What an Incredible Honor!

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to announce that LADIES IN WAITING won the 2016 EPIC eBook Award in Contemporary Fiction. This book was initially published by Turquoise Morning Press and I happily share this award with TMP, Kim Jacobs, and editor Amie Denman. Woohoo!

I'm so very proud of this book. If you've read the book, I thank you. If you've not yet read LADIES IN WAITING--well, what are you waiting for? Here's the link to Amazon: LADIES IN WAITING

Introducing: SMOOTH SAILING: A Second Chance Romance

I'm pleased to announce the release of my newest novel, SMOOTH SAILING: A Second Chance Romance. If you've read my books, either women's fiction or romance, you know I'm all about second chances. I enjoy writing a romance featuring a more mature couple. They offer a different substance that comes from lived experience. I hope you enjoy reading Edie and Adam's story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here's a brief excerpt to whet your appetite.

Edie folded the papers and deposited her ID and passport in her purse, clutching her cruise card. “Thanks.” Her heart pounded as she exited the building and stood before the massive ship. She tilted her face up into the sun and slowly took in the full height of the vessel.

Someone bumped her shoulder, and the overnight bag slid down her arm to the ground.

“Oops, sorry.” The voice, a smooth baritone, hummed in her ear.

As she bent to retrieve the bag, the man did the same. Their faces nearly collided. Edie stared into the warmest whiskey brown eyes she had ever seen. Her breath caught.

The man picked up the bag and glanced at the name tag attached. “I’m sorry…Eden. I should watch where I’m going.” He continued to grasp her bag. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

“These ships are amazing. Every time I board one, I have to stop to take in the grandeur.”

She squinted at him and placed an open palm across her brow to block the sun. “Yes. Amazing.” Graying dark hair framed a tanned face. Dark brown eyes flecked with gold smiled down at her. “Do I know you?” she asked.

“I doubt it. I would have remembered our meeting. You are Eden…?”

“Edi…Eden Montgomery. You look very familiar.”

“Eden—like the proverbial paradise garden?”

A flush spread across her chest. “I…uh…” Was he flirting?

“Adam Armstrong.”

Adam, as in the first man on earth? The thought went unspoken. Recognition of the name hit her. “Oh, the travel guy from the magazine.” She shifted the squint from her right eye to her left.

Adam laughed. “That’s me. The travel guy.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Other passengers edged past them to ascend the gangway. “Well, perhaps we should board.” She reached for her bag.

“I’ve got it.” He placed a hand at her elbow to steer her toward the ramp. And the old Edie allowed him to do so.

“Is this your first cruise?” Adam asked.

“Yes. Does it show?”

“Not really. Well, maybe a little. Most passengers don’t stare at the ship like they’re entering the Emerald City.”

“That’s me—Dorothy. Or maybe I’m the lion.”

“Cowardly?”

“I used to be.”

Available now in e-book at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. Coming soon to trade paperback.

WAKE-UP CALL - Second Edition

Newly republished with new material and this fantastic, shiny new cover. Is this hot or what?

City girl and social worker, Candace Hudson wants a baby, but she's given up on men. Divorced single father and Texas cattle rancher, Griff Calhoun needs a consultant for a special project. Neither one suspects that their collaboration will give them both a Wake-Up Call.


Available now in ebook at Amazon.com.
Coming soon in trade paperback.    

A Look Back and A Look Ahead

Is it just me or has 2015 gone by at warp speed? Seriously, wasn't it January, just yesterday? And, yet, here it is nearing midnight (in the Central Time Zone) and I'm reflecting on what the year held.

When I reflected on the past year, I found very little to write about. I go to work, come home, have dinner, and then write until bedtime (or until I fall asleep in the recliner. Whichever comes first.) At first it concerned me that the year had gone by so quickly and left behind so few memories. My "year in review" will only take a minute.

Let's see--I published three short stories, three novels, and re-published six previously-published novels. Maybe that's why the year went by so fast and I missed it? I was busy. On a sad note, one my publishers--Turquoise Morning Press--closed its doors. It was a good run and I'm forever grateful for the way they treated me and my work.

Here's a glimpse of my new 2015 publications.

The previously published books, some in shiny new covers, all with stories that have been updated and tweaked:

Two of my books, PROTECTION and RESCUED were produced in audio:

PROTECTION finaled for the 2015 EPIC eBook Award for Romantic Suspense.

So, what's coming up in 2016?

You can look for at least two new novels, a couple of short stories, and two or three republications of previous work that I've retained the rights to once again. In other words, it will be another busy year.

But I'm determined not to have 2016 slip by so fast I barely see it. I'm not one to make resolutions. Why set myself up for failure? I prefer to have hopes. I hope to write at least one book that takes my breath away. I'd love to have one of my books contracted for a TV movie on Hallmark or Lifetime and plan to pursue that. I hope to get to at least one good writers conference this coming year. I do plan to find time for a writing retreat with some of my writer friends. And I'd love to take a real vacation, go someplace I've never been before.

As the shades are drawn on 2015, I take this opportunity to thank my readers and all of you who support and encourage my writing. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope that, in 2016, all of your hopes and dreams come true. 

And remember: Life's an adventure--wear comfortable shoes.     

                                                                                           Linda

                                                                                          

Honoring Our Veterans

I could talk about upcoming books and all that, but November 11 is Veterans Day. This week, I'm dedicating this blog page to honoring those who serve and have served our country. In my lifetime and being a post-WWII baby, I've known us to be involved in some way with a war in Korea, Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq....and probably, in some way, in other wars around the world. War has remained distant, taking place on other shores, but has always been a fact in my lifetime. Always at a distance, until 9/11 when the horror of war was brought to our shores. I've had relatives and friends who served in many ways in the armed forces during war, both in active combat and here at home. I have friends whose names are etched in the wall of the Vietnam War Memorial. It was humbling to visit that wall and run my fingers over those names, realizing what those young, young men gave up for the freedom and security I enjoy.

I always knew my father, Dale R. Rettstatt, Jr., as a soldier. He served in WWII, bringing home with him two Purple Hearts and the remains of shrapnel in the back of his neck and head that gave him excruciating headaches at times. I looked at a picture of him as a young boy whose dream was to become a draftsman. (I still have a set of steel drawing instruments he used). And then I recall the man I knew, and I'm certain he brought back more than physical wounds. No one goes through a war unscathed. And, yet, he remained an active member of the Army Reserve until his death (which came early at fifty-nine.)

I often wondered what happened to that hopeful, smiling boy in the picture. Not that my dad didn't have a great smile and quick wit at times, but there was often something haunting in his eyes, too. Sobering. He never became a draftsman and I wonder if that dream died in the trenches of France.

I have such empathy for those returning from Afghanistan and Iraq and for their families because they will forever be haunted by the horrors of war, even if they don't bear physical wounds. We need to take care of our returning heroes--and that's what they are. One definition I found of a hero is:  a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. "a war hero". All wounds are not visible and we owe these men and women our support.

This Veterans Day, let's pause to remember all of those men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom and our dedication to freedom for all people. Regardless of what you personally believe about war. Thank those Veterans who are still with us. Demand our government to take responsibility for the care of those who have returned from war, wounded and shattered and in need. Let's also make a promise to never stop trying to find a better way to bring about peace and preserve human dignity. This is what I learned from my father, a man who (I believe) was forever changed by his experience of war.

Something A Little Different - For Me

Those of you who have followed my writing for a while know that I'm not locked into one genre. I started with Women's Fiction and then ventured into writing Contemporary Romance. I've added in a dash of mystery, the paranormal, and suspense to that mix. My newest book, which will release on November 20, is an Inspirational Romance titled After the Fall.

And if you know my books well, you know that my titles often are metaphor for the story. After the Fall is the story of Molly Daniels and Chase Harrington. Both have experienced the falling apart of their lives. Chase, a police detective, vows to make changes to move on with his life, having lost his wife and teen-aged daughter two years earlier. Molly Daniels,a pediatric nurse, moves her fourteen-year-old daughter out of an abusive home in Chicago, returning to the Pittsburgh suburbs where she had spent her early years. Starting a new job and trying to ease her daughter's transition to a new school, Molly is sure things will be better--after the Fall.

The last thing Chase needs is an attractive women with a teen daughter moving in next door and dredging up so many memories. Molly finds it challenging to trust the handsome but often brooding neighbor. Faith is the one thing that has carried Chase through his nightmare losses. Molly has abandoned her faith when she felt betrayed and abandoned by her church. Despite their fears and hesitation, Molly and Chase are drawn together as he believes he might love again and she learns that some men--or at least this man--can be trusted..

You can pre-order After the Fall now at Amazon.com

A Sad Ending and A New Adventure

I just signed my name to accept the Reversion of Rights for my books published with Turquoise Morning Press which has closed its doors. It's sad to see this come to an end and, yet, I know it opens a new door for me. My books previously published with TMP will continue to be available as I shift them over to self-publishing.

I've been in this business now for more than ten years. I've seen many e-publishers and small presses come and go. I've heard the horror stories of authors whose rights have been tangled up in the closures. Some authors have had to resort to lawsuits to get their books returned to them.

Kim Jacobs is one class act and a business woman of the highest caliber. Even in this closing of the company, she has exhibited the utmost professionalism and integrity. Things are being done smoothly and with every consideration for the authors. If there's a right way to close a publishing house, she has found it.

I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to thank Kim for her support of my work for the past five years. And I want to thank the magnificent authors I got to meet and who will remain my colleagues and friends as we all find our way forward.

I wish Kim Jacobs only the very best in her own future endeavors as author. And I'm grateful for the people I've met during my journey with Turquoise Morning Press. You all have made me a better writer.

                                                          Linda