Jeannie Kaye's Blog

I don't think boys growing up realize how important being a father is. Whether they had a great father, or an absent father, or a terrible father, many times they do not make the connection to the power they have over the next generation as a men. A father, or a lack of a father, shapes a child's life forever. 
In fact, it's been said that we view God in terms of how our father behaved. This isn't fair to God but it is certainly true. 
So as the song goes: Fathers be good to your daughters. A whole generation and possibly multiple generations are depending on it. 

I don't think boys growing up realize how important being a father is. Whether they had a great father, or an absent father, or a terrible father, many times they do not make the connection to the power they have over the next generation as a men. A father, or a lack of a father, shapes a child's life forever. 
In fact, it's been said that we view God in terms of how our father behaved. This isn't fair to God but it is certainly true. 
So as the song goes: Fathers be good to your daughters. A whole generation and possibly multiple generations are depending on it. 

Okay, so here are my new covers for Ever Locked and Tripped Up. I hope to have Tripped Up back from the editor in a few days and ready to release. But, as with everything, sometimes things take longer than expected.

So, I'm experiencing a bit of a quandary right now. I absolutely love the cover that my designer created for Ever Locked and the subsequent covers that I've done for the next books in the series.

However, I've recently discovered that these covers aren't right for the genre, neither New Adult, nor Romance. As an indie author, I love the autonomy and control of self publishing. However, with that, comes mistakes that wouldn't happen in a traditional publishing house. It's not a huge deal. But it's disappointing.

Honestly, I don't want to change my covers, but I've been told that when romance readers browse my category, they would just pass right on by my books because they don't say "romance" to them.

So, now I'm looking into creating more romance oriented covers.

To change or not to change? Well, I think I have to change. 

I'll update with designs as they materialize.

By the way, Tripped Up is almost out! It's in the final editing phase right now.

By Rebecca Reilly

I didn’t realize that as a writer of fiction I took a serious career risk when I shared the workings of my imagination for all to see and critique.   It’s not just my story structure, or characters and setting that my friends judged; it’s my mind (and for some my soul) that went under the microscope. I heard condemnations, I mean questions, like, “How can you, as a pastor write a story that delves into the supernatural the way that Haunting Megan does?” and, “How can you teach people about God for your job, and then in your writing expose others to the spiritual darkness of tales of ghosts?”

There was no doubt that some thought I’d cast my theology and my salvation out the window by exploring a genre of fiction that implies a ghostly spiritual realm surrounds and influences us.

My first arrogant reaction was to thumb my nose at my critical Christian brothers and sisters.  They’re taking life too seriously. They’re being too judgmental.  Fiction is supposed to be fun, entertaining escapism that makes a reader think and feel.  It is not intended to be life changing scriptural truth.  

I calmed down and realized that as a pastor, I had to stop, take a step back, and look at what I had written and why I had written it.  As a person of faith and a leader in that community, I understand why people might cringe when something dark and scary comes from my imagination.

Haunting Megan did not begin as a ghost story. At the core, Haunting Megan is about a young girl broken by horrific tragedy, who fights for healing, and whose decisions and character are rooted in the events of her early childhood. Does she see ghosts? Yes. Are the ghosts real, or are they, as her counselor claims, a manifestation of the guilt she feels? That is something the reader must decide.

Do I believe in ghosts?  Maybe.  I believe in a spiritual world that surrounds us and encompasses both good and evil. I believe our spirit lives when our body fails. I believe there is so much more to God than we know, and more to being in His presence after death than we can understand.

Though Haunting Megan is not Christian fiction (it neither mentions nor promotes Christian theology), several themes run through the novel that are consistent with my faith. First, we are all broken people, and that brokenness and deep hurt may not be visible to their closest friends.  Second, relationships matter and even shattered relationships can be restored. Third, our past helps to form us, but it does not define us. Finally and most importantly, love has power to heal.

So why should you read Haunting Megan (whether you are a person of faith or not)?  Haunting Megan is a fun, entertaining, and yes—a spooky read. At the heart, that’s what good fiction should be.

Haunting Megan is available at:

http://bit.ly/HauntingMeganiBooks

http://bit.ly/HauntingMeganAmazon


Rebecca Reilly is a pastor and has worked in ministry for over thirty years. A passionate reader and writer, Rebecca took on four wildly different genres for her first five books – a murder mystery at sea (Into Dark Waters), a humorous look at sex and marriage (Diary of a Christian Woman: How I Used 50 Shades of Grey to Spice Up My Marriage), a children’s chapter book on bullying and self-esteem (The Geek Club under the name Becky Reilly), and two picture books (Jammers and His Flying Bed Adventure and Heart of a Kitty). She returned to the mystery/romantic suspense genre for her sixth book (Haunting Megan), and is currently working on a non-fiction manuscript, Christian Sex and Marriage—It’s Complicated!  Visit Rebecca’s Amazon Author Page at http://bit.ly/RReillyAmazonAuthor, and follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/RebeccaLynnReilly), Twitter (twitter.com/RebeccaReillyL), Goodreads, and at www.rebeccareilly.net.
Contact Info

Web Page: Rebeccareilly.net

Twitter: @RebeccaReillyL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaLynnReilly?ref=bookmarks

Book Buy Links

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/RReillyAmazonAuthor

Smashwords Author Page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RebeccaReilly

Haunting Megan

Apple iBooks: http://bit.ly/HauntingMeganiBooks

Amazon Paperback: http://bit.ly/HauntingMeganAmazon

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQA5YSU

Barns and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/haunting-megan-rebecca-reilly/1119986375?ean=9781499373653

Diary of A Christian Woman: How I Used 50 Shades of Grey To Spice Up My Marriage

Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/diar...

Amazon: http://bit.ly/amazondiarychristianwoman

Barns and Noble: http://bit.ly/nookdiarychristianwoman

4WillsPublishing Links:
Rafflecopter Giveaway:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4af5be7f14/

Goodreads Event page:   https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/956832-haunting-megan-blog-tour

"This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com."

Seton Hospital, where Iris takes Zo in the beginning of the book, is the name of the hospital where I worked as a Candy Striper in seventh grader.Mayfield Park is a secret and little known gem of a place in the middle of Austin’s city limits.  There really are peacocks strutting about not far from downtown and UT.The Margarita Ball is a real event in Dallas, requiring an invitation. The guest list is over 11,000 people. I recently spoke at the same hotel where the ball is hosted. It’s huge. The dress Ella wore to the ball is the gown my daughter wore to her prom and also wore in an Atlanta area pageant. She didn’t win the crown, but got in the top five and won the Swim Suit competition, which seems like a great consolation to hear, “Hey girl, no crown for you . . . but you sure rocked that swim suit.” One of my favorite movies, The English Patient, is mentioned in chapter five. You’ll have to watch the movie to get the reference in the book. It’s pretty blatant.Trying to find out exactly what happens during a meeting of the Grand Jury was super difficult, even with a husband who is an attorney and friends who are judges and US attorneys.The Oasis is a landmark restaurant on Lake Travis. I worked there in high school. It consists of multiple decks overlooking the lake and is famous for gorgeous sunsets. We would ring a bell when the sun set. Loved that job.The French Room was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Dallas, but my husband hated it.The original name for Ever Locked was simply, Locked (my creative niece came up with the name after I described the story to her). But when I wanted to name the second book Blazed, I was accosted by my teenagers who informed me that the word blazed means the same thing as high or stoned. So I had to name it Never Blazed, thus prompting me to add Ever to Locked—which I love even more than Locked. So, it all worked out perfectly.My original name for Iris was Summer. Ella’s original name was Chrissy, and  Trip was Bentley. Alonzo has always been Alonzo.Alonzo was named after a much older distant cousin who I thought was cute when I was in seventh grade and he was like a senior in high school. We never spoke since I was just a little kid in an enormous extended family. I hope he doesn’t see this post. 

Seton Hospital, where Iris takes Zo in the beginning of the book, is the name of the hospital where I worked as a Candy Striper in seventh grader.Mayfield Park is a secret and little known gem of a place in the middle of Austin’s city limits.  There really are peacocks strutting about not far from downtown and UT.The Margarita Ball is a real event in Dallas, requiring an invitation. The guest list is over 11,000 people. I recently spoke at the same hotel where the ball is hosted. It’s huge. The dress Ella wore to the ball is the gown my daughter wore to her prom and also wore in an Atlanta area pageant. She didn’t win the crown, but got in the top five and won the Swim Suit competition, which seems like a great consolation to hear, “Hey girl, no crown for you . . . but you sure rocked that swim suit.”  One of my favorite movies, The English Patient, is mentioned in chapter five. You’ll have to watch the movie to get the reference in the book. It’s pretty blatant.Trying to find out exactly what happens during a meeting of the Grand Jury was super difficult, even with a husband who is an attorney and friends who are judges and US attorneys. The Oasis is a landmark restaurant on Lake Travis. I worked there in high school. It consists of multiple decks overlooking the lake and is famous for gorgeous sunsets. We would ring a bell when the sun set. Loved that job. The French Room was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Dallas, but my husband hated it. The original name for Ever Locked was simply, Locked (my creative niece came up with the name after I described the story to her). But when I wanted to name the second book Blazed, I was accosted by my teenagers who informed me that the word blazed means the same thing as high or stoned. So I had to name it Never Blazed, thus prompting me to add Ever to Locked—which I love even more than Locked. So, it all worked out perfectly.My original name for Iris was Summer. Ella’s original name was Chrissy, and  Trip was Bentley. Alonzo has always been Alonzo. Alonzo was named after a much older distant cousin who I thought was cute when I was in seventh grade and he was like a senior in high school. We never spoke since I was just a little kid in an enormous extended family. I hope he doesn’t see this post.

Sometimes True Love Happens FastDo you believe in love at first sight? You really should! Why? Because it happens. It really does. In real life.

Not every love story begins this way. I definitely didn’t fall in love with my husband when we first met. In fact, although I thought he was gorgeous, I disliked him instantly and avoided him noticeably. Then, after he so rudely asked me out on a date in front of my colleagues, making me feel obligated to say yes, I stood him up. It was an ominous beginning. Probably would make a good book.

Yet, over the years, I’ve heard plenty of people tell me their love-at-first-sight stories. These insta-love beginnings have even stood the test of time with beautiful, lasting marriages.

For Valentines, I’d like to recount a few of these stories of true love as they were recounted to me (some were posted on my Facebook in response to my question asking if anyone fell in love at first sight).

Shiela’s Story:

For him, it was love at first sight. For her, it was love at second sight.

“We met in Moscow, and I still remember the mesmerized look on his face when he first saw me. He left the next day to fly back to the states and immediately told his dad he found the girl he was going to marry. Meanwhile I was traveling  throughout the former Soviet Union~while he was back in U.S. praying. We had no communication after the night I met him, but six months later when I saw him at a conference, the first thought that came to me was, ‘You’re going to marry that man.’”

They’ve been happily married 19 years today.

Kim’s Story:

Was that a kiss or fireworks?

“I went with my friend to meet her new crush. He brought his wingman, Drew. Because my friend was totally absorbed with her guy, Drew and I spent the evening together. I thought he was great, but still no spark. When the evening came to an end, he and I shared an awkward moment while my friend and her guy kissed. I’m not sure what came over Drew, but he suddenly turned to me and kissed me. Fireworks exploded in my mind. That moment changed my life forever. What made it even sweeter is the way it affected him. When my friend and I closed the door and peaked through the window, we saw Drew suddenly cheer with arms above his head. We both knew from the moment our lips touched that we were meant to be together forever.”

They’ve been together 24 years and married for 19.

Juanita’s Story (My Parent's Story):

Is Kiss Isn’t Just a Kiss

They met in Corpus Christi, Texas on December 26th . Three days later, he picked her up for an afternoon drive, as people often did back then. They ended up on Padre Island, standing on the beach. Somehow he roped her into a kiss. While they kissed, the tide came and soaked their best dress shoes. They were married three months later. He died in her arms forty-two years later. But he never forgot that kiss on the beach.

From my Facebook Post:

Erin Says:

“It was love at first sight for me! I knew the night I met him that he was the ONE! Married 23 years, and he is the Bestest!!!!”

Meredith says:

“Saw my future husband sitting at a library table next to mine when we were in college. We struck up a conversation with each other. When I walked out of the library three hours later, I knew I was going to marry him. We had our first date one week later, and we haven't been apart ever since. That was in 1993. We dated for six weeks before he proposed, and were married seven months later. It's now been almost 21 years, and I love him more than ever before. Love that man of mine!”

Meghan’s Story:

“The first time I met my husband I knew we'd be married. Engaged in two weeks, married nine months after we met but wish it had been sooner, that was fifteen years ago.”

Kersten says:

“Met on a volcano. Married two weeks later. Still married 14 years later.”

Gidget Tells Us:

“Got engaged to my husband 36 days after we met. We've been married 17 years.”

Connie says: 

Met Feb 15th. He tried to explain how a radar detector worked to me, then he stopped and said, "Actually, I have no idea, I'm just trying to impress you.” I was smitten. Engaged three weeks later; married going on 18 years.

Debbie: 

“Well let’s see . . . We first met in 5th grade at a family picnic (his mother was married to my father's cousin. lol). Years later, he ended up going to my high school. We started dating at 16, got married at 20 and have been married for 33 yrs and still going. So I guess it may have been love at first sight.”

Heather says:

It was not exactly love at first sight, but it was like my soul met his and said, "Oh, it's you!"
~
Ed Sheeran sings in Thinking Out Loud, “And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways. Maybe just the touch of a hand.”
So, as you can see, insta-love happens, and often. What about you? How did you fall in love? 

Sometimes True Love Happens Fast Do you believe in love at first sight? You really should! Why? Because it happens. It really does. In real life.

Not every love story begins this way. I definitely didn’t fall in love with my husband when we first met. In fact, although I thought he was gorgeous, I disliked him instantly and avoided him noticeably. Then, after he so rudely asked me out on a date in front of my colleagues, making me feel obligated to say yes, I stood him up. It was an ominous beginning. Probably would make a good book.

Yet, over the years, I’ve heard plenty of people tell me their love-at-first-sight stories. These insta-love beginnings have even stood the test of time with beautiful, lasting marriages.

For Valentines, I’d like to recount a few of these stories of true love as they were recounted to me (some were posted on my Facebook in response to my question asking if anyone fell in love at first sight).

Shiela’s Story:

For him, it was love at first sight. For her, it was love at second sight.

“We met in Moscow, and I still remember the mesmerized look on his face when he first saw me. He left the next day to fly back to the states and immediately told his dad he found the girl he was going to marry. Meanwhile I was traveling  throughout the former Soviet Union~while he was back in U.S. praying. We had no communication after the night I met him, but six months later when I saw him at a conference, the first thought that came to me was, ‘You’re going to marry that man.’”

They’ve been happily married 19 years today.

Kim’s Story:

Was that a kiss or fireworks?

“I went with my friend to meet her new crush. He brought his wingman, Drew. Because my friend was totally absorbed with her guy, Drew and I spent the evening together. I thought he was great, but still no spark. When the evening came to an end, he and I shared an awkward moment while my friend and her guy kissed. I’m not sure what came over Drew, but he suddenly turned to me and kissed me. Fireworks exploded in my mind. That moment changed my life forever. What made it even sweeter is the way it affected him. When my friend and I closed the door and peaked through the window, we saw Drew suddenly cheer with arms above his head. We both knew from the moment our lips touched that we were meant to be together forever.”

They’ve been together 24 years and married for 19.

Juanita’s Story (My Parent's Story):

Is Kiss Isn’t Just a Kiss

They met in Corpus Christi, Texas on December 26th . Three days later, he picked her up for an afternoon drive, as people often did back then. They ended up on Padre Island, standing on the beach. Somehow he roped her into a kiss. While they kissed, the tide came and soaked their best dress shoes. They were married three months later. He died in her arms forty-two years later. But he never forgot that kiss on the beach.

From my Facebook Post:

Erin Says:

“It was love at first sight for me! I knew the night I met him that he was the ONE! Married 23 years, and he is the Bestest!!!!”

Meredith says:

“Saw my future husband sitting at a library table next to mine when we were in college. We struck up a conversation with each other. When I walked out of the library three hours later, I knew I was going to marry him. We had our first date one week later, and we haven't been apart ever since. That was in 1993. We dated for six weeks before he proposed, and were married seven months later. It's now been almost 21 years, and I love him more than ever before. Love that man of mine!”

Meghan’s Story:

“The first time I met my husband I knew we'd be married. Engaged in two weeks, married nine months after we met but wish it had been sooner, that was fifteen years ago.”

Kersten says:

“Met on a volcano. Married two weeks later. Still married 14 years later.”

Gidget Tells Us:

“Got engaged to my husband 36 days after we met. We've been married 17 years.”

Connie says:

Met Feb 15th. He tried to explain how a radar detector worked to me, then he stopped and said, "Actually, I have no idea, I'm just trying to impress you.” I was smitten. Engaged three weeks later; married going on 18 years.

Debbie:

“Well let’s see . . . We first met in 5th grade at a family picnic (his mother was married to my father's cousin. lol). Years later, he ended up going to my high school. We started dating at 16, got married at 20 and have been married for 33 yrs and still going. So I guess it may have been love at first sight.”

Heather says:

It was not exactly love at first sight, but it was like my soul met his and said, "Oh, it's you!"
~
Ed Sheeran sings in Thinking Out Loud, “And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways. Maybe just the touch of a hand.”

So, as you can see, insta-love happens, and often. What about you? How did you fall in love?

An article came out a few years ago fraught with accusations against romance novels. It stated they are like pornography for women—addictive and robbing them  of the ability to experience true romance with a real man.

Ridiculous. Thankfully, many articles followed stating the exact opposite. Of course, we all knew that girl in high school that obsessed over celebrities while ignoring the boys that pursued her. Or maybe you saw the Bachelor episode featuring the contestant with the tie tucked in her dress, hoping to make the Bachelor into Christian Grey of Fifty Shades. Those women are anomalies, not the norm.

Truthfully, however, real life romance can sometimes fall into the dull. Book boyfriends are helpful because they remind us that things can be a lot more lively in our romance. So, let’s take a page from our book boyfriend’s novel and look at some ways to pump up the romance in our real relationships. 

Here are ten things you can do to reignite the romance in your life: 

1.     Write out the Story of How You Met and Fell in Love

        You have a real romance story right there!

2.     Make a List of Every Positive Quality in Your Spouse or Boyfriend

        We often focus too much on what’s not right. Focus on the positive.

3.     Remind Yourself of the Negative Traits of Your Exes

        There is a reason you are not with them anymore. Even if they left you, that makes them an idiot.

4.     Make an Effort with Your Appearance

        Wax, makeup and cute outfits make you feel better and act better. He’ll notice.

5.     New Sexy Lingerie Will Make His Day

        Order online. No matter what your size, everyone looks good in sexy lingerie. Just do it!

6.     Start Dating Again

        Remember how fun it was to just sit in a restaurant and talk?

7.     Take a Trip

        It doesn’t have to be long or expensive, but getting away from the hum drum helps you remember             the ooh la la.

8.     Cut with the Complaints

        When you feel tempted to make a snide remark, zip it. 

9.     Compliment Him

        It seems counterintuitive, but it’s like the magic formula. Give him at least three compliments a day,         and you’ll watch Mr. Annoying transform into Mr. Amorous.

10.  Send Him Messages

        Send texts and emails with short and sweet sentiments, promises of fun, reminders of how                        awesome he is, compliments and warm thoughts. Include some photos of fun times you’ve had                 together. 

Even though I’m a Life Coach and author of romance novels, I’ll admit it’s sometimes easy to let my own marriage drift into empty space. After twenty-three years of matrimony, I can tell you having a romance that lasts still takes work. Yet, you might find that you can bring your book boyfriend home again by igniting the flame with a little spark.