IRISH AMERICANS

Top o’ the morning to ye! It may not be morning where you are, but the best to you no matter what time of day you’re here. If someone greets you with "Top o' the morning" then your response should be "And the rest o' the day to yourself."

The only place I love almost as well as the United States is Ireland. Please let me introduce you to a few facts on Ireland and Irish-Americans before I remind you about my western historical, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE in print and e-book from The Wild Rose Press.

Maureen O'Hara

Irish-Americans have made considerable contributions in the United States from Charles Carroll III (the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence) to Andrew Jackson to Sandra Day O’Connor. My favorite is Maureen Fitzsimmons, whose name was shortened to O’Hara. (Maureen O’Hara holds dual citizenship with the United States and Ireland.) Irish-Americans fought in our wars from the American Revolution forward. In fact, John Coleman, an Irish sailor on Henry Hudson’s Half Moon was killed by Indians in 1609 at what is now Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

Irish immigrants waiting to depart

When the infamous potato famine struck and millions in Ireland literally starved to death, there was a mass immigration of Irish into the United States. Due to their poor education, they were looked down on by many. At the time, it was against the law for Irish to learn to read and write. Only the English could attend Irish schools. The Irish’s only education came from “hedgerow” schools in which someone would teach a small group of children behind a hedgerow using a stick to draw on the ground. Anyone caught teaching Irish children to read and write was jailed.


You ask: What does this have to do with romance novels? Thank you, I’m so-o-o glad you asked!


When I was researching for THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, I became even more enthralled with Ireland and the Irish role in my home state of Texas. Many of our pioneers were Irish or of Irish ancestry. In fact, some of my ancestors came from Ireland, or from Scotland to Northern Ireland and then to the United States. 

Because of the lack of schooling, the book's Irish heroine Cenora Rose O’Neill (who may look suspiciously like a young Maureen O’Hara) cannot read cursive and reads only a little in print. Hero Dallas McClintock reads most evenings and values education. This difference causes only one of the many conflicts that arise in the book. (Shameless ploy to tempt you to buy this book.)


Cenora and her family had fallen in with a group of Irish Travelers. The Travelers, or tinkers, are descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland telling myths and stories. At that time, they were respected, learned, and welcome everywhere. Travelers have their own cant or language called Sheldroo, which is linked to the medieval language of the minstrels. Although I'm sure many modern travelers are fine folks, the ones who make the news are of the scandalous type. And perhaps you've seen the TV series "My Big Fat Irish Wedding" and have been puzzled by the attitudes of the brides and their families. 

At the time of Cromwell’s English occupation, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. Homeless Irish families drifted in with the traveling minstrels and eventually became the Irish Travelers. They camped in fields. Later they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons, such as the ones used in my novel (see lower right on the gorgeous cover for a depiction). I was fortunate enough to see a couple of these wagons in museums when my husband and I were in Ireland and Scotland. Unbelievably compact, the wagons are brightly painted inside and out.

Available from The Wild Rose Press

Reviews for THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE have been extremely gratifying. For instance, Night Owl Reviews gave it a Top Pick.

"Dialogs are fantastic as the O'Neill family still speaks as if they are still in Ireland. The wording is such that you can hear the brogue. Even better are the blessings and toasts that are shared as well as customs and superstitions. What starts as a clash in cultures becomes a fantastic story. Just when you thought a happily ever after was just around the corner, another corner appears. What should have been a simple, sweet love story developed into a complex family affair...I want more! Fantastic historical set in cowboy country."

Authors love it when a reviewer "gets" what the writer has tried to convey as the Night Owl reviewer did!

In THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas McClintock, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. She believes a fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.

Dallas McClintock

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora. As much as he resents the forced marriage, he is not a man who ever goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, and chatters endlessly. But passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives him crazy.


Here’s an excerpt from the wedding in THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. (Aoife is Dallas's new mother-in-law):


Dallas raised his gaze where Aoife directed. Four girls danced, but only one drew his attention. Shoulders straight and feet flying, Cenora met his glance, then broke away from the other dancers to perform only a few yards from him.
 

Cenora Rose O'Neill

Catcalls sounded nearby. She ignored them but gave a toss of her head. Her hair had come unbound, and her act sent her fiery hair awhirl. Light from the blazing campfire cast an aura-like radiance around her. Lantern glow overhead reflected her eyes sparked with merriment, challenge, and something mysterious he couldn’t name.


No longer the delicate china doll, her wild beauty called to him, mesmerized him. He visualized her brilliant tresses spread across a pillow, her milky skin bared only for him. His body responded, and savage desire shot through him. Surprised at the depth of his reaction, he wondered if her performance in bed would parallel the unbridled nature of her dance.


Good Lord, could this glorious woman truly be his wife? And if so, heaven help him, what on earth was he to do with her?


I hope you’ll read and enjoy THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. The buy link in print and e-book  is www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html. Of course, it's also available at Amazon, Digi-Books, and other online stores. You can find me on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon as Caroline Clemmons, and on Twitter as CarolinClemmons (no E in Caroline).

Now here's an real Irish blessing to send you on your way:

Those things I warmly wish for you-

Someone to love,
Some work to do,
A bit O' sun,
A bit O' cheer,
And a guardian angel always near.

That's my wish for you this Thanksgiving season. Thanks for stopping by!

DIVE INTO OUT OF THE BLUE

Years ago an editor said she would like to see a heroine from the past come forward in a time travel. I had enjoyed the time travels Maureen Child wrote as Kathleen Kane, so I thought I’d give paranormal a try. By the time I finished my manuscript, the editor had moved to another line, but OUT OF THE BLUE found a happy home at The Wild Rose Press.

Because Ireland is a favorite travel destination for my husband and me, an Irish heroine popped into my head. I wanted a nurturing heroine, so Deirdre Dougherty is an herbal healer and also a clairvoyant in 1845. Her mother died a week ago, and now a local bully has turned many of Deirdre’s neighbors against her. The bully, Eogan, blames Deirdre for the failure of the potato crop and incites others in their tiny, remote village to label her a witch. They set fire to Deirdre's cottage. She has been planning to leave and has her haversack packed, but she is spotted before she can escape. Her only escape is the sea, so she leaps off the cliff while praying for deliverance--and plops down OUT OF THE BLUE into a Texas lake over 165 years later. Is she ever confused. How can she convince Brendan and his mom she's from traveled through time when she can't believe it herself?

Brendan in front
of his townhouse

Who would be least likely to believe in clairvoyance and time travel? I decided a Texas police detective would scoff at either possibility. Perfect! I wanted to force Brendan Hunter to grasp that there are more things in heaven and on earth than man can understand. Why not lead him a traumatic chase? He is already on medical leave while he recovers from wounds received from a drive-by that killed his partner and best friend. He certainly doesn’t need a crazy woman claiming to be from the past. Or, does he?

Confidentially, just between us two, my favorite character is Brendan’s mom, Blossom Hunter. She was a late-blooming hippie who lived in a commune turned cooperative farm in California. The farm is where she met Brendan’s dad, but that's a long story. Now bubbly, optimistic Blossom owns a health food store, which makes her sort of a modern version of Deirdre. The two women become good friends immediately. Of course, Brendan thinks he has to protect his mom from this psycho who plopped OUT OF THE BLUE beside his bass boat and claims she is from another time and has visions.


Deirdre


Together, Deirdre and Brendan discover who tried to kill him, who killed his partner, and who framed Brendan for theft and murder. Two of my favorite places are Ireland and Texas. Combining them in OUT OF THE BLUE made me happy. I hope reading my effort makes you happy, too. If it does, please post a review on Amazon. If you don't like my book, then--shhhhh--let's keep it our secret, okay? 

Here’s an excerpt after Deirdre is almost kidnapped by two killers. The men told her what they’d do when she was their prisoner before they killed her. When Brendan’s appearance thwarted their attempt, the men promised to return and carry out their threats. Deirdre is still frightened even after Brendan takes her to Blossom’s home, where Deirdre is staying. Brendan's staying there, too, since the little incident at his townhouse. Oh, yeah, that's a long story, too:

She pulled his shirt loose from his slacks. “I know you’re an honorable man who doesn’t dally with women like me, but I must insist on this.”


“There are no other women like you.” He took a step back. “Deirdre, stop and think what you’re asking. It’s not a small thing.”


She took his hand and pulled him toward his room. “I’ve thought of nothing else since you saved me.” She offered him a slow smile, throwing her untried powers of seduction into it, feeble as her wiles might be. “In fact, I’ve thought of it since the day I came here.” They were in his room and she locked the door behind them.


He chuckled. “You mean after you learned I’m not really a demon?”


She stopped when they reached his bed. “Mmm, I’m not so sure you aren’t. You must be a wizard at least, else how did you enchant me with your spell?” She unbuttoned his shirt and slid her hands against his skin.


He caught her wrists. “Deirdre, you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s no going back from this once we’ve been together. Some things can’t be undone.”


“I may not know exactly how this works, but sure and I’m a quick learner. Everyone says so.” She shoved him hard and he fell backward on the bed. While the surprise was still on her side, she pounced beside him. “Is this the way?” She leaned down and kissed him.


His lips were sweet as honey cakes. His arms slid around her and he returned her kiss. When she parted her mouth for him, he rolled so he was over her, never taking his lips from hers.


She realized he knew a lot about lovemaking. At first it annoyed her to think of him like this with other women. But she decided it best that one of them knew how to proceed. Understanding how coupling worked was not the same as experience.


His hands caressed her and before she knew it, she was out of her blouse and the confining bra. He kissed along her jaw, then to her neck and then—Blessed Saints!—he kissed her breast. She moaned with pleasure as he pulled the peak into his mouth and suckled. Heat built in her private place and she felt moisture gather there.


Heaven could be no more glorious than this moment. Or so she thought. Then he slid his hand between her legs and slowly up to where her thighs met. When his finger dipped inside her, she gasped.


His finger moved in and out with the same timing as his tongue against her peaked nipple. Heat inside her flamed hotter and hotter until she feared she’d melt. As if by their own free will, her hips moved to meet his delving finger. Great power gathered in her, threatening to burst free. She feared she might expire from the passion. Instead, the ecstasy inside her exploded and showered her with a million stars.


She cried, “Sweet mercy, Brendan, I never knew.” Then she melted against the pillow and sheets.


He raised his head to meet her gaze. His eyes were dark with passion, his face flushed with desire. “Are you ready for more?”


“More. Yes, more.” Deirdre said.


Brendan gathered his willpower and made one more try. “Honey, we haven’t...gone too far to stop now. Any more and I won’t be able to—“


She placed her fingers on his mouth. “Please, Brendan. Even if you don’t care for me as a lover and never want me again, let me have this now.”


How could he resist that plea? Especially when she asked what he desperately needed. “You know I care for you.” He tugged his belt loose and kicked off his jeans and shoes. He was rock hard and tented his briefs.


She gasped. “Oh, my.”


He figured she’d be scared off and braced himself for her change of mind. Lord, he didn’t think he could bear it if she halted their lovemaking.

OUT OF THE BLUE is available in print and e-book at The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html


Amazon buy link is http://www.amazon.com/Out-Blue-Caroline-Clemmons/dp/1601547447/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321377205&sr=1-11

Thanks for stopping by!

CAREFUL, OR YOU WILL END UP IN MY NOVEL

By Stephanie Suesan Smith

It is a cliché that when an author has a new book released those around her rush to read it and see if they are a character in the book.  It is a cliché because it is often true. The muse doesn’t throw a plot into our brains using things totally unfamiliar to us.  “Write what you know,” we are told.  That is correct, up to a point. The saying doesn't imply you should spill everything you know.

The caveat applies because sometimes what we know is too emotionally laden to allow us to write objectively.  Although we pour our blood, sweat, and tears into our writing, we must edit ruthlessly and eliminate anything that does not further the plot.  Characters or situations we are too close to make editing hard.

Recently my parents and I were discussing a book I had read by a well-known author.  When asked for my opinion of the book, I replied, “It's a spite book.”  I meant the book was obviously a plot taken from a relatively recent and still painful event in the author’s life and had real venom in it. 

Spite doesn't
serve authors
well

I do not know if the book was written to exorcise the event or retaliate, but the book was not very good.  Spite doesn’t allow us to be objective and know when the plot is thin, worn, or just needs to go somewhere else.

Erma Bombeck,
American humorist
who mentioned her
family in books
and columns

Things, or people, we love can also cloud our judgment.  Erma Bombeck was a famous humor author who wrote about her domestic disasters in columns and books.  Sometimes, her family objected to the things she wrote, considering them too personal.  She always replied that if they didn’t like what she wrote they could get their own columns and write what they wanted.  Fortunately for us, most of our loved ones do not write humor columns.

Thinking about how what we write will impact family and friends is a consideration.  If you model a character after someone then have the character do something evil, the real person might suffer repercussions.  Better to make up your villains, or at least model them after someone you do not have to live with every day.



We love our pets
 but don't gush
 in print

 Love can make us paint a hero or heroine as perfect or gush over a dog or cat. Somehow these emotion-laden characters always come out as two dimensional figures that do not ring true.  I have a drawer full of dog stories that are just too mushy to use.  Many romance authors have similar drawers with heroines that are, as my mother puts it, “too stupid to live.”  These are like the kids in horror movies that open the door to investigate the strange noise even after seeing a friend eaten.

Writing what you know is good advice, but in-depth research to supplement your knowledge pays off.  When you know something backwards and forwards, your writing will have detail and depth that someone who has only a cursory knowledge of the same subject cannot match. Be careful, however, when writing about emotionally laden things in your own life as part of your character’s life. 

Vengeance and adoration are for poetry, not for plots.  The reader, especially the reader who knows your writing well, can tell when those emotions are too heavily involved in your books.  They detract from the plot and jar the reader out of their willing suspension of disbelief. Too much of that, and you lose your readers.

Stephanie Suesan Smith, Ph.D. avoids these problems by writing plotless nonfiction on gardening, woodworking, photography, and other subjects.  The brave can read her website, Information Central.

IDEAS INTO BOOKS

People often ask authors where we get our ideas. My friend Bobbye Terry (who also writes as Daryn Cross) answers that she gets hers from a small idea factory in Ohio. Yes, she does have a fun sense of humor. I sometimes say a fairy sprinkles magic dust onto my keyboard. In reality, even the smallest event can present the kernel of an idea.

For instance, when I was a student at Lubbock High School, I took theater. My teacher, Mr. Black, was terrific as an instructor and as a person. He and his wife were on their way back to Lubbock from Dallas when they encountered a fierce rainstorm. In a basically flat terrain, heavy rains produce flash floods as the water heads for the usually shallow creek- and riverbeds.

Between the Texas towns of Snyder and Post (founded by cereal magnate C.W. Post), the railway is built on a raised earthwork dike that acts as a dam for floodwaters as roiling torrents rush for the local fork of the Brazos River and to Sandy Creek. Mr. Black was driving through this water and watched in horror as a watertight VW bug was swept away. Fortunately, the VW lodged on the railway bank. Mr. Black was in an old, old (teachers don’t make much money) Renault, and water came in one door and exited the other. Still a frightening experience for he and his wife, but they made it home safely.

Aurora

Years and years later, my husband and I were returning from visiting our parents in Lubbock and heading toward home in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. We passed by the spot mentioned above after a downpour. It reminded me of Mr. Black’s story, and started me thinking. What if a woman traveling through this area was caught in a downpour like that? What if she was able to leave her car, but the vehicle was swept away? What if she had to walk along the railroad looking for help?


That’s how Aurora O’Shaunessy leaped from my imagination into a book called BE MY GUEST. She’s on her way to Colorado with the intention of buying a gift shop from a family friend. Aurora has definite plans for her life. This stage doesn’t include romantic complications. First, she wants to get her business firmly under control, perhaps then she will be open to love. Hmmm, when did life ever follow our plans?



Rancher Will

 One Sunday the newspaper had a feature on an elderly rancher whose horse fell, trapping the rancher on a red ant bed. Ouch! The horse was all right, but the rancher--in addition to numerous ant stings--broke his leg. His fighting spirit allowed him complete recovery. But what if the rancher was young and handsome? What if he was a widower with a child? Enter Will Harrison, a rancher whose wife died of leukemia. At least he has his daughter Kelly, his ranch, and extended family. But when a beautiful woman is his guest and the floodwaters have them cut off from the rest of the world, he realizes his family is right. Although he'll always love his wife, it’s time to move on. Can he convince Aurora to give up Colorado and remain with him?


Available on Smashwords
and Amazon Kindle


In reality, the small idea factory is not in Ohio, but in the writer’s imagination. We can’t help ourselves--everything makes us think PLOT! Every news story, documentary, non-fiction book, and family story fuels our muses. BE MY GUEST was first published by Kensington. Now that the rights hav reverted to me, I’ve published it on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle for only 99 cents.

Here’s an excerpt from BE MY GUEST:

The clock on the dashboard displayed one o'clock when Aurora was free to concentrate on lunch in Snyder. Clouds gathered and rumbled with thunder over the West Texas town. Aurora's empty stomach rumbled with them. After a hazardous morning, fatigue overshadowed her usually cheerful nature. She passed by the fast food places before she spotted the family restaurant recommended to her by the Texas State Trooper a few minutes ago.

Cars and trucks filled the parking lot. What a lucky break, she thought, when she spotted illuminated taillights and a car backed out of the prime parking slot at the entrance. Aurora saw the lone man in the dusty red pickup truck facing her, waiting for the space. He sat in the very same type and color truck used by two ruffians who had terrorized her earlier in the morning. Although she knew this man could not be one of those two men, an unreasonable anger bubbled up in her directed toward all cowboys, especially those in red trucks.

Her normally pleasant nature turned aggressive and she zipped the Mustang into the vacated park before the less maneuverable truck could occupy the space. The man honked the truck horn at her as she got out of her car. She just smiled and blew him a saucy kiss as she hurried into the restaurant. After all, any real gentleman would have let a lady have the only space in the first place, she told her nagging conscience.


Her conscience would not be quieted so easily. She must be in shock from her morning encounter. Never had she acted so rudely. Regretting her impetuous actions already, she thanked goodness the exchange occurred with a stranger and not someone she might meet again.


Seated in the corner booth, Aurora ordered a hamburger, French fries, and a large Dr Pepper. While she waited for her food, she reviewed the items listed under the town of Snyder in her Texas guidebook. Suddenly, she sensed someone standing beside her booth. As she looked up--and up--a huge cowboy with most of his left leg in a cast leaned his crutches against the side of the booth. He slid onto the seat beside her, which pinned her in the booth with him.


Aurora scooted to the right as far as possible. "Hey, who do you think you are? This is my booth, and no one invited you to share it with me!"


"Your car's sitting in my parking space, so I'll sit in your booth," he said calmly as he removed his Stetson and ran his fingers through sandy brown hair. He turned in his seat to hang the hat on the hook at the end of the booth by his crutches.


Aurora blushed when she realized this must be the man whose parking space she mischievously stole. Oh no, how terrible. He must have had to park a long way from the door and hobble in on those crutches. How embarrassing. The one time in her life she acted rudely, her victim turned out to be a man handicapped by a leg cast and crutches. Still, he had his nerve sitting beside her without so much as a "may I."


Her chin came up defensively. "Okay, I apologize. If you used one of those disability placards on your rear view mirror, people would know you have a problem."


"Lady, my problem is that you stole my parking space," the cowboy said coolly. He lifted his left leg so that the cast-encased foot rested on the seat facing them, then swiveled to gaze at her.


Aurora smelled the cowboy's after-shave mixed with the clean scent of his breath when he turned his face toward her. His stone gray eyes met hers. She saw anger drain from his eyes, replaced by stunned amazement. He leaned toward her.


Her awakened senses rocketed into response. Each thread on the sleeve of his blue chambray shirt seared where it touched her arm. For a moment Aurora had the astonishing thought that this cowboy might lean further forward and kiss her right here in public. Equally astonishing, but fleeting, came the thought that she wouldn't mind a kiss from this man. Her tongue flicked across her lips and she gave herself a mental shake, unable to turn away from his mesmerizing gaze.


What can you be thinking? You have absolutely no business falling for some good-looking cowboy out here in the middle of nowhere. Get a grip on yourself.


Her heart quelled the voice of reason within her mind. Aurora’s her stomach somersaulted from butterflies to flip-flops as she stared into the cowboy's wide gray eyes. She broke his gaze and peered at her folded hands a second before she threw them up in capitulation.


"Okay, Okay. I just don't know what came over me. I know you saw the parking space first, but I'm on Bubba-overload. Look, it's a long story, but it's been a real killer morning. Once again, I apologize and plead temporary insanity" She placed her hands palms down on the table.


His gaze raked over her, and one eyebrow elevated. "Well, well. I'm almost convinced there's remorse here. Almost--but not quite. Would you like to explain to me what 'Bubba-overload' is and what it has to do with me?"


"Listen, I apologized. Let's just drop it. Okay?" Surprised at the petulant tone in her voice, she adjusted the dark green scarf that held the hair back from her face


The man peered at her steadily, his voice polite but firm when he spoke. "No, ma'am, we can't drop it. I think I deserve an explanation after that 'Bubba' line. It sounded very much like an insult to me."


This man obviously had his hackles up and wanted a full explanation. After her morning's adventures, she found herself impatient with this cowboy, even though her mind recognized his request sounded reasonable. Finally, Aurora swiveled at her waist to face him as much as the limited space allowed. "Oh, well, if you insist. You wore that western hat and were in a pickup truck. At a glance, you looked like the typical red-necked Bubba. All you lacked was a big wad of tobacco bulging in your cheek."


She raised her hand and shook a finger at the man as if he were a delinquent school boy. "Listen, I've had my fill, and then some, with you guys. You follow me, whistle at me, lean out a truck window to sing to me, shout, or wave to me. I even receive various very rude gestures and get mooned. Believe it or not, I do nothing either to initiate or encourage any of this behavior."


A skeptical smile appeared and he raised his eyebrows. A flush of color heated her face at the memory of her behavior in the parking lot. She held up one hand to stop any comment he might make before she continued.


"Oh, I know, I acted brashly with you outside just now. Let me assure you, that's entirely unlike me. In fact, it's truly a first. I've never, ever done anything like that before."


She shook her head in wonder. "I don't know what came over me. As I said, it must have been temporary insanity due to Bubba-overload."


She pinched the fabric on the leg of the neatly creased blue denim jeans she wore. "Look at me. My jeans aren't skin-tight. They’re not painted on me." With a tug at the hem of her hunter-green knit top, she added, "My shirt isn't too tight, it has three-quarter sleeves, and the neck isn't low or revealing."


Aurora moved her knees and elevated a foot to display canvas shoes. "I'm wearing my little Keds, not flashy pumps with stiletto heels. All in all, I think I'm dressed very sedately and not at all in a provocative way."


The cowboy slid his glance slowly up and down her then back to her face before he smiled a slow, lazy smile that lit up his eyes and brought a dimple to his cheek. He reached over to grasp her untouched water glass and took a drink from it, his eyes returning to her face as he sipped the icy water.


Her own mouth opened as she watched his mouth against the rim of the glass. The tip of her tongue slid against her upper lip as the water slid into his mouth. She could almost feel his lips as they received the liquid. To hide the rising turbulence in the pit of her stomach, Aurora glared at him. In vain she tried to avoid thoughts of his stare or the dimple that appeared with his smile.

She forced herself to concentrate on her defense. "Um, I just drive along in my little blue Ford Mustang, enjoying the scenery and minding my own business. I do nothing to call attention to myself. I even try to be a good sport about the immature behavior some guys display."


She took a deep breath. "I try to take it all in stride and just keep on schedule but"--Aurora slammed her hands against the top of the table--"this morning, two very frightening Bubbas tried to run me off the highway and hijack me or my car."


His eyes widened and his mouth gaped, but she continued, "I'm only here because a State Trooper happened by in time to interrupt my abduction. Frankly, that scared the life out of me. The longer I thought about it, though, the angrier I became. By the time I got to this restaurant, I had completely lost my cool."


Aurora took a deep breath and gazed at her hands. She recalled the fright that consumed her when she realized the two men followed her. Only quick thinking on her part prevented the two ruffians from succeeding at their attempt to run her off the road and get her out of her car. She shuddered to think what might have happened if not for the State Trooper. And never, never would she forget the faces of those two men!


She waved her hands in a fluttery motion. "When I saw you in a truck the same color as the one that ran me off the road...well...I guess I just went bananas, berserk, crazy. That's why I'm pleading temporary insanity." Aurora leaned back and crossed her arms in front of her.


At this moment the waitress appeared with their food. Aurora stared in amazement as the waitress set the burger, fries and Dr Pepper in front of her and a duplicate of the order in front of the man beside her.


The waitress flashed what she probably thought of as her most seductive smile at the man. In a low, honeyed voice, she asked, "Anything else today, Will?"


He seemed unaware of the invitation in her voice or the hopeful sparkle in her eyes. "Not right now, Norma Sue, thanks. Go ahead and leave the check now and save yourself time."


When the disappointed waitress left, Aurora appraised Will. How could he fail to notice the waitress’ blatant invitation? Had he any idea how attractive he was? Hold on, this guy might be too good to be true.


Aurora gazed over he shoulder at the departing waitress. "How on earth did she know what to bring you? When did you give her your order?"


"When I came in." He leaned across her to get the salt and pepper. Will paused to flash her a truly breathtaking smile and the bottom fell out of her stomach again. "I also told her you’d pick up the check.”

To purchase BE MY GUEST for only 99 cents (and I hope you will), here are the links:

The Smashwords buy link is http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/36811?ref=CarolineClemmons

The Kindle buy link is http://www.amazon.com/BE-MY-GUEST-ebook/dp/B004M8T1EC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321284462&sr=1-3

Thanks for stopping by!

DIANA COSBY'S GIFT OF THANKS

Diana Cosby

Please welcome my friend, Diana Cosby, author of historical romances set in Scotland. Diana is an amazing person who gives back in both time and money, and in large ways and small. She does everything from taking a neighbor a pie to organizing people for a Habitat For Humanity site. Last year, she originated a Food Bank Drive. This year, her goal is to make this an Annual International Food Drive. And her books are selling like crazy. HIS WOMAN and HIS CONQUEST are listed in the, ‘Best Historical Romance Novels,” on Best Romance Novels Today! HIS CONQUEST remained on Amazon's Bestsellers in Historical Romances list for 145 days strait! Diana appeared in the April 17th issue of Woman's Day Magazine in a story about "Achieving Your Dreams Over 40!" She was honored by the United States division of the Scottish National Trust for her donations to that organization. Now, she's looking forward to her 2012 booksigning at a Scottish castle. Well, you get the idea that she's a terrific writer as well as a terrific person. Here’s Diana to explain her philosophy, a recipe, and information about the food drive.


                  A GIFT OF THANKS
              THIS HOLIDAY SEASON


Gifts come in many shapes and sizes, but I believe the most precious ones are those delivered from the heart. It's so easy to get caught up in the mayhem of life, particularly during the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, but every day, there are people amidst the chaos who help you, who take time out of their busy lives to make a difference in yours. This year, why not return that gift?

Diana, 3rd from left with five
Texas writers she recruited for
Habitat for Humanity last year

This holiday season, as wrapped gifts exchange hands, I ask you to pause, reflect on those who’ve truly made a difference in your life, and if possible, find a special way to say thank you. This can be a simple gesture—something as simple as a greeting card, a bouquet of flowers, or a heartfelt poem. Maybe you bake someone their favorite cookies? Or, you present them a coupon book filled with everyday chores they can tear out and give you to do on those trying days when they really need a helping hand. The absolute best gift you can offer another person is one given from the heart; and when special-delivered, without any strings attached, it touches their own.


This Christmas, I’m making gift baskets filled with my favorite things, most homemade, a few being macadamia-butterscotch chip cookies, shortbread, Vermont maple syrup, orange-lemon-maple syrup marmalade and more. With each one, I'm sharing a part of myself with the other person.


My gift to you is one of my favorite recipes, Peppermint Ice-Cream Pie!

          Peppermint Pie



Oreo pie shell
½ gallon peppermint ice cream
Coolwhip
Chocolate fudge ice-cream topping
Small candy canes crushed [*Three crushed per pie]
Place 1 quart of softened peppermint ice cream [1/2 tub] into Oreo pie shell and smooth out flat. Place a ½ inch or slightly more thick layer of cool whip. Pour on a layer of chocolate fudge ice cream topping. Sprinkle top of fudge with crushed candy canes. Put plastic top on and freeze.


*I usually make this a couple of days in advance and leave it on a flat shelf in the freezer.

**This takes less than 5 minutes to make. Amazingly, each of the ingredients balances the other. It’s wonderful. (And I’m not even a peppermint lover. :)

Let me share a couple of reviews for my latest release, HIS DESTINY, before I tell you about the Annual International Food Bank Drive:

Latest Release

5 STAR REVIEW
"Every once in a while a story comes along that makes me run the full gamut of emotions. HIS DESTINY by Diana Cosby is one of them. This amazing story is the fourth in the MacGruder series and yes I will say it, my favorite. It is a story of danger, deception and redemption all wound into one turbulent ride." - Kimberly, Book Obsessed Chicks
-For the complete review:
http://book-obsessed-chicks.blogspot.com/2011/10/his-destiny-by-diana-cosby.html?spref=fb


4 1/2 BOOK REVIEW
"HIS DESTINY is a journey back in time that enchants with an awesome love story of two wounded hearts and souls that find redemption and love together. Good reading!" - Camellia, Long And Short Reviews
-For the complete review:
http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2011/10/his-destiny-by-diana-cosby.html


And now, to the main purpose for appearing on Caroline's blog today and a way you can give an easy, inexpensive gift of thanks on your own:

  INTERNATIONAL FOOD BANK DRIVEThe holidays are an emotion-filled time where it seems there are not enough hours in each day to fit everything in, not to mention dealing with the struggling economy. But, in this time of financial challenges, I ask each of you to please consider one more stop on your crazy to do list, that of making a donation to a local food bank. Your donation can be a dollar, a can of corn, whatever you can give. Anything you offer to those with nothing is a gift they didn't have.

Donate to your
local food bank

Last year, in addition to my personal donation to my local food bank, I decided to start a Food Bank Challenge. Except, it kind of wonderfully got out of hand. Amazingly, once I posted The Food Bank Challenge on my Facebook page and my Facebook fan page, people from across the U.S. began donating to their local food banks. Then, I read posts of donations from Canada. Holy cow, the Food Bank Challenge went international! And you know what, this is truly a blessing. In this venture, we all win. Gifts from the heart do that, they fill you, remind you there is good in the world, and that you can make a positive and profound difference in others' lives.


How it works: When you donate to a local food bank, post on my Facebook page or Facebook Fan page, (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diana-Cosby-Romance-Author/150109024636?ref=ts), beneath the daily International Food Bank Challenge post or, for this blog only, your donation along with your name and contact information as a comment, then I'll add your name in a drawing. On 6 December I will use www.random.org to draw from all of the names received. The winner will receive an autographed set of the MacGruder brother series to date; HIS CAPTIVE, HIS WOMAN, HIS CONQUEST, and HIS DESTINY. I will sign the set, and then send them priority to you or whoever you want to make them a personal holiday present!


2nd Annual International Food Bank Food Drive schedule:


November:
-11th Blog: Making A Positive Difference In Others’ Lives
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/

-15th: Interview at USA Today's Romance Blog, Happy Ever After.
http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/index


-21st: FIRST for women's magazine interview about how I started the Annual International Food Bank Food Drive. The article is scheduled to hit newsstands on 11/21/11 and run until 12/12/11.

December:
-6th: The winner’s name is drawn using www.random.org, and they are notified.


*If you haven’t signed up for my Facebook Fan page, please sign up today!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diana-Cosby-Romance-Author/150109024636?ref=ts


2012 International Food Bank Challenge – Goal: 1000 donations.

I sincerely wish everyone health, friendship and happiness this holiday season. As I mentioned above, this is a time when the best gift of all is the gift of yourself—that one-of-kind present that can make a difference in the life of another. And I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season filled with friends as laughter. May your every dream come true!

What ideas can you think of to share thanks with others? Remember—the more original and inventive, the more fun! :) I can't wait to hear your ideas!
 Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret.

International Best-Selling Author of the MacGruder Brothers series set in Scotland
Highland vampire anthology: Title/Release date TBA
http://www.dianacosby.com/
 

Diana, I'm thankful you're with us this weekend and motivating us to share something of ourselves to those less fortunate.

KELLIE KAMRYN TALKS ABOUT PLEASURE ISLAND

Today author Kellie Kamryn is a guest.

Kellie Kamryn, Author

Caroline: Readers love to get to know authors. Share anything that lets readers get to know the real you.


Kellie: I grew up in rural Manitoba, Canada. A small town but I spent most of my childhood in a gymnastic gym in the city of Winnipeg, training as a competitive gymnast. I have 5 siblings – 3 sisters and a brother, and I’m the oldest. I’m in the process of divorce and I have four children from my marriage – 2 boys and 2 girls.

Caroline: Four children must keep you busy. Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Kellie: Eloisa James is one of my all-time favorite authors. I love to read historicals, but I also enjoy all other types of romances. I also read a lot of spiritual books and my favorite author is John Shelby Spong. His work just really speaks to me.

Caroline: How many books do you read a month? What are you reading now?

Kellie: I used to read a book every week, but now with my writing contracts it takes me forever to get through a book! LOL I just finished a great YA on my kindle, LEGEND OF THE HERMIT MASTER. I have a huge TBR pile on my Kindle and on my book shelf. I’m not sure what I’ll get to next.
 Caroline: I know what you mean. My Kindle list keeps growing faster than I read. Lovely to have all the books in one light-weight unit, isn’t it? When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?



Kellie: I love to sit out on my deck and look up at the stars after the kids have gone to bed. There’s something peaceful about reminding yourself that you’re a small but important piece of the universe. When you put yourself in that perspective, I find that some of my stress melts away because in the grand scheme of things, none of that matters. At the end of the day, if you’ve tried your best and you’re doing what you love, that’s all that counts.


I love to read, hot baths are relaxing and other than that, I like to spend quiet time (now that’s a relative term with four) with my kids where we just watch a movie together or sit and read together. Bedtime is my favorite part of the day! We sit and read together, it’s quiet and then they go to sleep. Our lives are very busy, so I cherish quiet time with them.

Caroline: Sounds like you’re a good mom. I miss those days when our kids were young and we read together and then tucked them in at night. Describe yourself in three or four words.



Kellie: Sweet, big-hearted, sassy (a lot, lol) and introspective

Caroline: Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?


Kellie: Well, a guilty pleasure that doesn’t have anything to do with my muse is Lindt Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. The best thing. Ever. That feeds me so I suppose in a way it keeps the muse happy.



Caroline: Mmm, the caramel chocolate are my downfall. How long have you been writing?

Kellie: I’ve kept journals and wrote poetry all of my life. I had a goal to write a romance novel so I did. That first one was awful! LOL I’ve been writing seriously for about 4-5 years now to be published. I figured if I didn’t go for my dream, no one else would.


Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Kellie: I’d prefer to write out in a cabin in the woods. Alone. But I have a PC in the living room across the room from the kids computer. As a single mom, I need to know what my kids are up to, so I prefer to be right in the thick of things, so writing alone isn’t an option. If they’re at school, I use either the PC or laptop depending on how I’m feeling.

Sometimes I need music to get me in a good mood. Music can affect our mood so much! If I need to get in the mood for a sizzling sex scene, I admit that I listen to raunchy rock music or sexy dance music, LOL. If I need quiet, I listen to soothing instrumental or something. I have a varied taste in music. Then there are other times I need quiet, but since quiet is a relative thing in my house, I take what I can get!

Caroline: I agree music can create a mood. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Kellie: All my stories start off as a “what if” question. Then the characters come to me and I sort of plot out who they are, but as far as the story goes, I begin writing and then let the characters take me on an adventure!

Caroline: Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Kellie: Sometimes I take a funny situation, embellish on it and create a story. My stories are mostly wishes. PLEASURE ISLAND for example was creating a happy ending for a woman who had gone through divorce. I’m an eternal optimist. I think that we have the ability to create our own happy ending. I’m working on mine.


Caroline: Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?


Kellie: Lately, I haven’t written anything new! LOL Before I had promotion to do and I was in the strictly selling stage, my goal was to write 1000 words a day. Not difficult because I’ve managed 5000 in one day before. (A+ in high school typing class) If the story is flowing and I have no interruptions, then I can create a lot. Now I set different goals for myself – getting edits done by a certain time, submitting a piece by a certain date, beginning a new piece etc.



Caroline: Be a fast typist is a definite plus, isn’t it? What do you hope your writing brings to readers?


Kellie: Love. Hope. Romance. Hot sex. All the things I wish for myself, I want for them.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?


Kellie: At this point, to keep writing, creating and selling books. Sure, who doesn’t want to make the NYT Bestseller list? Right now I want to do what I love and see where it takes me. So far it’s been an exciting ride?



Caroline: Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Out January 2012

Kellie: Right now I’m promoting PLEASURE ISLAND and two more I have with two different publishers. I have two novels coming out next year, so edits will begin for those and I want to get book 3 in that series ready to go as well. I also have another novella in the WIP stage, so I’ve got lots to work on.



Caroline: Isn’t it amazing how much time we spend on promotion? What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Now from Sweet Cravings

 Kellie: Don’t give up. If you want something bad enough, find a way to do it. And to go along with that – expand your network. Do your research on publishers, agents, etc. Talk to other writers, find out who their publishers are. It’s how I figured who I wanted to submit to and where my work would fit the best. It saves you a lot of rejection letters. But don’t be discouraged by rejection either – it means you’re trying and getting somewhere!

Caroline: So true. You have to submit in order to sell. Tell us about your latest release.

From The Wild Rose Press'
Wilder Roses

Kellie: Here’s the blurb for PLEASURE ISLAND:


Chelsea Hunter didn't come to the resort looking for sex. Jake Davis intends to change her mind. Will they be able to turn up the heat, or will their visit to Pleasure Island leave them cold?


After finalizing her divorce, Chelsea Hunter came to the resort island of Paradise for some peace and quiet so she could figure out what her next step would be. She hadn’t expected to find herself at an exotic hotel dedicated to pleasures of the flesh. Too bad she doesn’t want sex.

Jake Davis is back in Paradise after visiting a year ago when his own marriage fell apart. This time his fantasy is to guide a woman through her sexual journey. He hadn’t counted on being paired with the only woman in Paradise who prefers privacy over pleasure!

Will Jake be able to discover what Chelsea truly needs, or will their journey to Paradise remain unfulfilled?


Caroline: Intriguing. How about an excerpt?


Kellie: Here it is:

“This is a what?”


Chelsea Hunter couldn’t believe her ears. An island resort dedicated to entertaining people’s sexual pleasures? This wasn’t what she’d signed up for when reserving her room at the beautiful Caribbean locale. What the hell would people think if they found out she’d come here?


“I assure you that you’re in the right place, Ms. Hunter,” the blonde behind the reception desk told her.


Chelsea struggled to look anywhere but at the receptionist’s chest, whose gigantic breasts spilled out of her red string bikini. “There must be a mistake. I reserved a room at Paradise Resort.”


“This is Paradise, baby,” drawled a smooth voice from Chelsea’s left.


Chelsea turned, only to struggle again with where to look. There stood one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever laid eyes on. She’d guess him a few inches shy of six feet, but his perfectly sculpted body totally made up for it. He may not have been tall, but the handsome factor was off the charts. Close cropped dark hair, midnight eyes, broad shoulders and chest without an ounce of body hair, tapered waist, and—Whoa. A zap of lust zinged straight to her core, and she dropped her gaze to his muscled thighs. That couldn’t be real. Maybe his Speedo made it appear larger. She flicked another quick look. Damn…Wet heat rushed between her thighs.


Bringing her gaze back up to his face, she flushed at the amused sparkle in his eyes. She braced her hands on the reception desk, her wedding ring twinkling a bittersweet reminder as she leaned forward.


“There has to be some mistake,” Chelsea pleaded. “I’m at the wrong place.”



Caroline: LOL That reminds me of a similar scene in Sandra Crowley’s CAUGHT BY A CLOWN, a romantic suspense where the heroine is briefly trapped in a nudist colony. Where can readers find your books?



Kellie: My buy link for PLEASURE ISLAND is http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=848o

For MONKEYS, SEX, AND OTHER BIRTHDAY SURPRISES, the link is:
http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&products_id=137&zenid=70e41e3aa9c9c9803b4602185b4e76af

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?


Kellie: I love to have fun! Life should be a series of adventures. If you’re not having fun, ask yourself why.



Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?



Kellie: My website is www.kelliekamryn.com,


Blog: http://www.kelliekamryn.blogspot.com,
Facebook Kellie Kamryn
Twitter @KellieKamryn

Caroline: Kellie, thanks very much for sharing with us today. Please return on Friday for Diana Cosby’s information on her annual drive to provide food for those in need.



Thanks for stopping by!