How do you spell RELIEF?

No! It is not ROLAIDS®, although I have taken my fair share of those over the years. Ha! Ha!

My question refers to that feeling you get when a large project has come to an end and you have met the deadline.

Recently, I have been working on a volunteer project that was a major undertaking. I discovered that my extensive history working with this same type of project didn't help very much, at first. As time went by, I was able to fall into more of a routine about how to be manipulate several software programs to unite one project. As in, I had to create an image in one program then bring it over to the publishing program. It made life much easier doing this, although it was somewhat time consuming.

One thing I learned for sure is if I plan to undertake this project again, I will be implementing multiple ideas to help streamline the process. I figure if there is a way to make things run more smoothly, why not give it a try. Am I right?

Also, I discovered I have a whole new respect for the person who formerly lent their time and energy year after year after year. I understand why she "passed the hat" and I had some very big shoes to step into. The bar was set high, that's for sure. Of course, deep down, I love the challenge, even if I gripe and grumble about the steps it takes to get to the end.

I will admit that I had to put my training in stress management to work, several times during this project. Especially when you are this close (holds thumb and forefinger close together) to being finished with something and the Internet decides to refresh your browser. Or you move your mouse to save your work and the computer does a restart (because you didn't see the notice that it was going to update, but that's not YOUR fault, it's the computer's). Yep, had that one happen last night after I reached the end of the project and it restarted making me lose everything I had done over a two hour period. Which, too late, reminded me that you should save your work OFTEN!! Of course, there are always programs that saving doesn't do any good if you're in the middle of an edit. (For example: picmonkey, which I love as a photo editing program, but hate that you can't go back later to re-edit or continue editing.)

Now that I can take deep, calming breaths again, I can move forward on the Ackerman Security Consultants (ASC) series. While I have part of Yours to Have (book five) written, the characters have been constantly letting me know they are being neglected. At least that's how they feel. Personally, I think they are doing just fine because they spend an awful lot of time arguing with each other "in my head".

If you're following along with the series, you know that this book will be centered around Cole Munson, Hannah's administrative assistant. There are going to be some interesting things revealed about Mr. Munson. Some of them shocking. (Or at least they were to me.)

Then there is Halston Davies. She first appears in Mine to Have (book four) where hints of her past are mentioned. She's a tough as nails, former military, kick ass female who spends her spare time reading Guns & Ammo.

Will she overcome her hatred of Cole? Will Cole be able to break through Halston's hard shell and convince her of what he's known from the first moment his eyes gazed upon her?

Stay tuned to find out the answers to these and other questions that have been left unanswered as the lives of the ASC crew continue to progress.

Modern Men.... Are they worth DATING?

That's the question of the day... Are they worth it? Is the dating game worth it?

Now, I'm not talking about young couples and "first" love, then again, maybe I am. Just because someone has crossed the "30" mark (or even "40), does that mean there is no one out there for them to date? Does that mean there isn't a chance of finding love again (or real love, a first time)?

I like to think the world is a vast place, filled with possibilities. However, I'm discovering that the dating pool is slim to none....

You find a guy, think he's great, then BAM! The truth shall set you free... Or maybe that's RUN! RUN! RUN! far away!

I don't really have the answers to these questions, but in the time I've been launched back into the excitement of dating, I've discovered that today's "dating men" have rather odd qualities.

Let's start by talking about those who just want you to "send me a pic" and I don't mean of the budding blooms in the Spring sunshine. Nope, they want to see YOUR "flowers" and other "bits". Well, sorry peeps! One day I may choose to run for an elected office, don't really want my body parts buzzing around the net for all to see. I mean, let's be real, I'm over forty and body parts tend to shift around a bit when you're not a All-Star athlete (or work out for hours on end, which I admit, I don't).

Now we move on to the guys who only have one thing on their mind. Granted, I'm all about having a good physical relationship. I mean my mind tends to stay in the gutter more times than not, but that doesn't mean I don't want an intellectual side to things, as well. I mean really, there is more to life than being literally glued pelvis to pelvis. Am I right?

Next, let's expand on the physical side of the fence... This will be a bit contradictory to what my above statement indicates... When you do get to the point of wanting a physical relationship (along with the intellectual things) then how about making sure we women folk get a bit of pleasure, too?

Here's a note to the men out there.... We need more than a "minute-man" to take care of our needs and it is not all about YOU, contrary to what you might think. It's the modern times, guys. Women (most that I've spoken with) want to explore their sexuality and I'm not talking about the "missionary" position. There are so many things out there to do and try and you don't know if you'll like them until you try them.

This leads to the key word... TRUST... You must be able to trust the person you're with and frankly, I haven't found that in the dating game these past couple of years. I would really like to know where all the good "bad" guys have gone. Because you can be a good person and still have a bit of "bad" boy in you that wants to come out and play, sometimes.

So, is it worth it in the end, to get out there and plunge into the depths of dating? Or is it better to just dip your toes in and get a feel for things? Honestly, I prefer the plunge, but haven't found anyone worth taking the dive for.

Exciting News!

It was quite an honor to discover, this morning, that I had been included among the top ten books that were nominated for the Preditors & Editors Reader's Poll for books released in 2015. Just being nominated for the poll was a privilege, but to find out that Mine to Have fell in at 5th place was incredible. To all of those who took time to vote, I certainly appreciate it.

As an author, we all feel a certain way about each of our books, or at least I do. Each of the four books in the Ackerman Security Consultants Series has touched me in a different way. However, even I will admit that book four is by far my favorite of the series, so far. Although, there are more to come, so we'll see if that remains true in the future.

Mine to Have Now Available

            Roaring into his life, Ryley Storm literally knocks Thalmas Weston off kilter. A man who swore he’d never have a permanent woman in his life finds himself in an interesting quandary where Ryley is concerned.

            FBI Agent Ryley Storm has dedicated her life to her career. There’s no time for a relationship. At least not until she finishes the case she’s been working on for the past six months.

            Thrown together in the midst of an investigation, unbridled lust flows between the pair. Will they keep things strictly professional or will the Fates intervene?

Now Available at: Amazon.com

            

           

Naughty or Nice

Which list are you on? Naughty or Nice?

I'd like to think that we are all on the nice list but then again.... being naughty can be so much fun. Am I right?

Speaking of lists, what's on your wish list this year? Is it something naughty? Or nice? Maybe a bit of both?

I think everyone deserves to have a little naughty mixed in with all the nice. Don't you agree?

The Dating Game

Is it a game?

In my opinion, I would say no!

Are there those who treat it that way?

Well, of course. As with everything, you will always run across those who don't take the task seriously. Now, I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't have some fun along the way. After all, dating is supposed to be fun. 

However, I do question the methods of dating when you've passed what some might consider the "prime dating time". While I may not be in my twenties (or even thirties) anymore, I am under the impression that I personally, am in the prime of my life.

What does this mean for dating?

In my way of thinking, I'm passed the age of hanging out in crowded bars looking for "hookups". Passed the age of going to wild parties or singles clubs. On the flip side, I think it does mean meeting for coffee, dinner, movie, etc. Taking things slow and getting to know each other on an intellectual level before proceeding to the physical side. This isn't to say that I'm not interested in the physical... because hey! I am a born and bread American woman, so yes, of course that's important. Just not all a relationship should be based on.

Let's talk about some of the crazy things I've run across in the dating pool lately that drive me bonkers........

• "Come on baby, send me a pic of your naked self." (NOT going to happen. I mean, come on... I might want to run for President one day. lol)
• "Are you cold?" (Just because my "nips" might be pushing against my bra does not mean I want to be asked every flipping time I'm around you if I'm cold. UGH!)
• "You're gonna leave me just like my other girlfriends." (Ummmmm.... Yeah, that's a check in the positive column for you... NOT!)
• "I have to take this call from my ex. She might need me to work on her car." (Okay..... I think this one needs no further elaboration.)

I think you get the point I'm trying to make. Now my question is, are there any real men out there who want to look beyond the surface veneer and see what's inside your heart? Are there any guys who understand what it means to have a passion for writing and that it's not just a hobby? Someone among the male population who are willing to spend time with you as a couple, but also see that you each need your own space sometimes?

I'm not giving up hope. If anything my resolve is stronger than ever to seek out that perfect someone. Yes, I realize no one is perfect and I don't expect that, because I am far from such. However, I do believe with all my heart that everyone has a sole mate out there...... Let's just see if I can find mine.

So I say..... let the dating game continue! 

What's in a name?

Comment below with suggestions or message me on Facebook.