American Sniper is a Great Movie!

I know we are late, but we just watched American Sniper. I read the book but the tale still moves me. Not a dry eye in the house! I'm following the trial avidly.

Exciting News!

What an exciting week! First off, my nephews and nieces from Toronto, came to visit for a whirlwind of two days. It's been two years since we've seen them and it was fun. Granted, they are only thirty years old and filled with vigor but since we are young at heart, we were able to keep up with them!

They are on a journey across the states, which they love. My sister, who lives in Canada, made sure they have dual citizenship and they love this country!

Their first stop was Phoenix. Then drove straight to our house for thirteen hours (there are four drivers to split up the time). Next stop was Austin. Then New Orleans for the Mardi Gras. Of course they couldn't skip Nashville since they love the television series. Pittsburgh is next and then home to Toronto. What a trip! Of course the weather is not good, so I wish them safe travels.

The other exciting news, is that my next book, Intercepted, has been accepted! Also, my publisher is now offering audiobooks which I signed up for. But the best news is now they will be offering printed books!

I don't know about you, but I have lots of aunts who just cannot accept the digital age when it comes to reading books. They love to read, but are not fond of the Kindle or Nook. They are anxious to read my books and I even have printed them out for them, but it's not the real thing as reading a book. Hopefully, this will solve the problem!

Ode to David Rupp

I would like to dedicate this Blog to my friend, boss and co worker, David Rupp, who passed away this past Tuesday of a massive heart attack. He was only fifty-nine years old and leaves behind a very distraught wife and daughter.

He was an intelligent individual and had a quest for knowledge that was unstoppable. He started his career at the craft vendor, Dimensions, located in Reading, PA. Dimensions started as creating needle crafts and grew into a multi line business of various crafts. In was purchased by Wilton in 2008 and with the exception of about twenty people, the plant in Reading was closed down. The jobs were moved to Chicago, where Wilton is located and the plant operations were outsourced to China.

Dave started in the plant but soon became the IT guru for the entire company. He taught himself AS400 programming and built the company's computer system. I came on board with the company in 2006 and worked for Dave. I had some AS400 experience but having a background in computers, I caught on quickly.

Not only was he intelligent, he was gentle, kind and had the patience of a saint. If you had a problem with your computer, he would drop whatever he was doing to help you. Same with me. If I had to help someone with their computer or printer and I couldn't solve it, he was right there to assist me.

Dave also knew I was struggling to become a published author. He would encourage me to look at various websites that would enhance my writing style; classes I could take at the local community colleges. He said he would gladly read what I had written but I never did share it with him. Come on! I write romance and he was definitely a guy's guy.

I hadn't seen him in about five years, but we kept in touch via LinkedIn. After the breakup of Dimensions, he did some work at another business in Reading but was laid off. The last I had heard, he had been doing some contract work on the west coast.

I miss you already, Dave. You will always have a place in my heart.

Super Bowl Sunday!

Because it's Super Bowl Sunday, I like to refer to Flag on the Play! Of course, none of my teams are playing but I will watch it for the commercials.

I don't read the sports section like my husband. I skim the articles to see if anything interests me or just to see if my team has won. It takes my husband close to a half hour to forty-five minutes to read the sports. I just got a kick out of what people are betting on for the big game. This is a big day for Vegas! There are bets such as; who is going to score first, what play is going to be first, etc, But what I got a kick out of was the bet of ; what color hair will Katy Perry have for her half time show? Chuckle!

I also want to thank all of you who do read my blog. It's very much appreciated!

I am having a ton of fun with my new book that I'm working on. I think I know something, but when it comes to writing about it, there's a lot of research needed. I find the time just flies by. I love to write!

As my friend, Barbara Huffert, would say;. Random Thoughts!

As I have written previously, my husband is a huge sports fan. Being from Chicago, he is partial to Chicago sports teams. He is a die hard Cubs fan and sadly to report, he lost his hero on Friday. Yes, Ernie Banks died.

All day yesterday, he wore one of his many Cubs jerseys and today when he went to play golf? Yup! Another Cubs jersey. Yes, he is very sentimental. The funny thing, is that my father who served in two wars, never showed his daughters any emotions to that extent. Yes, he would say he felt badly or it's a shame, but that was it. My father was trusted with Military Intelligence and could keep a secret forever too which always made me wonder. I think that is what attracted me to my husband. You always know where you stand with him.

On another note, I have traveled quite extensively to other countries and most of the United States. I have to admit in the States, my favorite places is of course, Texas, but ranking at a tie is Virginia and Arizona and New Mexico. As a matter of fact, my submitted, but not yet published book, takes place in Scottsdale, AZ.

I bring this up because my nephew and his girlfriend are working/vacationing in Scottsdale. When I sat down and wrote the book, I had no idea they were going to be there. I did my research from the many times we've been there and I am flattered they have reached out to me for help in what to do. They are avid golfers, so that was the easy part. Now they are in Sedona, which I absolutely love and I encouraged them to visit not only Flagstaff, but Jerome, where every day is Halloween.

I will freely admit it. I am jealous as hell! I wish I was there!!!

A New Adventure Begins!

I did it! I finally finished and submitted Intercepted! My New Year's resolution is never to take that long to finish a book again!

I've already started my next and am working feverishly on the research. It's funny. You think you know a subject being exposed to it for years on end, but then you sit down to write a story around it and come to a complete halt. Thank goodness for experts to talk to and of course, Google!

I have a Facebook account, a Twitter account and a Goodreads account. Well, this week, I met the nicest person on Goodreads who has been following my Twitter through mutual authors. Thanks, Lorena!

The sun finally came back to Texas on Thursday. We had a stretch of ten days without sunshine and it can really affect your outlook on life. Now, after work, I can take a long walk through the neighborhoods and clear my mind and lessen my stress. I feel so energized; ready to tackle the world. And drive my husband crazy with; "Why don't we do this? Tackle that?"

Do you see where I am? On my laptop. Nothing is getting tackled. lol.

Always Working

Today is my husband's birthday! It may be rainy and cool but he's already in his element. Sitting in his chair; reading the Sunday paper, watching the Sunday morning news and then getting ready for a day of football. Easy present to give him.

Me? Staying out of his way. Blogging, worrying about the current book I just finished and need to re-review before submitting it. You know; is it good enough? Will people read it? The thing is, I started it at the end of August and had a few major events going on. The release of Not Just an Act on 9/16. Then the release of For the Love of Par on 11/23. Let's not forget about Thanksgiving. Christmas and New Year's.

I woke up at four this morning with an idea of my next book. Apparently, my mind never sleeps!