HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Marriage Proposals

HOME by Calisa Rhose

In September 2010, I took Eliza Knight's "Edit Your Book in a Month”, an online course I highly recommend, btw. Little did I know that I would come away from the class with more than editing skills, but a great group of friends who are there for each other during the highs and lows of not just our writing careers, but our lives. We call ourselves the WritingDiva's. 

So I am tickled pink to be celebrating the success of one very special WritingDiva, Calisa Rhose, on her debut release HOME. I finished reading HOME last night, read it in two sittings and love this story. The characters practically walk off the page. Great job, Calisa.

You are so going to want to leave a comment for chance to win a copy of this fantastic story.

Here is a little about Calisa: She is a small-town country girl who lives in a semi-remote area of Oklahoma with her husband, five dogs, one cat and one horse. All of her three daughters and their families live within throwing distance. She’s a member of RWA and the local chapter OKRWA. She intends to nurture and continue to grow as an author with the help of her family and supporters.

Welcome, Calisa. I'm happy dancing around the room in your honor.

Thanks for having me here, Tina! I’m so excited about this interview.

To give everyone a glimpse into who you, I've got just a few quarky questions. What does your husband think of your writing career? Does he read your stories?

Mitch is very supportive. He told me this summer after I sold my first book that he wants me to stay home and write so he can retire! He hasn’t read my books but he helps me brainstorm on occasion. He has a very creative imagination.

It's great that he supports and encourages you. I know how important that is. My hubby doesn’t read my stories either, but he knows them almost as well as if he had. So what can we expect to see from you next? What project is in the works?

I’m working on a contemporary cowboy short story that I hope The Wild Rose Press will pick up. I’m also working on a fireman story and a paranormal series.

Sounds like you’re keeping busy. I’m a sucker for cowboys, myself, so I would love to hear more on the cowboy short story. Now for some non-writing related questions. What is the top item on your bucket list? And why?

It used to be sell a book but now that I’ve done that...to take hubby on a real vacation. A cruise or something.

I know you love horses and since I do as well, tell us about your horse.

A topic so dear to my heart! My daughter bought Sonny for me when I returned to Oklahoma five years ago. She knew how much I miss my other horse I’d raised and had to sell a few years before the move. Sonny is 20 this year. He’s a 15.3 hands sorrel quarter horse and spoiled rotten. He’s so tame and easy going that my now six yo granddaughter learned to ride on him when she was just three. My niece used him to teach two young girls to ride and they rode him in NEOSHA horse shows taking 2nd-5th placements two years in a row.

That is great, Calisa. Sonny sounds like a special part of the family.


If you could be a cartoon character, which one would you be and why?

Hm- I’m gonna say Olive Oil because though I’m not tall, I am thin and I think I’m intelligent. :)

LOL. I would never have thought of Olive Oil, only because it has been so long since I've heard anyone mention her. Good choice.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would the title be?

Never Marry a Mail-Order Preacher

Okay, I should have added a why? I’ve gotta ask, but I’ll do that in the comments section.

Man Fan Favorites:

Chest: Hair or no hair? No hair, though a little teaser trail is nice.

Face: hair or no hair? Typically no, but if worn right I like it. 

Boxers or briefs? Boxer briefs. I love how they cuddle and conceal! 

Jeans or Suits? Absolutely jeans! 

Dark or Blonde? Dark. 

Bad boy or Good boy? I like a good bad boy. *grin* Or a bad good boy maybe. 

Rough or gentle? Gentle

HOME Blurb:

What could a gypsy and a Vietnam veteran have in common?

Silvertown’s outcast, Poppy Tippen, has loved football hero Sam “The Force” Callahan forever. But he never seemed to know she was alive. Now he’s home from the war and she suddenly finds herself comforting him from the demons of “that damn war.” Is his attention merely an escape from the haunting nightmares? Or does she hold the interest of the only man she’s ever truly loved?

Sam Callahan’s only solace from the war nightmares wrecking his life comes in the unlikely form of a gypsy girl with stigmas of her own. He’s known Poppy his entire life, but there’s something different about her now. Something special he desperately wants to hold on to. Can he convince her she’s the only thing he needs to put the past behind him?

Get your copy of HOME at The Wild Rose Press and on Amazon.

Find Calisa at her website/blog http://calisarhose.wordpress.com/

On twitter @Calisa_Rhose and Facebook @Calisa Rhose

She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at calisa.rhose@gmail.com

Calisa will be giving away an ebook copy of HOME to one lucky commenter. So please leave emails in your comment to make it easier to contact the winner. If I can’t find the winner, then I’ll choose another.

Excerpt from The Daughter - Available Now.

Blurb:

Abandoned by her mother at birth, social worker Katie Delynski believes love and relationships are learned—and she hasn’t learned anything good about either. She avoids both love and relationships by focusing on her career and by getting prostitutes off the street. But when a man she’s never met commits suicide and names her as his daughter, leaving her millions of dollars and a family full of new relatives, things change. Her new family invites her into their lives, stirring a sense of belonging she is afraid to believe in.

Determined to put her windfall to good use, Katie buys an old building for a women’s shelter. Her newfound family puts her in touch with Conner Patterson, a family friend, to help rehab the building. As work progresses, Katie finds herself falling in love with Conner, but fear keeps her from acting on her feelings. It soon becomes apparent, though, that Conner may be her only hope for survival, when someone hurt by her father’s past indiscretions is determined to make Katie pay for her father’s sins.

 

Excerpt:

 

Prologue

With his right hand, Keith O’Neil lifted the crystal rocks glass above his head and watched as the light sparkled like amber diamonds through the southern bourbon. In his left palm, the cold weight of the semi-automatic .22 pistol taunted, asking if he had the balls to pull the trigger.

He downed the liquor, the hot bite coursing along his throat, a bitter reminder that life still pumped through his veins. Yet, it was the liquid courage he needed to complete the task at hand.

A cowards task for sure.

He set the glass aside and shifted the gun to his right hand. It was lightweight and compact, the metal smooth and almost seductive as though luring him into the siren’s song of death. He smiled, feeling the lull of the words… Come, come and play with me. There are no worries here….

Yes. That’s what he wanted. No more decisions. No more pain.

For a Catholic raised within the confines of a strict but loving family, suicide was the unthinkable sin. His parents taught him to believe it would give him eternal life in hell. The final act, he figured, of condemning his soul to the devil.

He glanced around his office, loving the shapes and contrasts he’d created for his personal space, a home away from home. The black leather square furniture favored his masculine side and the dark wood of the wet bar stocked with the finest liquors catered to his love for the expensive. A private bathroom adjoined the room from the right and a massive picture window stood at his back overlooking the city of Philadelphia. He had designed the building with his own hands, one of which now wrapped around the small gun, ready to destroy rather than create.

His status as a millionaire led the public to believe he held the world in his hands. He thought so himself at one time, believing his money gave him power. When he finished with people, he pushed them aside, ruining marriages, businesses’ and friendships, thinking he had earned the right with each dollar he’d made.

He had pissed off some important people along the way, ones who had wanted to take him for everything he was worth and be done with him. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Once he was six feet under, they couldn’t touch him. He might be guilty of wrongdoing, but they weren’t pillars of the community either.

He spent money as he saw fit and invested using insider information. His tastes ran toward expensive homes, cars, quality booze and imported cigars. Oh, he gave to charity when giving served his purpose, but believed ‘doing good’ made one vulnerable and weak.

But things, time, his own body turned against him. How had he gotten to this place, when ending the pain seemed easier than facing life? It was surreal, a terrible dream.

Despite the money, he had been vulnerable and weak after all.

Cancer didn’t care about wealth or status.

Knowing death lurked made a person take stock of his life. Regret rumbled at Keith like a freight train with no breaks, forcing him to face the bright light rather then jumping from the tracks before it slammed into him.

One for the road. He reached across the mahogany desk to grab a cigar. His eyes caught on the photograph sitting to the left. The frame matched the office décor—his secretaries doing. She had set the family portrait there, too, thinking he would appear more human to his clients.

The picture of him, his parents and brothers dated back five years, capturing a time when he thought he had forever to make things right. They, his family, chose the day after his fiftieth birthday to schedule the sitting. He’d shuffled his calendar around so he could be available and was sure to make his family aware of what an inconvenience they had been. And for what? Plans he now couldn’t even remember.

There had probably been other pictures since, and if that were true, they had not invited him. And he hadn’t had forever to make things right. His parents passed away three years later, eight months apart and he missed them. His eyes welled with tears and he swiped the sleeve of his crisp blue shirt across his face in embarrassment.

God, what a pussy. Shame followed him everywhere these days.

If he had the balls to go through with this, Debbie, his secretary of seventeen years, would find him in the morning. Would she be sorry he was gone? Would she miss him? It wasn’t likely. He had done nothing to earn her respect. She had stayed on with the firm after ending their affair because he paid well, not because she cared about him.

She would be surprised to realize, though, how much he cared about her. No, he didn’t love her, not the way he had Rachel Molloy, but he did want her to be happy. He was glad she chose to stay with her husband and not tell him about the affair. One marriage he hadn’t ruined.

Everything was set. He had spoken to his lawyer last week and made a few changes to his Trust. With his death, a plan would be put in motion to right his wrongs. Those affected by the truth might not understand at first, but in time, they would appreciate the wisdom of his actions. He only wished he had done this years ago.

He should have paid closer attention. Simply by being absent from their lives, he had hurt the people he loved most. He had done very little for his family, but hoped what he left behind would make up for what he had been unable to give while alive.

No question, he would leave his mark on the world. Large, beautiful buildings scraped the skies of every major city in the United States and in foreign countries. They would live on long after he was gone. He had hobnobbed with presidents, kings and dignitaries, all for his own glory and satisfaction. But his death would mean nothing to them. No one would miss him, not his brothers, who he hadn’t seen in two years, or the daughter he knew only from a distance.

His biggest regret was letting his little girl go through life without a dad, having never known his family. He had letters and pictures from the girl’s maternal grandparents, the ones who had raised her, but he could have had more, done more. Lord knows he couldn’t have taken care of her himself, not then, and neither could her mother. But the child, now a twenty-nine year old woman, never knew….

She would soon enough. She would at least know his name.

He poured another shot of bourbon, left it sit on his desk while he toyed with the gun and listened for the seductive temptress to call to him. And when she did, he picked up the shot and downed the warm comfort. His right hand stopped shaking as he put the cold barrel of the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger.

Chapter One

Illegitimate Daughter of Millionaire Keith O’Neil Inherits Fortune.

Katie Delynski snatched the newspaper out of the receptionist’s hand and glanced around the social service department lobby to see if anybody else was reading the mornings news. To her relief, Vicky was the only one.

“Not a word of this to anyone,” Katie instructed, folding the paper under her arm and making a beeline for her office.

“But that’s my paper,” Vicky called after her.

“You’ll get it back.”

Katie shut her door and dropped her lunch and the article on top her desk. She sat before her legs gave out, took a deep, steadying breath and then dared to look at the headline again. The grainy picture accompanying the brief piece was several years old.

The lawyer, Derek Pratt, had warned her, but she hadn’t expected the information to leak so soon. Just two weeks ago, she had learned the truth herself. Truths she could have gone her whole life never knowing.

When she’d received the phone call requesting her presence at the reading of Keith O’Neil’s Trust, she had laughed, telling the man he had the wrong number. But then she’d told her grandparents about the call and her world had shifted beneath her feet when they confirmed Keith was her father.

Now, everyone would know.

Breathe, she instructed. You cannot have a panic attack at work. She closed her eyes against the sting of angry tears.

The shrill ring of the phone startled her. She checked caller ID before answering, thankful when her best friend’s number appeared. “Oh God, Lana, did you see the paper?”

“Yes. Are you okay?”

“I’m shocked, as stupid as that seems considering I knew this might happen.”

“What can I do?”

“You’re doing it.” Katie couldn’t imagine life without Lana, who was more like family than she was a friend. “I keep thinking this can’t be happening to me.”

“You’re going to be fine.” A heavy sigh eased across the line. “I know you don’t want to hear this but you should meet with the O’Neils’ tonight.”

“No.”

“Katie…”

“I won’t go through that again.” Katie’s breath shuddered out at the very thought.

“Come on, it was a shock for them, too. Bad first impression. It happens.”

“They’re only worried about the money.”

“What if they really are interested in you? Is that so hard to believe?”

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it. Listen, my eight o’clock appointment is here. I gotta go.”

Throughout the day, Katie caught people staring at her and conversation stopped when she entered the ladies room. Were they speculating about the money or her being illegitimate?

God, how she despised that word.

The tabloids and respected newspapers alike, had plastered Keith’s suicide across their pages. A Millionaire at the Top of His Game, or so the headlines had said. Yeah, right. People don’t take their lives when they’ve reached their highest point. They end it when they find themselves at the bottom, at their lowest and most desperate.

As a social worker in the heart of Philadelphia, Katie had seen it all—death and suicide—often enough to recognize despair when she saw it, reeking like the rotting of ones soul.

When five o’clock struck, Katie wasted no time gathering her belongings and heading for the parking lot. She rounded the corner of the building and hit a wall of media. The flash of cameras blinded her; her arm flew up to shield her face. She turned, searching for a way out, but they surrounded her, yelling questions.

“Is it true Ms. Delynski, you were not aware Keith O’Neil was your father?”

“How does it feel to be a millionaire?”

“How are you dealing with the suicide of your father?”

Sweat popped out over her entire body as the crowd shifted, knocking her off balance. She grabbed the nearest arm to keep from falling, attempting to step forward, but her escape route closed off.

“Will you continue to work?”

“Of course,” Katie responded. “Excuse me, please.” Tears of frustration and panic surfaced as the air wheezed from her lungs.

“Hey, buddy, watch it,” someone yelled.

Then the reporters parted like the Red Sea as a big man pushed his way through and grabbed Katie by the elbow.

“Back off and give the lady some room,” his voice boomed with authority. Taking advantage of the media’s momentary bewilderment, he pulled her away from them. She had to jog to keep up with his long strides.

“Who are you?” she asked, but received no answer.

At her car, the man turned his back, placing himself between her and the angry mob of reporters bearing down on them. With shaky hands, Katie rushed to unlock the door to her old yellow Volkswagen and hesitated to…what…thank the stranger? His towering height forced her to look up.

He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes a pale blue reminding her of the sky on a clear cloudless day and then his full lips curved into a devastating smile that left her transfixed for one…two…three seconds.

“Conner Patterson,” he said, answering her question and breaking the spell. “Go on now. Drive safe.”

Inside her car, she gripped the steering wheel to keep her hands from shaking as she drove away. The tremble running through her body did not stop. The lawyer was right. She wasn’t prepared to handle this. She kept the tears in check as she headed for home. The fragile hold broke when she pulled down her street to find reporters camped out in front of her house. She turned around in the first driveway and sped away.

To purchase click here.

Twas the Night Before Christmas - Romance Style

Twas the night before Christmas with a silk teddy draped over the chair.

She put on the last of her makeup and ran her fingers through her hair.

The stockings were snapped to the garter with care,

In hopes that her hero soon would be there.

Into the teddy, she slide with delight

And checking the mirror, knew it looked just right.

With tiny lace straps and in the color of red.

Instead of standing by the fireplace, she chose to wait on the bed.

Soft candle light flickered as her internal flame burned.

Every nerve ending pulsed and her stomach churned.

He was all that she wanted and wished for tonight.

She had only this moment to get everything right.

And then to her wondering eyes he did appear

She could see by the look, his desire was clear.

Oh, how handsome, tall, dark and rough,

She knew in a moment, one night would not be enough.

He strode to the bed, trailed a finger down her face,

Then continued on down to touch the silk and the lace.

He said not a word as he let his hands roam.

She drew in a breath and let it out on a moan.

He lay down beside her, so lively and quick,

He took her to heaven for he knew every trick.

More rapid than eagles, he too then came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called her by name!

She lay quietly beside him, waiting to hear

The words “I love you”. She waited in fear.

For every good Romance must have a great plot

And in the tangled story the heroin got caught.

For in the beginning, she thought what a jerk

But as the story moved forward, his charm it did work.

They labored through the conflict, both internal and out,

And then in a flash, she fell in love, no doubt.

But now as Christmas morning drew near,

Only one thing remained she needed made clear.

And she pondered and wondered as she stared at the wall.

Did he feel the same thing or nothing at all?

She started to speak, but he stopped her in stride

His eyes – how they twinkled – his mirth he could not hide.

He kissed her mouth roughly, then kissed her once more

As he reached for his pants that lie on the floor.

And out of his pocket our hero did take

A bright, shiny diamond and it wasn’t a fake.

He held it out for the heroine, who smiled with glee

For all of her wishes this Christmas had come to be.

“I love you,” he said as his sexy lips drew up like a bow.

Outside in the beautiful Christmas morn, it began to snow.

And all was complete, wrapped up neat and tight.

They heard in the distance “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!”

Five Special Gifts

I know, right, another blog about Thanksgiving and all it’s trimmings. Well, not exactly. I want to introduce you to five beautiful women that, yes, I am thankful to say I know. I want you to meet them because of something they are doing, something that inspired me and should inspire us all. But before I go further, let me make the proper introductions:  


Tory Rummel, Kim Wiederhold, Christine Wolfer, Krystle Gauche, Patty Luschek



Starting November 1st, they began posting on facebook what they are thankful for. Their goal - post something everyday for thirty days. I was intrigued and impressed. I didn’t participate, but I watched, smiled and clicked ‘like’ on many occasions, and nodded my head in agreement and understanding. Their posts ranged from the simple things they felt blessed by to the world around them. They gave tribute to their country, their friends, their family and their beliefs.

They didn’t do this for attention or for gain. They didn’t know that I would ask permission to write about them and share their blessings. I didn’t even ask them why they felt compelled to do it. All I had to do was look at their posts each day to know the reasons why.

We get caught up in all the bad around us and in the world that sometimes - often times - we forget to be thankful, to pay attention to the good in our lives. In the good we can do in the lives of others.

Obviously, I can’t include every single post they've each made, so below you'll get only a sampling. As you read, keep in mind that these women don’t have perfect lives. They face the same world we all face, they all work outside the home, they are raising or have raised children, they’ve loved and have had their hearts broken, they’ve been touched by cancer or other illnesses in their lives or the lives of loved ones, and they have all experienced loss. They are who we are, who we can be, what we should strive to be - real women, strong women, beautiful women - who choose to focus on the good in their lives.

Patty - I am so thankful for my wonderful parents and the love they gave me. With their love and support I am who I am and am so thankful. :-). Love ya Mommy and Daddy!!!!!

Christine - I am thankful for my Sisters...they know just what I need at all times!! I don't know what I would do without them!!

Krystle - I am thankful that in this recession I am able to have a job to help support my family.

Tory - Today and everyday I am thankful that I married my best friend 7 years ago. He graciously accepts my constant opinions, doesn't complain that I hate to cook, supports me through everything, and is the best daddy Cara could ever ask for. Love you babe!

Kim - I am thankful for the smell of fall harvest!

Christine - I am thankful/blessed to have a beautiful, happy and healthy baby girl!! She is 15 months old today. I love watching her personality get bigger everyday!! She makes my world a much better place!!

Krystle - I am thankful for the farmers who go out in the spring to plant and go out in the fall to harvest those crops that help feed the world.

Patty - I am thankful for the roof over my head. It may not be a show home but it is ours and provides us shelter, and warmth. There are so many that are not as blessed.

Tory - Thankful every minute of every day for my mother. I'm almost 30 and her supporting nature never fails me. Truly an angel here on earth. She continues to amaze me with her love and ability to care for others. I pray I am half the mom she is.

Kim - I am thankful and truly blessed to work with so many amazing people

Krystle - I am thankful for my little sister who I may have beat up a time or two, argued with, cried with and laughed with.

Christine - I am thankful for all of my Grandparents!! All of my Grandma's are now my angels in Heaven and so is my Papa Howard!! But those in Heaven and on earth mean so much to me!!

Tory - thankful for laughter and the people that make me laugh. That's what gets me through the days most often.

Patty - today I am thankful for the wonderful time over the weekend. Good company and Good entertainment.

Kim- I am thankful for my baby sister, Patty Wolfer Luschek. She may not realize it, but, I value her opinion and treasure every moment we share.

Tory - Today I am thankful for answered prayers, the grace of God, and being raised a strong Catholic.

Christine - I am so very thankful for my amazing Mom! She has never failed me and she showed me what being a Mom is truly about. She also taught me how to work hard and be a strong woman!

Patty - Today I am thankful for my faith in God and the Love and Blessings he has granted to my family and me.

Krystle - I am thankful for my wonderful neighbors. They watch over our place like a hawk whether we are home or not, as we do for them too.

Kim - I am thankful to live in a country that gives its people a voice. Vote!

Tory - I am thankful for my best friend in the whole wide world, Maggie Schoellman Crawford! Since 3rd grade, she has been my sister from another uterus!

Christine - I am thankful for my Daddy! He taught me what loving selflessly means! His love has shown me what kind of love I deserve as a woman!

Krystle - I am thankful that God blessed me as a mother. So many people don't get the chance to experience the joy of motherhood. Even though I felt the heartache of losing one and feel very blessed to have 2 healthy and happy boys and 1 angel above.

Patty - On this day, the only thing on my mind is how thankful I am for all the brave men and woman that have and are serving our county. I am very blessed that many of my friends and family have served and have come home safe. Thank you and God Bless you all!

Kim - I am thankful for growing up and staying in the country. Where values and beliefs are strong and opinions are honored. We don't have to always agree, and I will fight for your right to disagree with me.

Tory - I am so thankful for my cousins. Each and every one if them. Its true cousins are your first childhood friends and the ones you can always count on!

Krystle - I am thankful for one of my best friends Ashley Attinger. She is a strong person, a firecracker and doesn't tolerate crap from anyone.

Kim - I am thankful for food on our table, coffee in my cup, gas in my car and faith in my heart. All those things keep me going!

Christine - I am thankful today is Friday!! It means I get two days to do whatever I want. I choose to spend them with my girl...can't wait!!! ;-)

Patty - Today I am thankful for the sun in the sky there is nothing like a beautiful morning with a little sunshine.

I want to thank these wonderful women for letting me share bits and pieces of their story. In honor of them, I am giving away five e-books to five lucky commentors: Undercover, All Bets Are On, Buried In Briny Bay, Love's Long Shadow and Two Brothers. I hope you will take a moment to share with us what you are thankful for. Drawing will be Friday, Nov. 25th.

To the right of the screen, you can view the five e-books that will be given away. I would like to thank authors Bobbye Terry and Ciara Knight for graciously donating a copy of their books. Click on their covers to see more detail or to purchase the book. See below for other books by these authors:

By Bobbye Terry: THE MARRIAGE MURDERS, BURIED IN BRINY BAY, COMING TO CLIMAX. Sequel, NICK OF TIME, By Daryn Cross, WALK RIGHT IN, L&L Dreamspell
Visit Bobbye at: http://bobbyeterry.blogspot.com/

By Ciara Knight: Love's Long Shadow. Visit Ciara at: http://www.ciaraknight.com/

UNDERCOVER - Available Now

As a police officer, Erica Salinas is determined to eliminate as many gangs as she can. When she's offered an opportunity to go undercover as a student at a Chicago city high school to stop the drugs trafficking its halls, she jumps at the chance. She intends to right a wrong committed against her family years ago and prove to herself she isn't the coward she once was.

It doesn't take long for her to identify the two gangs that rule the school and get offered drugs. But she isn't satisfied with runners, she wants to go up the chain to the dealer and supplier.

She befriends a boy who has connections with one of the gangs, hoping to get closer to her goal. Instead, she finds herself getting attached to the kid and falling in love with his brother, Derrick.

Sparks fly when Derrick and Erica meet for the first time. Derrick can't believe she is only seventeen and takes on a moral battle when he can't get her out of his mind. How will he ever forgive her when he finds out the real reason she's there?

Erica knows she is putting the case at risk by getting too involved. And when she spots a gang allegiance tattoo on Derrick's wrist, she'll have to decide if her career and avenging her sisters death is more important than love.

Undercover (novella) -  available in digital formats at the following places: Amazon.com, All Romance e-books and Smashwords.

Print version - coming soon.