Sloane Taylor's Blog

From Sharon Ledwith 

If you had the ability to talk to your pet, wouldyou? Most people would probably jump on board and say YES! Some maybe not so onboard. It all depends on the person and their relationship with animals. In Lost and Found, the first book of myteen psychic mystery series, Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls, I introduceMeagan Walsh, a fifteen-year-old rebel without a cause. She has the ability tocommunicate with animals telepathically. However, she’d buried this psychic giftafter her mother died tragically in an auto accident and was only stirred touse it when confronted with a crusty shelter cat named Whiskey.

Fairy Fallswas bores-ville from the get-go. Then the animals started talking.

The Fairy Falls Animal Shelter is in trouble. Money trouble. It’s up to an old calicocat named Whiskey—a sheltercat who has mastered the skill of observation—to find a new human pack leader so that their home willbe saved. With the help of Nobel, the leader of the shelter dogs, the animalsset out to use the ancient skill of telepathy to contact any human who bothersto listen to them. Unfortunately for fifteen-year-old Meagan Walsh, she hearsthem, loud and clear.

Forced to live with her Aunt Izzy in the safe and quiet town ofFairy Falls, Meagan is caught stealing and is sentenced to do community hoursat the animal shelter where her aunt works. Realizing Meagan can hear her,Whiskey realizes that Meagan just might have the pack leader qualitiesnecessary to save the animals. Avoiding Whiskey and the rest of shelter animalsbecomes impossible for Meagan, so she finally gives in and promises to helpthem. Meagan, along with her newfound friends, Reid Robertson and NatalieKnight, discover that someone in Fairy Falls is not only out to destroy theshelter, but the animals as well. Can Meagan convince her aunt and co-workersthat the animals are in danger? If she fails, then all the animals’ voices willbe silenced forever.

Excerpt:

Beep, beep, the front door sounded again. Sighing, Whiskey lifted aback leg in the middle of the hallway and proceeded to groom herself. She hearda familiar voice. The Kind One is here. Good. I’ll get my litter box donefirst. She stopped grooming and instantly regretted the extra mess she’dmade. Then Whiskey heard another voice. This one belonged to a human who wasyounger and female, yet there was a rough edge to her voice, like she had justswallowed a handful of litter. Curious, Whiskey sauntered over to the receptionarea, jumped on the grey chair that waited there for her, and proceeded to dowhat she did best—observe.

“Stop whiningabout it, Meagan, or suck it up, as you would say. You’re doing these hours andthere’s no getting out of it.”

“Isn’t there achild labour law on this?” the younger human asked.

“You’re notbeing paid.”

“Okay, isn’tthis considered some kind of abuse, then?”

The Kind Onesmiled. “Only if I feed you to Mary Jane.”

“Mary…who?”

Whiskey snortedin laughter, but to a human, it would sound more like a strangled meow. TheKind One jumped and turned around. She giggled, and then moved to scratchWhiskey under the chin. “Good morning, Whiskey-girl. I hope you didn’t leavetoo much of a mess for me this morning.”

The girl’s facetwitched. “That cat is named after booze? Nice.”

“She was foundnear the liquor store,” the Kind One said, smiling. “It seemed appropriate.”

Whiskeysneezed, causing her collar bells to jingle, and purred to appease the KindOne. She was Whiskey’s favourite human and she didn’t like it when the felinesof the shelter made more of a mess than usual for her to clean up. However,last night, a full moon had graced the skies. Tempers were higher at this timeof the month, so it wasn’t unusual to find upturned litter boxes, vomit in thecages, or clumps of fur all over the floor. The pull and power the moon hadover animals was out of their control, so when it waned, things got calmer, andtheir home was kept cleaner.

“Mary Jane isour pit bull,” the Kind One was saying. “She’s the last one left in the sheltersince the government banned the breed. I wish we could find her a suitablehome. I think she’s going a bit bonkers being in the shelter twenty-fourseven.”

The girl’smouth fell open. “I don’t do dogs.”

The Kind Oneshrugged. “Fine. There are over seventy cats that need attention and care. I’msure you won’t be bored.”

The girlfrowned. “I don’t do cats, either. I’m...I’m allergic.”

“Oh, haven’tyou heard, my dear? There are pills for that,” the Kind One said, laughing. “Gointo my car’s glove compartment and grab a couple of allergy pills, and thenget your lily-white butt back here so you can help me start cleaning.”

The girlmoaned. She pulled at the oversized pink scrub top she wore as if protestingthe Kind One’s orders, and then opened the door to go outside. Beep, beep.

“Well, Whiskey,shall we get this party started?”

Whiskey meowed,and then stretched before getting down off the chair. She ran straight to thedoor and let out a long-winded meow. She wanted out so she could roll on thedriveway to loosen any fur the Loud One had not purged from her. Two beepsaccompanied her departure. Whiskey heard a car door slam and looked across thelot. The young girl had a white stick stuck in her mouth and was heading forthe side of the building, near to the dog runs. Whiskey watched as she snuckbehind the lone shed and sat down.

Interesting,she thought. I wonder if the Kind One trusts her?

Whiskey decidedto observe this young human. Carefully, she skulked over to the tall grass thatwas never cut and pushed her way through it. Closer, closer, closer she got,until she was about a stone’s throw away. The dogs were barking like thelunatics they were. Louis was in the run closest to the forest that backed ontothe building, while a new dog, a Lab mix, she guessed, was in the middle. Therun next to the driveway had always been reserved for Mary Jane. Whiskeyglanced back at the girl who was sucking on her white glowing stick. Whiskeysniffed, and then sneezed. Her bells tinkled. Poison, she thought,pawing her face to dissipate the stench.

“Who’s that?”the girl asked, quickly removing the white stick from her mouth.

Whiskey sneezedagain, sounding off her bells as she jumped out of the long grass. She gave theyoung human a long look of disdain, like one a cat might make while having thesquirts in a litter box.

“Oh, it’s justyou,” the girl mumbled, and then resumed sucking on her white glowing stick.

Silly,stupid human, Whiskey thought. She turned to saunter away.

“I’m not silly,and I’m certainly not stupid,” the girl responded nastily.

Whiskey frozeand then sat down. She turned her head around to watch the girl blow smoke outof her mouth. Her long legs were stretched out in front of her and she seemedrelatively relaxed. Whiskey shook her head. Had she imagined it? Did this girlreally pick up her thoughts? This was a real conundrum. No human had ever comeas close as this one to understanding her; to actually communicating with her.The exception, of course, had been the Kind One’s instinct to know when a catwas ill and take care of the matter, but instinct was instinct and this wassomething more.

“What’s the matter, Whiskey?” the girlasked, sucking on the white stick once more before rubbing it into the ground.She blew out ringlets of smoke. “Cat got your tongue?”

Lost & Found, Book One Buy Links:

PANDAMONIUMPUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE׀

SharonLedwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventureseries, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mysteryseries, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading,researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, andsingle malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern touristregion of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and two shiny red e-bikes.

Learn moreabout Sharon Ledwith on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Look up her AMAZONAUTHORpage for a list of current books. Stay connected on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, and GOODREADS.

BONUS: Download the free PDF short story TheTerrible, Mighty Crystal HERE

 

 

 

 

on October 13  
By C.D. Hersh 

While hunting for an October blog idea we came across the National English Language Day. This special day not only commemorates the day in 1362 when the British Parliament was opened the first time by a speech in English, rather than French. The day also celebrates the universality, uniqueness, and the evolvement of the English language over the centuries. 
Now the most common language in the world, English was brought to Britain by Anglo-Saxon migrants in the 5th-7th centuries. From those humble beginnings the language has grown by leaps and bounds, incorporating words from other languages, words and concepts developed as new inventions, medicines and progress of industry, technology and medical discoveries developed. Consumer marketing also contributed to the growth of English adding words like: Cheerios, Sugar Pops, Grapenuts, Mars Bars and Snickers. 
One of our favorite new-word categories includes imaginative writers like William Shakespeare, a brilliant actor, playwright, and poet, who lived in the late 1500s to early 1600s. Shakespeare is credited with coining, inventing and popularizing 1,700 words in the English language. Among those are: bedroom, downstairs, eyeball, gossip, hurry, jaded, kissing (one of our favorites for romance books and in general), rant, yelping, and zany. Green-eyed monster is one of Catherine’s favorite Shakespearian innovative phrases. 
Shakespeare created these words by adapting existing words, adding prefixes or suffixes, combining words, or “borrowing” words from other languages. He sometimes changed nouns into verbs. For instance, the noun “elbow” became a verb. Today everyone knows what it means to “elbow” someone.Our adaptation of English, which isn’t as common in other languages, is one of the things that has allowed English to grow so rapidly, often making it hard to keep up with the newest trendy words. This adaptability has made English unique and the most recognizable language on earth. 
"How recognizable?”, you ask. 
Ethologue, a research center for language intelligence, a primary official source for speaker data, estimates that around 1.53 billion people speak English, either as their mother tongue or as a second language. That’s enough people to make English the most common language in the world. 
So, this October 13 celebrate English! Look up some of the unique words of the Bard. Thumb through the 250,000 words in and Oxford Dictionary. Read Shakespeare or Jane Eyre, then a bit of Fan Fiction or Sci-Fi to see how English has blossomed and grown or just hang around an old beatnik or teen and see if you can figure out what new words the people of their eras invented.Last, but not least, write a poem or story and incorporate some of the “borrowed” words from other languages, using the invented words on the list below, or be like the Bard and create your own words.The world of the English language is all around you, explore it and the share this blog with a friend.Thanks for stopping by, and Happy National English Day! 
Partial list of “borrowed” words from other languages: 
French: ballet, entrepreneur, cuisine, adventure Spanish: hurricane, tomato, avocado, taco, potato Hindi: guru, shampoo, bungalow, pundit Japanese: tsunami, karaoke, tycoon, sushi Arabic: alcohol, algebra, sultan, zenith, safari, lemon German: wanderlust, kindergarten, rucksack, hamburger Aztec: chocolate, chili, coyoteIndigenous American Indians: moccasin, chipmunk, hominy, tobogganDutch: skipper, cookie, dollar Greek: metropolis, theatre, philosophy 
C.D. Hersh–Two hearts creating everlasting love stories.  
Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s.
As high school sweethearts, and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after. 
Their paranormal series is titled The Turning Stone Chronicles is currently out of print.They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life. 
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from C.D. Hersh 
Often, we are asked what our favorite book or author is. As writers there is another favorite that we have and that is certain sections of the books we have written. These favorite sections or excerpts become the lines shared to promote interest in the book. Today we thought we’d share some of our favorite lines from our paranormal romance series, The Turning Stone ChroniclesEach of these books is a standalone in that there is a HEA in each. However, you will understand the continuing characters and their relationships if you start with the first book in the series. 
With that said we will start our excerpts with the first book, The Promised One.

Tucking his gift under her arm, she started to leave.

“Hey.” He pointed at the other gifts. “Aren’t you going to add yours?”

“Nope. I’ll give it to you later, when we’re alone.”

“Ooh. Something special. Mineral or animal?” His right eyebrow raised, his smile growing.

Alexi laughed. “Just embarrassing.”

“For you or for me?”

“I’m not telling.”

Sidling close to her, he backed her against the wall. “Come on. Just a hint,” he said, a purr in his tone as he placed his hand on the wall next to her shoulder and moved into her personal space with the ease of a lover. One of his famous melt-the-girl looks smoldered in his gaze. The golden flecks in his green eyes lit up like fireworks. Hot fireworks.

Enjoying his closeness and the raw sensuality emanating from him, she lingered for a minute, then slowly moved away. Standing this close she could get burned, and she wasn’t ready to play with fire . . . not yet. She shook her head. “Not a chance.”

He crossed his arms, obviously irked that she hadn’t succumbed.

“My irresistible charms work on everyone else. Why not you?”

Oh, if you only knew. She had to fight to resist him. She flashed him a smile. “Because I’m special. And I’m your partner. Keeping your back safe is more important than getting you on your back.”

He laughed, a deep, throaty, and utterly sexy sound.

She locked her knees to keep from melting into a puddle.

“I like the sound of that.”

Of course you would. She felt her face flame.

Now for the second book, Blood Brothers, excerpt.

Sylvia Jordan Riley winced as Falhman dug into her shoulder and extracted a bullet. He dropped the bullet into the trash and swabbed the wound. “You want to tell me how you got injured?” he asked as he reached for the needle to stitch the gaping hole.

“Chasing Promised Ones.” And the man who murdered my ex-husband.

“I hope it was worth this.”

“It was.” She’d torn Baron's killer to shreds, but that wasn’t the best part of her news. “I’ve found someone who shifted with me by using the power from my ring.”

Falhman stopped stitching and stared intently at Sylvia, his eyes glittering with undisguised interest. “Is he a rogue shifter?”

“I don’t think he’s any kind of shifter. He seemed startled when the shift occurred.”

“A non-shifter who can use the ring without the incantation? What’s his name?”

“Temple. Rhys Temple. There’s only one problem.” Sylvia paused then continued, “He’s in love with Baron Jordan’s niece, Alexi.”

“I thought that whole family was dead.”

“She’s the last one left, and I think she's on track as a Promised One.”

Falhman went back to stitching Sylvia’s skin with practiced ease. “Get rid of her and get him. If we can control someone with that kind of power, we can control the world.”

Sylvia looked at her superior. He made it sound simple. Kill Alexi Jordan and lure Rhys to the dark side. Piece of cake? Not if a Jordan was involved. From her recent dealings with Alexi, she knew there would be one heck of a fight if she tried to take her man.

The third book in the series, Son of the Moonless Night, has some new characters but continues the underlying story. Here’s the excerpt:

A head of lettuce and a grapefruit escaped from the paper grocery sack as Katrina leaned sideways on tippy toes to get the topmost lock. The vegetables rolled across the small concrete patio at the bottom of the stairway well and stopped against a leg of the wrought iron café table. Whispering an expletive, she pushed the door open and placed her purse and grocery sack on the entryway table just inside the door. Then she swiveled to get the runaway vegetables.

A very pleasant and interesting sight greeted her. A pair of dark trousers caressed a toned posterior of the man bending over to retrieve her vegetables. She fought to rein in the path her mind started down. Been too long, Katrina, she said to herself as the vision straightened and turned around.

“Oh!” he exclaimed. “I thought you had gone inside.”

The way he held the vegetables out in front of him made her wonder what his hands would feel like if he held her breasts in that manner.

“Hello? Are you awake?”

“Ah, ah,” Katrina sputtered as she focused on his face to get her mind out of the gutter.

“Okay. Awake, but not here yet.” The corner of his lips started to rise.

“You,” she breathed when she recognized him. “Where’s my grandmother’s afghan and my Cleveland Brown’s hoodie?”

“Nice to see you, too, and thank you, I’m feeling fine.”

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “If you hadn’t run off I’d have known you were okay.”

The smile inched up the side of his cheek, lighting his electric blue eyes. “You worried about me. How sweet.”

“Sweet, my patootie. I just . . . You could have bled . . . Oh, crap. Where’s my stuff?”

He took another step closer to her. The deep blue ring around his amazing eyes seemed to darken.

She leaned back from him.

Without taking his eyes off her, he nodded to a brightly colored gift bag on the ground beside the door. “I got blood on the afghan so I had it cleaned. It wasn’t badly stained. The blood came out. The hoodie’s a different story. I couldn’t salvage it, so I bought a replacement.” Balancing the vegetables in one hand he lifted the gift bag to her. “Forgiven? Please?”

Book four, The Mercenary and the Shifters, gets more characters involved in the struggle. Here’s the excerpt:

Mike Corritore wheeled up the circular drive of the impressive house on Lakeshore Road and cut the engine on his motorcycle. After a quick glance around, he shouldered the bags containing his clothes, ammo, pump shotgun, and talwar sword. Then he headed for the carved front door. The doorbell echoed inside indicating the mansion had a cavernous entry hall. He searched the entrance stoop for security cameras and found none.

What the heck had he gotten himself into? A rich bitch, with no security on her home, mixed up with a bad syndicate spelled major trouble. With this chintzy level of security, it would take more time than he originally anticipated to make her house and business secure.

After a couple of minutes, the door opened.

“Can I help you?” asked an attractive redhead.

“I’m Mike Corritore. Here to see Fiona Kayler. Will you tell her I’ve arrived?”

The redhead looked him over, then braced her legs shoulder width apart and crossed her arms over her curvy bust. “Do you have identification, Mr. Corritore?”

Mike returned her once-over. Her porcelain complexion blushed pink at his bold examination, and she tossed her mane of wavy, mahogany hair defiantly.Damn, she was gorgeous.

If she thought her insolent pose enough to keep him, or intruders out, she’d better reconsider.

“Hugh sent me.” He stepped forward but she blocked him.

“A driver’s license for your very expensive motorcycle will suffice,” she said, wiggling her fingers at him. When he didn’t comply, she stepped back and reached to the side of the door.

The distinct cachung of a gun cocking sent him flying to the right of the doorway.

“Identification, Mr. Corritore. Please,” she said as she leveled a pistol at him.

Mike dug in his rear pants’ pocket. “Hugh lied,” he said as he held out his driver’s license. “You don’t need protection.”

After inspecting his identification, she lowered her weapon and waved him inside. “For my business, Mr. Corritore. I’m capable of protecting my home, but I can’t draw my gun just anywhere.”

“You should get a conceal and carry license,” Mike said as he entered.

She put the safety on the gun and stashed the weapon in the table beside the front door.

“I take it you’re not the help,” he said, glancing around the entry hall.

She held out her hand. “Fiona Kayler. Nice to meet you, Mr. Corritore.”

“Mike,” he said, taking her hand. Her palm, warm and soft, told him she lived a life of leisure. But her strong grip screamed, No patsy. He held her hand a bit longer than he should have. She wriggled free and waved him to the left.

“Ladies first.”

With a nod, she led him toward a sumptuously decorated room. He followed, his eyes taking in the soft curves of her rear as she sashayed across the marble-tiled floor. Mike’s body reacted to the seductive wiggle of her bottom. She walked as sexy as she looked.

Keep your mind on the job, Corritore. He shifted his gaze away from temptation, searching the ceiling and corners of the entry for security cameras. If she had them, they were well hidden.

The measured click of her high heels on the hard marble tile floor disappeared as they stepped on the thick, white carpet of the living room. This room appeared cozier than the entry. A huge gold, gilt-edged mirror hung over the fireplace reflecting the scene outside the oversized plate-glass window.

She motioned to a seat beside the fireplace. Mike chose a location less exposed to the exterior, where he could watch the entrance to the room. Fiona dragged a side chair across the room to where he sat, positioning it at a right angle to his seat. Two vertical furrows appeared in the carpeting, bisecting their shoe impressions and the vacuumed paths in the thick fibers. Apparently, she didn’t use this room much.

“So, Ms. Kayler—”

“Fiona,” she corrected.

“Fiona, exactly what do you need me to do?” As he said the words, he had a lurid vision of what he’d like to do to this lovely woman. He shook it off. She was Hugh’s friend and in trouble. He had no business screwing around with damsels in distress. They were needy. The last thing he wanted.

“A couple of years ago I had a problem with smugglers. They brought in some hazardous materials which got me in trouble with Homeland Security and the FBI. They cleared me, but my business took a pretty big hit. To keep things afloat, I’ve had to get in bed with some rough characters recently.”

At the phrase get in bed with Mike cocked his eyebrow at her.

“Not literally,” she amended quickly, as a dusky pink blush crept over her pale complexion. “I need my security beefed up, so I don’t have a replay of two years ago.”

“Any good security company could upgrade you.”

“I also need someone I can trust implicitly. Hugh vouched for you, and I trust Hugh.”

“We should start with your home security. I didn’t see surveillance cameras at the door.”

“My home is perfectly safe. It’s my business I’m concerned about.”

Fiona crossed her arms over her chest, her body language closing off to further suggestions. Mike followed her motions. As he did, he spotted a red dot on her chest. The dot wiggled.

“Get down!” Mike shouted as he dove for Fiona.

They hit the floor as the pottery on the raised fireplace hearth exploded, sending shards across the room. Mike shoved Fiona behind the nearest chair then scrambled across the rug to the blown-out window. Removing his gun from his back-of-the-waist holster, he peered over the windowsill. Seeing no one in the driveway, he swiveled around to check on Fiona. The red laser point danced around the room, searching for a target.

We hope you enjoyed this look into some of our favorite lines from our books and maybe got interested to follow along with the story.

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They've written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after, and that’s why they write romance.

In addition to writing Catherine and Donald love antiquing, traveling, singing, and going to the theatre. Catherine is also an avid gardener and has drawn Donald into her garden as a day laborer. They figure the couple who plays together and works together, stays together—and that's just what they aim to do.

Second Editions Coming Soon:

Ghosts and Gardenias

The Promised One The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 1
Blood Brothers The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 2
Son of the Moonless Night The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 3
The Mercenary and the Shifters The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 4

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From Anne Montgomery 

 

So, Ifound myself in a rather precarious situation.

Oneday, recently, I had nothing to do. Not a thing. Even the house was relativelyclean, and the laundry put away. There was nothing more I could do for thegarden, which was on its way to the summer desert-char season, where all thingsgreen are reduced to sticks and straw. I could find no new reporters, bloggers,reviewers, or book clubs to pitch my novel to. There was nothing to edit orupdate. No e-mails to return or query letters to revise. And, gosh, with schoolout for the summer, there were no teenagers to supervise, unless you count myyoungest son, who’s twenty and thinks he’s all grown up and doesn’t need myguidance anymore.

Itwas…quite frankly…frightening.

I knowwhat you’re thinking. In the inimitable words of Mrs. Blue, when she firstfaces Forrest from her porch, “What are you crazy or just plain stupid?”

Now, asa teacher, I don’t use the word stupid. Five letters, yes, but, in theclassroom, it’s lumped in with the dastardly four-letter variety. Still, when Itried to explain the cause of my anxiety to a friend, he looked at me like I’dlost my mind. Stupid, indeed.

I wentonline and, because I had nothing else to do, I took what was billed as the 7Minute Anxiety Test. I agreed or disagreed with all sorts of statements on alink called the Calm Clinic:  I have sweaty or cold, clammy hands. Iam afraid of crowds, being left alone, the dark, strangers, or traffic. I amable to relax.

Thatlast one gave me pause. Even when I go on vacation, it takes me a few days tostop searching for a purpose, to find that sweet spot where I can take a nap orcrack a mindless novel in the middle of the afternoon without guilt. Thetest results showed that I’d scored a 25 out of 100 on the Anxiety Scale:Apparently, my case was nothing more than mild.

Still,why the trepidation when I’m not under pressure? I put on my Sherlockdeerstalker cap and, since I had nothing else to do, I gave it a good think. I ruminated on the fact that I have spent perhaps an inordinate amount oftime being insanely busy. Sometimes, I flash back to my newsroom days, wherethe frantic preparation for the next show could, at any moment, be wrenched ina new direction, necessitating the tossing of the previous plan moments beforegoing live on the air. (I still have nightmares about not being prepared whenthe red camera light blinks on.)

When Ifirst became a teacher, my panic at those relatively short TV segments seemedsilly when faced with the proposition of five hours each day staring downchildren in the classroom, who glared back, waiting. I felt like an animal inthe zoo. I used to be a server in a restaurant in Washington, D.C. where verybusy people wanted their food “Right now!” As a sports official, decisions mustbe instantaneous. There’s no, “Let me think about this and get back to you,”allowed when it’s time to throw a flag or keep it neatly tucked in your belt.

And then, I paused. Everyone is busy. Our world dictates that we runfrom one responsibility to another with crushing regularity. Busy defines us. And, clearly, I’m not the only one who feels a bit queasy when thingsslow down. More than half of Americans – 55% – responding to an on-line surveyadmitted to leaving vacation time unused in 2015, which totaled 658 milliondays.

Perhapswe’re just out of practice in regard to relaxing. Like anything else, one musttrain to become adept at a skill. One can’t just jump in without extensiverepetition and expect to excel. So, I’ll solve my free-time anxiety problem bydevising a plan, creating coherent steps in order to discern the proper routeto relaxation, and then…

You know, all thisthinking is making me sleepy. Maybe, I’ll take a nap and ponder the problemlater.

Here is a brief peek at Anne's Historical Fiction novel base on a real soldier.

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.”  Midwest Book Review

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley 

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true.  When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” –  Kathryn McLeer NetGalley 

Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Kobo  Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces. When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.
Learn more about Anne on her  website ,  Wikipedia ,  Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter .

 

 from Stella May

Two years ago, I developed a far from pleasant illness which forced me to change my way if eating, I'm really grateful my husband and son were willing to give it a try. Back up support is an amazing thing. 

Makinghomemade nut butter is a straightforward and rewarding process that allows you to create a fresh, flavorful spread tailored to your preferences. Here's abasic guide to help you craft your own nut butter with the nutsof your choice: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts,pecans, or any combination (You will need 4 cups).​

Optionaladd-ins: Salt, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup,or other flavorings to taste. Roastthe Nuts: Roasting enhances the nuts' flavorand aids in releasing their natural oils. 

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spreadthe nuts evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 7-10 minutes, stirringoccasionally, until they are lightly browned and fragrant. Be cautious not toover-roast, as this can lead to a burnt taste. ​

CoolSlightly: Allow the roasted nuts to cool fora few minutes util they're warm but not hot. 

Warm nuts blend more easily,resulting in a smoother butter.​ Transfer the nuts to a food processor or high-poweredblender. Process on high speed. The nuts will go through stages: from whole toa crumbly mixture, then to a thick paste, and finally to a creamy butter. Thisprocess can take anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes, depending on the nut type andyour equipment. Be patient and scrape down the sides of the processor asneeded.

AddFlavorings (Optional): Once thenut butter reaches your desired consistency, you can add a pinch of salt orother flavorings like cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup. Blend briefly toincorporate. Keep in mind that adding liquids may slightly alter the texture.​
Transfer the nut butter to an airtight container or jar. Storein the refrigerator for up to one month. Note that homemade nut butter may firmup when chilled; allowing it to sit at room temperature for a few minutesbefore use can make it more spreadable. ​

Experiment with different nuts orcombinations to discover unique flavors. For instance, blending cashews andalmonds can yield a creamy, mildly sweet butter.​ My personal favorite iscombination of pecans and walnuts.

By making your own nut butter, younot only enjoy a fresher product but also have complete control over theingredients, allowing you to create a healthier alternative to manystore-bought versions.

All my best, Stella

Here is a peek at book one of Stella’s time travel romance series for your reading pleasure. 

One key unlocks the love of a lifetime…but could alsobreak her heart.  

Nika Morris’s sixth sense has helped build a successfulbusiness, lovingly restoring and reselling historic homes on Florida’s AmeliaIsland. But there’s one forlorn, neglected relic that’s pulled at her from themoment she saw it. The century-old Coleman house.  

Quite unexpectedly, the house is handed to her on asilver platter—along with a mysterious letter, postmarked 1909, yet addressedpersonally to Nika. Its cryptic message: Find the key. You know where it is.Hurry, for goodness sake! 

The message triggers an irresistible drive to findthat key. When she does, one twist in an old grandfather clock throws herback in time, straight into the arms of deliciously, devilishly handsome ElijahColeman. 

Swept up in a journey of a lifetime, Nika finds herselffalling in love with Eli—and with the family and friends that inhabit a time noteven her vivid imagination could have conjured. But in one desperate moment ofhomesickness, she makes a decision that will not only alter the course of morethan one life, but break her heart. 

’Til Time Do UsPartis available in Kindle and Paperback at AMAZON. 

Talented author Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website. 
Stella writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 'Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors.
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 35 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business.

Follow Stella on her website and blog Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

from C.D. Hersh 
bla bla bla bls bla>

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They've written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after, and that’s why they write romance.

In addition to writing Catherine and Donald love antiquing, traveling, singing, and going to the theatre. Catherine is also an avid gardener and has drawn Donald into her garden as a day laborer. They figure the couple who plays together and works together, stays together—and that's just what they aim to do.

Second Editions Coming Soon:

Ghosts and Gardenias

The Promised One The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 1
Blood Brothers The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 2
Son of the Moonless Night The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 3
The Mercenary and the Shifters The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 4

Social Media Info:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

Goodreads

the Antebellum South, Voodoo, and Zombies 
from Sharon Ledwith

Visions of Scarlett O’Hara’s Tara from the movie Gone with the Wind or the famous Oak Alley Plantation sweep through ones’ mind when conjuring up those antebellum period plantations of the deep south for some. However, for the black race and people of color, plantation life in the 1700s and 1800s was a constant struggle just to stay alive. In The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, the third installment of The Last Timekeepers time travel adventure series, eleven-year-old protagonist Drake Bailey must confront not only his demons, but the terrible oppression and cruelty against his race in antebellum Georgia. I also wanted to incorporate a Voodoo ceremony that included creating a zombie, and I must say, I had a Thriller of a time writing the scene!

The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book Three:

True freedom happens only when you choose to be free. 
When eleven-year-old Drake Bailey embarks on his third Timekeeper mission, he must confront a dark chapter of history: the antebellum South. No amount of genius can prepare him for the dark reality of the past, as he assumes the role of a plantation slave. 
In a time of fear and cruelty, Drake must outwit his captors, protect a vital bloodline, and find the courage to break the chains that threaten to destroy him. In a race against time, the Timekeepers confront Voodoo, zombies, and ritual sacrifice. But do they have what it takes to complete their mission and protect the timeline? 
The third book in Sharon Ledwith's Last Timekeepers series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS AND THE NOBLE SLAVE blends rich historical detail with gripping adventure. 
EXCERPT 
Drake read over their Timekeeper mission again. Blood. Deep south. Race. Broken. Soul. Red flags waved through his mind like a category five hurricane. He’d seen one too many movies and documentaries to know 1855 was not a great time in history for people with his skin color. Drake shut the Timekeepers’ log and shook his head vehemently. “There’s no way in hell I’m gonna go on this mission, Lilith!” 
Lilith wrinkled her long, narrow nose. “I understand why you have these fearful feelings, Drake, but I do not choose where you go into the past. Belial is the one who holds that power and seeks to disrupt history whenever he sees a chance.” 
“May I see the Timekeepers’ log, Drake?” the Prof asked. 
“Sure, Prof, but I’m still not going,” Drake replied, passing the log over. 
“Can he do that?” Ravi asked, glancing at Treena. 
“I don’t think so. It’s like signing a contract for a movie. You’re committed to finishing the film or you face the studio lawyers. Case closed, gavel down.” 
“Lilith isn’t a judge.” Ravi looked at Lilith. “Right?” 
“No, Ravi, I am not your judge, but what Treena said rings true. You were all chosen as Timekeepers for a reason, and are bound by this covenant,” Lilith replied, unclasping her hands. “That is all I can offer you.”
“Fine. I’ll just remove my Babel necklace,” Drake said, digging under his shirt. “Problem solved.” 
“Drake, why are you freaking out like this?” Jordan asked, helping Amanda to her feet. “It can’t be as bad as fighting the Nazis in our second mission.” 
“Yeah, or being interrogated in the Gestapo Headquarters by Belial’s creepy crony Marcus Crowley,” Ravi added. 
“Why don’t you ask Amanda why she puked? It wasn’t because she had warm and fuzzy feelings about this mission,” Drake argued. 
Melody wiped Amanda’s chin. “Do you feel well enough to speak?” 
“I…I think so.” 
Professor Lucas whistled. “Now I see why Amanda was sick to her stomach. Using the words deep south and the date as a clue, this mission puts us in the antebellum era, six years before the American Civil War began. This period was filled with so much hate, racism, turmoil, and political upheaval, I’m willing to bet these emotions went right through her.” 
“If Uncle John is right, why would Belial want to change anything back then?” Jordan asked, frowning. “That slithering douche-bag lives for human suffering during those dark times in history.” 
“Exactly.” Drake removed his Babel necklace. “So why tempt fate?” 
“N-no, Drake, you have to come.” Amanda reached for his hand, and squeezed it. “Trust me, you’re an important part of this mission.” 
“Huh? How?” 
“It’s hard to explain. I just know you have to be there.” 
UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK  
Here’s a glimpse of the premises of both my young adult series: The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventures… 
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers-legendary time travelers sworn to keep history from the evil Belial-five classmates are sent into the past to restore balance, and bring order back into the world, one mission at a time. 
Children are the key to our future. And now, they are the only hope for our past. 
Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen Psychic Mysteries… 
In the small, quiet tourist town of Fairy Falls, a new-to-town teen, an unlikely hero who possesses an unusual psychic ability, is drawn into a mystery and is tasked with uncovering corrupt truths that threaten the town’s future. 
Welcome to Fairy Falls. Expect the unexpected. 
Buy Links: 
The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series: 
The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book 3 UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE 
The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret , Book 2 UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE 
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis , Book 1 UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE 
Legend of the Timekeepers, Prequel  UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE 
Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen Psychic Mystery Series:  Lost & Found , Book One PANDAMONIUM PUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE 
Blackflies & Blueberries , Book Two PANDAMONIUM PUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE

SharonLedwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventureseries, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mysteryseries, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading,researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, andsingle malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern touristregion of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and two shiny red e-bikes.

Learn moreabout Sharon Ledwith on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Look up her AMAZONAUTHORpage for a list of current books. Stay connected on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, and GOODREADS.

BONUS: Download the free PDF short story TheTerrible, Mighty Crystal HERE

 

 

 

 

from Sharon Ledwith 

This is the perfect casserole for any occasion, especially holiday feasts like celebrating Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day. These super scalloped potatoes compliment any main dish you serve at your table. Tender potatoes in a creamy onion sauce baked to golden perfection would make any mouth water. Whether you’re serving spiral ham, pork chops, poultry or beef, this tasty side-dish makes six servings to share with family, friends, or friends of friends. 

With a prep time of 25 minutes, cook time of 1 hour and 20 minutes, and a rest time of 15 minutes for a total of 1 hour and 45 minutes, you’ve got plenty of time to visit with your company, and enjoy a glass of your favorite libation. May I suggest a pint of green beer or perhaps a dram of Irish Whiskey? 

Slainte!

Half-Way to St. Paddy's Day Scalloped Potatoes

¼ cup butter1 large onion,diced2 cloves garlic,minced¼ cup flour2 cups milk1 cup chickenbroth½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon pepper3 pounds of whitepotatoes, sliced about ⅛” thickSalt and pepper totaste

Preheat oven to 350°F

Sauce

To make the sauce, melt butter, onion, andgarlic over medium-low heat. Cook until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Addflour and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Combine milk andbroth. Add a small amount at a time whisking to thicken. The mixture willbecome very thick, continue adding a little bit of liquid at a time whiskinguntil smooth.

Once all the liquid has been added, bringto a boil over medium heat while continuing to whisk. Stir in salt and pepperand let boil 1 minute.

Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Place ⅓ ofthe potatoes in the bottom and season with salt and pepper. Pour ⅓ of the creamsauce over top.

Repeat layers ending with cream sauce.Cover and bake for 45 minutes.

Uncover and bake for an additional 35-45minutes or until golden brown, and potatoes are tender. Broil for 3-4 minutesto obtain a golden top.

Allow to rest for 15 minutes beforeserving.

This casserole is also a wonderfulside-dish to include at your holiday get-togethers too, making a greatsubstitute for mashed or roast potatoes. Try it. You just might love it! 

Oncedinner is done, and you’ve got some free time on your hands, why not dig intoyour next read? May I suggest my latest release?

Only a true hero can shine the light in humanity’s darkest time.
When fourteen-year-old Jordan joins his second mission with the Last Timekeepers, he and his companions are thrust into Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during World War 2. 
Tasked with locating a powerful, ancient book before it falls into enemy hands, Jordan and his fellow Timekeepers are plunged into a fight far more dangerous than anything they’ve faced before. With help from the Dutch Resistance and a mysterious baron, they must stay one step ahead of a regime determined to silence the truth. 
As danger closes in, Jordan discovers that true courage is forged through trust, sacrifice, and the strength of those beside you. But will that be enough to change the past - and protect the future? 
A fast-paced adventure rich with historical detail, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS AND THE DARK SECRET is the second book in Sharon Ledwith's series of novels for middle grade and adult readers alike.
EXCERPT

“I wonder what else isdown here.” Drake beamed his cell phone across the basement, hitting jars ofjams, pickles, and relishes. His stomach growled.

Jordan pulled the cheesefrom his pocket and handed it to Drake. “Trade you for your phone.”

“Best. Trade. Ever.”Drake passed his phone to Jordan.

Jordan walked over andgrabbed a jar of pickles off the dusty shelf. At least they wouldn’t arrive atthe baron’s place hungry. He hoped his uncle had managed to stop Amanda’sbleeding. His hand tightened over the jar, the ridges of the lid cutting into hispalm. A scrape from behind the shelves made Jordan jump.

“Hello?” he asked,pushing jars aside. He flashed the cell phone into the small, dark area.

“Who ya talking to,Jordan?” Drake asked with his mouth full of cheese.

“Shhh, Drake.” Jordanlistened. Hearing nothing, he shrugged and turned back around.

“I thought I heard—”Jordan stopped and pointed the phone at Ravi. His jaw dropped. “A-Are youserious, Sharma?”

Drake spat out hischeese, snorting with laughter.

“Is there a problem?”Ravi asked, tying the bowtie of his tuxedo.

“You look like a penguinwith attitude!” Drake slapped his knee.

“Say what you want, butI’m glad we didn’t hit the cleaners on the way to school now,” Ravi replied,pulling down his sleeves, “or else I wouldn’t have these dry clothes.”

Jordan chuckled.Suddenly, he heard a door creak open, followed by heavy footsteps squeakingdown the stairs. Panicking, Jordan stuffed Drake’s phone in his track suitjacket’s pocket and waved Drake over by the shelves. Drake slipped behindJordan just in time, before the small light bulb above the bottom of the stairsclicked on. Jordan swallowed hard. There, staring directly at Ravi was a portlyman in a blood-stained apron. Tufts of blond hair sprouted from the sides ofhis balding head. His brown trousers were pulled up past his waist, making himresemble an evil garden gnome. In one of his hands, he held a huge butcherknife, its blade flecked with blood.

Wielding the knife, theman pointed at Ravi. “Who are you?”

Ravi licked his thicklips nervously. “The name’s Bond. James Bond.”

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

 Here’s a glimpse of the premises of both my youngadult series:

The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventures…

Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary timetravelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial—five classmates aresent into the past to restore balance, and bring order back into the world, onemission at a time.

Children are the key to our future. And now, theyare the only hope for our past.

Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen PsychicMysteries…

Inthe small, quiet tourist town of Fairy Falls, a new-to-town teen, an unlikelyhero who possesses an unusual psychic ability, is drawn into a mystery and istasked with uncovering corrupt truths that threaten the town’s future.

Welcome to Fairy Falls. Expect the unexpected.

BuyLinks:

The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series:

TheLast Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book 3

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀

TheLast Timekeepers and the Dark Secret, Book 2 BuyLinks:

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀

TheLast Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, Book 1 Buy Links:

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀

Legendof the Timekeepers, Prequel BuyLinks:

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE׀

Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls TeenPsychic Mystery Series:

Lost& Found, Book One BuyLinks:

PANDAMONIUMPUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE ׀

Blackflies& Blueberries, Book Two BuyLinks:

PANDAMONIUMPUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE ׀

SharonLedwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventureseries, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mysteryseries, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading,researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, andsingle malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern touristregion of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and two shiny red e-bikes.

Learn moreabout Sharon Ledwith on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Look up her AMAZONAUTHORpage for a list of current books. Stay connected on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, and GOODREADS.

BONUS: Download the free PDF short story TheTerrible, Mighty Crystal HERE

 

 

 

 

When I had one all along.
From Anne Montgomery 

Anyonewho has ever been unhappily unemployed – even for a short time – can testify tothe damaging array of emotions that come with that particular package. So muchof who we are is wrapped up in what we do.

After Iaged out of TV reporting, I often found myself leery of running intoacquaintances: the thought of addressing my lack of a fulltime job enough tomake me queasy.

Whenthe Great Recession hit in 2008, a financial meltdown that saw the nation’sunemployment rate rocket to 10%, there were so many unemployed people thatsupport groups were formed. The unemployed could meet and chat and prop oneanother up amidst their hunt for a paycheck. Being on an extended job searchbecame so common that, I’d like to think, the stigma of unemployment vanishedto a certain extent.

When Iwas without work, there was no one with whom to share my pain. Still married atthe time, my now ex was frustrated that I no longer brought home a bigpaycheck.  I spent my days alone while the world went on without me. I wasleft wallowing in my own self-pity, which, as anyone who has ever lingered inthat neighborhood can tell you, can become an awfully lonely outpost.

Oneafternoon, I returned home from yet another “thanks, but no thanks” interview,this time with a sports bar manager who had not too subtly appraised mybuxomness quotient, multiplied it by my age, and deemed me unworthy, despite myskills with a shaker, my ability to pour a perfect shot every time, andin-depth knowledge of sports that would have kept even sober patronsentertained.

Shortlyafter that, I found a phone message from a temp agency. They’d gotten me a gigworking on the assembly line at a Revlon plant in South Phoenix. I was toreport early the next morning.

Shortlyafter that, I found a phone message from a temp agency. They’d gotten me a gigworking on the assembly line at a Revlon plant in South Phoenix. I was toreport early the next morning.

Now, Ihad always thought I was a tough girl. But I must be honest here. As I picturedmyself Lucy-like – product slipping by on a conveyer belt too fast to handle –I cried. And, unlike that famous red head, I wouldn’t be able to eat my way outof the problem.

Full-timeemployment would evade me for several years, a time during which the only thingthat sustained me was a skill that I had always considered just a means to anend. The fact that officiating amateur sports – an avocation I practiced inorder to get my foot in the door in the sports-reporting business – would putfood on my table was something I had never considered. And yet, it was the oneplace that felt normal, that I still had some semblance of control. The oneplace I felt like me.

The only place I felt comfortable those years I was without afulltime job was on the field, especially with my longtime baseball umpiringpartner Don Clarkson.

There was a rhythm to my worldon the field that, no matter what was happening outside those lines, remainedconstant. Perhaps it was the need for punctuality, the ritual of donning theuniform, or the customary procedures in regard to game management. Maybe it wasthe camaraderie: players, coaches, fans, and fellow officials all involved inan endeavor that mattered to them. Or maybe it was that feeling after the game– whether the contest went smoothly or not – that I had done my best andlearned from my mistakes.

Funny,it sounds like a job.

I wish I’d thought so atthe time.

Here is a brief peek at Anne's latest release.

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.”  Midwest Book Review

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley 

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true.  When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” –  Kathryn McLeer NetGalley 

Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Kobo  Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces. When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.
Learn more about Anne on her  website ,  Wikipedia ,  Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter .

 

FromSloane Taylor

Pasta Primavera is a perfect warm weather dinner, especially with a glass of cool, crisp white wine. 

Theword primavera means springlike in Italian, but don’t be fooled that this dishoriginated in Italy. Nope! Both Canada and the US claim the honor of creatingPasta Primavera. No one knows for sure which country invented this deliciousdish, but the fact is that it didn’t come to be until the 1970s. 

Thisrecipe is for 2. If you are serving more simply increase the ingredientsaccordingly. Don’t prepare extra for another meal because the veggies get mushywhen reheated. 

PastaPrimavera9– 10 oz. cheese tortellini2tbsp. olive oil5baby carrots⅓red onion½red or yellow pepper4asparagus⅓seedless cucumber or small zucchini3tbsp. butter8or 10 sliced mushrooms1½tsp. garlic powderFreshlyground black pepper to taste1tbsp. lemon juice½cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving2tbsp. parsley, optional 

Cookpasta per package directions al dente, no longer. Drain into a strainer,retaining ⅔ cup of water for the sauce. Cover tortellini to keep warm. 

Slicecarrots in thirds lengthwise. You do this because carrots take so much longerto cook. Slice red onion into thin rings, but not too thin, then cut in half. 

Remove seeds from pepper then cut into stripslengthwise. Set aside. Freeze the extra for another recipe. 

Cutasparagus into 1-inch pieces. Add to pepper bowl. Slice cucumber/zucchini about¼ inch thick then add to pepper mix. 

Pouroil into a Dutch oven set on medium-high heat. You need this size pan toproperly blend the veggies. Stir in carrots and onion, sauté until crisptender, 6 – 8 minutes. Stir often and adjust heat to prevent burning. 

Lowerheat to medium. Add butter, asparagus, pepper slices, and mushrooms. Seasonwith garlic, black pepper, and lemon juice. 

Gentlyblend in pasta and cheese. Add small amounts of reserved water to thin sauce toyour liking.

Heat through. Sprinkle onparsley then serve.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table!

Sloane