New Cover for Murder in Paradise

I'm so happy to reveal the new cover for my romantic suspense novella, Murder in Paradise.

It was previously published by Secret Cravings Publishing, which has sadly gone out of business. I will soon be self-publishing it with a new cover and updated blurb.

Blurb

Romance author Claire Jenkins stumbles upon a crime scene on a secluded Hawaiian beach while at a writer’s conference. She caught a glimpse of the hotel’s newlywed groom, and is afraid the bride is in danger. Claire’s fearful the murderer has seen her. Just when she needs him, in walks Sam Stewart, her writing partner and bestselling thriller author, who’s revered as a rock star.  Claire’s attracted to Sam, but strives to keep their relationship professional.

Sam wants to keep Claire safe, and he’s also fallen hard for her, which he keeps under wraps for the sake of their writing partnership. Sam devises a plan where they pose as a couple, he gets to hold her hand, while they get closer to the suspect and figure out what’s happening.  Will they suppress their attraction to continue working together, or take a chance on creating a happily ever after for themselves?

Bridge of Spies - Review

I recently attended a screening of the movie Bridge of Spies. What a great story of an overlooked American hero. James Donovan believably portrayed by Tom Hanks will be Oscar nominated for his fine performance.

Donovan was an insurance company lawyer whose boss, played by Alan Alda asked him to provide defense council to an arrested Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel, calmly played by Mark Rylance. Donovan and his family are harassed for defending Abel. Donovan goes on to broker an exchange of two Americans held in Germany for Abel at the time the Berlin Wall was going up.

The great writing and directing and performances will keep you on the edge of your seat.Steven Spielberg did a beautiful job directing, and will no doubt be Oscar nominated for his work. Don’t miss this film. 

No Escape - Movie Reivew

Last night I attended a preview screening of the movie No Escape, and it was great. No Escape is a nail biting, action thriller. An American family relocates to Southeast Asia for a job opportunity, and find themselves caught in the middle of a war zone and coup. The couple Jack and Annie, played by Owen Wilson and Lake Bell, frantically search for an escape from the out of control violence that plaques the city, with their two daughters in tow. On the plane trip to Asia they meet Hammond, well played by Pierce Brosnan, a mysterious yet friendly man who turns out to be a heroic government operative.

What I enjoyed most about this film was the tight script, it delivered laser focus on the family’s escape from the danger zone. The screenplay was written by brothers John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle, and directed by John Erick Dowdle. The story was believable and the acting was very good. The rooftop scene were Jack throws his daughters off the building to his wife on an adjacent roof, was terrifying and terrifically shot and acted. The children Lucy and Beeze, played by Sterling Jerins, and Claire Geare did an excellent job.

You’ll be on the edge of your seat during the non-stop No Escape thrill ride.

A Memorial Day Tribute

I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the servicemen and women who died serving our country, and those that are currently serving. Joseph E. Gordon was my mother's beloved cousin, and the only one in my mother’s circle of friends who did not come home after serving in WWII.

He was one of the 66 Tuskegee Airmen who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

According to a news article, on August 12, 1944 his plane was shot down over France, after escorting bombers to Toulon, France, to destroy radar stations. Fighters from the 332nd Fighter Group began to draw ground fire. P-51 Mustangs flown by 2^nd Lt. Gordon and 1st Lt. Langdon E. Johnson were hit; both pilots were killed.

They are buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in France. According to a government database, Joseph Gordon was awarded a Purple Heart. 

Joe was his parents’ only child, and was loved very much by my mother and her three sisters. He was fantastic jitterbug dancer, and won competitions. My mother said since she never attended a funeral for Joe, she found it hard to believe he was truly gone, and used to search for his face on crowded streets.

Movie Review - The Age of Adaline

At the turn of the 20^th century, Adaline Bowman has a problem most women would gladly welcome – she’s stopped aging at 29. There’s no miracle moisturizer involved, instead a scientific phenomenon occurred when she suffered a terrible car accident and drowned, where she lost and regained consciousness. She soon realizes the down side to not aging when the authorities question her age when she’s forced to show her driver’s license to police, the FBI wants to study her, she fears being probed and used as a Guinea pig, so she runs away and changes her name every ten years for eight decades. While working as a librarian, she stays away from romantic involvements, until she meets the handsome artist and philanthropist Ellis Jones. Then she meets his family, and her secret is revealed.

It was interesting to see Adaline at different points in time, always around the same age, especially where her daughter was considerably older than she was. The storyline with her dog was very touching, and showed us the emotional turmoil the character experienced all her life. It’s a nice love story with a scientific angle that gets left behind. The ending is bit contrived and predictable, but overall I enjoyed the story and would recommend it. Good performances by the cast: Blake Lively as Adaline and Michiel Huisman as Ellis and Harrison Ford is great as Ellis’ father, and Ellen Burstyn as Flemming, Adaline’s daughter.

A Winner was Chosen!

Congratulations to M.S. Spencer, Meredith, who has won a copy of Murder in Paradise.

A winner was chosen using the random.org generator.

And thank you to all the visitors of my blog during the Secret Cravings Anniversary
Blog Hop!

Tuesday Tales Picture Prompt

I'm so happy to be joining my friends at Tuesday Tales this week. We're writing to the holiday picture prompt.

It wasn’t exactly how she planned it, but it was a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Chambers B&B. Leslie couldn’t believe it, the party she dreaded planning was a success. Everyone raised their champagne glasses, ringing in the New Year. After an hour of dancing and drinking the crowd thinned out, and one by one they went on their way, just like at Times Square, which magically empties out after the ball drop. During the evening she was swept away by the excitement, but when it was over she felt a wave of loneliness knowing Kevin wasn’t there.

She glanced over at the Christmas tree, the lights flickering almost in rhythm to music that softly played. What is that? She noticed a well wrapped present beside the tree, a lovely box with a gold ribbon. It sat next to the fake presents she displayed under the tree that was just for decoration. Where did it come from? She walked over to the box and picked it up. There was a gift tag tucked underneath the bow, she immediately recognized the handwriting, it was from Kevin. She looked around, she was alone. She carefully pulled off the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a note, You never know when you might need this. She smiled as she pulled out a small flashlight attached to a rope chain, just like the one Kevin used to get them out of the woods last week when they stayed too out too long. A blanket of warmth wrapped around her and settled in her heart as she recalled chiding him for his collection of flashlights. Her heart beat faster remembering how he held her hand securely and lead the way with his trusty little flashlight. Damn it, she didn’t want to but maybe she was falling for him… again.    

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Happy Anniversary SCP!

I’m very happy and proud to celebrate Secret Cravings Publishing’s Fourth Anniversary. 

In honor of the occasion I will give away a pdf copy of my romantic suspense novella with SCP, Murder in Paradise. Since 95% of the country is freezing right now, leave a comment telling us where your special paradise getaway would be. I’ll randomly pick a winner from the comments by Tuesday, please leave your email address to be contacted.  

Story Blurb

Romance author Claire Jenkins thought the Hawaii Writer’s Conference would be the perfect break she needed. A chance to hang out with her writing buddies, maybe take a workshop and explore Hawaii. She didn’t dream she’d walk in on a murder scene involving Hawaii’s most famous honeymooners, wind up as the guest of the suspect or pretend to be the girlfriend of her handsomely sexy writing partner, bestselling thriller author Sam Stewart.

Sam’s got his hands full trying to keep Claire safe and figure out if their host, the newlywed architect, Dan Harris, is indeed a murderer. His job just got even more difficult as he and Claire pose as a couple. Sam has to protect Claire without smothering her or risk ruining their professional relationship. Will it be too tempting for the both of them to act on the attraction they share, or will they give in to their feelings, throw caution to the island breeze and begin a new chapter in their lives? 

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