Plants And Books And Dragons Oh My!

Hi, everyone! Can you believe it’s the 3rd week in February? I’ve had some great adventures here in the Sunshine State.

I have a new saying, “You can take the Jersey Girl out of the Garden State but you can’t take the garden out of the Jersey Girl. February in Northern Florida is like spring in NJ. I love plants and gardens. Often on our travels we visit Arboritums and Botanical Gardens. Well, here I am, and my fingers began to itch. Off I went to the local thrift store and dollar store. Now I’m the proud mama to several tomato plants and herbs as well as a few flowers and bushes. Here’s to hoping they all travel well when I head back north.

Remember when I reported going to the Manatee Festival and meeting my author friend Randy Overbeck? No? Well, Randy and his lovely wife were doing a book signing at Crystal River, the location of his book Scarlet at Crystal River (The Haunted Shores Mysteries Series Book 3). I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. It’s on my TBR list. My very long TBR list. What’s TBR? Oh, it means To Be Read.

And here's the latest. Some of you know Rock House Grill came out as an audiobook. Well, it’s already received 5Star ratings. If you’re interested, here are the links
https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Rock-House-Grill/dp/B09S247QGL 

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​I did finish a few books this week. Yay!
Eat Your Heart Out By Shirley Goldberg

*I purchased this book during an author event and signing in Tampa, Florida.*
Sometimes you read a blurb and then realize there’s so much more to a book. Often funny, occasionally poignant, and very real.
There are several paths in this work about mature characters. Love and loss. Breakups and online dating. Struggles with weight and self-image. Work, and its stresses, especially for teachers. I hear stories from my relatives who are teachers, and Ms. Goldberg seems spot on.
Eat Your Heart Outs is about friends, lovers, adult children, and real-life laughter and 
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Heart-Starting-Over-Book-ebook/dp/B08VHWN56S
 
Friends to the End by C.L. Colyer
*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.*
I love a ghost story, but this was so much more. The story follows Zach, who’s moved to a new town and school. If it’s not enough of a struggle doing this, he’s also dealing with the loss and guilt over that loss of his best friend. Zach meets a new group of friends, and their adventures remind me a bit of Goonies.
At times it’s funny. At times a tearjerker. Then we are off on an adventure with these amateur ghost hunters, and it becomes scary.
I like the characters, world-building, and pacing. This book is for mid-graders, but I think everyone will enjoy it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BZY7JQY
 
Oh, and before I forget, grab yourself a copy of Randy’s book.
Crimson at Cape May: a Cold Case Murder Mystery, a Ghost Story, a Teen Runaway in Trouble (The Haunted Shores Mysteries Series Book 2)
No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past.
Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might be just the getaway he needs.
Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast.
When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for help, he can’t refuse and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride’s death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder.
Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?
 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089P2PG1B

And what am I working on? This is from a manuscript I began years ago. The title is The Last Dragon Queen. Yep, I’m returning to my fantasy roots. It’s growing and developing into a Shield-Mates Book. Here’s a rough draft peek. Let me know what you think?

Mount Ignis, Near The Sea of Turpe
Isola’s mother, Dalinda, dragged her away from the smoke and carnage into the cavern––. “Hurry, daughter.”
“Mother, what’s happening?” She scrambled to keep up, tripping over shards of a green clay pot.
“There’s no time to waste.” Her mother glanced over her shoulder before heading into one of the smaller, less used tunnels leading to the top of Mount Ignis. It was worn from the feet of the females who primarily it. But in recent years, the tube grew dusty with cobwebs from lack of use since so few female dragons remained. “You must leave. Right now.”
“Leave? Go where?”
Her mother stopped and pinned her to the wall. “He’s lost his mind. They all have.”
Who?” Isola stood as tall as her mother now so she could look straight into violet-colored eyes so much like her own. “Nagendra has killed your father, the king, and made Hyidae his second in command.”
Bile rose in Isola’s throat. Though she had no great love for her father since coming to adulthood. Nagendra made several requests for mating with her. Her father continued to refuse him, calling him a fool and the ruin of dragon-shifters.
“Where am I supposed to go? How am I to live?”
Isola, we’ve discussed this.” Her mother reached past Isola into a fissure in the wall, pulled out a brown leather bag, and thrust it into Isola’s arms. “You head east. Keep your face covered. There are veils in the bag.”
She took Isola’s hand and tugged her up the narrow incline. Make for Domovine. I know it’s far, but you may be safe there. Hide your magic. You remember how?”
“Yes, mother.”
They reached the small opening surrounded by dripping icicles in the apex of Mount Ignis. Dalinda peeked out first. “Good, the snow has melted. Keep to the trees.”
“Come with me.” Isola grasped her mother’s shoulders. “We’ll both escape.”
“No, daughter.” Dalinda shook her head. “I must stay and see if I can redeem these evil days. Justice must be served for your father and those killed.”
“They will kill you too,” sobbed Isola. “Please, come with me.”
Mother took her into her arms. “My days have been numbered since we were banished from Dar do to Nagendra and his power-thirsty followers.”
“Together, maybe we can find our way back there?” Isola knew she grasped at dust floating in the air.
When Nagendra killed King Dar’s father, their entire weyr of dragon-shifters, already shrinking from lack of females, were sentenced to banishment. Driven from Dar, they made their way across the Sea of Turpe. Pregnant with Isola, her own mother had nearly fallen into the waters from exhaustion.
No.” Her mother hugged her. “That life is no more. You are the last of the noble dragon line. Here,” she reached out, “take this and guard it well. It was my Shield. Now it’s yours. Before giving it to another, make sure he is worthy. Isola, you are the last Dragon Queen.
 
Really, let me know what you think. I love dragons. Check out Agent Carter and the Mysterey at High Pointe Tower. This isn't my first time embracing the dragon.

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