Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said - Week 6

Welcome again to 'Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said - Week 6'

"Eat healthy snacks to keep up your energy and/or your grueling schedule." (Sound familiar writers?)

This post should be of great interest to everyone, but especially writers. We all know about deadlines, stress, pressure and long days in the writing cave. Sometimes we just want to grab something quick to eat (whether healthy or not) to quell the hunger pangs, but that's one of the worst things we can do. A little pre-planning with items from the list below will keep you healthier, give your more energy and hopefully help you cross that finish line on your latest WIP.

Good reasons to eat healthy snacks:

Fruits and vegetables add vitamins A and C, both of which are important for

Snacking during the day will encourage you to eat less at meals

Snacking will curb your sugar cravings

Help you maintain a healthy weight

Healthy snacking will increase your productivity

Healthy snacks are jam-packed with good nutrients

Choosing the right snacks can improve your mood

Healthy snacking can increase your life longevity

Avoid extreme hunger by choosing a healthy snack rather than reaching for that donut.

Yogurt (add milled flaxseed)

Individually-sized packages of cottage cheese

Fresh mozzarella cheese or string cheese

Pistachios, macadamias, pecans, walnuts, and other nuts (either lightly salted or raw)

Natural fruit rolls / fruit leathers (for when I really want a sugar kick)

Nuts.

Protein Bar, Fruit & Nut Bar, or Energy Bar.

Jerky.

Granola.

Nut Butter.

Mini dill pickles

Berries and grapes (although you could keep almost any fruit around)

 Calorie serving sizes of lite fruit cocktail

Cinnamon-spiced baked apples

Goat cheese bruschetta. ...

Bagel with ricotta and strawberries. ...

Anytime edamame. ...

Banana oatmeal walnut cookies. ...

Avocado rice cakes.

Mini whole grain bagels (and a light cream cheese or no sugar added fruit preserves)

Whole grain tortilla chips and salsa for when you need a saltier snack and want to avoid things like potato chips

Kale chips (Trader Joe’s)

More…Easy Snack Ideas For 250 Calories or Less

• 1 small apple, 12 almonds + ice water with lemon = 170 calories

• 1 cup baby carrots + 1/4 cup hummus = 157 calories

• 1 cup strawberries + 2 Tbsp. non-fat plain yogurt = 70 calories

• 1 cup cantaloupe + 2 small gingersnaps = 113 calories

• 1/2 cup nonfat cottage cheese + 1/2 cup fresh mandarin oranges = 122 calories

• Hard-boiled egg, sliced, on 1 slice whole-wheat toast with 2 tsp. Dijon mustard = 141 calories

• 1 small apple + 1 Tbsp. natural creamy peanut butter = 172 calories

HAPPY SNACKING & Happy Writing!

Keta's Book of the Week

Sky Tinted Water, Book 1 in the trilogy, ‘Sweet’ historical romances'

* Nominated for a RONE Award

* Mystery/Suspense

Rory Hudson arrives in Minnesota with her sister and brother-in-law to homestead. Love is the last thing on her mind. But after one look at Dawson Finch, the flames of passion blossom between them.

Bound by duty and honor, Dawson enlists in the army to bring peace to nation divided and Rory’s world plummets into a tailspin. Someone is intent on harming her in Dawson’s absence, and someone has sworn to protect her. Despite the time and distanc

e separating them, Rory and Dawson’s love can never be destroyed. 

READ Sample & Reviews on AMAZON

Also Available:

SKY DANCE, BOOK 2

SKY DREAMS, BOOK 3

WISE WORDS YOUR MOTHER MIGHT HAVE SAID

Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said - Week 5

"Choose a Tranquil, Serene Place to Read or Write"

My Dream Nook

Almost everyone has their nose stuck in a book or a computer these days . I'm always on the lookout for a great place to read or write and usually it's outside (weather permitting). Certain criteria must be met before I can put my thoughts aside and delve into a book or write a scene.

I'm interested in hearing about where you like to read and write.

My Imagination at Work

(I'm such a Shabby Chic girl)

* Are you the kind of person who reads/writes a chapter or two while riding the subway?

*  Must you have complete harmonic stillness to read or write?

* Do you spend your lunch break reading or writing in the park?

* Do you head for your local bookstore and curl up in a chair to write or read?

When I was a teen, I'd cuddle up on the porch swing with my latest book. Perfect conditions would include a slight breeze, sunshine, and solitude, except for the sounds of nature.

Now, (with pen and notebook in hand) I'd head over to a lovely, local botanical garden and sit on one of the benches scattered throughout. We're not talking a small garden plot here with several rows of flowers -- no, we're talking about an entire City block of trees, flowering shrubs and plants. The kewl thing about this garden (other than its beauty) is that a man built it for his wife who passed on ten years prior. She loved flowers and this is his tribute to her. Romantic, huh?

Now that I spend so much time writing, most of my reading time happens at home, and usually in bed before I drift off to dreamland for the night.

 Only In My Dreams

How about you? Tell us about your favorite place to read or write and what criteria must be met before you can lose yourself in another world?

Keta's Book of the Week

Sojourn With A Stranger

A Haunting, Gothic Novel (Romance)

*ghostly spirits

*voodoo

*suspense

mystery

*MURDER

This book has been a bestseller!

About Sojourn With A Stranger

A ghost haunts the halls of Stafford House. When Raine Brinsley arrives and accepts a position as a house servant, the ghost is determined to let Raine know who murdered her. Meanwhile, The lord of the manor, Derek Stafford, attempts to convince Raine to bear his child for a large sum of money. She needs the funds to return to her ailing grandfather in Maine and yet, something is terribly wrong at Stafford House...and possibly with the man himself. 

Derek and Lyman Stafford race against time to produce the first male heir in order to secure the title to Stafford House. The brothers will do anything to win…including murder. Will Raine submit to Derek's offer and live a life of luxury or will she meet the same fate as his late wife?

READ THE SAMPLE - KINDLE

APPLE

KOBO

Welcome to #MFRWHooks & Some Hot Man Love!

Thanks for dropping by for the weekly #MFRWHooks! This is where some awesome authors showcase their work by giving you a little snippet of their latest book, a WIP or one from their back shelf. 

I know you'll enjoy reading all the excerpts so...don't forget to GO HERE to see who else is posting some goodies for you! Or at the bottom of this post, they're all listed to make it easy for you to visit them



I'm sharing an excerpt today from Hot and Sticky. This little office love novella is included in a 'duo' set with another novella called Blood Oath (Two stories for .99 cents)!

About Hot and Sticky

It's been extremely difficult for Hugh Landon, an up-and-coming lawyer in Washington, D.C., to control his sexual fantasies about his paralegal, Milan Vassar. When his career hangs in the balance over a missing file, Hugh must call Milan at the midnight hour and plead for assistance. Hugh's determination not to mix business with pleasure disintegrates when Milan arrives at the office not only to help him, but to confess he's held the same secret desires for his boss.

Raves for these man love stories!

"The sexual heat and passion is off the charts in the ebook and you will LOVE it. Sexy, fun and lusty, just the way I like it.A pleasure to read and kept me wanting for more!" 4 STARS

* * *
"I want more from Keta Diablo. Her writing voice is unique & captivating. She allowed me to become a part of her characters’ lives. I journeyed with them through their initial attraction, budding relationship, & savored the satisfying conclusion. If you are a faithful M/M romance reader, or curious to indulge for the first time, you must pick up Hot and Sticky the moment it’s released. Loved it!" Dark Divas - 5 Stars

* * *
"Keta Diablo is one of my favorite erotic romance authors. I enjoyed her male/male contemporary erotic romance releases Crossroads, Crossroads Revisited and Crossroads Showdown, the first three books in her Crossroads series. Then I got the chance to read her just released Male/Male contemporary short story, Hot and Sticky. Wow! Diablo has yet again delivered a steamy hot Male/Male story that had me wanting more even after I finished the story." Talk About My Favorite Authors 4.5 Stars

EXCERPT:

Hugh looked at his watch & frowned. Midnight. Nothing could be done about the late hour. Panic time had struck and he had no choice. He plucked his cell phone from his pants’ pocket, flipped it open, and scrolled through his contact list to find Milan’s number. Two more clicks and one exasperated breath later, he waited for the man who looked like a Bulgarian prince to answer his cell.

While the rings tallied up, a montage of images ran through his mind, all of Milan. His heart quickened as the man’s face came into focus—the full, generous mouth, sculpted cheekbones, and eyes the color of aquamarine gems. He thought about his luminous orbs while praying the call wouldn’t roll into voice mail. There really wasn’t another word to describe the man’s eyes.

“Hullo,” the familiar, somnolent voice said.

“Milan, Hugh, Hugh Landon.”

A pause came and then a slight chuckle. “I don’t know any other Hugh.” He laughed again. “What’s up?”

A funky beat in the background poured through the line. “I’m sorry to be calling so late but I’m in a terrible jam.”

“What, Mr. Landon? You’ll have to speak up. I’m at Zorbaz.”

“I can’t hear you either. Where did you say you were?”

“In a bar, a two-bit dive.”

Beyond caring whether his paralegal spent the night trashed at the Taj Mahal or a two-buck-chuck pub, he said, “Listen, I’m looking for a file, the one with the arresting officer’s report on the Darling case.” A woman’s sex-drenched voice, backed up by a guitar and a bass drum reverberated in Hugh’s ear. “I’m at the office!” he screeched. “And I need that goddamn file."

This book is a stand-alone, scorchingly hot with a Happy-For-Now Ending.

Find it Here on

AMAZON FOR 99 CENTS

* * *

Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said - Week 4

Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said

Forgive Yourself For Your Mistakes

Author: You're really beating yourself up because you missed the deadline on that book. 
Reader: You're berating yourself because you missed the list of books you pledged to read this year.

Anyone: You hurt someone in your inner circle of friends. 

Remember, you're human and there isn't a human on the planet who hasn't made mistakes, hurt someone or committed a major faux pas. 

Maybe the tidbits and quotes from professionals below will help you how learn how to forgive yourself. Forgiving yourself for your misdeeds will set you free, bring you peace and, at the same time, improve your health (calm your nervous system).

In order to forgive ourselves, we first have to admit to ourselves that we blew it. We have to take ownership and acknowledge the flaw or mistake—and that feels almost counter to our sense of survival!

Appreciate your missteps for what they are: a stepping stone on your path.

So, how do we learn to forgive ourselves for the things we have done and for the things we have not? Well, self-forgiveness needs to be specific; it needs to be for something we have actually done, not for who or what we are. To forgive ourselves means accepting that there are things we cannot change as well as realizing that there is much that we can. The key here is to know when to stop berating yourself, make amends with the person you are and then tell yourself that you forgive yourself. 

To release that part of your past that you need to forgive, it’s helpful to remember that we’re all doing the best we can in any moment. If you had known that your action would cause pain to others or yourself, you probably wouldn't have done it, right? And even if you knew that you were causing damage at the time, you had no idea how much you would regret it in the future.

Retain what you learned from the event but release everything else. If you don’t love and appreciate yourself, somehow you have to get your relationship with YOU to be more positive.

"One forgives to the degree that one loves." - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

"The chief trick to making good mistakes is not to hide them—especially not from yourself." - Daniel Dennett

"Forgiveness means letting go of the past." - Gerald Jampolsky

God May forgive your since, but your nervous system wont.: Alfred Kirzybsk

Keta's book of the Week - .99 cents!

Three For the Win
A Contemporary Western Romance 

* Small town
* Love Triangle 
* Alpha Male
*Second Chance Love
*Suspense

About Three for The Win

Eli

I’ve loved Hollis forever, it seems.

I meant to tell her so many times but always chickened out. 

Then Stede rode into town on his big shiny motorcycle and saved my life.

Hollis fell hard for him. I get that, what’s not to love about Stede? 

I watched and waited, hoped whatever they felt for one another would pass.

It didn’t, and now Stede’s hot head has landed him in trouble…again.

Hollis

I should have known better than to fall for a bone-melting man like Stede Marrow.

A man who hides everything about his past.

I know Stede loves me and I know he loves Eli too, like a brother.

Stede’s gone now and Eli’s here to pick up the pieces of my broken life.

Stede

I should have kept on riding after I saved Eli at the creek.                  

But then I saw Hollis and forgot about that road up ahead.

I wanted to tell her why I’m running and who I am.

But I haven’t even told Eli. It’s safer that way.

I said I’d never go back to that hick town, swore I’d forget about Hollis.

I didn’t bank on her being so damn unforgettable.

READ THE SAMPLE HERE

Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said - Week 3

Hey welcome back to Week 3 - Wise Words Your Mother Might Have Said

Wise Words

Keep a picture of your first fish, first car and first boy/girlfriend

Why Do We Take Pictures?
Perhaps there is a deeper psychological explanation. Our time on this earth only lasts for so long, and a camera allows us to preserve memories far past when they might have slipped our mind. It helps us pass those memories into the hands of future generations. Our photos are little legacies of the life we have led – our travels, experiences, food, family, friends, work relationships and more. Each photo is a window into a moment, and the collections of images we take over the years are a window into who we were and what we valued. Ultimately it comes down to a simple truth – seeing that moment captured makes us genuinely happy.

Some memorable Quotes about Pictures:

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”
— Robert Frank

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
— Aaron Siskind

“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.”
— Andy Warhol

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
— Marc Riboud

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.”
— Diane Arbus

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
— Karl Lagerfeld

How about you? Do you take a lot of pictures of your life, of your children growing up? Or do you have a keen interest in photography? There's something very magical and special about pictures - we can capture a moment and preserve it for all time. 

Speaking of images, cover artists try to capture a moment from our books, whether that's in a contemporary setting, historical setting or sci-fi. How many times have you looked at a particular cover and thought about the characters' lives, or looked deeper and imagined what the plot was all about? I'll bet sometimes you've looked at a cover and knew exactly what the story was about. If so, the cover artist has done a great job!

Keta's Book This Week:

Chasing the Dead
A Western Romance Novel

About the story:

In 1884 New Mexico, Madrid Arrende finds herself kidnapped by the Apache. Determined to rescue her, her wealthy father realizes there is only one man capable of bringing her back alive...Deacon Bannister. Deacon doesn't give one whit about the large sum of money Don Erasmos Arrende has offered him to find his daughter. He only cares about bringing the woman he left at the altar a year ago home. 

A ghost is terrorizing the Apache village and the young maiden, Sacheen, has been banished by her People for unleashing Uday's wrath. Now, Deacon, Madrid and Sacheen must flee for their lives across the rugged New Mexico landscape with the evil spirit in hot pursuit. 

Will they make it back alive to Madrid's father's hacienda or will 

Deacon lose Madrid forever?

Read The Sample HERE

Hey, It's #IndieAuthor Day! Celebrate With Us!

Thanks for stopping by to help us celebrate!

What is Indie Author Day?

Through Indie Author Day, libraries are encouraged to support their local writers and authors are driven to make that crucial connection with the libraries in their communities. “Publishing your own work is more viable today than ever before and the Independent Book Publishers Association is honored to support those who choose this entrepreneurial path,” said Angela Bole, IBPA CEO. “Indie Author Day will provide a chance to discuss publishing options, learn best practices and celebrate successes with a tribe of forward thinking writers, publishers and librarians.”

The first annual event last year drew thousands of authors to hundreds of libraries, and we’re hoping that this year will be even bigger and better! If you’re looking to mingle, network, teach or learn with fellow writers and publishing professionals in your area, there’s no better guilt-free excuse to step away from your manuscript for a few hours.

Indie Author Day events will be hosted at public libraries worldwide. See if a library near you is participating by checking out the Where page of the Indie Author Day 2017 website.

Wait...there's more for you to check out!!!

In celebration of #Indie Author Day, there's a huge BLAST going on at a location near you...and it's online!

Go HERE to check out all the fantastic authors and books being featured Sha Renee's Blog. I know you'll find some great buys in genres you love and at awesome prices too.

Special thanks to Sha Renee for hosting and celebrating Indie Author Day for all of us.

My best,