One of the many things on my writing bucket list was to have at least one of my books on audio. I'm a HUGE audiobook listener and always imagined hearing one of my stories being played through my earbuds as I'm going for a walk, sitting on the beach, driving in my or cleaning the house. I'm proud to announce that The People We Meet Along The Way is now available on audio. So, if you're a audiobook veteran or an audiobook virgin, check it out and see what's so great about listening to your book. It took me a long time to cross that line into the audio world and once I did, I was hooked. The People We Meet Along The Way is available on Audible, Amazon and also on iTunes. Happy Listening!!
Monday, November 16, 2020
Thursday, September 17, 2020
The People We Meet Along The Way Is Live!!
I can't believe the day is finally here, the day I get to share my latest set of characters with all of you. It's so special and personal for a writer to be able to do this. For months, maybe even years, these characters or friends (as they become known as by their creators) only exist on the screen of their computers and in their hearts. They spend good days and bad days with them. When they want to escape from reality they know that all they have to do is open their laptop and they're there waiting, like an old friend putting on a cup of tea or that warm soft blanket not the back of the couch on a cold dreary day. On release day we share these new friends with the rest of the world, and just like in life, some people may like them the moment they first meet them, some people may need a little time to warm up to them, and some people may just not get them at all. I'm hoping all of you take a chance on getting to know them because I think they're pretty great (even if I am being a bit biased). I hope their story pulls you in and temporarily erases all of the craziness of the real wold we live in.
That's all any author can hope for!
Enjoy xo
“What if those cracks aren’t really mistakes we made in life but instead something else?”...“What do you see them as?” he asked.“People. The smaller ones are people who have come and gone in our life, the bigger ones are people we’ve known for a long time, and the ones that are just beginning to form are the people we’ve just met. All of them intersect in some way or another, shaping us into who we are, giving the flowers amongst them the foundation to change and grow.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Every Writer Knows...
The worst time for a writer is when they're stuck. It's that time when they have a story brewing in their mind, but they haven't ironed out all the details. Major missing pieces and plot holes invade every crevice of their brain. No matter how hard they try to to make the story jive, it just doesn't seem to work. It's like putting a square peg into a round hole. Every author knows exactly what I'm talking about. I have an idea for a story that I know could be great if I could just find those missing pieces. I'm dying to create new characters, new places, and new stories, but I know I can't until I could fill in the blanks. So, I'm not going to stress because I know it will come to me when I least expect it. Maybe while I'm walking through the woods, maybe while I'm people watching or maybe as I'm lying in bed just before those last few moments of consciousness give way to sleep. I think it might be our subconscious telling our wandering minds to rest a bit. Take in reality before escaping to a fictional world. But quite honestly, can you think of any other time than now to flee from reality? So for now, I'm going to lose myself in other writer's fictional worlds by reading or shall I say...listening (I'm an audiobook junkie) and hopefully I'll find those missing pieces I'm looking for along the way!
Monday, September 7, 2020
It's the Unofficial End of Summer
Labor Day (The first Monday in September here in the U.S) has always been the end of summer for me even though the calendar says differently. Ever since I was a child, it always marked "Back to School" because it was the last day of summer vacation as we'd always go back the day after. I remember falling asleep or at least trying to at night, tossing and turning in anticipation, a mixture of excitement and nerves for what would await the next day. Sadly, now with the virus still running rampant, most kids will be going to bed tonight and not know the restless sea of emotions that comes the night before the first day of school. Not that I'd want to go back and relive that time of uncertainty...Will I least have one friend in my lunch period to sit with? What if I forget my locker combination? What if I totally hate my teacher? These all seem like such trivial worries now as an adult, but as a kid, they were HUGE. Ones that every child should experience because in a weird way, it helped me cope with bigger matters and more important situations as an adult. I know that every uphill battle, every embarrassment, every letdown, and every shred of self-doubt as child helped mold me and make into stronger person. It's something all kids need to face and overcome on their own. I look at how much has changed since I was a child, and I'm so thankful I grew up when I did. A time before cell phones and social media. A time when Pac Man and Frogger on a tiny television were all the rage. A time when hearing your favorite song being played on the radio was a treat because we didn't have the instant gratification of downloading it. There's something to be said for "less is more" because I wouldn't trade any of that for the world.
Here's to hoping all the kids have a great and healthy school year, wether it be virtually or in person! Now that I'm out of school and so are my kids, Labor Day will mark the start of something different, cooler nights, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice! The best part of all...I can still sneak a little bit of summer in by hitting the beach during the best month of all here on the east coast...September. The crowds are gone, the water is at its warmest, and the afternoons are some of the most beautiful!
Just like a new chapter in a book, things change and evolve as it goes on, but those changes aren't possible or even triumphant without a little struggle to get there.
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Two More Weeks...
It's hard to believe The People We Meet Along The Way will be releasing in exactly two weeks. I remember when I first announced it, it seemed like September was so far away, and here we are! Time flies! Have you pre-ordered your copy?
Beth Rinyu has outdone herself with this book. The way she described every part of her European journey made me feel like I was there with them. The intricate details were so well done. And the story was perfectly written. A must read!!!
~ Three Chicks and their Books
This was a beautiful story full of every emotion you could imagine. Heartbreak, anger, joy, laughter. Secrets are discovered, lies are told and journeys are taken. Life is beautiful and the people you meet along the way are really what make life the journey that it is.
~NetGalley Reviewer
"I knew that feeling all too well, battling in unison with the lump in your throat and the burning in your eyes. Hoping the dam wouldn’t break and expose how badly your heart was breaking inside. It was like a fragile mirror into your soul, one that you tried desperately to prevent others from looking into. One that could be shattered into a million pieces at any time, taking everything that was seen on the other side along with it by exposing every last bit of your emotions."
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Ode To My Boobs
Twenty-Four hours ago, I was sitting in the waiting area apologizing to my boobs for the torture that was about to be inflicted upon them What torture might that be, you ask?
THE YEARLY MAMMOGRAM.
The one medical procedure that stresses me out more than anything. Yes, I know the importance of it, and I would never forgo it or tell anyone else to, but anyone who has had one can relate to the horror of it. Really, I'm not a wimp...honestly! I gave birth to two humans within seven minutes of each other without any drugs (not by choice...I'm not that brave!). But that's a whole different story. Let's get back to my poor little boobs (and I do mean that literally), the technician reminds me every year that if I were a little bigger on top it wouldn't be as panful. I have to stop and wonder, what would you like me to do lady? Grow a set of triple D's overnight? Does she actually think I like still being able to fit into a training bra?
The time seems to be dragging on as I wait to be led to the torture chamber. I try and think of something else to take my mind off it...anything, but it's not working. The only image I have flashing through my brain is my boob being placed on a tray, and the sound of the machine clamping down on it while I stand in the most awkward position, the whole time thinking, "Please don't let the power go out!". I mean really, has that crossed any of your minds? If not...you're welcome for that added fear! Then there's the switch to snap the picture. I don't know about your place, but at mine, the darn switch is all the way on the other side of the room. So once you're in the position described above. The tech moseys on over to the other side of the room (which seems like hours instead of seconds) to snap the picture and release the clamp. Who designs these machines? I mean, in this day and age shouldn't there be something a little better?
Then I hear her coming down the hall to get me, like Dr. Frankenstein getting ready to lead me to his laboratory. I look down at my boobs one last time and tell them this:
"Give the camera the best smile you can, so the tech doesn't say, "we need to do this again".
I know you may hate me for a small amount of time, but trust me, it's necessary to make sure you're healthy and fine.
The few agonizing moments of prevention you're about to endure is so much better than the cure."
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
August Special
It's hard to believe we're on the back end of August. Where does time go? I'm always sad when summer ends, but I do love autumn too. Theres just something about the cooler nights, the changing leaves and the crisp air that help to ease me out of my end of summer blues. So, I'd like to give you the best of both seasons, a suspenseful, romantic summer read with a little bit of that autumn feel.
When Autumn Ends is on sale for .99 cents until August 23rd.
Here's what others are saying about it
"When Autumn Ends and let me just tell you. They mystery part is what made this story so spectacular! The writing was stellar, the mystery was intense and the romance slow burn perfection. The twists and turns and shocking revelations in When Autumn ends kept me up at night until I knew how this story would end! I thought this was one story and it turned out to be something else entirely! "
~ Goodreads Reviewer
"A Heart grabbing, emotionally, charged story about the all consuming power of love and healing."
~Kitty Kats Crazy About Books
"I really liked this author’s style, heartfelt, flowing effortlessly, making me cry and smile. Just something perfect for romance!"~ Beware of the Reader
Ease into Autumn while enjoying these last weeks of summer. Download your copy while it's at the reduced price!
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Just About a Month Away...Have You Pre-ordered Your Copy Yet?
“Maybe all those cracks are the mistakes that flower has made in its life, leaving it all alone and vulnerable, but it’s still thriving despite it all. I’m sure there are days it just wants to be trampled on or wither away in the blistering sun, because it’s feeling hopeless. But it remains. A reminder to the people who take the time to recognize it that there’s still beauty in life, despite all the bad things that may happen to us or the blunders we make. Some people live their life allowing those cracks to define them, while others rise above them and realize that through those mistakes there could be beauty in ways we never imagined.”
Friday, July 31, 2020
A Free Summer Read
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Have You Pre-ordered Your Copy Yet?
"This journey had taken me from a naïve college girl with rose-colored glasses, to a thirty-five-year-old woman who realized the tint on those glasses eventually fades away over time."
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Pre-order Your Copy Today
Thursday, June 25, 2020
It Will Be Here Before You Know It...
Sunday, June 14, 2020
The People We Meet Along The Way Is Now Available to Pre-order
Thursday, May 21, 2020
COVER REVEAL
Jillian O’Rourke’s marriage died long before her husband’s tragic accident. Years of battling with infertility and demanding careers melted their once solid relationship. Bearing the burden of guilt over his death, Jillian gets lost in despair and a series of "what-ifs". But one chance encounter with a stranger, changes everything. Now being faced with newfound knowledge and a painful decision, Jillian must push past her anger, learn to forgive and open her heart in ways she never could’ve imagined. As she comes to grips with the devastation of her past, she learns to embrace the possibility of a future she never thought possible. A bittersweet story of love, forgiveness, and the unexpected destiny that is sometimes handed to us in life from the people we meet along the way.
Friday, May 8, 2020
Mother's Day Giveaway
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
My Book Babies
Meet my book kid here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Imagination Is Everything
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Calling All Book Bloggers!
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
My Midweek Advice
Sunday, April 5, 2020
"The End" Is So Bittersweet
Friday, April 3, 2020
Todays Recommendations By "Moi"
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Need An Escape From Reality?
Faith - Hot mess single mom
Joey - Her adorable five-year-old daughter
Gabe - Faith's workaholic, perfectionist, boss (the complete opposite of her)
And the star of the show...
Sylvia - A hip "80 something" Jewish grandmother whose not afraid to tell it like it is!
This cast of characters will have you in stitches and help to temporarily take your mind off the world with their antics. So, if you need a little escape give them a try. They're the perfect kind of therapy we all need for times like these!
𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑓𝑒𝑤 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑! 𝑆𝑦𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑧𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑧𝑦 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑠. 𝐽𝑜𝑒𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒! 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠! 𝐺𝑎𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ.....𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦'𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟.
𝐺𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔!!!
- 𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑜𝑛 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑟
Purchase here:
US: amzn.to/2e8bzSG
UK: amzn.to/2euLvF9
𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑓𝑒𝑤 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑! 𝑆𝑦𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑧𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑧𝑦 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑠. 𝐽𝑜𝑒𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒! 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠! 𝐺𝑎𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ.....𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦'𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟.
Purchase here:
US: amzn.to/2e8bzSG
UK: amzn.to/2euLvF9
Monday, March 30, 2020
Travel In Your Mind
Black Forest Germany
Innsbruck Austria
Strasbourg France
Friday, March 27, 2020
Time Is A Gift
I know many of you who have been stuck at home are thinking, "I can't for life to go back to normal." Be careful what you wish for. Yes, it does stink that we can't get together with friends, go to the movies, head out to the mall...the normal everyday things we're so accustomed to. But think of the gift we've been given. TIME. No amount of money can buy it and now amount of wishing can bring it back. So use it wisely and make the most of it...one day you'll look back and see it was more valuable than anything you've ever owned.
If anything these past few weeks has taught us...it's that life can change in an instant. Be thankful for the time we have and the time we've been given to slow down and enjoy life...other's who are helping to fight this virus or are sickened by it are wishing they had it as well.
"𝘐𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘰. 𝘚𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯."
~ 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
I've Got A Little Secret...
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
A Lesson Learned...From My Dog.
Monday, March 16, 2020
Escape With a Book or Two or More...99 cents and Freebie!
Monday, March 9, 2020
Creativity Takes Courage
Be original, stay true to yourself, and don't be afraid of the criticism that may come from it.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
February has one extra day this year...
“Read this masterpiece of words that will take you on the ride of your life. Experience this emotional journey of a love so tangible that it escapes through your reading device and roots into your very core.”~ Amazon Review
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
I'll Be Seeing You Is On Sale
My mother once said that angels come in many forms: people, animals, insects, flowers or even objects. Some stay with us for just a short time, helping us through difficult times, others stay forever, deep inside our soul, carrying us from one moment to the next. I always wanted to believe it was true, that maybe in a world where there was so much bad, there was still hope for some good. As I grew older and the innocence of childhood waned, tainting my views on life, I was finding that perhaps it was just my mother’s way of feeding my young imagination. That all changed the day I met him.
You know that feeling you get deep inside your gut? The one that tells you something is dangerous, or something is meant to be. The one that sees the bad or good in a person before they even utter a single syllable to you. The one that rattles your very soul, making you question your own sanity because you know you must be completely mad for having such an intense connection to someone you’ve just met. That’s the feeling I had when I first saw him. It was so much more than his good looks, his charming personality and his caring ways. It was something unexplainable and unimaginable.
The first time we met, I felt it, and I was pretty certain he did too. Familiar strangers searching for someone, or something deep inside the other. Maybe I was losing my mind or maybe I was just caught up in a daydream of how I wished my life could be. But from the first moment I had gotten caught up in his gaze, I knew I had stared into those pale-blue eyes once before…maybe not in this lifetime, but perhaps a lifetime before.