Writing Marathons by Janice Seagraves

Writing Marathons

By Janice Seagraves

If you’re like me, you’re probably logging long periods of time on the keyboard getting your words down or maybe you’re patriating in the NaNoWriMo.

If so, here’s some helpful advice for keeping yourself healthy and comfortable during your writing marathon.

1. Remember to blink! Writing late into the night and staring at the screen for hours on end can dry out those peepers. So, don’t forget to blink.
2. Don’t ignore your body. That slight pressure now will build up to an intolerable pain later.
3. Drink water or some kind of fluid. Dehydration can be a real problem along with the other stuff I mentioned.
4. Wrapping your hands around a nice warm cup of tea or coffee can be very comforting.
5. Every so often get up and move around. Your back and legs will thank you later by not hurting so much.
6. Pace yourself. Rushing toward the ending can be an adrenaline rush, but it’ll make your back and neck hurt.
7. Get a massage. Night after night of long hours bent over the keyboard will make your back and neck hurt. Either pay for a massage at the mall or get a love one to massage your back and neck for you.
8. While getting the words down you might be forgoing sleep. That’s going to come back and bit you on the butt later, so try to get a few hours rest so you don’t look like a zombie and scare the kids.
9. Wear comfortable clothes. I recommend pajamas while writing long hours at the computer. They won’t bind you in the wrong places like Regular Street clothes will. Of course, if you’re writing at work your boss might be questioning your work attire, so be sensible and wear the PJ’s at home.
10. For Pete’s sake get a comfortable chair. I know some people’s funds are low, but your back will love you later if you just get the right chair.
11. Get a small stool to set a foot or both feet on. They also sell a slanted stool for computer use. I know I’m stressing back comfort, but I do have a chronic bad back, so take my lessons to heart if you’re having a similar problem.
12. If you like to nibble at the computer, try to find something that won’t clog up your keyboard with crumbs like popcorn or de-stemmed grapes.
13. If you like to listen to music while you write then I suggest using earphones, so you don’t bother your family and it’ll block out the endless whine of them asking you to rejoin the world of the living.

-----------------------------------

Windswept Shores Two Book Series

 

Blurb: The sole survivor of a plane crash, Megan is alone on a deserted island in the Bahamas. Then she finds a nearly-drowned man. Another survivor, this time from a boat wreck.
With only meager survival skill between them, will they survive these windswept shores and can they find love?
In trade paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4084680
And for the Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AS9NDNO

Excerpt:
His hand lingered on her shoulder. Her trembling vibrated up his arm. Blimey, she’s all shaken up.
“S’kay, she’ll be right.” He grabbed her sleeping pallet, pulled it over, slipping an arm around her waist.
Her body went rigid. “What are you doing?”
“Relax, mate, I’m not trying to get a leg over. You need a bit of comfort so you can go back to sleep. My mum would cuddle me when I’d have a howler of a nightmare. It’s nice to know you’re not alone.”
“So, I’m supposed to think of you like my mom or dad?”
“Or like yer husband if that’ll help?” He grinned in the dark, wondering what kind of reaction he was going to get.
“I think not.”
“I noticed you weren’t wearing a wedding ring. Is it because yer husband drowned?” His heart beat a little faster when he asked the question. He really wanted to know if he had a chance with her.
“No, he’s not drowned,” she snapped. “I lost my ring in the ocean, but I’m not sure when. I just looked down one day, it was gone.”
She’s in denial about her husband’s death. I reckon it’s too soon. A little disappointed, he decided to change subjects. “So, you got any ankle biters at home?”
“Two boys.”
“How old?” he asked. They must be missing their mum, poor little nippers.
“Joshua is twenty. He’s in college. Eli is eighteen and just graduated from high school.”
“Blimey, how long have you been married to your bloke?”
“Twenty-three years this January,” she said.
“How old are you?” He positioned his head where he could breathe in the scent of her hair, and inhaled a floral fragrance. How does she manage to smell fresh in a place like this?
Megan moved a bit forward. “Do you know that it’s considered very rude to inquire after a woman’s age?”
“Not where I’m from, so spill.” He scooted up some, placing his knees behind hers.
She pulled away. “Humph, well, okay I’m forty-two.”
“You’re still spunky.” He wondered how far she’d move until she ran out of room in her tiny shelter.
“Uh, spunky, thanks.” Megan rolled onto her back.
Blimey, she out maneuvered me. Seth was forced to move back, but kept his hand on her tummy.
“You got hitched when you were a young ‘un?” He quickly did the math. She’s a bit older than me. More of a challenge.
“Yeah, I got married at nineteen, but I knew what I wanted, or thought I did. Have you ever been married?”
“Got hitched once.”
“What happened?” she asked. Her bed rustled as she shifted position.
“We got into a blue, she told me to shove off, so I left. So that was the end of that.” His hand drifted to her rib cage.
“Any kids?” she asked, pushing his hand down.
“A son named Nick. He just turned six.”
“Okay, now you have to tell me how old you are.”
“I’m an old prawn. I just had my thirtieth birthday.”
“That’s not old, especially not for a man.”
“I’m starting to feel it when I surf,” he admitted, smoothing a wrinkle on her shirt.
“Oh, you’re a surfer?”
“Back in Uni I got caught up chasing the good breakers on Spring Break. I headed out from Cali to Baja, then from there to Florida. I became a Surfie. That’s what you’d call someone who surfs more than they work. Then I met this old bloke, Bill, in a pub. He’s from Oz too, or so I thought, but it turns out he’s an apple.”
“An apple?” she asked.
“He hails from Tasmania. I was broke doing odd jobs. Bill hired me to help on his fishing boat.”
“Wait a minute, Oz?”
“Oz, short for Australia,” he explained, moving his mouth toward where he thought her ear was, saying softly, “It’s in the sound Au`z-tralia—Oz.”
———————————
Trade paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4084680
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AS9NDNO
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/446101
Janice Seagraves’s website: http://janiceseagraves.org/

---

Windswept Shores Two

Blurb: Megan and Seth are finally rescued off their little island, but things are far from idyllic. Seth is arrested for murder, and Megan is order to return home to her philandering husband who is somehow still alive. Will they ever get back together again or see the life they envisioned?
Except:
“Megz, I thought you were going home?” Seth chided as she took the seat across from him at the old beat up wooden table.
“I have a flight in two hours. Time enough to see you before I leave.” She blinked back tears.
This is so unfair. This can’t be the last time I see him.
Megan folded her hands on the table. “We already checked out of the hotel, but I brought your luggage. The commissioner gave me the okay, so now you have a change of clothes for when you go in front of the judge. I also bought you a few necessities. Since soap and such are not provided, I was told it’s customary for family members to buy those items for the inmates.” She sat a white plastic bag on the table. “These have already been cleared for your use.”
He eyed the bag. “Did your boys pay for it?”
This is the last thing I can do for him, and he doesn’t want it? “Don’t you argue with me, Seth Dawson. You need these.” She fisted her hands. “I also put some money into an account here at the jail for anything else you might need.”
“Ta fer that, love. I’ll pay your sons back somehow.” Seth took one of her hands and uncurled her fingers. “I did want to see you one last time. I didn’t reckon with us parting this way. You to yer rotten bloke, and me here on charges.” He smiled. “Cuddling up on one of your siblings’ sofas sounded nice.”
“Crowded maybe, but we would’ve been together.”
“I heard you made a statement.”
“I did.” She sighed and looked down. I’m not sure what good it’ll do, Seth.
“Thanks for trying, love,” Seth murmured. “I don’t reckon on it being much since you didn’t know Bill before he died.”
“The commissioner said most of my statement is hearsay.” She shrugged. “The only thing I could really tell them was: Bill was dead when we found him and looked the same as the other drowning victims. Also, you never said a bad word about him and showed genuine grief at seeing his body.”
“Not much to go by.” Seth rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.
The slight touch sent a tingle through her, and she wanted to throw herself across the table at him. “The commissioner said he was going to contact the harbormaster where the Dinki-Di had been birthed to see if you two had gotten into any fights.”
“We didn’t.” Seth shook his head. “We got along.”
“Maybe he’ll make a statement too.”
“Gawd, I hope so,” Seth said. “I don’t have enough character references, being from out of town.”
“No, just me.” She tried to smile.
“And old Bill who’s gone.” He lifted her hand to kiss her fingers.
“Times up,” said a guard.
Megan stood and stared at Seth wanting to remember him. Not like this in the black and white jail clothes, but the way he was on the island, happily rumpled in his threadbare outfits.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/637092https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/637092
Buy Link: Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/Windswept-Shores-Two-survivors-story-ebook/dp/B01BPLNHTI/
Buy Link: Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.com/Windswept-Shores-Two-survivors-story-ebook/dp/B01BPLNHTI/

Back-to-School

I'm a life-long resident of Michigan. School starts after Labor Day. Well, some school districts in the Great Lakes State are taking a hard look at whether waiting until after the holiday is a good idea.

Michigan has a law on the books to prevent classes from starting until after that first Monday in September to promote tourism as long as possible for seasonal destinations. But, there are ways to get around it legally.

Since my spawn have all graduated from high school--and I've retired from teaching--I don't really care. I just want to take advantage of office supply sales.

And, when I say office supplies, I mean sticky notes, washi tape, good colored pencils, and fine-line markers that won't bleed through my Bullet Journal paper.

As matter of fact, I'm doing my September set-up in my spare moments (read: 10 or 15 minutes here & there, when I'm shifting gears).

September 2019 Bullet Journal Monthly Spread. Fall theme with hand-drawn to-go coffee cup with a little spill, a Mac laptop, vehicle, 'Fall is...', acorn & colored leaves across the bottom. A tree trunk is 'behind' the date boxes.

 I'm finishing up my current lined Bullet Journal and then I'll be switching to a dot-grid format. This is a B5-sized lined book, and it fits a fabric batik-looking cover purchased from a colleague--which increases the number of pockets for stickers!

Bullet Journal from March 2019. Washi tape dividers and stickers to accent. Weekdays (Friday) is a full page and Saturday & Sunday are on one page. 

Back in March, I was using Washi tape like it was the best thing since sliced bread (it is...). But, I learned over the course of the year, that the Washi made my BuJo thicker and the front cover started peeling away. The new dot-grid BuJo is spiral bound, so we should prevent that from happening. And, I'm drawing instead of using Washi as dividers.

Bulled Journal spread. Each day gets its own page because I wear so many hats. 

What I like most about using a Bullet Journal is that I can customize it for me. Any appointments I have for the day go in the top section. The second section (where there's writing) is for my dayjob tasks.  I track editing I need to accomplish for others in the third section. Sometimes--if I don't have any editing projects happening--I use that space for notes about a story I'm working on or other ideas. The fourth section is for my writing tasks. I found stickers on Etsy that have a box for Word Count and I add those daily.

The bottom section is for health tracking. If I have a particularly painful day, I make notes of sleep, eating, exercise, and weather to help track the ups and downs of the rheumatoid arthritis. I'm the first to admit this section doesn't get as much love as it should. I'm working on integrating something more artistic in the upcoming months. 

How do you stay organized?

It' a Peachy Day!

History of the Peach

You didn’t know the peach had a history, did you? Because today August 24, is National Peach Pie Day (and who doesn’t love peach pie?), I thought I’d find out all I could about the summertime favorite, the peach. Here’s what Wikipedia says:

The peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree native to the region of Northwest China between the Tarim Basin and the north slopes of the Kunlun Shan mountains, where it was first domesticated and cultivated. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach or a nectarine. The People’s Republic of China is the world’s largest producer of peaches. (I sure didn’t know the peach originated in China, and I thought the largest peach producer was the state of Georgia).

Peach and nectarines are the same species, even though they are regarded commercially as different fruits. In contrast to peaches, whose fruits present the characteristic fuzz on the skin, nectarines are characterized by the absence of fruit-skin trichomes (fuzz-less fruit); genetic studies suggest nectarines are produced due to a recessive allele, whereas peaches are produced from a dominant allele for fuzzy skin. Source: Wikipedia.

The peach was brought to India and Western Asia in ancient times. Peach cultivation also went from China, through Persia, and reached Greece by 300 BC. Alexander the Great introduced the fruit into Europe after he conquered the Persians. Peaches were well known to the Romans in first century AD, and were cultivated widely in Emilia-Romagna. Peach trees are portrayed in the wall paintings of the towns destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD, while the oldest known artistic representations of the fruit are in the two fragments of wall paintings, dated back to the 1st century AD, in Herculaneum, now preserved in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Source: Wikipedia

Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought the peach to the Americas, and the fruit eventually made it to England and France in the 17th century, where it was a prized and expensive treat. During Queen Victoria’s reign, peaches were served in fancy cotton napkins at the end of meals.

Spanish settlers brought peaches to Florida, where the Cherokee and Iroquois learned to grow them. Cherokee and Iroquois traders sold peach seeds farther west, and peach seeds crossed the North American continent to meet up with peach trees planted by Spanish settlers in Arizona and California.

The horticulturist George Minifie supposedly brought the first peaches from England to its North American colonies in the early 17th century, planting them at his Estate of Buckland in Virginia. Although Thomas Jefferson had peach trees at Monticello, United States farmers did not begin commercial production until the 19th century in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia and finally Virginia.

There you have it. If your mouth is watering as you consider eating a sweet, juicy peach, here’s an easy peach recipe I love to make. I don’t make pies because I’m a lousy baker, and pies are above my skill set. However, this recipe is so easy, even I don’t mess it up.

Peach Crostata

Preheat oven to 425F. In a large bowl, toss 1 pound peaches, peeled and thinly sliced, with 3 Tbsp. brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1/8 tsp. ground ginger, and a pinch of salt. Unroll 1 refrigerated ready-to-use piecrust (for 9-in. pie) on cookie sheet. Arrange peach mixture on crust, leaving 2-in. border; fold border over filling. Bake 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden. Serves 4. Enjoy!

For something peachy keen to read while you’re enjoying your Peach Crostata, I recommend Hot Fun In the Summertime: A Limited Edition Romance Books 4 Us Collection.

The weather is heating up, but it's not just the sun and the sand which will keep you hot.

This summer anthology brought to you by the authors of Romance Books 4 Us will bring temperatures to your eReader that will set unheard of heat records. Burning the tips of your fingers while you turn the pages.

Sultry temperatures.
Passionate couples.
Unbelievable desire.

This is your ticket to... Hot Fun in the Summer Time.

Including:
Just Tell Me What You Want by Tina Donahue
Second Chance at Love by Marianne Stephens
Curating Love by Cara Marsi
Pleasure Quest by Tina Donahue
Ripped at the Seams by Deelylah Mullin
Building Up To Love by Joanne Jaytanie
Nailed by Cindy Spencer Pape
More Than Friends (Friends to Lovers Book 1) by Krista Ames
Cowgirls Don't Cry by Janice Seagraves
Dare to Feel by Nicole Morgan
Firecracker by Desiree Holt

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Fun-Summer-Time-Limited-ebook/dp/B07RRRZP2Q/

Writing Dark Sci Fi - With a Friend

I've known the fabulous Kallista Dane for a few years, and am one of her editors, but last winter she asked me if I'd like to write a little something with her. Beyond honored, I of course said yes and for the past eight months have been writing the Centauri Captives series.

I've done world bilding on my own before, but it's amazing to connect with another author who can finish my sentences. Literally. Our vision for the Arythian warriors, cut adrift in space after their planet was destroyed by evil villains has been such a match. Science fiction romance has always been one of my favorite genres, and I  gobble the stories of authors like Cara Bristol and Renee Rose, so it's an extra pleasure to be able to spend time in a world of our own.

This month we have a free book as well! There is a newsletter signup but you won't be spammed, promise.  Here is the link for His Captive Bride. It's a follow up to His Captive Human, catching up with the characters of Jess and Mantsk and it made me cry...twice. Anyway, enjoy! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/po884xa4bg

The series to date is available for purchase here.

I hope you're having a fabulous summer, and not getting too overheated. We still have a few months of hot here in SoCal, if it goes as usual, so lots more time to BBQ and leave all the windows open and have a good reason not to turn the oven on. 

And in that spirit, one of our favorite summer meals is chili dogs! When the weather is cool, I make chili a lot and always freeze some for later. It's fast and easy and I usually manage to get the fam to eat a veggie with it, but they have no idea how many are already in that chili. Sneaky/effective! I like to add zucchini and carrots, sometimes green beans, sweet potato is amazin in chili, too. And of course corn that I can't hide bu they don't mind at all. 

Do you have a favorite summer meal? I'd love to hear it in the comments.

Have a great August, and chat with you in September!

It's The Season To Buy A Pen

It’s Back to School season. Parents are busy preparing their children for the school year. But I don’t have children. I have nieces and nephews. The lack of little ones doesn’t prevent me from enjoying this time of a year.

I admit it. I love stationary. I love a new pen. I love a sharpen pencil. I love folders and notebooks. And I’m not alone. Many writers love all this stuff. After all most of us wrote our first stories on loose leaf paper. I remember writing my stories and tuck them nice and tight in my Trapper Keeper or a folder that was never far from me.

Now that I’m an adult that childhood rush of pleasure hasn’t faded. I spend the month of August going from store to store. I have more notebooks, pen, pencils and other such things that I can need but that doesn’t stop me from buying more. I mean my obsession is so bad that as I plan a trip to Japan I know that I will be hitting up the stationary stores located there. They have some of the best. I want to explore Itoya. It has twelve—12 floors. 

Why do writers love this stuff? The closest reason for this love is one very meaningful word—possibilities. A clean sheet of paper brims with it. A pen or pencil is a tool to create characters, worlds, and have adventures. So while kids are gathering their supplies to jot down notes, us writers are doing it for possibilities that await us. 

Do you share this love or do you have one that makes sense to only you?

#NewRelease #Alert - The #SoldiersofFortune are back with an all new installment #RB4U #SOF #Romance #Suspense

S.O.F.: Soldiers of Fortune

A Romance Books 4 Us World (Volume Book 2)

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TKZQDF4/

Universal Link/Landing Page:

https://www.romancecollections.com/sof-rb4uworld

Rhett Fortune settled on the small parcel of land he purchased in 1858 with his wife Clara and founded the beautiful landscape that surrounded his newly built home and what is now known as Fortune, TX. A veteran of the United States Army and as a Colonel who served with honor in the Mexican-American War, Rhett and Clara raised a large family. Sons and daughters, and grandchildren to follow, their clan grew throughout the decades.

Now in the 21st Century, two of their descendants remain at the helm. Chance Fortune, a former member of the Army’s Delta Force and co-founder of Soldiers of Fortune, has an innate duty to serve and protect. Working with his brother, RJ Fortune, a former Navy SEAL and wounded warrior, they take the cases that their government won’t. And vow to protect the civilians that no one else can.

They have quietly put out the word and now, after three years, other former brothers-in-arms have contacted them bringing situations that span not only the country but the globe. On Fortune family land they have built a facility out of the public eye for their office, a helicopter, a gun range, and whatever else they might need.

They are the Soldiers of Fortune… and these are their stories.

Sacrifice: Part 2 by Nicole Morgan

Ever Since she entered the picture, his mission has changed.

Operation Undercover by Krista Ames

Don’t get caught under the covers.

Killing Me Softly by Deelylah Mullin

With only gunfire and each other to keep them company, can Jorden and Luke save the innocents without complicating things?

Dogs of Fortune by Joanne Jaytanie

The mission is clear, and this time Zane has no intention of leaving anyone behind.

Prologues and Epilogues by Marianne Stephens

I've often wondered if readers enjoy reading prologues and epilogues in romance books. As a reader, I like reading a prologue, especially if it sets up the story. Reading epilogues gives a future "look" into the hero and heroine's tale and takes me beyond the "Happily-Ever-After" ending so I can witness for myself just how their future unfolded.

In Streets of Dreams I used a prologue popped into my head as the best way to gain reader attention right away. The prologue is in the killer's point of view, and I hoped it would capture a reader's immediate attention.

Epilogues. I've written one in a nonfiction book (Luke: the Miracle Dog). After I finished my last chapter, I sensed a "need" to tell a little more about what happened in the future.

As I mentioned above, I like reading both prologues and epilogues. I like that glimpse into the past and future. A prologue can eliminate some "backstory" insertions in the book so can be helpful to the writer. Epilogues can be helpful for those writing a series...an author can use this technique to hint at the next series book and inspire curiosity and interest. Or, for single titles, it can just give the reader a "little something extra" about what happens after that final chapter.


What do you prefer? Do you enjoy reading/writing Prologues? Epilogues? Both? Neither?

Marianne Stephens

http://www.mariannestephens.net

http://www.romancebooks4us.com 

Photos: Flickr: Tiago Ribeiro and Ryan Kendrick Smith's photostreams.

Kilt Season!

It's Renaissance Faire time in Michigan, and in my household, that means one thing for the Pape males. Get yer kilts on!

There’s something about a man in a kilt that fires the imagination of women all over the world. Is it the ability to see strong, sexy legs? The curiosity about what he’s wearing underneath? There’s a lot of speculation about why, but my personal belief is that wearing a kilt signifies a man with the courage and cockiness to risk being called “girly” by his peers. That kind of confidence can’t help but be sexy.

Fantasy look with kilts & doublets,
plus Irish Heritage tartan shawl

The wearing of the kilt as we know it has undergone a lot of changes through history. First of all, it was originally a Highland-only garment, considered primitive, even barbarous by Lowland Scots. However, Connor, in one of my steampunk books, Cards and Caravans is certainly a Lowlander. Yet he does wear a kilt. That’s because Queen Victoria, who adored all things Scottish, popularized the garment so much that during her reign, even many English nobles got in on the act. This is when the idea of specific clan-only tartans was truly solidified. Our Scottish Knights of the Round Table certainly wouldn’t have let those pesky Englishmen steal a march on such a symbol of Scotland. So in the world of the Gaslight Chronicles, the MacKay men are proudly kilted.

Modern kilts worn as formal wear with Prince Charlie waistcoats
and jackets, bow ties or 

Along with their popularity, kilts themselves have changed over the years. Originally, the garment was little more than a blanket—a long piece of wool, pleated and held around the waist with a leather belt and at the shoulder with a heavy pin. It could be worn up as a cloak or left to hang from the waist in warm weather. Underneath, the leine, a waist-length shirt was often made of heavy canvas and even quilted for additional protection from elements or enemies. Today, we call this a great-kilt, and you can often see them at Renaissance fairs. The great kilts shown is an inexpensive American fabric-store plaid, not any particular tartan.

Great kilts--more or less.

The modern kilt was first seen about 1725, and consists of just the bottom part of the great kilt, but with the pleats sewn into the waistband, which usually fastens with straps and buckles. The flat front pieces overlap, so there are two layers in front, and the pleats in back. Sometimes a scarf-like fly plaid is worn from the shoulder to hearken back to the look of the great kilt. The loden-green argyle jacket shown here is from the late Victorian era, but any tweed coat can be worn by day, and a black Prince Charlie coat turns the modern kilt into evening wear. The purple plaid shown here is Pride of Scotland, a festival plaid that may be worn by everyone. The green is Irish Heritage.

Victorian styles--Nightwatch Tartan with green antique argyle waistcoat
 and jacket, Irish Heritage kilt with fly plaid and tan waistcoat.

Finally, the newest evolution in the kilt is the utility kilt, or commando kilt. These are made of heavy cotton fabrics or even leather and often have pockets. Worn by everyone from punk rockers to construction workers, these continue to gain in popularity. Typically worn with combat or work boots, or even sneakers, and modern casual shirts. The one here is being used as part of a steampunk costume.

 

Incidentally, the idea that one shouldn’t wear anything under a kilt has been denied by the Scottish Tartan Authority. Tartans Authority director Brian Wilton said kilt wearers should have the "common sense" to realise they should wear underwear beneath their country's national dress. While some modern kilt wearers like the idea of swinging free in the breeze, others, including the “models” in each of these pictures, comment that sitting on rough benches and hay bales at festivals is something you don’t want to do while “regimental.”

Fantasy skirt and kilt made by SHOPTROLL.
Photo by Russ Turner Photography

A New Release in My Montana Bounty Hunters Series! And Hello! (Contest)

I'm new to Romance Books '4' Us! Thanks to the ladies for inviting me to join you here! If you've never "met" me, I've been publishing since 2003, which makes me feel really, really old when I say that. I have nearly two hundred published stories, some through publishing houses, some self-published. I've always written romance, but I tend to jump around in genres. Currently, I'm writing a lot of SEALs and bounty hunters. In fact, I have a brand new story out that you might want to check out...

The new story lives in my sister’s Brotherhood Protectors world as well as being a Montana Bounty Hunter story. Also, this is the third time this couple has been the center of their own story. If you want to catch up on what Jamie and Sky have been up to, grab your copies of the books below. They aren’t long—novelette length, really. Meant to be gobbled up in a single evening.

Jamie & Sky’s Romantic Journey

I first introduced them in Big Sky SEAL, which was a crossover between Elle James's Brotherhood Protectors world and my Uncharted SEALs series, and which provided the first glimpse of the Montana Bounty Hunters. Complicated, enough? Not really. It’s a sexy, funny story and you also get your first taste of Reaper, who is my favorite MBH character!

A former military police dog handler, Jamie Burke, along with her former bomb dog Tessa, are still trying to adjust to civilian life. With a jaded, testy personality, Jamie has few friends. Now, a bounty hunter, she’s tasked to help federal and local law enforcement search for an escaped terrorist in the Crazy Mountains of Montana. Former SEAL, Sky Reynolds can’t believe Jamie Burke is part of the task force. The last time he saw her was in Afghanistan. Back then, he’d thought he never stood a chance with the pretty, ballsy blonde, sure she had someone waiting for her back home. But here she was, still single, still prickly as hell. Assigned to stick close to her and her dog Tessa during the hunt, he’ll use the situation to get close. This time, he’s not letting her slip away. When Jamie’s captured by the terrorist, it’s up to Sky, his fellow SEALs and her motley crew of bounty hunters to save her…

Get your copy here!
And hey, if you are a KU subscriber, you can read it for free!

Then there was…Head Over SEAL, which was another Uncharted SEALs story.

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Happy Ever After for a SEAL and a bounty hunter requires true dedication…

A former military dog handler, now Montana bounty hunter, Jamie Burke’s still trying to adjust to life with a live-in boyfriend. With a testy personality, Jamie’s circle of friends is very small, and includes one very loyal canine best friend. Which is how she likes it. She also likes uncomplicated, but her feelings for her boyfriend, Sky Reynolds, are anything but simple. With ex-SEAL Sky away on a weeks-long mission, she jumps at the chance to work with the Charter Group again, happy to do anything to keep her too busy to worry about him. She heads to Mexico with her dog Tessa to be part of a team working to discover the whereabouts of a cache of weapons stolen from the Army. She’s thrilled when Sky meets her at the airport. However, Sky’s not happy Jamie’s in the middle of this op. Having nearly lost her months before, he’s going to stick close. Not a tough job it turns out, since they’re staking out a beachside mansion from the mansion next door. Things heat up as they reconnect, but Jamie and Sky both worry about their future, until a cartel arms dealer arrives and bigger worries mount…

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Big Sky Wedding is here!

Finally,we get to see Jamie and Sky tie the knot in Big Sky Wedding, which is out today!! 

Sky Reynolds knows that he and Jamie Burke are perfect for each other. Both prior-military, they met while they were stationed in the desert, and fate brought them back together in the Montana mountains. They love working together, love everything about the new life they share, however, for some reason Jamie's been dragging her feet regarding wedding plans. 

After a particularly stressful time, they take a break. Sky heads out on a mission in the Gulf with the Brotherhood Protectors, and Jamie's chasing a dangerous felon through the woods with her tracking dog, Tessa. Sky and Jamie have time to think about what's really important, and when Sky returns and joins her on the trail, he has a plan to give Jamie the wedding of her dreams.

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