Leap Day!

It's Leap Day! Here is a small scene from Siren Song, my new story.

*Unedited*
"Where ye disappearing?" Teague asked.
"Just meeting someone," Destan said.
"Ye met a woman," Teague said. "Ain't no man disappear as much as ye have to be alone. Is she a beauty?"
Destan sighed as he looked at his first mate. Teague noticed too much sometimes.
"Yes, I met a woman, but she's different."
"Ain't no woman different," Teague said. "Except for the she-demons mermaids."
Destan laughed as he leaned against the railing.
"No, she's different. She's the one the village calls the Red Maiden," Destan said.
"You're seeing a ghost? Boy, I didn't take you for stupid. You don't mess with ghosts. They can attach to ye soul and haunt you," Teague said as he shook his head.
"She's not a ghost," Destan said. "You can't touch a ghost."
"You've touched her? Oh lord, son, you need to see a priest," Teague said. "Before we set sail."
"Teague, she's not a ghost. I don't need to see a priest. I didn't take you for superstitious."
"I'm not except for ghosts. I'm from the bayou, we take our spirits seriously," Teague said. "Ghosts like to cling to humans."
"She doesn't cling to me. In fact, she doesn't touch me and pulls away from my touch," Destan said. "It's weird."
"Son, leave her alone," Teague said. "You don't want no woman tying you to shore. You're a man of the sea."

#sirensong #destan #pirates #leapday2020

Cover Reveal

I got back my cover and Diamond Dirt is up for pre-order. Here's a small scene to celebrate. Mark April 7th, Diamond Dirt will be live!

“Were you pitching wrong?” he asked as he pulled out a chair and sat down.
“I don’t pitch wrong,” she said with a smile. “She wanted me to work on my drop ball after I worked on my screw ball. It’s nothing. She doesn’t know I’ll pitch again before study hour and work on my rise ball.”
“Still don’t think it’s healthy for your arm.”
“Next time we’re on the field, I’ll show you. It doesn’t hurt as long as you do it right,” she said.
“Uh huh,” he said as he leaned over and read her notes. “Looks good.”
“I hope so. I did more research on Queen Victoria’s bedchamber crisis. I planned to write my paper on the drive down, but it’s not going to happen now.”
“Why? Are you not going to the games this weekend?” he asked.
“Oh, I’m going, but I have to drive myself. No one is available,” she said. “I’m losing valuable studying time.”
“You’re driving yourself? Alone?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Although, Coach Swan said I could have someone ride with me. They could even drive.”
“Have you found anyone?” he asked.
“I heard about it at practice,” she said. “At least I did take out my frustration on pitching.”
He could her the worry in her voice. She was pressed for time and losing the riding time would set her back. “Listen, I have an idea.”
“I can’t teleport there. I’ve already looked into it.”
He laughed. “No, I could drive you.”
“What?” she asked as her head snapped up. “You want to give up your entire Friday to drive me down there? No, I can’t ask you to.”
“You’re not asking. I offered,” he said. “You need the time to write your paper. I can help.”
“Are you sure? It’s a six-hour drive,” she said.
“I’m sure, but I have a favor to ask. It’s a two-part favor, really,” he said.
“I’m probably not going to like this, but I would love not to drive this weekend,” she said. “So, what’s the favor? I’m not dating your roommate.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to date him,” he said as he shook his head. “I don’t put him on any woman.”
She smiled. “Okay, so what’s the favor?”
“Come to my sister’s ball game on Thursday and if it’s okay can she ride with us,” he said.
He watched her expression; but wasn’t sure if she was comfortable with coming to Mia’s ball game. Since he was terrible to his sister, this would go a long way to getting back in her good graces. He hated disappointing Mia.
“Okay,” she said.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I love watching younger kids play. She came to see me, so I need to return the favor,” she said. “I’m sure it’s okay for her to ride with us. I’ll check, but as long as I get time to write, she’s welcome to ride. I’ll even get you two seats at the game. Where does she like to sit?”
“I don’t know, but any seats are fine,” he said as he leaned back in his chair.
“You’re not a sports fan,” she said with a smile. “Don’t worry; I’ll get her the ones I would want as a fan.”
“Really, she’ll be happy with any seats,” he said.
“But I won’t be,” she said as she shook her head. “Let me handle this.”

#diamonddirt #coverreveal #april7th #preorder

Anniversary

I have book anniversary coming up on March 1st. Slay the Demon is turning 3. Here is a small scene between Matt and Maggie.

“DADDY!” Maggie yelled.
Matt jumped up out of his bed and rushed down the hall. He knew he should’ve let Maggie sleep with him. Rushing into her room, he saw Maggie sitting up in her princess bed with tears streaming down her cheeks. He sat on her bed and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder. In a matter of seconds, his shirt was soaked, but she was finally quiet.
“Don’t worry, Buttercup, the bad man won’t hurt you again,” Matt said as he tried to soothe his daughter.
Two weeks of nightmares had him throwing in the towel. It was time to get his daughter help. He couldn’t keep running on so little sleep because of Maggie’s nightmares. Neither one of them got a full night’s sleep since the shooting. He didn’t think he needed help with Maggie, but he knew better now. This was something he couldn’t help his daughter with, but there had to be someone who could.
Once Maggie was back asleep, he went in search of the card he’d gotten at the school. He didn’t know if it would help but taking his daughter to therapy was the only thing he could think of trying.
He found the card tucked away in his wallet. It was too early to call the office and he wasn’t calling the emergency line. He didn’t want to wake someone up when he could wait for the office to open. Maggie was back asleep anyway, so he had time.
Since he was wide-awake now, he turned on the coffeepot before opening his laptop. He would do some quick research on Slay the Demon. He wanted to know everything he could find about this organization.
Were they legit? Or was it a fly-by-night thing? He didn’t want his daughter traumatized any more than she already was.

#slaythedemon #turning3

https://www.amazon.com/…/p…/1539092739/ref=x_gr_onea_bb_sin…#

Seas

"The seas are rougher than normal," Nerida said as she touched the water with her fingertips. The ocean felt violent, almost as if it was shouting.

#amwriting #sirensong #mermaids

Valentine's Day

In honor of Valentine's Day, here is one of my favorite scenes from Life in the Moments. This was the scene that inspired the entire book. I loved writing Amelia and Beau's painful journey.

“Amelia, let me explain,” he said as he knelt down in front of her.
“No, I think I understand completely,” she said as she moved away from him. “You don’t love me. I’m not the same woman you married. You made your point very clearly.”
He nodded.
“You’re right. You’re not the same woman I married,” he said slowly. “Your hair is gone. Your body is thinner. I would probably snap your arm if I turned my wrist too hard.”
He watched as she sat on the edge of the bed. She looked fragile as if his words would break what was left of her.
“You barely cook dinner. Or take care of the house. There are even days I wonder if you’ve changed clothes.”
“I probably didn’t,” she whispered.
He stood up, only to kneel in front of her again.
“With all that, I’m more in love with you now than I was the day I said I do,” he said as he took her hands in his.
“What?” she asked with tears running down her cheeks.
The crack in her voice almost made him rethink telling her this. She didn’t need the stress, but she did need to hear what he was saying.
“I see your strength radiating every moment your eyes are open. You even glow when you’re asleep. I loved your drive when we found out it was cancer. My heart broke, but you pushed to know what we could do. You wanted the plan when all I could think of was not losing you.”
“I was scared,” she cried.
“I know and I loved you for the courage you displayed. You never knew how much your diagnose changed me. I see life so differently now. I see colors in every movement of your body. I hear even the smallest sounds. You’ve brightened our world. And I can’t lose you now,” he stated as the tears tracked down his cheeks.
“Beau,” she whispered as she pulled her hand from his to cup his cheek.
“I love you more than I ever thought possible. I’m even jealous when you’re around other men now. You shine brightly even when you’re barely fighting. You draw people to you. I remember you walking down the aisle in your white dress. It was one of the happiest days of my life. The day the doctor said you had cancer was one of the worst.”
She nodded as she quietly wept.
He took a deep breath before he continued.
“At sixteen, you were my first love. At eighteen, my heartbreak. At twenty-one, my true love. At twenty-two, you were my fiancée. At twenty-four, my wife. At twenty-six, the mother of my son. At thirty-two, you were my sorrow. And at thirty-three, you became my fighter. When I told you I didn’t love you the same, I meant I love you more. I love the girl you were, the woman you turned into and now the woman you were forced to become. Amelia, I love you.”
She cried as she looped her arms around his neck and sank to her knees.
“I love you,” she whispered between sobs.
He scooped her into his arms and laid her on the bed. “I never want you to question my love for you or my dedication to this family.”
She wiped away her tears as she watched him come down beside her.
“I’m sorry for questioning.”
“No, it’s not your fault,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. “Marriage is hard work, but it takes both of us. I let the ball drop which caused you to question my love.”
She sighed. “It was my insecurity. I didn’t know how you could want to be with me when I’m bald and so skinny, it’s unhealthy.”
“Bald is beautiful,” he said as he kissed her bald head. “Rock your weakness so everyone questions if it is really a weakness.”
She laughed as she snuggled deeper in his arms.

#valentinesday #lifeinthemoments #heartbreakinglovestory

Songs that Inspire

Do you want to know what songs helped inspire Diamond Dirt? Here are a few of the songs I had on repeat while I was writing.

Dangerous by Ying Yang Twins
Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Diva by Beyonce
Fire in My Eyes by Fireflight
Rock What You Got by Superchick
Make a Move by Icon for Hire
Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj
The Champion by Carrie Underwood, Ludacris
Church Clap by KB, Lecrae
The Comeback by Danny Gokey
Load Up the Bases by Whiskey Falls
Swing by Trace Adkins
My House by Flo Rida
Centuries by Fall Out Boy
Alone by Hollyn, TRU
Made for This by Carrollton

#diamonddirt #songsthatinspiredthestory

Research

Diamond Dirt is with my editor, time to start my next book!

#research #notes #amwriting

Blurb

So I've finally nailed the blurb for Diamond Dirt! In honor of the official start to softball season, I decided to share it with everyone. Enjoy!

Drop, rise, curve, screw, fast; Shelby has pitched them all in her quest to achieve her dream of playing softball in Oklahoma City. After three years of postseason dreams being dashed, she and her team have a chance to make it all the way. With her laser focus, she has led the Lady Hawks from the circle. There's just one thing between her and the red dirt of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, her entry level British History class.

Kings, queens, leaders, extraordinary, common; Winston knows British History inside and out. What he doesn't know is the university has one of the top softball teams in the nation chasing their first national title. Weeks before graduation, he's faced with tutoring the Lady Hawks' ace in the pitching circle. He's challenged to find time in both of their busy schedules to help her learn the royalty as well as she knows the seams on a softball.

When questioned, she shows him her passion for the game which leads him to bring the royals into her comfort zone between the chalk lines. Will it be enough to help her pass the class? Or will her dream be another casualty of the royalty?

#diamonddirt #softball #shelbyandwinston

Cover Chosen

I finally chose my cover image for Diamond Dirt!!! I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find the perfect picture. To celebrate here is a small scene from Diamond Dirt.

"I thought you were at the park with Tina," her mother said.
"I was, but today is opening day," Shelby said as she finally looked at her mother. "I didn't want to miss the first pitch."
"I thought college softball finished last week."
"Momma, that was Super Regionals. This is the World Series. The top eight teams from across the country compete for the national title," Shelby explained as the last notes of the National Anthem rang out.
"You know if you put this much effort in history, you would've had an A," her mother said.
"I don't like history," Shelby said. "I love softball."

#diamonddirt #shelby #softball