Today's spotlight is focused on Margaret Locke and her first romance.
About Margaret in her own words: A former doctoral student in medieval history turned stay-at-home-mom, I’ve been a bookworm for as long as I can remember and a lover of romance novels since the age of ten (sorry, mom).
A Man of Character
by Margaret Locke
What would you do if you discovered the men you were dating were fictional characters you'd
created long ago? Thirty-five-year-old Catherine Schreiber has shelved love for good. Keeping her ailing bookstore afloat takes all her time, and she’s perfectly fine with that. So when several men ask her out in short order, she’s not sure what to do…especially since something about them seems eerily familiar. A startling revelation - that these men are fictional characters she’d created and forgotten years ago - forces Cat to reevaluate her world and the people in it. Because these characters are alive. Here. Now. And most definitely in the flesh. Her best friend, Eliza, a romance novel junkie craving her own Happily Ever After, is thrilled by the possibilities. The power to create Mr. Perfect - who could pass that up? But can a relationship be real if it’s fiction? Caught between fantasy and reality, Cat must decide which—or whom—she wants more. Blending humor with unusual twists, including a magical manuscript, a computer scientist in shining armor, and even a Regency ball, A Man of Character tells a story not only of love, but also of the lengths we'll go for friendship, self-discovery, and second chances.
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Character-Matters-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00W5XV2I4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1442537113&sr=1-1&keywords=margaret+locke
Check out Margaret's website to learn more about her and the delightful books she writes.
http://margaretlocke.com/
Monday - Memory Lane/Updates/Question, Wednesday - Favorite Places/Food/Dreams/Question, Friday - In the Spotlight.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Wednesday - Your eyes are right. The Cat has No Tail and that sheep has 4 horns!
The July cruise included a trip to the beautiful Isle of Man, and I feel in love with not only the island, but with the Manx cat and the sheep with four horns. Yes, they do!
We started out by busing down to the Calf of Man and watching the seals lounge on the rocks and a few worked up the energy to go for a swim.
From there we traveled to the historic village, Cregneash. Turns out one of my Top 10 movies, Waking Ned Devine, was filmed on the island including the village, not in Ireland where the story takes place.
The village has a number of historical houses and some are used as rentals. Didn't get to see the inside of those, but sure hope the accommodations are better than the ones we were allowed to go into. WARNING: Be careful tall people. My head can attest to how easy it is to bang against some of the ceilings.
Outside in the barnyards animals roam around and so do the delightful Manx cats. One wanted to be buddies and followed us around for ear scratches. The Manx breed can't swish their tails in irritation when they get mad because they don't have one. They probably have others ways to let you know though. After all they are cats!
The Manx Loaghtan sheep were interesting. I'd never seen one with four horns...two sticking up and two curling down. Even their color was different, varying in shades of tan vs. the usual cream sheep.
The rest of the island was beautiful too. I could see spending a few weeks there in summer for sure.
What is the last place you thought spending more than a few days would be terrific?
We started out by busing down to the Calf of Man and watching the seals lounge on the rocks and a few worked up the energy to go for a swim.
![]() |
| Yes, there really are seals across the way. |
From there we traveled to the historic village, Cregneash. Turns out one of my Top 10 movies, Waking Ned Devine, was filmed on the island including the village, not in Ireland where the story takes place.
The village has a number of historical houses and some are used as rentals. Didn't get to see the inside of those, but sure hope the accommodations are better than the ones we were allowed to go into. WARNING: Be careful tall people. My head can attest to how easy it is to bang against some of the ceilings.
![]() |
| Some the thatched roofs and stone cottages |
Outside in the barnyards animals roam around and so do the delightful Manx cats. One wanted to be buddies and followed us around for ear scratches. The Manx breed can't swish their tails in irritation when they get mad because they don't have one. They probably have others ways to let you know though. After all they are cats!
![]() |
| Tourists are exhausting! |
![]() |
| Yes, you need to scratch me. Why do you think I came over here? |
The Manx Loaghtan sheep were interesting. I'd never seen one with four horns...two sticking up and two curling down. Even their color was different, varying in shades of tan vs. the usual cream sheep.
![]() |
| Chilling in the shade. One of my pictures. |
![]() |
| A better picture of the horns from cookipedia.co.uk |
What is the last place you thought spending more than a few days would be terrific?
Friday, September 11, 2015
Spotlight Friday: Remembering 9-11
I don't think I'll ever forget where I was when the news broke. I'd just pulled into a parking spot at Kinko's to have copies made. An announcer broke into the program on the radio station I had on in the car and I sat there stunned. When I managed to move, I went into Kinko's and saw the horror on faces of those inside. Instead of the other errands I had planned I went home and sat in front of the TV the rest of the day. Yes, lots of tears were shed as I watched the heartbreak and pain broadcasted.
Where were you when you heard the news?
Where were you when you heard the news?
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Wednesday Travel - Anniversary Celebration #Borthwickcastle #Scotland
Twelve years ago I married a man who has enriched my life in so many ways. We wanted to make this marriage special and decided to follow one of our ancestral lines and get married in Scotland. After numerous web searches and emails back and forth with the wedding coordinator, we chose Borthwick Castle as our destination.
The history of the castle is one of the reason we selected Borthwick, outside Edinburgh . Mary Queen of Scots spent time there after her marriage to Earl of Bothwell. When the British army arrived to capture the Earl for the murder of Mary's prior husband, he escaped to go raise and army of his own. When the Brits came for Mary she escaped through a window dressed as a page.
Memories were created for us here, including being late for our wedding. The countryside offered opportunity to explore an old church can cemetery which led to losing track of time. Fortunately, we were only a few minutes late and I couldn't believe I was following a Piper up the winding narrow stone steps to the chapel on the top floor to say "I do." Those two little words have become some of the best ones I've spoken.
So thank you My Honey. Our years together brought the missing piece we both had in our lives together. Yes, I'm not only happy but content, along with feeling blessed. And yes, you look great in a kilt.
Happy Anniversary, Honey!
The history of the castle is one of the reason we selected Borthwick, outside Edinburgh . Mary Queen of Scots spent time there after her marriage to Earl of Bothwell. When the British army arrived to capture the Earl for the murder of Mary's prior husband, he escaped to go raise and army of his own. When the Brits came for Mary she escaped through a window dressed as a page.
Memories were created for us here, including being late for our wedding. The countryside offered opportunity to explore an old church can cemetery which led to losing track of time. Fortunately, we were only a few minutes late and I couldn't believe I was following a Piper up the winding narrow stone steps to the chapel on the top floor to say "I do." Those two little words have become some of the best ones I've spoken.
So thank you My Honey. Our years together brought the missing piece we both had in our lives together. Yes, I'm not only happy but content, along with feeling blessed. And yes, you look great in a kilt.
Happy Anniversary, Honey!
Monday, September 7, 2015
Monday - Short & Sweet #friends #holidays
Here in the U.S.A. today is a holiday...Labor Day, a day created to recognize the contribution workers have made to our nation. Contrary to the name, a lot of people aren't laboring, but have the day off. So to honor the tradition I'm having a down day too.
But, I did want to give tribute to my friends...the special ones, and they know who they are, with this the share below. Come to think of it, if you are friends with me even on social media, this applies to you!
But, I did want to give tribute to my friends...the special ones, and they know who they are, with this the share below. Come to think of it, if you are friends with me even on social media, this applies to you!
Welcome to my Tribe!
Friday, September 4, 2015
Friday Spotlight - Sharon Ledwith #recipe #YA #timetravel
Sharon Ledwith is here to share a
delicious meal that you will truly enjoy. And cleanup is a snap. So take it
away...
I LOVE this recipe. I used it for my first book launch
party. My reason? The characters in my time travel series The Last Timekeepers
got to sample a 13th century version of bread bowl rabbit stew, so I thought
for my book release—why not imitate art? Since rabbit is a bit harder to find
at the local supermarket, I settled on beef for the main ingredient. I believe
my party-goers were happy with that decision as my recipe went over fabulously
even though it was a tad hot to serve on the sunny, humid day we experienced.
But when the weather turns to cool, damp days, this steamy stew will bring a
smile to your face, and comfort to your soul.
This recipe takes about fifteen minutes to prepare and eight
or five hours to cook. Serves four.
Bull’s-Eye Beef Stew
4 bread bowls (click HERE
to see how to make one)or if you prefer, large Kaiser buns
1 cup 25%-less-sodium beef broth
½ cup Bull’s-Eye
Guinness Draught Beer Blend Barbecue Sauce you can substitute this
sauce with your favorite brand
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 lb. (450g) stewing beef, cut into 1¼ inch cubes
1 lb. (450g) red potatoes (about 4), quartered
4 large carrots (1 lb./450g), cut into 1-inch-thick slices
1 large onion, cut into chucks
3 tbsp. flour
3 tbsp. water
Mix broth, barbecue sauce and oregano in slow cooker. Add
all remaining ingredients except flour and water; toss to coat. Cover with lid.
Cook on low 8 to 9 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.
Transfer meat and vegetables to bread bowl with slotted
spoon; cover to keep warm.
Mix flour and water until blended. Stir into juices in slow
cooker; cover. Cook on high for 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Spoon over meat and vegetables and serve.
While you’re waiting for the stew to cook, there’s plenty of
time to relax, get cozy, and delve into that novel you’ve been planning to
read. Time travel story, anyone?
Children are the keys to our future.
And now, children are the only hope for our
past.
When 13-year-old Amanda Sault and her annoying classmates
are caught in a food fight at school, they're given a choice: suspension or
yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-week crash course in
landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch in the overgrown
back yard. The arch isn't a forgotten lawn ornament but an ancient time portal
from the lost continent of Atlantis.
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers--legendary time
travelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial--Amanda and her
classmates are sent on an adventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young
Robin Hood and his merry band of teens? If they don't, then history itself may
be turned upside down.
EXCERPT
Amanda Sault silently studied the words she just scrawled:
May 1st, 1214—Games and songs and revelry, act as the cloak of devilry. So that
an English legend may give to the poor, we must travel to Nottingham to even
the score.
She frowned. She was the Scribe. Amanda knew that meant she
was supposed to understand what this riddle meant. But she didn’t have a clue.
All she knew was that she, her four annoying classmates, and two offbeat adults
were standing in what was left of the lost continent of Atlantis and they were
supposed to be the Timekeepers, the legendary time travelers handpicked by
destiny to keep Earth’s history safe from evil. But no one had told them how
they were supposed to do it.
Their problem: no matter what happened—good or bad—they
weren’t supposed to mess with the past. Period. Dot. End of story. Amanda felt
hot liquid build in her throat. Her thumb traced the words of the arcane
riddle. Their first Timekeeper mission. Amanda knew this wasn’t the end of the
story.
This was just the beginning.
To read more of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch
of Atlantis or purchase a copy, please click a vendor's name
Sharon Ledwith is the author of the
middle-grade/YA time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS,
available through Mirror World Publishing, and is
represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic
series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing,
researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, exercising, anything arcane, and
an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a
southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow
Labrador and a moody calico cat.
Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her
website
and blog. Stay connected on Facebook
and Twitter,
Google+,
and Goodreads.
Look up her Amazon
Author page for a list of current books.
Check out THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS TIME TRAVEL
SERIES Facebook
page.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Wednesday...Announcements. #drawing #winner #newprize
Today is madness and I realized I forgot to announce last month's drawing winner and what is up for give away this month. So here goes:
Winner for August of the magnet that gives a glimpse of what's under the kilt and the deck of playing cards.... Sloane Taylor! I know this gal will appreciate the little peek!
For September, a signed print copy of Nordic Heat is the prize. All you need to do is comment on any or all Monday/Wednesday post and you are in the drawing. Of course, the more you comment the more entries you have!
Winner for August of the magnet that gives a glimpse of what's under the kilt and the deck of playing cards.... Sloane Taylor! I know this gal will appreciate the little peek!
For September, a signed print copy of Nordic Heat is the prize. All you need to do is comment on any or all Monday/Wednesday post and you are in the drawing. Of course, the more you comment the more entries you have!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)












