Graham, Charlotte and Marlie

Welcome to Lori’s Lane for the first post of 2018. We’re in a deep freeze up here in the Midwest, with temperatures below zero Fahrenheit (below -18c). Remember when I used to live in Florida? Believe it or not, I still don’t miss it.

Living on a peninsula wasn’t too unlike living on an island. I didn’t care for it much. There was only one direction out of Florida when hurricanes came.

My friend, Anneli, lived on an island way farther north than Florida with a drastically different climate. She didn’t have to deal with hurricanes, and she had some breathtaking scenery.

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A Road Paved in Copper

I have this young friend I met online. I’m old enough to be her, ahem, older sister….born when I was a teenager.

My Guest

Last week I talked about meeting new friends through social media. Today, I’m going to share with you how I met one friend in particular. I joined an author’s facebook page that had quite a lot of members. If I’m being honest, I met a lot of snarky people there, except for three really kind authors. I unfollowed the page, but luckily was accepted as friends by those three authors. It always amazes me how the Universe brings us just the right people for our lives, if we recognize them.

My Guest

I’m super excited to introduce my first guest, Jill Weatherholt. Let’s get to know her and find out what she’s been up to. I’ve asked her a few questions to get the conversation going, and guess what I learned? She just released her debut romance novel, Second Chance Romance. So, I started reading it and, well…WOW. So far I’m loving it. Here’s Jill.

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Thanks for inviting me to visit your blog today, Lori. When I started blogging in September of 2012, I had no idea I’d meet so many wonderful and talented people who I’d end up being friends with. Honestly, I don’t remember how we connected, but I’m so happy we did.

Odd-One-Out

You may have noticed the re-blogs I’ve posted lately. You see, it all started when I entered Kindle Scout.

The Author’s Network

I’m blessed to have been divinely led to the authors in my network, many of whom I’ve never met in person, others from being involved with the FWA.

 

Scoring Romantic Points

I don’t normally post today, but I thought this was entertaining. Even though it’s not a Valentine’s related story, it does have to do with couples. Comments are closed, but enjoy the sweet and funny story and have a great Valentine’s Day.

Why I’m a Freak, Reason #6

Last week when I posted reason #5 as to why I am a freak, I promised to post reason #6 next. So, here it is … I want to be swarmed. Let me see, how can I explain this? Well, maybe the video below can show you what I mean.

Surreal

They warned us that it would be too cold, suggesting we shouldn’t do it. We’d freeze and wouldn’t enjoy ourselves.

Seeking a Title

I appreciated the input about my WIP on last week’s blog post and thought I’d try asking for advice on my finished novel this week. I’m struggling to come up with a title. I’ve had a few different working titles, and I’m not really sure I like any of them.

Here’s what I’m going to do. Below is a blurb about my finished novel. Beneath that is a clip from the prologue (some of it has been removed for brevity), and then beneath that is a poll to choose a title. I highlighted keywords in pink font that may be important for a title. I’d like to avoid the “fork in the road” cliche.

On the poll, there is an option that says ‘Other,’ and it would be great if you had an idea you’d like to share, too. Thanks in advance for your help.

A Peek Inside

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about a prince and his maiden being married for twenty-eight years. Would you like to take a peek at their anniversary celebration? It was no royal festivity or anything, but they had some nice scenery and good food. Keep in mind that the maiden has a very old phone without a monthly plan (buys minutes), and she’s sharing the photos from it. She refuses to enter this century and get an iphone (or the like).

Fanciful Friday

The Prince

You know when you have found your prince because you not only have a smile on your face but in your heart as well. ~Author Unknown

Last year at this time, I blogged about a young prince and a maiden who met, fell in love and got married twenty-seven years ago.

On June 1st they are married for twenty-eight years.

This young prince isn’t much of a romantic, but he sure is a fix-it guy. He especially loves cars. Here is the fix-it project he’s working on now.

Thursday Thoughts

Don’t Blame it on Fifty Shades

Since I do not have any photos to match this particular tale I have tell, I’ve thrown in a few sunny Florida pics to warm up you northerners as you read along.

So, reading and writing erotica is all the rage. I’d like to blame it on Fifty Shades of Gray, but sex has always been a big seller. The porn industry seems to do pretty well. Of course, I wouldn’t know. I’m an old-fashioned, all-American, girl with a tinge of loudmouth-Italian-attitude around the edges. In one of my earliest blog posts, I wrote about being labeled the goody-goody in my circle. While I enjoy a good dirty joke, writing a serious, detailed sex scene is something I struggle with as an author.

Scenes from a Valentine’s Day non-date …

… with my husband. Every year on Feb. 14 we go to the Florida State Fair. It’s just another day to us because we’d go there whether the holiday existed or not. Remember I talked about eating Fair food? Well, keep scrolling.  (No actual food photos, but plenty of kiosks. Btw, I keep forgetting to bring my camera and we took them from a phone. Please forgive the quality. I’m usually much more picky with my quality photos but had no choice.)

This is what it looked like at dusk when we first arrived. Click continue below for more photos.

Why I’m a Freak Reason #3

Before I explain about my latest “freak” blog. I want to ask you to please come visit on Wednesday. I’ll be putting up a free memoir read of my writing, including photos. It’s a funny story so please check back. Working title for the Blog Post is “Son, Can You Play Me A Memory …” Title of the memoir is The Sweet Revolting Development. Now … on to my freak blog …

There was a time, as a naive, young woman, when I romanticized relationships. Here I am, now married for 26 years, and can’t help but laugh at the sappiness of it all. (Is sappiness a word? Don’t ask me, I’m just a writer).

Reason why I’m a freak #3 … I don’t like Valentine’s Day.

Okay, and ready for a controversial statement?