Combining my books

Hopefully this will not deter any of you avid (cough, cough) fans, but I am combining Hopefully and Faithfully into one book. I have added more chapters, particularily dealing with the lives of Helen, Gertie, and Philip. Did I peak your interest a bit? Seems I may have the slightest possibility of enticing an agent to look at my work if it exceeds 80,000 words. Whew! Gotta run, time to put my nose to the grindstone.
As always, happy reading!

I'm baaaccckkk!

Its so hard to say things with the Governators accent when writing, but I'm sure you get the picture.
I am finally back from my oh so short vacation to Cabo and itchin' to write. Though I know some of you are looking forward to more enlightening information regarding my research on the decomposition rate of the human body, unfortunately for y'all, I actually came back from my vacation with romance on the brain. So I will be temporarily putting aside my murder and mayhem work for a bit to concentrate on love, or at least writing about it:) Awww.
I will keep you posted.

Research is hard work

Ok, well not this research. I am off to Cabo for a week to research the proper blending of tequila, lime juice and triple sec. I promise to put a few hours into sinister thoughts, evil plots, and twisted schemes for my murder mystery. Adios...til next week.
Happy reading!

P.S. Don't forget to thank a vet on veteran's day. The freedom we so enjoy was made possible through their service.

United States Marine Corps...Hoorah!

My oldest son was promoted to Sgt today in the United States Marine Corps! I am so very proud of him. He is on his way home to visit. I can't wait to hug him and hear his wonderful laugh!
Thank you to all military personnel retired and active. Thank you for the life my family and I are so lucky to be living, a life of freedom.

Researching decomposition...yuck

While working...diligently...on my new murder mystery it became evident that I would have to look into the aspects of decomposition of the human body. Enter my husband with his cape billowing in the breeze. Thank goodness he will do this particular research. Honestly folks...I really do not want to research that.
Now, I will tantilize you with one little tidbit.... it is a double homicide with clues and suspects traversing the US.
Keep posted to see what I am up to for I will continue to think sinister thoughts and twisted schemes for this, my first murder mystery.
As always...HAPPY READING!

Rain, where are you?

Oh how I wish it would rain. Maybe a littlenthunder, some lightening. Something to get my mind wrapped around sinister plots and devious minds.
You guessed it, I'm working on my murder mystery today. It is taking a slight turn, but we will have to see where that leads.
In the mean time, as always, happy reading.

Work, work, work

I have so many stories running through my head!
A murder mystery "Til Death do we Part" involving a double homicide in the sleepy town of Half Moon Bay reaching across the country to a Kentucky Horse Baron, packed with lies, deceit and betrayal.
A romance following a woman's journey through loss and the thought of "A Second Chance."
And finally, a heart wrenching story of an "Unwanted Teen" and the trials that she deals with coming from a broken home.
They have all become so close to my heart, it is difficult to decide which one I should be working on.
I will keep you posted as each one develops and finally nears completion.
Happy reading!!!
Charity

"Faithfully" is available today

Faithfully is available today directly from the publisher. It will be a week or two before it is available at Amazon.com. You can get your copy at https://www.createspace.com/3395676
Happy reading!!!!

Oh what a twisted web

Working on "Til Death do us Part" and adding more characters with a penchant for murder. Who is the killer? Hmmmm.....you'll just have to wait.

Finally done!!!

Well the writing part of Faithfully was a blast, the editing part was NOT! But I am here to say that it is all done! Out of my hands and off into the publishing world. It will be ready at Amazon.com by October 20, 2009.
I am now on to my next book, a murder mystery titled "Til Death do us Part." For a teaser scroll down to the bottom of the site and take a peak. It is in its raw form, but I think you'll get the picture.
Take care and....keep reading!

Finishing touches on Faithfully

It's 4:30 am in California and I am finally putting the finishing touches on Faithfully. It should be available by October 2o, 2009 on Amazon. Here's a little snippet:
Hope, managing to sleep in, has just woken and shuffles into the bathroom she now shares with her love Ryan;
Turning on the faucet I follow my normal morning routine and gently squeeze a small dab of toothpaste on my toothbrush. I look up in the mirror, toothbrush poised to brush teeth, and scream bloody murder. My toothbrush goes flying and manages to plop right into the open toilet bowl, the one with the seat up. Oh gross! Men!
Ryan looks at me, takes a step over to the toilet and takes a look into the bowl. Being the diplomat he gently picks up his toothbrush out of the holder, hands it to me and says, "I love you babe."

To find out what caused Hope to scream and if Ryan's generous offereing of his own used toothbrush gets him out of hot water you'll simply have to read Faithfully my sequal to Hopefully.

Welcome to the Country

I am finally compiling all of my Welcome to the Country humor columns into one great book. Welcome to the Country started as a monthly online humor column about life in the country. It quickly caught on and went to a weekly column soon after conception. If you live in the country you can nod your head and chuckle at all the escapades us country folk live through. However, if you live in the city and are thinking of moving to the country, you may just want to pick a copy of this one up, if for nothing else than reference.
Hopefully it will be ready in time for Christmas. A funny and great gift for a country friend or a city friend who wishes they were a country friend.

Waking up early allowed my mind to wander. Unfortunately, it wandered through the twisted mind of a killer. No, not me. I am referring to a character in the new murder mystery book I am authoring titled "Til Death Do Us Part." It begins in the charred remains of a mansion's master bedroom in an affluent gated community located on the coast just South of SanFrancisco.... or does it? Just because the scene of the crime was in Half Moon Bay, California does not by any means mean the plot was hatched in that sleepy coastal town.
As the weeks and months go by I will drop more hints for you. Keep posted.
But in the mean time, you may want to try a little more upbeat reading.
All of my books are available at Amazon.com..check them out!
From Positive Test to Empty Nest, a humorous journey through motherhood.

Hopefully, a lightheated romance, following 40 year old Hope, an upbeat newly single mom navigating the workforce and crashing into love.

Coming this fall the sequel to Hopefully titled "Faithfully" a continuation of Hope's fun albeit crazy life with her kids, her love, and her best friend Mattie.

October 6, 2009
I was born and raised in Walnut Creek California. That is where I first discovered my love for the written word. Though it was maudlin and quite lovesick poetry at the time, it was still creative. Writing came naturally though I never thought of it as a talent, just a means to an end. My homework in college was well written and extremely creative…especially if I didn’t know the answer. I would simply continue to write and hope I hit on some small bit of important data.
After meeting the man of my dreams at work (work being code for ‘bar’) where I diligently and quite well I might add, sold fine beverages as a means to pay for my college tuition and the occasional meal, I found myself married and within five years the lucky owner of three beautiful children. Through those years the only writing tool held in my hand was a jam covered crayon, unless you count eyeliner, I have had to use that medium many times in lieu of the all illusive pencil.
Now living on the coast of California just south of San Francisco, we added one more little Maness to our brood and I cut my hair. No point in having long hair when there is absolutely no time to style it. The pretty nails went by the wayside too, along with the lingerie that kept getting me in trouble, bring on the flannel nighties.
Writing seemed to be a thing of the past, though my mind was still spinning tales, for each night I would make up bedtime stories for my children with them as the lead bunny, or head honcho hippo, etc. There was always a moral and lots of action. For my birthday and Mother’s Day I would ask my children to write a story. Any story. I got some real doozies, I tell you. My oldest, if I had paid any attention at all I would have known he was born a Marine, would always write stories of mercenaries and battles. My youngest always wrote of hero puppies. Second life? Or vet? I haven’t figured that one out yet.
Move to the country with the passel of kids, add 2 nephews, 1 niece, horses, pigs, cows, goats, bunnies, chickens, and whadaya know? I begin to write again. I can’t recall sleeping, but hey, sleep is over rated.
After writing down some funny stories for my children to read to their children some day, my husband asked what I was up to. He read a few pages and couldn’t stop laughing. “You did this? How did you remember all that? You really should publish this!” This from a man that barely says that much in a whole day, I talk enough for both of us and then some. I knew I was on to something. A few more years pass and a few kids move on and move out and I now have time to pursue this dream. Not only does it allow my creative juices to flow but when I create a character I put a smidge of each and every child I have had into the characters, so I have my children with me always. If one is in a foreign land fighting the battle on terrorism, or one is out fighting fires, one is headed off to college, and one is itching to move on, I can open my work in progress and see them come alive right there, in the room with me.
With motherhood being the best job I ever could have applied for (and conveniently not been denied because of lack of experience), writing takes a comfy second place. Without the incredible differences in my children’s personalities and their own perspectives on life I don’t believe I would be able to grasp so many different characters and their personalities. But I also need to mention my friend Maggie here, not to be confused with Mattie, but one can draw that parallel line. Unbeknownst to her she has been great fodder for further character formation.
I hope this lends you some insight into the fun and exciting journey to my odd and humorous outlook on life

From Positive Test to Empty Nest

When attempting to navigate the treacherous minefields of motherhood, I found that one must wear gloves impervious to toxic waste and clothing that can withstand repeated bodily fluid saturation. One must also possess the strength of an army, intelligence of a spy, and patience of a saint to raise a child "From Positive Test to Empty Nest."
My memoir "From Positive Test To Empty Nest" (available at amazon.com) became a reality when my oldest son had the audacity to grow up and leave my nicely feathered nest. Written tongue in cheek for the mom in all of us and for those that are crazy enough to want to experience, or have experienced, motherhood.
After years of solid research on the subject of motherhood, I have found that I am not alone in the world of spit up, bruises on top of bruises, flying bunnies, speed dial 911, prepubescent hormonal imbalances, and the inevitable empty nest.