Fun Friday Feature- Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer

What happens when your first love, the one who broke your heart almost 17 years ago, moves in with your mother and the town gossips make sure you catch wind of it? You head home to put a kink in his hose and make sure your Mom isn't having a mid-life crisis affair with the one man who's ever had your heart.

As chummy as Sam and her mother are together, Elise soon finds out that perhaps things aren't always what they seem, especially when everyone's keeping secrets, old and new. In a tale about old flames, secrets and the lengths you will go to protect those you love, this is a heartwarming story that WON'T give you the "Kentucky Blues." ;)

Kentucky Blues

Author: Cat Shaffer
www.catshaffer.com

Published by Turquoise Morning Press
www.turquoisemorningpress.com

Blurb:

Elise Drummond never forgot her first love—and never expected to learn via the grapevine that he was back in Brookville and living with her mother. Sam McCade had broken her heart, and she wasn’t about to let him destroy her mother’s as well. A quick trip back to Kentucky to lay down the law and she could head back to the safe life she’d built for herself in Kansas City.

When Sam McCade went “on the run” in the middle of the night to save his sister from her abusive husband, there was only one person he could trust to help them, Hannah Drummond. He expected the local gossips to have a field day with his return to Brookville, but he never dreamed Elise would roll into town to check out the situation for herself.

And he certainly never imagined that in order to save his sister, Elise would be willing to sacrifice herself as the pawn in a dangerous game of catch the monster when his brother-in-law decides to take back what he wants—no matter who stands in his way.

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I can honestly say this story held my attention from the first moment I pulled it up on my Kindle for PC- I started it one night and finished it the next morning. It's a quick but wonderful read and Cat has an amazing way with description that sucks you right into the story. I'm proud to be able to call her my Chapter mate in KYRW and a fellow TMP-pubbed author. She'd definitely good writing company!

I will say this- It was as if I were there in the backyard when Sam's tilling the flowerbed for Elise's mother and Cat set the scenes perfectly. As someone who lived near Lexington the majority of my life and know that gorgeous rolling countryside of Central Kentucky and love it with all my heart and soul, I have to say she hooked me from the beginning. I still live in Kentucky, but further south and she had me homesick for the small town atmosphere, the sense of love and togetherness of being close to my family and friends and my roots, she had me missing those trips to Joseph Beth Booksellers and the aromas of books and paper and fresh brewed coffee that surround you as you browse the shelves for the perfect read. I was living in the moment with Elise and Sam, laughing and tearing up at the moments and sensations that are so familiar, it was as if they were pulled from the pages of my own youth.

Definitely a great read! Click the cover image above to purchase it today on Amazon, in print or for Kindle.

My Lucky #13

Today is my baby girl's 9th birthday. Born on Friday the 13th and she is my luckiest #13.

My due date was December 24th, but I had a feeling my child would be born earlier, simply because of the Friday the 13th in that same month. For me, there is significance in the where, when, and why my daughter was born that day.

I remember this morning, those 9 years ago. We didn't know how my appointment was going to go, though I had an appointment at 11:45 with my doctor and I just knew something was going to happen that day. I'd been dilated 3 centimeters since November 26th. I had already visited my doctor twice since December started, appointments just days apart because my doctor thought for sure I would go into labor around the 6th, but I didn't, so 3rd time had to be a charm.

The appointment revealed I was at 5 centimeters, so the doc sent me on over to L&D to get prepped. By 1, my water was broken, by 2 I headed into active labor.

By 3:21 PM, after about only an hour and a half of active labor, I had my daughter. I remember laughing and smiling down into her red, squalling face and telling my husband that she looked just like her older brother, my stepson, who had just turned 4 two days before.

My daughter's entrance into the world has set the stage for her personality. She was in a hurry, came into the world on a countdown (3:21= 3, 2, 1 Blast off!) and she hasn't slowed down yet. She runs headlong at anything she wants to do and she has a strong stubborn streak, but she's smart as a tack, too and I'm so proud of her for recently being admitted into the gifted pool at school.

She's my blessing and has given Friday the 13th even more meaning in my life. There's no way it could be unlucky- not for me.

My grandfather was released from the Army, Friday December 13th, 1946, after World War II. He always said it was his lucky day. Sadly, my grandfather never got to see his great-granddaughter, but she has a connection to him, as far as I'm concerned and it will always be MY lucky day, too.

It's not on a Friday this year, but it still feels lucky to me.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Fun Friday Feature- Ræliksen by Renee Vincent

Good Friday morning!

Isn't this a gorgeous cover? Doesn't it make you want to escape to the Emerald Isle and lose yourself in a story from long ago. Imagine- an Irish Princess and a Viking chieftain—will their love survive their differences?

I'm reading this on my Kindle for PC- you can read it, too- in print or on your Kindle. Click the image above to go check it out on Amazon. If you've read and enjoyed this book, don't forget to give it a nice little clicky "Like" on Amazon, as well.

And don't forget the rest of the Trilogy- Book Two- Mac Liam and Book Three- The Fall of Rain- all available now from Turquoise Morning Press.

Yesterday is History...

Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present. Why does December always seem to just fly by?

But, speaking of present(s)- a glance at the calendar this morning is a cheery reminder that in less than week we'll have a teenage boy on our hands. I've been in his life since he was 2 1/2 and I love him as my own, but I don't love the eye-rolling that's been going on now for more than year, though he's not 13- at least not yet. I'm wondering already if the attitude will worsen, or is his at its peak?

Add to the mix a soon to be 9-year-old, who seems older than she is sometimes, and is now in the gifted program at school, as well, further proving she's smart as a tack and unfortunately, she's WELL aware of it. LOL I believe her new nickname should be the Little Professor, for she also thinks she's knows all and sees all! She and her older brother make quite the pair!

Today I need to get their presents wrapped and probably tuck them under the Christmas tree- birthday wrappings and all- just to taunt them that they still have a few days before they can open them.

In the mean time, I'm doing well, enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family and realized that its been nearly a month since I posted my last blog, so I thought it time to get current and up-to-date. Mailed my Christmas cards and the "family newsletter," which was different this year with the addition of info about signing my contract for Castaway Hearts and how life as a writer has altered somewhat.

We got the Christmas shopping done and now we just have cookies and treats to make for a few family and friends. My gums are healing great and I feel a LOT better than I have in months.

In my writing corner, things are settled down and edits are done, so now it's galley time for me and the editor, soon as we hear back from the powers that be. We're moving right along.

Now---if we can just "make it through December"- everything's gonna be all right and I'll hopefully find my rhythm again and get back in the groove.

Have a great Wednesday and swing back by here Friday if you get the chance to check out a new thing I'm hoping to remember to do every week- Fun Feature Friday where I'll be sharing a book recommendation and introducing you to some of my fellow TMP authors. It will be great and wonderful fun, so stay tuned.

Ya'll come back now, ya hear?