MONDAY SPOTLIGHT

Kith and Kin

My early years were with my grandmother. I remember her face, her smile, her unconditional love. A small woman, she possessed an elegant grace and an enigmatic smile. One never knew what she was thinking. I thought of her as my mother though I knew she really wasn’t. Grandma was a unique individual, a woman wrenched from her idyllic life one Christmas Day in 1929. Her husband died in a plane crash, and mother told me of the long line of black cars outside their home. My grandfather, the first licensed pilot in North Carolina, had earned the respect of all. His pilot's license was signed by Orville Wright.

Grandma moved from her small town to a larger one, and having no resources, fed tobacco factory workers during their lunch hour to make a living. She was a wonderful cook and an excellent tailor. She would look at a dress in a store window and make one just like it without a pattern. I still remember my favorite, a shirtwaist dress with long sleeves.

A proud woman, she could be utterly charming or caustic with a smile. One memory that brings laughter is of a pretentious man walking away with a “did she just tell me off” look on his face and Grandma’s sweet, Cheshire-cat smile behind him. She was a major influence during my early years, accepting me with all my faults and frailties, never criticizing, always supporting. I never told her of my many failures, the family grapevine did that; but she always greeted me with a smile, a hug, and lots of love. I pleased her despite myself and to this day, I will remember the feeling with gratitude.

Grandma and I loved the trips we took home every year.  We would turn a nine-hour trip into fourteen or fifteen hours, stopping on the spur of the moment for anything that looked inviting.  We usually took the scenic route, staying off the interstates, so we passed through many little towns filled with craft and gift shops, fairs, and restaurants.

One year, I was in a hurry to get home.  Bad weather was on the way and I took Interstate 95.  Atlanta was notoriously busy and we hit it at rush hour.  I was a little nervous, but having taken the yearly trips home had given me a familiarity with the traffic. Grandma was sitting next to me with her hands folded, probably willing us down the road.  

I was in the middle lane when suddenly, a car shot from the left in front of me across all lanes of traffic headed for an exit on the right with no warning and no turn signal.  To my credit, I didn’t slam on the brakes but out came the dreaded “F” word followed by “you S.O.B.”  As soon as I uttered those horrible curses, I realized who was sitting next to me.   I spent the next few minutes profusely apologizing.  Grandma didn’t say a thing and when I finally stopped, without batting an eye, she patted my hand and said, “That’s alright, honey, I probably would have said the same thing.”

Many other tales come to mind, but this one always brings a smile. Thanks, grandma, for all the memories.

Peace,
Barb

FRIDAY FEATURE

THE MONSTER UPSTAIRS 

by

ELLE KLASS

Release date: March 7th

Blurb:


A mysterious, blinding white light, followed by a vision, haunts Mandy until something unthinkable happens. She comes home from school to find her mother badly injured. On instinct, through her tears, forces from within surge through her fingertips into her mother, giving her a second wind. She urges Mandy to take a note and leave, but she can't -- not yet.

Her hot, dark-haired, muscle-bound neighbor, Joel, finds her and drags her crying towards the door. What awaits them on the other side sends them back into the house, where she learns Joel isn't who she thought. Her entire life gets turned upside down as her destiny sends her and Joel deep into the world of Bloodseekers and other supernatural creatures.


Here's the links to The Vampires Next Door for anyone who might be interested in starting the series.


Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BWFEU48

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-vampires-next-door

B & N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-vampires-next-door-elle-klass/1123440764

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1085972007

Google Play -https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Elle_Klass_The_Vampires_Next_Door?id=-ieaCwAAQBAJ&hl=en


LINKS FOR ELLE KLASS:

http://thetroubledoyster.blogspot.com/
http://elleklass.weebly.com/
https://twitter.com/ElleKlass
https://www.facebook.com/ElleKlass

WEDNESDAY RAMBLINGS

FROM BELLADONNA

Where was I? oh yes...my hot Italian. Shaking my head at the memories. Hot? Definitely. Alpha male? Absolutely. Imagine my surprise when he set me up in an apartment, he in one state, me in another. I realized early that my situation could best be described as 'mistress', but I agreed to our arrangement and entered into a relationship that profited both of us. My rent in a respectable apartment complex was paid for a year in advance, and he had me on retainer.

Making friends had always been easy, and soon, I enjoyed the company of residents in the complex. Days by the pool and nights entertaining helped pass the time when hot Italian was otherwise busy. I realized this wasn't the love I had always craved, but it would do.

Then I met Garrett. Intelligent and funny, he had a way that put me instantly at ease, something I had never felt around any man. Deciding that moving slowly would be a good idea, I promised to keep it 'friends only' and made a bet with myself to see how long it would last.

Sitting by the pool, Garrett and I were talking, oblivious to those around us. Someone called my name and turning, I froze. There stood my hot Italian, his expression one of displeasure.

To be continued

MONDAY SPOTLIGHT

This will begin a new feature, the Monday Spotlight. Shown will be people I have had the pleasure of knowing and a few I've never met. Today, I'll begin with an obvious choice...my parents. 

Jean and Henry were quite a pair. They met by accident, or should I say because of an accident. Mom was riding her bike at the local elementary school where dad was in charge of the neighborhood boys' club. She was 15, he was 21. She noticed the tall, handsome young man, and not paying attention to where she was going, ran her bike over the curb, falling basically at his feet. That began a relationship that lasted from their marriage six years later through the following fifty years. Both were blessed with good looks, intelligence, and big dreams. 

My father had a glorious voice and mom was an avid reader and writer. In a few years, the births of myself and three precious sisters made the family complete. Mom's culinary skills were legendary and our house was filled with visits from family and friends who enjoyed the camaraderie and good food.

After some years in the city where dad attended college, our family relocated to the small southern town where he was born. Life was good there. Raised in that environment, we enjoyed the relative safety and security we found. We never locked our doors, and church on Sunday was followed by family dinners and fried chicken. Dad would go to bed early, by nine every night, and the rest of us would enjoy cards and conversation, our favorite TV programs, or a good book.

As with any family, there was sadness... the most devastating, the loss of one of my sisters, Jeanie, killed by a drunk driver at the age of thirteen. Despite their grief, mom and dad made sure their remaining daughters were provided with strength and counsel from loving relatives and friends. 

They put my sisters and I through college despite their limited funds, sacrificing their dreams for ours. The years after retirement were spent with family and community, and when mom and dad passed, the days of unlocked doors went with them. 

My parents left us with something worth more than any material possession...a sense of self, of having a purpose in life. We were taught to wake each day with a smile, that every action we took must be made with respect for others, and to always be kind to those less fortunate.

Thank you mom and dad. 

Love always.

FRIDAY FEATURE

Today's spot goes to the very talented Julie Nicholls. The Fallen Angels series has had a makeover, both stories and covers. This powerful series, in my estimation, was outstanding as it was, but now is far beyond that mark.

Synopsis:

This 3 in 1 eBook contains Demon Within, Angel Within, and Ascension Within.
In Demon Within, Kai, who was sold into slavery at the age of six by his mother, learns that killing brings rewards. Raised by slavers and put in the fighting pits of Darkmide after they learn he has something inside which makes him invincible in battle, they use him for sport. Following years of servitude at the hands of the slavers, Kai breaks free and mounts a rebellion, earning a reputation as a powerful Warrior. An alliance between a king sets him on a path he could never imagine. After meeting the king's daughter, Eloise, they build a relationship and discover secrets about themselves and the world around them. The second book, Angel Within, brings more trials for Kai and Eloise, and a powerful witch joins forces with a mercenary from their past to bring forth the most powerful of all Fallen Angels, Samyaza. Book three, Ascension Within... the conclusion of this story gives us all the answers we've been waiting for. The angels have been playing a game, one that could end all humanity. Will the mortal world survive the game played by powerful angels?

This Fallen Angel Series is a new and alternate addition to the fallen angel tradition of Sylvia Day and J R Ward.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/Box-Set-Fallen-Fantasy-Romance-ebook/dp/B015NP07KO

Peace,
Barb

BODACIOUS BELLADONNA

Well, how do you like my moniker? Belladonna Nightshade here. Since this is my first appearance, I thought I'd tell you a little about myself. Born in a small rural town, I grew up with one parent, mom. She was a gruff woman but gave me all the love she could. Taught me to have grit and never to take shit from anyone. Blessed with good looks, I learned early what men wanted. I fell for a handsome rascal, ignoring mom's warning, and when he tossed me aside after a hot romance lasting only a month, I realized what she had been trying to tell me. That encounter set my course in life, and shortly after high school, I decided to leave the spot in the road and head for bigger ponds and better fish.

A cousin suggested the nation's capital, so I settled close by in an modest apartment, took a job waiting tables, and waited for a knight to rescue me. Enter the scene, one hot Italian, one of my lunchtime customers. I played it cool, a look of disinterest on my face, but I did notice his expensive suit. My intended either looked the part or was as he appeared, and I gave him my best service. Wait, that came later. *smirk*

He was at lunch for the next three days, sitting at one of the tables in my section. His smile was one of anticipation and the next day, he asked me out to dinner. I said 'yes', trying not to dance on the spot. 

Dinner was, as I expected, at his house, and what a house it was. Spacious with expensive art, five bedrooms, each with its own bath...and a pool. He gave me the tour, then we walked to the dining room. The table was set for two, simple but elegant. The food was delicious and the conversation exciting. I found myself liking him, something I had not anticipated and what followed was even more of a surprise.

TO BE CONTINUED

JOIN ME NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR ANOTHER CHAPTER FROM BODACIOUS BELLADONNA.

***NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS***

Hello, my friends. It's been quite a while since you've heard from me. Occasionally, one must take a break and regroup, and in that spirit, I have decided to invite someone to share this page. Our friendship began many years ago and her actions and opinions have been a source of fascination and sometimes, amusement. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do. I will be posting Monday and Friday, giving Wednesday to my raconteur, Belladonna Nightshade. The floor is yours. :)

Thanks, Barb. I remember the day we met. Your sister was visiting and we made our acquaintance at the pool. When she introduced us, I knew we would be friends. I appreciate you giving me this forum to record my thoughts and actions. I'm looking forward to sharing stories from my 'checkered' past and hope I don't make you blush too much. 👅

Belladonna, you never made me blush...lol...shake my head, maybe, but always with a smile. Here is my favorite photo of you. Looking forward to your post on Wednesday. ❤

Peace,

Barb