Should I do Nate's story from the Griffin Force series?
OR
Should I do Karissa's story from Lincoln Love Stories series?
What do you think? Help an author out, would you?
I'm an award-winning romantic suspense novelist, but in my free time I love to review books and my fave TV shows, as well as pass along great book deals, and eat Canadian chocolate---not necessarily in that order.
Friday, March 9, 2018
Help Me Decide My New Project!
I am at a crossroads at the moment. I have two projects that I could go with, but I'm not sure which one I should work on next. What do you think?
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Hawaii Five-O Recap & Review: The Ep With A LOT of Talking
The team stood around the Chatting Table or in the Blue Room of Doom and talked for most of the episode, but we did get Steve in his blue shirt, (thank you wardrobe people!) and also Steve using a jackhammer. Other than that . . .
We start out with Adam chained in the abandoned shipping container with ants of some kind all over his body. (Adam and the ANTS. Get it. Haha. #sorrynotsorry) The effect is super creepy and gross, even though it's CGI. They are biting him and he's freaking out. (I wouldn't open my mouth to scream if I were him. *shiver*)
Cut to Tani and Junior being interviewed by Miss Meach for a swank school for their "son" Noah. Tunior lays it on pretty thick about how Noah is athletic, loving, kind, compassionate, smart, artistic, and could be an ARCHITECT! Wow. But, wait, they say to Miss Meach, we thought Headmaster Waller would be here. Miss Meach is eager to dish on how poor Waller has vanished, even though she's talking to people she doesn't know. Apparently Waller had a strong personality that rubbed people wrong, but no one at the school had anything to do with his disappearance. Uh huh. We flashback to the Chatting Table where Tani isn't thrilled to be going undercover for a missing persons case. But the bumbling HPD has already talked to everyone and got nowhere, so now they need Five-O to clean it up. Steve and Danny are joking around about Tunior's chemistry, but so far it's seems pretty forced to me. Back to the interview where they show Miss Meach their obviously photoshopped pics of them and Noah, and Tani finds out that if they want to increase their chances of getting Noah in, they can come to a charity function and bid on expensive stuff. Back at the Chatting Table they're talking about getting HPD to foot the bill (since HPD can't seem to do anything else right on cases) and Grover is yapping about his college kid and some other boring stuff. (Steve stood there looking mighty fine in his blue shirt, so that saved the scene.) Junior comes in to add that Waller's financials are fine and he left all his personal effects behind. Oh, and the janitor found a 9mm casing in a vacuum bag so the school is a possible murder scene. (Did HPD search the school? Did anyone?) But since the Board of Trustees had 100 complaints about Waller, they're sending Tunior into the fundraiser to narrow down the suspect pool. (Are all the people who complained going to be there or something? That didn't make sense, but oh well.)
Back to the nonsensical restaurant storyline. Uncle Vito got contractor bids and they're way out of budget. Surprise! And though Steve put in for liquor license a month ago, they won't get one approved for a year so Vito is going to see what he can do to expedite the process. Oy. *zips lips*
And then to Adam's storyline. (When did this show go from an awesome hour of Steve and his task force to a few bits of Steve, then a restaurant and Adam's task force?) Hidecki throws some water on Adam to wake him up because he wants to talk about the 20 million dollars that Michelle Shioma hid. Adam denies that he knows anything, but in order to get him to talk, Hidecki brought JessietheCuteCon as his enforcer to beat up Adam. (Really? A crime boss like Hidecki must have fifty guys that could put a beatdown on Adam, but he brings a random girl he just met whose vibe is more sweet than criminal?) But that's not even the end of the plot point. Instead of supervising the girl he barely knows, Hidecki politely waits outside so JessiethePlotPointEnforcer can punch Adam around for a bit before she tells him to just give Hidecki what he wants or she'll have to beat him to death. (Why not just untie Adam and the two of you take Hidecki?)
Finally JessiePlotPoint brings Hidecki in and Adam says he'll take him to the money. They put Adam in the passenger seat with Hidecki behind him and a threat that if Adam tries anything stupid, Hidecki will paint the windshield red. (Well, that's an image.) JessiePlotPoint drives them out to a forested area and Adam acts like he knows where they're going as he leads the way into the trees.
Back to the restaurant nonsense. Vito is happy that Kamekona found him a sketchy, cheap crew. He bails, though, saying he has an errand to run and Kame can supervise for him while he's gone. Of course Vito goes to the Liquor Commissioner's office and tries to bribe the guy. (Could this get any more cliche?)
Finally we're back to the "main" storyline and Tunior are at the fundraiser for the school gym. Tani and Junior are mingling, but they are terrible at it. They pretty much are going up to groups of people and saying, "Hey, you guys know anything about Headmaster Waller?" Cause that's not suspicious at all. A few people spread gossip and say Waller was dipping into gym fund, having an affair with someone on the committee, and there was an expelled student who is going to sue. Steve, Danny, and Grover are just standing around the Chatting Table doing nothing. Steve asks how it went with Vito and Danny seems surprised that Steve is upset when he says that Vito's contractor bids were fifty percent over budget. Danny has all kinds of faith that even though Steve took too long to apply for the liquor license, Vito will take care of it. (Does Danny really believe that? I just have no words for the silliness of this restaurant and the dead end it is story-wise.)
More info dumping at the Chatting Table. (So far this ep, Steve, Danny, and Grover haven't left the table!) Headmaster Waller had deleted files on his computer, but they got them back and one of them was the termination of head of admissions, Miss Meach. She was taking bribes! Oddly, that file was deleted after Waller went missing. Dun, dun, dun. Miss Meach is about to leave the fundraiser when Tani and Junior approach her and say surprise, now we get to interview you. Meach is taken to the Blue Room of Doom. (Yay! Steve can leave the table!) She's denying everything, but they have video of her going into the headmaster's office. She caves and says yeah, she deleted it, but didn't kill him. Steve isn't buying it, but gets a call, they have new evidence. Waller's car! But it was wiped down with no evidence of anything. Well, maybe Waller's body is still at the school. (I guess the bumbling HPD didn't think of that.)
The team easily finds a cement form randomly poured that is rough and an obviously rushed job. (Nobody noticed this before?) Steve gets a jackhammer (the most action he's gotten in this ep so far) and they find the body with a gun next to it that is registered to Mr. Barton, the construction guy from the fundraiser. They pick him up as he's fleeing with a duffel bag full of money. In the Blue Room of Doom, Steve and Danny tell him that his financials show he's laundering money and speculate that Waller must have found out. Barton confesses and asks after his family. They're in danger since he works for a Venezuelan drug cartel and once they find out, they'll kill his family. Cut to his wife and daughter shopping before gunfire breaks out and they're kidnapped.
Back to Adam, Hidecki, and JessiePlotPoint tramping through the forest. Hidecki takes a call that proves he's working for someone else. Adam picks a spot and he starts digging while he's whispering to JessiePlotPoint about Hidecki's call. She doesn't seem to care really. And Hidecki shows no interest in the fact that JessiePlotPoint and Adam sure whisper a lot. Hidecki's patience runs out, but Adam digs up a strong box with a gun in it. Adam explains that his father buried the gun to have leverage over a rich man who murdered his business partner. If the guy can't pay up then Adam will still owe Hidecki.
Barton drives to a meet with the cartel people to give them the money so he can get his family back. They show him the daughter and wife behind a glass window, but even after he gives them the money, they're going to kill them while he watches. Steve and team move in for a gunfight and Junior takes Kono's old sniper role and takes out the last guy. (Finally! Some action!) But it's short-lived and Barton is arrested while Mom and daughter are led away. Before they haul him off, Steve says crime lab processed the gun, but evidence shows markers that say a female pulled the trigger. Barton knew his wife did it and he's ready to go to prison for her. (Why? Was she having an affair? I guess we'll never know. I hate loose ends.)
Adam meets up with Steve who is unhappy that Adam was hurt. (Did Adam have any check-ins with Steve? Did anyone know their new "task force" head was missing? Doesn't look like it.) Steve wants to shut it down, but Adam is still all in. He feels like figuring out who Hidecki is working for is worth it, but there's some angle he's not seeing. He thought Michelle was messing with him, but now he's not so sure. There's something going on and it's all connected. *yawn*
Danny goes to the restaurant that is all torn up and Kame tells him his uncle left and didn't come back. Danny gets a collect call from police dept and Vito got picked up for bribing a public official. Danny pays his bail while Vito expounds on why the restaurant is a terrible idea, that's it's a full time back breaking grind and you don't do it as a hobby. (Or insert it into an action drama!) They put everything behind them and have a group hug, but Vito is concentrating on the picture of the guy who shot Danny that is randomly being shown on the Chatting Table screen. Vito's seen him before because he went to his house and gave him a bid for a bathroom remodel. When the guy said he knew Jersey cops, Vito mentioned that Danny now worked in Hawaii. That's how the guy knew where to find Danny! Oops.
We end on Adam getting a call from Jessie to turn on the news. A local business magnate was found dead in home of suicide. The guy didn't have blackmail money for Hidecki, so Adam is still on the hook for 20 million. Hmm...
Not my favorite episode. For me, there was too much standing around info dumping and not enough action. Did you watch? What did you think?
We start out with Adam chained in the abandoned shipping container with ants of some kind all over his body. (Adam and the ANTS. Get it. Haha. #sorrynotsorry) The effect is super creepy and gross, even though it's CGI. They are biting him and he's freaking out. (I wouldn't open my mouth to scream if I were him. *shiver*)
Cut to Tani and Junior being interviewed by Miss Meach for a swank school for their "son" Noah. Tunior lays it on pretty thick about how Noah is athletic, loving, kind, compassionate, smart, artistic, and could be an ARCHITECT! Wow. But, wait, they say to Miss Meach, we thought Headmaster Waller would be here. Miss Meach is eager to dish on how poor Waller has vanished, even though she's talking to people she doesn't know. Apparently Waller had a strong personality that rubbed people wrong, but no one at the school had anything to do with his disappearance. Uh huh. We flashback to the Chatting Table where Tani isn't thrilled to be going undercover for a missing persons case. But the bumbling HPD has already talked to everyone and got nowhere, so now they need Five-O to clean it up. Steve and Danny are joking around about Tunior's chemistry, but so far it's seems pretty forced to me. Back to the interview where they show Miss Meach their obviously photoshopped pics of them and Noah, and Tani finds out that if they want to increase their chances of getting Noah in, they can come to a charity function and bid on expensive stuff. Back at the Chatting Table they're talking about getting HPD to foot the bill (since HPD can't seem to do anything else right on cases) and Grover is yapping about his college kid and some other boring stuff. (Steve stood there looking mighty fine in his blue shirt, so that saved the scene.) Junior comes in to add that Waller's financials are fine and he left all his personal effects behind. Oh, and the janitor found a 9mm casing in a vacuum bag so the school is a possible murder scene. (Did HPD search the school? Did anyone?) But since the Board of Trustees had 100 complaints about Waller, they're sending Tunior into the fundraiser to narrow down the suspect pool. (Are all the people who complained going to be there or something? That didn't make sense, but oh well.)
Back to the nonsensical restaurant storyline. Uncle Vito got contractor bids and they're way out of budget. Surprise! And though Steve put in for liquor license a month ago, they won't get one approved for a year so Vito is going to see what he can do to expedite the process. Oy. *zips lips*
And then to Adam's storyline. (When did this show go from an awesome hour of Steve and his task force to a few bits of Steve, then a restaurant and Adam's task force?) Hidecki throws some water on Adam to wake him up because he wants to talk about the 20 million dollars that Michelle Shioma hid. Adam denies that he knows anything, but in order to get him to talk, Hidecki brought JessietheCuteCon as his enforcer to beat up Adam. (Really? A crime boss like Hidecki must have fifty guys that could put a beatdown on Adam, but he brings a random girl he just met whose vibe is more sweet than criminal?) But that's not even the end of the plot point. Instead of supervising the girl he barely knows, Hidecki politely waits outside so JessiethePlotPointEnforcer can punch Adam around for a bit before she tells him to just give Hidecki what he wants or she'll have to beat him to death. (Why not just untie Adam and the two of you take Hidecki?)
Finally JessiePlotPoint brings Hidecki in and Adam says he'll take him to the money. They put Adam in the passenger seat with Hidecki behind him and a threat that if Adam tries anything stupid, Hidecki will paint the windshield red. (Well, that's an image.) JessiePlotPoint drives them out to a forested area and Adam acts like he knows where they're going as he leads the way into the trees.
Back to the restaurant nonsense. Vito is happy that Kamekona found him a sketchy, cheap crew. He bails, though, saying he has an errand to run and Kame can supervise for him while he's gone. Of course Vito goes to the Liquor Commissioner's office and tries to bribe the guy. (Could this get any more cliche?)
Finally we're back to the "main" storyline and Tunior are at the fundraiser for the school gym. Tani and Junior are mingling, but they are terrible at it. They pretty much are going up to groups of people and saying, "Hey, you guys know anything about Headmaster Waller?" Cause that's not suspicious at all. A few people spread gossip and say Waller was dipping into gym fund, having an affair with someone on the committee, and there was an expelled student who is going to sue. Steve, Danny, and Grover are just standing around the Chatting Table doing nothing. Steve asks how it went with Vito and Danny seems surprised that Steve is upset when he says that Vito's contractor bids were fifty percent over budget. Danny has all kinds of faith that even though Steve took too long to apply for the liquor license, Vito will take care of it. (Does Danny really believe that? I just have no words for the silliness of this restaurant and the dead end it is story-wise.)
More info dumping at the Chatting Table. (So far this ep, Steve, Danny, and Grover haven't left the table!) Headmaster Waller had deleted files on his computer, but they got them back and one of them was the termination of head of admissions, Miss Meach. She was taking bribes! Oddly, that file was deleted after Waller went missing. Dun, dun, dun. Miss Meach is about to leave the fundraiser when Tani and Junior approach her and say surprise, now we get to interview you. Meach is taken to the Blue Room of Doom. (Yay! Steve can leave the table!) She's denying everything, but they have video of her going into the headmaster's office. She caves and says yeah, she deleted it, but didn't kill him. Steve isn't buying it, but gets a call, they have new evidence. Waller's car! But it was wiped down with no evidence of anything. Well, maybe Waller's body is still at the school. (I guess the bumbling HPD didn't think of that.)
The team easily finds a cement form randomly poured that is rough and an obviously rushed job. (Nobody noticed this before?) Steve gets a jackhammer (the most action he's gotten in this ep so far) and they find the body with a gun next to it that is registered to Mr. Barton, the construction guy from the fundraiser. They pick him up as he's fleeing with a duffel bag full of money. In the Blue Room of Doom, Steve and Danny tell him that his financials show he's laundering money and speculate that Waller must have found out. Barton confesses and asks after his family. They're in danger since he works for a Venezuelan drug cartel and once they find out, they'll kill his family. Cut to his wife and daughter shopping before gunfire breaks out and they're kidnapped.
Back to Adam, Hidecki, and JessiePlotPoint tramping through the forest. Hidecki takes a call that proves he's working for someone else. Adam picks a spot and he starts digging while he's whispering to JessiePlotPoint about Hidecki's call. She doesn't seem to care really. And Hidecki shows no interest in the fact that JessiePlotPoint and Adam sure whisper a lot. Hidecki's patience runs out, but Adam digs up a strong box with a gun in it. Adam explains that his father buried the gun to have leverage over a rich man who murdered his business partner. If the guy can't pay up then Adam will still owe Hidecki.
Barton drives to a meet with the cartel people to give them the money so he can get his family back. They show him the daughter and wife behind a glass window, but even after he gives them the money, they're going to kill them while he watches. Steve and team move in for a gunfight and Junior takes Kono's old sniper role and takes out the last guy. (Finally! Some action!) But it's short-lived and Barton is arrested while Mom and daughter are led away. Before they haul him off, Steve says crime lab processed the gun, but evidence shows markers that say a female pulled the trigger. Barton knew his wife did it and he's ready to go to prison for her. (Why? Was she having an affair? I guess we'll never know. I hate loose ends.)
Adam meets up with Steve who is unhappy that Adam was hurt. (Did Adam have any check-ins with Steve? Did anyone know their new "task force" head was missing? Doesn't look like it.) Steve wants to shut it down, but Adam is still all in. He feels like figuring out who Hidecki is working for is worth it, but there's some angle he's not seeing. He thought Michelle was messing with him, but now he's not so sure. There's something going on and it's all connected. *yawn*
Danny goes to the restaurant that is all torn up and Kame tells him his uncle left and didn't come back. Danny gets a collect call from police dept and Vito got picked up for bribing a public official. Danny pays his bail while Vito expounds on why the restaurant is a terrible idea, that's it's a full time back breaking grind and you don't do it as a hobby. (Or insert it into an action drama!) They put everything behind them and have a group hug, but Vito is concentrating on the picture of the guy who shot Danny that is randomly being shown on the Chatting Table screen. Vito's seen him before because he went to his house and gave him a bid for a bathroom remodel. When the guy said he knew Jersey cops, Vito mentioned that Danny now worked in Hawaii. That's how the guy knew where to find Danny! Oops.
We end on Adam getting a call from Jessie to turn on the news. A local business magnate was found dead in home of suicide. The guy didn't have blackmail money for Hidecki, so Adam is still on the hook for 20 million. Hmm...
Not my favorite episode. For me, there was too much standing around info dumping and not enough action. Did you watch? What did you think?
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Free Romantic Suspense Book For You Today!
I'm giving away my bestselling romantic suspense, The Captive, today! If you've been waiting to add this one to your Julie Coulter Bellon book collection, now's your chance.
You can download your free copy here
Here's the back copy:
Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications-something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?
Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father's enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she'll do anything to bring her home-including walking into the enemy's lair. She doesn't trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he's the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late?
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
My New Novella Has A Release Date!
I am so excited to announce that my new novella, A Highlander's Hidden Heart, will be released on
*drum roll*
APRIL 24th!
I can't wait for you all to read it!
Here's the back copy:
Despite being the daughter of a duke, shy Elizabeth Barrington becomes a target for the cruel whisperings of the ton. She would rather stay at home with her sketchbook indefinitely, than go out and give them more to gossip about, but when a dashing new earl arrives, everything changes. His Scottish brogue and easy acceptance draw her in and she finds herself falling in love. Before she can act on her feelings, however, her father promises her to a man who hides his cruel behavior behind a mask of civility. With her future at stake, Elizabeth must make a choice---do her duty or choose a love that could cost her everything.
Alec Ramsay never expected to inherit an earldom or settle in England, but he leaves behind his life in the Scottish highlands and comes to London. After meeting his new neighbor, the beautiful and soft-spoken Lady Elizabeth, Alec can’t wait to further their acquaintance. It doesn’t take long in her company, however, for Alec to see he’s in danger of losing his heart. But when long-held prejudices rear their ugly head, Alec is caught between doing what is right and his new role as an English gentleman. Has he finally found the love he’s waited his whole life for, only to lose her in the web of unfair judgments and proper English traditions?
Monday, March 5, 2018
The Other Side of Heaven & The Announcement!
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the LDS Film Festival. One of the events I was most excited about was the screening of The Other Side of Heaven. It came out in 2001 and it was one of my favorite films. (It was also one of Anne Hathaway's first feature films.)
The show is about Elder John Groberg and his mission to Tonga. There are so many funny and poignant moments in it. I'd never seen it on the big screen, though, so I was looking forward to it.
Before it started, I had the chance to chat with Elder Groberg and his wife Jean. They were so sweet! The atmosphere was so festive with leis being handed out and Polynesian dancers performing.
The director, Mitch Davis, also made a big announcement--they are filming a sequel!
It's set to come out next year and chronicles Elder Groberg's assignment as a mission president in Tonga. A lot of the original actors will be reprising their roles (not Anne Hathaway, though), but we'll get to see more of Feki and Kolipoki. I can't wait!
The best part of the evening was the Q&A after the movie. Elder Groberg and his wife told some really cute behind the scenes stories that I'd never heard before. I think the one I liked best was how Sis. Groberg didn't want the scene where she kisses John on the swing to be put in the movie. She'd told all her Laurels that she never kissed John before his mission, but there it was right on the screen! The director explained that he had to show the romance, so it was necessary. (Personally, I'm glad they left it in. It was one of my favorite moments!)
Elder Groberg also talked about the difficulties he had with his feet after the rats chewed on them and twenty-five years later, he finally went to the doctor. He was shocked to find that Elder Groberg had cancer on the bottom of his feet. In his entire medical career the doctor had never seen skin cancer on the bottom of someone's feet! Of course, Elder Groberg explained the circumstances. There were so many fun stories, I wish you all could have been there!
And if you haven't seen The Other Side of Heaven, I highly recommend it!
Friday, March 2, 2018
Meeting Gail Miller & The Courage To Be You
I was so excited to be invited to spend some time with Gail Miller. She is an amazing woman who built an incredible business empire with her husband Larry Miller, including owning the Utah Jazz. As I sat down next to her, I was so surprised at how down to earth she was. We chatted about children and parenting as if we were old friends. She graciously signed our Karl Malone jersey and shared a couple of stories about Karl that weren't well-known. Gail Miller is one of those people that just has a spirit about her that makes everything feel as if they are her best friend.
As she talked about her new book, The Courage To Be You, I was really surprised by how open she was with her struggles. Even with all her business success, she really focused on what trials she'd endured and what helped her get through them. Her writing style was a lot like her speaking style--warm, friendly, and real.
The stories she shared were personal and yet relatable. Her book is inspirational and I think a lot of women will be able to identify with her. I love to listen and read about women who are making a difference in the world and Gail Miller is definitely a woman we can all look up to.
Here's the back copy:
Gail Miller might seem as though she has it easy—now. But she has experienced challenges in nearly every aspect of her life: financial struggles, family trials, and personal loss. Through it all, she has had courage to move forward and remain grounded in her faith.
In Courage to Be You, Gail encourages readers to find their own path—with the help of the Lord. Her candid stories and personal insights about faith, hard work, grief, and many more topics are both fascinating and inspiring.
”I hope as you read about my journey,” she writes, “you will recognize a gem or two of truth that may be useful in your journey. Hopefully, you'll recognize you're not alone in a confusing and complicated world.”
Reading this book is like sitting down with a good friend and visiting about the things that matter most. It will fill you with courage and determination to be the best “you” possible.
You can preorder your copy of The Courage To Be You here
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Feeling Lucky? $250 Cash Giveaway on the Blog Today!
Luck of the Irish $250 Giveaway
March 1st to 31st
Feeling Lucky?
Enter to win $250 in PayPal Cash or a $250 Amazon Gift Code
We've had so much fun with giveaways in February, I thought I'd do one more big one to celebrate the luckiest month of the year! Scroll down to enter and may all the luck be yours!
Sponsor List - Thanks to these awesome authors & bloggers for making this giveaway possible!
Giveaway Details
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 3/31/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers, and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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