WHISPER PRIVILEGES is set for release August 8th!

Miami, Florida is the venue for the Special Olympics National Games and Clay Rutledge’s son is competing in swimming. A sure bet to win the gold, father and son plan to ride their tropical victory to the World Games—until an unexpected turn of events jeopardizes their plans for fortune and fame.

Tasked with managing the games,Sydney quickly learns that Clay’s quiet, sexy confidence demands special attention, something she’s more than willing to oblige.  But a jealous ex-lover of a boss has other plans, as does her office nemesis.

Trapped between a desire to mix business with pleasure and a boy who reminds her of a life she swore to move beyond, Sydney is at a personal crossroads.  She can have career or love—but to attain both requires a consent she yearns to give but fears impossible…

And to celebrate the release, I’m giving away a copy of my book (ebook or print) along with a set of Malibu Wellness Swimmers Hair Care shampoo and conditioner. It’s the perfect shampoo for swimmers as it removes chlorine, minerals and salts from the hair and restores shine and manageability.  I love mine because it keeps my blonde color clear and bright between salon visits—despite the fact that I live and shower with well water.

But the giveaways don’t stop here!  Shirley Hailstock will host a gymnastics-themed giveaway on July 31^st followed by Barbara Phinney on August 9^th hosting football, Cheryl Malandrinos will be offering up some hockey fun August 10^th and Shari Brady will be serving up volleyball August 11^th  for our grand finale.

So while you’re enjoying the competition of the Summer Olympics in London, be sure to stop by these author sites for your chance to win!

Also, in light of the fact that I’ve chosen the Special Olympics as the setting for my current novel, WHISPER PRIVILEGES, I’m donating $1 for every comment and/or entry made during the entire two-week giveaway–even if it’s just to say hello!

For those who have yet to read JENNIFER’S GARDEN, the first in this series, I’m setting the ebook version FREE for the duration of the Summer Olympics.  For your free copy, visit Smashwords.com and use code VP55P for a variety of versions compatible with most ereaders on the market today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Officially starts July 28th. Good luck and happy reading!

Okay, I’ve heard of some stranger-looking creatures in my time, but upside down jellyfish?  I mean, talk about going against the flow—these guys have it locked! But is there a point to their existence I’m missing?

Life can be hard enough as it is.  I couldn’t imagine mine spent stuck at the bottom of the ocean—or an aquarium in Chattanooga, TN—trapped in a sea of confusion.  Odd.  Beautiful, but odd.  And speaking of odd, check out this narrow passageway we traipsed through on our visit to Rock City.  Couldn’t have been more than a foot or so wide in some spots.  Is it any wonder it’s known as the “Fat Man’s Squeeze?” 

It’s no wonder my friend’s father snagged himself in between these gems of nature and remained stuck for a good hour.  And he wasn’t hefty by any stretch of the word but this passage isn’t wide by any stretch of definition, either.  Talk about vacation killer, I think that one takes the prize!  

Speaking of prizes, in the very same neighborhood of Chattanooga, deep within the caverns of limestone we found a gorgeous waterfall.  It’s one of the premier attractions called Ruby Falls and for good reason. 

Located hundreds of feet below the surface and half an hour walk into the core of Lookout Mountain, it’s a wonder anyone found it in the first place.  But adventurous souls like Leo Lambert longed for such thrill and while excavating for an elevator shaft, discovered a swift gush of air.  Lo and behold, they found it.

As our guide was explaining to us why we shouldn’t attempt to drink the water from the falls, I chuckled and thought.  Now there’s a logo for some boxers:   “Don’t drink the water at Ruby Falls.”  High content of magnesium.  Trust them when they say you won’t make it to the top in time.

This photo was captured when the lighting from above showered the falls in shades of rich lavender.  My kids were amazed by this extravaganza and threatened to drink said water to which I kindly replied, “Go ahead, pumpkin.  I too would like to see if our tour guide means what she says.”

Children live in a constant state of temptation when it comes to challenging authority, don’t they?  This time it would have served them right, albeit a stinky lesson to be sure.

Ugh.  All in all the kids enjoyed their trek up to the mountains.  Not only fun, it was educational.  I mean, we listened to Gone With The Wind on CD the entire drive north and south.  Is there anything one need know about the Civil War that Margaret Mitchell didn’t capture in that book?

Though I did find myself longing to see Scarlet stop torturing herself so.  “Oh, Scah-let dah-ling…  How do you suh-vive?”

The kids enjoyed hearing Stone Mountain referenced in the story, as well as a few other towns we drove through along the way.  Brought it all to life for them, knowing that the Civil War was carried on in this very part of the country.  From the memorials at Chattanooga to the last standing Atlanta, our journey crisscrossed that of Scarlet O’Hara’s.

Now that’s drama come to life.  As were the high wires and tight ropes they walked at the park, the laser show that danced across the stone carving.  All in all it was a great week.  How about you?  Any summer plans you’d like to share?

First off all i want to thank ya’ll for the awesome response on our review on the baby registry ideas. Now we will talk about something more interesting.

When raising kids, there’s something you must learn early on:  men and women are different.  Now this may seem obvious to you at first glance.  Duh.  But it doesn’t really hit home until you start diverging on how the day-to-day business of life is conducted with respect to said children.  Moms and Dads can sometimes have VERY different opinions on what’s best for their children.

Do they fight back on the playground or walk away?  Is it okay for boys to cry?  Okay for girls to play football?

How about riding dirt bikes at the age of five?  Gasp.  “Five, did you say?”

Yep.  For some Dads, riding dirt bikes is no different from riding a bike.  Well, not really anyway.  Now as a mother you first instinct may be to jump up and down and scream “No way!  My baby’s not going to do anything so dangerous!”

Most fathers will wait the woman out at this point and when they sense you’re finished with your emotional tirade, they’ll quietly tell you that they rode a dirt bike at age five and by seven, were cruising the neighborhood on their own en route to their friend’s house.  They will also remind you about all the potential for injury kids have on regular bicycles, swimming pools, baseball, soccer….  The list goes on.

Now that you’ve caught your breath, you rethink your position.  Seems husband wants this dirt bike thing to happen.  Do you have the right to demand otherwise?  After all, it’s his kid, too.  And you didn’t marry a man without a good head on his shoulders.  You know your husband wouldn’t do anything to purposefully harm your child.  So where do you go from here?

You go to the flat track.  That’s where kids and adults alike race their dirt bikes and have the time of their life.  At first your tentative on the trip out to the track.  Not knowing what to expect, you pack your anxiety into your back pack and zip it closed.  It’s still close enough to pull out when warranted, but hidden from public view.  It’s not like you want to embarrass your son.  If he’s going to do this thing, you want him to have a good time without the distraction of his crazy mom.  More importantly, if you don’t keep your angst under wraps, you won’t be invited back.

Unthinkable.  But I must confess, when the first ten-year-old laid down in his bike as he took the curve, his little rag-doll of a body sliding across the dirt track right in front of me, I almost yanked my back pack of nerves open and called it quits.  My son was in the next heat!

But this young man was not hurt (though there was a medic on site in the event he was injured).  Instead, he brushed the dirt from his uniform-clad knees (these kids are decked head to toe in full protective gear — including steel bottom boots, chest protector, neck brace, helmet — the works!) and marched right off that track returning moments later with his “back up” bike whereby he jumped back into the race and finished with dignity.  Kids.  Go figure.

Before anyone was the wiser, I quickly stuffed my worry back into its pack and resumed vigilance as spectator.  “Take another breath, dear.  You’ll be all right.”  :)

Phew.  I only have one thing to say after a weekend like this one.  For those of you who aren’t parents, beware:  parenting isn’t for sissies.  And from what I understand, it only gets harder as they get older.  I can’t even imagine the anxiety that will become my “norm” when the kids are driving.  And I thought dirt bikes were worrisome!

“Take another breath, dear.  Just breathe.”