October 2015: Featured Sales & Author Chats

OCTOBER FEATURED SALES

During the month of October you can purchase the eBook editions of Sex, Love, and Aliens, Volume 1 by Imogene Nix, Ashlynn Monroe, Jaye Shields, and Beth D. Carter, Too Hard to Resist by Olivia Starke, and A Betrayal of Friendship by Theresa Stillwagon for just 99 cents each!

Sex, Love, and Aliens, Volume 1
Genre(s): Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance
Formats: pdf (for Adobe Reader), lit (for Microsoft Reader), mobi (for Mobi and Kindle), epub (for Nook), and html.
Price: $5.50 $0.99

Four sexy novellas of sizzling lust, romantic love, and suspenseful action.

Includes:
Tangled Webs by Imogene Nix
The Spaceship Captain’s Wife by Ashlynn Monroe
His Human by Jaye Shields
Gravitation by Beth D. Carter

Warning: these stories contains sexual content, strong language, some violence, and sexy, feisty heroes and heroines that you’ll fall in love with

Click HERE for more information

Too Hard to Resist by Olivia Starke
Genre(s): Erotic Contemporary Romance
Formats: pdf (for Adobe Reader), lit (for Microsoft Reader), mobi (for Mobi and Kindle), epub (for Nook), and html.
Price: $2.99 $0.99

Jamie knows Mark is all wrong for her, but he's so damned hard to resist.

Jamie Shultzer's life is in a tailspin. Her husband has left her for another man, and to top it off, she's stranded on a desolate highway in the middle of Nebraska. The last thing she needs is another complication, especially when it shows up as the tall, sexy as hell, and much too young for her, Mark Adams. Though to be fair, he's only ten years too young, and she has to find some way to repay him for rescuing her.

Mark wants to be the good guy and leave Jamie alone. After all, her son is his friend and Jamie is in the middle of a divorce. But he's been smitten with her since the first time he laid eyes on her years ago. Now that she's available, it's hard to say no to her sweet tasting lips, and even harder to walk away from her willing body.

Is this the start of something wonderful, or a disaster in the making?

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and explicit language

Click HERE for more information

A Betrayal of Friendship by Theresa Stillwagon
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Formats: pdf (for Adobe Reader), lit (for Microsoft Reader), mobi (for Mobi and Kindle), epub (for Nook), and html.
Price: $3.99 $0.99

Sometimes friendship is enough to get over betrayal—sometimes it's not.

Charlene McIntire and Mason Hamilton used to be the best of friends. But when she began dating his younger brother, Mace started to change. It almost seemed like he was jealous, but that wasn't possible, because he never saw her as anything other than a friend.

Tragedy struck when Mace's brother, Charlie's boyfriend, unexpectedly committed suicide. Everyone believed it was Charlie's fault—even Mace. After the funeral, he left town without a word.

Now, two years later, Mace has returned. And Charlie doesn't like it one bit. She's gotten her life together, focusing her attention on the career she loves—flying planes in the rugged state of Alaska. The last thing she needs in her life right now is a pain-in-the-butt, hardheaded man—a man who still holds her responsible for his brother's death.

But wanting him? That's an entirely different story. Despite everything that's happened, there is no denying the sparks between them.

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and strong language

Click HERE for more information

AUTHOR CHATS

We have several chats taking place this month at the Beachwalk Press Readers' group on Facebook.

Ashlynn Monroe and T. Cobbin will be chatting on Sunday, October 18th. And Jacquie Underdown will chatting on Monday, October 19th.

They would love for you to stop by and join them!

If you're not yet a member of the readers' group, just click HERE to join.

August 2015 Releases from Beachwalk Press

Virgin Cowboy by Lacey Wolfe
Carver Ranch Series, Book 3
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Price: $3.99 GET THIS BOOK NOW FOR THE DISCOUNTED RELEASE PRICE OF 99 CENTS – OFFER VALID ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME

This cowboy lands the girl of his dreams, but he's got one little secret…

Courtney Johnson, single mom and bar owner, hasn't had much luck in the dating department. That all changes one evening when Braden Carver asks her out, and she decides to take a chance with him, even though she's ten years older than him.

Braden's always felt like he lived in the shadows of his two older brothers, never really being noticed. Before he knows it, he's on the dance floor with the girl he's liked for years, calling her 'sweetheart'. Finally, life is looking up for him. However, his mother isn't pleased when she finds out he's seeing Courtney.

As their relationship heats up, one thing still lingers—Braden's a virgin. How will Courtney react when she learns of his innocence? Will it be enough to make her walk away, especially with his disapproving mother?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sexual situations

Click HERE for more information

**********

Trusting the Cowboy by Theresa Stillwagon
Winter Creek, Montana Series, Book 3
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Price: $4.99 GET THIS BOOK NOW FOR THE DISCOUNTED RELEASE PRICE OF 99 CENTS – OFFER VALID ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME

Rose thought she was finally safe…until her past came back to haunt her.

It's been three years since Rose Wilson escaped a controlling, abusive man and arrived at the historical town of Winter Creek, Montana, accepting a job as the town's schoolmarm. She's at peace here, among her newfound friends and an assortment of rowdy, interfering ghosts. She can finally begin to heal.

When Mark Craine rode into town a year ago, he immediately caught her eye. But Rose kept him at arm's length, afraid to get too close, afraid his goodness was all a lie. However, the more she got to know him, the more she sensed he was a different type of man than her ex. Mark is honorable and kind. Still, it's difficult for her to let go of her past and trust again.

A stolen kiss in the middle of the town's one-room schoolhouse gives her the push she needs to move forward with him. She realizes she wants—needs—more than just his friendship. She needs his love. The schoolmarm wants to take a chance on the tall, dark cowboy.

When her abuser's 'enforcers' show up in Winter Creek, her newfound freedom is threatened. But she's a different woman now, stronger, and she will not allow them to intimidate her. But when her abuser himself shows up and they kidnap her, will she have the strength to get away, or will her ex win?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex, strong language, and some violence

Click HERE for more information

**********

Captivated: Return to Earth by Ashlynn Monroe
Genre(s): Erotic Futuristic Romance
Length: Short
Price: $0.99

Saving her men requires Franny to be their salvation.

Francesca Dehart has rescued the three men she loves from a hellish mining colony on the Earth-like planet Utopia. Cade, her strong leader, was the first to win her heart. Nebraska burned her with his lust, and Dawson loved her first and hardest.

Franny's futuristic world is beyond anything the men expected after their rough, primitive existence. Chicago is a city of progression, but old values still make their living arrangements unacceptable to many. With the media scrutinizing them Franny longs to make the world understand.

Is the love they've found worth the battle and struggle to hold on, or will Franny give up on having her own little piece of utopia?

Content Warning: contains multiple partners, sexual content, and spanking.

Click HERE for more information

May 2014 Releases from Beachwalk Press

The Assassin by Imogene Nix
The Reunion Trilogy, Book 2
Genre(s): Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance
Length: Short
Price: $2.99

Kumi Ito has her mission, as does Carmichael Snow, but are their objectives compatible?

Kumi Ito is a woman with a problem. Since assuming the role of head of the Commerce Department, she's found discrepancies…the kind that could cause anarchy if the truth got out.

When Carmichael Snow, the commander of the Emancipation, comes across intelligence that someone has placed a hit on Kumi, he has to save her. His plan? Hide her and find the assassin.

As they dodge the killer, a passion ignites between them that runs from simmering all the way to steamy. But will the actions of one snatch away their happiness before they can accept what is growing between them?

Content Warning: This book features a buff, hot guy and a kick-butt heroine. Naturally, hot scenes will follow.

Click HERE for more information

**********

Taking Flight by Tabitha Rayne
The prequel to A Clockwork Butterfly
Genre(s): Futuristic Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Price: $4.99

Lovers on the run in search of a bond that transcends all else.

Dr. Deborah Regan is a scientist working on a cure to the poison that's killing the male population and destroying the natural world. But when she makes a breakthrough in her research, it becomes clear that the authorities have no intention of finding a cure, and now that she's getting closer to an answer, she's a threat to them—a threat they need to deal with quickly.

Deborah and her partner, Marcus, flee to the forest where they meet another couple on the run. Birch and Hazel show them how to survive in the wild and teach them the theory of ultimate unity. They believe that by finding sexual nirvana at the point of intense orgasm, they will break through the barriers of physicality and become one.

It soon becomes apparent that Deborah has an aptitude for falling into this trance-like state, and she manages to bring Marcus on her journey. Their spirits can indeed join together at the meeting point, suspended in time and space while they climax.

When Birch and Hazel become jealous of the young couple's ease at reaching ultimate unity—something they've unsuccessfully tried to do for years—they betray Deborah and Marcus to the authorities. As they are separated, Marcus begs Deborah to continue to search for the ultimate sexual unity, because he's convinced that no matter where they are, this connection will allow them to meet again on a spiritual plane.

Will this metaphysical union be enough for a couple so deeply in love?

Content Warning: This book contains apocalyptic peril and graphic sexual content, including m/f and f/f sexual interaction, along with BSDM

Note: This book has been previously published.

Click HERE for more information

**********

Sexual Politics by Tara Mills
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Length: Short
Price: $2.99

Is the scandal worth it? Only she can answer that.

For two years Justine Hubbard has played the supportive wife role for her husband in public…and nowhere else. Senator Gary Hubbard's philandering ended her love for him. But sometimes there are reasons people decide to maintain the illusion of a happy marriage when the relationship is over.

Living a lie until after the election wasn't an issue—until she met Sean O'Donnell. She can't fool the perceptive photographer. He understands her. He wants her. After feeling invisible to her husband, that's an intoxicating discovery. But having condemned her husband for his hushed affairs, it would be hypocritical to give in to her desire for Sean.

All it would take is a whisper of scandal for her husband's political enemies to bring him down. She wouldn't dream of sacrificing Gary's career, their causes, and her own good name. But how can she stay away from Sean now that she's fallen for him?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and mild language

Click HERE for more information

**********

A Betrayal of Friendship by Theresa Stillwagon
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Price: $3.99

Sometimes friendship is enough to get over betrayal—sometimes it's not.

Charlene McIntire and Mason Hamilton used to be the best of friends. But when she began dating his younger brother, Mace started to change. It almost seemed like he was jealous, but that wasn't possible, because he never saw her as anything other than a friend.

Tragedy struck when Mace's brother, Charlie's boyfriend, unexpectedly committed suicide. Everyone believed it was Charlie's fault—even Mace. After the funeral, he left town without a word.

Now, two years later, Mace has returned. And Charlie doesn't like it one bit. She's gotten her life together, focusing her attention on the career she loves—flying planes in the rugged state of Alaska. The last thing she needs in her life right now is a pain-in-the-butt, hardheaded man—a man who still holds her responsible for his brother's death.

But wanting him? That's an entirely different story. Despite everything that's happened, there is no denying the sparks between them.

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and strong language

Note: This book has been previously published.

Click HERE for more information

February 2014: Featured Sales, Blog Tours, & an Author Chat

FEBRUARY FEATURED SALES

Our featured sales this month includes books 1 & 2 in the Winter Creek, Montana Series by Theresa Stillwagon.

During the month of February you can purchase the ebook edition of Forgotten Memories (book 1 in the series) for just $0.99 (that's over 80% off the regular price!) and the ebook edition of The Dressmaker's Dilemma (book 2 in the series) for just $2.75 (that's 50% off the regular price).

Forgotten Memories by Theresa Stillwagon
Winter Creek, Montana Series, Book 1
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance/Paranormal
Length: Novel
Formats: pdf (for Adobe Reader), lit (for Microsoft Reader), mobi (for Mobi and Kindle), epub (for Nook), and html.
Price: $5.50 $0.99

For some people ghosts are everywhere...

When rebuilding an old ghost town, a few ghosts shouldn't be a surprise. And for Jen Ferguson, history professor and psychic, it's par for the course. But ghosts aren't her main worry.

After a disastrous affair, which has affected her job at the college, Jen promised her grandfather—the most important person in her life—that she would stay away from men until the end of the semester. That's a promise she's determined to keep, but when she meets rancher Adam Craine, it becomes a struggle. Adam's sexy and flirty, and her psychic abilities are telling her that he might possess a very important quality the previous men in her life had been lacking…he can be trusted.

It's a daily battle for Jen to keep her hands off of him, but she believes she can do it…until two of Winter Creek's ghostly residents decide to up the stakes by possessing Jen and Adam's bodies. How can Jen keep her promise with these two passionate spirits interfering?

And if all that's not enough to deal with, now she's having premonitions of danger which could lead to the destruction of Winter Creek.

Click HERE for more information

The Dressmaker's Dilemma by Theresa Stillwagon
Winter Creek, Montana Series, Book 2
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Formats: pdf (for Adobe Reader), lit (for Microsoft Reader), mobi (for Mobi and Kindle), epub (for Nook), and html.
Price: $5.50 $2.75

A ghost from Barb's past is an ever-present reminder that she’s not good mother material, so what happens when she falls for a man with a ready-made family?

Barb Grant is the resident dressmaker for Winter Creek, an old ghost town that's being rebuilt. But the town ghosts aren't the main thing that's causing Barb trouble. It's the pre-teen girl who suddenly decides she would make a good substitute mother. And the girl's father.

Wyatt Campbell has been the bane of Barb's existence since their first meeting. One minute the cowboy is pissing her off thoroughly, but then the next moment she's wanting to rip his clothes off and make love to him. When rumors start flying that he's a horrible lover, she can’t believe they could possibly be true. How could a man who can evoke so much passion be a bad lover? Her need to know the truth is the only reason she says "yes" to his date request. Her plan—have sex with him and then say goodbye.

Unfortunately, Wyatt has other plans. He wants a real relationship. But he comes with a ready-made family, and that scares Barb. A ghost from her own past keeps reminding her that she's not good mother material. She's made mistakes, mistakes that resulted in a child's life ending, and she can't ever forget that.

Could Wyatt be the one man capable of getting past her barriers? Or will Barb's past forever affect her life?

Click HERE for more information


But wait - there's more! Forgotten Memories is also available in print, and this month you can purchase the paperback edition for 30% off with free shipping. Click HERE to purchase the print book.

FEBRUARY BLOG TOURS

Join authors Ella Jade, Ciara Lake, and Constance Bretes as they go on tour this month.

Ella Jade will be touring February 17th through March 5th.

Ciara Lake will be touring February 19th through March 7th.

Constance Bretes will be touring February 19th through March 7th.

Click the graphics below for a listing of the dates and places where you can find them.

AUTHOR CHAT

On Sunday, February 16th Ella Jade and Constance Bretes will be hosting a chat at the Beachwalk Press Readers' Group on Facebook to celebrate their new releases.

This chat event will be going on all day, so please stop by!  If you're not yet a member of the readers' group, just click HERE to join.

Getting in the mood

Okay, mind out of the gutter here.
I'm going to talk about how I get in the mood to write. My goodness.
Recently I had to change the time of day I do most of my writing. I tend to write when my husband is at work or sleeping, and he works midnight to eight in the morning now. So I've been forced to rearrange my hours.
It hasn't been easy.
So how do I get in the mood to write when all I feel like doing is sleeping?
Simple. I log off the internet and open a document and start writing.(Okay, it's not simple.) I usually have to reread and edit a few pages already written before moving on to new stuff, but I always move on to new writing. Right now I have no set page or word count, though. I try to write at  least five hundred words a night and have a clear idea how the scene will be. Most nights I look up and it's four o'clock, and I've only written a few pages. Other nights I've gotten way more finished. I love when that happens.
But what really gets me really on a writing binge is having a clear-cut deadline.
Pressure is a good thing sometimes.
So how do you write?

First Five Paragraphs

Wow, I've been away for a while. I really have no excuse for my absence except for a few edits and moving, and the fact I don't really have anything interesting to write about right now. I led the most boring life. All I do all day long is edit (my own books and others) and write, broken up with cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
Yawn!

So I've decided to copy/paste a few things hiding on my hard drive that I've been trying to finish for a few years now. (I have a few more unfinished ones, but those are meant for my other publishers.) Here's the totally unedited first draft of the first five paragraphs of a few of them.

The Brotherhood Covenant is set in the future, generations after a world-wide biological disaster killed a majority of the population and changed many of the ones left behind. This started as an erotic short that my husband loved. (Of course, it was one big sex scene.)

Intercultural Research Medical Center

New Hope Annex

2117

The male newborn’s cry pierced the air of the office the moment Doctor Amy Gale placed the tip of her needle onto his arm. Her finger gently caressed over the top of his still pink head as she lifted it from his skin and glanced up at the grinning nurse. “Hold him still, Mary.”

“He’s a frisky one, isn’t he?” the elder matron said. “Maybe this little one will be different.”

Amy only shook her head. Yes, he is loud and strong.

“You mustn’t give up hope, Doctor Gale.”

“This one does seem…different from the others,” she agreed tentatively. “His lungs are certainly powerful.”

The Treasure Myth is about the ghost of a murdered World War Two solder wandering around an even older plantation house. There is a mystery in this one too. Rumors say the ghost sent his family jewels and other small objects he'd stolen from overseas before he returned home. (The heroine is related to the ghost.)

            Susan Nichols remembered this man. Hard as the wood and steel of the hammer clamped in his rough hands, coarse as the splintered and jagged floor under his bent knees, ten years hadn’t changed him at all. Unwanted memories flowed into her mind, memories of hands as soft as a piece of silk, of loving words echoing from a deep bass voice.

She would recognize Jed Forrest anywhere. “What are you doing here?”

“Who’s asking?”

“Susan Nichols,” she said. “Thelma Rogers is my aunt. Rogersville now belongs partly to me.”

He stood from the floor. “You’re her new partner?”

Winning the Bet is the tentative title for a short, erotic I just started writing a week or so ago. I thought of this when I was sitting at the VA clinic a few weeks ago, waiting to get blood work done. The hero is based on a young neighbor who lives on the first floor of my apartment building. Yum!

            "So, what number do you think he picked?"

Maggie glanced over at her fellow phlebotomist and shrugged. What would it matter? No matter what number he had, one of the others would get the privilege of drawing his blood. Most likely Robin. She'd never been that lucky -- or underhanded -- to win one of their dumb bets. The only time she would ever win a bet is if they decided to change the usual routine and start betting on who would draw blood on the oldest man or the fattest woman. Those she would no doubt win, but definitely not the hottest guy she'd seen in a long time. One she'd seen somewhere else before, but where?

"He'll be one of the first ones in," Karen continued. "He was sitting out there when I came in fifteen minutes ago."

Maggie pushed the question away, and glanced up at her friend. "No matter what number he has, you know who will get to work on him." She sighed. "Robin."

"Maybe it'll be you this time, girl."

I'm in the middle of another edit for a July release with another publishers, so I probably won't be able to work on either of these story. But when I do, I'm wondering which one I should finish?

Personally I'm thinking Winning the Bet.

What do you think?

How Do I Write?

I've been thinking about how I write, and realized I don't do it the same way as I used to. I used to just sit down and start writing. I can't do that anymore.I used to be a pantser.
What's that, you may be asking?
There are two types of writers -- plotters and pantser.

A plotter knows every detail of their wip (work in progress) before they start writing the first word. They outline the entire book, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. A pantser is a person who just starts to write. I'm somewhere in between the two. Before I start to actually write, I need to have a clear idea of my beginning (even though it may chance later on) and a sense of the ending. I also need to have lived with my heroine and hero for a while so I know them well.
I try to finish an entire first draft before doing any revising.
This routine works for me.
When I first started to write a hundred and fifty years ago (I'm only kidding here!), I tried different ways to plot out my story. My first story was a mess, going every which way, but I did finish it eventually. My second I decided to get serious and outline it. I got so bored with the whole idea I never even starting writing it. It wasn't until my fourth or fifth one, I  finally found the right way for me.

But now I'm changing my way again. The old way isn't working anymore. Being published, with contracted books that need to be finished by a certain time, and being an editor now, I need to find a different way to write. 

Now I'm plotting out not only the beginning and a clearer ending , but I'm also got a few important scenes to show me the way to the end. Some of these scenes change as I'm writing, getting to know the characters, but they keep me on track.

Just goes to show you never stop learning and changing.
Back in the beginning of my writing, I wrote my first drafts longhand. It was time consuming but I needed the slower pace to get the words right. And I did have a second draft by the time I typed all that hard-to-read longhand into a Word document. (Even I had a hard time reading my writing.)
I tried to do that the other day when my husband wouldn't give up the laptop, and I couldn't do it. Even with notes and characters ideas. I find it much easier to type everything now and save it on my hard drive.

So how do you write? Has it changed since you've started writing?

So what's my excuse this time?

Tomorrow's the big day everyone.
Go and check out the beginning of Patricia Bates' round robin read at her website.
http://patbatesromances.com
She'll post the link to the next At the Beach story on her blog.

This is your chance to get to read some new and unfamiliar writers. You may just find one or two you want to add to your list of possible favorites. I'm looking forward to reading all the stories. I can't wait to find out what these talented ladies have come up with. I'm going to find the time to read all of them. There only up to 500 words long.

Yet -- why I have no time, I have no clue.
I'm not working outside the home right now and I don't have any children, so I should have all kinds of time in the world. I do have a sick cat and a husband, however.
A pain-in-the-butt, constantly complaining one.
Is there such a thing as male menopause?
If there is, my guy is in the middle of it.
But that's still no reason to not be able to post a simple blog once a week.
So what's my excuse?
Maybe it's because that menopausal man, cat, and I just recently moved from our RV into an apartment and are still trying to get everything set up.
Or maybe it's because I started working as an editor for another one of my publishers, or that I just started an edits on an April release for that company.
Or maybe it's because I had to finish The Dressmaker's Dilemma.
Or maybe it's because I'm trying to finish the third book in another series.
Or maybe--

Okay, I have no real excuse. My life isn't any more intense or involved than other other writers, so I guess I'm just too lazy to write one.

No, that's not it.

To be truthful, I think I simply just forget.

A nurse find of mind calls it Old Timer's Disease.

Or easily distracted.

Yeah, that's it.

For your pleasure, here's a picture of Wyatt, my hero in The Dressmaker's Dilemma.



Cowgirls and Cowboys Pictures Comments - Photobucket

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.
Try to enjoy your family and friends, and not worry about anything.
Hope you new year brings you all that you desire.
Peace.

The End

Yes, The Dressmaker's Dilemma is finished.
Finally.
This time of year isn't a good time to try to finish something as complicated as a book. It took me almost a week to write the love scene. It really drained me. (Hey, get your mind out of the gutter there.)
My husband doesn't understand how something you do while sitting down, in a chair,  for hours is tiring. I just shake my head and ignore him. How do you explain that to a non-writer?
Some books come so easy. They almost finish themselves. Others fight me from page fifty or so usually, and I really have to struggle to get them done. (I'm thinking that's why I have four unfinished books sitting on my hard drive. I pull them out and work on them when my current characters are giving me a hard time.)
While writing The Dressmaker's Dilemma, I was also writing another book for a different publishers. I can only do this because the two books are so different. (The other one is sweeter, closing the bedroom door type of thing.) I'm finishing this one now.
But no matter what type of book it is, everyone can get inspiration from this and this.
Thanks Ella and Lacey.
Oh, and don't forget about the holiday blog tour and scavenger hunt. You know you like winning stuff.
Or the release day party on the 19 for Ella Jade and Lacey Wolfe. After all the two did give us all that lovely inspiration.
Hope you all have a wonderful week.

A Tiny Update

So, I'm finally writing the second Winter Creek book, The Dressmaker's Dilemma.
I'm close to 60,000 words, and closing in on the end of it.
Thankfully.
Moving, starting a new editing job with another publisher, and lack of sleep tend to stop a person from getting things done she needs to do. I also had to change the time of day I write. I do most of it at night now, when my husband's working, and a little bit more when he's sleeping.
The ending is in sight. I can see the scene clearly in my mind. Unfortunately, the two or three scenes left to write before I get to the ending aren't as clear to me.
Oh, well.
At least Wyatt and Barb are happy now. (Raised eyebrow.) 
Now maybe he'll quite yelling at me.
Hope everyone is having a good week.

Almost

Gotta a call from the lady who works with the apartment manager today.
 "You're looking for a bed, right?"
"Yes."
"I just checked on Craigslist," she said. "This lady has a queen mattress and box spring for free."
"Free?"
"She only posted it 45 minutes ago." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you want the number?"
Of course I wanted the number. I called right away and she told me someone promised to show up at three to pick it up, but they never showed up. I told her we just moved from an RV into an apartment and we really need a bed.
A mattress and box spring will do.
She had to leave for an appointment or something, so she told me to call her back around five.
At five I called her back and left a message.
She wasn't home yet.
About twenty after five, I called her again.
I'd waited to long.
She already had someone coming to get it.
Oh, well.
Today wasn't all bad. The manager of the apartment complex sold us a love seat and table for almost nothing, and last week she gave us four chairs. Seems their remodeling the fitness center here at the complex, and they wanted to get rid of the chairs.
One of them -- a rocker -- is the only thing in the bedroom so far.
Sure hope I find a job soon.

From Way Back in 2008

I couldn't think of anything to write about, so I thought I'd rehash an old post I'd written in 2008. Mike and I were living in Texas, near San Antonio at the time, in a RV.
Recently we gave the RV back to the bank, and I'm not missing it at all.
We're moving into an apartment on Friday. It shouldn't be too bad because the biggest thing we own is a dorm-like frig.
Hey, it's not the first time we had to start over again.
Life is never boring.
(Oh, the post is exactly the way I wrote it back in the winter of 2008. Bad writing and all.)

Looking Out My RV Window

Guadalupe River RV Park and Campground sits on the curve of Spring Branch Road, in Spring Branch, Texas. While looking out my window, I can clearly see the road flowing into the mountain. A white-washed bridge leading seven or so miles away to 281, leading to the bigger cities, leading eventually to San Antonio.
San Antonio--The Alamo--RiverWalk--Lackland Air Force Base.
Lackland Air Force Base?
You see this hasn't been my first visit to Texas.
In the late 1970s to early 1980s, I decided to serve my country by joining the Air Force. Lackland Air Force Base was where I spend my basic training. I still remember it fondly, sort of. It feels strange being here again, so many years later. I first spotted the sign when we drove through the town two months ago, and I so wanted to visit the base once again. Yet I doubt I'd ever be allow to see it.
The unit I was attached to was bivouacked in the very last roll of buildings on the base. When we stepped out of our barracks, we looked right at a main road leading to freedom. I'm not sure what the name of that road was (I'm still not sure), but I do know it was a hard thing to see during those long weeks. My company used to get to stand outside, smoking, near the fence line. We used to joke about jumping over the fence.
But none of us would have ever done it.
I'd met some good friends then, friends I'm sorry to say I'm long lost sight of. Yet being here, in San Antonio again, brings back all those good--and some bad--memories. I remember two good friends and I spent the day at the Alamo together a few days before graduating basic training. We called ourselves "The Three Musketeers." Recently, in Maryland, two other friends and I started to call ourselves "The Three Scooters." I don't plan on losing touch with these newer friends like I did with my older ones. Dawn and Kat, I miss you.
I'd never change my first time in San Antonio for anything.
And I'll never forget my time in Maryland.
Mike and I are going to see the Alamo tomorrow.

Sad thing is I did lose touch with the other 'Scooters'. We kept in touch for a few years, and I even visit with Kat one year. We traveled through Maryland to get back to Georgia one fall.
But I've never forgotten them -- or my time working at the Yogi Bear in Maryland.
Or my visit to the Alamo.

Okay, what was I thinking?

I'm not sure.
Last month I signed up for NaNoWriMo. I set up my profile on their site and added some buddies. I even had a book I was hoping to finally finish. It's a story I've had in my mind since I sold my first book.
Fine.
A few days ago I found out a publisher I used to edit for needed new editors. I emailed the Editor-in-Chief and she gratefully rehired me.
Okay, I'm fine with that to.
Now it's November 1 and I haven't written one word on my new WIP. In fact, I've decided not to write anything on it. (Will I ever get that book started?) Instead I decided to use the support from my Buddies to finish the second book in the Winter Creek, Montana series. Then I'm hoping to finish the third book in another series I have with a different publishers. (The same one I edit for.) Yes, I know it's against the rules. I don't plan on writing 50,000 words this month. I won't need that many to finish these two books. But I do need the support.
Because I'm going to need it.
I'm doing all of this while moving into a new apartment and looking for a job.
Can't say my life is ever boring. But this kind of pressure I can handle.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Hey, anyone else attempting Nano?

Strength

One of these days life is going to get back to normal for me.
Hopefully.
Between looking for a place to live and trying to finish two books, it's amazing I still have it so together.
But that's what I am -- a woman who always manages to keep things together.
No matter what might happen, I always manage to survive.
I copy and pasted this from Facebook.
It's my inspiration now.

Sometimes I wish I didn't need to be so strong.