As the team of Garden landscaping Cheltenham work on my garden and I gear up for the garden season to lend my hand, I’ve been searching through my photos in an attempt to clear out the old and unwanted from cluttering my computer. It is that time of year, right?  You rummage through your closet and if you haven’t worn an item in the last 6 – 8 months, you toss it out of your life and into the pile for Goodwill.  Someone will breathe new life into it.  God knows I’ve done the same thing for countless other items!  Crocs, shorts, purses–you name it!  (It’s one of the reasons I have to drop off at the back door, now.)  Can I help it if I’m an excellent bargain shopper?

But in the process of going through these photos, I discovered some really neat ones and just thought I’d share. And some dresses were so pretty that I almost didn’t want to besmirch them with the garden work, and just hire a company like MyLawnCare lawn mowing Cairns to do the dirty work. For many of you, it may be too cold for these lovelies to flit about your garden.  Not here in Florida!  Though it is a bit rainy today…  A fact my sprouts LOVE.

Caught this little fella a few weeks back, hovering about the broccoli flowers I’m currently drying in an attempt to save seeds.

This gal lost her way and wound up indoors.  My daughter wasted no time adopting it as her own.  Who knows?  She may start a new trend. Ladybug rings, anyone?

This beast is not welcome in my garden OR my yard.  Thankfully he was found in the school garden and not my own.  I’d have dispatched him by now.  The kids?  They love icky stuff like him so we oohed and aahed for a while before pitching him over the fence.  He’ll survive.  Just not on our side.

Happy to say I haven’t seen the likes of this guy in a while.  He gives Eric Carle’s The Hungry Caterpillar a run for his money!  Shoot, who are we kidding?  He’ll send that sweet little caterpillar running for the hills.

Gives my tomato sprouts the shivers just thinking about it.  So as not to leave you in the same condition, here are some brighter images!  I love these colors.

Just gazing at them brings a smile to my face.  Actually, something about them makes me think of Hawaii.  I ask you:  What’s not to smile about Hawaii?

And of course it is strawberry season here in Florida.  Delicate and white, this little bloom will soon turn plump and juicy and oh so delicious!

This is a peach blossom.  A friend of mine has her heart set on creating an entirely edible yard and this is but one contribution to the cause.  Pretty.

And these are my blueberry blossoms.  Located outside my actual garden, these are my contribution to an edible landscape.  :)  Unfortunately, I won’t see these babies until March or April.  Until then, I’ll simply have to dream…

Who are Bloomin’ Warriors, anyway? 

Women who love romance, believe in happily ever after, but are savvy enough to understand that it doesn’t happen overnight.  “And just why not?” demands that spit-fire from the back. 

Always was my first question!  Because personal growth takes time.  We have lessons to learn, wisdom to share—and that’s what my novels are all about:  a woman’s personal journey in overcoming the trials and tribulations of life as she blossoms into her own. 

“Given the proper care and feeding, a woman will bloom in time; her own sweet time!” 

Why the garden analogies?  Because I LOVE my organic garden–but also because in spending time between the rows, I’ve learned to reflect on life in the most simple of terms.  We plant a seed, we give it the proper care and feeding and watch with awe as it matures into the most amazing produce.  I realize “awe” may be a strong word for some of you experts out there but for me, every potato, onion, squash and tomato is a hard-won victory to be celebrated!  Between Jack Frost and Mother Nature, I never know what to expect.  He’s a tad harsh while her sense of humor can run a bit dry at times, if you know what I mean.

But I digress.  Like my fruits and vegetables, my flowers and herbs, women mature at varying rates.  They come in all sizes and shapes, colors and scents.  Some sway in the breeze while others tuck themselves away in the quiet of shade yet no matter how you slice them, women share common challenges.  We carry the children, hold the emotional power and despite the fact that we work outside of the home, we remain primary caregivers to our children in the home as well.

These are but a few issues we face, but face them we will.  (There are no shrinking violets in these parts!) And then we will handle them in our own way, on our own terms and in our own sweet time.

As a woman, as a mother, I find these topics fascinating.  I could write about them all day long (and do!)  But I couldn’t do it without you, the reader.  So Team Bloomin’ Warrior was started as a way for me to give back to you and a way for you to help spread the word. 

Members will receive a free Bloomin’ Warrior T-shirt (my tag line runs across the back), sneak peek at my books before anyone else as well as promotional items like recipe cards from my garden, garden tips & seed saving packets (just to name a few!).  And as an added thank you, you’ll also receive special discounts on my novels and short stories as they release, plus unique gifts throughout the year. 

So what do you say?  Join Team Bloomin’ Warrior today and help me spread the word about my novels!  Simply subscribe to my website (be the first to know!) and then watch your email inbox for FULL details. :)

LUST ON THE ROCKS  

This is Samantha Rawlings story and I warn you:  expect a bit more spice than JENNIFER’S GARDEN.  Have you met Samantha Rawlings? The woman tends to have a one track mind–until Victor Marin, that is.  She has what he needs, and he won’t stop until he gets it.  Trouble is, what begins as a matter of death, becomes a matter of life.

One case away from partnership, Samantha Rawlings is forced to share her high-profile case with a sexy younger man, whose eyes are on a different prize.  In the best interests of her client, Sam opens the door to his strategy.  Turns out, a little too far…

Victor Marin has ulterior motives.  The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge, and his last chance for justice.  But as he chases old demons, he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions, one he wants to possess for himself.  But decidedly single, Sam wants no part. Until Vic walks away.

LUST ON THE ROCKS embodies the conflict between a woman’s lust for sexual freedom and her desire for love and commitment.  Sam is a tough-minded lawyer in Miami, Fl who has no interest in marriage or children and lives her life as she sees fit.  She conducts her life by the social rules that govern men.  But can her personal lifestyle choices—specifically her sexual ones—mirror those of a man?  Are there different rules regarding what’s acceptable for a man versus an independent career woman? Does it matter how many partners she has, how she approaches them?
 
The main plot works off a legal case that Sam is prosecuting with the assistance of a new hire, Victor Marin.  His interest in her case goes beyond the legal front he assumes with her and instead, is quite personal; it involves revenge for a personl loss fifteen years prior.

As they work together, the two engage in a physical relationship, but what starts out as purely pleasure–lust–turns into deeper emotions for both of them.  Complicating matters is the subplot involving Sam’s younger sister Jessica.  Her turmoil quickly pulls Sam and Vic into conflict regarding personal choices and decisions, ones that reach far into their relationship and force Sam to re-evaluate what she thought she wanted from life.