Grandmas Goulash

Sandy Thomas knew her parents were crazy, when they decided to adopt. Not a baby, but a thirteen-year-old girl, just one year younger than herself. Sandy dislikes everything about mousy Rose, who sleeps hugging a grungy teddy bear. She can’t ride a bike, can’t swim and has never skied. She seems content to stay at home, wearing frilly pink dresses and doing needlework with her mother. Even worse, Sandy suspects that Rose is the daughter her mother always wanted. Rose harbors a secret that even the adoption agency doesn’t know. She prays for safety in the Thomas household, but fears that it won’t last. Both girls dread their first family vacation, but neither foresees the events that leave them stranded without their parents in the dark woods of Black Mountain. Only one knows the identity of the madman who hunts them. Survival will require all their ingenuity. And their cooperation. Book Blurb Friday  is hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro, who posts a weekly photo and c...

Edward had dedicated his life to finding a cure for cancer. Success was inches away, although a year too late for Gloria. On the anniversary of his wife’s death, the founder of Hoffman Research sat alone at his club’s private bar with a bottle of whiskey. He awakens in the bedroom of a woman, who looks a lot like Gloria. Filled with guilt for the betrayal of his dead wife, he vows it will never happen again. LaRéponse Institute is also seeking a cure. With billions of dollars at stake, they can’t allow Hoffman to finish first. They conspire to besmirch Edward’s sterling reputation and steal the carefully guarded formulation. Michelle is a research assistant, who blames Edward for her husband’s death. LaRéponse’s proposal will provide for her children and ruin Edward. She is confident that she can overcome Edward’s resistance. She hasn’t planned on falling in love. Book Blurb Friday  is hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro, who posts a weekly photo and challenges us to “...

When infertility tests pointed to a low sperm count, Sam and Jennifer Delaney learned the brutal realities of adoption waitlists. After several years, hope faded to despair. Then, in less than a month, twins boys became available for adoption and Jennifer learned that she was pregnant. Soon they were a family of five. Eighteen years later, summer vacation plans are halted, when a routine pre-college physical reveals the devastating reason for Lindsay’s recent sullenness and fatigue.  After Jennifer and Sam are tested for transplant compatibility, the doctor calls Jennifer to his office. “With no family matches, we have to consider other alternatives. Does Sam know?” “Know?” “About Lindsay’s biological father. He is her best hope.” As Lindsay’s illness and the truth of her paternity test the foundations of their marriage, Jennifer learns that Sam has secrets of his own. Thanks to Joseph Claro for this great photo. Click on the book to see the full image. ...

Dr. Daniel Hawthorne’s eligibility reaches an unprecedented zenith, when he opens his practice in Cranston. Christine didn’t participate in the feminine tactics for his attention, but a chance meeting at the library leads to a whirlwind courtship and a blue diamond engagement ring. Christine accepts Daniel’s invitation for a winter vacation, feeling excited and a bit naughty as she anticipates her first night with Daniel. While Daniel drives to the store for supplies, Christine takes a short walk in the snowy woods behind the cabin. She trips on a branch, then quickly realizes it is a frozen arm. The corpse bears a strong resemblance to Christine and shows evidence of foul play. The blue diamond on its finger looks just like Christine’s. The sound of Daniel’s car sends an unprepared Christine fleeing into the icy woods as nightfall approaches. The sound of footsteps follow closely behind. Photo by Tammy Goodsell. Book Blurb Friday  is hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro...

Hope died, when fate conspired to demolish everything she treasured. Her husband, her child, her work and her home were gone. On the last day of December, Constance Martin made a final resolution and drove to Kesler Bridge with a plan to end the pain. Jarmal planned on stealing enough cash to transform his ghetto existence. He hadn’t planned on the demise of his getaway car. As he hurried across the bridge, hoping he had shaken the cops, he saw the answer to his dilemma: a jumper and her shiny BMW. He had to get the keys before she let go of the rail. In the second after she released the rail, Constance knew she didn’t want to die. Hope blossomed as strong arms snatched her from death and held her close. Jarmal didn’t plan on being a hero. Book Blurb Friday  is hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro, who posts a weekly photo and challenges us to “write a book jacket blurb (150 words or less) so enticing that potential readers would feel compelled to buy the book.” T...

Clarice Hunter’s pampered childhood included frequent visits to Simone Street’s shopping district. Seventy years later, jewelry stores and fancy restaurants have surrendered to delis and second-hand shops. Clarice is now a poverty-stricken widow, living in a tiny apartment above the stores. For Spike Carter, poverty is a fact of life. His shabby apartment and minimum wage job are a vast improvement over homeless shelters and food kitchens. Spike spends his spare time strumming his dumpster-salvaged guitar and dreams of being a rock star. Horace Jennings spent forty years in prison for a jewelry heist gone awry. The jewels were recovered, but Horace plans to retire with cash stashed in the jewelry store’s stairwell. Three days before Christmas, Spike saves Clarice from falling, when she trips on a stairwell floorboard. While examining the board, they discover Horace’s cash. Christmas promises to be very merry. Until Horace starts searching for his money. Book Bl...

Have you heard about the tiny house trend? My daughter is very intrigued with the idea of building and living in one. I must admit that her enthusiasm is infectious, although my mind can’t accept anything less than 400 sq. feet. Houses of that size are called cottages or small (but not tiny) homes. Tiny homes are usually under 200 sq. ft and many are built on a trailer base to make them mobile. The homes cost less, lower utility usage and contribute to a greener environment. If you’d like to see pictures or learn a bit more, check out these tiny home sites or do a search for “tiny homes”. Tumbleweed Homes Tiny Texas Houses Tiny Green Cabins These homes were my inspiration for this week’s photo. How did I get from city lights to tiny homes? Read on. Myra hadn’t heard of tiny houses until Greg brought pictures to their magazine’s brainstorming session. “We don’t need to leave home to do an article on living small, Greg. Look at the size of New York apartments.” Laughter fo...