In this season of family and hope and thankfulness, my thoughts and prayers are that you all have a wonderful holiday. Family has always been the center of my existence, I've spent the majority of my life raising kids, and I find myself in a glorious and unique place in life. It may not look like a hallmark kind of scene to you--just like in my books there are very few hallmark moments, so it is in my life--but a true Hallmark scene is one that gives you peace, happiness and purpose.

I'm fortunate enough to have readers, friends, bloggers and fellow authors part of my extended virtual family. We communicate daily. We keep up on each others lives, the highs and the lows, wishes and aspirations, our children, our husbands...heck, even our pets. There is an essential human need to be connected to the world, to care, to share and to know.

I've read a lot of posts from people going through difficult times over the holiday. A young blogger who recently lost her husband. A teacher recently relocated to a small town and finding herself friendless. And people at my stage of life, kids grown and scattered across the globe, alone over this festive season. It's heartbreaking to hear so many people hurting. It is in those moments we should reach out, lift them up, and remind them that the Hallmark moment is just an image.  Life, our lives, is the true image of the holiday. Sometimes it is glorious. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it is filled with noise and laughter. And sometimes it is filled with quiet. It is what it is...

You see the overcrowded noisy house more often than not isn't part of our holiday season any more. Those darn kids, we raised them well, and they used their wings to soar...regrettably far from us. But for me the quietness of our house is a symbol that we've done our job well. Our kids are happy, live their own lives, where they want to live. The quietness of the rooms is not a hallmark moment, but it is a perfectly fine holiday for me. My kids are happy. What's more important than that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is be thankful each day, even when it's tough because your day doesn't look like the hallmark moments we've been told represent success. Joy comes from within and the act of showing it is all it takes to share it with the world.

So the things I am grateful for today are: my wonderful husband; my independent and magnificent daughters; my gorgeous grandson; my virtual friends from Indie Land who propped me up when my Ginger Kitty died at 18 on Tuesday, and who let me be there for them often during trying times and tolerating my granny wisdom( I don't know if it helps but it's from my heart, darlings); my wonderful readers--those who love my work and those who don't--who check in on this old gal in the quieter phase of her life and share their life with me either by note or within the pages of my books.

I am grateful for all things: the happy moments, the sad moments, the successes and the failures. They are all part of what says I am here, still engaged in the business of living,  and still have a purpose. I may not cook turkey any more. My table isn't set. My house looks far from a Hallmark moment. My girls are a phone call and not a rowdy day in our family home this year, but that's OK. I still have purpose. And if your holiday doesn't look how you think it should, reach out, dry a tear, say hello to someone who needs it, give a smile without reason, and tell them You are here. That's what makes a holiday a hallmark moment. Not how the table looks. Not who is there. The kindness we give to each other generously shared without want in return. That is true thankfulness.

Thank you all for making this part of my life wonderful and as ever I wish you Peace.

Well the Big Guy and I have been back from Yosemite since last Sunday. I'd planned to hit the ground writing on Monday, but well... I've been vegetating instead. A lot happening in the world. A lot happening(less significant) in Indie World. And a lot about to happen in my life. So, I'm doing what I do when there's a lot going on. Sitting quietly and not really thinking about anything.

This may seem counterproductive to the writing process...but no, no, it's not. Sometimes that's how a book writes itself for me. I push it from my mind. I don't think about. Then a single line takes hold in my head, refuses to be dismissed, and then I sit down and 3 weeks later I have 110K words and another novel. I've got three opening lines in my head I can't shake right now. So, the writing process is soon to begin.

Thank goodness. I have 4 releases to finish up before the end of the year. Yikes, silly me to schedule that heavy of a release schedule and whenever I have a full plate of writing Indie World seems to rears up to make me sad. I don't understand why there is so much pettiness and vindictive behavior in author land. I sure as hell don't understand where some authors get the energy to behave that way. Managing my life, keeping in contact with my readers, and writing pretty much takes up all the stamina I have.

While I was in Yosemite trying to get a few days R & R with my husband before he goes into the hospital for another heart procedure, I had this young author from a work group I participate with basically robo texting me. Not bad things, but repeatedly asking me to do X or Y or Z,( Even though I'd been in FB Jail for nearly 2 weeks and couldn't post a damn thing publicly) and I stared at the phone thinking I'm on my freaking vacation with my husband. What the hell is wrong with you? Of course I didn't say that, I didn't text that because when you are just starting out in author land(like she is)whatever you want seems like a major priority to the point of being insensitive to two people trying to have some us time before going off on another not fun hospital adventure. The texts continued so I just ignored them. Walking away is often the only way in Indie Land. But I've gotten some blow back and some naughty responses because I chose my husband over the project and it's going to stay that way until he's well again. I don't just write about love, I believe in love--in my marriage, with my children, my amazing grandson Baby Hugs, and with how I live and simply walk away rather than add to the misery so many are committed to creating in Indie World and other situations.

There is a lesson in this: remember in digital space we all act more boldly than we do in the real world and probably shouldn't, but conversely, we all know less about what's happening in someone's life. Compassion and kindness are too often the causality of our impersonal digital relationships. It's too easy to be cruel when it only takes a point and click. But it's also easier to walk away, shut off screen, grab a book, and lose yourself in a better reality...

Holy Moly, I feel it, it's time to write again. See, our little chats always help get me out of my writing funks. Now I'm clicking off to finish One Forever Kiss...

As always I wish you Peace.

Hello darlings, I'm in Yosemite for so much needed "us" time with my husband after releasing The Girl of Sand & Fog and Irrevocably Claimed Anthology. We're doing lots of hiking and seeing sights I haven't seen since I was young and it's been an amazing trip so far. Being here makes it clear why the National Park Service calls Yosemite the Diamond of all the parks. It's incredible. And the mountain air certainly is assisting me in finishing my next 2 releases:  One Forever Kiss(Book 4 of Affair without End Series) and Love me Forever( Indy's story from the Deverell Series). With all the outdoors time my husband is taking perfect blocks of nap time to keep those projects moving forward while I'm on vacation.

I'm feeling blessed and pleased with the direction of my life and Indie role right now...except for that pesky Zuckerberg. Well he threw granny into Facebook Jail with about a gazillion other Indie Authors and that's really hitting my business. And of course, how things work, he did it during a new release and my biggest countdown promotion of the year.

I don't ask for assistance. You'll never get a direct message from me asking for promotion on something, but I'm going to post below my Kindle Countdown promo and the info for my new release and if you could post or tweet or just tell a friend I'd be very appreciative.  I hate asking, dears. I prefer to be 100% self-reliant. But sometimes stuff happens and you just need to ask a friend. Thank you in advance for all you've done. This continues to be an incredible year.

As always, darlings, I wish you Peace.

Promo for my Kindle Countdown:
☆.•°*°•.☆Book 1 Free Amazon Download ~ The Half Shell Series☆.•°*°•.☆
Find out why USA Today Happily Ever After Blog made The Half Shell Series a Recommend read as a Girl with dark secrets falls for a troubled Rocker in this intense story of first love.
::Buy Links::
Book 1 FREE>>>2015 semifinalist Best of Kindle Book Awards The Girl on the Half Shell>> http://amzn.to/1LLXQvw
Book 2>99cents Amazon countdown>The Girl of Tokens & Tears>>http://amzn.to/18CAn1l
Book 3>99cents Amazon countdown>The Girl of Diamonds & Rust>>http://amzn.to/1QuUIGW
Book 4>99cents Amazon countdown>The Girl in the Comfortable Quiet>http://amzn.to/1K2OgGg
http://amzn.to/1LLXQvw


Promo for Irrevocably Claimed Anthology:
"These stories are hot!"~Amazon Reviewer
"Cougars and Lady Love."~United Indie Book Blog
Irrevocably Claimed Amazon Buy Link>>>http://amzn.to/1MbLJIc

If you're not an author you probably won't know how much of a downer it is to be in Facebook jail(that's when you can't post anything public) during a release. For most Indies Facebook and Twitter are the drivers of our marketing. So imagine how unhappy I was to find out Zuckerberg's people tossed granny into a cell the day before the Irrevocably Claimed Anthology released.

Here's the half glass full part(yes, darlings, my glass is always half-full.) I have a great inner circle of author friends and readers who help out when the unforeseen happens: like PA going MIA during the release of The Girl of Sand & Fog, and now being in a padded facebook cell during the anthology release.

I hope you'll check out this latest release I am a part of. Irrevocably claimed has a wide variety of erotica short stories. Something for all tastes. If you like that 50 shades vibe; there's that one. If you like F/M/F there's that. If you like you a naughty musician and country theme; there's that.  And the delightful story about sweet young people getting their freak on. Then my little silly diddy which is my first F/F release. Anyway, 9 stories in all.   

It's only 99cents. Pretty amazing price if you ask me. So if you want a wide variety of erotica...well enough said.

Oh, and what did I learn this release: Things still surprise me; there is always a new way for something to go wrong; and if you stay in your own zone, be happy,  it will be OK.

And as ever I wish you Peace
#‎irrevocablyclaimed‬

amazon US http://amzn.com/B017OA0R92
amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017OA0R92
amazon AUSTRALIA http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B017OA0R92
amazon CANADA http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B017OA0R92
KOBO https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/irrevocably-claimed

I understand why Randy wants me not to write for 3 weeks after a release. He's worried about my health. I don't know how the writing process works for other authors, but when I'm completely exhausted after finishing an intense, long novel~The Girl of Sand & Fog was that--it's like I'm in the pocket, and the writing flows. If I take the downtime, I find it harder to jump in and get to work after three weeks. As Chrissie Parker would say, I can't find the words in my head.

So now I'm sneaking little chunks of writing time and it's working out well for me. I'm slugging through finishing One Forever Kiss~I've missed Jack Parker and he definitely wants to have his say in the Affair without End Series-- and poor Indy from the Deverell Series has been sitting on my shoulder for months chiding me, Susan, I need my happily ever after. Love me Forever is progressing nicely and for my historical romance readers I think another shock is coming your way. But darlings, don't be mad, I can only write what they tell me. Trust me, I have little say in this.

And now I have another man in my head space bothering me: Ethan, from Sand & Fog Series. Yap, Yap, Yap. He definitely wants to tell his story.

I find it interesting that every time I finish a "Girl" book, it's the men who start screaming at me. In real life, I don't find men so eager to have their say. Or maybe it's just my guy. He's the strong, silent, always gets his way Alpha male with the heart of gold. He doesn't have to say much for me to cave. Or at least pretend to, because I've been writing for days and we're not going to tell him, darlings. OK?

For those of you emailing me looking for the books about my men, I hope to have them all done and out the door by December 31st. Woo hoo, and I've got another naughty novella with an m/m erotic romance, too. A busy end to 2015. Granny isn't getting old, I'm just writing more...I wanted to say "better" as the quote really goes, but...

As ever, darlings, I wish you Peace.

Not that I'm blaming Amazon. It's me. It's my bad. I get so many emails that sometimes I miss some, and I missed one regarding a Kindle Unlimited change that prohibits me putting the series I want to on free download next week. So, I'm having to regroup and rethink how I  celebrate. That Bezos is making it tough for me, requiring that reading thing after I've just pumped out a 128K novel.

Stay tuned, darlings. Check back. There will be stuff. I have something next week and the week after. Because I'm releasing #15 November 6th and I'm going to party no matter how the man is making it difficult for me. But I really do need to read all those emails or at least find them. Crap, I spent all afternoon looking for the email that ruined my planned party today and couldn't find it. And I even had my glasses on for a change.

As ever I wish you Peace

OK darlings, we've all been together a year and a half now, so you should know what that means. This is book number #15. Not bad for old gal, huh?  I'm releasing on Friday and I'm going crazy for the next couple of weeks. I have to. My husband won't let me write for three weeks and  pretty much means it's time to blast the house with tunes and have a big celebration.

Now watch for flash sales. I have one running today. Also Giant free download giveaways. I'm going crazy this month because it's my party, granny is releasing number 15(kind of a neat number don't you think?) and I'm going to do what I want to. Check back in because I'm doing a lot of radio the month of November. I'm on Blog Talk Radio Wednesday the 4th at 3:30 PST.  The rest I haven't gotten the schedule for yet. But I'll do all the interviews I'm wanted for.  Those silly   people shouldn't give me a microphone, but heck, if they are willing to have me I'm willing to be there.

As always, thank you my incredible readers who have been so wonderful to me. I don't think I'd have the energy to slug away at this if we hadn't become our own groovy family inside the Parker Universe. I finish this Saga because they definitely want me to, but enough of you do too, to make it a remarkable thing to see this dream through to it's completion.

And thank you all truly from my heart  and I wish you Peace.

PS- I know how many of you are taking the Parker Journey with me through Kindle Unlimited, so this month I'm doing everything I can to make it affordable for you Chrissie & Alan die-hards to own the books. I know it's a long Saga and pricey for a lot of you, so I'm doing everything I can for all of you who have made it possible for me to keep turning out the rest of their books.

So, I was at Shakespeare in the park in July to watch my daughter in As You Like It~she was fabulous by the way~ and I was sitting with a friend of her's, this amazing young gay actor, and we were talking about my books and he wanted to know if I had any plans to write an m/m romance. My first reaction was I don't even know if I can write male point of view well, and I was working on Broken Crown.

It was  my first ever male point of view book. Then I released the book, and everyone said OMG the way you write male POV is sensational. But I still wasn't convinced I could do an m/m romance. I mean I'm a grandmother and I haven't led that racy of life...OK, it's been wild at times, I WAS young once, but we'll talk about that in another blog post...and then I got invited to do Irrevocably Claimed Anthology  and in an anthology you can push your craft and go where you haven't gone before. And I was chatting with the incredible Andrea Smith, USA Today Bestselling author, and I was brainstorming ideas about a lesbian erotica novella. And she loved my bachelorette party story and she said write it. So I committed to doing the anthology but I was working on my gritty and strong new mellinium Kaley in The Girl of Sand & Fog, so I hadn't started writing it. I still hadn't comitted to the other anthologies in January and February 2016  because it would be M/M and I wasn't sure I could do F/F.

When I finished, I sent out my first F/F Romance, The Encounter, to be read by people I respect and I was blown away by their response. They liked it so much, they wanted to included it as a bonus Novella for a January 2016 Anthology. Well, that floored me. And granny thought, well heck, if I can do f/f maybe I can do m/m romance. And writing f/f was amazing fun. A nice break from tortured young girls. So yes, it's true. I'm releasing a lesbian erotic romance on November 6th. I'm extremely proud of it. It is for someone I love, my ex-sister-in-law, who after 25 years of marriage came out of the closet   (darlings we're older in my family so don't be judgmental about it taking her a while)decided to live happy and recently found her forever wife.

So, why this long story. I don't remember. Oh yes, I have my first lesbian erotic romance releasing November 6th, then for my dear, darling, new friend Zac, the most talented stage actor in all Northern California, a man of discerning taste because he thinks I'm wonderful, I am releasing not only one M/M romance, but two next year. It seems to me that I couldn't say I believed in love unless I wrote(to the best of my abilities) about all love.

And as ever darlings I wish you peace.