The Winner from Beth's Blog yesterday!

Thank you to everyone your great comments yesterday and making Beth feel welcome. She has pulled a winner out of her hat to receive a book.

The winner is.........Sherry Gloag

Sherry, please email me at lizzietleaf@comcast.net

As with all winners, you have 30 days to respond in order to receive your prize.

Lizzie

Welcome Beth Trissel!

Our guest this week is Historical/Paranormal and award winning author, Beth Trissel. Beth is sharing insight into her writing and herself. I think you'll enjoy what she has to say as well as the beautiful pictures she shared.

Welcome Beth and thank you for taking the time to be with us today.


SOMEWHERE MY LASS was an intriguing tale to weave. I did my usual obsessive research, but I love gleaning more about the past, so that’s all good. The hero and heroine, Neil and Mora, were vivid in my mind and a lot of fun to write. The romance between them is one of the best I’ve ever written. The chemistry just took off.

Interestingly enough, that’s not always the case. Sometimes my H&H dislike each other intensely, or one resents the other. Either I write my way through it until I uncover the live coals simmering beneath the ashes of their contempt, or seek out a different heroine. Usually, I’m pretty set on the hero. In the story I’m working on now, he was dead set against the heroine until I dug a little deeper and realized she wasn’t who she seemed to be.

Maybe this inner dialogue writers have with their characters contributes to the reputation of our being rather eccentric, or shall we say crazy. Those of you not given to this particular madness may assume I simply create my characters and have control over them. No way. I discover them, and get to know their likes and dislikes, what they would and wouldn’t do, all those quirks and foibles that make us unique human beings. I offer direction and reason with them as to why the story needs to go a certain way, but have learned that the flow is much better, certainly more natural, if I listen well to what they’re telling me. And so, I talk amongst ‘myselves,’ which worries my mother a trifle. But it’s an essential part of the creative process. At least, for me.

Regarding my settings, up until SOMEWHERE MY LASS I’ve set all my stories in America, past and present. This departure to Scotland was a challenge, but I drew deeply on my English Scots-Irish roots, which I’ve been doing all along. Apart from the prominent Native American heroes and characters in my work, (Through the Fire, Red Bird’s Song, Daughter of the Wind) the others are all of English/Scots-Irish backgrounds, with a smidgen of French. My ancestors, too, have a smidgen of French in the meld. Being a history buff I’ve read up on and watched numerous programs set in the British Isles, a favorite of mine. I’m a British junkie, an anglophile, while equally preoccupied with early America. But then America and Great Britain are both tied together, and were especially linked in the colonial time period.

A little more about the inspiration behind SOMEWHERE MY LASS:

As is often the case, the opening of light paranormal romance SOMEWHERE MY LASS was inspired by a dream, one that grabbed my attention and made me wonder where in the world do I go from here? Inquiring minds like mine want to know the rest of the story and so I delved & plotted, lay awake nights trying to recapture that dream. Ultimately, this suspenseful time travel evolved from years of research into my distant Scottish roots and a long held fascination with the idea of actually being transported to the past, with a proviso that I can return to the present whenever the thrill wears off. Say, by teatime. My characters are far more adventurous than I.

Certainly, I was influenced by my beloved C S Lewis in his Chronicles of Narnia that I grew up reading. I’m still looking for Narnia. Isn’t everyone? Not to mention, movies like Back to the Future and Timeline, but I like to think, and my editor assures me, that I’ve achieved an original take on the oft visited time travel theme. And no, I’ve not read author Diane Gabledon or other Scottish time travels so cannot be accused of those influences. I read little romance, investing much of my time in research and non-fiction. Whether right or wrong, it’s how I am.
Of course, my love for old castles and the Scottish highlands also lent inspiration. Many of the early Scots-Irish settlers to the Shenandoah Valley, my ancestors among them, chose to live here because of the resemblance the valley and mountains bore to Scotland & Ireland, as near to home as they were likely to find in the New World.

The concept behind my SOMEWHERE series is that the story opens in modern day, so far my home state of Virginia and I don’t see that changing, and then transports the reader SOMEWHERE else--either back to an earlier time in the same house, as in SOMEWHERE MY LOVE, or another place altogether, as in SOMEWHERE MY LASS. Sounds simple enough, right? But writing these stories isn’t. I thought I’d never make it through ‘Lass’ but am thrilled that I did. I hope you will be too.

http://joshuawilton.com/http://joshuawilton.com/
“The Joshua Wilton House…is a superb small inn and restaurant,” ~The Sunday New York Times

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Blurb: Neil MacKenzie’s well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he’s her fiancé from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head–or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood. Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he’s dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall’s brother, she’s convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it’s too late. The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before?
****

*Pic of The door to nowhere (or so Neil MacKenzie thought).

*Pass at Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands

My Little Retreat

With the approach of spring this year, we decided to make spending time out on our patio in our “postage stamp” yard a priority. The sweat involved to create a little sanctuary for escape has been well worth the effort.

In the blasting heat of summer, our time is limited to early morning or early evenings when the sun dips behind the mountains. Morning is my time. I turn on the water fountain and sit with my coffee listening to the tricking water as I admire the potted plants of flowers around it and go to my creative zone. Most morning ideas about the current WIP or the one that’s completed, but needs revisions flow through me. On the mornings the ideas don’t come, there is peace in an almost meditative way that gives me the energy to go to the computer and write what flows.

Today, I wanted to share a picture with you of my meditation spot. Next plan I plan a few additions such as a Buddha, and possibly a change in colors for the flowers, but I definitely will have my retreat again.

What about you? Do you have a place to retreat to find your inner peace or creativity?

Lizzie

Guesting today, ESTHER MITCHELL!

Today's guest is Esther Mitchell, a talented lady who shares a little window into herself with us. Let's support her with questions and comments.

Everything I Needed To Know, I Learned From My Characters

Yeah, I know. It might seem like a sort of overused title. But there's a great deal of truth in it, for me, and it's a philosophy that's carried me through the ups and downs of life, and writing.

Over the years (decades, really) of writing, I've come to one inescapable conclusion. I've learned something from each and every character I've ever encountered in my writing career. Some have been lessons in what not to do (being evil is a sure-fire way to end up dead and despised, for example. The Widow Society from Project Prometheus taught me that).

However, most have been positive lessons in how to live my life. Like how honor, integrity, and loyalty are worth more than anything else in the world ( the Commandos, from Underground, taught me that). That judging a person based solely on their outward appearance is a sure way to bypass something truly wonderful and life-altering in this world (Matt Raleigh's lesson, from IN HER NAME).

I learned that guilt and anger are two of the most poisonous emotions that exist, and they can do irreparable damage to the things I hold most dear (thanks to Trevor Watkins and Jaye Michaels in SHADOW WALKER). That no matter how far down I go, no matter how dark and terrible things seem, there's always hope for me (Tamia Kuan, from Underground, and Peter Talladay, from HOPE OF HEAVEN, both taught me that).

I even learned, during one of the darkest periods of my life, that the only way you stay a victim is by letting the person who harmed you maintain their power (this was a hard-learned lesson, for both myself and Chelsea Hanover in BURDEN OF PROOF).

And I learned that fear is the most numbing, and destructive, power in the world. It can tie you down, hold you prisoner, and beat the hell out of you. It can keep you from what you want, and turn you against those you love and who love you. These lessons came from Telyn Gwndal (DAUGHTER OF ASHES), Hope MacKenzie (HOPE OF HEAVEN), and Matt Raleigh (IN HER NAME).

So, yes, I learned a great deal from my characters. I learned how to stand on my own two feet, and not allow myself to be held or beaten down by life's failures, or the fears and failures of others. Through their triumphs, I learned that love has the capacity to wash away any stain on the soul, and that an open heart and open mind are the most amazing and spiritually uplifting possessions a person can own.

My characters inspired great changes in my life, opening my eyes and allowing me to see what was in front of my face all along. I only hope they can do the same for you.

Love and Bright Blessings,

Esther Mitchell

Blub for Daugher of Ashes

Telyn Gwndal has always feared Majik. But when her destiny brings her back to the place her nightmares were born, Telyn must take up a sacred quest to avenge the father she never knew. Her greatest ally is a man with a secret that could reawaken a past Telyn believes dead and buried, and destroy the truth she holds sacred. Can she trust him with her heart, or will her destiny force her to let him go?

EXCERPT

Outside the Camp House, Telyn wished she hadn’t been so hasty to leave. Against her will, her gaze was drawn to the mountain, and her insides twisted in a mixture of pain and longing.

Raiador.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?"

Her attention whipped to her left at that query, to find a man standing beside her. He had the long, plaited hair of a Borderlander, and his tarnished armor screamed mercenary loud enough the dead could have heard it. And yet, something told her he was neither.

"Excuse me?"

He nodded toward Raiador. "The mountain. Never seen anything quite like it."

She peered closer in the diming light, trying to discover what it was about him that convinced her he wasn't exactly what his appearance claimed. He was tall, even to her with her Bathron blood. That could be a Borderlander trait -- the few she met were easily as tall as she was. His mud-brown hair hung midway down his back, woven into the traditional Borderlander plaits. But there were secrets in his smoky-green gaze that told her he wasn't who he appeared. A sense of kinship to this man blanketed her -- she was more than she appeared, as well, even if she wasn't sure what that was, yet. This man's charisma told her he was far from the mercenary his garb declared him to be.

A well-worn scabbard hung from an equally abused leather belt, but his sword hilt had the gleam of care, and the glint of metal at the top of his scuffed black boots hinted that he was well armed. He wasn't a man to take lightly, and she had to wonder if he was friend, or foe.

"And you are?" She frowned up at him, daring him to meet her gaze.

He did, but those eyes remained shuttered, not allowing her access to his thoughts. "No one of consequence, Sera."

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-91/Esther-Mitchell-Legends-of/Detail.bok

Also available at Amazon in Kindle

To learn more about Esther and her other great books visit http://www.esthermitchell.com/home.html

The Males I Live With

There are two males occupying my living space with me. One has been around almost nine years and he pampers me the way I always dreamed of being pampered. He even gives great foot rubs on evenings he’s tired and would probably not.
The other, now that’s a different story. Demanding, bossy, needy and totally self-centered are a few of the good descriptions. He is the receiver, not the giver, of the attention. On rare occasion he may decide to show a little love, but for the most part…it’s all about him. Yep, getting in my face to let me know things aren’t going his way doesn’t faze him one little bit.
Why you ask, do I continue to let him live here? Well, he’s handsome and has a pair of eyes that burrow into your soul. Plus, I love him.

So meet Indy…the male who bosses me around like no other. And did I mention, he’s spoiled rotten!


Be honest, could you deny him anything when he looks at you like this?

Who dominates your life?

Guesting Today-- Billie A. Williams

My guest today is mystery/suspense author, Billie A. Williams. Billie and I met when we both were at a publishing house that no longer exists. The demise of the publisher created a lot of frustration for the authors, but the good thing that came of it, at least for me, is all the wonderful friendships I established, like the one with Billie. So, let's give Billie a warm welcome!

Billie will share the first chapter of her soon to be released novel TRACKER, with anyone who asks her a question or posts a comment here today.

Best Selling and Award winning Mystery/Suspense author Billie A Williams is a fiction, non-fiction and poetry author and has won numerous contests for her short/flash fiction stories, essays, and poetry with over two dozen works published. She is published in various magazines such as the literary magazine Thema; Guide, a Magazine for Children, Novel Advice.com, Writing Etc. WritingNow.com, and Women In The Arts newsletter as well as Sister’s in Crime, to list but a few.
Her articles, columns and features have appeared regularly in newspapers. Short stories, Flash fiction, poetry and book reviews have appeared in Mystery Time, True Love Magazine and various anthologies and on line e-zines and web sites. She writes a bi-monthly column titled “Whodunit?” for Mystery Fiction’s Voices in the Dark and is a contributing editor for Writingnow.com a Blueberry Press Newsletter. She also hosts her own writer’s group, Word Mage Writers and Readers as well as The Amberg Writers Group that meets at her home monthly. She is an active blogger; http://printedwords.blogspot.com and http://onewomansgarden.blogspot.com A website for writers is at http://writingwide.com where you can find plenty of tips, tricks and good reads, as well as a current novel in progress serialized in her newsletter, “Printed Words.”
Williams is currently a member of The Wisconsin Regional Writers Association (WRWA) Upper Peninsula Writers Association (UPWA)National Association of Women Writers (NAWW) Sister’s in Crime, Women in the Arts Program, Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. (SCBWI) and Children’s Book Insider, and the Children Writers Coaching Club. Her website www.billiewilliams.com
She lives with her husband and Lady Slipper the Maine Coon Cat she received the day she got her contract for The Pink Lady Slipper bed and breakfast murder mystery from Wings ePress so of course the kitten got the name. Amberg, is home, a small Northern Wisconsin community where the winters are cold and long, but the people are warm and friendly.

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Money Isn’t Everything,
By Billie A Williams
Chapter
One


Mary March pulled into her parking spot at the Idle A While Nursing Home. The slush and ice of March trying to decide whether to be spring or winter created ruts where, depending on the time of day and the amount of sunshine, ice created a walking hazard or rivers of muddy

water running in the ruts.

Skirting the puddles and ruts when possible, Mary was loaded down with treats for her favorite residents, her lunch bag, assignment book and her purse. Tanner Irish, that would be Doctor Tanner Irish to the public, whizzed by her in his not-meant-to-be-driven-in-the-winter blazing yellow Fiat Spider 124.

She thanked her lucky stars it was still ice this early in the day and not slush. Jerk, why did he think his money could make every woman fall at his feet? This one wasn’t about to. Money isn’t everything. Arms full, she returned his honk and jaunty salute with a nod. Nothing’s changed.
She went in the employee entrance of Idle A While, the halls were buzzing as day shift prepared to replace night shift. The exchange reminded her of Girl Scout Camp and the competition between the cottages for who was the ‘best’ that day.

The Charge Nurse of the night time CNAs and the Day Charge Nurse would meet with the others in the employee lounge to exchange information on the patients under their care before the day crew began their rounds. Mary wasn‘t looking forward to exchanging anything with Jayde Blarney. In her opinion Jayde was a mistake, but then she wasn‘t on the hiring committee. Jayde‘s credentials must have been good enough, but Mary was uncomfortable with her. She‘d felt bullied by the woman in their few encounters. Maybe she was just testing the water. Everyone deserves a chance.

Mary deposited her stuff in her locker, then she moved toward the employee lounge. Amid “welcome back” and “gee we missed you” from her crew, and glares from Jayde and her chief witch mate Dolly Sweetig and second in command Ebony Jane, Mary felt the stress of the previous weeks return in one fell swoop. The three had their heads together and that unnerved Mary. She felt there was trouble brewing but she wasn‘t sure what.

Edith Erhoes clapped her hands to get everyone‘s attention. “Welcome back, Mary, we‘re relieved to have one more pair of helping hands.”

Edith had been Director of Nurses since Columbus came over, Mary was sure. “Thank you, nice to be back.” Though the statement felt like a lie amidst the glares of Jayde and her team, she really did enjoy her job.

“We have gained residents, five to be exact, and lost three since you went on vacation,” Edith continued in her all business drill sergeant manner.

Mary couldn‘t help but wonder who they lost. Life, especially at the nursing home, was so fragile. It got harder and harder to watch people she had become attached to slip away. One day at a time, she told herself. She gave them all she could while they were at Idle A While. There was nothing else she could do.

The meeting broke up quickly. The night crew was anxious to break free for the day. The smell of breakfast carts arriving drew her attention to the task at hand, making sure those that could were showered and brought to the dining room. Those that needed help eating were assigned CNAs or orderlies to help them.

Mary noticed Audrey wasn‘t eating. She was slumped over on her chair. She laid her hand on Audrey‘s shoulder. Audrey winced and pulled away, pain and fear darkening her faded olive green eyes. “Are you okay, Audrey?”

Tears slid down her furrowed cheeks and her gaze darted around the room like a hunted rabbit. She didn‘t speak. Mary crouched down beside her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders, Audrey pulled away. She put her hands over Audrey‘s. “What happened, Audrey? Did you fall?”
This was so unlike the exuberant and talkative Audrey. Mary became worried. “Here, let me help you with this. Do you want jelly on your toast?” Audrey ate in silence, but at least she ate. She acted like she hadn‘t eaten in days. Mary made a note to have Dr. Irish look at her today. “I‘m going to have Doctor Irish come look in on you today. You be sure to tell him where you hurt, okay?”

Audrey offered a weak smile and patted Mary‘s arm. But, she didn‘t speak.
As Mary made her rounds she noticed more lethargy than normal. Something was definitely wrong here—or was she attaching flawed memories to the usually lively dining room that was only truth in her mind. Memory was such a fragile thing. And it had a tendency to be more about a hoped for truth then reality.

Mary couldn‘t wait to talk to her crew and find out what was going on. One of the CNAs called her to come look at a resident. Raw open sores on the woman‘s buttocks told her hygiene practices had been skipped more than once. She knew Maude was a difficult person. She swung at her caregiver, swore, and threatened all manner of repercussion at whoever was near. She was an angry woman. Part of it Mary knew was because her children forcefully removed her from her home. Now that Idle A While allowed pets, she thought Maude had become more docile. However, the cat that had adopted her was nowhere to be seen.

“We‘re going to have to get you into a bath tub to sit awhile, Maude,” Mary advised ready to be hit verbally and physically with all this used-to-be sheriff wanted to throw at her. Instead Maude merely blinked her eyes, and turned her head away.

The CNA shrugged. “This is the first I was assigned to her.”

“It‘s not your fault. I‘ll have a couple of the orderlies get her into the bath. You can comb her hair and do her nails whiles she sits. Make her feel pampered.” Mary felt her stomach churn. Maude might be a handful, even malicious, but her fighting spirit kept her going. This made Mary‘s heart ache. Clearly, she‘d been neglected.

“When she comes back use some A & D ointment on those sores. Be sure you wear gloves. Then don‘t diaper her. Let her be exposed to the air with just a puddle pad and sheet.” The CNA nodded. Mary made notes on her chart and went to the desk to page the orderlies. Anger was building up inside her. There were cases that flared every day. A fall, a misstep, resulting in a bruise, a patient would be bedridden and prone to bed sores, no matter how careful and well-cared for, but what Mary was seeing was not ordinary. She needed to talk to Edith Erhoes. As Director of Nurses she should be made aware, if she wasn‘t already. How could she not be, Mary thought as she slipped down the hall between housekeeping carts, wheel chairs with residents and CNAs going to and from rooms, appointments or lounges.

She knocked on Edith‘s office door. Edith motioned her to come in as she finished up a phone call. She jotted a name on a piece of paper and handed it to Mary.

“Her family…nothing but trouble. Always complaining. Wish they‘d just take her out of here. I may request they do just that if this keeps up.”

Mary glanced down at the name. The woman hadn‘t been there very long. Mary liked her. She always seemed congenial. She participated in all scheduled activities. “I‘ll check on her right away. What‘s the complaint?”

“Oh, some gibberish about rough treatment again. Same as last week.”

“There is something going on.” Mary cautiously approached the subject. Why should she be worried about reporting suspected abuse, those were state rules, the state demanded suspected abuse be reported immediately to a supervisor.

Edith‘s eyes flashed open wide and then narrowed into angry slits. “What do you mean?” It came across as more an accusation then a question in Mary‘s mind.

Mary listed the problems she had seen already that morning.

Edith fluttered her fingers as if Mary were a bothersome gnat she was trying to dispose of. “You‘ve been on vacation. After a while away from here you forget how most of these people deteriorate by the day. They go from ambulatory and lucid to bed ridden and dementia faster than you realize.”

“I really don‘t believe it‘s that.” Mary pressed on. “When a resident exhibits fear when you place a hand on their shoulder that signals a different kind of—“

Edith cut her off. “I haven‘t got time to deal with your fantasies. After you are back for a few days we‘ll speak again. Don‘t be stirring up trouble where there is none. Now, I have real work to do.”

Mary was angry. A scuffle down the corridor drew her attention and she hurried to intercede. Billy James‘ arms flailed the air. He was refusing to be taken anywhere. He demanded to be returned to his room. “Good morning, Billy. What seems to be the problem?”

“Ain‘t goin‘ nowhere. I‘m stayin‘ in my room where it‘s safe,” he said. His warm cocoa eyes wide with excitement.

It was then Mary noticed his bruised eye. “Who you been fighting with?” She bent to examine the eye.

Billy jerked back. “Ain‘t fightin‘ nobody.” He clutched his lap robe up to his chin and turned away.

“When did this happen, how?” She stood up straight directing her questions to the CNA, a new girl since Mary had worked last. The girl looked frightened, she let her shoulders rise to her ears and then dropped them, her eyes not meeting Mary‘s as she did so.

“I—I really don‘t know. I was assigned to take him to physical therapy.”

“If you don‘t do your physical therapy, you‘ll turn into a vegetable and have to spend all your time in bed.” Mary motioned to the girl to move on to Pearl‘s room and help her. “I‘ll take care of him,” she said softly.

The girl nearly ran down the hall away from her.

“I‘ll take you down today just to prove you are perfectly safe, okay?”

“If that‘s the case, I don‘t want no more shiners from the likes of her.”

“Who do you mean, Billy?”

“That other woman.” anger edged his raised voice.

“You mean the little gal who was just helping you?” Mary thought the tiny young woman who she had relieved of the burden of Billy couldn‘t give a mosquito a black eye, or shiner as Billy‘s colorful language explained it.

“Naw, not her—that Amazon woman.”

Mary searched her mind for a CNA whose stature would qualify her as Billy‘s Amazon woman. Most of the CNA‘s were her size, medium height and build. None of them were very imposing figures.

Dropping Billy off at physical therapy and asking them to treat him with kid gloves today, Mary made her way back up to the main floor nurse‘s station.

Idle A While seemed to have taken on a hostile and disjointed persona, if a place can have a personality. The warm friendly family atmosphere had evaporated in the three weeks she was gone on vacation. Janet had assumed her duties as her second in command. Very competent and motivated. She had been given three days off as compensation for the extra duty. Mary wouldn‘t see her until Wednesday. Already, Mary sensed an urgent need to get Janet‘s take on what she sensed in the atmosphere at Idle A While.

Shoot Me...So I'm Not a Size 2

I don’t think I was born a size 2 and will never have fabric labeled with that number fit over my body, no matter how skinny I get. It called hips, baby…and I have good old child bearing ones. Still, within the fashion industry and a lot of the entertainment world, if you aren’t a size 2 or better yet in their minds, a size 0, then you’re overweight! Maybe if they take a walk through the real world, the sight of REAL women would get the point across that the majority of us aren’t walking sticks.

This body image fallacy most of us buy into has been spoon-fed to us since we were children. Having stick figures flaunted in front of today’s girls on such shows as American’s Top Model, where a size 12 is considered a plus size model, does nothing to help the average girl accept her body image. Instead of establishing good eating and exercise habits to be healthy, the focus becomes dieting to be skinny like some celebrity ‘stick figure’ they admire.

Well, I think we need to unit and say to hell with the image created by someone not in touch with reality and love the women we are. Reach out to the young girls in your life and encourage them to do the same.

A new ABC Family show, Huge is reaching out and is a refreshing change over ‘stick figure stars.’ In the show, the young gals (and guys) get shipped off to weight-loss camp for the summer. Nikki Blonsky is terrific, just as she was in Hairspray. She loves her curves and having curves and being proud of them is great as long as you’re healthy. Let’s hope the show get’s that across to the young viewers (as well as us not so young), in the process of entertaining.

As for me, when I ponder how the mirror portrays me, the question becomes, will I give up the full length mirror on the back of my bedroom door? Hell no! Admittedly, I’ve considered the possibility on bad days (you know the sort of outfits I'm talking about), but if I go to mirror that only reflects my face, then I’m greeted with the wrinkles, plus the bags under my eyes, every morning and that my friends is a whole ‘nother’ story.

What about you? Are you happy with your mirror?

Lizzie.

Coming this Month

Here's a list of the guest bloggers coming this month. Be sure to stop in and say "hi." Just one little comment can get your name into their drawing if a prize is up for grabs (hint, hint...most offer a prize)

July 15 . Billie Williams

July 22 - Esther Mitchell

July 29 - Beth Trissel

And wait until you see the guests coming in August!!!!!

Welcome Lisa Pietsch

Let's give a big welcome to Lisa Pietsch! Lisa and I met through a local RWA group and getting to know this hard working gal has brightened my life. In addition to her "we can do it" attitude, she also has a great sense of humor.

To celebrate her "Freedom" series, Lisa is offering a PDF of THE PATH TO FREEDOM to a lucky winner who posts a comment or question. Think you'll want this book! When I started it, I didn't get much done until The End...LOL.

Enough from me...let's hear what Lisa has to say!


Phoning It In

I write novels on my telephone.

My life is chaos. I have two active preschool boys at home and a military husband. We're in the process of moving from Colorado to Texas this summer and my oldest child will start school two weeks after we move. See what I mean about chaos?

Here's the thing: I can't not write.

I'm a Freelance Writer and Novelist. I put my business degree to use by writing freelance articles on free or inexpensive marketing methods for authors. The series of novels I'm currently working on is a combination of romantic suspense, action/adventure, espionage and a woman's search for who she is and where she belongs in the world. (I have about twenty other novels planned in various genres but who has the time?)

Most writers have a special writing place - an office or desk. I have a laptop on a kitchen table that is generally overrun with a GeoTrax fleet of trains, trucks and aircraft so I do the bulk of my writing on my second-hand Palm Smartphone.

Yes, I really do write articles, blogs and novels on my phone. I wrote this blog on my phone.

Now about what I write…

The Path to Freedom was born of a bit of my past, people I have known and a flight of fancy. I couldn't let go of the characters when the book was finished so I decided to write a series based upon these characters and their adventures. Of the seven stories I have planned, the following are available now at http://www.SapphireBluePublishing.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other ebook sellers:

Sarah Stevens is a washed-up military cop whose life is a shambles until she is offered a position on an inter-agency anti-terrorism task force by the CIA. The thirty-year-old, overweight, down-on-her-luck Stevens goes to a secret training camp where she is transformed into a sexy and deadly agent whose mission is to find and stop, by any means possible, the financiers of terrorism against the United States and its allies. Although she goes into it thinking that it is just a job, Sarah soon discovers that this is a new life loaded with adventure, including the handsome Vince Hennessee, her team leader, and unimaginable danger in the form of Hassan, the man she has to destroy.

A Taste of Liberty
Sarah Stevens finally has a life. Instead of the same old life with no man around who is worth the energy, now she has three! One she loves but cannot have, one she can have but cannot love, and another who wants her and doesn’t care if she loves him.

Freedom's Promise
When one of their own is taken hostage and the Agency turns its back, the members of American Swift must take matters into their own hands. This time they’re off the clock and on their own.

You can read more about me, my crazy life and my books at http://www.LisaPietsch.com. If you aren’t offended by the objectification of the males of our species, check in on Fridays for my Hot Guys with Guns blog. (Hey, a girl’s gotta have a little fun, right?)

MY BIRTHDAY WINNER IS!

Mason! Congratulations on your t-shirt win. Send me your snail mail info at lizzietleaf@comcast.net

Lizzie

Happy Birthday Me Chance to Win!

Yep, tomorrow is my birthday, but here's the thing...you get the chance for a gift!

Everyone who stops by and wishes me Happy Birthday and/or shares their pearls of wisdom on their birthdays will be entered into a drawing for my last "Got Leaf" tee-shirt.

Since I'll be off partying with the Honey tomorrow, I'll draw a winner Thursday. Not sure on the time...will depend on how much fun I have on Wednesday...grin.

Lizzie

REMINDER TO MINDY~

Hey Mindy,

Need you to send your snail mail address to me at lizzietleaf@comcast.net by July 31st at the very latest. Contact info on monthly prize winners must be received in the month their name is announced.

Lizzie

June's Prize Winner and the New Prize for July

Good morning, all. Can you believe it's July already?

I want to thank everyone for their support and this morning I placed my cursor over the followers grouping, wiggled it around with my eyes closed and clicked on the June winner for the "Lizzie" book bag.

See how easy it is to win!!!!!

Mindy, please send your snail mail addy to: lizzietleaf@comcast.net

Now for July's Prize! Given we're into true Summer here, I think a mixed bag (or box for mail purposes) of surprises will be what is up for grabs.

And please, let's hear your thoughts and comments on the postings by me, as well as our guest authors.

Lizzie