Book Review: The Convict and the Rose

5 STARS for The Convict and the Rose Author: Jan Sikes First Published: June 2014 Genre:  Biographical Fiction SubGenre: Romantic Elements Setting: Texas, prison Heroine: Darlina Flowers Hero: Luke Stone Major Theme: An Exquisite Tribute to True Love Despite separation and punitive realities, love, patience, self-examination, and artistic creativity nurture self-growth and a rewarding inner… Continue reading Book Review: The Convict and the Rose

Tuesday Tales: Writing Rose

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors posting excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. We’re a book hungry bunch that enjoys reading as much as you do. This week’s word prompt is rose. My excerpt started out to be from the same book I’ve been working… Continue reading Tuesday Tales: Writing Rose

Author on Board: Jennifer Taylor

Excitement is in the air! Fellow Sunshine State Romance Author Jennifer Taylor is visiting today to showcase her second historical romance, Heartbeat of the Moon. Her writing style is lyrical and her characters off the beaten path and compelling. Trust me– you will love her stories.  Heartbeat of the Moon, Book Two of the Rhythm… Continue reading Author on Board: Jennifer Taylor

Vintage Friday: It’s Your Music 1966

Do you ever get wanderlust or rambling bones? On this Vintage Friday, let’s take a musical stroll back to 1966 to a man with a melodious voice, Mr. Gene Pitney. The song Golden Earrings was covered by numerous artists and draws us in with its haunting guitar and melancholy gypsy lyrics. I hope you enjoyed… Continue reading Vintage Friday: It’s Your Music 1966

Vintage Friday: It’s Your Music 1965

Groovy music from the Sixties, man, on this Vintage Friday! We used to dance “the Jerk” to this tune from 1965. It wasn’t until after the turn of the current century that I discovered that one of my favorite musicians Doug Sahm, head of the Tex Mex band Texas Tornados, was none other than Sir… Continue reading Vintage Friday: It’s Your Music 1965

Author on Board: Flossie Benton Rogers Welcomes Daisy Banks

  Who doesn’t love a summer Christmas? Welcome to Daisy Banks and her Christmas Carols Blog Tour, as we help her celebrate the release of Christmas Carols, to be published by Liquid Silver Books on the 10th of August. Readers can pre-order to enjoy a 20% early bird discount. Take it away, Daisy! I know readers might… Continue reading Author on Board: Flossie Benton Rogers Welcomes Daisy Banks

Vintage Friday: It’s Your Music 1966

Will you read my book? Recognize these words from a popular song of 1966? It makes me laugh because 49 years later this is still what writers are asking—trying to get people to read our books—whether a publisher, as this song implores, or general readers. The tune is Paperback Writer by the Fab Four, otherwise… Continue reading Vintage Friday: It’s Your Music 1966

Vintage Friday: Singalong 1961 by Flossie Benton Rogers

My elementary school friends and I always loved music class. It was a period unlike any other—loud and entertaining rather than solemn and studious. Basically we had fun singing songs under the leadership of Mr. Lyons. Tall, thin, bespeckled, gentlemanly, and personable, he would play the clarinet as we sang along. My favorite song was… Continue reading Vintage Friday: Singalong 1961 by Flossie Benton Rogers

Vintage Friday: Outasite! 1969 by Flossie Benton Rogers

The Beatles ride in a Yellow Submarine. Credence sees a Bad Moon Rising. Marvin Gaye reveals he Heard it Through the Grapevine. The news explodes with antiwar demonstrations and riots. Richard Nixon is now president. There are whispers of an end to the Viet Nam war. Last year we experienced the great teachers’ walkout, and… Continue reading Vintage Friday: Outasite! 1969 by Flossie Benton Rogers

Vintage Friday, Black Bottom Pie 1959

Home cooks demonstrated frugality in the 1950’s by creating basic recipes that could be minimally altered to achieve a variety of different results. This tactic allowed for economy in the pantry, as well as satisfied smiles from family members. The basis of the Black Bottom Pie recipe is a simple but delicious Vanilla Cream Pie.… Continue reading Vintage Friday, Black Bottom Pie 1959