I'm Going Back to School

I recently started taking college classes. Yes, that's right! I'm 41, mother of 8 daughters, and going back to school. And I'm doing it ONLINE!

While this is a daunting task, I find I love learning! And I thrive on learning things that I'm interested in. The surprising thing? The class I thought I'd dislike the most, I'm actually learning the most about myself in.

Let me explain.

I'm taking a Communication class. As an author, I should be good at communicating. Right? Nope. Not me! I thought I did just fine, but apparently there is a TON I don't know!

When I started this class, my daughter asked me why I didn't like it. I told her that I hate group work, I don't mind analyzing my own thoughts and actions, but I don't like sharing them or talking about them with others. And I really don't like others analyzing my thoughts and actions either. To this answer, she looked at me and said, "You do realize that's exactly what a communications class is, right?"

Ugh. See? This is exactly why it's my least favorite class!

However, in just 3 weeks, I have probably learned more about myself and communication than in my other two classes combined. (Yes, that's right. I'm the full time working mom taking 3 college classes. I know. I'm crazy!) At any rate, I have not only had to analyze myself, I've learned a little about myself as well. For example, I've learned that I've come a long way in the last 20 years! I've learned I have a lot to be proud of in myself! And I've learned that I'm smarter than I think I am.

Something else I've learned is that I have more time than I think I do. I didn't think I'd have time for school. And yet, I'm keeping up, completing my assignments ahead of time, and still able to edit my book from time to time. Who knew? It seriously makes me wonder what I was doing with all my time before.

So, even though I'm probably busier now than I've ever been before, I'm learning and growing and happy. This has taught me that if we want something, all we have to do is go to work and try!

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was Mother's Day! I have a wonderful mother who taught me most of what I know. She has stood by me through my entire life. She has loved and supported me tirelessly! I'm so glad we have Mother's Day once a year to commemorate the great women in our lives.

And these beautiful angels are the ones that give me the title of Mom! The GREATEST title in the world! The are the reason I get up each morning and go to work. They are the reason I bust my hiney when I get home from work, beat from my day. They inspire me to be better! They encourage me to teach them! They love me unceasingly! They bring a smile to my heart each day!

We all have stories, both touching and funny about our children. These goof-balls keep me in laughter more often than not! From time to time, their antics even show up in my stories! (But I can't tell you which ones!)

Even though they don't all live with me all of the time, I'm thankful they think of me when they away from me. I even got a call from them yesterday! I love my girls!

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend!

Many things have changed over the last couple years. So...I'd like you to meet my new family!

I'm working mother of 3 girls and have recently married a man with 5 girls. That's A LOT of girls! But we have a fun time! As you can imagine, we have a lot of drama at our house! With 8 girls younger than 14, life gets crazy and the emotions sometimes get out of control! We have 3 dogs, 1 cat, 1 bearded dragon, and chickens! (Obviously not all pictured above!)

So I am learning how to juggle life again. I'm doing pretty well (at least I think so...although, there are days....)

My goal, despite all my new responsibilities, is to write and blog more. (We'll see how well I do!) So, keep checking in with me, follow me, friend me. I can't wait to see this new adventure will take me! (Maybe I'll even have to start up a new Wednesday Romance! I guess I need to find an idea first.)

Love is Vulnerable

A Clip-it

For the past couple months, we have been fixing up our new house, moving, and fixing it up more. In fact we have a long way to go. But I have been trying to write when I get a free moment. However, as a result, I am not blogging or networking much. There's just not enough time in my day. But I have been working on things. So I thought you might like to hear from me and get a sample of something I'm working on. I hope you enjoy it!

Morgyn placed a glass of something in front of her, causing her to lift her head from the table. Steam rose form it like smoke, producing a combined smell of cinnamon and garlic. Her nose scrunched and her eyes watered.

“No, thank you.” She turned her head and laid it back on her arms.

“Drink. It will help you feel better.” He pushed the offensive drink in her face again.

She sat up. “I’m not drinking that.”

“It’s not as bad as it smells.”

She quirked a delicate eyebrow up in a daring fashion, and he had the decency to duck his head.

“It will help you feel better,” he mumbled, and turned to rummage through the glass bottles on his bookshelf. “Just plug your nose and down it.”

She contemplated the glass, like a may grow arms and attack her. Shaking herself of such a ridiculous thought, she threw her shoulders back and slowly extended her hand until it clasped around the cup. If felt surprisingly light for a full glass of something so vial.

Before the offensive odor could affect her, she plugged her nose with her free hand and swiftly drank the contents. The liquid slid over her throat like warm silk. When she placed the glass back on the table, gasping, she released her nose with surprise as only the lingering taste of cinnamon remained in her mouth.

Slowly, her body relaxed enough that she could analyze the situation.

“Why was Rettick killed?” Though she spoke the question out loud, she didn’t expect an answer. “He has always been so dominating in fights. I never thought anything could bring him down.”

“Did the Commander give any indication that Rettick had been ill?”

She shook her head. “He must have been surprised when he opened the carriage door.”

“But if he opened the door, surely the conveyance would have been stopped. And if they were in the forest, he would have been suspicious and opened the door with great care. He would not have been surprised if a bandit stood waiting for him on the other side.”

“You’re right. He would have put up a fight.”

“Rettick may have been attacked, but I doubt he was attacked in the manner the Commander stated.”

“But Cornelius said he was rendered unconscious.”

“But he also said he saw his son attacked.”

In an instant, something Cornelius said while she listened outside the door to his office struck her. “Something I overheard him tell Vidal was that someone would be fine and learn his own insignificance. Could they have been speaking of Rettick?”

Morgyn shrugged, a strange twinkle in his eye.

“I’m going to look for him.”

“Who? Rettick?”

“He may still be alive.” She marched to the door.

Morgyn stopped her. “He won’t be where they were attacked. His body, dead or alive, will have been moved.”

“Yes, but there will be tracks to follow. I will find him. I have to find him. I am the only one who knows he’s still alive.”

Morgan lifted an eyebrow, much as she had earlier. “Besides the Commander and his brother.”

She threw him a silencing glare. “I am his only ally.”

An Interview with Samantha Chandler

Samantha Chandler has a Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Miami. She is the Design Director for an architectural firm in Miami therefore, she writes her first romance novel...of course.

Rachel: Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Samantha: I have always read, and if I wasn’t reading I was drawing as a child. When I grew, my favorite class was English, and my favorite place to be was my design studio in school. I read everything from Shakespeare to Existentialism. I had amazing teachers that made us read out loud in class and discuss the passages. How I hated to be called on to read! All in all though, these stories in school were my first book-cations.

Rachel: When did you first start to think of yourself as a writer?

Samantha: I started thinking about writing when I read all of Judith McNaught’s novels and felt...okay...now what? I fell in love with every one of her characters. I decided that I would write my own story because I had to wait for her next book and sometimes.... I have a problem with waiting.

Rachel: I have problems, too! What surprised you about being a writer?

Samantha: I surprised myself when my writing was instinctive. It has never been a task, and it has never stressed me out

Rachel: What inspires you to write?

Samantha: What inspires me is reading. When you read a truly good romance novel, there is a moment that you get that “falling in love” feeling; it is well worth your investment of time. I wish I could bottle the feeling and sell it.... I would make millions. So my quest is to make the reader fall in love with a character, a place, a gesture. If I can make you sigh...I’m happy.

Rachel: Do you try to write daily, and if so, do you set a goal of a certain number of words?

Samantha: Oh dear. I sit at the computer and write, and I never look at the word count. It’s like seeing a movie that’s playing in my mind. It’s time to get up when my back starts to bother me or when I feel like I need inspiration. The term “freshen up” was really meant for writers.

Rachel: So true. What gets in your way of writing?

Samantha: Life, composed of but not limited to: a man named Lester, two sons; 16 and 20 years old, an American bull dog, work, and of course laundry and groceries…. I won’t continue because you know where this is going...like I’ve told my friends the extra day of the week after Sunday is Someday.

Rachel: How do you get past it?

Samantha: I think best and write my best in the morning when everyone is asleep, even the dog.

Rachel: What makes you CRAZY about writing?

Samantha: Conceptually what drives me CRAZY is the fact that I would love the story to be an original...an angle left unexplored. This is difficult....I’m still on that quest. When I am actually writing, what drives me CRAZY are the quotation marks and the He said/She said. Uh!!

Rachel: How long does it take you to complete a book?

Samantha: DUTY was a few years because I never really thought I would publish it, and I would come back to it every now and then. I kept the heroine on her way to London for at least 4 month one time. I will keep better time on Remind Me Forever my next romance.

Rachel: Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Samantha: I love the settings, fashion, architecture - anything that involves design. I also like strong women that can hold their own but still realize that love is not a weakness. I marvel at how poorly we communicate with each other and how the truth can be interpreted in many shades of gray when it is truly black or white. Somewhere in that gray, there is a story.

Rachel: Yes. I often find it fascinating that the exact same situation can be interpreted many different ways. It’s very intriguing to me. What is your favorite writing food?

Samantha: Anything that crunches or Starbucks coffee...Bold, a little half/half and splenda

Rachel: Who do you hope reads your work?

Samantha: Everyone. Women that love romance and men that need to understand that women love romance!

Rachel: What is the best complement you have ever received from a fan?

Samantha: One lady wrote me and said that I had allowed her to escape. That was great because every now and then all of us need to escape.

Rachel: What are you working on now?

Samantha: Remind Me Forever, the story of Pierce and Laura. In this novel I want to introduce the OMG Society and establish an origin to Facebook...lol My first observation of the OMG Society: “A man always has a perfect plan, a woman’s plan is to make every man perfect.” Actually that pretty much sums it up, I think.

Thanks for stopping by, Samantha. If you’d like to know more about Samantha Chandler, visit her website.

Dedicated Undeniably to You

Today's review is Dedicated Undeniably to You by Samantha Chandler.

Back Cover:

Fate has plans for Lord Christopher Jared, the future Duke of Darenth. Although he proclaims that the notions of love and marriage are truly lost on him, the time is drawing near when his resolve will be put to the test. He will soon learn that the contractual obligation to marry as established by his father will not be what changes his life. What will alter his world will be the force of his own heart that has willingly underestimated the power of falling in love happily ever after.

My Take:

This was a fun story. I enjoyed the journey the characters took in this story. Of course, I love a good romance, and this was nice and clean. The characters were fun to follow and this is one that had me thinking about it after I turned the last page.

Join me again for an interview with Samantha.