HANG UP AND DRIVE

I'm all for multi-tasking, but do you have to do it while you drive? Honestly, I rarely go out, aside from my daily eight-mile jaunts to deliver and pick-up my grandson from school, but let me count the traffic infractions I witness every day, not to mention to near misses I have with idiots who can't walk and chew gum let alone talk on a cell phone and drive. Add in eating lunch and you've got an accident waiting to kill me.

I had a totally different blog in mind today, but I just returned from picking Spencer up. In that short sixteen mile round-trip, I was amazed at the hazardous driving to which I was exposed. I heard a news announcement on television a month or so ago about using driver's licenses for the purpose of identification for airline travel. At the time, I was shocked to learn that Tennessee was among a handful of states whose residents would not be allowed to use their licenses as a form of ID. I'm beginning to think I know why. *lol* Anyhow, that's not the purpose of my blog, although if you live in TN you might want to see if that's been rectified before you plan to fly.

Anyhow, as I sat at a signal, I noticed the woman across from me chatting away on her cell. The light turned green, and I had the right away as I was proceeding straight. She bolted right out and made her left turn in front of me. Luckily, I saw the cell phone and anticipated it, plus I have a PT cruiser which is rather 'slow off the line.' Not one minute later, a big rigger trying to balance a phone with his chin while eating his hamburger, crossed over the line and forced me onto the shoulder. C'mon people...quit trying to kill me. I have things to do and books to finish.

HANG UP AND DRIVE....SAFELY!

Although I appreciate the convenience of cell phones, I firmly believe using them while driving should be against the law. Companies are literally making a killing because it seems no one can exist without having a phone to their ear, whether it be in a store or car.

Besides the risk to my life, I'm actually sick of sharing in everyone's private conversations, and I sure don't want them to hear mine. I stood in line at the Walmart pharmacy today and listened to the woman in front of me have an in-depth discussion on her cell phone about her bleeding hemorrhoid. I could have gone my whole day without that image, and I'm quite sure the other people around her didn't need to know anything about it either. :)

I remember the good old days when you actually had to pull over and find a pay phone. These days, if you do, I'm sure it has cobwebs on it and is missing the phone book, and probably the receiver.

Did you know that if you engage in an unsafe maneuver behind the wheel, while talking on the cell phone, and a police person witnesses it, it's an automatic "wreckless driving" infraction and maximum points on your record? Aside from the fine, your insurance will most likely increase because of the citation. Wouldn't it make more sense to make it against the law to use a cell phone while driving? Yes on the sense, but no on the money. It's not only the phone companies who are benefiting here. Unfortunately, there isn't anything I can do but share my opinion. It's like every other war. They're fought at a much higher level than one person.

Have a safe day, and watch for those people who have a chronic crick in their neck. They don't know it, but they're out to get you. And NO...I don't talk on a cell phone and drive. If it's that important, I pull over and stop. I admit, I can't walk and chew gum.

I'm so excited. Wedneday, May 7th...egads, that's tomorrow, Sarah's Journey will be available for sale. Although all my books hold a special place in my heart, this one, for some reason, is one of which I'm extremely proud. Tiring of the predictable, I decided to try something different with the ending. My first review indicated it was worth taking a writing risk. The reviewer emailed me privately and told me she thought the ending was awesome. So... you'll either love it or hate it, but see if you figure out the reason for it.

There will be an 'all day' launch party tomorrow at Eternal Press, where I'll be hanging out and celebrating with other EP author's who have May releases, but here, I'm offering a free copy of Sarah's Journey to one lucky person who leaves a comment on any of my current posts. I will draw from those people and post the lucky winner's name in next week's blog. I hope everyone chimes in for a chance. Oh...do you know how long it's been since I've had a full-length release? A long time. And I have two more coming in the next few months, so am I excited? You bet!

Please plan on dropping by the launch party, we'll have lots of cyber champagne and calorie free snax. There are releases to fit any reader's need. Visit us anytime tomorrow at:
Eternal Press Readers Group

New Review on Sarah's Journey from CTR

There is nothing more fulfilling than to have someone read your book and totally GET what you are trying to portray. Even though this garnered a four-cup review and thrilled me, I focused on the wonderful last paragraph, which to me was a five-cupper. Thank you, Cheyenne, for enjoying my story and letting everyone know.


X FOUR


Sarah Collins leaves on a wagon train only to be ambushed by Indians. When she finds she is alone in the middle of nowhere, she searches for a town before she runs into anymore Indians.

Nathaniel Grey Wolf Elder had done some scouting and traveling with the army. He would do anything to have a home and saves every penny he makes to buy a piece of land.

Sarah Collins remembers the war cries that sliced through the air, killing everyone on the wagon train. When she is left defenseless, she later awakes to find she has been rescued by an Indian. Wolf finds Sarah after she has been snake bit and does everything to save her. She learns he is a half-breed, his mother an Indian, his father, a white man. He will take her to Independence but informs white people can be hateful to those who are with an Indian. He has a good friend, Miss Maggie that will give her a place to stay. Sarah and Wolf form a very close relationship but others are determined to destroy. Can temporary traveling companions find love in each others arms to make a difference in the world?

Sarah’s Journey is an incredible adventure into the life and loss of those that lived during rough times. The hatred, prejudice and hardships many faced were an everyday occurrence. I liked Maggie and was glad there were a few people as kind as she. The rift between Wolf, the white men, and Sarah, is very well written. A great plot, rich characters and a stunning tale hard to let go, Ginger Simpson has a way of allowing the reader to share in the great adventure in this recommended read that really pulls at the heartstrings. Be prepared for an awesome read.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Your Ticket to Escape

Yesterday I posted two incredible blogs, written by Phil Harris. He gave a very realistic viewpoint of our economy, and while some may believe this is a cyclical event, it's quite possible the economy may have passed the point of non-cycling. I started thinking about his comments and how all this is impacting my life as an author. Actually, it may work to my advantage, sad as that may sound.

A friend of mine received an newsletter from a Dorchester author in which she stated her publisher is offering people free Advanced Reading Copies of her book, as long as they commit to:

* Posting on message boards
* Suggesting it to fellow readers on one of your Yahoo! Groups
* Suggest the book for use in your local book club or readers group.
* Writing reviews on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
* Writing a review on book review sites such as Goodreads.com, Shelfari.com
* Blogging about the book
* Other creative ways you have to “spread the word”

Can it be that Dorchester is already feeling the pinch and trying to cut back on expenses? That would be my guess, although I have been known to be wrong. But why else make a plea that's totally new and unheard of in mainstream publishing? I think big publishers will react to the economic status more than the small publishers who offer e-downloads at a much more inexpensive rate.

As fuel continues to rise, the cost of other products will escalate accordingly. Truck drivers have to charge more to cover their expenses, stores have to inflate their prices to cover it. It's basic math in that respect. As Phil points out, the travel industry will suffer, and many more people will be staying home rather than taking planned vacations. It's depressing and scary at the same time, not knowing where our future is headed.

What do we want when we're depressed. ESCAPE. To find another world that's filled with laughter instead of stress...romance instead of worry. A place that's comfortable, appealing, and sometimes a fantasy world, sexual experience or something beyond our wildest imaginations. So will you turn to reading as a means of coping with the unpleasantness? A book is as close as your computer.

It's a great time for E-Books to shine. As long as you can log on and find your favorite e-publisher, you have all these worlds at your fingertips. You don't have to leave home to get your books, or pay the extra costs for the gasoline/diesel that delivered them. Your favorite e-published authors have your tickets on a travel train that will leave the station and whisk you away to the destination of their choice.

Is reading a book going to cure the economy? Probably not, but it sure beats sitting around and waiting for the next shoe to drop. Besides, you're still supporting the economy with your purchases, just not having to dig so deeply into your pocket for entertainment.

By the way, did I mention that Sarah's Journey, Sparta Rose and Embezzled Love will all be released within the next few months? Eternal Press, Enspiren Press and Lachesis Publishing are all great places to find whatever escape you need. *big smile*

It's Official!

Yep, it's official. We've become old and boring. I decided to spend some time with my hubby today because I've been neglecting him with all my editing, writing, and emailing. His pouting finally got to me.

We talked about what we wanted to do. Movies? Nah, he's practically blind from watching television while I plunk away on this computer. Bowling? Nope, both of us have bad backs and are so out of shape it would most likely incapacitate one or both of us. It's too late for skiing, even if there was snow and we could, or dared. We don't own a boat even though we live within a stone's throw of the river, and shopping is out...we do that far too often anyhow. The refrigerator seems to eat all the food we put into it. It's always empty. Of course proof that might be a lie hangs on my hips and around his stomach.

We don't have reservations for camping, besides the cost of gas to tow the trailer anywhere would take next week's paycheck. So what do two 'somewhat' senior citizens do for excitement. Sex is definitely not an option as our six month 'conjugal' visit has come and gone. *rofl* So, we decided to be daring, cross the state line and go play Bingo! I used to go with a group of gals, just for the fun of it, but we were the 'youngsters' then. Now I have the gray hairs and lack of energy to do anything else but sit and 'daub'.

Yes, we've definitely become boring. We're banking that we might win, and the prize will fill the gas tank so we can come home. B9 is my favorite number. I have no idea why, but I'm counting on it today. If not, you may have to forward our future mail to Kentucky. Wish us luck. :)