Monday, July 31, 2017

Eating in the Car on a Sunny Summer Day


Sometimes I eat in the car.
No matter where I eat, I usually spill. (I don't TRY to... I just do!) I even keep a towel in my car to tuck into the neck of my shirt and let the rest drape down over my lap.
But it didn't cover my seat belt.

I made a doozy of a spill when I dropped a piece of food in the padded sleeve I keep on my seatbelt to prevent it from digging into my flesh and hurting me.
It's so funny to me that Bob and my boys don't care for the pad.  Bob even takes it off if he drives my car. What is their skin made of? Rhino hide?
Do you eat in your car?

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

You Can Never Have Too Much Romance!

NEW ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCES FOR YOU!
Indulge in some summer love. Click on the book covers or descriptions from these popular authors!









Monday, July 24, 2017

Can you even SEE the doggies?!

Oh, my - my computer issues! I KNOW I can learn how to do electronic things that need doing, such as cropping this photo so the subjects show up better, but I have to balance the amount of life I have left against how long it would take me to learn, as well as consider all the other things I'd dearly love to do with the remaining mortal time left to me. 
It's a matter of priorities, so get out your Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to see the majestic white dog on the back of the truck (right), tooling down Main Street, looking doggy cool. Once it passed a car (left), an unexpected doggy head popped out the window as if to say, "Wha's up?" to numero coolo canine.
At least, that's what it looks like to me.
Do you think dogs communicate with one another?
Do you think they communicate with humans?
Do you think they celebrate EVERY DAY?
Today is not only Pioneer Day in Utah, but it's also my granddaughter, Anneke's BIRTHDAY!
(Have some cake for me, dear, since I don't eat that kind anymore.) 
I am grateful for the freedom I have to stick my head out the car window if I want to.
(But I'm not allowed to ride in the back of a truck down Main Street anymore... that only worked during my hay-hauling days on the farm!)
Did you ever ride in the back of a truck?
Did you like it?

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

TWO NEW Rocky Mountain Romance titles!

Wow! Get lost in love with these two new Rocky Mountain Romance titles!
Click on covers to get yours.



Monday, July 17, 2017

A Man's House is His...

There I was, driving down the road during a visit to Logan, Utah, minding my own business, when what to my wondering eyes should appear?
ENGLAND!

After assuring myself that I hadn't been transported back in time or across the ocean (more's the pity) I got out of my carriage, er, car, and took a picture.
Because that's what I do.
I would have liked to have a tour of the house, but I imagined how I would feel if someone came knocking at my door and asked to see my bathroom.
Yet, someone actually did that when I had a "house for sale" sign up in my yard. For the first breathless second, they pretended like they wanted to see the house.
Then, in the second sentence, they admitted that they couldn't hold it anymore, and asked, "Which way is the bathroom?!"
I pointed.
I'd already cleaned the floor and didn't want to have to do it again.
Have you ever sold a house?
How much fun was THAT?

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Rocky Mountain Romance Series Launches Today!

If you enjoy captivating, heartwarming stories by talented authors, then transport yourself today with the first book in the Rocky Mountain Romance series
right here on AMAZON!
Then you can enjoy all the other books to follow for a huge dose of July love!
(And you can eat sweet ice cream or juicy melon while reading... just keep the drips off the Kindle.)
Here's the FACEBOOK PAGE for more info!
Happily falling in love again.

Michael State Champ.... Again

Hey, it's my son Michael's birthday! (He's the blond guy closest to the camera on the front corner of the pictured fire engine, where Manti High School State Champs ride after a win, be it any sport or THEATER! Manti High School won state in Theater on Michael's senior year, after winning it his Junior and Sophomore years, too.)
Now I can stop telling him what to do.
Do you remember turning 18?
What did you do to celebrate?

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Marlene Bateman Sullivan Writes Again!


What happened to Irene?

When Anna Coughlin, a modern 1920’s woman, travels to the secluded hills of Virginia to work for wealthy Lawrence Richardson, she discovers that the previous secretary, Irene, mysteriously disappeared a few weeks before.  Upon arriving at the castle-like mansion to begin working, Anna finds that Lawrence’s handsome, but antagonistic son, Tyler, wants nothing more than to have her gone. And he isn’t the only one—

After Anna sets out to find the truth behind Irene’s disappearance, a series of frightening incidents ensnare her in a maze of intrigue. Anna is helped—and often hindered—by the temperamental Tyler Richardson, who—despite her best intentions—begins to steal her heart.

But even as Anna begins to uncover dark secrets in a troubled household, she must continue to hide a significant one of her own. When her life is threatened, Anna is left to wonder if she’ll be able to unravel the mystery before she disappears as mysteriously as the unfortunate Irene—


EXCERPT FROM "Searching for Irene"


The tallest parts of the mansion—fanciful turrets and a circular tower—were visible only in glimpses Anna caught between lofty oaks and towering pines as her cab wound through the knolls and hills of eastern Virginia.

When the cab turned up the long driveway lined with dogwood trees in full bloom, Anna Coughlin reached for her handbag, gripping it with a tension that had knotted her muscles ever since getting on the train.
The vast estate stood on a hilltop, like a castle—and she craned her neck to better view the starkly impressive gray-stone mansion of Ashton Hall—where she hoped to be hired. With its arched, leaded windows and slate roof with numerous chimneys, the house rivaled pictures she’d seen of castles in Europe.
Instructing the driver to wait, she climbed out, patted her hat in case it was askew, then smoothed her gray suit with gloved hands in hopes of presenting a professional appearance. Anna had no confidence she was clever enough or bold enough to pull this off, but she had to try.
Her eye was drawn by a tall man—more than six feet—who came from the side of the house. Since the man was striding toward her so purposefully, Anna stopped and waited. As he drew near, Anna noted his deep-set eyes were as black as his hair. His skin was tanned, his thin, long-fingered hands brown and strong.
“Miss Coughlin?” He stretched out a hand and shook hers, but there was no warmth for her in his eyes. “I’m Tyler Richardson. Unfortunately, your services are not needed after all.” A touch of arrogance marked his manner, as though he was long accustomed to command those around him.
“Your father called only last week to have someone come out,” Anna blurted in dismay. “May I ask what caused him to change his mind?”
A fleeting glimpse of discomfiture crossed Mr. Richardson’s face. “I wasn’t consulted about his hiring another secretary to replace the one who left so suddenly. My father isn’t in good health, and the last thing we need is someone coming in and upsetting him by making a muddle of things.”
His words kindled a fire that glinted in Anna’s eyes. How dare he make such an assumption? It was difficult to hang on to her temper, but there was too much at stake to let his boorishness sidetrack her. “Since I’m here, I’m sure you won’t mind if I keep my appointment. After all, your father is the one who requested my services. I’m sure he’s expecting me.”

Her words hit home.It took a few bitter seconds, but he finally acquiesced. “Come in, then,” he muttered ungraciously before leading the way up the steps and opening the door.
Following his rigid back down the narrow hall, Anna’s brows furrowed as doubts crept in. How wise had she been to come to this remote place? Especially when the previous secretary had disappeared so mysteriously? Even her employer thought it odd that no one in this mansion seemed to know where Irene had gone or where she was now. It was as if Irene had vanished into thin air.

OUR FAVORITE LINKS!

Marlene’s website: www.marlenebateman.info



Stressed by a difficult year, McKenzie Forsberg quits her high-powered job to move back to her hometown. Desperate and determined to rebuild her life, Kenzie seeks to buy the home she grew up in. The only problem is that a handsome widower, Jared Rawlins, also wants the house. As a battle of wits ensue, sparks of attraction grow into something more. Then, Kenzie makes a stunning discovery about her past that changes everything. Will the power of love be enough to allow Jared and Kenzie to find their happily ever after?



Marlene Bateman Sullivan grew up in Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's degree in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they live in North Salt Lake, Utah with their two dogs and four cats. Marlene has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and wrote the best-selling romance/suspense novel, Light on Fire Island. She has written three other cozy mysteries; Motive for Murder, A Death in the Family, and Crooked House, as well as the romance, For Sale by Owner.

Marlene has also written a number of non-fiction, LDS books:  Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s from Beyond the Veil, By the Ministering of Angels, Brigham’s Boys, Heroes of Faith, Gaze into Heaven; Near-death Experiences in Early Church History, and The Magnificent World of Spirits; Eyewitness Accounts of Where We Go When We Die.

Marlene’s website: www.marlenebateman.info


Monday, July 10, 2017

What's UP?

Some people upon seeing a festive display of balloons may imagine tying one around their wrist by a colorful ribbon and running through a carnival, grassy fields, or weaving with running feet among people at a birthday party, secure in the knowledge that the balloon won't launch into the air when they aren't looking.
What do you think of when you see balloons tied to chairs?
That they're in place to attract attention to the chairs for sale?
That the stretch dinner table will be along shortly?
That someone is plotting to transfer all the balloons to one chair to see how high it will fly  off into the air with a single passenger hanging on for dear life?
That it's ready, set, go! for a spontaneous game of Musical Chairs?
Do you like to play Musical Chairs?
(Were you ever the last one sitting?) 

Monday, July 3, 2017

Shiny Thrift Store Lady

Argh!
Tripped by technology.
Even though I got this illustration turned right-side-up in "Photo Viewer," it didn't translate to downloading on the page. That being the case, go ahead, stretch out with your head comfortably propped on your hand, and imagine this as a realistic photo (which I forgot to ask the subject if I could take) rather than a creative (if I do say so myself) animated rendition.

 It was while browsing at a local thrift store that I was captivated by a mature lady dressed in classy clothing complete with sparkles, especially concentrated on her hat, collar, and bodice.
The sparkles came mainly from crystally jewelry, which she said she'd affixed to the fabric herself. Rather than looking overwhelming, the shine actually complimented the woman's life journey lines (translate: wrinkles.)
Yet the smile on her face and her accessory glow really did appear to make the skin lines irrelevant. Instead, her appearance created a feeling of joy and infinite possibilities, perhaps in part because she admitted to creating her outfit from the very thrift store in which we stood.
So how about you? Do you like sparkles? How about for wearing?
Or are you more of a keep-the-sparkles-to-the 4th of July type of person?