summer + nature = redwoods

No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe.

~ John Steinbeck

Summer along the California coast is inspirational, nothing more so than the Redwood National Forest, enjoying it so much I’m making it a feature in the next series.

Kindle Book Review names Sea Glass Cottage Finalist

Romance is a tough category to write. I’m thrilled that Sea Glass Cottage has been recognized by the Kindle Book Review as a winning story. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. It’s such an honor!!

You can only run so far before you have to stand and fight. 

Mysterious Isabella Rialto comes to Pelican Pointe to find solace, shelter, and quiet. What she gets instead is Thane Delacourt, an ex NFL jock who’s come back home to raise his little boy. Sparks fly between them from the onset. Thane’s wary of making another relationship mistake. And he has Jonah to think about. But that’s nothing compared to Isabella’s past. Will their love be enough to ensure a future together? Or will everything crumble around them in a  deadly game of obsession?

Sea Glass Cottage

Traveling, working, and a broken ankle

In the grand scheme of things it seems the best plans are meant to go sideways. Some even snap, crackle, and pop in the blink of an eye. No one plans for a broken ankle. For that matter, no one wants to think like that. But life intrudes and you deal with it.

For those who don’t follow me on Facebook, I’ve been MIA because I cracked my ankle. It’s not a hairline fracture but it should heal in due time. After spending hours in the ER with a terrific staff who took great care of me, I made an appointment  to see an orthopedic surgeon who assured me the timeframe getting my cast off is right before Christmas. I’m already anxious for that to happen. My hubby says I don’t make a good patient. He’s probably right. I have to remember to slow down. Hobbling isn’t a choice but a necessity.  Everyone hates crutches. Now I know firsthand the reason. It’s a humbling experience. I’m already looking forward to the day I don’t have to use them at all.

And the Liebster Award goes to…

Getting to know new blogs is a fantastic way to connect with more people. Katherine at The Fashion and Mind…Travel! blog has nominated Romance, Suspense, & Chocolate for the Liebster Award, which we gratefully accept.

In order to keep the nominating process going and allow you, the readers, to find more and more interesting blogs, I’ve been tasked to answer ten questions and then nominate other blogs to hold that honor. First, I’ll answer the questions thrown at me.

What’s your favourite color?

Bluegreen. Tomboy that I was, in first grade I used to fight to keep that particular crayon all to myself. I know, selfish, huh? But I’d gladly share all the others, so there is that. 🙂

Coke or Pepsi?

Personal preference, definitely Coke. But I have a few characters who favor Pepsi. I have no idea why that is. 😉

What is your most prized possession?

My imagination. It’s gotten me through tough spots from teen years to an office environment.

What does the perfect date for you look like? With whom? Place?

A walk on the beach or a hike in Big Sur with my hubby.

What is your passion in life?

Hands down, writing is my passion.

Best compliment you have received?

I get letters, emails, and Facebook messages  from readers who tell me they connect with my characters.  That IS the ultimate compliment.

What does a perfect day look like to you?

Any day I can get in a thousand words minimum writing is a perfect day.

Your dream vacation? Worst vacation? Best vacation?

I have yet to experience Hawaii. It’s on my bucket list though. The worst vacation would be when we took off for Florida in the middle of a thunderstorm. Turns out lightning hit our house while we were gone. Then on the flight back, we hit horrible turbulence which convinced half the passengers we were going down. To this day it’s the scariest flight I’ve ever been on.

Who do you most admire in life?

People who have the courage to follow their hearts. People who stand against the criticism of the world when all that world wants to do is hurl insults at them for wanting out of a toxic relationship, who want nothing more than to be happy.  As Jay Leno once said, you want a soulmate, not a cellmate.

If you were president, what is the first thing you would do?

Declare all Fridays free chocolate and coffee day!

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That’s it for my part. Now to nominate the other blogs I enjoy. These blogs don’t have to do a thing, participate or not, it’s up to you.  But I highly recommend giving them a look-see.

I Didn’t Have My Glasses on

Helle Gade Photography

Backyard Edible Gardening

Crafts and Coffee

Be Like Water

Bitch Can Write a Book

Bookmobiles A History

Everything Else Thrown In

Jump For Joy

Keep blogging and connecting,

Vickie

San Diego abounds with fun and food

“People who love to eat are always the best people.

– Julia Child”

On our weekend trip to San Diego we may have missed out on its infamous Comic-Con by days but we made up for it by eating and drinking our way around town while there. Our destination’s purpose was a beachside wedding. The event turned out to be uber romantic and a lot of fun with dancing, plenty to eat and drink, and hooking up with old friends we hadn’t seen in ages.

Sunday morning we met same friends for brunch at a little cafe they favored called Hash House a Go Go. Apparently it’s claim to fame was when it had been featured on Food Network once upon a time. The place is located off the 163 on 5th Ave. They have other locations in places like Nevada, Connecticut and Illinois.

When we were there it was crowded, lots of people waiting and I began to wonder if it was even worth hanging around. The food turned out to be quite good. They serve buttermilk biscuits which were a hit with the hubby. The breakfast bacon sandwich is so huge you couldn’t possibly open the mouth wide enough to stuff a single bite  inside. In fact, it’s  big enough to be split between two people. Anyway, the trip made for a fun weekend before getting back down to the nitty gritty of plot lines.

Photo credit Hash House a Go Go Website

Hash House a Go Go

Be sure to have a great week at whatever you do!

Saturday on a train!

There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful. ~ Paul Simon

Train Day

Scored free tickets from LA to San Diego!!

Time off from writing…weekend time away from laptop!

Woohoo!

Lavender Beach Cover Reveal

Cover by artist Jess Johnson

 

There is courage in each step no matter how small