Well,
hello again!
It's
been a while since I posted, but today I have news worth telling. As of today my newest short story, Retirement Plan, is available at Amazon.
It's only 99 cents to purchase, free to read if you're a member of Amazon
Prime. There is a short description on my website, so I'll give you a
little sample here:
I stood there, puzzled at the
symmetry of the clearing. I bet myself that the circle of trees surrounding the
venerable giant was perfectly round, that the widely scattered shrubs within
their circle were placed at precise intervals. It wouldn't take a surveyor's
transit to prove that the ancient tree was at the exact center of the clearing,
either.
While I'd never worked as an
engineer, I did complete three years as a civil engineering major before the
auto wreck that landed me in a hospital for seven months. Still, I knew precise
arcs and angles when I saw them.
As I stood there, not really
thinking, but subconsciously putting together a blueprint in my mind, I saw a
slight motion beside the tree. It pulled me from my introspection, so that when
she stepped into view, I was all eyes.
She was no girl. There were
silver strands among the russet ones, laugh and frown lines on the tanned face.
Nor was she dressed in haut couture. Her pants were unpressed, with a few
hanging threads at the hems. Her jacket showed signs of many launderings, and
there was a patch on one elbow. She wore scuffed boots, ankle high I guessed,
and on the left one the laces were knotted where they had broken.
Her smile, though, was young.
What's that Rogers and Hammerstein song? "Younger than Springtime"?
That's what her smile was, and it came not just from the plump pink lips but
from leaf-green eyes.
"Hello," she said, and I fell in love.
If you like paranormal romance, or faerie tales, you'll
enjoy Retirement Plan.
I have other news too. Sometime in the next year Book X of
my "Behind the Ranges" series will appear. When and how is still up
in the air, but it's written and has passed critique--well, it still needs a
few holes filled and some rough edges polished. This one, for those of you
familiar with the series, is Micah's story; He's the youngest King, all grown
up and having an adventure. Only he's not venturing far from home. His
adventure is practically next door to Cherry Vale, but that doesn't make it
less exciting, dangerous, or rewarding. The working title is Commoner By Choice, and I will let you
know when it's coming out as soon as I know.
And even more good news. Uncial Press has reduced the prices
on a number of my older titles. If you've been waiting to complete your set of "Behind
the Ranges" ebooks, or thinking about picking up one of my contemporary or
Regency romances, now you can save on everything published before 2011. Visit
your favorite ebookseller and go wild!
Spring may be coming to Portland at last. We had a miserable
winter, the wettest February on record--and if you know Portland, you'll know
that's really WET! As a little bonus, March's rainfall came close to a record.
Usually by now I have my snow peas and onion sets planted, but it's been too
wet to work the ground. The seeds would have drowned. Today the sun is shining,
tomorrow it's going to rain again. Sigh!
As usual, I'd like to share a recipe, something to toss
together when you're too tired to fuss with a fancy salad or just wanting a
different taste. It's one of those happy accidents, invented when I didn't have
all the ingredients I needed for my usual coleslaw dressing (I love cabbage in
any form!). for lack of something more inspired, I call it
SPICY COLESLAW
1-2 tbs ranch dressing (I use fat free, but any kind would
work)
1-2 tbs Thai sweet chili sauce
Mix together and toss with shredded or chopped raw cabbage.
Let stand for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Yum!
You'll hear from me again when I have news. Until then, take
care and be happy.
Jude.
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