My Chat with Gertrude

Hello and welcome!

Guess who I have here chatting with me?  A lady I met a few times in her adventures with the pocket watch.

Please welcome Gertrude!

What is your full name?
Gertrude. That’s it. One name, like Cher or Beyonce. But I’ve been around since the dawn of time, so I’m the original.
You sure are LOL

Do you have a nickname?
No. I’m simply Gertrude.

What is the one word that best describes you?
There isn’t one word. People often like the word “angel” but human languages are limited at best. I’m an immortal spirit with a job to do, choose the word that works best for ye.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
Well, I’ve just told ye human languages are limited, but as far as is possible, Ceci has managed quite nicely.

You have the ability to go back and forth in time. Do you have a favourite era?
I exist outside of the boundaries of time and space so I can be where and when I need to be at any moment. And as to a favorite era, oh, my precious lass, that would be like asking a mother to choose her favorite child.

Describe what you are wearing now to our readers.
Now that’s an interesting question. What I’m wearing depends more on ye then me. If ye’re reading this on a beach, I’m probably wearing a broad brimmed hat and a bathing suit under a beautiful batik cover-up. If ye’re curled up next to a fire on a cold night, I’m probably wearing a pair of comfortable trousers, a cozy sweater and fuzzy slippers. If ye meet me in a medieval market, I’m likely to be wearing a dark cloak with lots of pockets. So, ye tell me, what am I wearing?
This is what I see.

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You are shrouded in mystery and I think that is your allure. Why do you choose to appear as an older woman?
To accomplish the work I need to do, I must assume a form that can communicate with humans and appear nonthreatening. I must also be perceived as wise and believable. This form suits my sensibilities. However the variety and form ancient spirits choose to take is unlimited.

What makes you laugh out loud?
The responses I sometimes get when I offer the pocket watch to someone who doesn’t quite believe. Some of ye may remember the sweet lass who wanted me to seek the help of a mental health care professional.
I guess you can’t blame her, in today’s society we are conditioned not to believe what we cannot touch or understand.

What is your favourite dessert?
Rhubarb crumble.

What is your favourite drink?
That depends on where I find myself. I do love an exquisite cup of Chinese tea, but if it’s a warm day, I prefer it iced. Sometimes a cup of hot chocolate is just the ticket and other times an iced mocha is perfect. Of course if I am chatting with Ceci about my adventures lemon drop martinis are in order.

Oh I heard about Ceci’s Lemon Drop Martinis and I wouldn’t mind trying it one day. I’ll have to ask her for the recipe.

What is your favourite colour?
Green. The color of trees and grass…it’s the color I associate with life.

What’s your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
My favorite smell is a baby’s head. It’s the aroma of new life and unlimited possibilities.
Oh I love that smell too, innocence and sunshine.

For the readers who have not met you, what is the one advice you would give them?
Keep an open mind. Be willing to listen. Don’t judge. These three simple things may open new worlds for ye.
Very wise advice!

What does the future hold for the readers of the series?
I have never been in the business of predicting the future. I will continue doing the work I was created to do and I suspect Ceci will continue to tell ye about it. I do know Ceci is revisiting Duncurra, the place where she started. Her next book will be about that young Tomas who ye met first in Highland Solution. After that I expect she’ll tell ye another of my stories.

Thank you so much for chatting with me. I am looking forward to read more of your adventures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed the chat as much as I did.

Gertrude is hailing from one of my fave series, “The Pocket Watch Chronicles” by Ceci Giltenan.

The newest installment, “The Choice” released today. I can’t wait to get lost in the story!

CONGRATS CECI !

It includes two complete, full-length novels.

Sixty days in another life, another time…it’s tempting. Now the decision to accept the pocket watch is yours. What choice will you make?

Sara Wells is in Venice, preparing to leave on a fourteen day cruise to Greece, when Gertrude offers her the pocket watch.
Will she take it? You choose.

If you accept the watch, Sara will travel to eighteenth century Venice where she meets a young Scottish expatriate who owns a small ship building company. Will their love for each other be enough to overcome all obstacles?

If you refuse the watch, Sara will remain in the twenty-first century, where she will encounter a traveler from the past and more intrigue than she can pack into the books she writes.

One choice, two souls, two different happy endings.

Read Chapter 1 here.

Books 1 and 2 of the series available in audiobook format too, narrated by one of my fave voices, Paul Woodson. You can listen to book 3, “Once Found”, on youtube on the Duncurra Channel! How cool is that? Check it out!

Would you accept the pocket watch from Gertrude? I so would.

Follow Ceci Giltenan on Facebook ~ Twitter , also on her website to keep up to date on her amazing books.

Books are listed on Goodreads, and go check out the author page on Amazon and give it a like.

One lucky reader will win an ebook copy of any of The Pocket Watch Chronicles (winner’s choice), courtesy of  Ceci Giltenan. Sexy Mr. Random will pick a winner from the comments after 3pm EST on Monday, May 1, 2017. GOOD LUCK!

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Alec and Leona!

Hello and welcome!

To change things up I invited a couple for a chat, grab your coffee, tea or a glass of wine and join us 😉

Welcome! Welcome!

As they sit across from me, I look at them and think they are such a beautiful couple. I can’t wait to know their story.

What is your full name?
I be Alec Bowie, Chief of Clan Bowie. My wife be Leona MacDowall-Bowie.

Do you have a nickname?
I’m a Highlander. We do no’ do nicknames.
He calls me sweetin’, or his love. Depending on what he’s done lately to annoy me, I call him Alec. Unless he’s in trouble then I can no’ repeat in front of polite company all that I might call him.

What is one word best describes you?
Strong.
Stronger. I have to be in order to keep from stranglin’ him.

Describe what you are wearing now to our readers.
I really do no’ see why that be important.
Be nice, Alec and play along. She sighs He be wearing a dark blue tunic and black leather trews. I be wearing a green gown with pretty blue stitching on the sleeves and bodice.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
No. She made me look like a stubborn fool.
But ye were a stubborn fool, Alec. But ye have much improved since then. Leona smiles fondly at him. Alec returns her smile with one of his own. Then turning to me, she says softly It oft makes me weak in the knees, that dazzling, mischievous smile of his. 

What makes you laugh out loud?
When Derrick broke young Waldon’s arm, that was hilarious.
No, Alec, ‘twas no’ hilarious. ‘Twas necessary, but no’ hilarious. 
Alec starts to reply, but one look into Leona’s eyes is all it takes to soften his gaze.

What is your favourite dessert?
Alec looks at his wife with a devious smile.
Leona burns red to the roots of her hair giving me an inkling of what he is thinking.
Me wife’s sweet cakes.

What is your favourite drink?
Whisky.
Cider.

What is your greatest fear?
I’ve already faced it. The thought of losing me wife.
You will never lose me again.
Aye, I will no’ because I command ye never to die.
Leona rolls her eyes at him, but says nothing else.

What is your favourite colour?
I’m fond of olive green and pale blue.
Leona blushes I’m rather fond of dark brown.

What do you wear when you go to sleep?
Alec clears his throat before answering. My fur.

What is the perfect romantic outing?
Alec stars blankly at me
We be workin’ on that.

How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?
I am a Highlander. We are no’ ticklish.
His feet.

What’s your favourite smell?
Anythin’ me wife cooks.
Alec’s soap.

When you look at a woman / man, what catches your interest?
I have no’ looked at another woman since I married Leona. And if she were to look at another man, I’d slice his throat, disembowel him, and leave his innards for the scavengers to feast upon.

Do you have somebody in your life now?
Leona, and only Leona.

What is one word best describes her/him?
She be a verra givin’ person. And quite bonny. I can no’ describe her in only one word.

Is your book part of a series? What does the future hold for the readers of the series?
Suzan says there might be an entire new series spinning off from The Bowie Bride. She’ll know more in 2018.

Thank you Leona and Alec for spending time with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for joining me, hope you enjoyed the chat.

Leona and Alec hail from The Bowie Bride, book 2 of The Mackintoshes and McLarens series by Suzan Tisdale, to be released April 18, 2017.

Alec Bowie never wanted a wife. He never wanted a hearth and home. And he most assuredly never wanted to be chief of his clan. But much to his vexation, he finds himself in possession of all three.

His desire for peace and to protect his clan are stronger than his desire to remain free and untethered. He agrees to the marriage in the hopes his wife will bed him only long enough get with child then leave him the bloody hell alone.

Leona MacDowall — or Leona ‘Odd Eyes’, Leona the Witch, or Leona ‘The Devil’s Spawn’ depending on to whom you speak — is all too happy to volunteer to marry the Bowie Chief. Though the clan Bowie’s reputation as murderers and thieves precedes them, she believes life with Alec more palatable than living the rest of her life untouched, unmarried, and under the hateful rule of her spiteful father.

But nothing turns out the way they expect. Alec doesn’t know if he can keep to his original plan of leaving his wife alone after he gets her with child. Leona is beginning to suspect she might not get the happy home she’s always wanted. And worst of all, someone’s set on murdering Leona — and might just succeed before anyone’s dreams can come true.

Ian’s Rose is available to purchase and Brogan’s Promise releases on June 27, 2017.

If you missed my chat with Ms. Tisdale you can read it here.

To read more about all her books and keep up to date with Suzan Tisdale’s news, see links below.

website • blog • newsletter • Twitter • Facebook

Find her books at all major portals Amazon, iBooks, B&N, Kobo, and Audible

Two lucky readers, chosen by Sexy Mr. Random, will be announced after 3pm, EST, Monday, April 17, 2017. GOOD LUCK!

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Mother & Child

Relationship! What is a relationship?

The Wikipedia version is “… an association between two or more people that may range from fleeting to enduring…” & “… a connection between two individuals… “ & “… involve some level of interdependence. People in a relationship tend to influence each other, share their thoughts and feelings, and engage in activities together. Because of this interdependence, most things that change or impact one member of the relationship will have some level of impact on the other member… “.

source

It’s my Mother’s birthday today, she would have been 81. Her fave flowers were freesias and I remember the last time I saw her alive, it was winter, I bought out the flower shop, she cried when she saw the armful of freesias.

So today I will write about Mother & child relationships.

Think back, how did you see your Mother when you were 6? How about when you were 16 or 26? The relationship changes over time with each memory or lack of it. How do you remember a certain moment or day and how does she?

My Mother passed away 26 years ago and my memory of her changed as years passed, it softened. When I was a teenager I wanted her to be different, to be cool, like my best friend’s Mom with whom you could talk openly about anything. After becoming a Mother myself, I understand her more or why she did certain things. After digging into her childhood, understanding her temperament, I came to realize she was the best Mother she could be, she sacrificed a lot for us kids, she spent many sleepless nights worrying about us and the most important thing, she never gave up on us. In a way she helped me become who I am today.

Having a child changes your life completely and irrevocably. I remember when I found out I was going to be a Mom… I was scared and elated at the same time. Thinking back to my life before becoming a Mom, I would change many things, but never the fact of becoming a Mom. Even after years of non-existent sleep, backaches, tears of frustrations … kids don’t come with an instruction manual you know? …. and I didn’t have the benefit of my Mother’s or Grandmother’s wisdom to draw from, I would not change a thing. I think of those early years of my “mommy brain on auto-pilot” years.

As I keep telling my son, he is my life and my sunshine. His smiles are more precious than diamonds. His face is like an open book to me, I know every twitch and frown, or his rascal up-to-no-good smile.
“ How did you know, Mom? ”
“ Because I AM your Mom!!! “
Baffles him every time 😀

I look at our relationship how it changed from year to year and try to give him all the love and the hugs and the support I can as he goes thru each stage of his life. I keep reminding him that I’ve been there, done that ( got lots of t-shirts too… 😀 ), and that he can come to me any time, no matter what. We have many talks, every day and encourage him to be the best he can. It is a bit harder now with the teenage years in full bloom and there are days when I think I will not survive this stage LOL

As our child grows, we age. I never thought about death, I mean really seriously think about it, until my Father passed away 10 years ago. With the generations before me out of the picture, I am on the front line. It is a scary place. I want to live to see my son grow up, finish school, get a career, find THE girl, fall in love. I want to be there to guide him to become a good man like his Dad and both his Grandads, and make sure he is set in life.I hope he will remember me with fondness and he will remember the good times. In the meantime, I plan to live each day to the fullest. Maybe my house is not as clean as it used to be or I forgot what it used to feel like sleeping in on weekends, but I have memories of laughing, arguing, crying or being silly with my son and planning to collect many more.

Peonies are my fave flowers

I became a Mother a few days before Mother’s Day, so with Mother’s Day approaching, I would like to salute all the Mothers out there, and I am fortunate to call friend many wonderful Mothers. My hat off to you all, YOU ROCK!!! Especially the single Moms who have so many hats on. I know because I am one of them now. Mothers should be celebrated every day!

Happy thinking!

‘Till next time.

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Full Mountie – Release Day!

Hello and welcome!

SQUEEEE

I guess you can tell I am excited! The much awaited book 3 in the “Frisky Beavers“ series by the dynamic duo, Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller is here! Downloaded it the minute I opened my eyes this morning!

CONGRATS Ainsley & Sadie!

Lachlan:

365 days I’ve wanted Beth beneath me, begging for release. One long, angst-filled year we’ve circled each other, keeping things strictly professional.

But I’ve also got shit in my past that complicates relationships. And I should know better than to hope secrets can stay buried.

Hugh:

A year? Try ten. A decade ago, I let Lachlan walk away because deep down, I knew he needed something else.

As soon as I laid eyes on her, I understood what I was up against: he loves Beth. Looks at her in a way he’d never look at me.

I get it.

Curvy, smart, and bossy? I just might love her, too.

Beth:

Two men. Two first dates.

Two first kisses…

But this doesn’t feel like a love triangle.

Oh no. It’s much more complicated than that. I’m not complaining. I’m game for anything. I just have one rule: we don’t tell anyone.

SECURITY BRIEFING:

* Warning: there are no limits to these Mounties’ willingness to please

* Never underestimate the strength of a woman

* Sometimes the past can come back and bite you…if you’re lucky

* Top-secret clearance means three doesn’t need to be a crowd

Here is a taste…

Beth

I put my hands on his shoulders and make a shushing sound when he protests. “Let me. You’re…tense.”

He laughs. “That’s an understatement.”

“Mmm. You’re welcome to talk about that if you want.”

A sigh is the only answer I get at first. That’s okay. If you want is what I said and I mean it. I tug his jacket off and smooth my hands over his shirt-covered muscles.

He finally speaks, low and quiet. “This isn’t how I pictured any of this going. You and me, I mean.”

Regret rolls over in my tummy, because maybe if we’d acted sooner, if I’d opened my mouth and issued an invite last fall, over the winter…

But I didn’t. And maybe that was for a reason.

Plus this is Lachlan. No matter what, I think I love him. I want to be his friend. His face is the first one I look for each morning and the last I seek out before heading home at night.

I roll my thumb along a knot in one of his neck muscles. He has more than most men, it’s hard to name them all. And I tell myself to hold my tongue, but that’s a total fail. “Yeah. Me, too.”

I swear he growls under his breath, but he holds still as I work my fingers from his neck down to his shoulders and back again. He rolls his head, stretching his neck out, and I let my fingertips glide onto the bare stretch of skin above his shirt collar.

Smooth, warm, and taut, his skin stretches tight over flexing tendon and muscle. He doesn’t move, so I let myself explore further, to the sharp edge of his hair cut, short and cropped in the back, fading up to a bit longer on top.

Precise, just like the man himself.

Controlled.

Whatever history they share, Hugh’s arrival has thrown Lachlan for a loop. I should step back and let them sort that out.

Instead I play with his hairline and let myself imagine touching him in a more intimate way. Exploring more skin than the few inches above his collar.

Hearing that tight, reserved grunt because I’m taking him deep into my mouth and he’s throwing his head back—

Lachlan’s hand closes around my wrist and I freeze.

You can read the first 3 chapters on the website! I didn’t because it would have driven me nuts not to be able to read the whole thing. The books are so good that you are not be able to stop.

Check out the trailer!

Get it now! RELEASE WEEK PRICE is 20% off !

Amazon • iBooks • Barnes & Noble • Kobo • Google Play

Check out the whole series! You will fall in love with them as I did!

I need to get these hunks on the chat soon 😉 So far Max from “Doctor Bad Boy” is my fave, a dirty, dirty man, deliciously so, I fell in love with him in “Prime Minister”. Gavin is book boyfriend material too, totally sweet and delish … and oh so naughty *sigh*

Stay tuned.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

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