I’m happy to announce that the sequel for The Guardian’s Heart is set to release March 2014 from Secret Cravings Publishing.  Over the next year to year and a half you’ll get to know all the girls of Growing Strong Montessori.  Mary Beth’s book, The Cheated Heart, is my March book. Followed by Sarah, then Mandy.

            Here’s where the promises come in.  When I wrote The Guardian’s Heart it was supposed to be a short story for an anthology.  I over shot the maximum word count by over thirty-five thousand words.  When began writing The Guardian’s Heart I didn’t plot out for a series, if I would have Sarah would not have been a lesbian. I might have just left her out all together. Although she’s integral to the story line and now I couldn’t imagine not having her as part of group stepping out of a comfort zone is scary. And writing an f/f book is out of my comfort zone, but at one time writing in third person was out of my comfort zone, but as a writer taking chances and stretching my writing muscles only makes me stronger.

            Part of the reason book two took so long to write was because once I wrote Mary Beth’s book I committed myself to writing Sarah and Mandy’s. I wasn’t going to start something I couldn’t finish with the same zeal I did The Guardian’s Heart. People helped me brain storm with some encouraging me while others made suggestions to either not have a Sarah story at all, she does have a loving girlfriend in book one.  Or have Sarah end up with a man because she was “going through a phase.”

            Here comes promise number two and three really, I wasn’t going to insult my audience that way. Sarah is one of the four owners and part of the best friend group that has been lovingly nicknamed the Growing Strong Mafia. To not have her story would be a slap in the face to my readers. And the second suggestion again is an insult to my readers.  I recently read a book in a series where the character was a gay man until it was time for his love story then suddenly “he’d been faking”.  Sure the author spun a pretty good tale about why and his love of a woman, but if it wasn’t for the fact I had a long drive and no more Audible credits I may not have finished the book because it was like a spit in my face as a reader.

            What scared me you may ask? The love story I wasn’t worried about it was just the lifestyle in general.  I hate stereotypes and every subculture has their own way of being. This is where my trepidation came in. Can I accurately portray a lifestyle I don’t live? Other writers can kill people, create horrific beasts or even write about things they don’t live. There are very few writers that are also on death row because they know how to murder someone in cold blood so I guess the answer is yes. 

            When you start writing it’s all about ‘writing what you know’ then you can expand.  I’m a great researcher, heck my Bachelors is in History, but the last thing I would ever want to do in my books is to portray a character unrealistically. Then I bit the bullet because when it came down to it I write love stories.  Those stories are about two people that usually have to over come an obstacle to make their love work.  That I could do, the other stuff, it like Sarah and Karen’s love, will work itself out and I promise you I will not waiver on the quality or zeal for which I write.

            One of the most popular copies of TV Guide was always the “Best Shows You Aren’t Watching”.  Critics have the privilege, or misfortune, of watching all the shows.  They see the good and the bad. Whether a show is tops in the ratings or barely registering they watch it.  Unlike when your best friend tells you they love a show, the critics get to tell millions.

            Now here’s my conundrum, my book The Guardian’s Heart has gotten great reviews.  Some end up just on blogs while others are added to Amazon and Goodreads.  The Guardian’s Heart even earned a Best Book review from LASR. Think it’s easy to earn it?  Think again, only six books earned the honor in January even thought close to fifty books are reviewed each month.  Although the critics love the book I’m not seeing the readership I’d like.  I feel like Cheers.  Is The Guardian’s Heart the “Best Book You’re Not reading?”  Or since all my books that have reviews have had positive ones am I the “Best Author You’re Not Reading.”

            Unlike a TV Guide showing up in a mailbox and sitting around for three or four weeks on someone’s end table a blog lasts forever. Then again unlike a magazine after one day you have to search for reviews on a blog.  Author’s can link the reviews, but again it’s not like it’s sitting there for you to discover unless you know the author.  Then the author wouldn’t be someone you’re not reading.

            As an author you’re not reading how can I reach you? There are plenty of author’s out there you may not be reading.  I’ve decided to create a list.  In fact, I’m going to start with of course my own self-praise because if I don’t believe in myself who will.  Unlike most lists feel free to add authors you’ve enjoyed too, just avoid NYT Best Sellers or ones that have over 75 reviews on one book, they’re being read. If you haven’t been mentioned don’t take it as a slight, I had to stop the list somewhere.

The 10 Best Authors You’re Not Reading-feel free to click on a name and find their books.

Michel Prince-“This is a story I can see myself reading over and over again when I find myself needed to be inspired.”-LASR book reviews

Tricia Drammeh-“I highly recommend this book and am so fortunate to have discovered another wonderful writer! I can't wait to read more of Drammeh's work!” –Amazon Review

W. Lynn Chantale-“This book has everything romance, action, mystery and suspense.”-Amazon Review

D. X. Luc-“Wonderful! I'm quick to put a book down if it doesn't catch my attention right away. That is not a problem with this book. It's draws you in immediately.”-Amazon Review

Kassanna-“The story line was great and captivating. I would recommend this story.”-Amazon Review

J. L. Oiler-“Suspenseful, erotic, intriguing story of myth. If you enjoy vampires, demons, or any other mythical creatures you should read this book. It's fast paced & will keep you reading til the very end.”-Amazon Review

Lindsay Downs-“All three of these novellas packed great suspense, and eroticism. I highly recommend this wonderful reading experience.”-Amazon Review

Laura Breck-Award Winner! Dancing in a Hurricane won RomCon's 2013 Readers' Crown Award for Best Contemporary Romance. –“I loved this book! Go out and get it! You will not be disappointed.”-Amazon Review

Jacoba Dorothy-“No curse here just a good read that builds momentum and ends with you wanting more, and thankfully I understand there is a sequel. The author reminds me of j k Rowling in that you can tell there is a real love for her characters, they are not just there to tell a story they are the story.”-Amazon Review

Mary Wehr-“If you want to read an amazing love story with a hero and heroine who are relatable and anything but typical, run to get this.”-Amazon Review

            Have you ever had a meltdown?  Of course you have.  We all have them.  Who was there to bring you back to earth?  Was it your mom?  A babysitter?  A best friend?  Your partner?  We all have them and they are usually over something that seemed important at the time.  I wonder what Claire would think as she got older about this little meltdown from The Guardian’s Heart…mind you she is only two and half.

Don't forget to go all the way to the bottom to enter and win.



Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother. -Oprah Winfrey

“I wanna my mama,” Claire screamed on the playground as she held her bloodied knee.

“Claire, it’ll be okay. Just let me look at it,” Mandy said, trying to calm down Claire’s tantrum. She’d been running across the playground in the back of the daycare when she fell down.

“Wants mama Bee Ms. Mand,” Claire pleaded.

Normally the staff would try to calm the child down themselves. Even little Lukey knew he wouldn’t get Mary Beth if he cried for her. To him all of the owners might as well be his mother. But Mandy was shocked. Initially she thought Claire was asking for her real mom, not Gabbie.

Gabbie was rocking a baby in the infant room while the devastated Claire sat sobbing in the lobby. Mandy came in and shook her head at Gabbie.

“What?”

“Claire wants her mother,” Mandy said with her hands on her hips.

“Oh, well…” Gabbie always got a pain her chest when any of the Thomases talked about their parents. It was still so fresh.

“Bee, her mother Bee.”

“She called me her mother?” Gabbie said, a little set back.

Claire had said some things over the past few weeks that she was a good mama, but to say she was her mama…Gabbie stood up and put the now sleeping Jane in one of the cribs.

In the lobby, Claire sat on the bench by a set of cubbies with her injured leg elevated.

“Mama, I’s toreded my preddies,” Claire said as her bottom lip trembled.

“I see that,” Gabbie said, sitting on her knees in front of Claire and opening the first aid kit Mandy had left on the bench.

“My preddies no more,” Claire cried as Gabbie put on latex free gloves and started to clean Claire’s injured knee.

The fact she’d hurt herself was not the reason Claire was crying. She had torn her tights or “pretties” as she liked to call them. Claire cherished every one of her pretties. Gabbie had learned Claire was very much a girl, something Gabbie never was. Gabbie never cared about dresses or sparkly shoes when she was growing up, but to Claire they were a necessity.

As Gabbie pulled down Claire’s soft pink tights with the lacy backs, Claire looked as if she was being skinned alive. Whatever pain she felt from her scraped knee could have been as great as an amputation, she’d never acknowledge it compared to losing a set a tights to a hole in the knee.

“Mama inks my bess,” Claire sobbed as if she was just shot through the heart with an arrow.

“You still have your white and your blue and your orange pretties and don’t forget your ones with the little flowers on them.”

“I’s never gets better preddies…” she declared with all the melodrama befitting Scarlett O’Hara declaring her love for Tara.

“These pretties were almost too small for you, you’ve been growing so much. How about this?” Gabbie suggested, trying to hold back from laughing in the poor child’s face. To Claire this was life or death. “Your daddy and I will pick you up a new pair on the way home and maybe some big girl underwear since you’ve been doing so good on the potty. These pretties were made for little girls that wear diapers.”

Claire’s eyes perked up. She started to smile, but only briefly, holding the now-torn tights to her heart as she stood up and stuck her chest out.

“Dees was bestest preddies ever,” one little crystal tear fell from her dark mahogany left eye, catching on her soft lash then flowing down her chubby cheek.

Gabbie gave Claire a hug to hide the fact she was about to piss her pants from laughing. She released Claire, who returned to the toddler room still clutching her torn tights and Gabbie fell back on the floor and covered her face with her hand so she could laugh without hurting any feelings.

“Is it safe now,” Mandy said holding her gut as she gasped for air. “I lost it when…when she said…” Mandy couldn’t hold in her laughter. “I’s never gets better pretties. Did you see her lip quivering?”

“She’s in pain right now,” Gabbie said, trying to be serious. Instead, she ended up rolling on her stomach. “My daughter is such a drama queen.”

“Your what?” Mandy said, catching her breath. “Gabbie, she’s not your daughter.”

“I just called her my daughter,” Gabbie sat up and put her head in her hands. What was she thinking?

“Yeah, you and Case have been together a month and you’re already claiming children that aren’t even his as yours.”


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Case Thomas is always in control whether its on the basketball court, the lab where he works, or in his love life. He thinks he has everything all figured out. All that changes when his parents pass away during his last year of college and Case is thrown into fatherhood when he becomes temporary guardian to two adorable twin toddlers. Weeks later, exhausted and running out of time, Case must decide if he's ready to become a father to these children, or give them up and move on with what's left of his life. Then he meets Gabbie Vaulst. 

Gabbie is amazing with the kids, owns her own business, and has all the right curves in all the right places. She can tell Case is attracted to her, but does he really love her or is he just settling for a surrogate Mom who can wrangle his new kids? Knowing that she's falling in love with him, she chooses to push him away until his world straightens out. 

Can Case prove to Gabbie, and himself, that his feelings are real? Or is this sudden family too much for both of them to handle? The odds, as well as members of their past who've come out of the woodwork, are against them, but when kids are involved, all bets are off.

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, AllRomanceebooks, Bookstrand and Secret Cravings

To be eligible for the grand prizes... bloggers have to answer/match a minimum of 25 of the 30 authors to their location. They will email Dawne @ reviewcoordinator@secretcravingspublishing.com with your answers- .


Blurb for The Guardian's Heart
Case Thomas is always in control whether its on the basketball court, the lab where he works, or in his love life. He thinks he has everything all figured out. All that changes when his parents pass away during his last year of college and Case is thrown into fatherhood when he becomes temporary guardian to two adorable twin toddlers. Weeks later, exhausted and running out of time, Case must decide if he's ready to become a father to these children, or give them up and move on with what's left of his life. Then he meets Gabbie Vaulst.

Gabbie is amazing with the kids, owns her own business, and has all the right curves in all the right places. She can tell Case is attracted to her, but does he really love her or is he just settling for a surrogate Mom who can wrangle his new kids? Knowing that she's falling in love with him, she chooses to push him away until his world straightens out. Can Case prove to Gabbie, and himself, that his feelings are real? Or is this sudden family too much for both of them to handle?

Purchase The Guardian's Heart in Paperback and ereader on Secret Cravings or Amazon
for Nook, on Allromanceebooks, or Bookstrand


My location for the grand prize is... BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA


Grand Prize- iPad2
First place- Kindle Fire
Second Place- $50 SCP gc
Third place- $25 SCP gc


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            It’s funny there are two types of parents.  Those that expect better for their kids and those who don’t expect anything for them.  As someone who had one of each to say I grew up confused would be an understatement.  My father didn’t just expect that I was going to college it was a forgone conclusion.  Just like I was to attend elementary school I would attend every educational opportunity until I had achieved at least a Bachelors.

            Then I had my mother who reminded me that she couldn’t pay for college and I should just look for a realistic job.  That  said, my mother who never expected me to go to college, was the creative type.  She was always using her hands to create a one of a kind beauty.  I’ve always wanted the creative outlet but I didn’t have the artistic skill.

            Between the two of them I became a creative person that expects to be successful.  Earning awards and accolades.  I love getting reviews saying my books are good, creating a character that was well formed and flushed out.  I’ll never create a visual masterpiece, but I hope to create one in your mind. 

            On October 3rd I have two books releasing.  The first is called The Guardian’s Heart where a senior in college suddenly becomes the father of two-year-old twins.  Case Thomas doesn’t know how he can provide for these two children and give them what his parents had given him; direction, love and a better life then he had.

            The second is The Beam book two in the Chrysalis series and as we know Ellie’s parents are far from connected with their children.  The only expectations on Ellie come from within.  The world outside sees her as a success; inside her home she goes unseen. 

            Both books have romantic elements that provide the balance needed to support and strengthen their lover.   Inner strength can only get you so far, you need to find that outer support to maintain and nurture the inner.  I write and although I love hearing from other how much they connected with my book yet it seemed more relevant when my husband after three years of writing finally looked at one of my works in progress and said “You are a really good writer.  That story you had up on your computer was easy to read and engaging.”  Sigh…it’s not that my husband hasn’t supported me, but it’s always been financially.  I want it.  I get it.  If it’s a flop it’s a tax deduction if it’s a success it’ll pay for itself.  Either way no is not a word I’m used to hearing in my house. 

            Praise on the other hand, well that seems to come almost as a placating response to an immature dream.  “Of course you’ll be President son, if that’s what you want.”  But to actually hear the belief in his voice was something I never thought I’d hear.  When people asked if he’d read my books they always got a quick “no”, but no more.  Now, like Ellie with Oscar and Case with Gabbie, I don’t have to be strong by myself.  I have a scaffold to brace me until I’m to a place where I can no longer crumble.