#SaturdaySpotlight is on Karina Bartow & Undeveloped Memories!

Whew, it is good to be home with no expected travel in the next several weeks!

If you've followed me for long you know I love to travel. I even started a travel blog called Bathroom Blues to share my adventures with you. But sometimes it's just good to be home for a while. 😊

Today's guest is brand-new-to-our-blog so please give Karina Bartow a huge SWLA W-E-L-C-O-M-E!

Please share your book and the inspiration behind it, Karina.

Thanks, Pam. It is lovely to be your guest. When I was a young girl, my mom misplaced—frankly, lost!—a roll of film from a special occasion. The pictures on it, of course, captured that one day, frozen in time, including the people and activities that created the story of those memories. Some of those shots featured loved ones we lost soon thereafter and moments we couldn’t recreate.

A few years ago, I had to sort through photos for a presentation. The tub I sorted through had an assortment of negatives and original envelopes from the developing counter, so I kept hoping to come across that lost roll. Unfortunately, I never did, but my quest made me consider what would happen if another generation discovered it and developed the pictures. Most of those subjects from long ago would be completely foreign to them, perhaps piquing their curiosity about the past. Thus, Undeveloped Memories began to materialize in my brain.

I hope your readers enjoy this blurb...

We assume we know everything there is to know about those who raised us…until we discover that we don’t!

Lorelei Carmichael returns home to check up on her aging uncle, but another investigation awaits her. An undeveloped roll of film, abandoned by her photographer uncle, beckons her attention. Also a photographer, she develops the images and discovers an Alaskan journey he never disclosed, alongside a woman and child.

When an opportunity provides her the chance to peek into the past, she retraces his footsteps through the Alaskan countryside. Will she figure out the whole picture of this unfinished love story? And might the trail of breadcrumbs lead her to capture a love of her own?   

And Excerpt...

While she proceeded dipping the pictures into the developing solutions, her thoughts wandered around the reasons Uncle Reed didn’t discuss the adventure. In his years of covering stories, he’d witnessed various tragedies, including several wildfires, but nothing this profound in loss. She could only imagine how the prevailing sorrow affected the sensitive man. With it occurring just before her mom and dad died, his despair over everything he beheld would’ve been compounded by the grief their family endured. Perhaps he always associated the two events together. 

Having just three negatives to go, she peered at the next rendering through the enlarger and recognized the same little boy but without his mother. With a campfire in the background behind him, he wore a smile, and although it didn’t showcase her uncle’s artistic talent like the rest, it conveyed a powerful message about a child’s resilience. His mom joined him again in front of the fire, her face brightened with more joy, as well. Lorelei surmised Uncle Reed befriended them, but she didn’t ascribe much value to it until she secured the final shot under the enlarger. 

Projected onto the wall above her, the boy and his expectant mother beamed back at her, with her uncle beside them. Even at first glance, she perceived his adoration, his countenance brimming with the same pride and gentleness he had in many of their family photos. The longer she studied it, though, the more signs she gleaned of this being a man in love.

* * * *

Sounds Wonderful, Karina! Now please share your bio and links for you and how to get a copy of Undeveloped Memories with us.

Sure, Pam, here you go...

Karina Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. 

Her debut novel, "Husband in Hiding," came out in 2015, followed by "Forgetting My Way Back to You," in 2018 and "Brother of Interest" in 2022. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

Find out more about Karina by visiting her Website  or Amazon Author Page, and connecting with her on Facebook, Instagram, X (@KarinaBartow), and Goodreads.

Get your copy of Undeveloped Memories a clean romantic mystery at Amazon, B&N, Walmart or directly from The Wild Rose Press.

Thank You, so much for visiting with us today, Karina. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this, and all of your books!

Well, friends, I hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back weekly for another great author and book.

Until next time, escape in a good book.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Delia Latham and Jaimie Engle & Crossing Cheyenne

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

One of our guests, has been here before, (you can see Delia's previous posts HERE). Jaimie Engle is brand new to our blog and these two ladies have coauthored Crossing Cheyenne. Before we get into the whys and wherefores of the book, please share with us a blurb and short excerpt.

Thanks Pam! Here you go....

When a fiercely independent woman and a charming adventurer are double-booked at a remote cabin, their clashing personalities—and beloved pets—lead to unexpected sparks. As they both seek closure from their pasts, a journey of healing and love unfolds, culminating in a powerful reunion with long-lost family and a chance at a new beginning.

Excerpt: “So…lemme get this straight.” The young man smiled, but Cheyenne’s sour attitude saw only the blinding glare of his braces. “You two don’t know each other?”

“Nope.” Cowboy Billy spoke first. Of course.

The guy’s lack of manners did not coincide well with the boots and Stetson he wore like a pro. Weren’t cowboys supposed to be gentlemen and live by a secret code of conduct? So much for looks. She hated to acknowledge his, but she’d be lying if she pretended not to notice.

“Not at all.” Being forced to agree with him upped her frustration to the nth degree.

“And neither of you knew you’d be sharing the cabin with a stranger?”

“You got it, pardner.”

Cheyenne rolled her eyes. “Do I look like I would have let that happen?”

The kid turned almost purple, but did not respond to her sarcastic and admittedly catty question. Blossom must be rubbing off on her more than she realized.

“Well, it’s not supposed to happen.” He frowned, no doubt wishing himself anywhere but at work on this particular day, at this exact time.

“That we can agree on.” Cheyenne tried to shake the frustration that made her less than Pooh-worthy. She pulled out a smile that almost always worked miracles. “I’m sure you can see there’s been a mistake. And you’re going to fix it for me, aren’t you?”

“You betcha.” The poor kid turned his gaze on his computer monitor as if the very essence of life lay therein. Within moments, a grin lit his face. “Aha. That’s it.” He raised a bright green gaze to Cheyenne. “You were supposed to be a party o’ two.”

“That’s correct. But my friend got sick.”

“That’s it,” the clerk said again. “That’s the problem.”

Cheyenne blinked. “My friend getting sick is the problem?”

“Naw, ’course not. But when you called to change the set-up ’cause yer friend bailed on ya—”

“My friend did not bail on me.” Cheyenne surprised even herself with the heated retort. “She got sick.”

“Yeah, okay. Well, whoever changed the reservation for ya assident’ly canceled it.”

“But I didn’t ask to cancel. I just changed my reservation to take advantage of the single-occupancy rate.”

“Same thing, ma’am. Clearly stated on the website.”

“Not clearly enough. That’s pretty obvious, don’t you think?”

The kid continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “So, what happened is, when Mr. Goddard here reached out to book a spot, we showed an opening.” He grinned as if he’d just solved the riddle of the Sphinx, and shrugged one skinny shoulder. “Just a glitch in our system. That’s how come you folks got double-booked.”

Cheyenne couldn’t bring herself to return the kid’s delighted grin.

“Glitch or not, this is not going to work for me. I booked my reservation months ago.”

“Look, my dad and I stayed in this very resort when I was a little boy,” Cowboy Billy interjected. “I booked here for a specific reason. Something personal, and…well, important. Guess I was lucky your friend bailed.”

“She did not bail!” Cheyenne glared. “And you’re just going to have to…” She huffed a sigh and fluttered one hand. “Unbook.”’

With that, the two of them went at it, arguing loudly and without restraint. Guests gathered in clusters, openly staring, and Cheyenne did not care. Apparently, neither did Billy Butt-in, who didn’t come across like a gentleman cowboy in the least.

The clerk managed to make himself heard over their little word-war. “Look, folks, I’d love to solve your problem on account’a y’all don’t seem to be gettin’ on too well, but there’s just one thing.”

“What?” Cheyenne and her cowboy nemesis snapped the word in unison, with greater volume than necessary.

The kid shrugged. “We don’t got no more rooms.”

Don’t got wha—? “Great, Cheyenne muttered.

“And when might you have something?” The cowboy clearly sought to bring about some sort of diplomacy. Wonderful. She was up against a non-gentleman-cowboy politician.

The clerk scrolled through a couple of screens. “Friday is our first opening.”

“Friday is when I check out,” Cheyenne informed him.

“Oh, yeah, you’re right. You are the Friday opening.”

And so it went. A manager showed up to try and help, but the long and short of the situation was that no other openings existed—neither here, nor at their sister resort, nearby. For that matter, not a single hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast for miles around had a room to offer.

I wonder if this is how Mary and Joseph felt when they couldn’t find a place to stay the night Jesus was born. The thought came and was gone like a flash of lightning. She couldn’t think about such things at the moment.

Cheyenne continued to appeal to the sympathies of the clerk and manager, but since they weren’t able to manufacture another cabin out of thin air, they could offer no solution. At last, the manager threw up his hands in frustration.

“I’m truly sorry, folks, but I’m afraid your paths have crossed for one reason or another.”

Cheyenne froze.

“Some paths are destined to cross.” A familiar voice—maybe too familiar—whispered the line right into her ear.

***

Wow! I'm hooked. Now please tell us why you wrote the book and a little more about yourselves.

JAIMIE'S WHY:

In 2020, my family vacationed in North Carolina, staying in a charming two-story cabin. I had my dog with me, but an unexpected case of COVID kept me indoors, giving me time to reflect and dream up a new romcom idea. Inspired by the cabin’s cozy setting, I imagined two strangers double-booked in the same space—one with a dog, the other with a cat. At first, it felt like a quirky meet-cute, but I quickly realized their paths weren’t just crossed by accident—something deeper was at play. What if they were both heartbroken, and their time together became a healing journey orchestrated by God?

Brandon, the dog lover, is mourning the loss of his estranged father, whose ashes he’s tasked with spreading in the breathtaking landscapes of Wyoming. Cheyenne, desperate to find the mother she never knew, sets out on a search that leads her to the Midwest. Two souls, each longing for closure, unknowingly find the missing pieces in one another—through laughter, companionship, and unexpected love.

This premise sparked Crossing Cheyenne, and after completing the script, I teamed up with the incredibly talented Delia Latham to bring the novel to life. With her wisdom and insight, she deepened the characters and enriched the story in ways I hadn’t imagined. I can’t wait for readers to experience the journey, and for audiences to see the film streaming in the years to come!

JAIMIE'S BIO:

Jaimie Engle is a multiple award-winning writer of stories with a magic touch. With over a dozen published books, she is an expert in all things storytelling, teaching at national conferences, state libraries, and local schools on writing, publishing, and marketing books. Jaimie’s YA novel “Metal Mouth” was a quarterfinalist in the Book to Film Award, a Kirkus Editor’s Choice book, and received the Publisher’s Book Life Prize in fiction. She was also a semifinalist in the Publisher’s Book Life Prize in non-fiction, a recipient of the Writers of the Future Award, and her screenplays have been semifinalists for Austin Film Festival and Screencraft, to name a few.

She has worked with hundreds of writers to tell their stories, write their books, and adapt their work for film and television development. Jaimie optioned her first feature film “Just Jake” with distribution deal through UPTV Faith & Family Network (2023) and has several of her award-winning tv shows and movies in development with major studios and networks. When not telling stories, Jaimie spends time with her family in Florida, and her two dogs, Ahsoka and Moofart. Fun fact? Jaimie danced at the halftime show of the Aloha Bowl! www.JaimieEngle.com

The Creation of Crossing Cheyenne

Crossing Cheyenne was my first experience writing a story based on an already-completed movie script. Still partially romance—that’s my genre—and still clean, but not faith-based, and not my original brainchild. Instead, I was turning a script, written by the talented and amazing Jaimie Engle, into a novel. 

How in the world did I find myself doing such a thing? (I think I heard someone ask that question…didn’t I? It was you, right?)

Well, funny you should ask, because I love sharing the “why” of this particular story. Here goes—because you asked, of course…

When I “met” Jaimie Engle, I was editing for Vinspire Publishing (no longer in business, but an excellent small publishing house in its day). The owner/editor-in-chief asked if I’d be interested in editing a book for one of her new authors. “It should be an easy edit,” she said. “The author is experienced and talented, with quite a few published books.” But the kicker was that I’d be editing a novel written around the script for a movie that was already released and available for viewing. (If you’re curious, the book and movie are both titled Just Jake.)

Yes, we all knew things were moving a bit in reverse, but what the heck—sure, I’d give it a go. And that’s how I first came in contact with Jaimie. I edited her beautifully written book, we enjoyed working with each other, and then the job was done. Bye, Jaimie, nice meeting you, have a blessed life.

But she contacted me a few months later, asking if I’d write a novel based on a script she’d already written and was in the process of marketing to the appropriate people in the film industry. This time, she hoped to get the book written and released before the movie. Would I do it? (Interesting fact: Jaimie had never read a single one of my 30+ novels/novellas. She asked me to write the book based solely on my editing style.)

Well, the rest is history. Of course I did it, and of course I loved the opportunity to work with Jaimie again. I tremendously enjoyed fleshing out the characters and creating “more” for the story—more scenes, more details, more background…just more. I also loved the humor that came so naturally to Cheyenne and Brandon’s story. Jaimie and I laughingly agreed that what we ended up with is a romcomdram…or something like that. It’s a romantic comedy with enough romance to curl your toes now and then, and that little touch of humor that provides the occasional laugh-out-loud moment. The thread of drama running throughout the book was a joy to write! 

The result, with the combination of our individual strengths, is an honestly strong story that readers will love. I love it too, and will be forever grateful that Jaimie trusted me enough to invite me on board. 

Hey, Jaimie…thank you…thank you very much!

I’d love to hear your take on our unconventionally created story. Grab a copy at Amazon or Other Online Retailers, give it a read, and then share your thoughts on your favorite bookseller and/or review website. I’ll just say thank you now, because trust me, it will be appreciated.

Happy reading!

Delia’s Bio:

A world of romance with a whisper of angels’ wings. You can count on a touch of the divine in DELIA LATHAM’S sweet, inspirational novels and novellas.

An award-winning, best-selling author, Delia has over thirty published novels/novellas and short stories to her credit. She offers editing/proofreading services, as well as book cover and marketing material design. 

Having moved from California to Texas over a decade ago, and there the old CaliTexan couple will live happily ever after.

Connect with Delia: 

Email:  delia@delialatham.com 

Website:  www.delialatham.com

Amazon Author Page:  www.amazon.com/author/delialatham

Facebook Readers’ Room: www.facebook.com/delialatham 

Thank You, Both so much ladies for sharing your story and Crossing Cheyenne with us! Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with this and all of your projects!

Hope you enjoyed today's guests, friends and that you'll check back weekly for Saturday Spotlight and be sure to check out the books in our sidebar!

Until next time, ditto what Delia said, "Happy Reading!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends welcomes Darcy Flynn @darcyflynn

Good Morning and Welcome to the final Wednesday post for 2020!

If you're like me, you are so glad to see this year end and you're hoping/praying for a better 2021. As promised, we will continue spotlighting Christmas stories through Jan 2nd and today is no exception.

Darcy Flynn has visited before so please welcome her back with some Christmas memories and The Prince's Fake Fiancee' ...

Pamela, thank you so much for having me on your blog today to share one of my favorite Christmas memories. 

Growing up, Christmas for me and my family was always on Christmas Eve. Each year, my father would take my older brothers and I out to see the lights—the old fashion, multi-colored ones, and the anticipation of what was to come was simply magical. An hour later we’d arrive home to find that Santa had come and gone! And there, under the tree were all of our toys.

For years, I wondered how in the world Santa could possibly know we’d be out looking at the lights at the very moment he’d arrive.  LOL!  Then, on Christmas morning we’d leave around 4 am to drive from New Orleans to Albany, Georgia. After sleeping for most of the drive, I’d wake up a few hours before we arrived at my grandparent’s house. I adored my grandmother and with my cousins a short block away, I couldn’t think of any other place else I’d rather be on Christmas Day! I’ll always treasure those magic years!

No nonsense, Samantha Keller loves her job at Colfax Security Agency. The no-frills environment is the perfect compliment to her simple hair cut and no makeup lifestyle. After living in the shadows of her glamorous but hateful stepsister for so many years, Samantha’s quite content to be unnoticed and overlooked.

When she discovers her latest assignment is to guard a popular playboy prince, she’s anything but elated. Even worse, when she finally meets him, she learns her job has nothing to do with protection.

Prince Marcus de Blecourt of Sterlyn is looking forward to visiting New York on what could be his last trip abroad as a single man. But he hasn’t given up his freedom yet. This trip could be the perfect opportunity to thwart the family’s ‘arrangements’ with Lady Pricilla Rothschild.

Prince Marcus is anything but impressed with the unattractive woman from a security firm who arrives as his escort. Unless he can turn her into a super model overnight, it will take a minor miracle to pull off his plan. But when he learns who’s responsible for the setup, he’s even more determined to succeed. He decides to turn the tables, only to find the tables have indeed already turned…but on him.

About the Author

Award-Winning Author Darcy Flynn, is known for her heartwarming, sweet contemporary romances. Her refreshing storylines, irritatingly handsome heroes and feisty heroines will delight and entertain you from the first page to the last. Miss Flynn’s heroes and heroines have a tangible chemistry that is entertaining, humorous and competitive.

Darcy lives with her husband and a menagerie of other living creatures on her horse farm in Franklin, Tennessee. She stargazes on warm summer nights and occasionally indulges in afternoon tea.

Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Griffin Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. Proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Follow Darcy on…

 Instagram:

 @joydarcyauthor

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/darcyflynn

 Facebook:

 http:/www.facebook.com/DarcyFlynnAuthor

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/34nKzdf

Website: 

http://darcyflynnromances.com

What lovely Christmas memories, Darcy. I'm sure many of us can relate. I know I can! Thank you for sharing. Good luck and God's blessings for a Prosperous New Year!

Hope you enjoyed Darcy's visit as much as I did, friends. Leave a comment for your chance to win the final gift card for 2020!

Until next time, take care, be safe (especially in your New Year celebrations) and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Suzanne D Williams & She Loves Me In The Spring

Hello and Welcome!

Today it is my pleasure to introduce to you another new-to-me author!

Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother, and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books. She writes devotionals and instructional articles for various blogs. She also does graphic design for self-publishing authors. She is co-founder of THE EDGE.

To learn more about what she’s doing and check out her extensive catalog of stories, visit www.feelgoodromance.com or link with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor or on Twitter at twitter.com/SDWAuthor.

Brielle Hensley had her future all planned out. She’d designed the perfect wedding, picked the most beautiful dress. From the reception to the start of her married life, she knew what came next. Standing at the altar, however, her groom nowhere in sight, all those plans crumbled around her. She should have known better. The last thing her fiancé would ever do was embrace commitment.

Bradford Barrow wanted to kill his younger brother for running out on his bride. He’s not really that surprised, though. Being a husband, taking on the responsibility of having a wife, was far more something he’d do himself. He’d always been the dutiful son, the faithful employer. His entire life is about doing what’s expected of him and checking off the tasks on his ever-present lists.

Yet, sent to make a formal apology the next day, he and Brielle make a rash decision – to go on her honeymoon together. She needs to shake off his brother’s betrayal, and he needs to do something impulsive for once. Except, what begins innocently enough soon takes on a life of its own, and it could be that the acceptance they’ve both been looking for comes from the most spontaneous thing of all – love.

Excerpt:

The fact she was supposed to be on her honeymoon hit her with a jolt, and the remaining portion of the word became a long cry. Her legs gave one once more, and once more, Bradford caught her, but this time she gazed upward with the strangest urge to kiss him. His head dipped the tiniest bit as if the same urge gripped him too, then both of them yanked back, her stumbling into the lamp, which shivered at the contact, the lampshade tilting oddly sideways.

“You … should go,” he said.

Brielle focused. “Go where?”

“On the honeymoon. Be spontaneous like you said.”

Go on the honeymoon. Well, she could. The room had been reserved, although she’d missed her flight, but surely, there was another aimed right for the islands. But spend six days alone? Doing what? If she knew herself, she’d watch TV and cry a lot. Raid the in-room fridge.

“I’m never spontaneous either,” he continued. “Good ol’ Bradford, stodgy bachelor chasing Mommy’s skirts until he turns forty.”

“Come with me.”

She started that she’d said it, and he started that he’d heard it, apparently.

“You want me to come on your honeymoon?”

“Well … yeah. You said you weren’t spontaneous, and I know I’m not. So let’s try together. I’m sure the room has a couch or something one of us could use, and we’ll do all the things me and Walton had planned. It’ll be more fun with somebody. Keep me from crying and …” Once more, her face threatened to dissolve into tears.

“No, no, don’t cry.” Bradford rushed toward her. Grasping her shoulder with one hand, he blotted her tears, unsuccessfully, with his fingers. “Walton’s an ape. I’m so angry at him for this. He has the most beautiful woman willing to put up with his antics and …” He silenced suddenly. “I would never run out on you. You are beautiful. I … I really like the red hair.”

Brielle smiled, in spite of her mood.

“And, I guess, moments ago we almost …” He hushed again.

“Yeah, we did.”

Stating it made them both laugh, though it sounded jittery. The sound faded into awkward silence.

“Are you serious about me going with you?” he asked, breaking it.

Thinking on it, she nodded. It was crazy, but in a cool way. She could either seize the day, as they said, and make this weekend the best she’d ever had, or she could sit here and mourn something that, being honest with herself, shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Walton was handsome and funny and a half-dozen other adjectives, but they’d had nothing in common. She’d known that all along but denied it. She was the girl with the list, and he was the guy, scribbling on the page. She needed, not a scribbler like him, but a pencil, someone who liked the list, but checked those boxes.

“Your mom …” she began.

“Loves you,” he finished. “She’ll think I’m nuts and try to talk me out of it, so I won’t tell her yet … I’ll go.”

Brielle leapt in place. “Y-you will?” She blinked.

He nodded. “You pack a bag, and I’ll run home and grab a few things. I’ll come back for you in, say half an hour?”

“O-okay.”

Tickets. She needed to see about plane tickets. She could do that while he ran home. And pack her things, which were mostly packed already … except for the portion she’d pulled out when she got home yesterday. The sexy negligee she’d cut into tiny pieces. But she wouldn’t need a negligee for six days with Walton’s brother.

A lump formed in her throat.

Bradford felt his pocket for his keys and, releasing her, dashed for the door. “Half an hour. I’ll be back. I promise. Bradford Barrow never misses an appointment.” Smiling at her from the opening, he turned his back and pulled it shut behind him.

She’d bet that was true. Still … Had she just agreed to spend six days in a honeymoon suite with Walton’s older brother? Was that spontaneous or stupid?

She Loves Me In The Spring: The Non-Honeymoon (Barrow Bros. Brides Book 1) can be purchased at Amazon!

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts with Carolyn Rae

Good Morning!

As you well know, it is always a pleasure to bring to your attention a new-to-me author. I met Carolyn Rae in Oklahoma @ the OKRWA workshop with Donald Maass so please give her a great big welcome!

HELPING OUT

While I can’t fight hunger in third world countries, I can help feed the hungry near home. I volunteer each month to help the Tarrant County Mobile Food Pantry, when it brings food to the parking lot of my church. People who live in Hurst, Euless, or Bedford, Texas, can sign up to get fresh food. The offerings include potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, onions, tomatoes, cantaloupes, bread, cheese, some type of meat, and even candy.

Those who come can fill up boxes in shopping carts with food, and volunteers help people load the boxes into their cars.

Even though I keep my brain busy with writing novels, I also volunteer to tutor school children once a week. Some are also learning English as a second language. Tutoring helps me keep my math, history, sociology, and geology skills current. I even helped a seventh grader with questions about credit and debit cards. It amazes me that they teach kids subjects in lower grades that used to be kept until later in their schooling. Perhaps kids are smarter than we give them credit for.

Although I write novels to entertain readers, I find volunteering helps me feel like I am making the world a better place.

Carolyn Rae (a/k/a Carolyn Rae Williamson) Her passion is writing romantic suspense and delving into the minds of stalkers, bombers, and terrorists that threaten the course of true love. Her profile and travel articles have appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Morning News, Positive Parenting, AAA World, Hawaii and Alaska, and Romance Writer’s Report.

Along with her novels, she wrote the text of There IS Life After Lettuce (Eakin Press), a cookbook for heart patients and diabetics, and has a master’s degree in home economics.  She has worked as a teacher in a federal prison, done research for a mincemeat company, and worked as a paralegal for several attorneys.

Find our more by visiting Carolyn's website and Facebook page.

Carolyn normally writes hot, steamy romance, however her book, Holiday with a Prince a sweet romance, is available at Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll drop by weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Veronica Lynch & Caper Magic

Good Morning Friends,

Wow...can you believe October is nearly half over already? Can't say that I'm not ready for cooler weather, but I mean, seriously, where did August and September go?

Although I've known her through a promo group I belong to, I'm pretty sure, today's guest is new to the blog so please welcome Veronica Lynch with her new book, Caper Magic!

P.I. Nick Forrester comes to Cape Brendan ostensibly to assist with Caper Madness, a month long celebration of everything Halloween. In reality he is tracking a woman on the run. Within days he is confronted by Annunciata Doyle, a vivid reminder of a pain-filled past.

         

After retreating to Cape Brendan in defeat and humiliation, Nunie Doyle's only hope was to make the best of forced retirement. There, in this quaint tourist town on the shores of Lake Ontario, she has earned the love and respect of new friends and neighbors—and now puts her talent for helping women to use.

         

With the mutual goal of making Caper Madness the best ever, Nick and Nunie fight tooth and nail on the personal level, each discovering a new side to the other, sides that make them consider making drastic changes for the rest of their lives.     

This attraction: complete madness—or sheer magic?

Excerpt:

Hank let out a holler just before a huge toothy grin spanned the borders of his gaunt cheeks. “Top o' the marnin' to ye, Missus!” he cackled to someone exiting the front door of the stone cottage next door.  

         

Taking the concrete steps to the sidewalk in two lithe moves, a woman in a slinky dress the color of ripe tomatoes glanced their way and responded in a distinct Irish brogue. “And the ass end of the day to ye, Mistur Pierpont.”

         

Intrigued by rich tone of her voice, Nick craned his neck and found one of the witches from yesterday's parade—minus the droopy velvet hat—passing within steps of Hank's porch. A bulging garment bag hung over one arm; she looked headed in the direction of the pier at the end of Vincentian Lane. Damned if right then a wind didn't jump up off the lake and mold the filmy length of scarlet against each curve of her body. Long black hair—and there seemed to be a good ten pounds of it—flowed over her shoulders, caressing her body like a lover as she marched toward Dingle Pier. As his heart bumped into a trip hammer beat, Nick reminded himself to breathe.        

“Ferget yer broom, Missus?” Hank called out to her retreating back.

         

“In the repair shop,” she replied over one shoulder, winging that glorious onyx hair away from lips painted to match her dress. “Gettin' fitted with a couple of those fancy turbo boosters, it is.”

         

Hank chuckled, then went back to his coffee. “Turbo boosters. That Nunie Doyle; sure is a pistol.”

         

An invisible fist reached down to grab Nick's gut in a vise. As recognition flared, long buried rage took a slow crawling path up his spine. 

Wow..sounds like a great book, Veronica! Tell us a little about yourself....and where we can get a copy of Caper Magic.

The book can be purchased at Wild RosePress and Amazon

Legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner Veronica Lynch--and her alter ego--Kat Henry Doran, has been there and done that--many times over. She often travels to the shores of Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River to the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountains for settings in her books which feature strong characters who stand for the less thans in this world. Over the years, she has been called many things, not all of them flattering. The name she treasures most is Nana to the four brightest lights in her life: Meredith and Ashlin, Owen and Kieran.

For more information on Kat and Veronica, go to:

Email:              WildWomenAuthors@yahoo.com

Blog:               www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com

Amazon:          www.Amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?urlsearch-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Veronica+Lynch

Facebook:        www.Facebook.com/WildWomenAuthors

Pinterest:         www.Pinterest.com/KatHenryDoran

Twitter:           @VLynchAuthor

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll drop by weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT 

PS: Veronica is giving away this hand-crafted item in a Halloween theme to one lucky visitor, so leave a comment!

#TuesdayTreasures #AHA Featured Author Darcy Flynn

Good Morning Friends,

It's time for another AHA Featured Author. This week's guest has visited our spotlight before so please help me welcome Darcy Flynn back to our blog.....

I’ve always loved romantic comedies, especially mistaken identity stories. And what better way to confuse my heroine, then identical twin brothers. Some of my dearest friends have been identical twins, from my early childhood, until now. Six sets, to be exact. I’ve always loved being the one who could tell them apart, the best friend who shared their secrets and their pranks. I thought it was time to write a story for them.

Blurb: From the first moment coffee mogul, Will Carrington, gazes into the fiery, green eyes of Clare Sullivan, he’s hit with the feeling she does not like him. Not. One. Little. Bit. Used to being the proverbial prize by some gorgeous gold-digging fortune hunter, he’s learned to be careful. But with his hunter instincts now on high alert, he’s determined to find out the why behind her stormy-eyed glances.

Top home designer, Clare Sullivan, wants absolutely nothing to do with arrogant, self-assured Will Carrington, especially after he called her half-sister a gold digger. When she gets the opportunity to design his multi-million dollar Miami penthouse, she arrives at his office ready to decline his offer, and to tell him exactly what she thinks of his cruel and un-warranted comments.
While there, she overhears his one-sided phone conversation, which seems to further insult her sister. Assuming the worse, Clare makes the rash decision to accept the job and charge him a fortune in the process. Someone needs to teach him a lesson and what better way than with a swift kick in his wallet.

Since she and her sister have different surnames, Clare conveniently hides the connection to her sister. But while she works with Will, she discovers another side to this self-assured, woman-hater. A Jekyll to his Hyde. Charming and professional, he’s nothing like the man she’s heard about. What she doesn’t know is Will Carrington has a few secrets of his own.

Snippet:

Will loved it when a plan came together, and this one was flowing along beautifully. So well in fact, if he wasn’t careful, Clare might be inclined to get up and run. And that wouldn’t fit in with his plans at all.
And if she gnaws any more on her bottom lip, there won’t be much left to kiss.
He held out his arms. “Come here.”
Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped two inches.
“In your dreams.”
“There is some truth to that.” He made a deliberate show of getting out of his chair, and an equally deliberate one of removing his jacket and tie.
After tossing both on the back of his chair, he took a step in her direction.
“What are you doing?” Alarm filled her eyes.
“Getting comfortable and finishing what you started this afternoon.” He undid the top button on his dress shirt, then the next. “Do you mind?”
“Yes, I mind.” She shot to her feet, snatched up the shawl and held it to her chest. “This has gone far enough.”
He shook his head. “Not nearly.” He stopped in front of her, gave her the slightest of smiles, then scooped her up in his arms as if she were a child.
She sucked in a breath and push hard against his chest. “Put me down.”
“That’s the plan, sweetheart. The question is, where?”

Darcy Flynn is known for her heartwarming, sweet contemporary romances. Her refreshing storylines, irritatingly handsome heroes and feisty heroines will delight and entertain you from the first page to the last. Miss Flynn’s heroes and heroines have a tangible chemistry that is entertaining, humorous and competitive.

Darcy lives with her husband, son, two English Setters and a menagerie of other living creatures on her horse farm in Franklin, Tennessee. She raises rare breed chickens, stargazes on warm summer nights and indulges daily in afternoon tea.

Connect with Darcy at the following locations....

Website/Blog: http://www.darcyflynnromances.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darcyflynn
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DarcyFlynnAuthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0077AG3ZM
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dflynnauthor/boards/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116563609469381811624/posts?tab=XX

I read this book and really enjoyed it!

Hope YOU enjoyed today's post and that you'll join me each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Fall #RomanticTravel with Anita Philmar

Good Morning Friends!

Today we welcome Anita Philmar back to our blog, this time as part of the Fall Romantic Travel blog exchange.

Anita has been here several times in the past, for other blog exchanges so she is no stranger to us. Although her normal genre is erotic romance, today Anita and I are pleased to bring to your attention a brand new collection of sweet to sensual cowboy ghost stories.

Sounds like a whole other country right LOL!

Anyway without further ado....here's Anita....

I believe visiting wineries is a great way to have a short romantic escape. Almost every state has a few and most are affordable, running anywhere from free to $20 for a tasting.

While in Nebraska where McKee’s Ghost story takes place, I had a chance to visit a few. As you can see by the picture, it’s a great to unwind and relax.

~*~  ~*~  ~*~

Nebraska is certainly on my "to visit" list Anita!

Now let's find out a little more about Anita's contribution to this collection, The Good, The Bad and the Ghostly.....

Blurb for McKee’s Ghost

His fiancée called off their engagement after be accosted by a ghost in his house.

      

Now, a beautiful ghost detective has shown up at his ranch, saying his brother has hired her to take care of the unwanted spirit.

Konnor McKee is more than happy with PSI Agent Ruth Oliva Wilson. One look and he was hooked. Now, if he can only get some help from a ghost, he might be able to secure himself a bride after all.

With the return of his ex-fiancee, his life is turn upside down by an angry ghost, a vindictive woman and a sexy medium. Konnor doesn’t know which way to turn.

Can he get everyone out of this alive and marry the PSI Agent?

Or has he lost all hope of a happy future because of the ruthless ghost of one of his ancestors?   

Excerpt:

Somehow, Konnor must have realized her inability to stand. Because one minute, Ruth stood before him, the next he’d swept her up in his embrace. “My, but you are a tiny thing.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and worked to clear her vision while her head still spun in circles. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying you upstairs. A pint-sized woman like you must be exhausted from your trip. What time did you start out?” Konnor walked up the stairs without giving her a chance to demand that he release her.

Her gaze narrowed in on the strong column of his neck. The word determined joined the stubborn tag she’d used to describe him. Nonetheless, she appreciated his assistance. The ache in her feet eased, and she snuggled closer, letting his strength revive hers. Still the man was being awful forward. She needed to remind him she expected to be treated as a professional, not his lover. “I’m not exactly sure when the train left Omaha, they were running late.”

“Omaha?” He paused outside a doorway and released her legs. Her body swung against his. He tightened his hold on her waist and drew her into his chest. “That means you’ve been traveling all day.”

“Yes, after I got to Shelton. I managed to get a ride with a couple who let me off about two or three miles down the road from your house.” She recalled the older man and his wife. They had encouraged her to go home with them and pay a visit to Konnor tomorrow after she’d given herself an opportunity to rest. She smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Stout. They said they didn’t live too far from here.”

“Yes, they have a place near my parents.” He continued to examine her. A frown formed on his mouth and brow, each leveling out into a straight line. “And I’m sure they stopped by there to tell them I have a visitor. Which means, we might have a problem when they find out you’re staying here alone with me.”

“Why? I’m here on assignment.” Ruth had run into this situation before and understood how her bunking at a client’s home inspired rumors. “It’s not like anything is going on between us. I’m a respected agent.”

He squeezed her tighter against his chest and lowered his head. His eyes alight with desire, he whispered against her lips, “Wrong. One look and I was smitten. Now, holding you in my arms, I’m ready—”

~*~  ~*~  ~*~

Hmmm....sounds pretty spicy to me! You can purchase The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly at Amazon.

Now let's find out a little more about Anita...

Anita Philmar likes to create stories that push the limit. A writer by day and a dreamer by night she wants her readers to see the world in a new way.

Influenced by old movies, she likes to develop places where anything can happen and where special moments come to life in a great read.

Naughty or Nice?

Read her books and decide.

Website:  http://www.anitaphilmar.com/

Blog: http://www.anitaphilmar.blogspot.com/

FB: www.facebook.com/anita.philmar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitaphilmar

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Anita-Philmar/e/B002BMBE8C

Well friends, hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll return weekly for Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlight and Tuesday Treasures!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Maureen L Bonatch & Forget Me Not & a #Giveaway!

Good Morning and Welcome to another Saturday Spotlight!

In October I introduced you to Maureen Bonatch who shared something she treasures with us. Today Maureen joins us with her brand new release, Forget Me Not, a Candy Hearts romance published by The Wild Rose Press.

What if your memories hadn’t been made yet?

The car accident totaled Sabrina Post’s convertible and reinvented her memories. She can't recall dumping Cole Dawson ten years ago. What her new clairvoyant visions tell Sabrina is he’s her husband. Any practical girl would question her sanity. But if Sabrina wants to make this imaginary future a reality, she'll have to regain Cole’s trust and eliminate her rival, the coffee shop waitress who’s pegged Cole as husband #4. To prove she’s foreseen their destiny, Sabrina stirs Cole’s interest by revealing specifics about him she couldn’t have otherwise known. Unfortunately, the one detail he vividly remembers is the pain when she left him and their "rinky-dink" town in her rearview mirror.

If Cole can't believe she's a changed woman, can Sabrina accept the only second chance she has at love exists in her memories?

Excerpt:

Sabrina’s laugh faded at his unspoken words. Despite being born and raised in Rosewood, she wasn’t considered a local anymore since she’d moved and shunned the small town way of life they loved. She’d have to earn their respect, or forever be considered an outsider.

“How do you know what my New Year’s resolution is?” Sabrina tensed, wondering if Cole experienced the same unusual visions.

Cole shrugged. “It’s the same one you made every year. You were never successful with it then, either. You insisted you were no—”

“Quitter.” Sabrina finished the sentence.

“Yeah.” Cole cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, I have to get back to the store. My lunch break is over.” His gaze lingered on Sabrina. “Perhaps you’ll tell me your story…another time.”

He rose, bracing his arms on the table. The muscles in his biceps bulged. The group at the table behind them fell silent, straining to detect every word exchanged. “Somewhere a little more private.”

The happiness warming her at his closeness made her want to drown in the depths of his emerald eyes and seek the answers to the mystery of her muddled memories. The emotions welling inside her made no sense—love never did—especially since she loved a man she didn’t even know. God, she was crazy. Did she stand a chance of making her memories of Cole a reality? She licked her unbearably dry lips. “Yeah, perhaps.”

Check out Maureen's Pinterest board with all of the Candy Hearts books and Extra's for Valentine's Day!

Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

You can connect with Maureen at her Website, Blog, TWRP, Amazon, on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Good Reads. Sign up to receive her Newsletter HERE!

Forget Me Not can be purchased at Amazon, TWRP, B&N, Kobo and  iBooks.

Also, Maureen is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card through a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wow, lot's of exciting new books and contests with this series. Good luck if you enter!

Hope you enjoyed the spotlight and hope to see you next week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.

Until next time...take care and God Bless!
PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Stacy Juba & Fooling Around With Cinderella

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Today we welcome Stacy Juba back to our blog with her title, Fooling Around With Cinderella, Storybook Valley #1.

What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella's toes? 

When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale fun. 

Excerpt:

Dylan scrutinized Jaine, arms folded across his royal blue shirt with the Storybook Valley logo stamped over the left in white block letters. “Do you wear contacts?”

“I have plenty of media contacts. Wait. Did you say wear contacts? You mean instead of these?” Jaine fingered the earpiece of her gold-rimmed glasses.

“Right. Contact lenses.”

She gave a nervous chuckle. “I scheduled a consultation in college, but was too squeamish to insert the lens. I was more comfortable in glasses.”

Was she really justifying her vision enhancement choices to her prospective new boss? Maybe he intended to discuss medical benefits. Or did he think she looked nerdy? What was the saying? Guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses? Not that she wanted him to make a pass even if he was hot.

“How blind are you without glasses?” Dylan persisted.

“You wouldn’t want to drive with me.”

“How about if you’re walking around a building? Are you in danger of hurting yourself?”

This interview had taken the Mad Hatter Freeway from Fairy Tale Land into Wonderland where nothing made a damn bit of sense. Did this guy have a glasses fetish, like those weirdoes with shoe fetishes?

“I should be okay. I take them off for special occasions.” In fact, Jaine’s older sister Bree, who was getting married in August, remarked just last week, “You are losing the glasses for my wedding pictures, right?”

What the hell. She’d be a good sport and hope Dylan would be so grateful to pick the brain of a real, flesh and blood, bespectacled person that he would appoint her marketing director. Jaine removed her glasses and the fine details of her surroundings fuzzed. She nodded toward the framed print hanging on a side wall, the picture a wash of symbols and colors. “I can tell that’s a park map, but the words and images smear together.”

And that was myopia in a nutshell. Jaine adjusted her glasses back into place so she could see his reaction. Dylan examined her with such intensity that a blush stained her cheeks. She patted her blonde French braid, in case stray strands were straggling out.

“Here’s the situation,” Dylan said. “I took over the general manager position a few months ago. I’m evaluating possible changes and researching how other theme parks run. My grandfather and father have worked with a marketing firm for years to create our brochures, billboards, print, and radio ads.”

Jaine’s shoulders caved, imperceptible to him, but it felt as if her whole body was sinking.

No fairy tale job ending for her.

Sounds like a fun, romantic story! Fooling Around With Cinderella, Storybook Valley #1 can be purchased at Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback, at B&N (Nook); Google Play, Kobo, iBookstore and Smashwords.

 Stacy Juba got engaged at Epcot Theme Park and spent part of her honeymoon at Disneyland Paris, where she ate a burger, went on fast rides, and threw up on the train ride to the hotel. In addition to working on her new Storybook Valley chick lit/sweet romance series, Stacy has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. 

She has had a novel ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List. Stacy is also the founder of the Glass Slipper Sisters, a group of authors with Cinderella-themed romance novels. When she’s not visiting theme parks with her family, (avoiding rides that spin and exotic hamburgers) or writing about them, Stacy helps authors to strengthen their manuscripts through her Crossroads Editing Service. She is currently writing the next book in the Storybook Valley Series, Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty.

Find out more about Stacy by visiting her Website and blog, Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  Amazon 

and the Glass Slipper Sisters Facebook group

Well Friends, hope you enjoyed today's Spotlight! Stay tuned weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlight.

Until later...take care, God bless and remember....when the shopping gets tough, the shoppers go to a coffee shop (a little holiday humor I hope LOL!) 

Have a great day!

PamT