To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I thought it’d be fun to share that birds and animals love Liam MacGruder. When I first placed Liam outside, I was surprised at how the birds and animals enjoyed visiting him.
When birds fly in, they enjoy sitting with Liam, and I often hear them chirping to him.
The woodpeckers love visiting Liam, and during the spring as their chicks learn to fly, they introduce them to Liam.
I was surprised at how often Ravens stop by to see Liam. Grackles and Starlings enjoy spending time with Liam as well.
The hawks seem curious about Liam and will sit and watch him for a while before flying away.
Another surprise was when a butterfly flew in and stayed with Liam a for quite a while. In addition to Bluebirds and Carolina Wrens, at night I’ve seen raccoons and a possum visit Liam. Plus, a myriad of different birds spend time with Liam throughout the year. Though I love Liam MacGruder, it seems birds and animals love him as well. Take care and wishing you the best!
Contest
***ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest blog post about, ‘Valentine’s Day – Birds & Animal’s Love Liam MacGruder!’ on Delilah’s blog between 13th February 2022 – 23rd of February 2022 and will win a mug.”
About Diana Cosby
A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothersseries have been translated into five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.
After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothersseries and The Oath Trilogy, she released the bestselling The Forbidden Series.
Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.
Plot bunnies—affectionately named because of how fast the little suckers multiply—are persistent bitey jerks that burrow into a writer’s brain and attempt to take over their mind at the expense of jobs, dentist appointments, and laundry—which is fine, because who needs laundry. *wink*
These evil plot bunnies wake me from a dead sleep to scribble illegibly in a little notebook I keep on my nightstand, leaving me to interpret my drowsy jotting in the morning like I’m staring at Rorschach inkblots. Hey, Stephenie Meyer dreamed up sparkly Edward Cullen one night, inspiring the bestselling Twilight Saga, so it’s not totally off-base to get a good one once in a while.
To be fair, it’s not just paid writing that works this way, since I’ve had the same experience with fan fiction ideas; fic that demands it be written right now. Have a sandwich for dinner, family—I’ve got writing to do!
Once a plot bunny has its fangs in you, it’s all over until you give in to its demands like it’s a bank robber with all the leverage.
Plot Bunny: “Hey. Hey.Hey. You know that thing you’re working on right now?”
Author: *guzzles coffee* “You mean the novel I’m finishing because I’m on deadline?”
PB: “Throw that in the trash. I got something for ya. You’re gonna love it.”
A: *groans* “Not again.”
PB: *cracks knuckles* “So, there’s these two hot guys, only one bed in the whole hotel, and wouldn’t you know it, there’s a blizzard…”
This was my experience last year when I got my weekly email with freebies from a stock photo site. I opened it and scanned the selection—probably the usual “woman laughing while eating a salad”.
But one picture caught my eye: two women side-by-side in a yoga studio, doing a stretch that looked like cobra or upward dog. Nothing out of the ordinary, but something about it…
Hmm…I’d never written a story set in a yoga studio. Maybe they’re friends?
Wait. Friends or not, they’re totally gonna get with each other if they haven’t already, if you know what I mean.
*CHOMP*
The plot bunny grinned, it’s teeth glistening with the fresh idea. I had no choice—I needed to write this now now now nownow!
The opening line hit me hard: The first time it happened was between my legs in downward dog.
Oh yeah, I wanted to see where this was going. So, I sat my butt in the chair and feverishly typed while overloading on caffeine and ignoring my eye twitch. Words flowed like a vinyasa, and when it was finished, I knew it would be perfect for an anthology submission.
To celebrate the Big Book of Orgasms Volume 2 release, I’m giving away an ebook of another anthology I was lucky to be a part of last year, Passionate Ink’s Falling Hard: Erotic Romance Anthology. If you haven’t read it, grab it now, since it’s only available for a limited time. All proceeds go to ProLiteracy, too! My story in Falling Hard is Hard Cider Crush, a gay second chance romance full of all the autumn charm of New England and more heat than July in Florida.
Enter below to win an Amazon ebook copy of Falling Hard—U.S. only, 18+. Giveaway will last from February 9th—11th and a random entrant will be drawn on February 12th to win and receive a copy. (Delilah Devlin isn’t associated with this giveaway.)
Question: Tell me about the best book you’ve read recently in one sentence. Or tell me where you’d love to see a romance set!
About the Author
Ryley Banks writes award-winning bestselling sexy romance between the covers, mostly of the LGBTQ+ variety. She’s a connoisseur of tea and gin and loves language, especially creative profanity. When she’s not begging her characters to behave or reading fan fiction, you can find Ryley at: https://ryleybanks.com/ and everywhere at: https://linktr.ee/ryleybanks
Enjoy getting to know Ryley? Then you’ll love her monthly VIP newsletter! Sign up for access to free books, giveaways, sales, and exclusive member extras! https://ryleybanks.com/ryleys-vip-newsletter/
So, I’ve been bingeing all the Star Trek series. I’d never watched Next Generation with Picard, so I started with that. Now, I’m watching Deep Space Nine. There’s an episode where one of my 60s heartthrob, James Darren, plays a Las Vegas lounge singer. If you’re of a certain age, you might remember him as Moondoggie in the Gidget movies or one of the doctors trapped traveling through time in The Time Tunnel.
That episode got me thinking about my favorite sci-fi shows from my childhood. The original Star Trek was, of course, my favorite. I had a major crush on Captain Kirk. Another show I loved was Lost in Space. While I thought the dad was hot (after all, he was Zorro before that!), my favorite character was Dr. Smith. Which got me thinking about my absolute favorite episode of Lost in Space. I did an internet search to find that green girl! I wanted to be her. The trippy song, the way she was so enamored with Dr. Smith. You can watch the Green Girl clips below, although, I think the voices aren’t the original actors because the robot and Dr. Smith don’t sound the same as I remember. Doesn’t matter. I still love this! And now, I’m putting the original Lost in Space on my “Binge Next” list!
Contest
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you have a favorite “vintage” sci-fi or fantasy show and share the name!
Tagged: TV shows Posted in Contests!|7 People Said|Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Mary Preston - Debra Guyette - Jennifer Beyer - Nicola O Sullivan - Delilah -
I suspect most of us have pets, right? For those who know me well, I have a Border Collie (Maggie) who’ll be twelve in May and a Parti Yorkie (Henry) who is about 18 months old. So, I know and love dogs.
A few months back, I was asked to participate in a rescue dog anthology, and I thought, “How fun!” Each of the ten participating authors is contributing a new, original book to the collection. These books aren’t linked except by the fact each of them has a rescued dog as a character.
My book is Hot Assets. It’s the story of how my heroine (Andrea Carmichael) agrees to dog-sit her neighbor’s dog while the neighbor is in the hospital, only to have someone kidnap the dog! Why would anyone want to kidnap a rescued mutt dog? Andi has to enlist the help of the cop (Seth Noles) who lives across the street to find the dog and get to the bottom of the mystery. As the mystery heats up, so does Andi and Seth’s relationship.
Now, before I get to the excerpt, this collection is on a PREORDER SPECIAL PRICE OF ONLY $0.99!! The price will go up to $3.99 after release.
Also, the royalties from sales on May 17 and 18 will be donated to a Florida Rescue Animal Organization.
Here is an UNEDITED snippet of the opening…
I sat up, unsure what woke me. Darkness swaddled me, my bedroom so quiet I heard my heartbeat in my ears. Grabbing my cellphone, I checked the time. Two a.m. Then, before I could replace the phone on the bedside table and settle back down for three more hours, the blasted thing began to ring. I sighed. Everyone knows only bad news comes at this hour.
When I look at the screen, I see I’ve missed a previous call, mostly likely what jarred me awake originally. My elderly next door neighbor’s name is flashing on my screen.
“Lillian,” I croaked into the phone. “What’s wrong?”
“I fell and I can’t move.” Her voice is reedy and thin, barely audible. “Help me.”
“Of course,” I said as I slid from my warm sheets. “I’ll be right there.”
I slipped on the jeans and the long-sleeve T-shirt I’d been wearing before bed, unconcerned that the shirt bore a definite stain of spaghetti sauce from last night’s dinner. In the foyer, I thrust my feet into shoes and grabbed Lillian’s housekey from the drawer in my entry hall table. Until recently, Lillian Branson had been a healthy, active senior citizen. She’d given me her housekey so I could water her plants when she was one of her trips, as she’d been last month. She’d returned ten days ago with what she called a bad cold, insisting she didn’t need to see a doctor.
Now, as I rushed out of my house and across our lawns, I feel guilty that I hadn’t pushed her harder. Shoot, my sister’s an ER doctor. I could have—should have—asked Brooke to drop by and take a look at Lillian. That probably would have made Lillian mad, but her only family is a grandson whom I’ve never seen or met in the three years we’ve been neighbors.
I let myself in and deactivate the house alarm. “Lillian?” I called out.
“In here,” she said, followed by a bark from Baxter, her mixed-breed rescue dog. Baxter, who weighed about eight pounds, but believed himself to be closer to eighty pounds, was always at Lillian’s side. Baxter traveled everywhere with Lillian. If Baxter wasn’t invited, Lillian wasn’t going.
I followed the faint voice to the kitchen where I found Lillian sprawled on the floor, a small gash dripping fresh blood down the side of her head. Baxter’s head rested on Lillian’s chest. When I knelt beside her, Baxter’s head lifted.
“What happened?”
“Oh, I feel like such a ninny. I was coughing and came downstairs to get a glass of water. I fell as I was reaching for a glass.”
I could hear my sister in my head warning me to not try to get Lillian up. “You have a small cut on your head. Let me grab a towel for the blood.”
I stood and as I looked for a clean kitchen towel, I noticed the dirty plates and glasses in the sink. Lillian hated dirt and disorder, so dinner dishes in the sink was out of character. I found a clean cloth and rejoined Lillian on her floor. “Here.” I pressed the material to her head. “Where else do you hurt?”
“My left hip. That’s where I landed.” She clucked her tongue. “I’m so clumsy.”
“Is someone else here?” I asked as I pressed on her hip.
She groaned from my touch and her gaze shifted away. “No. I’m here by myself. That’s why I can to call you.” Tears gathered in her eyes.
I knew she was lying to me. I just didn’t know why.
“Yeah, I don’t think I can get you up. My money’s on either a dislocation or broken hip.” I squeezed her shoulder in sympathy. “Sorry, Lillian, I have to call an ambulance.” I expected an argument. Lillian is one of the most independent women I know, and when I only got a head nod in answer, I knew I’d made the right decision.
I called 9-1-1 and explained the situation. Once I knew help was coming, I helped into a sitting position and joined her on the hardwood floor.
“Well, this is a fine mess you’ve gotten us in to,” I said in my best Laurel and Hardy imitation.
She chuckled with a grimace. “I know.”
I heard heavy footfalls in the entry way, which surprised me as I hadn’t heard an ambulance siren. Plus, unless the ambulance had been one block away, there hadn’t been enough time for one to get here.
A man I did not know stepped into the kitchen as I realized that in my haste to get to Lillian, I’d left the front door open. Panic seized my throat and my breath.
I live in a Dallas historical area comprised of craftsman homes, many over a hundred years old. Lillian and I both live in refurbished homes in this classic neighborhood. While many of the houses have gotten the renovation necessary to bring back their stately beauty, others remain in poor conditions with the owners lacking the funding to do the required upkeep. Inside our neighborhood enclave, we feel secure. However, outside our immediate area, crime rates are higher than the average in other Dallas neighborhoods. Was the scruffy-looking man one of crime elements I needed to be worried about?
The stranger in Lillian kitchen was tall and broad-shouldered. His chestnut-colored hair was disheveled, as though he’d run his fingers through it recently. A heavy scruff covered his cheeks and circle a pair of thick lips that were pulled into a tight line.
“Get out,” I ordered in my best don’t-fuck-with-me voice and pointed toward the direction he’d just arrived. I might have been anxious about the stranger, but Baxter wasn’t. He greeted the man with a wiggly tail and excited yips, but of course, Baxter loved everyone.
He ignored me and continued to advance toward Lillian and me. My gaze flew around the kitchen for a weapon of any type, but honestly, our seated positions on the floor left us vulnerable.
It’s O-dark-thirty in the morning as I post this. My quiet time. It being a weekend, my quiet won’t last long. Between COVID and cold house-bound kids and eight indoor animals that need feeding and walking, quiet only happens when everyone’s sleeping. Although, I do have an office in the basement to keep well out of the way of most foot traffic.
I have a puzzle for you! It’s not my usual, and my choice was likely influenced by all the hours of Deep Space Nine I’ve been watching. It will be challenging, so roll up your sleeves and get cracking! I’d love to hear what you think. My first impression was that I was disappointed it wasn’t purple or swamp green. My second was that I wanted the goggles. Finish the puzzle. Share your time if you like. And be sure to enter the CONTESTS below while there’s still time!
It’s Punxsutawney Phil’s big day! Will he see his shadow and “predict” another six weeks of winter weather? Or will he not, and usher in an early Spring? Either way, I am ready for the cold weather to GO—I say that as the weathermen have predicted a very cold and icy next few days here in Arkansas.
If I have time, I’ll watch one of my very favorite movies—Groundhog Day! Enjoy this scene where he first figures out the day has repeated…
“Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster?”
“I don’t know, but I can check with the kitchen.”
I don’t know why that cracks me up every time!
So, question for you…for a chance for you to win a download of one of my backlist stories…
If Punxsutawney Phil predicts another six weeks of winter, what movies will you watch while sipping your hot cocoa?
