by Sarah | Apr 22, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
Top 10 Favorite Television Shows:
- Dallas—J.R. Ewing made for the best villain. Love him or hate him, Larry Hagman’s portrayal of the rich oil barren was the reason millions tuned in every week. And Bobby Ewing made for a hot, hunky cowboy. Plus, I love a good family saga. The brotherly bond between J.R. and Bobby was best displayed by the occasional tender-hearted emotions reflected in J.R.’s eyes when he thought no one was watching.
- The Soprano’s—A mobster isn’t hero material, but James Gandolfini portrayed Tony Soprano with a perfect blend of warmth and ruthlessness. Silence reigned in my house every Sunday night so as not one word was missed.
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman—I know, the show was corny at times, but I loved the characters and the costumes.
- Deadwood—As a fan of all things western, this show was spot-on in scenery, history, costumes, dialogue, and casting. Entertaining, gritty, sometimes disgusting; I enjoyed this series immensely and was thoroughly angry at HBO for canceling it without a good reason.
- Everybody Loves Raymond—I love to laugh, and most episodes were laugh-out-loud funny. For nearly 10 years, we got to know the Barone family and what made them tick. One of the main reasons I liked this show is Frank and Marie reminded me of folks I actually knew
- NCIS, L.A.—I enjoy NCIS, but I love NCIS, L.A. The chemistry between all of the actors and the characters they portray is riveting and funny. The rapid exchange between Sam and Callen or Deeks and Kensi is some of the best writing in television today, and the action is fantastic. Hetty is the type of boss everyone should have. If I’m ever in need of help, I’m hoping Sam and Callen come to my rescue.
- Castle—Good story lines with plenty of plot twists, the best thing about this show is the chemistry between Castle and Beckett. They are so cute together.
- The Cosby Show—This was one of the best family comedy shows. The parental advice Bill Cosby dolled out each week kept me in stitches, and back then, I didn’t have children.
- Laverne and Shirley—Okay, I’m showing my age, but honestly, as a kid, I loved these two wacky women. And Lenny and Squiggy (who will forever remain Lenny and Squiggy to me regardless of other characters they portray). And I liked to watch Eddie Mekka dance; he was so talented.
- Knots Landing—A spin-off from Dallas, this was also another well-written nighttime soap/family saga. Abby made for a great female villain, and her clothes, hair and makeup were perfect.
| [amazon_link id=”B006XJWW08″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] |
Blurb:
Notorious outlaw Buck Grayson is set to hang for the one murder he didn’t commit, until a last minute pardon sets him free. But there’s a condition to the pardon. He’s to cease outlawing and bring law and order to Revolving Point, Texas, the border town along the Rio Grande, with a reputation worse than his. Zanna is there and still in danger from the fancy-pants attorney seeking revenge against her. Buck will do anything for Zanna–even pin the tin star to his chest to keep her safe–except say the words she longs to hear.
Former soiled dove Suzanna Reynolds wants respectability, a home and children, and she wants them with Buck. Trouble is, Buck isn’t the settling type and has never openly acknowledged she’s his woman. Convinced Buck only took the sheriff’s job to settle a score and not to please her, Suzanna demands he court her to prove his love. Or leave town for good.
*~*
Excerpt:
Buck stepped inside, closed the door and didn’t make a move toward her. “That woman downstairs is worse than Emma.”
“Did you come up here to complain?” She folded her arms beneath her breasts.
“I came to tell you I took this damn job for you.” Plus, it made it easier to flush out Hanson’s hired guns before they harmed her. But she didn’t need to know that. She’d want to help and would do so behind his back if he didn’t let her. “Not because I want a tumble between the sheets, but because you’re my woman. That used to mean something to you.”
“It still would if you’d tell me you love me.”
“Dammit, Zanna. You know I do.”
“Then say it,” she challenged. “And don’t give me the same old line about words being hard for you.”
“They are.” At least, those words were. The last time he’d said them his family had been murdered. With enemies lurking in the shadows, the same could happen to her. Pissing her off was one thing. He could tolerate her icy glare. Losing her forever was a whole different matter. “That doesn’t mean I don’t feel them.”
She sighed irritably and looked away.
“Doesn’t my coming here count for something when I swore I wouldn’t?”
“If you can’t say the words,” she returned her gaze to him, “then I want you to prove you love me and intend to stay.”
“How?”
“By courting me.”
“What the hell do you think the last three years have been?”
“I thought I knew, but now I’m not so sure.” She glared at him. “You say I’m your woman. Prove it.”
“Sonofabitch, Zanna. Couldn’t you just beat me with your fry pan?”
“No,” she said in that same snotty tone that had beaten him many times in the past.
by Sarah | Apr 14, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
As a writer of historical fiction, I feel as if I’m constantly hopping back through time to visit the settings of my books (lately I’ve been spending a lot of my time in Sherwood Forest). So it seems natural that when I sat down to write a “Top Ten Tuesday” post, era-hopping came to mind.
Many of us have our favorite time periods. Mine might surprise you. Let’s journey back … back … back to …
London, England, during the blitz: sure, I know it was dangerous and noisy with those bombs crashing down all over the place. But you have to admire the spirit of determined defiance. And just think of the camaraderie found sitting in a bleak basement with the neighbors while the sky – and your life – falls around your ears, singing songs about Dover and longing for a cuppa …
Victorian England: A time of plenty – for the privileged classes. The rest of us keep company with the orphans and match-sellers starving in the streets. Then again, these are the people who more or less invented our concept of Christmas festivities. And it’s the birthplace of London Steampunk, no? Can’t be all bad …
Concord, Massachusetts during the nineteenth century: Oh, to breathe that rarified air and share a conversation with the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott! Perhaps I’ll be fortunate enough to cadge a walk in the woods at Walden Pond with Henry David Thoreau. Sheer bliss, but it’s obvious I’ll need a moniker made up of three names before I can fit in. Laura Rose Strickland, maybe …
St. John’s, Newfoundland during the eighteenth century: A cold, rocky coast, an abundance of fish and the cleanest air in the world. It may be a hard life, but it holds the priceless promise of starting anew. I have all I need in the strength of my back and the skill of my hands, with which to build a home. Heck, my ancestors took root here and so can I …
Tudor, England: No, I’m not attracted to the scandal or the treachery. And it seems horribly easy to get tossed into the Tower of London or earn a date with the headsman. As for Elizabeth the First with her white pancake makeup and her bald head – frankly the woman terrifies me. But oh, the music! I’ll go just for that …
Medieval Europe during the plague: I know, I know, there were rats. And fleas. And that pesky Bubonic thing. But just think: all of us who are descended from Europeans can take pride in the fact that our ancestors survived the dreaded epidemic. If they hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here …
Sherwood Forest during the thirteenth/fourteenth century: This is familiar ground for me. I’ve already written three novels and a short story set here and I think I know the territory pretty well. How can I resist actually setting foot on that blessed soil and walking for a while beneath those magical trees? I just might meet the descendants of Robin Hood …
Ireland during the Viking age: Not everyone knows the Vikings settled some of the great cities in Ireland including Dublin, Waterford and Wexford. There, the fierce invaders elbowed aside the Celtic residents, intermarried and eventually settled peaceably enough to beget a strain of flaxen-haired, blue-eyed Irishmen and women. Hmm, I wonder what it would really be like to give those horned warriors a warm welcome …
Iron Age Britain: I think my heart is here first and foremost. Give me a round-house on the Scottish coast overlooking the wild, western sea. People in this place weave enchantment into their music and magic is a fact of life. The gods are alive in every tree and rock, and Christianity has not yet appeared over the eastern horizon …
Stonehenge: Need I say more? Just the name evokes a sacred atmosphere and a mystical way of life. It’s sunrise on the summer solstice. The world holds its breath as knowledge meets belief and light cleaves stone. Here, I want to stand …
Well, we’ve journeyed our way back some distance to where the last remnants of the ice age breathe cold vapor over the land and the clean air makes it impossible to imagine pollution. Hope the time machine works for us on the way back. Then again, maybe not …
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00HJEHOFE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | The Wild Rose Press |
Champion of Sherwood – blurb:
When Gareth de Vavasour, nephew of the Sheriff of Nottingham, is captured by the outlaws of Sherwood Forest and held for ransom, he knows he will be fortunate to escape with his life. Amid the magic and danger that surround him, he soon realizes his true peril lies in the beautiful dark eyes of Linnet, the Saxon healer sent to tend his wounds.
Granddaughter of Robin Hood, Linnet has always known she is destined to become a guardian of Sherwood Forest, along with her sister and a close childhood companion. She believes her life well settled until the arrival of Gareth. Then all her loyalties are tested even as her heart is forced to choose between love and the ties of duty, while Sherwood declares its own champion.
Author web page: www.laurastricklandbooks.com
*~*
Champion of Sherwood excerpt:
“Champion.”
He spun once more. A man stood behind him, wreathed in white mist pure as the moonlight. Gareth reached for a weapon he no longer wore.
“Peace,” the man said.
“Who are you? How come you here?”
“I am the spirit of this place. Some call me the Green Man. Others call me Robin Hood.”
“Robin Hood is long dead.” Gareth had heard the tales. Who had not?
“Aye, long dead,” the man agreed, “as are many who dwell here. This is our bastion, our refuge, a place of faith and strength.”
“What do you want with me?” Surely, and surely, he was back asleep on his tether, and dreaming.
“Nay, lad, you are not dreaming.”
“Can you hear my thoughts?” What madness was this?
“I ask of you, young man, only one thing, one boon, one favor if you would survive this night.”
“Of course I will survive. This is but darkness, and trees, and moonlight.”
The man waved one of his hands. A creature appeared beside him, a pure white wolf with its hackles raised. Another subtle movement and he stood flanked on the other side by a great, white hart, its sides streaming mist. The trees overhead tossed their branches and Gareth felt the power gather, sharp and vital, around this being who faced him. Fear such as he had never known — not even when awaiting the arrival of his father with the strap — engulfed him.
He said, “What do you seek of me? What boon, what bidding?”
“I ask of you but one promise, that you should follow what is in your heart.” The man smiled again. “Does not a true champion, always follow his heart?”
*~*
by Sarah | Mar 17, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
It’s Spring Break and while the rest of America seems to be on vacation, I seem to be working. I snuck out for one beach day with my kiddos, but the day job has been calling loud and clear this week. But that hasn’t stopped me from daydreaming about holidays recently. And with good reason—all year long, I’m releasing books about finding love on some of the most special days of the year. I call it the “Holiday Hearts” series and I hope you’ll come check it out—the first two novellas, New Year’s Eve and The Cupid Caper, are already out, and a full-length book, Lucky in Love, will be out later this month.
10—Halloween: I haven’t been a big Halloween person for years. I’m just not into all the spooky, scary stuff. But then I had kids. And I love seeing my kids just be kids and enjoy themselves. So Halloween is back on the list because seeing my kids smile makes me smile.
9—New Year’s: I’m not a big resolution maker. But in recent years, I’ve been trying to be more intentional with how I’m living my life and I’ve found that identifying a word or theme for my year has been very useful for me. I do like the idea of drawing a line in the sand and trying to do things different or better. We all need a new start from time to time.
8—Texas Independence Day: I’m a sixth-generation Texan. My great-to-the-something grandfather was the original judge in Anderson County, Texas, and his commission was signed by the one and only Sam Houston. I have a copy of it. Forty-nine other states couldn’t care less about the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, but in the Ethridge house, we remember the Alamo. Ha ha!
7—St. Patrick’s Day: I have two redheaded children. Enough said. They look adorable in leprechaun shirts. Besides, who couldn’t use a little of the Luck of the Irish?
6—Valentine’s Day: A day to be in love with love. I think a lot of it is over-the-top and super-cheesy. But there’s nothing wrong with doing something out-of-the-ordinary to show someone that they are special to you. If we all took the time to tell those we love what they mean to us, I think the world would be a better place.
5—Easter: I love Easter for what it represents as a religious holiday, but I also love it because hands down, it has the best candy. From bunnies to marshmallow eggs, Easter candy is worth stocking up on. Just not Peeps. I don’t do Peeps.
4—Birthdays: Everyone loves the chance to have their own special day. I’ve celebrated my birthday at my favorite restaurant every year since I was 15. (Which is to say…10 years. Ha.) I eat the same thing and get the same dessert—chocolate mousse. But it’s my special day, so it’s ok that I make it my own personal version of Groundhog Day.
3—Independence Day: There’s something about fireworks. I’m lucky to live near one of the best fireworks displays in the nation, so my family goes to see it every year. (And then we wait in the car for two hours to get home, but that’s beside the point!) Our little community also puts on a great local show with games and carnival-style food for the family, plus a concert.
2—Thanksgiving: I’m something of a foodie. In fact, I love to post my favorite real food recipes on my website (www.kristenethridge.com) and share others from my blogger friends on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kristenethridgebooks) so this holiday is right up my alley. My favorite thing to eat at Thanksgiving—cajun fried turkey. I haven’t had an oven-baked turkey in years!
1—Christmas: Christmas brings out the kid in me. I love driving around to look at lights. I love getting new ornaments for the tree. Parties, families, special meals and desserts, and peppermint hot chocolate. It’s a time to celebrate with long-standing traditions like church services on Christmas Eve, to create new traditions with your kids, and to brighten someone else’s day with a donation to those less fortunate.
What’s your favorite holiday? Do you live somewhere other than the United States and get to celebrate a fun holiday unique to your own country? I’d love to hear about it!
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00IK1G58W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] |
Blurb
Sometimes you’ve got to take Cupid’s bow and arrow into your own hands.
Amanda Marsh is in love with love. As a high school English teacher, she is surrounded by poetry and classic literature, including the love stories written by her favorite author, Shakespeare. She knows she’ll never find anything as romantic as the stories that have stood the test of time, so she’s settled on having a crush on chemistry teacher Luke Baker from a far.
Luke Baker left his career as a research chemist behind to share a love of science with students. And he’s about to make his pet project a reality as the curriculum lead for the district’s new specialized science and technology academy. When a poem shows up on his desk drawing him into The Cupid Caper, the Valentine’s Day-themed dance and fundraiser for Skyview High School’s Student Council, Luke dismisses the whole thing as a silly game. But when he realizes that winning the grand prize in The Cupid Caper is the one way he can help a star student attend the new STEM Academy, he decides to play along.
Paired together, the English teacher and the chemistry teacher both realize The Cupid Caper is more than a game, but neither can tell the other their feelings are no joke. When an education in happily ever after is on the line, will a man whose life has been ruled by the scientific method and a woman who quotes sonnets miss the mark, or will Cupid’s arrow finally ring true?
The Holiday Hearts Series: Heartwarming Stories of Finding Love on the Most Special Days of the Year
*~*
About Kristen Ethridge:
The writing bug bit Kristen Ethridge around the time she first held a pencil. A 2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award Finalist, Kristen was discovered by Harlequin through their 2012 So You Think You Can Write contest.
She writes contemporary inspirational romance for Harlequin’s Love Inspired line, as well as sweet contemporary romance. Her favorite stories are filled with love, laughter, and happily ever after–and her favorite happily ever after is the story of God’s love. Although she has fun creating characters, Kristen’s favorite people are her family. She lives in Texas with her husband, children and a self-important poodle. Visit her online at www.kristenethridge.com.
by Sarah | Feb 17, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
![MP900401195[1]](http://redefiningperfect.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/MP9004011951-300x240.jpg)
Recently, I went to a meeting and one girl talked about when she worked on a project, she preferred using Crayons over map pencils because there were more colors to choose from and are easier to use. To find out more about Crayons, copy and paste this link: http://www.crayola.com/products/crayons/all/
In my scientific on-line research, I found this color range list in alpha order: http://www.colourlovers.com/web/blog/2008/04/22/all-120-crayon-names-color-codes-and-fun-facts
And in case you were wondering, here’s a list of retired colors from 1990: http://www.crayola.com/faq/another-topic/what-are-the-names-of-the-retired-crayon-colors/
So I got to thinking of what were my preferred Crayon colors. Mine favs are:
1. Red
2. Pink Sherbert
3. Indigo
4. Royal Purple
5. Aquamarine
6. Sunglow
7. Gold
8. Gold
9. Silver
10. White
My newest romantic comedy collection is Bug Stuff…and Other Stories. Because a similar anthology of mine was done with red and gray colors, the artist and I picked blue and yellow for this one:
| [amazon_link id=”B00HPA8PVY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | BN |
Bug Stuff & Other Stories includes:
“Just Desserts”: a political dinner gone disastrous brings together a reluctant attendee and her seat-mate.
“Bug Stuff”: An accountant unites with his co-worker to fight a pesky adversary.
“With This Ring”: When a wife forgets her little black dress, all turns into something utterly romantic and unforgettable in the end.
Are you a Crayola Crayon lover? What are your favorite?
by Sarah | Feb 10, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
*Today I’m pleased to have Allison Knight on the blog talking about her top ten research books!
When I started thinking about this blog. I considered talking about the top ten things I’ve learned over nearly thirty years in this business, or the top ten things that bug me the most. Making it more about me was also a choice, like my personal goals. After a lot of thought, I decided to make it about my top ten favorite research books and why. I prefer to write historical romance and words become very important, so most of my favorite books have to do with words.
My top favorite is a book called ‘Reverse Dictionary”. It’s a Readers Digest book, it’s illustrated and I love it because I can work backwards. For example, I don’t know much about horses, but with this book, I can look up the word horse and the dictionary details each part of the horse and what each part is called. Want to saddle a horse? There a start to finish with each part named. The same with a sailing ship, or different kinds of plant parts. Look up plant and you get a biology lesson. A neat book.
My second favorite is from Random House. It’s called ‘Word Menu’. Look up the sound and it lists all of the different kinds of sounds, buzz, burp, scream, hiss. Emotion? Walk? You get the idea.
Next would be an old Readers Digest book called ‘Use the Right Word’. With this book, I can look any word, let take the particular word greedy, and it gives me half a dozen different kinds of greed. Yes, I want the right word for my greedy land owners.
Number four would have to be my ‘Webster’s ninth Edition Dictionary’. This simple Dictionary not only give the word’s definition, but it dates the word. In other words, it gives the approximate time the word shows up in any recorded writing. As a historical author, I don’t want to use a word that didn’t exist say in the 14th century if I’m writing a Medieval tale.
My fifth research book is another Readers Digest book, this one is ‘The Family Word Finder’. I like it because each definition begins with a sentence using the word. It gives synonyms and antonyms and tells you what the word is, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.
My wide World Atlas is next because it not only give me maps, but information about weather, different crop regions, mineral deposits, age, important dates. Unfortunately, It’s a big book and rests of the top of the book shelve. It doesn’t fit on any of the shelves. It also requires the whole top of my desk when I open it up.
Roget’s Thesaurus is next. A thesaurus is must for the writer and Roget’s is considered the best.
Number eight is a trade paperback I’ve had since I started to write. The title is Writing Fiction, Nonfiction, and How to Publish by Pat Kubis and Bob Howland. It a basic how to, with things like plotting, dialogue, and style. Much of the publishing information is outdated, but the basics are still excellent and I still find myself referring to it once in a while.
Because I write historicals and don’t know much except the basics of England’s history, I have a little book by Dorset Press, which gets a lot of use. It’s called “Atlas of British History” and is a book of maps detailing points of history over 2000 years. I love the map of the railroads. It dates the route and time it took to go from point a to point b, the same for important battles, canals, for all of England and Scotland.
My last Book is another small volume that I use as a historical author writing about the British Isles. This one is called “The Castle Explorer’s Guide.” It alphabetically describes everything there is to know today about the castles of England, Scotland and Wales, including all of the different methods of construction, their locations, and the people who in worked in and around the castles. It also contains information about all know ruins, very important if you are writing about the medieval ages.
There you have my top ten research books, books I’d find hard, no make that impossible, to give up. I’d love to discover another fabulous book so let me know if you have one you can’t live without.
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B0064XIPIG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] |
Alwyn ab Brynn Ffrydd wants revenge against a powerful Baron without losing his king’s support. What better way to exact revenge than to kidnap the Baron’s long time mistress. But she is not what he thinks she is.
Shy, unworldly Milisent Mortimore has been confined for nine years by a brother who now demands she agree to wed a cruel, heartless man. Thanks to her father’s will, she has the right to chose her mate or her spouse will lose her inheritance.
When Alwyn kidnaps her desires flares and together they must struggle against the treachery of Alwyn’s current mistress, her brother and the man he wants her to marry.
In defying all three, Alwyn places his life at risk. Milisent saves him from certain death and together they celebrate their life of love.
EXCERPT:
Milisent’s breath caught as she stared at the sight before her. A chill shot through her. She gazed at the most magnificent warrior she had ever seen. The deep melodic voice carried a twinge of a strange tongue, but the most arresting thing was not his voice. Nay, it was him. This man radiated strength and power, and although his face was grim his countenance was
most pleasant.
He had a blade of a nose, a square face bare of hair, and a firm jaw.When a smile of satisfaction graced his face she shivered. If she were not so terrified, she would have called him a handsome man. He was big, aye, but his soft brown eyes softened the sternness of his face. His jaw, clenched in anger, spoke of the ability to command. Shoulder length hair, the color of
new sawn wood, waved around his face and curled under his chin. She noticed a touch of silver at his temples. Heavy, straight eyebrows accentuated those eyes. He stared at her as if he could see within her soul.
Something about him demanded to be obeyed, and with a control that would spell her doom if she allowed him to take her from FentonCastle.
Her heart pounded and a strange sensation gathered in her arms, her legs, her stomach. The blood in her veins surged with an unknown heat and tremors raced through her. Fear—it had to be fear—coursing through her.
The sound from the hall below faded as this new feeling took its place. One thought surfaced. Where had Baldwin Stanton de Bain found such a man? Or had he come from de Bain? Surely this warrior took orders from no one. A sudden thought struck. What of Gilbert’s acquaintances? Who among them had conspired to help de Bain, by seeking this man to take her
from here?
“Mistress, you will come with me.” He directed his words toward Ella.
“Nay, I cannot. I will not leave her,” Ella shouted, shaking so badly Milisent wondered if her companion would remain on her feet.
The man looked surprised for a moment and brought his gaze to her. “Your name?”
Milisent glared at him and sealed her lips. She would tell this man nothing.
*~*
by Sarah | Feb 3, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
I’ve lived in 10 states and one foreign country, but New Mexico is now my home. The desert Southwest inspires my work, as I bring romantic suspense to the land I love. Here are some of my favorite spots – heavy on the adventure.
- Hovenweep National Monument: Located on the southern border between Colorado and Utah, these ruins once housed 2500 people between A.D. 1200 and 1300. It’s one of many sites left behind by the ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi. It’s a smaller site than some, but that’s part of its charm. You can hike and camp without crowds. Hovenweep inspired my romantic suspense [amazon_link id=”B006M6P6FA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Whispers in the Dark[/amazon_link].
- Utah’s Canyons: Utah has so many amazing national parks that’s hard to choose a favorite. Canyonlands allows remote camping and hiking where you may not see another person. Arches and Natural Bridges are famous for their natural stone arches and bridges. Bryce Canyon is filled with hoodoos – odd pillars of rock – while Zion is known for its beehive rock formations. Take a driving trip and visit them all.
- Chiricahua National Monument: This glorious site in southeastern Arizona isn’t as famous as many of the Utah canyons, but it’s easily accessible from highway 10. A drive takes you to the top of the mountain range, where a variety of hikes provide closer looks at the unusual rock formations: spires, columns, pinnacles, and even a formation that looks like a duck.
- The Grand Canyon: If you haven’t been there, put it on your life list. If you can manage a strenuous hike, it’s worth taking the South Kaibab trail down to the bottom. Stay overnight at Phantom Ranch – maybe even add in a recovery day – before you head back up. The dorms and dining hall mean you won’t have to carry a heavy pack.
- Tombstone, Arizona: This historic city in southeastern Arizona is a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s still fun to see what life was like in the Old West. Have a drink at a historic saloon, take a stagecoach ride, or watch the re-creation of the shootout at the OK corral. Cowboy wannabes will have a blast.
- Carlsbad Caverns: Wander through the caves at your own pace or take a ranger-guided tour. The stalactites and stalagmites are astounding. In summer, stay for the bat flight program. Carlsbad is in southern New Mexico. Kartchner Caverns in southern Arizona is also worth a visit.
- Santa Fe: My list leans towards outdoor adventures, but if you want great food, shopping, and museums, take a break in Santa Fe. Different museums focus on Indian arts and culture, Spanish Colonial art, fine arts, international folk art, and more. Artist Georgia O’Keeffe even gets her own museum. Best of all, the area around the Plaza maintains the traditional pueblo style of architecture for a full immersive experience.
- Socorro, New Mexico: This small town wouldn’t show up on very many lists, but as a local, I know the special places nearby. Hikes can take you out in the desert or up to the mountains, visiting native petroglyphs or hunting for fossils. Hundreds of rock climbing routes provide adventures for everyone from beginners to experts. Plus, you have a good chance of seeing unusual wildlife, from roadrunners to coyotes to great horned owls.
- The Very Large Array: I count many world travelers among my friends and relations, so sometimes it’s hard to impress people with something new. But the VLA does the job. Two dozen enormous white radio telescope dishes stretch across the desert plains, pointing toward the sky. A walking tour provides a closer look and explains the science investigations.
- Jemez Springs: After all this adventure, it’s time to relax, and this small town in the mountains of northwestern New Mexico is known for its hot springs. You can also visit the ruins of an old Spanish church; Soda Dam, a cool rock formation formed from the mineralized water flowing in the river; and Battleship Rock, so named because it resembles the prow of a battleship. (Pictures on my Pinterest page.) I’ve attended many writing retreats at a camp north of the town, and those experiences inspired [amazon_link id=”B00GQOEE9M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Counterfeits[/amazon_link], my latest romantic suspense novel. The Kindle e-book is currently on sale for $.99.
I’ve left out many wonderful places, but these are among my favorite spots. Many I visit again and again. If you make it to the Southwestern United States, maybe you’ll enjoy them as well. Otherwise, you can visit in books. Either way, we’ll be glad to have you!
*~*
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Counterfeits: Painter Jenny Kinley has spent the last decade struggling in the New York art world. Her grandmother’s sudden death brings her home to New Mexico, but inheriting the children’s art camp her grandmother ran is more of a burden than a gift. How can she give up her lifelong dreams of showing her work in galleries and museums?
Rob Caruso, the camp cook and all-around handyman, would be happy to run the camp with Jenny. Dare he even dream of that, when his past holds dark secrets that he can never share? When Jenny’s father reappears after a decade-long absence, only Rob knows where he’s been and what danger he’s brought with him.
Jenny and Rob face midnight break-ins and make desperate escapes, but the biggest danger may come from the secrets that don’t want to stay buried. In the end, they must decide whether their dreams will bring them together or force them apart.
*~*
Excerpt:
Jenny rose from sleep slowly, her body resisting. She could see nothing in the pitch black. Where was she? She blinked, trying to make sure her eyes were really open.
Memories broke through the fog. The phone call, the rush across country, the late arrival. Crawling into bed in her grandparents’ upstairs guest room. She groaned and pulled up the blanket. Morning must be hours away, given the darkness.
The old house creaked, but no sounds drifted in from outside. Maybe that’s what woke her; she was used to the murmur of city sounds all night long. Who’d have thought that would become normal?
Her head pounded. Probably dehydration from the high elevation and dry air. She should get up, drink a glass of water, take a couple of aspirin. Her head would thank her in the morning. If only she could make herself move.
The house creaked again, followed by a rhythmic sound – like footsteps. Jenny jerked upright, her ears straining. Had she heard a voice?
She shook her head. She must still be half asleep, dreaming. Imagining her grandparents were still here. Wishful thinking.
Downstairs, a door closed. Jenny clutched the blanket. Imagination be damned. She was not alone.
For a long moment, she sat frozen. During her ten years in New York City, she had never been burglarized or mugged. It seemed impossible that such a thing should happen now, here, in an off-season art camp five miles outside of Jemez Springs, New Mexico.
Maybe it was someone her grandmother knew. But what were they doing there in the middle of the night? And if they’d come to see Jenny, they should have knocked, rung the bell. Waited for morning. Anyway, who knew she was there? Even Ms. Lucena didn’t know when she was supposed to arrive. She hadn’t told anyone her travel plans; she’d just gone.
She had to do something. Jenny rose and eased open the bedroom door, praying she had somehow been mistaken, that everything would make sense if… when…. She couldn’t imagine a benign explanation.
She stood with her ear to the crack and heard a low chuckle, and then a male voice. She couldn’t tell if the laugh and the voice were the same person. Either way, that suggested two or more people, at least one of them male.
Why would a man be laughing in her grandmother’s house, in the middle of the night, two days after her grandmother’s death? No good reason came to mind.
She fumbled for her phone on the bedside stand. But even before she activated the screen, she gave a frustrated grunt. She wouldn’t get reception here. The only place in camp that got cell phone reception was the southeast corner of the parking lot. The landline was downstairs, in the kitchen.
Something crashed in a room below. Jenny jumped and dropped her phone. It hit her thigh, then her foot, and went skittering under the bed with a faint scrape against the wood floor.
A man was swearing downstairs. Hopefully that had covered up any sound she’d made. Jenny clenched her hands to control the trembling. She couldn’t imagine her grandmother being friendly with anyone who swore like that.
She had to get out of the house. She wouldn’t wait upstairs for the burglars, if that’s what they were, to find her. If she could get to her car – damn. Her keys were in her purse, which was downstairs on the living room couch. So she couldn’t drive, but she could still go to the Lodge, break in if she had to. Use the phone in the office, call the police.
Still shaking, Jenny crouched and felt along the floor for her shoes. She was wearing flannel pajama bottoms and a tank top; no need to waste time putting on clothes. She was already cold, but her jacket was downstairs, lying over her purse on the couch. It didn’t matter. She just had to get out.
*~*
Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance involving outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. [amazon_link id=”B00GQOEE9M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Counterfeits[/amazon_link] starts a new series about an art theft that brings danger to a small New Mexico town. [amazon_link id=”B006M6P6FA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Whispers in the Dark[/amazon_link] has archaeology and intrigue among ancient ruins, [amazon_link id=”B0094V0OD4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]What We Found[/amazon_link] features a young woman who stumbles on a murder victim, and [amazon_link id=”B004SQSONC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Rattled[/amazon_link] follows a treasure hunt in the New Mexico desert. To learn more about her latest work, visit www.krisbock.com.
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