My Passion by Ron Hartman

Today, I have Ron Hartman joining me to talk about his passion.

            What is passion?  To me passion is intensity, a fire that burns long and hot.  It is a response that lasts long after the initial sensation has been lost in time.   Passions can run the gamut, from a love of football to a love of a woman, from hobbies to careers.  I’ve been told I’m a passionate person, that I burn hotter than most.  I think that also means I feel things to a greater extent them some, which may be why I have so many passions.  To me, passion is about walking through life with your arms wide open, taking what comes and experiencing it to its greatest extent possible.  Consequently my passions are as varied as a summer day in Iowa (which I’m passionate about, by the way). 

I’m passionate about my family.  They are my center.  Without them, nothing else is worth living for.  Everything I do is about improving life for my wife and kids.  Sometimes, on my worst days, I see one of my kids smile, or my wife says she loves me, and it suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.  My first book was dedicated to my wife.  My second, The Prophecy Chronicles: Prophecy Revealed, is dedicated to my kids.  I would die for them, although I’d rather live for them, and I think they’d prefer that as well.

I’m passionate about my writing.  Nothing quite opens me up, or fulfills me, as my writing.  I learn so much, not only about myself, but also about my characters and the world they live in, when I write.  I always start with an outline when I write, but what really fills me with passion is when the unexpected happens.  When I put the first word on the page, and I suddenly realize what I’d planned wasn’t right at all, that these characters have a completely different plan in mind.

I’m passionate about my faith.  I am a Christian, and I’m not afraid to admit it.  I’ve traveled the world as a missionary, and I’ve seen miracles.  Children have been fed, people healed, and lives changed by the power of faith.  How can you see something wonderful and unexplainable and not be passionate about it?   

I’m passionate about football.  I love football.  Intensity and fire, the words I used to describe passion, are at the center of football.  If I wasn’t a middle-aged man of average height and build, I’d love to be a professional football player.  It doesn’t matter where I am in life, or where I find myself, I am always an Eddyville Rocket, an Iowa Hawkeye, and a Chicago Bear, in that order.  My passion for football has taught me to never give up and never back down. 

I’m passionate about life.  I believe life is to be lived.  Note, I said, lived, not lived.  Life is an exclamation point, not a question mark.  It is meant to be explored.  We’re given five senses in this life, and I believe we should use them.  I want to feel, smell, see, taste, and touch life.  After all, none of us get out of this alive, so we should enjoy it while we can.

Finally, I’m passionate about people.  I love to hear the stories of others.  I want to know where you came from, what you do, and what drives you.  After all, it is only in the sharing that we learn more about ourselves, and in turn learn more about the world around us.  In my life I’ve learned powerful lessons from a marine that traveled the world, a humanitarian that is changing the world in Africa, and a farm girl from Iowa who has changed my world.  One is a brother, one a mentor, and one my best friend and wife.

Passions are as varied and wonderful as the colors in an artist’s tapestry, but I always want to learn more.  I’m always looking for the next challenge, the next mystery to solve, or the next friend to make.  So share with me.  Help fuel my fire.  Tell me, what are you passionate about?  

PROPHECY REVEALED

By

Ron Hartman

BLURB:  

Daniel Marten crossed the Burning Sea and convinced himself that he is the Prophesied One.  But what does that mean?  In this second installment of the Prophecy Chronicles trilogy, Daniel forges new alliances in his bid to save Naphthali from the Emperor.  He meets the Tene’breon, a magical race that has evolved to use the Weave as effortlessly as he breathes air.  The leaders of this race recognize him for what he is…but they also see something more.

            Naphthali has been dramatically altered by the rule of a new governor, a man whose power is tied to Daniel in a horrifying way.    How far will Daniel go to save Naphthali?  And what is the secret that binds his destiny with his new allies?  Only time will tell in The Prophecy Chronicles: Prophecy Revealed.

EXCERPTS 

He heard a noise and turned to see Meadow Song walking across the map room at the tower's top. He walked through the double doors to greet her and was surprised when she pulled him in close, hugging him tight. His left arm wrapped around her waist and his hand slid up her back until it cupped the base of her neck. She tilted her head up as he leaned in and their lips brushed together. Her tongue darted in his mouth, soft and sweet, and a hot rush bloomed inside him as he pressed into her, responding to her need with his own. Barely registering over his desire, a part of Daniel's mind whispered, so different from Ashley. The feel, the taste…   

He gasped and pulled away. Meadow Song looked up at him, her eyebrows raised. "What is it?" Her voice was low and husky.

Daniel hesitated before breathing, "I-I love you."

Her face lit with a soft radiance. "And I you. Why do you stop?"

Daniel's arm fell away and he stepped back. It was too easy to lose his resolve when he stood in her warm embrace. "I can't," he whispered. He closed his eyes and saw Ashley. "I may never see them again, but I can't betray them."

Meadow Song frowned before understanding dawned. "Ashley is a fortunate woman." Daniel's heart wrenched at the pain in her whisper.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Author Bio:  Ron Hartman has had a life-long passion for the written word and is an avid reader.  The Prophecy Chronicles are his first written works.  The first in the series, Prophecy Foretold, was released in October of 2012.  Prophecy Revealed is the second in the trilogy.  Ron graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2000 and lives in Ottumwa, Iowa with his wife and three children.

Website link: www.prophecychronicles.com

Purchase link at Rogue Phoenix Press: http://shop.roguephoenixpress.ieasysite.com/category_v3.aspx?categoryid=96

Ron will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter and a $50 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn host during this tour and the Review Tour. Please use the following Rafflecopter code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for for joining me today. I see we share a number of passions...family, friends, football.

 Anita
www.anitaphilmar.com

Morning After Recipe and a #RockingSummerRomance by #MFRWauthor @AuthorTinaGayle

Thanks Anita for letting me share my recipe. I enjoy eating this on a Saturday morning. 

It's a nice treat for the regular weekday morning meal.

Just Peachy Oatmeal

1 29oz can of sliced Peaches
1/2 cup of sugar or sweetener
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1 cup of grounded old fashion oatmeal (I use a coffee grinder to do this.)
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
4 Tablespoons of butter melted or cut in to small chucks.
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1,2 teaspoon salt

Mix together and back in a 350 degree over for 30 minutes.

Question - So if you had to name your hottest book which one would it be?

Why?

In this book, Linda Clayton is tried of the responsibilities of raising a family, her kids are grown, her husband has died and she's free to explore the fun side of life. She meets a sexy younger man and decides to let loose. 

The love scenes are hot but don't step over onto the erotic side but still get the blood pumping.

Tell me more.

Well, you can read the first chapter on my website.
http://www.tinagayle.net/ytchapter.html

And you can buy it at

Amazon - http://amzn.to/Q1nDAF
Smashword - http://bit.ly/T8vdKE

Thanks, Tina, I'll have to check out both the recipe and your book.

Anita
www.anitaphilmar.com

@JanetLynn4 has Created a Crepes Suzelle (A Cozy Mystery)

Crepes Suzette-A Cozy Mysery

By

Janet Elizabeth Lynn

Summary

Wrigley Rose, 25, editor of the Uptown Bulletin, decides to take life more seriously and makes positive life affirmations. With the encouragement of her two best girlfriends, she ventures in search of her biological parents and a husband to begin a family of her own.  She discovers that her positive life affirmations work. She finds three great, but different guys to possibly settle down with, plus, she finds a lead in her search for her birth parents.

The community has always loved her witty and humorous column. But suddenly, a slander lawsuit is slapped on her and the paper. When the three guys she thought she couldn’t live without and her job become tenuous, her life takes drastic turns she never could have imagined. Especially when she discovers mysterious information about her family. Wrigley is thrown into uncharted waters and life threatening danger.

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fa5_slznoA

Excerpt

I walked into Boss man's office for our Monday morning stand-up meeting at the Uptown Bulletin.  As usual, we were waiting for Ed our copy guy.  My co-worker Nate the Snake was making nice with Boss Man, and Boss man's secretary,  Lucy but I call her Looney Bin.  This week she's in an outlandish, peacock blue, pressed on lamée outfit. 

First up on the agenda was the Gay Pride Parade.  “I think Wrigley should go.”  Nate the snake whined.  “She’s in charge of the Entertainment section, not me.”

I countered with my schedule, “I have to be at the Art Festival which brought in thousands of dollars last week.  They’re giving the paper an award and they’re expecting me.  I’m already scheduled with two other events that Saturday.”

“I'm not going.  It's your event.  You figure it out.” Nate the Snake smiled, showing his tombstone teeth.

“I can't,” I wanted to yell but kept the lid on it.

“I'm not going and you can't make me,” he folded his arms, extending his chin like a child in a tantrum.

I watched his lips, fully expecting him to stick out his tongue.

“He doesn't want to go Wrigs,” Boss Man looked over his shoulder at me and blew out a smoke ring.  “Make it work.”

“I can't make it work.  I can't be in two places at once!” I think I was close to shouting.

“Okay then send Lucy.” Nate the Snake suggested.

“I'd love to!” spilled out of Looney Bin.

“She can't do it!” I can just see Lucy walking down the sidewalk in her lamée with a crowd of gay men following her while bidding on her outfit.

Everyone looked at me, the room went dead silent.  I shouldn't have said that.  Think Wrigley, say something nice.  “It's dangerous.  She doesn't know the ins and outs of covering an event like this.”

“Okay, I'll pick you up and I'll take you.  You review it.” Boss Man volunteered.

Silence again.  I put my hand on Looney Bin's shoulder, “I'll give you an outline to follow.” I had to sound like I wanted to help.

“Don't touch me,” Looney Bin crouched to the other side of her chair.

 “Okay.  Now the next thing on the agenda,” he looked at me.

“So, why do I need a babysitter?” I protested. “I've been the editor of the Entertainment Section for four years.  This never came up before.”

I told myself to calm down, and stay focused.  I can't let it get to me.  I'm a big girl, I know how to take care of myself.  I tried to listen to Boss Man but I couldn't get last night's assignment at the Bohemian Folk Music event out of my head.  It gave me such a headache that I left early.  It's still echoing in my head!  

I titled my review, “One hundred and one ways to bang on things.” Boss Man is going to have a fit when he edits it.  Knowing him, he'll sit back in his chair, blow smoke rings and stare me down.  The number of smoke rings determined how mad he is.

I deliberately drank coffee this morning so I could focus for a long period of time.  Nate the Snake was talking to Looney Bin.  Her peacock blue four inch nails and hair bands sparkled from the sky light.  I saw Boss Man's mouth move, but for some reason I couldn't process it.  Focus, Wrigley, focus.  There went my stomach again.

“So, if I'm doing a good job,” I inquired, “why do I need a babysitter?” I really felt indignant about this.

“Escort, Wrigley. Escort.” Nate the Snake interrupted. “And just think, he may be some gorgeous guy to escort you around!”

“Look,” Boss Man stared me down with those bushy eyebrows of his.  “The attorneys said I'm liable…the paper is liable should something happen to you on an assignment.  So we're sending an escort with you. Deal with it Wrigs.”

I hate it when he calls me Wrigs.

Bio

I was born in Queens, New York and raised in Long Island, until I was 12 years old. My family escaped the freezing winters and hurricanes for the warmth and casual lifestyle of Southern California.

I’ve always wanted to write so made it a quest to write a novel. Ten years later, with much blood and sweat, my first murder mystery novel was published in 2011.

I have traveled to the far reached of the planet for work and for pleasure, collecting wonderful memories, newfound friends and a large basket of shampoo and conditioner samples from hotels.

Important places to find me:

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fa5_slznoA

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/janet.lynn.5477

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=nav_responsive_tab_home

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanetLynn4

Blog: http://janetelizabethlynnauthor.blogspot.com/

Website:  www.janetlynnauthor.com

e-mail: janet_lynn51@yahoo.com

Thanks Janet for sharing your books with my readers,

Anita

Those Dull Passive Words - #WritingTip

One of the biggest mistake new writers make is by using passive words.

The best way to avoid the problem is to do a search. Word processors let you find words easily. After doing a search, highlight the word, and then read your manuscript. Remove or rephrase the sentences to make your writing more active.

Here are some of the words to search for:

Was
That
Heard
Watch
Saw
Feel
Began
Started
Tried
Knew
Think

Remove the word.
Example: He knew she loved him but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
(If we’re in his POV then try)

Better: She loved him but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

Or complete rewrite

She loved him but he couldn’t say I love you.

Have fun,

Anita Philmar
www.anitaphilmar.com

#RockingSummerRomance - Sherlock's Scandal by Suz deMello

Suz deMello’s latest is Sherlock’s Scandal! Now that courts have declared Sherlock and Watson to be public domain, Sherlock fanfic will no doubt take off. Suzie’s story imagines a xxx-rated romance between Sherlock and The Woman—the American opera singer Irene Adler.

Here’s what it’s about:

A bored Sherlock is a dangerous Sherlock. His twin vices of cocaine and sex could prove his undoing, until he meets his match in elusive, enigmatic Irene Adler. Hiding her heart, Irene deserts Sherlock in the midst of their affair. He schemes to win her back, but the lady won’t come easily to hand. Instead, she forces him to compete for honor, glory, and love.

Here’s a snippet to sharpen your appetite:

If perhaps I had Watson’s talent as a wordsmith, I could describe her flawless beauty. The dusky rose nipple contrasted with her pearly skin, with the slightest sexual blush beginning to color the breast. I wanted to bite the tip, redden it, hear her scream my name when I entered her. I nibbled at the ripened peach, then suckled, the nipple hardening on my tongue. I bared the other breast to suck on it also, creating a matching set. I sat back and admired my work, loving the sight of her white globes tipped by rosy-red nipples glowing in the dim, shifting light inside the cab.

Ignoring the possible damage to my trousers, I knelt on the floor of the rattling hansom and lifted her voluminous velvet skirt.

She relaxed against the cab’s padded squabs with a sigh. “Yessss…”

I found my way through petticoats and pantaloons to her gartered thighs, prying them apart so I could reach the prize. With closed eyes—it was too dark to see anything—I kissed her tender flesh, up, up, up, until I discovered the slit in her drawers that led to the softest, sweetest place, her richly scented and furred mons, hidden treasure buried within rustling swaths of silk and velvet.

I rested my face on her mount of Venus for a moment, glorying in her, breathing her unique fragrance, and thanking the goddess of love, who had surely blessed me this evening.

Here’s where you can score a copy:

http://www.ellorascave.com/sherlock-s-scandal.html

About Suz deMello:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written seventeen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s held the positions of managing editor and senior editor, working for such firms Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver Books and Ai Press. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

find Suzie’s books here:

http://www.tinyurl.com/SuzDeMello (publisher’s site)

https://www.amazon.com/author/suzdemello

https://www.amazon.com/author/sueswift

Thanks Suzie, for sharing,

Anita