December 2017

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Sunday, December 17, 2017

WeWriWa: A Line in the Sand


He’s been sweet. He’s been patient. He’s been protective of both wary mother and pre-teen child without making any demands. Until danger knocked on their door. Now it’s time for Rico, the dark, sexy shapeshifter prince in the House of Terriot, to respond with nature rather than nurture to see to their safety. He needs answers.

What kind of life had Amber James and her daughter lived? Rico knew he'd just uncovered the tip of that horrific iceberg, and carefully chipping away a cube at a time wasn’t going to cut it, not when their safety was at stake. If he pushed for answers, he’d come up against that glacial wall Amber had erected between them in her kitchen the night before and he couldn’t protect them if he couldn’t stay close, so he had to get to the center of her secrets another way now that he knew the threat to Evie was very real.

He could go to Auguste and beat the facts out of him, but would what he learned be the truth? Gus was Amber’s brother, a bond he knew well was difficult to break, but still he couldn’t believe even a lying, cheating S.O.B. like Auguste would purposefully harm his niece. 

Frustration rubbed his temper raw, fierce waves rising higher with each inhalation of their scent; mother and daughter, soon to be his if he had any say in it, and no one threatened what was his. A low growl vibrated up from his dangerous soul, goading him to act with deadly force as he paced the cage of his wealth like a wild thing, not knowing where to focus that rage seething inside. What good was money and power if helpless to act? 

His, for the first time, something was his, something worth fighting for, dying for, living for, and he wouldn’t screw it up by letting instinct overwhelm purpose. 

He'd start with the immediate threat then work up to the rest.

Hope you’ve been enjoying these peeks between the pages of PRINCE OF FOOLS. I’ve loved revisiting them. If you haven’t picked up a copy, tuck one into your holiday stocking . . .


A dark prince to her Cinderella barmaid . . .

Rico . . . Prince in the shapeshifter House of Terriot

Reckless, hotheaded Rico Terriot seeks purpose and a sense of pride training the resentful guardians of New Orleans to defend a city besieged by a deadly outside force. Torn between his desire for his brother’s mate and the woman tied to the child of another, protecting their future happiness means denying his own on a dangerous path to redemption.

One night of stolen pleasure he didn’t remember and she couldn’t forget…

Amber . . . a single mother hiding a terrible past

Rico Terriot was the stuff of dreams . . . lately all of hers. But there’s no happily-ever-after for someone living in the shadows, protecting dangerous secrets that threaten her and her daughter. Dare she believe in a fairytale prince when he comes to her rescue, not knowing the price he’ll pay for making her troubles his own? From world’s so far apart, is love strong enough to hold them together . . . and keep them alive?

“5 Captivating Stars (or Hearts)! A stunningly raw, heart racing story that held me in a trance from cover to cover! Intense and seductive paranormal romance/suspense at its best – PRINCE OF FOOLS is another Page Burning, Must Read by an author that delivers every single time!” – Cross My Heart Reviews

I’ll be offline for at least the next few weeks road-testing the new bionic knee I’m getting tomorrow, and will start off the New Year with teases from projects new (PRINCE OF DREAMS) and renewed (SWEET TEMPEST).

Wishing you all the very best as 2017 turns the page into 2018! Happy Writing and Happy New Year!!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

WeWriWa: This Kiss . . .


When it comes right down to it, when all the talking and walking and courting is done, if the magic's not there, the rest just doesn't matter. Devil-may-care Rico Terriot, prince in the shapeshifter House of Terriot has been talking the talk and walking the walk trying to win gun shy bartender/single mom Amber's heart and more importantly, her trust. But when all is said and done, everything comes down to that undeniable spark...

Rico straightened from that devastating kiss, leaving Amber blinking, touching unsteady fingertips to well-used lips, her circuits fried, power to form words or even sounds abandoning her. If he hadn't held to her arm, she might have disappeared into the plush carpet.

"You have a good day, too," he told Evie, opening his other arm so she could burrow in for an enthusiastic hug.

"I will. 'Bye, Rico, and thanks for everything. C'mon, Mom . . . Mom?"

After a mental shake to restore capacity for thought, Amber followed her to the door, aware only of the way Rico’s big hand fit between her shoulder blades and of the buzz of his suggestion echoing in her head: Time to think about upgrading.

She couldn't think about anything else as they rode down in the elevator, until she noticed Evie gaping up at her, prompting her daughter to marvel, "Wow, that was something . . . better than anything on TV."

His kiss.

Amber would have argued . . . but she couldn't disagree.


Poor Amber. It's all over whether she realizes it or not. He's the one she's been waiting for. The one who makes her feel like this . . .


Now, all she needs is for him to take charge of the situation in next week's excerpt . . .

I’m off to finish the loose ends of my Christmas shopping then let the wrapping begin (which is always fun with three cats)!


How’s your weekend going, fellow Warriors?



Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

IWSG: If I Could Turn Back Time

2017 is almost a memory. That got me thinking about our OPTIONAL IWSG Question for December: “As you look back on 2017, with all its successes and failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?” Should I have slept in that extra hour? Passed on the suggestion to order pizza? Climbed all the way into the bushes to rescue all three tiny kittens instead of just the one I could reach? What would I do if I could turn back time?


Even if I’d passed on that pizza, I couldn’t wear that sailor hat as well as Cher, so I’ll narrow it down to just writing to pick that one do-over. If I could go back, I would keep the promise I made myself at the beginning of the year after the frantic release of PRINCE OF POWER to allow more time between completing the third book in my “House of Terriot” series and scheduling my release date, so I wouldn’t be so rushed. Man, oh man, even that extra month I gave myself was gone in a blink, leaving me scrambling at the last second with half the things I’d planned to accomplish for my October release PRINCE OF FOOLS undone. Memo to self: Have solid PR plan and edited version of PRINCE OF DREAMS in hand before setting that date next year so I can complete my shapeshifter series with a whole lot less anxiety. I’ll let you know how that turns out in 2018!

As for the kitties, Mama Cat whisked that little guy’s two siblings away before we could catch them and find them a safe home, but Keanu, now 8-months old, has settled in with my two older female cats and my sister’s nervous dog, and is totally enjoying the holidays.



What would you do over if you could turn back time?

Wishing everyone a happy wrap up to 2017 and a joyous new 2018!!



Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 6th posting of the IWSG will be Julie Flanders, Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue, and Heather Gardner!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

Sunday, December 03, 2017

WeWriWa: Things Cha-Cha-Cha-Change. Suck It Up and Change With Them!

The end of a year. A change of seasons. An uncertainty about the future and finances. A life-altering event. Things like that can throw you under the bus in a hurry . . . if you let them. Sometimes, "Suck it up and move on!" isn't the answer you're looking for, even if it's the one you need to hear to make you to grab at the opportunities right in front of you.


I confess, some days I just wanted to smack the crap out of my PRINCE OF FOOLS heroine for questioning her obvious good fortune, and yet, understanding her reasons, I had to cut her some slack and let her learn at her own pace. (Me, I'da had my luggage and baggage moved in with the hero in a heartbeat!). Rico, a kinder person (shape-shifter/person) than I, is willing to jump the necessary hurdles needed to win her trust. As a reminder, in my latest release, he's sheltering the single mom, with her pre-teen daughter after a possible threat to their safety, and has been hinting that they become more permanent than just friends . . . as the scene continues after they finish breakfast as a party of three in his apartment after a platonic night and his unsettling insinuation that maybe they cohabitate . . .

"What time do you get out of school, squirt, so I can pick you up?" Rico asked as if such a question was part of their daily routine. "I'll have my new car by then and you can help me break it in." 

"W-when did this happen?" was all Amber could think to say. 

"I texted my guy in Tahoe last night while we were watching TV, cuz I knew you wouldn't want her riding on my bike, and paperwork and wheels should arrive in time for lunch." 

Jaw dropping, she stammered, "Just like that? Oh, that's right, I forgot you're one of the Lords of the Universe." 

"No, just a prince," he teased, winking at Evie to earn her broad grin, then before Amber could find a rebuttal, the door buzzed announcing their cab was downstairs, and he casually added, “Do you want me to bring her here?" 

"Take her home so she can get her work done." 

How stiff and reluctant she sounded even to her own ears, but Rico didn't seem to notice as he helped her on with her worn coat, his hands lingering on her upper arms, making her shiver as he turned her toward him to murmur, "We'll be waiting, so you have a good day." 

Before she could assemble a reply, he bent and kissed her - a will-shattering, soul-sucking kiss, with no tongue in deference to their audience, but still . . . 

I'll be continuing the scene up to the holidays (and my surgery) then changing over in the new year to a new (old) project, my very first published book that is coming back to print in February with Tell-Tale Publishing, after I finish trimming it down from its original 140,000 words (!). More on that soon.


Right now, after packing up mid-week for "Girls Night Out," a fabulous book signing event near Detroit that kept me out past my bedtime, I'm enjoying a relaxing weekend with my six critique partners. Creativity (and food and drink) is sure to ensue! Then it's tree trimming time.


The winner of the $10 Amazon gift card from my "Midnight to Moonlight Tour" is Brandi Dawn. Congrats and happy reading! Thanks to all who participated.

What cha-cha-cha-changes are you making, fellow Warriors?


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.