DILYS J CARNIE ROMANCE AUTHOR

Read all some of the things that have taken place in my life, both silly and serious!

http://www.dilysjcarnie.com/life-stories.html

Christmas 2016

Christmas in America 2016

I live in a small town named Llanfairfechan situated on the west coast of North Wales UK. It is a beautiful picturesque beach place, and I’m lucky enough to live right on the promenade with a view that is beautiful. In my sight from my lounge window are Beaumaris, Puffin Island and Llandudno and the most fantastic sea views.

My view

So I went to America for Christmas and New Year and had the most incredible time despite getting acute bronchitis.

I visited Charleston, which was full of so much history and character that I need to go back there and spend some more time. We I went on an amazing horse and carriage ride around there and stayed in the most exquisite hotel that my friend's son Nathan organized for us.

Christmas was so very different to the way I typically celebrate it but never the less I loved every minute of it. It’s not about where you are it’s about who you're with, right? Dianne has been my friend for nearly fifty years, and her family always make me feel so welcome when I visit, and nothing changed this time. They are for sure my second family whom I love very much. But I did miss my baby girl and family.

Sitting in the back of my mind is that one day I may go and live next to my friends in Moyock NC and the place that appeals to me the most is either Okracoke Island or Cape Charles I loved them both.

I also got to spend some time with Mema who is Dianne's mum-in-law. I love her; she is 89 and an absolute inspiration. We had such a giggle with her, and I have adopted her as my grandma, I loved talking to her. She made me feel wanted and loved when I was poorly in bed trying to get over the awful cold I had.

I can’t forget to mention Aubrey and Scarlet, Dianne’s two kitties. They are adorable. To begin with, they wouldn’t come anywhere near me, but by the time the three weeks had passed, we were best buddies.

I stayed in Washington DC the night before my flight, and just as I was leaving it started to snow, and I did wonder if I’d even get home. They sprayed de-icer, over the airplane and we were okay to go.

I left behind my second home and my American family, but I will be back because I love it there so much.

Dianne and I at Bush Gardens

One of the nhorses that drew us in a carrage

Bush Gardens was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Dianne, Matt, Wynn, me and Nathan

Wynn. Becky and Matt

Scarlet and Aubrey

Me, Mema and Dianne

Mema and me

Mema, me and Aubrey

Rainbow Row In Charleston

Nathan and Dianne

Charleston

Hotel

Granola Bars

No bake granola bars.

I love coconut, to eat and as a fragrance which is my favorite perfume. Coconut seems to be the new superfood and can be used for many things. As a hair conditioner, an anti-age oil for the skin a body moisturizer and as a food packed full of vitamins.
I love to use it for this non-bake granola.

Makes 9-10 bars

Ingredients:

2-3 Cups oats

1 1/2 Cups of dried fruit your choice

1/2 Cup Honey

Two large tablespoons of syrup

1/2 Cup Coconut Butter ( make your own as to buy it is very expensive. Buy in a couple of bags and tip them into the blender. Then just buzz it until it becomes like butter. It's that easy.)

1 Cup Almonds OR Nuts your choice.

Two large tablespoons of seeds ( pumpkin, sunflower etc your choice)

Dark ginger chocolate to drizzle over the top of the bars

2 Tsp Natural Vanilla

Set over medium-low heat a pan, melt together coconut butter, honey,syrup and stirring until smooth. Remove from stove and stir in oats, seeds, fruit Pour mixture into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Spread into an even layer,and firmly press down with the back of a spatula or clean hands.
Melt dark ginger organic chocolate and pour over mixture a thin layer.
Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Slice into squares or bars and remove from pan. Store granola bars in the refrigerator, either in an airtight container with wax paper separating the layers.
Enjoy!

Love And Life

I asked a male friend of mine ‘What is the definition of the “love of your life” in his case his wife and in four words he told me:
Love
Protect
Respect
Adore
Many years of being together and he still thinks of his wife in those terms.

It got me to thinking about love and how we depict what that word means “love” we each have a different perspective.

My grandparents were married sixty-four years when my grandma passed away. My happiest memory of them was watching their hands clasped together as they walked down the street at the ages of seventy plus. I always said if I could find a man like my granddad I’d be happy but they don’t make men like him anymore, he was a once in a lifetime mold…
He adored my grandma; you could see it in his eyes every time he looked at her, touched her, the way his eyes twinkled when she did something silly and the way his face lit up when she came into the room. They passed away many years ago, but that kind of love is still fresh in my mind when I think of them and when I try and write a love story from the heart.

My job is spent trying to bring that love alive on paper, I hope that I do, as an author I feel it is my responsibility to give woman everywhere a happy ever after…we’re all not as lucky as my grandparents were to have a love that lasted a lifetime.

As each year passes, I find myself thinking that’s another twelve months gone in the blink of an eye. So much happens, no one can escape we’re all susceptible to the sad things that happen.
When you feel like the world is about to fall on you…give it the finger! Try and remember all the right that is about you and there is always someone out there worse off than you. Those words have got me through some tough times this year.

I prefer to notice the way my children make me smile, the way my mom makes me laugh when she does silly things. I think about my friends and how they pull me through with their kindness.

When you think that you just can’t possibly carry on anymore but find the strength to take that extra step. Yep, at times life has been a bitch, but it has taught me to stand up for myself, has brought me closer to those that care about me.

Getting older we discover time goes quicker, our perceptions change and the past becomes longer the future shorter. And what we had hoped the future would be has become disenchanting. Our past (history) has made us who we are some of it through choice and a lot of it by just plodding on with a life that when we are young lasts forever.

In adulthood, worry seemed to take over my mind rather than delighted anticipation of the future, sleepless nights taking over my thoughts of the past.

The sun rises in the future and sets to the past. The day has gone, and it can’t ever be re-lived. If you get the chance to grab happiness do it, an opportunity to love again grab it with both hands because who knows what is around the corner and then it's too late for “I wish.”

Humans are amazing; we’re resilient, we know how to survive because we have to…my friends know who they are. They are not the norm they are the exception!

No matter what life brought to you make it the best.
Richness in life.
Prolonged health.
A blessing of wealth.
Love generously.

Four stone weight loss ( 56 pounds)

It's taken me twelve months to loose four stone. I've always been a healthy eater and as a vegetarian very careful about what I eat. However over the years the weight crept on and before I knew where I was I had become a size 16-18, the biggest I'd ever been in my life.How did I do it? I'd like to say healthy eating, yoga,pilates and that is partly true. But most of it was long walks, and separating from my husband of twenty-eight years.
I juice a lot because a most of the time I don't feel like eating and at least I know I am getting sufficient nutrients from the drink. I still do a lot of walking, as much as my bad back allows. I've gone from running five miles a day to only being able to walk less than a mile since my back surgery.
I feel so much better, so much healthier and I love being able to fit into my small jeans and not worrying about the over spill of fat that I had accumulated over the years.
Do I look better? I don't know about that, but I feel more comfortable with myself both mentally and physically.

Juice Drink

Spinich,
Kale,
Cucumber,
Spirilina,
Blueberries,
Blackberries,
Cranberries,
Blackcurrents,
Strawberries,
Raspberries
Fresh Ginger
Banana
Probotic Yogurt
100% pure juice of your choice.I use cloudy apple( for gallbladder), Pineapple ( for digestive) Blueberry ( for ( vitamin k&c and also magnesium) Cranberry ( for bladder)
Wizz together in blender and you have a healthy drink to set you up for the day

Before After

Worth It!

Summer is when the sunshine comes out, the cold air disappears and everyone has a smile on their faces. And although I love autumn and winter, I adore summer! Sun, sea, and sand. I'm lucky enough to live where I have all of those.
I wake up every morning to a view that most people only dream off. I had loved the look before I saw the apartment and I couldn't have cared less if it had been one room, the view sold it to me.
Having just spent the last year getting through a very messy separation from my husband of 28 years it was what I needed to get back finally on my feet. Although I have a long way to go, I am finally on the right path.
It has been one of the hardest years of my life, way harder than I ever thought it was going to be. When you haven't lived on your own for 33 years, it takes a time to get used to it. Sometimes I think I'm over the worst of it then something happens, and I'm not, just way better at dealing with it now rather than 12 months ago.
When the sun shines its lovely yellow color, it turns a bad day into something good. And so does hearing that you are not that badly of at all. Like my friend's mom who at the age of 76 discovered she had breast cancer and is undergoing Chemotherapy and radiation treatment where in life does that say it is fair. She is fighting for her life, and I sometimes wished that I could end mine. That made/makes me feel weak and ungrateful for the life I have; it makes me realize, how lucky I am and that there is always someone worse off than me...Always!!

Holly J. Gill Cover Reveal

Please welcome the lovely Holly J. Gill to my blog with her long awaited cover reveal of All That We Are. I for one can't wait to read it!

Are you ready for the cover reveal?

He's a bestselling author.

She's a promoter.

They both lack confidence in different way

Can they break their demons and learn to trust?

Blurb

Holly knows that sitting behind her computer isn’t going to bring one of her romance heroes to life. And despite her matchmaking friend’s attempts, she’s still lonely, looking for her Mr. Perfect. Fairytales happen, right?

As a bestselling author, Ashton Noir doesn’t need anyone or anything in his life other than his imagination. That is until he comes across Holly’s Promotional Services’ website. Further exposure for his books can’t hurt.

Communicating through the Internet and then phone calls, professional interests turn personal. Realising they lack trust and confidence in different ways, can they have a future as a couple? Or are their dreams forever going to be their safe haven?

Music playlist

Rachel Platten -Stand By You

Come and join the Release Party

any help would be appreciated

I would sincerely like to thank everyone who has taken part in this cover reveal and who has dropped by,

Release date is

Holly Bio:

A wife and a mum to three grown up children and recently became a nana to twins and lives in the UK. Holly J. Gill is an author of contemporary romance, exploring many new channels, paranormal, action, sweet, erotic, wherever her imagination takes her. Holly has been writing since being a young girl, having characters talking to her constantly, and longing to get their stories written. Finally, her dream came true over two years ago, when getting her first contract with Secret Cravings Publishing for her erotic Desires series unfortunately they closed their doors, leaving Holly to go Indie. In Holly’s spare time she loves spending quality time with her family, camping with hubby, seeing friends, listening to music, watching movies and travelling around England visiting the beautiful countryside.

Writing is where Holly’s heart is…

Where to find Holly:

Facebook

Adult Romance Blog

Twitter

Google+

Goodreads

Tsu

Thank You

Quote of the day

Quote of the day!

You never know how strong you are until

being strong is the only choice you have.

Be yourself because an original is worth far

more than a copy.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

LIFE is short,

FORGIVE quickly,

KISS slowly,

LOVE truly,

LAUGH uncontrollably,and

NEVER REGRET anything that made you smile.

Quote of the day

When life gives you a hundred reasons to break down and cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

Stay strong.

Welcome to the very lovely J. M Davies to my blog with her debut adult paranormal romance

Capturing the last Welsh Witch.

Hello everyone and thanks for letting me take over your blog to introduce myself and my latest release, which is an adult paranormal romance called Capturing the last Welsh Witch. A couple of quick facts about me, I was a nurse/midwife for seventeen years. I love chocolate. I love talking about my journey in writing, and I believe hard work is the answer to achieving your goals.

I loved writing this book and developing the characters Ella Masters and Marcus Drayton, both strong but damaged characters because of their past. To celebrate my release I’m giving away a FREE ARC copy to one lucky reader if you click on my author FB page and like it, leave a comment so I know who you are and a winner will be chosen at random.

PICTURE OF ELLA & MARCUS

The inspiration for Ella’s story really came from a desire to stretch myself as a writer and to test the waters to see if I could write a paranormal story and after discovering the true story of the first woman in Wales to be hung as a witch it inspired me to create my story. I started writing this book in 2011, but at the time I was also writing my YA romantic trilogy Children of Annwn and ended up leaving my adult romance on the back burner. Writing romance for adults is so different than it is for YA, and this again was a new area for me as a writer and one that I totally loved and enjoyed. I hope you enjoy the read too!

Biography

J.M. Davies is the author of Capturing the Last Welsh Witch which is her debut adult paranormal romance. She has also written a young adult romantic fantasy trilogy called Children of Annwn under the name of Jennifer Owen Davies.

In general, she loves creating character driven stories that touch your heart and take you away to a magical world that leaves you craving more. When she isn’t writing, she loves to read and her tastes include Nora Roberts, Catherine Cookson, Jane Austen, Jodi Picoult, Deborah Harkness, Cassandra Clare, Suzanne Collins, P.D. James, Patricia Cornwell, Pittacus Lore, Diane Gabaldon and many more.

In her spare time, she enjoys managing a local writers group and maintains an Alzheimer’s support group on Facebook, a cause close to her heart. She also loves discovering old treasures at yard sales and revamping them, watching Grey’s Anatomy, Madam Secretary, and Vampire Diaries, walking on the beach, cooking, and when there’s time the gym.

Jennifer has been married for twenty years, and is mother to four boys. Jennifer and her husband are originally from Cardiff in Wales, but they now live on the East Coast of America in North Andover with her family and two cats. Jennifer fell in love with New England, and among the pages of the books are references to both local beauty spots and historic sites from the area and from back in the UK that have captured her imagination. She loves to hear from readers and here’s some links to stay in touch.

FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Davies/1421409368089313

Web-site http://www.jenniferowendavies.com/

Email Jendaviesuk@gmail.com

Blurb for Capturing the Last Welsh Witch

Ella Masters’s soul is five hundred years old and in each life, she has been fatally betrayed by men. This is her fifth and final life, and legend says she must meet her true love or this time death is eternal. Wanted for the murder of her latest boyfriend and on the run from the FBI, as well as the ruthless group the Elusti, it doesn’t bode well for any would-be suitors.

Marcus Drayton has a sixth sense when it comes to knowing people, which has helped in his career as a special agent for the FBI, as well as his previous stint as a Navy SEAL. His latest assignment is to deliver Ella Masters, the Witch, which will give him the prized promotion in New York. After he meets the mysterious Ella, and realizes the Elusti are involved, the ghosts of his past force him to seek the truth, making every one he loves a target.

As she runs for her life and freedom, Ella needs to discover whether Marcus is the warrior she needs. And can she trust him with her heart and soul before it’s too late?

PICTURE OF THE BOOK COVER

Snippet from Capturing the Last Welsh Witch

Her fingers touched the torn edges of the material and she stared into the distance, blinking as an old memory shook her.

“Come here, before I come and get you.” Aidan’s voice was deep and hoarse. His piercing eyes glared into hers, and she looked back as she contemplated her options. She glanced toward the door; if she moved, he would grab her. She could try to seduce him. However, that would be hopeless with Aidan. No, the only way was to trick him.

Aidan inched closer. So close, she could smell his musky aftershave. Ella let him get closer still. Let him think he had won. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, but still she waited, barely breathing. Aidan inched closer, his eyes never leaving her face.

“Are you ready to admit defeat?” He raised one eyebrow, and his mouth spread into a lazy smile.

“Never, Professor.” She flicked her leg outward and kicked as hard as possible, just like he had taught her.

“What the…” He fell to the ground, doubled over and clutched his stomach.

Sucking on her lower lip, she hesitated before she turned away. That split second of doubt was her undoing. Arms came from nowhere and grabbed her legs. Whoosh. The view of the room shifted, and the floor went from under her feet. She ended up flat on her back, with Aidan’s body impaling her to the floor.

“Never trust the enemy,” he said.

She spluttered and coughed as the memory swirled away. Professor Aidan O’Connor was an enigma: a historian, friend, pretend-lover, and expert at martial arts. He’d taught her how to use her body as a weapon.

“But last night wasn’t practice, was it? Aidan, what have you done?”

Jean Joachim

I would like to welcome the lovely Jean Joachim to my blog. This is the first of a ten book series. If you are a fan of sports romance then this is the book for you.

Jean is offering a $10 Amazon gift card and all you have to do is leave a comment in the box below.

Sly "Bullhorn" Brodsky By Jean Joachim

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – SLY “BULLHORN” BRODSKY

SERIES – FIRST & TEN

AUTHOR – Jean C. Joachim

GENRE – Contemporary/Sports Romance

PUBLICATION DATE – Nov. 16, 2015

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 66,900 words

PUBLISHER – Moonlight Books

COVER ARTIST – Dawne Dominique

BLURB:

Sly “Bullhorn” Brodsky wished winning the heart of Samantha Drake was as easy as protecting his quarterback. A top offensive lineman in the NFL, Bull tried to live down his rep as a womanizer. Locker room chatter had elevated him to the level of “player” in more than football. But Samantha Drake, dark-haired, stunning sister of a teammate, didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Or did she?

On his best behavior, Bull pulled out all the stops to woo the reluctant beauty. He was making progress until a woman from his past reappeared. Tiffany, the one woman who broke his heart, is in trouble. Is Bull the only man who can help?

Samantha is overcoming her doubts about Bull until Tiffany arrives. Is the blonde really in hot water or does she just want another chance with the man she discarded?

Enjoy the return of your favorite First & Ten characters in this book, too. Surprises, twists, and football action scenes will keep you turning the pages.

EXCERPT:

“I’m grubby. I need a shower,” she said, pushing to her feet to glance in the mirror.

The next image to take over his mind was stepping into a steamy shower behind Samantha. He blinked a few times and took a deep breath, hoping his thoughts wouldn’t inspire an erection.

“You okay? Were the boxes too much?” Her dark, chocolate brown eyes held concern.

He laughed. “You kiddin’? That’s nothin’. I take down guys ten times that weight in every game. Geez. What do you think? I’m a pussy or something?”

She made a face.

“Sorry. I need to clean up my words.” He sensed color in his face. He’d never had a girlfriend like Samantha Drake. She was smart, beautiful, and nice. She did volunteer work at the New Life Shelter for battered women and kids. But she wasn’t his girlfriend, only a friend. With no benefits. He sighed.

“My brother, Devon, talks like that too. You’d think football players never went to college.” She handed him a cold bottle of water.

He downed the liquid. “What’s next?”

She turned around in the room and sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “Bed, books, clothes, rocking chair. Hmm. How many boxes are still in the car?”

“Two.”

“Then that’s it. The place looks pretty empty.” She perched on the mattress, tucking her feet under her.

“You’ll have it furnished before you know it. Come on. I’m gonna bring those boxes up then take you out to dinner.”

“Thanks. Be right back.” Her thousand-watt smile turned his innards to jelly.

He sat in the rocking chair while Samantha washed the dirt off her luscious body. Or what he assumed was luscious. Sylvester “Bullhorn” Brodsky, known to his teammates as “Bull,” had the hots for Samantha Drake, and it was keeping him up nights. While he waited for her to want him back, his imagination ran through a half dozen things he’d like to do to her under the warming spray of hot water. She was a little slip of a thing, and he was huge. Six foot three inches tall and two hundred fifty pounds of pure muscle, the offensive lineman could lift her up with one hand.

SHORT SNIPPETS:

1. Denial of their physical attraction crumbled in the dead of the night, when truth can’t be easily sidestepped. She’d noticed him the first time he’d passed in the hallway. Then the second time, when on a search for her brother, she’d spied Sly draped in nothing but a towel in the locker room. Embarrassment had filled her cheeks as she’d scurried outside to wait for Devon. The lineman had simply laughed, showing no modesty at all.

Sly Brodsky. Bull. Did she want him? Sam smiled to herself. Of course, she did. But she wasn’t about to tell anyone, especially him. She could barely admit it to herself. He appeared content to wait, which was fine with her. She enjoyed being in control. Still, to be honest, she wouldn’t make him wait forever. Only as long as she could stand to back away, even when she longed to lose herself in his arms and let him take her home.

2. Bull shifted his weight. Blood rushed to his face, and his palms sweated. “This friend thing is great. But I’m interested in more than that. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

“Maybe. Don’t you have a girlfriend?” She tilted her head back to make eye contact.

“Nope. I haven’t dated anyone more than a couple of times in a long time.”

“Huh? I’m surprised. Thought football players had women crawling all over them.”

“Not the kind of women I want. I’m looking for a real woman, not a hook-up.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And what’s a ‘real woman’ like?”

“One-of-a-kind, like you.”

LINKS:

AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0180YBND0?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

AMAZON U.K.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0180YBND0?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

AMAZON CANADA