Remembering 9/11

With the passing of time, the urgency we all felt that awful September day seems to have waned somewhat. Now we are more focused on the inconveniences of air travel that event spawned than on what we as a nation and a people experienced in the first weeks and months following the terrorist attacks.

Not that we should keep the fear and anger foremost on our minds, as that terror-mindset just feeds the cause of the terrorists. That was pointed out in a recent column by Steve Blow in The Dallas Morning News last Sunday. He wrote about the hatred against Islam that is sometimes preached in the pulpit and on the airways, pointing out that most Muslims do not support terrorists, especially the most recent activity by ISIS in Iraq.

Steve quotes Robert Hunt, a professor at SMU's Perkins School of Theology, who wishes that the press would be more interested in spreading the news that many more Muslim nations are condemning the violence than the few who perpetuate terrorism. Unfortunately, the old newspaper adage still prevails, "If it bleeds it leads" and "The fact that Islamic society condemns ISIS isn't news. We only hear about Muslims at war because peace isn't news."

Hunt also offers this comment, "If we want to defeat terrorists, we have to refuse to be terrified. And we have to not spread their fear"

And in honor of this day I want to share this video of the Alan Jackson song, "Where Were You "When the World Stood Still?" I get goosebumps every time I hear it, mainly because the song encourages love, not fear and hate.

Book Review - Love. Honor, and O'Brien

It appears that Carl Brookins has found another good read to share with us today. 

Love, Honor, and O’Brien          

Jennifer Rowe

ISBN: 978-1-59058-543-6

A 2011 hard cover release from

Poisoned Pen Press. 286 pages.

The author of this romp, Jennifer Rowe, is a highly prolific Australian writer. Her list of publications is nothing short of amazing. Once can legitimately wonder how she can turn out so many fine works. Perhaps that’s why this one too frequently sets this reviewer’s teeth on edge. Having made that comment I will go on to note that the book is well-written, contains some fine, well-thought-out unusual characters and resolves a plot that is ingenious.

Holly Love, our protagonist is an inexperienced young woman making her way for the first time in the world of commerce. She’s a back-office clerk in a sizeable office supply retailer in Sydney. She processes invoices in a competent if uninspired manner. She has few friends outside the office and they don’t appear very interesting. Holly Love has the unfortunate experience of falling for a slick, handsome bounder. A man with apparently stimulating talents, but one who has the moral balance of a feral cat.

On the eve of her wedding day to Andrew McNish, he pulls a disappearing act. Holly finds his house empty, his belongings gone and, later, all the money from their joint account. Holly quickly learns that Mr. McNish doesn’t own the house and is in arrears all over town. Among those he apparently owes, are some seriously criminal thugs.

Holly, being of sterner stuff than many young ladies, decides to pursue that man and get her money back, if not her feelings mended. She hires a dodgy private detective who promptly locates the missing bridegroom and just as promptly, dies. Left alone for the second time, Holly does what any upstanding young lady would do, and therein lies the rest of this very funny and very clever tale. I recommend this well-nuanced novel highly.

A copy of the novel was supplied to me at no charge from the publisher.
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Carl Brookins www.carlbrookins.com  BLOG:  http://agora2.blogspot.com  -BOOKS:  Case of the Great Train Robbery, Reunion, Red Sky

Wednesday's Guest - Cupid

Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I thought we should visit a bit with Cupid today, if he is not too busy to answer a few questions. But before I flag him down, I want to let you know that my friend Slim Randles is sharing some of his thoughts on love and Valentine's Day over at The Blood Red Pencil. If you have a moment, hop over and see what love and fly fishing have in common.

Courtesty of Valentines Clip Art 

Hi, there Cupid. Can you stop just a minute so my readers can meet you?

Don't you know this is the worst day?

Sorry. I didn't know.

Well, I've got to fly all around the world and remind everybody that they need to get their candy and roses and diamonds for their sweethearts. You know those guys are always forgetting.

I don't think it's fair to single out the guys. Plenty of women forget, too.

Not as many as the men. Trust me. I've been doing this for centuries.

But you look so young.

Good genes.

Oh, I see. You know, I've always wondered.  Do you have a sweetheart?

Are you kidding. Who has time for their own love life when they are busy taking care of everyone else in the world.

The whole world? I thought maybe you had help. You know, a whole team of cupid assistants.

Nope. Just me, shooting arrows into every heart.

Wow, that's a lot of responsibility. I don't know how you manage it all.

Sometimes I don't know either. But a cupid's got to do what a cupid's got to do.   I'll tell you, though, I'm really ready for Valentine's Day to be over.

What are you going to do then?

I'm going to Disney World. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since I won't be posting tomorrow, let me wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day just a bit early. Hope your day involves lots of chocolate. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Another surprise Tuesday post. Just so people don't get confused, I will be back to my normal schedule next week. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to do something special for Valentine's Day to show my love for my followers and my readers. Here is a short excerpt from my one and only romance novel, Play It Again, Sam. For those who buy the book and come back with a link to a proof of purchase, I will put all the names in a hat and draw one lucky winner for a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. The drawing will be done on Friday so there is plenty of time.

Enjoy the excerpt. This is from the scene when Sam and Frank first kiss:

Sam smiled as Frank fell in step beside her. They walked in companionable silence with the night sounds of crickets providing a dissident musical score. She paused when she saw the boat again.

“Do you like to sail?” he asked, following her gaze.

“Haven’t done it enough to know. But it’s always appealed to me.” She paused to consider for a moment. “I’m sure the real thing is much different from my romantic notions.”

“Nothing wrong with a romantic idea now and then.” He put an arm around to pull her close. “It’s what separates us from the beasts.”

“Now that's a real romantic thought.”

“Want to hear more?”

“Don’t think so.” She smiled at him to make sure he understood she was joking. “Why don’t we talk about something more interesting. Like why you came to Dallas. And whether you’re one of those Yankees who can’t appreciate the Lone Star State.”

“Do I sense a warning there?”

“I would pick my words with care. We Texans are mighty protective of our territory.”

Frank told her about the move from New York five years earlier, conceding the point that, yes, there was a lot to like about Texas. “I do sometimes miss the snow,” he concluded. “Although it  is nice not having to shovel my way to my car on winter mornings.”

“That’s why they invented ski vacations. All the benefits without the daily hassle.”

They paused where a little clearing allowed access to the edge of the water. The wind picked up, bringing a cool mist off the lake and Sam shivered. “Here,” Frank said, holding the jacket for her.

She slipped her arms into the sleeves, then he closed the front, pulling her gently toward him. The moonlight lightly touched his face, creating shadowed mysteries of his eyes. But his intention was crystal clear.

The touch of his lips was tentative, as if asking permission, and the very softness ignited a response. Briefly, Sam flashed on her moment with Max and wondered if deprivation was turning her into a harlot. But the concern was lost in the heat of Frank’s passion as he held her against the full length of his body, teasing her with a touch of his tongue.

She opened her lips, and he continued the tease with light, quick explorations that left her burning for more. Then he cupped her face with his hands and thrust his tongue deeper, filling her with a hot, seductive suggestion.

There was no room in Sam’s mind for conscious thought. Sensation and desire ruled. She wanted nothing more than for him to satisfy that deep aching need right here, right now. But he pulled back, sucking in a deep breath and looking at her for a long moment. “Better take you home before we get arrested.”

Not trusting her voice, she nodded and put her hand in his.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all my cyber friends - and yes I shouted that. LOL

Monday Morning Musings

First, I want to thank everyone who has bought copies of One Small Victory this month for their Kindles. The book has become quite popular, and I am so thrilled that Jenny's story is getting read by so many people.

Today I am blogging on All Day, All Night Romance Divas about the tools writers use and how they have evolved. Stop on by if you get a chance. 

I spent most of the weekend unconnected from the Internet and even the news. It was kind of strange as I am seldom totally disconneced. Even when I am on vacation, I will check e-mail and get news online or on television, but I didn't do that this weekend. Wasn't on Facebook or Twitter either. So I don't have much to muse about.

However, I did read something interesting in the Saturday newspaper. It was in the advice column written by Carolyn Hax in response to a woman who wanted to know what to do when one partner in a marriage feels like they are doing all the heavy lifting. Carolyn encouraged the woman to have a frank discussion with her husband about what needs to be done to maintain the home and see what he is willing to do to help. She also encouraged the woman to  review her expectations and perhaps lower the bar. Carolyn concluded by writing:

There comes a point when standing up for yourself fails, when saying how you feel about it fails, when doing everything in angry silence fails, when doing your own cooking, laundry and dishes fails, and that point is when the marriage fails. Best to bring in the disaster team before your anger at the unfairness swallows up all the love."

I think we have all been there at some point, whether it be in a marriage or some other relationship. I can remember being angry with my siblings when I thought they were getting away with not doing their chores and my parents were all over me like hot tar. There were many moments when my anger over something my kids did, or didn't do, clouded my memory of the joy I felt when they were born. And there have been plenty of times I have been angry at my husband and that anger crowded out any feeling of love.

A long time ago, I learned something that helps me when the anger wants to dominate. Love is a decision. We can separate and protect that loving part of our relationships from the things that make us angry. It's part of unconditional love. You can make me so angry that I want to throttle you, but I can still love you if I choose. And it's funny, the more I choose, the less those other issues seem to matter.

How do you deal with the anger issues in your relationships?