UPDATE: The winner is…Joy Boutwell!
*~*~*

I painted a little postcard-sized floral yesterday and thought it might be fun to present it as a puzzle. And yes, I know, tomorrow’s a regularly scheduled puzzle day, but can I post too many puzzles?

Solve the puzzle and tell me whether I should go back and figure out a doodle for the yellow blobs in the background or leave well enough alone for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
*~*~*

Mary Eliza Church was born September 23, 1863, to a family of the Memphis, Tennessee, Black elite. Her father, Robert Reed Church, one of the first African American millionaires, made his fortune in real estate. Her mother, Louisa Ayres, was entrepreneurial too, running a beauty salon. Former slaves, Mary’s parents never let society tell them what they could do. Neither did their daughter. Mary chose the four-year gentlemen’s course at Oberlin College and became one of the first African American women to earn a Bachelor of Arts in 1884 and then a Master’s degree in 1888 as did Anna Julia Cooper (whom I blogged about here on April 27, 2022) with whom she remained lifelong comrades in the struggle for women’s rights and racial justice.

After graduating from Oberlin, Mary taught at Wilberforce University for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., to teach Latin. There, she married Robert Terrell in 1891. They had five children. Becoming married forced her to leave her teaching job, but she heeded the advice of Frederick Douglass to remain active in the fight for African American equality.

She was instrumental in founding several civic clubs and national associations dedicated to uplifting the race: the Colored Women’s League (CWL) in 1892, the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in 1896, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909, the College Alumnae Club (now the National Association of University Women) in 1910, and the Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 1913-1914.

As an educator, she championed education as the way up and out of the double-yoke oppression of being African American and a woman. Through the CWL in Washington D.C., she started a training program and a kindergarten before any were started in the public school system. She continued this work by founding daycares and kindergartens through the NACW. As a journalist, she wrote articles exposing the lies of lynching, just like Ida B Wells Barnett, with whom she worked. Both women had close friends who were lynched because their businesses were successful. As a suffragist, she challenged white women to recognize the vote was not the be-all and end-all for African American women. As a boots-on-the-ground activist, she fought segregation and racism through boycotts, sit-ins, picketing, and lawsuits. In 1950, aged 87, she sued a Washington D.C. restaurant for refusing her service due to her race. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor in 1953.

Whenever the doom and gloom of today’s naysayers stink up the air, I turn aside and inhale the rich odors of the history left behind by Mary Eliza Church Terrell. Until her dying day, July 24, 1954, at age 90, she lived the motto of the NACW, “Lifting as we climb.” Here’s a PBS’ Unladylike 2020 video about Mary: https://www.pbs.org/video/she-was-civil-rights-activist-and-co-founder-naacp-q3ypkj/

For a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card, share what you find inspiring about Mary or some woman you’ve learned about who inspires you to lift while you climb.

“Her Heavenly Phantom” by Michal Scott
Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology

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Forced into a marriage of convenience neither wants, a mild-mannered banker with an intriguing secret discovers his reluctant bride has a secret, too.

Excerpt from “Her Heavenly Phantom”…

“Thought your bride might accompany you tonight.”

Harold adjusted the folds of black silk attached to the brim of his hat. “Don’t be ridiculous. She knows nothing about my secret life on the stage.”

“How do you plan to keep her in the dark? Won’t she be concerned where you go at night?”

“My marriage of convenience is just that. She doesn’t want to know anything about me. I want to know as little about her.” He adjusted the fit of the face mask that covered all of his face above his nose. “What’s my itinerary?”

“You’ll have off until Easter then you head for a three-week engagement in Philadelphia then to upstate New York for another three weeks in Buffalo before returning for your farewell engagement here.” Michael shook his head. “Pity you had to marry. I will sorely miss our lucrative partnership.”

Harold scanned his dressing room table. “Speaking of missing.”

“You won’t find a letter tonight,” Michael said.

A pang throbbed in Harold’s chest. Where was the air in this damned room? “What do you mean?”

“Your lady of the balcony only just arrived at intermission. Maybe she’ll leave you one when you return.” Michael closed the calendar and stood. “I wonder why she lurks behind that Mardi Gras mask of hers.”

“The manager of The Phantom doesn’t understand that his client isn’t the only one who needs to hide his identity from the outside world?”

UPDATE: The winner is…Carol!
*~*~*

Clothing and courage have much to do with each other. ~ Sara Jeannette Duncan

I’m a quotes girl. I love affirmations and pithy sayings. I collect books of them. Every now and then, I open one to a random page, seeking inspiration. I opened one of the books to a random page today. This quote, I didn’t understand at first glance.

So, I looked up Sara JD. She was a female journalist in the late 1800s. Then she wrote popular novels that often contained bits about politics and societal norms, so maybe the quote meant something to her in her journey toward self-fulfillment as a writer and observer moving around in a more privileged set.

I read the quote and think about how my attitude toward clothing has changed for me. I had very little fashion courage as a grown woman. I dressed according to trends when in public. Being in the military for so long, wearing uniforms, took any fashion decisions away from me, and I really didn’t mind one bit. When I entered the corporate and academic worlds, I dressed according to those norms.

Not until I became an author did I dress a bit more flamboyantly—but only sparingly, mostly at conferences—because I grew used to being out of the public eye for long stints and dressed for comfort when at home.

These days, comfort is the only priority for me. At home, I wear loose, soft nightgowns. I want nothing cinching my waist where I imagine (perhaps) I can feel the cancer crowding my organs. When I go out, mostly to medical appointments, I wear the loosest shorts or joggers, usually in a size too large, so that I can pull the stretch waistband high above those organs. When I go to chemo appointments, I know I’ll be there for hours and hours, so it’s joggers and a spaghetti-strapped tank to give the medical personnel easy access to my port. I add a zip-up hoodie. And, of course, I add a pop of color—the loudest, most attention-grabbing chemo turban I have. It’s a middle finger to my cancer and to anyone who looks with pity at my bald head. I don’t need pity; I’d rather get a smile.

So, back to the quote. Does it mean something to you? Comment for a chance to win your choice of a download of any one of my books. 

Report Card

Last week…

1. Last week was Chemo Week, beginning with the infusions on Monday. It hit me hard midweek, lingering through Saturday. All the usual symptoms: chemo flush, muscle and joint aches, difficulty sleeping, overall weakness, etc. Very uncomfortable. However, this time, depression did not set in. I medicated as minimally as I could and waited it out, working in short spurts in the mornings before throwing in the towel to rest. I feel like I napped the week away, which is a strategy, I guess.
2. Once Upon a Legend, my Western novella, released this week! I hope you all picked up a copy!
3. I worked on edits for one author and completed them.
4. My daughter, the girls, and my SIL continue to be the best support I could ask for. They wait on me hand and foot when I need it, and encourage me to move when I need that nudge. I really am very, very lucky to have them.

This next week…

1. This week I only have to see my chemo clinic team once for a blood draw and a white blood cell booster shot. Yay!
2. I have to wrap up Ignition. It’s the fourth and last book in the Delta Fire series. I moved the release date to October 1st. I hope I’ll have the energy to create, otherwise, I’ll have to cancel the release. It’s just two, maybe three chapters, but that feels like too much right now.
3. I’m working on an editing project for one author this week.

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs!

1. Tell me a story: Sweet dreams are made of these… (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Report Card, Open Contests, and a Puzzle Contest! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Gabbi Grey: The Paranormal Story I’ve Always Wanted to Tell (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Just a quick update and a Word Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Are you ready for hot cocoa season? — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Rachel Blackburn!
*~*~*

I’m finally exiting Chemo Week Hell. I had seven hours of sleep last night and woke feeling weak but not uncomfortable or hurting. Yay. Today, I’ll use every excuse to get up and move around to get my legs feeling stronger. Gosh, I’ll even shower. Just kidding. I do shower. 🙂

Today’s Puzzle Day! And what’s on my mind? Well, the weather. Here we are at the beginning of Fall, and yesterday, the temperature here in Arkansas was 95 degrees. Today, it’s supposed to get to 96.

I’m sorry. Pool season is over. It’s time for sweaters and hot chocolate. In fact, I’m making a grocery list and adding hot cocoa to it because it’s one of those things I love having during cooler weather.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift certificate, tell me what you enjoy eating or imbibing when Fall weather truly arrives!

UPDATE: The winner is…Teresa Christianson!
*~*~*

Just popping in to say hi! This is chemo week, so I’m keeping it lowkey. Monday was boring, but not awful, waiting six hours for all the medicine to flow through my brand-new port into my body. The aftereffects started like they did the last time with the “chemo flush” (red face and neck) Tuesday afternoon. I took Pepcid and Benadryl to combat the reaction. In the middle of the night, the muscle and joint aches began. This time it wasn’t as bad because I have new medicine to help me sleep through some of it. Rest is key! Today, the aches continue, but I expect them to abate later tonight and for every day going forward to be a little better. There is a rhythm.

Unlike my last chemo week, I have been able to get some work done, in spurts. I’m happy about that. And I’ve spent more time with family rather than holed up in bed. I’m not comfortable, but I do find happiness in just listening to their noise and joy. My family is loud and boisterous, and it’s impossible not to enjoy and soak up the energy.

Trying to find a theme for today’s puzzle was tough until I glanced around my desk and realized I have seven candles scattered around the top of it. There are more in my bedroom. Most have floral or fruity scents. My daughter likes the ones that smell like baked goods. The 20-year-old likes fresh, grassy scents. Everyone likes different scents whether it’s a candle, a cleanser, or just the smell of fresh-cut grass… But let’s go with candle scents today for a theme. I don’t want to think too much. LOL

Solve the puzzle for a chance to exercise your gray matter, then tell me what sorts of scents you like in your home for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card.

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
*~*~*

Hello Delilah!  Thank you for welcoming me here today to talk about my new project.  Another anthology!  I have to say I hesitated when this one came up.  I don’t write a lot of paranormal stories, and this anthology was a shifter reality show.

I was like…HUH? What the hell do I know about shifters and reality shows?

But then the idea came to me and I knew what I wanted to write.  A lesbian owl shifter dating show paranormal romance.  Yep, you read that correctly.

Pretty soon I had the contours of a story.  A producer of a lesbian dating show discovers her best friend is up to no good.  The friend has submitted the producer’s ex-girlfriend to be on the show and the ex has agreed.  The producer’s confused because her best friend was the one who broke them up in the first place. Now it appears she’s trying to get them back together.

The other problem?  Humans aren’t supposed to know about shifters and certainly shifters aren’t allowed to have relationships with humans.

Okay, so plenty of conflict.  And also, lots of fun.  I turned my dating show into a bachelorette with a group of women vying for her attention.  I set the story in my favorite city of Vancouver, and I had an absolute blast writing it.  I’m really hoping readers will connect with Gillian and Tabbitha.

Thank you for hosting me today and letting me share my new release.  It’s in an anthology with ten other great shifter reality show stories.  They run the entire gamut, so I hope romance fans will check them out. Shifting Love is available from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited for a limited time.  As a thank you for hosting me, I’m happy to give a $5 Amazon gift card to a luck commenter.  Just answer—what animal do you want to see as a shifter?  Let me know in the comments and random will pick a winner!

Shifting Love

Lights, Camera, Shift. Oh, you sexy beast. Sparks (and maybe fur) fly when you mix the drama and competition of reality television with sexy shifters. Whether they are racing toward love, baking their hearts out, or surviving being stuck with the competition, you’re going to want to tune in and watch what happens!

Find out more in this spicy PNR collection containing exciting stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors curated by The New Romance Café.

Authors:
Serafina Jax
Lisabel Chretien
Aurelia Foxx
Robin O’Connor
Suki McMinn
Gabbi Grey
Sabrina Silvers
Jade Thorn
Minda Knight
Harper Michaels
Kataya Moon

The anthology will only be available for a limited time.

Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/tnrc2024shiftinglove
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Shifting-Love-Paranormal-Shifter-Collection-ebook/dp/B0CXY8H9K3
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218644534-shifting-love

About Gabbi’s Story inside Shifting Love—Finding Love in the Right Places by Gabbi Grey…

Tabitha

As the executive producer of a lesbian bachelorette reality-television show, I sometimes select contestants. My best friend submits my ex-girlfriend, Gillian, as a candidate to win the bachelorette’s hand. If I pick her, she might have the opportunity to find love. If I don’t, then I’ll never get to say a proper goodbye. As an owl shifter, I can never be with a human, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting Gillian with all my soul. She deserves to find true love and happiness, and it kills me the love can’t be mine.

Gillian

When I’m selected for Love in All the Right Places, I’m confused. My ex-girlfriend, Tabitha, is in charge of the production, and I can’t figure out why she would choose me. As nice as the bachelorette seems to be, it’s not her I really want. If I had my way, I’d pick Tabitha and we’d sail away into the sunset. But she has secrets that broke us apart before, and I’m terrified those secrets won’t allow us a second chance.

Love in All the Right Places is a 15k shifter paranormal lesbian story set on a reality show with a human, an owl shifter, and her lioness best friend.

About Gabbi Grey

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.