Historic Vehicles

         I write historical romances….westerns mostly (‘cause ya gotta love the man in the white hat!) and I love all things associated with researching what life was like back in the late 1800’s in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas. Old armoires, galvanized washboards, brass beds and houses that were built before 1900 are the things that excite me. Kitchen equipment and utensils, photographs (where no one seemed to smile), and diaries of the women who lived during these times fascinate me. I know. I’m weird, but I love that stuff! Can’t get enough of it!

         This past weekend, my DH and I were invited to a party to help celebrate the 90^th birthday of a dear friend (she’s a beautiful lady and the sweetest thing on two feet….love her to pieces). The party was held outside Phoenix city limits (yep, it was a fer piece for us to get there but I digress) on property that had stunning views of the desert, the mountains in the near distance, and the dazzling sky which seemed to go on forever. The party was wonderful, filled with family and friends and fantastic food! 

There were horses there, too. And donkeys, goats, a pig and even a llama (be careful, he spits!) but the best part? I got to see a horse drawn limousine (painted white, it could seat eight people on red velvet bench seats….can you imagine?) and a hearse (beautifully decorated with gold filigree), but my favorite thing? An authentic 1880’s chuck wagon in good working condition (the woman who owns it actually uses it for historical events)! I kid you not! I had never seen one in person before (but of course, you know I researched it and saw pictures). Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take pictures of these fantastic conveyances of times past, but they’re very much alive in my memory and really got my creative juices flowing.

Can’t wait to incorporate these vehicles into my next story!

As always, happy reading!

Marie

Melting Point

I just wanted to sneak in to let you all know that the award-winning novel Melting Point is now available! It's the first book in the Metal Girls trilogy. Welding has never been this cool . . . or sizzling hot :) Meet the Brennan girls as they weld their way into mysteries and, of course, love. There's a dose of suspense, a heap of steamy encounters, and a dash of humor. The perfect blend to keep the winter blues away.

The Brennan family business had a secret. A secret that only Morgan Brennan knew. She was diligent to make sure it remained that way. She alone had followed in her father’s footsteps, knowing that if she was ever found out the repercussion would be terrible. But if she didn’t continue, the outcome would be deadly. To protect her grandfather, her sisters, and the family business, she continued, knowing that every day she stepped closer to ruin.

Liam Hayes had one mission: Infiltrate Brennan Metal Works and search for incriminating evidence. Because of his background in metal, he was the perfect choice. He thought it would be easy. Getting the grandfather to hire him was a snap. Then he met Morgan Brennan. She blocked him at every corner, making it clear he was not welcome. Quickly pegging her as the prime suspect, he made it his mission to discover her secrets.

Liam is determined to find out why Morgan is frequently called to Las Vegas and follows her, putting them both at risk. As events quickly unravel, Morgan finds her only chance of survival is to allow Liam in. But can she trust him? The only way to free themselves from the danger they face is by working together, something neither of them ever wanted.

 

I'll be back in a couple of weeks with a review on another book.

See you later,

Nicolette Pierce

BEWARE THE BIRD THAT POOPS LARGE!

Hey ya’all, how’s everyone doing this fine Friday morning?  It feels like I just blogged…oh wait, I did.  And yet, here I am again…just like a shiny new penny.  (It’s my story.  I can tell it however I want…and it doesn’t have to make sense.)  LOL

Okay, some of you are familiar with my stories about the animals out at my place.  I have a bunch…horses, dogs, the neighbor’s cats…and now the neighbor’s bird.  Yep, you read that right.  My neighbor has a pet bird that seems to have adopted me as part of his flock.

The bird is a mourning dove, and his name is Little Bird.  My neighbor, Dawn, rescued him as a baby and hand-raised him.  He now comes when she calls him for dinner, rides around on her head, and does his best to find out what you’ve got in your house.  I can’t leave the doors open, or the damn bird either walks or flies into the house.

Anyone walking around outside is fair game, too.  He loves to land on your head and go for a ride…particularly if you are eleven years old and blond!  My grandson loves Little Bird…I, on the other hand, am leery of allowing a bird to ride on my head.  They poop!

I was washing off the screened patio the other day and in he hopped, nosing around like he owned the joint.  So I gently sprayed him with the hose.  Do you think he freaked out and streaked out the door like his tail was on fire?  Nope.  He lifted a wing so I could wash underneath it.  Seriously?  Cheeky bird!

I have to be careful when I get in my truck these days because LB watches my house and as soon as I step outside, here he comes.  He’ll perch on the eaves of the house and coo at me, or on my head if I’m not quick enough getting into the truck.  The other day, I spotted him coming my way and I hurried into the truck.  Seeing that I’d restricted his ability to score a ride on my head, he landed on the top of the open door.  Now I couldn’t shut the door until he left.  So I started to shoo him, but he’s apparently not afraid of me—even when I’m waving my hands and pushing him backwards.  I tried to warn him that he was forcing me to pinch his little toes in the door, but he ignored the warning.  I finally had to catch him and carry him to an orange tree, where he sat cooing at me.

This morning, I tried to get in the truck and there he was.  This time I got the door closed, so he landed on top of the truck.  Do I drive off and leave him to figure out that he needs to get off?  No, I can’t do it.  So I back up real fast and hit the brakes, hoping to see him fly off.  Nothing.  So I get out of the truck and he’s gone…then I hear him cooing from the roof of the house.  Time to jet before we have to repeat the process.  So off I go, keeping one eye on the rearview mirror, just in case stalker Little Bird decides to come after me.

You’d think the little guy would be less stalker-ish, since he himself has a stalker.  I noticed another dove chasing and dive-bombing LB.  When I asked the neighbor about it, she replied, “That’s a Bully Bird.”  Perfect!  So I have a stalker, and my stalker has a bully stalker.  Wonder if there is a bird class on how to deal with bullies.  In any case, poor Little Bird is now missing half his tail feathers and flies with a list due to the lack of a proper rudder.  I'm guessing SB got to LB, and now has feathers nailed to the wall of his nest--a shrine to his arch nemesis.

So…here I sit out on the farm with horses, dogs, a rat-killing duck, and a stalker dove.  Situation Normal at my place…Weirdness Reigns!  But I’m having that family reunion on Saturday…Aunt Millie and Uncle Elmer better stay sober or they’re gonna find themselves covered in dove poop.  And this bird can really poop.  He pooped on the window of my truck one day and my son accused me of raising Pterodactyls. 

Well, that’s my story, birdie and bonkers, and I’m stickin’ to it.  Hang on tight now, cuz’ we’re gonna go real, real fast!

Love Ya,

Kayce

Folly: An Alex Duggins Mystery by Stella Cameron

Call me a sucker for books placed in England.  I adore the atmosphere, the language, and the culture.  This is the first of romantic suspense author Stella Cameron’s series placed in her native country, England.

Alex Duggins moves to Folly-on-Weir after her divorce to start anew by purchasing a pub and doing things for herself.

When she finds a dead body of none other than an unknown Monk, things start to unravel. 

A childhood friend, Tony Harrison, deems her necessary of extra attention.  His “in” to get to her is that she adopted the dog found at the murder scene.  Tony’s a veterinarian and must check on the scared dog’s recovery along with watching over Alex.

Too bad more unlikely bodies appear, Alex always being on scene.  Could she be the killer?

Alex doesn’t want help clearing her name, only to find the real killer. 

I enjoyed the mix of the mysterious happenings and the romance blossoming between childhood friends.  Each topic repeatedly takes one step forward and two steps back.  As danger multiplies and invades Alex’s home and business, she’s due for a leap into favorable happenings.  Tony may be the key.

I was a little surprised at the random editorial errors, small in nature, but noticeable.  I still recommend this as a good read as the story kept me engaged well enough to ignore errors.  Give it a shot…I’m mean a try!  I will be reading the next in the seriesJ

Happy reading,

Dawn

Family Reunions—Watch Out For Aunt Millie and Uncle Elmer!

Hey, ya’all, how’s everyone doin’ out there today?  Doing great at this end!  My apologies to those of you who tuned in to read my blog last Friday and found it wasn’t there.  I’ve been burning the candle at both ends to get 2 books out this month.  Got them out, and then I took a few days off…which turned into about 10 days off…and everything took some downtime, including my brain.  I simply spaced it out.  So sorry!!!

Okay, so here we are again, and I’ve got a family reunion coming up for my dad’s side of the family.  I also have a high school girlfriend staying with me this week (from Oklahoma) so she can attend her family reunion.  So I’ve got family reunions on the brain and thought I’d do a little research on the subject and share with you what I’ve found.  Hold onto your hats…it’s redneck…I know, shocker, huh?  Let me just say that the research I did for this article made me very grateful for the family I have.  Holy cow, there are some scary families out there!

So, I met with some of my cousins a couple of times in the last month to do a little party planning.  The reunion will be at my house this year, so I was relieved when everyone wanted to pitch in and help plan and bring stuff.  This family used to have reunions every year when my grandparents and aunts and uncles were all alive, but the reunions fell by the wayside as the older generation aged and family members scattered to the winds.  But I have like 25 first cousins on that side of the family, so there’s still a lot of family around, and all of us are now grandparents.  So we decided it was time the next generations(s) got to know each other.

The dilemmas:

·   Estranged family members—You know, those people who have, for one reason or another, pulled away from the family and no longer want anything to do with anyone.  We decided to invite them, wish them well, and be surprised if they show up.  (Might have to frisk them at the gate for weapons.)

·     Alcohol—We all understand this one.  Aunt Mildred tips a little too much and flashes everyone…no one wants to see that!  (Did I mention this family's roots are in the dairy farm industry? Yeah, that’s flashing on a whole different scale!) Okay, so I’ll have to assign someone to watch Aunt Millie and either confiscate her flask or lock her in the garage with it.  Everyone agreed for this first trial reunion, the alcohol should stay stowed until we figure out who (besides Aunt Millie) are the worst offenders, and just how bad it might get.  Of course, I’ll have to figure out how to keep my flask hidden but accessible, in order to survive the insanity.  LOL  Just sayin…

·     The menu—Those of you who know me know that I don’t really care.  My attitude about potlucks is that we are getting together to visit and catch up on what’s been happening with everyone.  The food is just something to bond over.  So if everyone brings green bean casserole, that’s great…there’s plenty of green beans for everyone!  But not everyone thinks the way I do, so I’m sure there is a movement afoot to make sure the basics are covered.  Works for me.  (Smile)

·       Entertainment—Not worrying about it.  There will be plenty of people to talk to.  And if things get boring, I just share my flask with Aunt Millie and…voile…entertainment!

So…in the spirit of the reunion season, I researched family reunion jokes and here are some I found.

·     A family reunion is an effective form of birth control.  Hmmm…not sure exactly what this means…if it’s just learning who your family members are so you can stay away from ‘em, or it’s seeing what genes might be passed down if you were to reproduce.

·      You might be a redneck if you attend your family reunion to pick up chicks.  I don’t even want to think about this one!  Guess I’d better assign someone to keep an eye on my grandsons.  LOL

·        You might be a redneck if your family reunion is held at a rest area.  Well, my place ain’t a rest area, but don’t think I’d be surprised if someone decided to pee in a trash can.  Just sayin…

·     Heredity: Everyone believes in it until their children act like fools!  Well, this is something that just can’t be helped…it’s a family reunion.  If you can’t show your butt to family, then who… (nevermind…this didn’t come out on paper like it did in my head).

·     We put the "fun" in dysfunctional.  I think this one will certainly come to fruition next weekend, as I don’t think there is anyone in this family that didn’t inherit the twisted sense of humor.

·      Relatives are people who come to dinner, who aren't friends.  Well, if they aren’t friends before they show up, I’m sure they will be by the time they leave—especially if we can keep Aunt Millie’s shirt on her.

Now, I know you’ve all experienced the problem of relatives who love to come to visit and maybe stay too long.  Well, I tend to be pretty open and folks are welcome to stay as long as they’d like.  If I get too tired to party, I’ll just go to bed and everyone is on their own—just put the fire out before you leave.  But I did run across a very ingenious solution on the internet for solving the problem of too many visiting relatives.  One guy fixed the problem by borrowing money from the rich ones and loaning it to the poor ones.  Now none of them come back.  I like it!  So if you’re related to me and I ask to borrow money, or offer to make you a loan…it’s time to go.  LOL

And this article would NOT be complete without the redneck family reunion horror story…which I found (easily) on the internet.  Someone wrote in to say…

Last time I went to a family reunion my uncle (married in) got in a knife fight with my grandfather over who had the best barbecue sauce, two separate cousins admitted to being knocked up by the same guy, and someone tried to use gasoline to start a bonfire and damn near lost his trailer in the process.

Probably a good thing I don’t have a trailer.  Guess we’d better frisk Aunt Millie for the flask and Uncle Elmer for the fish-guttin’ knife.  Hmmm...now that I think about it...perhaps everyone should be frisked for weapons...especially the ones who come in curlers.  They're the ones living on the edg

Be sure you watch for new releases of my Delta Jane Series, as I’m thinking this family reunion could produce some most excellent fodder for the next installment.  Hmmm…maybe a Delta Jane Family Reunion?  LOL

That’s my story—redneck and ridiculous—and I’m stickin’ to it.  Hang on tight now, cuz’ we’re gonna go real, real fast!

Love ya,

Kayce

Many thanks to these sites for some of the stories and one-liners used in this article!

http://www.family-reunion-success.com/family-reunion-jokes.html

http://www.family-reunion.com/thought.htm

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/21fl4x/rednecks_of_reddit_what_are_your_best_family/

COWBOY'S BEST SHOT now available for pre-order in boxed set at 99 cents!

Cowboy's Best Shot

available for pre-order in the

 Cowboy Justice 12 Pack boxed set for 
only 99 cents!

Cowboy's Best Shot blurb:
Cowboy Hunter McKade is former military police who survived two tours overseas. When he came home, his wife and his life as he knew it, disappeared in an instant. Now a security guard at Poker Flat Nudist Resort, he exists in his dark place, requiring little social interaction – until the night he breaks the barrier that separates him from her.

As a former prostitute from a high-end bordello, Adriana Perez loves sex – any kind, anywhere – and her rules are few. Her new bartending job at Poker Flat gives her lots of hospitality opportunities, so why is someone trying to get her fired? Baffled, she gratefully accepts Hunter’s help and protection, and is more than willing to show him her appreciation. But the man has far too much control and resists what she offers.

Pushing Hunter beyond his boundaries becomes Adriana’s satisfying distraction. But as the evidence against her mounts, she ignores her heart and takes matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, her best shot at fixing this may not be enough.

Pre-order links:
Amazon http://amzn.to/1Sk5PF6  

Barns & Noble http://bit.ly/1N9jyH3   
iBooks  http://apple.co/1mY4tCI   
Kobo http://bit.ly/1J4VwlG   
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1PtoXdO   
Amazon AU http://bit.ly/1Pdbqqd   
Amazon CA http://amzn.to/1Pdbw12   
Amazon DE http://amzn.to/1UZSqA0 
Amazon FR http://amzn.to/1ZEZZ63   
Amazon ES http://amzn.to/1RO1f2i

Always, Lexi
www.lexipostbooks.com

We will be at "Weekend with the Authors" May 13-15

Oh wow! I just realized that three of the authors who post on this blog will be attending A Weekend with the Authors event happening in Nashville May 13-15th. This event is geared toward readers who want to meet and hang out with some of their favorite authors. So if one of your favorite authors is Marie Patrick, Kayce Lassiter, or Lexi Post (yours truly), from this blog, that's where we will be hanging out. What I like about that event is the hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the airport so no taxi ride expense. In addition to author panels, and parties (I'll be teaching a few line dances), you can sign up for lunch with a couple authors, go to intimate chats, buy books at the book signing, and win raffle baskets!

For more information go to www.aweekendwiththeauthors.com 

If you think you will attend, email me as I'm planning something special. Hope to see you in Nashville in May!

Always, Lexi
lexi@lexipostbooks.com
www.lexipostbooks.com