Happy Father's Day

Dad & me Father's Day 2016

Some people think Father's Day is a celebration of fathers, but it means different things to different people. At this writing, I am lucky my father is with us (he turned 91 years old at the beginning of this month).

Writers are naturally curious, so I did some research. The holiday was started in the United States in the early twentieth century. Although you might think it is the same as our Mother’s Day holiday, it is not as popular as Mother's Day. More research found that Father’s Day only became official in 1972. Mother’s Day started in 1914. I am not sure why it took so long to recognize dads…the real dads, whether biological or those who have taken in step kids or adopted children, but they all count.

I was out of the house by the time Father’s Day started back in '72, and I hope I did not ignore the concept. (Dad, did I send you a card at least?) I have always loved my dad, and appreciated him the best I could...well I did present him with two grandsons.

Robert & Eric Badger 

Don’t forget your father on Father’s Day.

*share your thoughts with my readers!


Nancy Lee Badger

Proud daughter of Robert Beegle 

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Ria Cantrell Presents: Celtic Peril

Ria Cantrell stopped by to share her latest release. CELTIC PERIL is a historical time travel romance set in Scotland.

In 1387, the peace of the Highlands is shattered when the young English King, Richard of Bordeaux announces that he will be touring the Northern Territories in what is known as the Great Gyration. All young maidens of marriageable age must be presented to him. Richard is seeking a bride to forge an alliance between England and Scotland. Sir Andrew and Lady Bronwyn Brandham have been requested to entertain the English king and his retinue during the last harvest. Sir Drew's daughter, Jenna, refuses all suitors; especially the likes of the English king. In a willful show of disobedience, Jenna Brandham flees to the Highlands and seeks refuge among her uncles and grandfather of the Clan MacCollum. Her absence puts her family in grave danger of disobeying the king's request. They are desperate to keep the peace and to not anger the Royal guest. 

Morag, the healer and chatelaine of the Clan MacCollum knows of a ruse to appease the unpredictable king, but it would mean traveling ahead in time to bring Kiera Campbell back in Jenna's place as a decoy. Kiera agrees to go back in time to help her old friend and to seek forgiveness from the past for her beloved husband, Derek.

Tom Callum has just landed a spot with a prestigious road show called Celtic Storm as the lead singer and front man. When he reaches Scotland to visit his cousin Kiera, he is drawn to seek his heritage and uncover the mysteries of his past. He is fascinated with a painting of a girl who lived more than six hundred years ago. Something about her tugs at his long forgotten memory. Little does he know that he will soon be plunged into a world of intrigue, deception and peril. The past and present collide in an adventure that brings danger at every turn. Only love will give Tom the strength he needs to thwart an attempt on King Richard's life. Tom must save the reputation of the Clan MacCollum and the Brandhams. How can he succeed without destroying what has already been written in history? Will Tom be able to survive his leap into the past? Will he be able to survive his return to the present, only to leave his heart behind?

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More About the Author

Ria grew up in the suburbs of Long Island, New York. Her family has promoted her love for the arts, especially music. She learned to read music at a very early age and started singing at the age of four. Ria has enjoyed some very exciting endeavors in the past including competing as a figure skater, dancing professionally as a belly dancer and singing as a classically trained vocalist with auditioned chorales. She also enjoys working as a soloist.

Ria began writing at a very young age and even had some of her early poems published in local literary magazines. Frequently, she would be seen carrying notebooks to scribble many of her stories and poems. With a love of the past, Ria was fascinated with Medieval and Renaissance history and found herself drawn to participate with a reenactment group, The Society for Creative Anachronism, which re-creates the Middle Ages. Since fostering her love of all things medieval, Ria’s stories soon became flavored with Medieval and Renaissance themes.

Ria is a hopeless romantic. She married the love of her life after a long-distance courtship, spanning two continents. She now lives in the sunny tropical paradise of Southwest Florida with her English rock-star husband. The two share their love for music and writing. They perform together locally and they collaborate on writing endeavors. Her husband’s first full length novel, Reflections of Love, is being released simultaneously as Morag’s Tears. 
Connect with her HERE

You can also find Ria Cantrell
(and me!) 

in the Time Travel Boxed Set

WHEN LOVE CONQUERS TIME

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SIZZLE by Barbara Brett

Barbara Brett stopped by to share all the intimate details about her new book. SIZZLE, Where the Boardroom Meets the Bedroom

BOOK BLURB:

She’s the most beautiful and ruthless CEO in the nation. He’s the most dangerous corporate raider in the world. Neither has ever lost a battle in the boardroom—or  the bedroom. Now they’re warring for America’s biggest publishing prize. 

SIZZLE—a  novel of breathtaking power and ambition, set against the jet-setting world of Manhattan’s elite! 

“[A] battle fraught with...the dirtiest of tricks...the stuff that destroys marriages, people, lives.... Sizzle through the summer with Sizzle.”—The Salem News

EXCERPT:

      At Ledoyen, Marietta and Craig were seated at a table with an excellent view of the garden. Their wine was poured into crystal glasses, their courses dispensed from Louis XV serving carts. In such an atmosphere, it was difficult not to be warm and cordial, and Marietta sensed Craig's reserve yielding a little with every sip of wine.

She kept the conversation sprightly and flowing, and saw to it that they spoke a great deal about Craig's career and not at all about hers. By the time they were sipping their demitasse, the years seemed to have slipped away, and they were once again sharing special looks and laughter.

Before they left, Marietta turned for a last look at the garden. Craig's gaze followed hers, and he said:

"Everything they say about April in Paris is true, isn't it?"

"Suddenly I have a terrific yen for more chestnuts in blossom. Let's take a walk in the Bois de Boulogne."

Craig smiled indulgently. "Why not? Sounds like a pleasant way to work off some of our excess calories."

It had been ages since Marietta had been in the Bois. For years, Paris trips for her had meant board meetings and boutiques by day and café society by night, but her intuition told her that a stroll together through the park might awaken in Craig's mind fond memories of similar strolls through Central Park. Perhaps it did; he seemed even more relaxed and happy in the sun- dappled woods than he had been in the restaurant. It was his idea to hire a horse-drawn carriage so that they could view in style the lakes and waterfalls and the charming Parc de Bagatelle.

As they passed the nearby children's playground, Craig turned to Marietta and asked, "Have you ever been to the Jardin d'Acclimation?"

She shook her head.

"You don't know what you've been missing," he said, and he told the driver in perfect French to take them there.

Marietta had expected—or hoped—that they were heading for romantic gardens where he'd suggest a stroll beneath shady trees beside a sparkling lake, and was surprised and disappointed when the driver reined his horse before the entrance to a combination children's zoo and amusement park.

Craig paid the driver and helped her from the carriage. "You're going to love this," he said.

She doubted that very much.

She was wrong. The Jardin d'Acclimation was designed to charm both child and adult alike. Perhaps adults enjoyed it most of all, for the true joys of childhood, like so many of life's delights, are never really appreciated until they are forever lost. Marietta and Craig paddled a boat across a clear lagoon, laughed in the house of funny mirrors, tried their luck on the archery range and at miniature golf, ate warm waffles, and fed the animals. She couldn't remember when she'd had so much fun. Or perhaps she could: seventeen years before, bundled up against the cold, strolling hand in hand with Craig, tasting New York City's delights.

Later, Craig whisked her in a cab to the Porte Dauphine. "You've never seen Paris until you've seen this," he said, and gestured toward the Etoile, painted gold and pink in the light of the setting sun.

Marietta caught her breath. "It's beautiful!" she said. But even as the words were leaving her mouth, even as her eyes continued to take in the scene before her, she was aware of a subtle change in Craig. He was no longer gazing in awe at the Etoile. He was looking at her; she could feel it. And she could feel, too, that if she turned to look at him, she'd find the awe still in his eyes, but directed toward her. Sunsets enhanced her charms, silhouetting her fine profile, deepening the coppery tone of her hair. Slowly, her heart pounding, she turned to him. She was right. In his eyes she saw the same desire that had been there seventeen years before.

"I don't want this day to end," she said.

He didn't kiss her, as she had hoped he would, but his gaze slipped down and caressed her lips, then returned to meet hers. "Neither do I," he said huskily. "I'll pick you up for dinner at eight-thirty."

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AUTHOR BIO

Barbara Brett’s colorful publishing career includes stints as the editor of True Romance and True Confessions. During that time, she began writing mainstream novels, and after the publication of Between Two Eternities and Love After Hours, she was named vice president and publisher of Thomas Bouregy & Company, where she oversaw Avalon Books, the company’s hardcover fiction for libraries. Later, she established her own company, Brett Books, devoted to hardcover inspirational nonfiction. She is now back to her own writing and delighted to see Sizzle published. She promises to follow it with many more exciting books.

You can contact Barbara on 

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Salute and Remember Our Troops

@Photo by Nancy Lee Badger

"Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state."--Thomas Jefferson

We no longer have a military draft, but thousands of our men and women volunteer to serve their country, to keep its citizens safe.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving in the various branches of the military of the United States of America. 

Former President Lyndon Johnson declared it a national holiday in May 1966, and this year the USA celebrates it on Monday, May 30th. It is not as happy a holiday as Veteran's Day, where we celebrate our citizens who have served in our military. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

This weekend often includes trips to the beach, hikes through the mountains, gatherings with friends or families, and barbecues. Please take a moment to remember those we have lost. Here are a few who my family salute.

Joseph Abner Bean died in
Libby Prison during the Civil War

Lt. David Lee Johnson: Died in WW2
Sgt. Richard Ayers: Died in WW2
Pvt. Gerald Ayers: died in WW2
as well as...

Our distant cousin who died in Vietnam

Family visiting the New York Memorial at Gettysburg,
where our great-great-great uncle Enoch Lee served,
Enoch died later in the Civil War at Petersburg

Thank you,

Nancy Lee Badger

p.s. my contemporary military novella 

UNWRAPPING CHRIS 

is available FREE at these locations:

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Beth Caudill Presents: Mini Story Bibles

Thank you Nancy for having me here today.

My series of Mini Story Bibles came about because I had a difficult time concentrating on the third novella in my Paranormals of Arilase series. While I have a digital storyboard, I needed a different experience to help get my creative juices flowing. Something tactile I could work through the troublesome story details.

Worksheets aren’t my thing, but I tried to make something fun—a mix of fill-in-blank with spaces to draw. A place to collect new ideas and develop a story. A journal small enough to travel but large enough to record new storylines. 

All stories have the same basic elements: characters, plot, a base world of laws, politics and religions, detailed research.  But each genre has specific characteristics that make it unique:

For the historical journal, character clothing, historical events and figures are a focus.  In addition, there is space to write about important laws or religious ideals which affect your story.  The research section is centered around references and image details of clothing styles for the time.  There are sections for drawing or pasting town and building layouts.  Some floor plans will be available from historical buildings or you may need to create your own version of a castle.

Many elements of the historical journal are expanded in the fantasy version.  Character details include a section on magical powers. The Worldbuilding section covers data like time, money, distance measurements and important historical events over 1000 years. Common information we take for granted because we learned it in school which needs to be sprinkled into your story.  There are extra sections for notes on the magical systems and creatures that inhabit your new world.

My mini journals are intended to help you start a story.  There isn’t enough space to keep an entire book or series information.  But it can help you explore a story giving you trouble or record information on a bright, shiny new idea while you are working on the current bane of your existence. 

Stop by my website for videos of all six Mini Story Bibles and the sections each one contains. 

Historical

Dream. Explore. Write.

The Historical Writer’s Mini Story Bible for Bedside and Travel is your first stop along the path to writing. You set the pace for discovering your imaginary worlds and conflicts within your stories.

Each book section includes an area for you to brainstorm words associated with your idea, detail pages for up to five characters including picture and attire frames, diagram and notes for cataloging your plot points, space to identify historical landmarks and events, frames to sketch settings and scenes, lines for recording your research and more.

Keep your story details in one convenient journal that easily travels or resides next to your bed. Ideas come at all hours of the day, don’t lose your thoughts because you couldn’t find paper.

Buy Links:

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Fantasy

Imagine. Discover. Write.

The Fantasy Writer’s Mini Story Bible for Bedside and Travel is your first stop along the path to writing. You set the pace for exploring the imaginary worlds and conflicts within your stories.

Each book section includes an area for you to brainstorm words associated with your idea, detail pages for up to five characters including magical powers and attire frames, diagram and notes for cataloging your plot points, space to record your world’s important historical events and landmarks, frames to sketch settings and scenes, lines for recording your research and more.

Keep your story details in one convenient journal that easily travels or resides next to your bed. Ideas come at all hours of the day, don’t lose your thoughts because you couldn’t find paper.

Buy Links:

Amazon    Barnes and Noble    Books – a – Million    Book Depository    Indigo

More About Author Beth Caudill

Although Beth grew up in West Virginia, she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two sons and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who makes an excellent lap warmer. Blending the analytical and creative sides of her brain, she delights in creating fantasy worlds for others. Catch her online most days except when NCIS and Once Upon a Time air.

Connect with Beth Caudill:  

Website     Newsletter      Pinterest    

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who's Your Hero Blog Hop HAS ENDED

Congratulations to Renee R., the winner of the Prize Package I offered as a prize during:

Dear Readers: Thanks for visiting my blog during the Who’s Your Hero Giveaway Hop. This month we're celebrating the men and women (and animals too!) that rock a uniform--whichever uniform that may be. Military, Police, Firefighter, and even Scottish Highlanders. Who doesn't love a hero who will serve and protect? My heroes can be found in my six Scottish time travel romances. Some are 16th century Highlanders, and some are present-day New Englanders who are Highlanders-at-Heart, yet they are all heroes (or heroines!). Let me tell you a little bit about Niall Sinclair from My Hunted Highlander:

Excerpt

“We be the farthest from pirates, as pirates can be,” Niall said, without taking his gaze from her mud-spattered face.

Mackenzie walked closer to Niall. “Explain.”

“I am Niall Sinclair. I was in this bailey no’ a few weeks earlier. Do ye no’ recall my argument with my brother, Gavin?” Niall shouldered his guards aside.

“Ye be Niall, the true Sinclair laird?”

“No’ until Angus Sinclair is captured. We followed him here.”

Mackenzie raised his chin in Blair’s direction. “And she is?”

“Mine.” The word rushed from his mouth with no forethought, and without hesitation. Blair’s eyes widened, and she took a step toward him, but Mackenzie settled a hand on her muddy shoulder.

“Wait, lass. Ye will feel more comfortable explaining how ye two came to be here, after a bath, aye?”

A slight smile quirked her lips, and Niall exhaled a breath he had not realized he held. Mackenzie would not strike them dead. Yet.

 

May I share actual heroes? I have several in my life, but today I will share my dad and my youngest son, both veterans.

 My dad, a WW2 Vet, still going strong at 90!

 My son Eric, who served in Iraq,
now climbs cell towers!

Now...the MONEY-MAKING part:

Book Blurb

Niall Sinclair wakes bound to the mast of a pirate ship. Hiding his identity, his reaction to their female captain makes him nearly forget his need to escape. Kidnapped from modern day New Hampshire, and now at the helm of a pirate ship in 1603 Scotland, Blair MacIan sees Niall as a chance to escape to her world. 

         

MY HUNTED HIGHLANDER 

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the GIVEAWAY has been
awarded to Renee R.
Congratulations! 

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Look! This week's FREE ebook is 
MY RELUCTANT HIGHLANDER 

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Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Author Marie Higgins

Marie Higgins stopped by to share some details about her life as a writer and to celebrate the release of her latest novel. Her book, ONCE ENCHANTED is a historical fairy tale romance and was released on April 24, 2016. Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.  

Marie- ONCE ENCHANTED is a historical fairy tale romance about Rapunzel…sort of. I say this lightly because although this story shares some of the things the fairy tale Rapunzel (or Disney’s Tangled) has, I have twisted some of the aspects to make this my story. For instance, although my heroine, Clarissa, has long hair, she doesn’t use it to have anyone use it as a rope. Also, my heroine isn’t the one who is locked in the tower—it’s the hero. My story has romance and suspense, with humor on the side—just the way I like to write.

Nancy- The hero? what a neat twist! Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in?  

Marie- My story has three different genres, really—historical, fairy tale, and clean romance. All of my published stories are clean romance, and most of them are historical, but this year (2016) I’ve decided to venture into the world of fairy tales. I’ve written five fairy tale stories so far, and I’m loving it! I’m taking the popular fairy tales and twisting them just enough to make them mine!

I think I’ve written / published stories that are all over the board. Obviously, every reader has different likes, and that’s why I like writing so many different genres. Historical is my favorite, but in the historical category, I’ve written Colonial, Regency, Victorian, and the end of the Edwardian era. I’ve also written historical westerns. Some of my others are: time-travel, paranormal, romantic comedy, and contemporary.

Nancy- Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

Marie- Oh, yes. When I first started sending my stories out to publishers, I had about ten written. I was with a few publishers in my early writing career, but now I’m a full-fledged indie-author, and I’m enjoying the freedom! Of course now I write a new story as it comes to my mind. I don’t have to rely on my older manuscripts.

  

Nancy- What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?

Marie- I post my work on Facebook quite a bit, and I Twitter. I also blog. The only help I get is when my friends or fellow authors spread the word. Word-of-mouth is really the best promo out there!

Nancy- Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?

  

Marie- Believe it or not, the most rewarding thing for me is getting emails from readers, or having them stop me in the store (or church) and tell me how my story kept them up all night reading. My heart melts when a reader confesses they connected so well with my characters that they cried toward the end of the story.  

Nancy- Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?

 

Marie- DON’T GIVE UP! If writing is what you love to do, keep writing and trying to get your book (or books) out there. Always study the art of writing (and publishing), and definitely do your research before writing a story.

Nancy- Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know. 

1) I love music (mainly the 80’s).

2) I played the clarinet in high school.

3) I was born deaf in one ear.

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Marie- I plan on writing/publishing more fairy tale stories this year (six more): Cloak of Red (Red Riding Hood), Bella’s Beast (Beauty & the Beast), To Love a Mermaid (Little Mermaid), Saving Snow (Snow White), Golden Heart (Rumpelstiltskin), Beyond Imagination (Sleeping Beauty).

I will also have a Regency Romance short story in a boxed set with other authors. That is still in the works. My story will be titled “The Sweetest Challenge”, and will be a continuation in my Sons of Worthington Series.

Check out my BOOK TRAILER 

for ONCE ENCHANTED  

HERE

  

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MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She’s published 32 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories. She broadens her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her "Queen of Tease", because of all her twists and turns and unexpected endings.

You can find more information about 

MARIE HIGGINS here:

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