Dangerous Suspicions Wins!

I wrote a short story a few years back and decided instead of letting it sit and collect computer dust I'd enter it into a contest. Very excited to see it won 2nd place!

The Book Breeze Short Story Contest

http://www.thebookbreeze.com/About.php

There is so much more to this story. I hope to sit down and start to discover just what it is real soon. LOL This is my favorite part of writing. The surprises that pop up along the way as I go.

Kids are back in school so I have no excuses!

Thought I'd share my latest find. I finished reading "Wicked Appetite" by Janet Evanovich over spring break. Wonderful book to just sit back and laugh with. I think I'm in love with this Diesel character, although I still have no idea exactly what he is yet. Too funny!

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Spring!

(LOVE Springtime, hate the time change!)

A Blast From the Past - Inspiration is All Around Us

Now you might think I have been slacking off due to the lack of posts here on the blog. Never fear. I'm working away on edits for my next book as well as a short story. Life is still giving me fits, but I'm finding creative ways to work around it. Choosing to be happy in the middle of chaos is not easy, but it is possible. :)

This past summer, my good friend William Simon and I entered a contest hosted by Writer's Police Academy called the Golden Donut. Yep, catchy name right? LOL  Although we didn't come away with the prize, we did find the experience challenging and rewarding. Writing a short story with "exactly" 200 words, including the title, is more nerve wracking than I ever imagined! LOL But it was great practice for writing tight and making certain every word counts.

Below is what we were to use for inspiration.

Just looking at it still gives me chills!

We worked hard on these stories and felt it a shame not to share. So below you will find our entries. :)

**Warning: This material may give you chills as well and make you want to sleep with the lights on! Read at your own risk. :)

Evil Begets Evil

by Melissa Ohnoutka

     The annoying pecking is back.

     I know what that means, and shiver.

     They have friends this time.

     The old rickety roof bulges from their weight.

     Will I be lucky enough to outsmart them again?

     Crouching in the shadows, I wrap my trembling fingers around the knife's handle. Not that this single knife will do any damage.

     Demons, or whatever the hell these creatures are, do not bleed like the others. Believe me. I have tried. From guns to explosives, to even prayers of mercy. All I accomplish is pissing them off.
     The damn house looked like the ideal refuge from the storm I created. Far from civilization. Bars on all the windows, locks on the doors. Perfect to keep my pursuers preoccupied.

     But these security devices were meant to keep those like me in.
     You see, the storm is not at all happy I made the others bleed. Hurting an innocent in this world is frowned upon. Deeply.
     I wish the storm had caught me on the outside. Saved me. Thrown me in prison. Hell, incarceration would be a vacation.
     One minor mistake and I am left to fight the devil.
     On his turf.

     For my soul.

CHAINSAW

by William Simon/Will Graham

     Something happened here, a long time ago.

     Something bad.

     According to some, the legends are true.

     Others say it never happened, it was all made up.

     Me? I came here once to see for myself.

     Looks can be deceiving.

     You'd never guess what lies within.

     Most people think it's in Texas. Or Illinois. Even Minnesota. That's an accomplishment for a house that actually exists in Vermont.

     People drive by. They think they know the truth.

     I'll tell you the truth.

     I'll tell you everything.

     You see, the time has come to tell everyone the truth. Not to be maudlin, but I don't have a lot of time left. No, no, don't cry, it's okay. I've lived a good life. I did what I chose to do with it. Who knew it would be a cottage industry?

     If you'll pardon the pun.

     No mask, I don't like them.

     Yes, that is a chainsaw. And a big knife.

     But I'm very good at what I do, and I promise it won't hurt.

     You'll be immortal, you know.

     You'll be the last one.

     They'll probably make a movie about us.

     And they'll use this house to show everyone where it all happened.....

Be sure to check out William's story in the upcoming release "Love is Murder"  due out May 29, 2012.

  Blurb: 

Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by thirty of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romantic suspense today.

Go on vacation with Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid, where she saves a man from drowning, only to discover he is in far greater danger on land. Meet Roxanne St. Claire's "bullet catcher"-bodyguard Donovan Rush-who may have met his match in the sexually charged "Diamond Drop." Debut author William Simon shows us what happens when the granddaughter of the president of the United States is kidnapped. And Lee Child's pitch-perfect "I Heard a Romantic Story" puts a whole new spin on Love Is Murder.

Beneath the Water's Edge by Jennifer Bray-Weber

Looking for a GREAT Read? I highly recommend this one! :)

Product Description

Elyssa Calhoun Montgomery had been willing to do anything to keep her father from debt, including following her new husband to the Caribbean-–dressed as a lad. But she never dreamed she’d become widowed so quickly, or that she’d come face to face with a fearsome pirate who expects her to fight like a man. Captured and her identity exposed, she doesn’t know what’s worse, being locked alone in a pirate captain’s quarters or experiencing an unsettling attraction toward him.

Captain Bran Blackthorn has grown weary of the pirating trade and seeks a King’s Pardon for his crew. Unfortunately, the man who could sign a reprieve, his half-brother Governor Flynn, would rather see him dead. When the gods—or the devil—bestows an angel to his spoils, he sees an opportunity to force a pardon with her ransom. Never mind his beautiful pawn has bewitched him, filling him with a desire to press his body against hers, capture her mouth in a searing kiss, and brand her as his own.

But when Bran’s enemies seek vengeance, Elyssa becomes entangled in their deadly game and Bran faces the gallows. Can they cheat death and save each other? Or will they be dragged...

Beneath The Water’s Edge

 

Never Give Up! Never Surrender!



My First Book Signing

New Year, new promises. I've made my fair share and broke more than I've kept over the years. At some point on this journey to meet our goals, there will be moments of discouragement and maybe even despair. Maybe a pesky set back or two has derailed our excitement and enthusiasm and we're left wondering why? Why am I doing this? Is this even worth continuing?

Trust me when I tell you, it is. If the journey was easy, always filled with laughter, encouraging people and void of failure, there would be no growth and the reward wouldn't be so special. Think about it. If everyone breezed through everything they did or wanted to, the accomplishments would hold little weight and be...well. Dull and ordinary. Where would the "Wow!" be?

On days we start to question our dreams, we need to do something different. Give ourself permission to take a break, try something new, have an adventure. Anything. :)

Don't be too hard on yourself. Tweaking or changing those goals or promises, is perfectly okay. Adjustments are part of life. Giving up on a dream is what is not an option.

I took the last two months off from my writing. After releasing Target of Betrayal, I was pretty burned out. And my body was quick to let me know I'd stepped over the line and pushed a little too hard. The short break has done wonders. I started editing my next book the second week of January and I'm already up to chapter five. Yeah! But this time the editing isn't going to get the best of me. I'm scheduling those much needed breaks whether I want to or not and listening when my eyes tell me I've had enough. It's really hard to function with those migraines. And life in general becomes no fun at all.

Looking back over the past five years, there were several times I wanted to throw in the towel. To forget how much I enjoyed my writing. But I'm so glad I pushed on. It was hard work. If I'm totally honest with myself, it's probably the hardest thing I've ever done, short of childbirth. Shoot. It's still hard work. But the rewards are so worth it.

A few fun things that helped me boost my creative spark and relieve the stress:

Painting
Photography
Watching a favorite movie, again
Coffee or lunch with a friend
Playing games with the kids
Sneaking off to read a great book
Window shopping
Taking walks and enjoying the great outdoors

Ahhhh....just thinking about these things makes me feel refreshed. :)

Onward and upward! Never surrender!

I shared these quotes on Everybody Needs a Little Romance. Thought they were worth mentioning again.

“There is no success without failure.” Wish I could remember where I read this one.
“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.” My eyes are wide open now! ~ Henry Ford
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Boy have I ever!
~ Thomas Alva Edison
“There is no failure. Only feedback. ” Now this one fits perfect!
~ Robert Allen

2012 - Happy New Year!

Wishing you All the BEST for the New Year!!

Sorry I just had to share!  LOL

Now get out there and Live, Love and Laugh! :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Oh, how I love this Holiday season.

Waiting Patiently! LOL

No really. I do. :)

The cooler weather. The beautiful decorations. The love and sharing.

I think I finally wrapped my last gift today.  I'm a bit shocked and more than a little relieved. Everything seems to be falling into place. No flickering lights outside the house just yet, but that's not half bad considering at one point I was in a panic trying to figure out how on earth I would get everything done.

Divide. Prioritize. Conquer. That's been the key for me. And then pick your battles.

I won't lie. I miss seeing the house all lit up at night when we come home, but in the big scheme of things it hasn't ruined Christmas for me or my kids.  And just because the Christmas cards didn't all go out at once, it doesn't mean I failed at wishing others a Merry Christmas. Shoot. Some of my friends and family may even be getting two doses of Christmas cheer from the Ohnoutka's since I misplaced my dang list. Again. LOL Someone will probably find it wrapped in one of the gifts. I won't live that one down anytime soon. But it won't be the strangest thing I've ever unwrapped. I found a set of car keys one year. LOL The look on my sister-in-law's face was priceless!

All of this chaos and coming to grips with it helped me really focus on the true meaning of the season. The most precious gift of all didn't come wrapped in fancy paper or ribbons, and had no price tag.  Jesus was and is God's gift to us and proof that love really does conquer all.

So close your eyes. Take a long deep breath. Make a plan of your own to divide and conquer. Then go out and spread some love.

And if you're looking for some great last minute gifts, be sure to check out the sidebar for some really great books. There's something for everyone on your list. :)

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love, laughter and many blessings!

I leave you with my favorite Christmas tune. Just in case you needed a little boost.

Susan Muller - The Secrets on Forest Bend

Another day. . . another dead body.

When Detective Adam Campbell learns that a WWII gun is connected to several murders he’s investigating, he hopes that tracking down the killer will be as easy as tracing the gun’s history. When he meets Jillian Whitmeyer, the last known owner of the weapon, the case becomes anything but simple.

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

Adam soon learns that people who get close to Jillian have a bad habit of turning up dead. Jillian claims that the spirit of her sister, accidentally killed with that same gun, is responsible for the deaths. She warns Adam that he is likely to become the next victim. Adam’s been a lousy judge of women in the past, and this one’s obviously a nut case. Or is she? How does a just-the-facts detective deal with a ghostly serial killer and the sexy-as-hell sister she won’t set free?

Get your copy here! 

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Forest-Bend-ebook/dp/B006JP48NU

You Could WIN! Check out the Christmas Kindle Fire Event

It's TIME!

Here's your chance to win!! A New Kindle Fire (a $199 Amazon gift card for the purchase) and tons of great books to boot! What are you waiting for? It's easy. :)

It might take a second to load the form, but it's worth it!

For more information: http://takingtimeformommy.com/2011/11/christmaas-kindle-fire-event-christmaskindle/

Dare to Dream and Make it Happen!!

Good Morning!

As I was running around getting the kids ready for school, I was trying to figure out how to manage my time better as I listened to the radio. Boy did this song hit home! With every dream, there is a price. That price is what you are willing to give, be it time, sweat or tears, to achieve it.  "Dare to Dream" and then get out there and make it happen!!

Excerpt from Lyrics of the song: "How Bad Do You Want It" - Tim McGraw


People always ask me
"Son what does it take
To reach out and touch your dreams?"

To them I always say

Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Is it a fire that burns you up inside?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


I get to make my living
Doing what I love
Every night I give my heart and soul
Sometimes that ain't enough
But brother, if you're like me
Looking down that road


Be careful of that wild wind, son
Sometimes it don't let go
Can you feel it?Can you taste it?
Can you hear it knocking at your door?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


There's always a price you pay no matter what you do
If you're gonna climb that mountain to the top
It always comes down to


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line



For me, the price is going to be getting up earlier or going to bed later and kicking procrastination in the pants whenever it shows its ugly head. Whatever it takes to get those words down on the paper, I must do. Can you say more caffeine! LOL  Just thought I'd share. :) Off to write now!