New Release—Saved by the Pink Flamingo

I've always loved vintage trailers. And though I'd like to own one, my husband is not as fond of them as I am. So, we ended up with a new class B RV. If you've read my earlier posts on RVing you know my opinion on the subject.

My day dreaming led to this story about this pink travel trailer. I had a wonderful time writing it so hope you'll enjoy the story. Please let me know what you think.

Saved by the Pink Flamingo will be available in ebook format only on February 6. It is available for preorder now on Amazon. Here  is the link http://amzn.to/2DQgpni

Can one dinner with an obsessive client tear a marriage apart?

Laurel Thorne has been happily married to her husband, Boyd, for twenty years, but when he forgets their anniversary, she’s more than hurt—she’s angry. Though he’s tied up having dinner with an important client, Meredith Baxter, the picture that someone anonymously sends Laurel says that maybe the dinner wasn’t “all” business.

Laurel packs her art supplies, her clothes, and her dog, then hits the road—alone—in the old retro family travel trailer, known as The Pink Flamingo. After years of devoting her attention to her husband, her college-age twins, and her home, it’s time to see if she can still follow her own dreams of becoming the artist she’s always hoped to be.

But her alone time turns deadly when Boyd’s deranged client decides that he’s the man for her—not for Laurel—and there’s only one way to fix that. Laurel must die.  Though the travel trailer has been a haven for her to regain her perspective, can that sanctuary provide what she needs to salvage her marriage—and stay alive? Laurel must keep her wits about her as the crazed Meredith Baxter attempts an all-out assault. Now that she knows what’s truly important, will Laurel be SAVED BY THE PINK FLAMINGO?

Thanks for reading!

Linda

www.lindalaroque.com

How's Your Summer Going?

It's hard to believe it's half over. Here is Texas, it's been hot, but not as unbearable as other areas in the U.S.

For many folks, summer is a time for travel. Though we like to travel during the fall, we've done our share during these warmer months.

As is our habit, the Riley girl cousins had our yearly trip in late April. We prefer to be on the road before summer break. This year we went to New Orleans. We'd wanted to tour the cemeteries but decided to take in the free sight and save our money for other activities...like eating binets at Cafe Du Monde. Yum! My very first binet experience. Loved them.

Bourbon Street—my first and last visit. It's a place for the younger crowd.

Historic building on Jackson Square.

The historic buildings and food.

Macaroni and Cheese with Lobster.

Thunderbird Lodge—the grounds

In late June, Larry and I drove to Gallup, New Mexico where I wanted to shop for a Zuni fetish necklace. While there we stopped again at El Rancho Hotel and ate lunch in their restaurant.

El Rancho.

From there we traveled to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. We stayed at Thunderbird Lodge on the Navajo Reservation. It was a very nice place, quiet, and surrounded by greenery.

Ancient ruin seen from the canyon floor.

Part of the canyon from above.

The canyon is filled with pueblo ruins, petroglyphs, and fascinating rock formations. Run by the Navajo people, they guide the tours and share their history with visitors. There is not park entry fee for Canyon de Chelly.

Where will your travels take you this summer?

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda

A Stolen Chance out Early and Free!

Woot!!! A Stolen Chance is out EARLY! It's part of the KDP select through amazon. Right now it is FREE for PRIME members and 4.99 for non-members. The link is here.

I hope you'll get your copy asap!

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com

A Release Date for A Stolen Chance

I'm still floating on cloud 9 due to my cover for A Stolen Chance and then yesterday I got a release date. Yea! It is January 9, 2013. That's just three months away. So, now I need to decide what to give away as a contest prize to celebrate. I usually give away a piece of jewelry so would like to continue that tradition. If you have any ideas, please let me know. For ideas look back at my last post that includes a blurb for A Stolen Chance.

Since my story involves Zuni fetishes, I've decided I need to blog about them and share my small collection. Stay tuned. I hope to get it posted by the end of this week.

My book Flames on the Sky also used Zuni fetishes. In my next post, I'll explain the significance of the ones in Flames, but you'll have to wait to lean about the ones used in A Stolen Chance. Here is the blurb.

The Anasazi whispered of this evil and of the

woman who could defeat it.
Fire, sky, and stone must unite to fulfill an ancient prophecy.

Madison Evans inherits a turquoise locket, travels to New Mexico, and discovers the stone dates back to the Chacoan Anasazi. When she's attacked, parks ranger Lonan Stone, of Chacoan ancestry, fears Madison's turquoise is a missing twin of the revered Fallen Skystone, an egg size piece of turquoise on display in Albuquerque. The mystical stone is missing two slivers – one’s in Madison’s necklace, the others whereabouts unknown, but if united by evil they can destroy.

Madison and Lonan are part of a 1000 year old prophecy to save Chaco Canyon. Thrust back in time, they meet a witch, solve a murder, fall in love, and imprison a 1000 year old evil spirit. Their mission complete, can these two people from different cultures blend their lives as the prophecy predicted?

Excerpt:

Madison felt as if she’d traveled to the Twilight Zone. Lilly’s claims were preposterous, but, she couldn’t deny what she’d seen on the cliff face or the dreams.


“Yes, you need to tell me about the dreams. They started at the time you received the necklace, right?”

Madison nodded. “How did you know?”

“I assumed the ancient Elders would haunt you, but when Lonan called yesterday, I knew so for a fact.” Her smile was sympathetic. “Tell me about them.”

Lilly’s eyes lit with excitement as Madison talked. When she finished, the older woman leaned back and closed her eyes.

Lonan’s brow was furrowed, his mouth pinched. “What did you mean when you said, ‘You are the one.’?”

She pierced him with an intent look. “Did not Madison say you were the very image of the warrior in her dream? The prophecy requires that someone from the past, which is you, son, be chosen to be Madison’s protector.” Lilly turned to Madison.

Oh, no. I don’t think I want to hear this. She held up her hands and shook her head. “No—”

“Yes, Madison, with hair of fire, whether you like it or not, the Gods chose you, someone from the future, to find the third stone and reunite the twins with the mother stone. Together, you two will find a way to consign the evil one to the pit below mother earth where he belongs.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tghS1kr6TnY Flames on The Sky

You can purchase a copy in both ebook and paperback at

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/flames-on-the-sky-p-3719.html?zenid=b2987a82fa91b8ff5df838e1e01db723

http://www.amazon.com/Flames-Sky-Linda-LaRoque/dp/1601545827/ref=pd_nr_b_11?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flames-on-the-sky-linda-laroque/1103569734?ean=2940012972651


Thanks for reading!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com

A Cover for A Stolen Chance

At last I can show off the beautiful cover for A Stolen Chance, my paranormal romance set along old Route 66 in New Mexico. Isn't it beautiful? Cover artist Diana Carlile did a wonderful job? It will be published by The Wild Rose Press as a Faery Rose--no pub date yet, but I'll be shouting it out as soon as I hear.

Here is a short blurb about the book.

Mystery and danger lead two people on a path of discovery.

Running from an ex husband bent on revenge, Susan Lawton finds refuge at a small motel along old Route 66 in Siesta, New Mexico. Albuquerque police detective Carson Rhodes can’t live with the atrocity he committed, so he resigns his commission and returns home to run the haunted Siesta Motel and Café. As they battle their demons, and locate a lost Zuni treasure, will Susan and Carson win their war against evil and will a lasting love be their reward?

Thanks for reading my news!

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com

A New Contract for My Route 66 Story

The Wild Rose Press has contracted my Route 66 story, A Stolen Chance, as a Faery Rose. Edits haven't begin so I don't have a cover or a release date. Of course, I'm thrilled. As you all know from some of my posts, my husband and I have traveled all of Route 66 now. Well, I say all, we missed the part in downtown Chicago and instead of spending a day driving through LA, took the loop and found 66 downtown. We loved every minute and the old businesses that line the road are breeding grounds for future stories.

Here is the working tag and blurb for A Stolen Chance.

Mystery and danger lead two people on a path of discovery.

An old Route 66 motel.


Running from an ex husband bent on revenge, Susan Lawton finds refuge at a small motel along old Route 66 in Siesta, New Mexico. Albuquerque police detective Carson Rhodes can’t live with the atrocity he committed, so he resigns his commission and returns home to run the haunted Siesta Motel and Café. As they battle their demons, and locate a lost Zuni treasure, will Susan and Carson win their war against evil and will a lasting love be their reward?

Thanks for Reading!

Linda

Cruising from Galveston - Cozumel

At 8:00 AM Thursday we arrived in Cozumel. Here our ship Carnival's Ecstasy is docked alongside Carnival's Liberty at one of Cozumel's three piers. For our shore excursion we took the Cozumel Highlights and Shopping tour. Our first stop was Discover Cozumel Park which displayed unique works of art and scale models of famous Mexican landmarks including Mayan settlements.

Next we visited Cedral, the oldest settlement in Cozumel. The community features the island’s first church as well as a small, but significant ancient Mayan ruin. Vendors displayed a variety of wares but most popular was black coral jewelry from the 25 mile long black coral reef along the coast of Cozumel. The tiger eye jewelry caught my eye and I bought a beautiful necklace.

This is Punta Sur, one of the beaches in Cozumel. Limestone rock formations make for great photos. The view was beautiful, the sand full of shells, and the sky blue. Vendors in grass roofed huts sold fresh coconut, pineapple, and a variety of souvenirs.

After taking pictures at the beach, we went to the Tequila Factory. Tequila isn't distilled at this location. The blue agave is grown here. Plants in different stages of growth lined the property out front and we learned an agave plant must be ten years old before it's ready for harvest. Inside the factory we were able to sample a variety of tequila flavors--blue agave, amaretto, coffee, orange, cherry and several others. Then there were the three stronger varieties. I tried the clear white only as my head was feeling fuzzy headed. We bought a bottle of the blue agave pictured above. It's a mix so not full strength and is delicious sipped. We're saving it for a special occasion, probably when our grown children are home for Christmas.

Before heading back to our ship, we had forty-five minutes to shop downtown. We'd received a packet of coupons for free charms, a charm bracelet, tanzanite earrings, and discounts on jewelry and food. Unfortunately we didn't have time to make full use of the packet. I was worn out from all the walking so we sat across the street and enjoyed the view of the water and the breeze until the bus picked us up to take us back to the ship.

Though tired, we had a great time. One day in each area is not near enough, but ships rarely stay overnight.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my travel musings. Leave a comment and tell me what your idea of a dream vacation would be. I've always wanted to visit Ireland and Australia. Maybe one day I'll get to. My next post will be about our last day at sea.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda

http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Book Signing Cruise - Galveston to Progresso, Mexico

When we left Galveston on Monday, November 9, 2009, the waves were rocking Carnival's Ecstasy. We sat on our balcony and watched the swells with their white caps. I know for those who've been on really rocky waters, these little swells were nothing to write home about, but to some landlubbers, they created havoc. Many on board were sick until we docked in Progresso on Wednesay morning. My husband and I were lucky and stayed hale and hearty the entire trip.

Here are Larry and I on the dock in Progresso on the Yucatan Peninsula. If you look at the lowest row of balconys, just above the "I" in Carnival, is our cabin. We enjoyed sitting out and watching the stars come out.

  Dzibilchaltun, one of the Mayan ruins.

Mexican dancers at Rancho Tierra Bonita where we enjoyed a buffet lunch before watching Mexican charros display their roping skills on horseback.

Wednesday evening we had our book signing party at the Neon Bar. Pictured here are myself, author for Champagne Books and The Wild Rose Press; Tiffany Green, The Wild Rose Press author; and Fleeta Cunningham, The Wild Rose Press author.

Though we were unable to sell books to anyone other than those in our cruising party, we had a great time and met new people. I hope you'll join me on Tuesday when I'll blog about our day in Cozomel.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into my drawing.

Happy Reading and Writing.

Linda

http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Book Trailer for Flames on the Sky

I'm pleased to present the book trailer for book two of The Turquoise Legacy, Flames on the Sky. Book one is My Heart Will Find Yours. Flames on the Sky is a time travel set in Chaco Canyon of New Mexico.

Please let me know what you think.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda