Memorial Day

I've been following the Blog Tour De Troops all weekend (Fri-Mon) and am humbled by the stories shared by authors and readers alike. So many of us have either served in the military or had family members, relatives, or friends that have served. What an amazing example of pride in our country and strength in our beliefs.

We, as American citizens, are blessed to live in a country with the freedom to live our lives any way we choose. Freedom of Religion allows the belief of any religion without persecution. As an author,I have the Freedom of Speech. I can write on any subject I choose without fear of reprisal. As a citizen, I have the right to Life, Liberty, and Justice. Our United States Constitution guarantees these rights.

We hear these phrases through education in school, through church, and even through pop culture. Hearing these words is NOT the same as living them. I know what these words mean, but I've not felt the power and impact of these words as keenly as the soldiers, past and present, that have lived them.

For those now actively serving, THANK YOU for protecting the life I'm blessed to have. For those that have died serving our country, THANK YOU for making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and love. To the families behind these phenomenal men and women, THANK YOU for supporting them in following a higher calling.

Wihtout all of you, America wouldn't be the country it is today!

Once Upon a Time in Space by Heather Massey

Global warming, pole shifts, solar storms, climate changes, earthquakes…these are just a few of the devastating events we’re told could threaten Earth. Now imagine all of these catastrophic things have occurred, and you’re eking out a living in what’s left of our dying planet or barely surviving as a pirate in space.

Raquel Donovan, known as the Siren, is the most feared pirate in the galaxy. She is a determined, gorgeous, sexy, eye-patch wearing bandit—searching for the man that destroyed her family.  Only his death will satisfy her ruthless need for vengeance.

Nick Venture (love the last name and connection to the story!) is a mechanic surviving in dismal conditions. A run of bad luck lands him in serious trouble, and then a man offers him a way out: captain a ship and crew to confirm the existence of a habitable planet. (Who could say no to helping save billions of people, right?)

I loved this story.

Let’s start with the characters. Raquel is a tough, hard-edged woman, but her merciless exterior hides a soul starved of love. Enter Nick Venture. A 6’4” blonde with the body of a god, a set of ideals to guide his actions, and the heart of a lion to fight for what he believes in. Raquel comes to admire his honorable goals. Nick longs to give Raquel all the love she needs.

And the plot? Wow, what a frightening example of Earth’s possible future. This Romantic sci-fi adventure has enough twists and turns to keep you wondering where the next space jump will take you.  And the hot, steamy lovin’ (I’ll have what she ordered, thank you!) will make the trip well worth your time.

Now, there was one thing that didn’t work for me. (Is it really an issue with a 4 star? Kinda.) It was Nick’s spiral into selfish, woe-is-me depression. Yes, he grieved the loss of his true love. But in the face of a dying planet and billions of lives riding on his success, the extended reaction was immature and he so needed to man up. (Don’t worry, he does!)

Taken as a whole, Once Upon A Time In Space is an incredible adventure that offers an exciting erotic journey where guy meets gal, guy falls in love with gal, and then tries to save the world. Who could ask for more than that?

Rating: 4 Stars


Review Originally written for The Romance Reviews
Direct link: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2314

Memorial Day Weekend Bash~!

******* THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!!! *******
WINNERS ANNOUNCED JUNE 4TH

Welcome to the Memorial Day Weekend blog tour ~!

(Stop #11)

Grand prize: A Kindle or Nook (winner’s choice) plus 12 digital books.

Just email your quest answer for each author’s blog to enter for great prizes. Complete all blog tour stops to enter into the grand prize drawing.


Let’s get started, shall we? 

I don’t know about you, but I’d love to be sitting on a beach right now. In a chair, with my toes curled in sand. Imagine the warm, afternoon sun dancing across your skin. A slight ocean breeze ruffling your hair. And a great book in your hands! (I’d suggest a copy of Moonlight Bleu!)

In fact, if you look at the picture to you’re right, you’ll see a striped tote. It’s filled with everything necessary for a relaxing afternoon at the beach: A water bottle, sunscreen, a beach towel, and an autographed copy of Moonlight Bleu!

What is Moonlight Bleu about? (I thought you’d never ask!)

Saari Mitchell sees a psychologist in order to understand why—500 years later—she’s still dreaming of her dead lover. Her shrink isn't helping, the nightmares come every time she closes her eyes, and the lack of sleep is interfering with her job at Sacred Heart Hospital. With her psychic ability to heal the human spirit on the fritz, her auric radar becomes as reliable as her spotty cell phone service.

By day, Dhelis Guidry works as a detective for the New Angeles Police Department investigating the missing or murdered women in the Full-Moon Killer case. In his spare time he hunts rogue vampires as a Tueri executioner.

Brogan Vincent is a Tueri healer. Though he could offer his miraculous talents to the rich and powerful, he has chosen anonymity and peace by only using his psychic abilities among the Tueri.

One look into Saari's tri-colored eyes and both men realize she is Tueri. One touch tells them each she's their soul mate. But can either of them protect her from the Full-Moon Killer?

Okay, time for your quest.

What generates an extreme psychic energy connection?

(Hint: Read the excerpt at http://www.reneerearden.com/excerpt.html)

Come back here, but please do NOT post answers in the comment section (though other comments are welcome!). Email answers to ReneeRearden@yahoo.com. Also, follow this blog with GFC or Networked Blogs. If you can’t do either of those, please fill out the contact form here:

http://www.reneerearden.com/contact-me.html

One winner for the beach tote will be chosen from all correct answers by Random.org.  Good luck, happy reading, and thanks for dropping by!

Enjoy the rest of the blog hop starting with Cindy Young-Turner at http://cindyyoungturner.com/

If at any time you lose your place in the blog, click here to rejoin:

http://crescentmoonpress.com/blog/

Memorial Day Weekend Bash!

Permission to repost granted….

                               Crescent Moon Press
                        Memorial Day Weekend Bash~!

                                Three Day Blog Tour
                                           May 24th, 25th & 26th

                                   Prizes at every stop
                Grand Prize Nook or Kindle, Your Choice

            Every stop along the way will have a posted quest
                        Sign up for the newsletter or blog
   Email your quest answer to the author to enter for great prizes.
   Complete all blog tour stops to enter into the grand prize drawing
                           A Nook or Kindle, Your Choice
                             BONUS a dozen digital books

                     Full itinerary will be posted on the CMP blog.
            All stops must be completed to qualify for the Grand Prize.
You can join the games late. All quests must be completed by May 26th end of day.
                      All Winners Posted on CMP blog by June 4th.

Friends

I'm excited about next weekend. My husband's long-time friend and his wife are coming for a visit.

Now the last time I saw "Rodney" (Yes, names have been changed to protect the individual!) was at our wedding almost 24 years ago. I know, that's a long time, right?

To be fair, we moved out of town a couple of years after we got married. A few years later, we moved out of state. As you can imagine, my husband and Rodney lost touch. Well, a couple of years ago they reconnected through email and facebook. (See, Facebook can actually have a positive use!)

Anyway, after reminescing about childhood, elementary school, and then high school memories, Rodney and my husband decided we all should try to get together. It's taken a long time to coordinate schedules, but we managed to work something out for next weekend.

Now, why am I excited you ask? (That was long-winded backstory just to get to this part!)

Because after our wedding, a group of my husband's friends sat together at a table during the reception. Their topic of conversation was loud enough for me to hear. They were creating a "how long will the marriage last" pool and putting their ante into the pot. Yep, I wasn't happy about that.
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But a lot of years have passed, and hubs and I are still going strong. Of course I've gotten past the immature stunt the guys pulled. Hell, who hasn't made a comment like "That'll never last." So Rodney will get a big 'ole hug and smile because he is our friend and always welcome in our home. But I am wondering if I should bring up the reception incident. I mean seriously, we won the pool!  =D