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Items I’ve Acquired Along the Way #OpenBook Blog Hop

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Sept 29, 2025

Tell us about an iconic or weird object in your home.

Let me apologize for the poor quality of the photos.

The lighting is terrible, and the pictures were taken at night with no daylight to brighten the shot.

There are two items to share.

This troll was purchased from a little shop along a back road of Tennessee. (Maggie Valley area, if I remember correctly.) That was over twenty-five years ago. He’s had a few decorations added and lost a few along the way, but we’ve managed to retain his personality.

He has acted as a guardian all these years, in three different homes. We’ve got him moved into a spot where my daughter’s cat can’t get to him.

My second item is what I call a wall sculpture.

It was meant to be a garden sculpture, but I’ve never found an outdoor spot that suited it. So now, she and her little friends reside over my desk, keeping me company.

She was gifted to me by my daughter and lived in her box in my closet until we moved. Even once we arrived in Pennsylvania, it took a bit to find her a home because I was trying to force her to be outside. She didn’t fit anywhere I tried to place her, and when I gave up the effort, she let me know where she wanted to be.

There are other interesting items my husband and I have acquired along the way, but I think these two stand out.

What iconic items do the other authors on this hop have to share? Check them out by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sept 29, 2025

Tell us about an iconic or weird object in your home.

 

Becoming Someone Else #IWSG

  By IWSG, Uncategorized
It’s the first Wednesday of March (already!!!) and time for another post in the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

March 5 question – If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? 

Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

There are a few different jobs I wanted to be at various points of my life. But since this prompt calls for only a one day switch, I won’t touch on this. I’ll go for a radical change. But I really am happy with who I am, so this is tough.

Maybe I should be a tree. An old, tall and strong tree. It wouldn’t matter if it was in a park or in a forest somewhere. (As long as it wasn’t near a forest fire at the moment.)

Okay, I should pick something different. Or someone.

I considered the idea of being a forest ranger in one of the US National Parks. But with the current state of politics in the US, that would bring a whole world of stress that I don’t want to deal with.

So, for one day, I want to be a librarian in a major library somewhere.

(Yes, they have the stress of funding right now, but it isn’t as immediate as what the forest rangers are facing.) To be surrounded by books and other media, as well as other book lovers, would be a wonderful way to spend a day.

I’ve been a librarian in a very small town library and some of my characters were librarians, so it seems to be a natural fit. Now, if the swap lasted more than one day it would require living in a large city, and I have no interest in that. So, one day is enough.

What about you? Who or what would you be for a day?

Don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on this hop.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

Welcome to the Furever Friends Release Hop

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🐾🐶🐱🦎🦜🐾

 

Welcome to the Furever Friends Release Hop! My hope is that you also find new authors to stalk—I mean fall in love with!!

 

 🐾🐶🐱🦎🦜🐾

 

  When disaster strikes, humans aren’t the only ones affected! Our furry, feathered, and scaled friends are as well!

 

Come along with twelve talented authors as they weave tales of rescue and love!

 

🐾🐶🐱🦎🦜🐾

 

🐾🐾 Blurb 🐾🐾

 

When disaster strikes, not only are humans affected. Our four-legged companions are as well. Sadly, many get left behind, and rescues and shelters scramble to save them before it’s too late. 

 

This anthology is packed full of stories about animals who have been rescued and given a second chance at life! Each story is uniquely different, as is each author. 

 

All proceeds for this anthology go to Best Friends, a non-profit animal rescue that has mobilized to help animal shelters in the Southeast that have been affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

 

Don’t forget to grab your copy of the anthology here:

 

https://books2read.com/ForeverFriendsAntho

 

🐾🐶🐱🦎🦜🐾

 

Join each group, find the graphic with the codeword, and go to this form to enter:

 

https://forms.gle/sYDg1SvBcPGsTzah9

 

Be sure to interact with the post with either a gif, picture/meme, or comment relating to the codeword for your entry to count. There are 30 prizes and one w!nner!

 

This hop will run from November 30th through December 6th at midnight. The winner will be announced on December 8th in Nyxie’s Bayou Vixens

If you have any questions or problems, please reach out to Angel Nyx

Welcome to Edwards Investigations – The Rimer File

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It’s finally here!

It’s been a long journey, but Book 1 of the Edwards Investigations, The Rimer File,  is finally live.

This story has been over a decade in the making. It started out as a romance, but many of you know that I don’t feel I’m any good at writing romances. This revision of the story is dark and gritty, set in Pittsburgh, PA in the mid 1980s.

Here’s the book’s description.

 

The 80s. Pittsburgh, PA. A man’s world.

All Annie McGregor wanted was to nail a cheating husband and prove herself worthy of being more than a glorified bookkeeper.

What she found when she opened the back door of the bar-of-the-night was so much more than she bargained for. A mutilated body that bore an eerie resemblance to her ex, and a stint in handcuffs.

Maybe becoming a private investigator wasn’t in the cards. Even with the guidance of her boss, Mike Edwards, and the other investigators of the Edwards Agency, Annie struggled to close a case. Add in her run-ins with the local cops, and things got messy.

Then bullets started flying. What really had her worried was that the next one wouldn’t miss.

I invite you to join Annie (C.T.) McGregor as she attempts to make a new life for herself, even if it means tracking down cheating spouses. Buy links are below.

amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1N4MJN

kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/edwards-investigations-the-rimer-file

B&N https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/edwards-investigations-the-rimer-file-p-j-maclayne/1146485688

Apple https://books.apple.com/us/book/edwards-investigations-the-rimer-file/id6737480518

It’s Almost Here! Edwards Investigations – The Rimer File

  By Uncategorized

Only two more days until you can join Annie McGregor in her quest to become a private investigator.

 

 

It was time to turn the tables, go hunting, and to visit as many of Ian’s old haunts as possible. If anyone could track him down, it was she.

The man outside tossing a bag into the garbage bin looked familiar, but Annie couldn’t place him. There were lots of residents in the building she hadn’t met. She’d probably passed him in the hallway or shared the elevator with him. He spared her a sideways glance and a nod and nothing more. He didn’t seem to recognize her, either.

Nothing unusual happened on the stroll to the shop, but Annie didn’t allow herself to relax. If Ian had hired Lucky, he might have another accomplice in place. Her revolver tucked into the small of her back and covered by the oversize blouse was cold against her skin and reassured her she was ready for anything.

Annie had exchanged pleasantries with the elderly female clerk at the store on several trips, The lady, involved in her normal game of solitaire, studied the playing cards and barely gave Annie a glance. The store smelled like old people, and the racks held a colorful selection in styles Annie’s deceased grandmother had worn. Nothing she’d ever choose for herself, which made them perfect for the occasion.

The bell over the door rang, and from the far corner, Annie peered around a stack of brightly colored flowered blouses to check out the newcomer. At first glance, he looked like the man by the garbage can, but his silhouette reminded her of someone else. She ducked behind the rack. What the hell was Mike doing here?

She had two options. Three, when she thought about it. Slip out the rear door. Hide until Mike gave up, deciding she wasn’t there, and left. Confront him.

She slithered through the clothing racks until she was back-to-back with him as he held up a brown suit that appeared to be several sizes too small. “The brown isn’t bad, but it won’t hide that Dick Tracy profile, Mr. Edwards,” she said, pretending to browse through a rack of polyester pants with elastic waistbands.

“And you need to change your perfume, Ms. McGregor,” he replied.

Coming November 2nd to major e-book retailers.

Edwards Investigations – The Rimer File Cover

  By Uncategorized

The 80s. Pittsburgh, PA. A man’s world.

All Annie McGregor wanted was to nail a cheating husband and prove herself worthy of being more than a glorified bookkeeper.

What she found when she opened the back door of the bar-of-the-night was so much more than she bargained for. A mutilated body that bore an eerie resemblance to her ex, and a stint in handcuffs.

Maybe becoming a private investigator wasn’t in the cards. Even with the guidance of her boss, Mike Edwards, and the other investigators of the Edwards Agency, Annie struggled to close a case. Add in her run-ins with the local cops, and things got messy.

Then bullets started flying. What really had her worried was that the second one wouldn’t miss.

 

It’s almost here!

If you follow my newsletter, you’ve already seen the cover, another fine creation from my cover artist, K.M. Guth. She had fun with this one, putting in as many clues to the story as she could. But first, q quick excerpt.

Still, Coulson swept the apartment to make sure there were no unexpected visitors before allowing Annie to enter. She waited patiently by the front door while he checked her bedroom and the closets.

“All clear,” he reported when he returned. “You should be safe for the night, unless you invite me to stay.”

He reached out and touched her cheek. “Tell me to go home, Annie.”

She understood the offer and was tempted. It had been a long time since she’d shared her bed. He’d be a fine way to break her celibacy streak. But common sense shot that down.

“I had fun tonight, Coulson, but go home. That doesn’t mean you can’t come back another time.”

“You’re a smart woman, Annie McGregor.” He started to leave but stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “Don’t let Mike give you a hard time. He’s your boss, not your father.”

And now, the cover.


It’s different than anything she’s created for me and I love it. I’m looking forward to having a physical copy in my hands.

Thanks for stopping by! As always, please stay safe until the next time.

Welcome To Edwards Investigations, The Rimer Files

  By Uncategorized

Did you catch my newsletter?

What? You missed it? Quick – head to the right and sign up now!

But the big news is no secret. My new book is finished, and off to the experts to get it formatted for publication. 

It wasn’t an auspicious beginning:

All Annie McGregor wanted was to nail a cheating husband and prove herself worthy of being more than a glorified bookkeeper.

What she found when she opened the back door of the bar-of-the-night was so much more than she bargained for. A mutilated body that bore an eerie resemblance to her ex, and a stint in handcuffs.

But it was the mid 1980s, and was still a man’s world. Maybe becoming a private investigator wasn’t in the cards. Even with the guidance of her boss, Mike Edwards, and the other investigators of the Edwards Agency, Annie struggled to close a case. Add in her run-ins with the local cops, and things got messy.

Then bullets started flying. What really had her worried was that the second one wouldn’t miss.

I’m shooting for a release date of November 2nd.

But my cover artist is out of town, and my formatter was affected by both recent hurricanes, so I won’t make a promise. Speaking of the cover, the front is ready, and I’ll be sharing it soon.

While you’re waiting, here’s an excerpt:

“You never change, do you, bitch?” a man’s voice said.

It was the voice of her nightmares. Annie closed her book, took a deep breath, and prepared for the confrontation. “Go away, Ian.”

“Not a chance. You owe me, and I’m here to collect.”

Her gun was in her purse and the bar too crowded to use it safely. She studied her ex and mentally listed what else she had at hand that could be used as a weapon. Prison hadn’t done him any favors. His boyish good looks were gone, replaced with the face of a man with too many scars and pockmarks. The crude crucifix tattoo on his neck didn’t help.

To even the playing field, Annie slid out of the chair and stood, her feet planted slightly apart, ready for action. She didn’t have time to settle in before Ian pulled back his arm. She anticipated what was coming, having been on the receiving end of his fist too many times.

Her swivel wasn’t fast enough. His knuckles grazed her cheek, and she staggered back a step. The old Annie would have crumpled. This Annie didn’t. She balled her hands together and swung. It was liberating. She’d never fought back.

 

The story has been over a decade in the making. But this version bears little resemblance to the first. I like to say it is more of a tribute to that story, rather than a revision.

I’m really looking forward to sharing this book. Stay tuned for more information.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

New Release: Raising Hell – How to Survive the Terrible Twos By Katie Zaber

  By Uncategorized

I had the pleasure of meeting Katie Zubar at the recent book signing, Committed at the Hill View Manor in New Castle, Pa. She’s got a new book out, and I thought I’d share it with you!

Excerpt:
A woman in her mid-twenties sits on a stool, staring at her phone. She’s not even trying to entice
customers to come in for a reading.
She sees me and says, “No.”
I smile. “Hi, Lynn.”
A long cinnamon braid twists and turns down her back, ending past her knees. Her phone in
her hands shakes slightly. She stares at me with wide green eyes. “No. I barely slept after your
last reading.” She sighs, deflating like a popped balloon, sinking her shoulders down low. “I
wanted my dream last night to be another nightmare, not reality, but here you are. Another
nightmare come true.”
“It’s nice to see you, too.”
“Please,” she says, looking up at me with begging eyes, “find someone else to give you
readings.”
“I wish I could, but I trust you, and I know that you have the gift.”
“The curse,” she replies under her breath. “Fine. I’ll put the kettle on. But I’m charging
double. The stress that comes from your powerful readings, the sleepless nights…” She mumbles
under her breath, getting off her stool, and heads into her shop. “It’s not worth it. Not worth
double.”
“Then I’ll pay you triple. I’m sorry that I cause you so much misery, but I could really use
your help. Please.”

“It’s not your fault that the gods have picked you for something,” she says while turning on
the electric kettle and prepping the mugs.
“What do you think they picked me for?” I ask as Mal squirms and farts but settles down.
Thankfully, he’s not pooping just yet. I have limited time.
“No clue. Just that you’re special. I have strong readings with other people, but nothing that
seems so important. There’s an air of fate around you that affects everyone and everything you
touch.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. It’s a feeling that I’ve only had with you. I give readings and I see things, but
never have I felt that anyone was truly meant for something. Not like you.” She places the mugs
on the table and asks, “So, what brings you here today?”
I sit down and recline back for a moment and think about what she just said. She thinks the
gods handpicked me for something. Something important. Could it be stopping Crystal and
Shade? No. Nothing in my life is that easy or makes that much sense. They must need me for
something else. How lovely.
“It’s about Melisa. My friend that came with me that last time. She’s in love and about to
pop the question. The woman she loves has two boys. You predicted that. Is there anything we
can do to stop her pain? Is there any way to prevent it? Can I save her and her family?”
Lynn holds out her hand and rubs her pointer and thumb together.
“Oh. Here.” I pass her a handful of hundreds, more than triple her fee.
“Thank you. Do you need change?”

I shake my head.
“Thank you. Give me your hand. Let’s see if I get a vision. They don’t always come.”

Blurb:  The voices tell me to wake up, but with two children under three, I’m awake. Believe me.
There’s just so much pressing on me.
Crystal, the woman who runs Shade, the secret group who imprisoned me, is still out there and I
cannot rest until I have ended her. I need supernatural allies to do that, though, and they are hard
to come by. Witches, vampires, and weres refuse to unite against their common enemy, choosing
to hide in seclusion while innocents are hunted and turned into lab rats.
Meanwhile, my best friend is entering a new phase of her life, and I don’t want to miss a second
of her happiness, despite the dire warnings from a powerful psychic in the mall.
And then there’s Lucas, the man who will never say he loves me and rejects the idea of marriage.
He loves me even if he can’t say the word. Right?
So what if there are dire predictions popping up all around me? I have more than enough to deal
with. My kids will be fine. Just fine.
Won’t they?

Raising Hell – How to Survive the Terrible Twos https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C9L1M94D

Katie Zaber, author of the series Dalya and DNA, is a fantasy author whose imagination knows no
bounds. As a child, her parents read stories about Atlantis and other fictional places that she dreamed of
exploring, fueling her love of history, adventure, and fantasy. She loves to spend what little free time she
has winemaking, baking, and reading. When she has a full day to herself, you can find her at the beach or
at a winery. Her favorite meals are the ones her boyfriend cooks, and she loves spending quiet nights at
home with him, binge watching new fantasy shows or play video games.
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Jake Is Back, One More Time #NewRelease

  By Uncategorized

So much for retirement

For 22 years, semi-retired jewel thief Jake Hennessey honored his promise to stay away from Harmony Duprie. He has no plans to change that… until Special Agent Doan Houck saunters into Jake’s bar, claiming Harmony’s life is in danger.

She’s not the only one in jeopardy. Jake is run over by a motorcycle and is the target of a drive-by shooting. He doesn’t know who to trust. Not the feds Not the local cops.

Not even Harmony.

But Jake will do anything to protect his ex-lover. Even if it means matching wits with an FBI agent, revealing old secrets, or ending up in prison. Again.

If it comes down to saving his life or Harmony’s, there is no choice at all.

 

It’s been a decade since Jake Hennessey first appeared. He was supposed to be a background character, but he defied expectations and hung around through all of Harmony Duprie’s adventures. Then, of course, he wanted to tell his own story. I hope I’ve done him justice.

Here’s an excerpt:

Cloaked by the musty curtains of his third hotel room, Jake studied the traffic on the street below. He knew every unmarked car owned by the Oak Grove police, and two of them patrolled the neighborhood. Despite their presence, he’d been unable to determine their encrypted channel on the hacker’s scanner.

He turned away from the window, walked to the bedside table, and poured a second drink from the bottle Danny had left at the front desk. Doc Gabe would be upset with him, but Jake figured he deserved the break from abstinence. The doc had sighed while he studied the damage to Jake’s cast, and muttered something about sending him to a nursing home in Pittsburgh. It had been an empty threat.

Even flirting with Trina and Belinda at the clinic hadn’t eased his restlessness, and Jake paced as he sipped his whiskey. He planned meticulously for his heists, analyzing every contingency, leaving room for changing circumstances. It offered him a sense of control. He craved control. The current situation offered none.

He drained the glass and tilted his head up, letting the harsh liquid burn the back of his throat. A small, black spider wove a web where the wall and ceiling met. Jake had heard rumors about the Feds developing the technology to use robotic insects to bug a room, but not that they could spin silk. It seemed safe to ignore the spider.



You can buy the book at these on-line stores

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C59KDNNW

Nook (B&N) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143484076?ean=2940161154397

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-rise-of-jake-hennessey

applw https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6449169609

Apple is taking a bit to take the book live, but you can get it on pre-order.