers, do contact her at monique@moniquedevere.com.

Where to Find Monique:

Embedded Media Links:

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Amazon Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook Fanpage | LinkedIn | Wattpad | Pinterest |

 

 

Beading Beat

Today I’m sharing my new design. I started with the earrings and took a with a headpin and picked up a silver bead. The I looped it through the square link separator, twisted it then cut it off. Once I had the four beads in place I attached it to the earring.

Then I decided to make a pair with black beads.

I decided to make three more black square link separators and two more silver link separators. Then I strung black beads with crystal link separators and the square link separators.

I get a different look by wearing the different earrings.

I really like the look.

Beading Beat – Who’s Your Friend Necklace.

Today I’m sharing my ‘Who’s Your Friend’ necklace.

I made a bracelet for a friend using this design and I really loved it.  I was going to make the same bracelet for me, but I don’t usually wear bracelets so I decided to make me a necklace instead.

I used the same Turquoise beads.The square beads had an antique copper edge so I decided to use an antique copper clasp. The little owls were so cute and added a whimsical feel to the piece.

Once I was happy with the design, I strung the beads.

Then I made the earrings to match.

Every time I wear this set, I think of my friend and how much fun we had. I can’t wait to see her again.

 

New Release, Silent Signals, A Cowboy Christmas series by Linda Carroll-Bradd

Title:  Silent Signals, A Cowboy Christmas series

Author:  Linda Carroll-Bradd

Publisher:  Prism Book Group

Release Date:  11/18/16

Blurb for Silent Signals:

After losing half his herd in the Great Blizzard of 1886, rancher Konrad Werner needs to safeguard his cattle. Tomboy Anora Huxley trains the Australian Shepherds and Kelpies that run the family’s sheep herd. Although cattlemen and shepherds are at odds, the pair discovers common interests. A threat is overheard, and Konrad rides out to Anora’s ranch to protect her. The tense situation reveals their true feelings. Will Anora be swayed by family loyalty, or will she listen to her heart that responds to Konrad’s silent signals?

Tagline for Silent Signals:

Will the valley’s feud between cattlemen and shepherds keep them apart?

Purchase Links:

Amazon:  http://a.co/6efnAeC

Excerpt:

Mikel returned, dropping two rolls of wire onto the counter. “I have a new shipment of barbed wire too. Perhaps that works better for your needs?”

Konrad turned and laid a hand on the smooth wire. “The fence to pen in my cattle has several components, so this is what I need. But thanks, Toussaint.”

The shopkeeper shrugged. “Some ranchers prefer the barbed.”

“I do too, and I may have to resort to that when the winter weather sets in. But I’ll wait on that purchase.” He leaned his other hand on the counter. “This year, I’m building a brush fence. I’ll use what I can from downed branches and rocks cleared from the field that will be planted in the spring.” He shrugged and straightened.

“Makes sense.” Mikel nodded as he pulled the pencil from his ear. “I remember those types of fences in old country. Uncle had them around his vineyard.”

Konrad was sure his wasn’t the only sad story the store owner had heard over the last year. “Gotta come up with the cheapest solution for protecting my cattle.” He shook his head. “The ranch can’t withstand any more losses like last year.”

“Excuse me, sir.” A female voice floated in the air.

The tone was pitched low, almost intimate. Konrad shifted and raised an eyebrow at the tall woman dressed in an ill-fitting coat and a split skirt that showed several inches of boot-encased legs. “Are you speaking to me?”

“Have you considered using herding dogs to contain your cattle?” The blonde woman took one step closer, her gaze intent.

“No.” This stranger had an opinion about how he ran his ranch? His body stiffened.

“I train the dogs that work the sheep at Green Meadows Ranch, and I don’t see why the dogs couldn’t be used with cattle.” She glanced over her shoulder and then back to connect with his gaze. “The principles are the same, as long as the person uses the right cues.”

He squinted at the green-eyed woman who stood only a few inches shorter than his six-foot height. Wisps of blonde hair had escaped the edges of her plain black bonnet and straggled along her cheeks. Her face was pleasant enough—probably would be more so without the frown creasing her forehead. “Have we met?”

“I apologize, Mr. Werner. I’m Anora Huxley.” A blush reddened her cheeks. “I am acquainted with Gaelle.”

His younger sister by five years. Which explained why he didn’t know this woman from his schooling years. Huxley did sound familiar, though. But he didn’t have time to contemplate why because the woman now stood by his side. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a thick-set scowling man hovering two feet away who looked madder than a newly branded steer. The second member of the arguing duo.

“My dogs are exceedingly smart. A special breed with strong herding instincts. They respond to hand signs and whistles, and from a distance of more than ten rods.”

He held up a hand lest he be stuck here listening to her run down every detail. “I do not wish to be lectured on how to run my ranch. My brush fence will suffice.” Regretting the stiffness of his tone, he lifted a finger to tap the brim of his hat. “Good day, Mrs. Huxley.” He spotted the brief widening of her gaze before scooping up the roll of wire and headed toward the storeroom. Irritation at the outspoken women and her high-handed advice put an extra punch into each footfall.

Bio:

As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication–a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.

Linda’s Links:

Website           Blog    Facebook         Twitter             Goodreads

 

 

 Cover Contest Finalist

Also, voting is open until November 20^th for the winter cover contest sponsored by Still Moment Magazine. I’m proud that Silent Signals is one of ten finalists. To vote, leave the title or the #9 in a comment on the magazine’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Still-Moments-Magazine/111477208866396?ref=nf

 

Beading Beat – Blue Necklace

Blue beaded Necklace.

I decided to combine several techniques into one necklace. I started with making blue   beads out of peyote stitch. I made them piece big enough to wrap around a straw, then I used and eyepin, attached the end bead, put it through the straw, attached another end bead, then made a loop. I cut off the excess eyepin. I made three of these.

 

 

 

 

Then I made the next type of bead by taking a piece of wire, making a loop, stringing it through a big blue bead then made another loop and cut off the excess wire. I made several of these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next problem was how to fasten them together. I used circle hoops and jump rings to  finish the piece.

I’m really proud of the way it came out.

What piece of jewelry are you the proudest of?

Charter Interview, Pat Tierney from mystery series

I’m delighted to have Pat Tierney here with me today. Pat is the protagonist of Rosemary McCracken’s mystery series. Safe Harbor, the first novel in the series, was a finalist for Britain’s Debut Dagger in 2010 and released by Imajin Books in 2010. It was followed by Black Water in 2013 and Raven Lake earlier this year. Pat has also appeared in several of Rosemary’s short stories, including “The Sweetheart Scamster” in the 2013 crime fiction collection Thirteen, which was a Derringer award finalist. Jack Batten, The Toronto Star’s crime fiction reviewer, calls Pat “a hugely attractive sleuth figure.”

Pat, you are a professional woman, a financial planner. How do you meet up with so  many criminals? 

Pat: Much of my involvement comes from the kind of work I do. I’m a financial advisor, so I’m well-positioned to spot white-collar crime. In Safe Harbor, red flags went up for me when a rookie financial advisor was given a large investment account to manage. And when I looked closely at that account, I saw that a sizeable part of its assets were invested in slowpoke stocks. Now why would anyone put money into laggard investments? Things didn’t add up. And when things don’t add up for a financial advisor, something is very wrong.

Greed for money is a motive for all sorts of crime—even murder.

Do you always agree with how Rosemary tells your story?

Pat: Rosemary gets most things rights—probably because of her training as a journalist. But she keeps bringing my family into all the novels. Everyone has families, and I don’t know why she thinks mine is in any way interesting.

Well, you’ve faced a lot personal problems in recent years—the death of your husband; learning about his love affair, then adopting his young son who resulted from that affair; your daughter, Tracy, who’s in a same-sex relationship; and now your teenage daughter, Laura, is expecting a baby. Rosemary is clearly impressed by how you cope  with it all. 

Pat: Those were stressful situations, but what choice did I have but to accept them? To keep my sanity, I always try to look on the bright side. Michael is gone and nothing will bring him back, but his son Tommy is a dear boy, as you know if you’ve read Rosemary’s books, and I’m delighted he’s now part of our family. Tracy is in a stable relationship with a good woman, and I’m standing by her choice of a partner. Laura will be young to raise a child, and she doesn’t want to marry at this point. I’ll do my best to help her, and I’ll see that she goes back to school next year. My kids are healthy, mentally stable, and they stand to live happy, useful lives. Hey, I can’t really ask for much more!

You have a strong social conscience. Can you comment on some of the issues that have been raised in the novels? 

Pat: The issue that comes up most frequently is fraud: investment fraud and other kinds of fraud. The financial industry deals with money, and therefore it provides an opportunity for people who are clever and greedy enough to challenge the system. I’m a champion of small investors who can get taken by financial fraudsters. I want to see these crooks weeded out and punished. I want tougher penalties for their crimes. The system in Canada is currently too soft on offenders.

I don’t like to see anyone getting a raw deal. My heart went out to the refugees in Safe Harbor who were forced to leave their homelands, and were then terrorized in Canada where they thought they’d be safe and free. And I really felt for the victims of the cottage rental scams in Raven Lake—vacationers sent their money to those fraudsters in good faith, then lost their money and their holiday lodgings. And elderly property owners were terrified when would-be renters started turning up at their doors.

What’s next for you, Pat? 

Pat: I left Norris Cassidy, the big investment firm, in Raven Lake, and the fourth book will open in Toronto where I’m trying to set up my own business. I decided to buy an existing business from an advisor who wants to retire. I found one that looked terrific, then I realized that something that looks too good to be true…probably is.

Does that mean you’ve left the beautiful Glencoe Highlands where Black Water and Raven Lake are set? 

Pat: The fourth book opens in Toronto, but I didn’t say where it will take place after the opening chapters. You’ll have to wait for Rosemary to finish writing it to find out.

Where can readers find the Pat Tierney novels? 

Pat: They can check out Raven Lake at myBook.to/RavenLakeTierney. Safe Harbor is at myBook.to/SafeHarborTierney. And Black Water is at myBook.to/BlackWaterTierney. These are universal links that will take readers to the Amazon stores in their own countries

Thank you for inviting me here today, Karen. Always a pleasure to chat wit you!

 

Rosemary McCracken, Pat’s author, was born and raised in Montreal. She worked on newspapers across Canada as a reporter, arts reviewer, editorial writer and editor before turning to freelance journalism and fiction writing. She now lives with her husband in Toronto, and teaches novel writing at George Brown College.

Follow Rosemary on her website: http://www.rosemarymccracken.com/

On her blog: http://www.rosemarymccracken.com/

On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5786141.Rosemary_McCracken?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosemarymccracken

And Twitter: https://twitter.com/RCMcCracken 

The Snarkology Halloween Hop

Please visit all the authors:

http://www.thesnarkology.com/snarkology-halloween-hop-oct-26-31st/

I love Halloween. Dressing up in a costume then going trick or treating with my sisters, later with my kids. But while I’m walking down the streets, crushing fallen leaves with my feet, the wind howling through the bare branches, my writer’s brain kicks in.

What if there was someone lurking in the shadows?  This is the basis for my book You Are Mine.

Would you know when someone was watching you? How would you react to the feeling?

When we took a family vacation to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, we had such a wonderful time. The people were wonderful, the setting was rugged and free and I knew a strong heroine would love living there.

Of course I would need a formidable hero for her.   

Here is an excerpt:

A movement by the shed caught her eye and Molly froze. She glanced at the clock on the wall beside the fireplace.

A rush of blood pounded through her temples as she stood. Walking over to the side of the window, she lifted the heavy brocade curtain, making sure she didn’t touch the lacy sheer, not wanting her movements to be revealed to whoever was out there.

The figure of a man leaned against the shed, watching the office. Tightness cinched in her chest, as she held her breath. Could he be the one sending the letters?

She kept her eyes focused on the stranger. He was dressed like a local, with a red and black checked flannel shirt peeking out from under a down-filled vest. His worn jeans and scuffed boots resembled every male living in town, but unlike them he looked lethal.

His face was shadowed beneath a baseball cap, his eyes shielded by dark sunglasses. She couldn’t make out any of his features.

She let the heavy curtain fall back into place and walked over to the fireplace, reached for the rifle over the mantle, checked for shells then crossed the room to the door.

Opening the front door, she kept a firm grip on the rifle at her side as she yelled, “What are you doing here?”

The man shrugged. He took a step toward her. Dread lassoed her throat, cinching it closed.

He stepped out of the shadows into the bright sunlight. A navy duffel bag in his hand. Walking toward her he smiled as he removed the glasses drawing her into two, cool-blue pools. “Long time no see.”

Not nearly long enough. She knew she should be relieved that he wasn’t the stalker, but in some ways he was more dangerous.

Her worst nightmare had become a reality. Brock Kingston had come home.

Blurb:

Single mother, Molly Jackson, wants to run the family freight business in the North West Territories and take care of her daughter and grandfather. When creepy letters start to arrive she knows she has a stalker. Can she protect her loved ones when she’s not sure she can protect herself?

When Gramps ask RCMP officer Brock Kingston to come home, he can’t refuse the man who took him in. Now he has to return home and save the woman who broke his heart.

Will their rekindled love survive when the truth is revealed?

Tell me about the scariest place you have ever vacationed in and I’ll choose three comments to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card.

And while you feeling lucky enter to win prizes from the other authors.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why I read past my bedtime.

Why do you keep reading past your bedtime when you know you’ll be dead at work the next day?

When you go to the movies what causes you to grab the arm of the person sitting next to you? Hopefully it’s the person you went with, but I have grabbed the arm of a stranger.

It’s the adrenaline rush. The rush we love to experience.

It is different with each of us, but it causes us to suck in our breath, scream aloud, look away, or jump in our seats. It is what we talk about after the show with our friends.

I love moves that astound me. I know the bad person will be caught, but I am on the roller coaster ride with the characters throughout the movie.

So where did I develop my need for this rush of adrenaline? It’s very simple, old TV shows.

Blog for Cindy – Suspense

Why do you keep reading past your bedtime when you know you’ll be dead at work the next day?

When you go to the movies what causes you to grab the arm of the person sitting next to you? Hopefully it’s the person you went with, but I have grabbed the arm of a stranger.

It’s the adrenaline rush. The rush we love to experience.

It is different with each of us, but it causes us to suck in our breath, scream aloud, look away, or jump in our seats. It is what we talk about after the show with our friends.

I love moves that astound me. I know the bad person will be caught, but I am on the roller coaster ride with the characters throughout the movie.

So where did I develop my need for this rush of adrenaline? It’s very simple, old TV shows. As a kid, I watched all the Alfred Hitchcock Presents shows. Then I graduated to his movies on late night TV. To this day, when I see a flock of birds sitting on a hydro wire, my pulse quickens.

Rear Window is my most favorite movie of all time. I still jump in places even though I know what is coming. I still cry out “Be careful, watch out,” even though I know it won’t make a difference to the outcome.

In my opinion, that is great story telling. When I can live the story over and over again and I don’t get tired of it.

Another favorite show I watched as a kid was Rod Stirling’s Twilight Zone. I was terrified and mesmerized at the same time and no matter how many times I said I wasn’t going to watch it, I was glue to the TV at the same time every week getting my dose of adrenaline rush.

Now I’m addicted to The Walking Dead, and Supernatural. They have me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, fists clinched, and I love it.

What causes your adrenaline rush?