It’s true! The Huffington Post recently ran an online article about Laura Kaye. Like my character Louisa Copeland, Laura Kaye also suffered a bump on the head.
In real life, Laura Kaye woke with a writing skill that turned her into a best-selling writer.
When I took on the writing of Mind of Her Own I wondered if this could possibly happen and through research found that retrograde amnesia would work for Louisa to be turned into Jazz Sweet, best-selling romance author. To read about it happening to someone in real life feels a bit strange.
I wonder if Jazz went on to write some best-selling books? If you’ve read MIND OF HER OWN what do you think?
I’m over on Seekerville today 4/18 talking about missteps and plan B. Hop over and join the conversation and maybe win a copy of Mind of Her Own. Seekerville
Jeanette Windle whisked me away to a place filled with heat, gun for hire ex-marines and a purpose. CongoDawn left me breathless several times as the main character Robin Duncan heads into dangerous situations.
As a reader I came away with a new respect for those helping the Congolese people.
The spiritual thread in this book runs deep but it’s not intrusive. Robin has issues with trusting a God whom she feels has been absent in her life and had difficulty understanding how someone living in the Congo could feel so differently. The way this was handled made this a strong book.
Tuesday Jeanette Windle will be on my blog telling us how come she writes books like Congo Dawn.
Here’s the blurb:
When a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power, how far might they be willing to go with the planet’s ultimate “conflict mineral” up for grabs? Especially in a Congolese rainforest where governmental accountability is only too cheaply for sale.
A veteran in handling corruption and conspiracy, former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan has never had any trouble discerning good guys from bad. But when her security team is sent to track down an insurgent killer, Robin faces a man who broke her trust years ago and discovers that gray areas extend deeper into the jungle than she anticipated.
As a vicious global conspiracy emerges, run by brutal men who don’t leave witnesses alive, Robin must decide if there is anyone left she can trust. And where is God in the suffering and injustice? How is it possible followers of Yesu (Jesus) caught in the crossfire can still rejoice when everything they hold dear is ripped away?
Super exciting news for readers of historical ficiton. Barbour has listed these books (including mine!) for $2.99 until March 31. So load up your kindle, nook, phone or ipad!
A Bride Opens Shop in Eldorado, California by Keli Gwyn
A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California by Erica Vetsch
A Bride’s Dielmma in Friendship, Tennessee by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas by Darlene Franklin
A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana by Ramona K. Cecil
Can you successfully blend a family in a non-neutral home? When two families blend often one spouse has a house that would work best for the new family. It may not fit everyone well, but there is room if creativity is applied. The new family saves money and only one part of the family has to move. Sounds wonderful doesn’t it?
It’s not.
HGTV’s Love it or List it, a show with two hosts-one a realtor, David who tries to get the family to move, the other host, Hillary remodels the present home hoping the will love it and stay in the Reunited Family FrictionEpisode HLILI-606H the situation is more twisted than two families meeting and blending. This husband and wife were married before and bought the house where the wife still lives. That marriage lasted for two years. He moved out and she stayed. They had other spouses and each had a child. Years later, they reunite at a funeral, fall back in love and get married.
Where do they pick to live? Her house, it’s packed with emotions for her and no room for the family. This was a case of (from a couch therapist) of a marriage about to end.
The wife was willing to have the house redone by Hillary. The husband wanted to start over in a new home. Blending a family in this home seems impossible.
Every house David, the co-host showed them wouldn’t do for the wife. It wasn’t her street, she couldn’t see the house where she grew up, and her son wasn’t born there. Nothing pleased her.
I’m not sure how this show ends I lost control of the TV—hey we share one TV and if I had thought about writing this blog post today I would have kept watching!
I do know if the house wasn’t changed enough that everyone could call the present house-home that marriage is going to have a tough time surviving. My hope is they chose the neutral ‘new to them’ home, and are living a wonderful life together.
So what if you’re in a blended family and you’ve found yourself in the other spouse’s home and you can’t move? While not every family has the money to do a reno you can start with painting one room.
Paint? Yes, paint. My theory is when you paint everything has to come off the walls, furniture is moved and items are put away without guilt. It offers the opportunity for using furniture in a different way, hanging of new photos of the new family and perhaps purchasing a cover for the sofa to change the look.
When putting away painting and tchotchkes (knickknacks if you live in the Mid-West!) ask, “Is this important to you? Can we give it away or box it for one of the kids?”
While not the perfect fix that moving would be it this redo will offer one room that belongs to everyone instead of just some.
Multiple Personalities are fun for Hollywood and writers. They can be used to educate (Sybil), terrorize (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and make us laugh (Overboard).
In Mind of her Own Louisa Copeland has a different personality though not due to the Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Her issue stems from retrograde amnesia. The bump on her head has her returning to an age when something stressful happened to her. The teen years. With 3 children under her care sometimes the teenage impulsivity works to her advantage but not always. Her children and husband are confused and conflicted by this new side of their mom.
Even though MPD isn’t something most of us deal with there are moments when one wonders about the state of some of our friends and families. Even ourselves if we are honest.
A switch is flipped and we act differently than what is expected. It could be triggered by something as small as getting the wrong coffee. The caramel smell and flavor has you floating as you remember your first kiss—he had been eating caramel. Your day changes, you smile at everyone, your step is lighter, and then your husband calls. Oops, back to real life you go and you’re thankful to be married to the right person—not the one who eats caramel. But for a short time you are that other person, the one who hasn’t entered the work force, marriage or answering to mom.
Today is Multiple Personality Day—embrace it as fun. Be the person you’ve always wanted to be even if for only five minutes and it won’t cause you or someone you love harm.
Me? I’m putting glitter on my nails and tiara on my head. I’ve always wanted to be queen.
Walking into Sweet Katie Bee’s is like stepping back in time.
Except this modern day wonder offers gluten-free cupcakes, quiche and oatmeal along with lots of coffie and chi.
The best part is that it isn’t located in Chicago or Oak Park or Hinsdale. It’s here in O’fallon, Illinois. That could be good or bad…good because it’s so close and I can get a cupcake anytime I want and bad because I can get a cupcake anytime I want!
These aren’t gluten-free but they have some just like it in the back –far far far way from the gluten. Last week I had a chocolate cupcake with filling and chocolate icing. So very good.
If you’re ever in O’fallon, Illinois stop by Sweet Katie Bee’s, have a seat and enjoy the old-fashion surroundings.
I was trolling Pinterest and came across Yelton Manor Tour’s blog featuring Dark Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal Banana Bread that is gluten-free. Oh my! Did I mention the dark chocolate and raspberries? A combination of delight!
I had to make it.
Then after eating it I wanted to share the recipe. It is so seriously good my gluten eating husband liked it. I emailed Yelton Manor and asked if I could please post the recipe for you. Elaine, at Yelton Manor said I could!!!!
So I’m post this for you but I recommend you check out Yelton Manor’s post on this bread because they have amazing photos. You’ll be wanting to dip your finger in the bowl on the page for a taste. Yelton Manor
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal Banana Bread
about 3 cups of oatmeal
Other Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1 cup smashed raspberries
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
Make oat flour: place oatmeal into blender or food processor, and blend for 1-2 minutes until oatmeal resembles flour. You may need to stop blender/food processor and stir oats a couple of times to make sure all oats are ground.
Measure out 2 cups of the oat flour and place in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk in baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a separate large bowl, add mashed bananas, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract and eggs for 1-2 minutes until the consistency is smooth and creamy. Slowly add in flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Gently fold in raspberries and dark chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 10-15 minutes, then remove from pan and place on wire rack to finish cooling.
Elaine says it freezes nicely. I wouldn’t know there wasn’t any left to freeze!
Seriously, go visit their page and look at those photos and then tell me you don’t want to try this recipe!
It’s been a long miserable week with not being able to do anything because of a sinus infection, so I spent it with comfort books. That’s why you’re getting 2 reviews from me today-that and freezing rain is falling so I may not have power later.
As promised–the review
The Moses Quilt by Kathi Macias
If you want surprise endings, and to know more about Harriet Tubman this book is for you.
If you are looking for a book about quilts, this isn’t it. Though the Moses Quilt is an important piece of the story as a quilter I would have liked to know more about the other squares that were in it. There is a small square on the cover and the quilt must be beautiful—much like the story of Mazie Hartford.
I enjoyed reading The Moses Quilt even though I expected something quite different. The history of Harriet Tubman is presented in an intriguing way and you want to know why this is so important to Mazie’s grandmother.
Macias has a way with piecing plot and storytelling in an intricate way that makes a reader search his or her own heart while reading The Moses Quilt.
This is a tale of a nurse no longer needed after the Civil War, nor is she looked upon with respect. It’s her struggle to find the respect and remain independent at time when the world has changed, but wants the women in it to remain who they were before the war.
You know that satisfying ‘ah’ when you finish a good book? You get that when you turn the last page of When the Heart Heals. I found myself turning the pages slower and slower not wanting this engaging tale to end. Shorey has written her best book ever with this one. Will she top it with the next one? I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll preorder the book and find out. Mystery, jealousy and misunderstandings are around every corner in Nobel Springs. You won’t be disappointed with this love story.