In Laws In Love ~ #MondayBlogs

My parents gave life to two daughters; we were both loved and spoiled rotten by our folks. My dad, a Latin male, was the kind of man that would have loved sons, but he never made my sister or me feel less because we were girls. As a matter of fact, maybe because he wanted to pal around with his offspring, he taught us that we should never let anyone tell us we couldn’t do something because we were female.  Still we always asked him if he missed not having sons and he told us that one day he would have; Daddy told us that it was our job to “bring him his sons” referring to his eventual son-in-laws.

My sister was married five years before me and Daddy proudly announced that he had one of his sons. My mom always spoke about her three children and explained her “son-in-law” was her “son-in-love”. When I was married my dad proudly proclaimed that he was father to two beautiful daughters and two handsome sons. Mommy told us that the extraneous titles didn’t change anything, once you were family, you WERE family and that there was plenty of love to go around.

Our parents have long since passed away and my sister and I often discuss the meaning of family. You don’t have to be born into it, you can be a member of the family by choice, such as marriage, and there are no delineations like second, third or so-many-times removed cousins. Our Machatenista, parents of our “in-law” children, are our new sisters and brothers. Cousins to our cousins, from the other side of their family, are our cousins. The in-laws to our in-laws become our family. I introduce people to my sister and my brother and chuckle when they raise an eyebrow after hearing about their sons and daughters.

We are all family. We enjoy the warmth of extended family and the feeling of belonging — it’s never feeling alone and it is wonderful.

Layne lets her guard down ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/28/15

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog
& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group

My entry this week is from Common Bond, Tangled Hearts. Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son. 

We pick up immediately after last week's snippet. Layne was disappointed when Justin left and seems pleasantly surprised when he returns. Justin had gone back home when the family attorney called to say his mom was ill; she really just needed the reassurance that Justin was there for her. (She had lost one of her sons [Justin's twin], her husband and her father-in-law before the story begins) Since Justin heads up the business and pretty much the family (just the two of them) she relies heavily on his support.

  (the following has been edited to fit)  ...and now the eight   ten:

"Sorry, it was a family emergency,” he was only gone two days but it felt longer; he realized that it wasn't just Dennis he had been in a hurry to return to, "have you gone to lunch yet?"

"I'm not taking lunch today, the office is closing early."

"What time are you getting out?" He was feeling cocky, she hadn't told him to get lost... yet.

"One.”

“How about going out to lunch then, my treat?"

"I think I'm just going to go home."

"I'll give you a lift."

"I have soup waiting at home," she inhaled deeply, "you're welcome to share lunch there."

He smiled, it was devastating, "I'll pick you up at one."

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes& Noble

    ~~~~~~~~

As a romantic suspense author, today's historic decision
by the United States Supreme Court to allow same-sex
marriage in all 50 states is important to me.
While my immediate personal family  may not be affected
directly by this decision, it does mean that several
of our friends and much more extended family is.
They can now marry the people they choose to love and
live with much like my husband and I,
as well as our daughter and our son.
As a mom I've been blessed to know that each of my children
has found and married that person who will literally walk
through life beside them ~ this is a joy that more parents
will now be able to experience.

Love will always matter to a romance author!

Separate but equal? ~ #MondayBlogs

What about family?  Family time - family togetherness - simply FAMILY.

Cable companies hawk subscriber packages that permit you to watch different channels (or even the same) on different TVs throughout your home. One fairly recent commercial mocks peace talks and by the end of the ad shows two adolescents watching television programs in two different but neighboring rooms; mom is ecstatic that there are no more quarrels between brother and sister over which program to watch.

Come on people! If the individual TV shows are so very important, the great technology being offered by these same cable stations includes the ability to record a show and watch it later - so take turns who gets to watch now and who gets to watch later. 

By Evert F. Baumgardner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The marvel of cell phones is supposedly the ability to stay connected without having to sit by your home phone — an excellent idea! Excellent except when you can't even hold a conversation with someone in the same room because you are too busy exchanging text messages with someone you have never even met in person ?*%! Put DOWN your cell phones and stay connected in real time. I understand the reluctance to turn your phone off, I don't either, but I only answer it in an urgent situation if it means I am otherwise engaged in conversation with real LIVE people.

Finally while I am on this rant, families should be more concerned with spending FAMILY TIME with each other while the children are growing (and hopefully beyond) than keeping busy with the zillion-and-one separate activities and programs parents are so busy chauffeuring their children to. It may be wonderful for a child to play sports but if their parents don't even have the time to sit in the stands to cheer them on the emotional benefits may very well be lacking. 

Find activities you can do together (even if it just means providing a cheering section once in a while), things you can share, things you can talk during... Take walks together. Play board games together. Visit museums together. Dine together. Read to each other. Even watch TV together. There is so much you can do TOGETHER and many activities don't require depleting your wallet.

By George Burns, 1896-1996, Photographer (NARA record: 1340567)
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy your family; children grow up, people move away... life changes. Hold on to what you have, the memories you create will be yours for a lifetime.

He's Back ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/21/15

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog
& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group

My entry this week is from Common Bond, Tangled Hearts. Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son. 

Justin heads back home to tend to his mother (it's really more attention than need) and then returns to Layne's town as quickly as he can. Meanwhile Layne was disappointed that despite his promises to "be there" for Dennis, Justin just seemed to disappear. BTW, Justin's mom is upset that he left her again and Larry Davis, the family attorney, is angry when Justin won't listen to him and forget about Layne and Dennis.

In response to comments from last week: Justin's family owns a large chain of hardware stores and he comes from a more than comfortable upbringing. Larry is a long-time family friend and lawyer who is concerned with protecting the family's interests. With the early demise of Justin's twin brother and father and now his grandfather, Larry is left to guide Justin as he heads the family business. {this was all revealed between the posted snippets]

  (the following has been edited to fit)  ...and now the eight:

He parked his car outside of the realty office where Layne worked and entered to try pleading his case.

Layne couldn't believe her eyes when she looked up and saw him walking in the door. He came back. She had been so afraid that she was right about him in the beginning. One of the agents walking past the door intercepted him; the agent probably hoped he was moving into town and she'd be able to get a major commission.

He responded to the inquiry, "I was hoping to have a word with Miss Gillette."

The agent showed him over to Layne's desk and then behind Justin's back gave Layne a big smile and a thumbs-up.

"You're back."

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes&Noble

    ~~~~~~~~

Happy first day of summer and Happy Father's Day!
I guess it's appropriate to be highlighting snippets from
Common Bond, Tangled Hearts
a story of a man who discovers he is a father

I don't save thoughts about my mom or dad
(or my mother-in-law and father-in-law)
for just Mother's Day and Father's Day,
but it is nice to have a day to dedicate to them. 

It's also a great time to be surrounded by our offspring
 whether it's a Mother's Day Brunch
 or a Father's Day Barbecue.

I wish joy and happiness to everyone
celebrating and reminiscing  today.

Tolerance, Bigotry and the FaceBook Friend Button ~ #MondayBlogs

Our parents tried to teach us to lead confrontation-free lives with the cautionary advice “Never discuss politics or religion.” But did we listen… of course not. And with the advent of social media networks it has become easier than ever to give ourselves voice about anything and everything.

Does anyone really change the way someone votes in the next election? I’m sure that we can all play a part in spreading rumors and political mudslinging, but does it really have an effect where it actually makes a difference? I honestly believe that most people opinionated enough to support a cause are not relying on Facebook or Twitter for research; most people will read newspapers (hopefully several different sources), attend political rallies, research history in library and visit a candidate’s web-site to determine how they will vote. People who read a Facebook post about a hot-seat item will most likely hit the LIKE button or UN-friend the author – and then there are the FEW who will research the alleged quotes, past behavior, and political history with an open mind.

How much power do your rants and ravings on FaceBook really hold?

Is it a good thing that we express ourselves in a public forum? Yes it is. Is it worth getting into an argument online? Probably not.

In my opinion, most people voicing their political views on Facebook have already made up their minds and aren’t willing to discuss the issues no matter how many rationales you post to them. Do people like to argue? I don’t think so… but arguing on-line and being the one who started it all, now that is sense of power. Personally I like having opinions and I like to express myself, I am after all a writer aka one who communicates. For me reading someone else’s opposing view is a chance for education and personal growth, it helps me understand different perspectives; however I don’t welcome hateful speech, claims without sources, name calling or threats. I make it known on my social media pages and blogs that I can delete AT MY DISCRETION any commentary that if considered offensive.

How many of you participate in political/religious/trending issues on Facebook and other social media sites? Do you think your words have any true impact? I’d love to hear your responses.

Inspired by the article Before You Unfriend Your Facebook Pal, There’s Something You Should Know http://madworldnews.com/unfriend-facebook-pal/

He's called away ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/14/15

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog
& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group

My entry this week is from Common Bond, Tangled Hearts. Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son. 

Justin seems to have frightened Layne off with his directness. He plans to give her time and heads back to his motel and hears the phone ringing as he enters his room - he hopes it's Layne. This excerpt has been edited to fit.

...and now the eight nine:

He picked up the phone to hear Larry Davis’ perturbed voice, "where have you been all morning?”

"I went to see Layne and Dennis."

"Is she looking for money?"

"No,” Justin sighed, "to be honest, she wants nothing to do with me."

"That's good, you went up there to make sure there were no complications, not make problems."

"I've got a son now, Larry."

"Who has managed just fine for six years without you."

"Dennis and I were both robbed of knowing each other..."

"I called to let you know your mom is sick, she's asking for you."

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes&Noble

    ~~~~~~~~

So this week my son is off climbing mountain peaks in Yosemite (check out Half-Dome), skydiving on the Pacific beachline, trekking though the wilderness and Lord only knows what else - he's with his best friend on an adventure they promised themselves a while back. I asked him just to send a text or something every few days to his wife, his father or me so that we know he is okay... for some reason his wife is getting all of the messages (lol, sons get married and moms get replaced!) Anyway, he is an adventurous sort.

My daughter also has a wanderlust and has traveled the world extensively, sometimes with her husband and sometimes with her best friend. She's planning yet another jaunt sometime around January. Bear in mind, these are not trips with travel groups but adventure seeking to see life as it exists. Sigh.

As any mom can tell you, we never stop worrying about our children no matter what age they are - or how capable we know they are. Both of my offspring are EMS professionals and save lives for a living, they often go into hazardous situations and they are counted on by so many in need as being the one who knows what to do in the most dire of circumstances. So I know I really shouldn't have anything to worry about, they can handle just about anything.

For now, just like when they were teen-agers and stayed out late, I don't sleep very well until I know they are home safe and sound. And while I write about fictional adventures and triumphs, my kids are out living it. How did such an introverted coward raise such courageous offspring?

on the road to adventure

Traditions ~ #MondayBlogs

Just hearing the word Tradition makes me see and hear Tevye and the Fiddler on the Roof song of the same name.

So what is tradition?

“A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group orsociety with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past…The English word "tradition"comes from the Latin traditio, the noun from the verb traderere or tradere (totransmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping).” 

We automatically assume that traditions are based in religious or cultural origins and perhaps that was the earliest intent. Traditions provided a form of stability knowing that “this is the way it’s always been done”. A set manner of doing things was handed down from generation to generation and of course there were little variances as each new generation interpreted the purpose as it fit into their current lives. Following tradition takes some of the hard decision making out of our hands, it helps point us in the direction we need to go.

Today the term tradition can refer to less-aged habits – the routine yearly family reunion, the regular candlelit anniversary dinner, the customary college graduation gift and more. Our reminiscences can make our traditions: Sitting and watching the Friday Night Fights with my dad as a child became a tradition; Vacationing at the Jersey shore every summer was a family tradition; and My mom hosting Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins was a tradition. Traditions are a way of holding on to something of the past, often it was something that “worked” or left us with warm memories.

“As people are walking all the time, in the same spot, a path appears.” 
~  John Locke

The beauty of our diverse society allows us to see many of our traditions melding together and sometimes forming new ones. We have a chance to learn from others and adapt. I recently heard someone quip about a cultural event (from another culture) as “not traditional”. I laughed. Our comfortable traditions that we grew up with aren’t traditional for other cultures either, it’s like who really is speaking with an accent, it all depends on who is listening.

If you ever have the opportunity to attend an inter-faith ceremony, go to it; you will get to see an exquisite demonstration of blended traditions — and in the end, it all still works out for the best.

She's scared ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/07/15

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog
& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group

My entry this week is from Common Bond, Tangled Hearts. Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son. 

Justin calms Layne down, for now, and offers to drive her to work after they share a cup of coffee at the diner. He wants to find out more about Dennis... and Layne. We pick up during their conversation. This excerpt has been edited to fit.

...and now the eight nine:

"You've done a great job with him, Layne, I'd like to be a part of his life…"

"No, that's not a good idea."

"I already told you, I promise you I'm not going to try to take him away from you; I'd be a fool to do that, he's too happy."

She could barely look at him, "it would be too confusing."

"We don't have to tell him I'm his father at least not until he's much older and can understand." Justin realized what he had been missing for so long, "I'll just be a family friend for now."

"I don't want him getting attached to anyone." What if they had to hide again?

"Layne, why are you running?"

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

 Payloadz

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes&Noble

    ~~~~~~~~

Download the NEW
Common Bond, Tangled Hearts
Book Discussion Guide

featuring

ready-to-print bookmarks

New additions to the dictionary ~ #MondayBlogs

Imagine being an ESL (English as a second language) student nowadays. You think you’ve learned the English language and you’re feeling really proud. That’s when someone complains to you about their textpectation (anticipation of receiving a TEXT message); you hear others laughing about being photobombed (having an unexpected guest appear in a photo); and when you look puzzled, some stranger tells you to stop acting like a derp (to express actual or feigned ignorance or stupidity).

What language is this?

Several times a year “new” words are added to our dictionaries. These words are basically invented to fit new technology, they were once considered slang, some sound funny, and somehow these strange sounds get legitimized and become actual ammunition for our Scrabble-board games. Schoolchildren even win spelling bees by spelling these once made-up words.

Some of the more recent entries into our dictionary include: humbility (the quality of being humble); rainborical (relating to the colors of the rainbow); jeggings (leggings resembling a tight pair of jeans); eggcorn (a word or phrase that sounds like and mistakenly used for another word or phrase); and of course there’s WTF (an exclamation of surprise or outrage). You can read about more added words in the Unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary right here http://bit.ly/1IZ1uD4

As for me I look forward to the next game of Scrabble, jeggings is an 18-point word and eight letters; just find an S on the board, put the other seven tiles down and earn a 50-point bonus. Win-win!

Pencil Dictionary ~ public domain image from pdpics.com