Okay, a new year, a new slate. I already feel more optimist. What’s your plan?

Me? I want to finish the edits on A Different Time for SoulMate Publishing and get the third one ready for edits. I want to finish up my shifter series (which you haven’t seen yet) and write every single day. 

I have a new book coming out in April – Cancun Memories, so I hope you’ll be watching for that.

On the non-professional side, I started Weight Watchers. I’m a life-time member, but reached that goal a long time and a lot of weight ago, so I’m back. I already go to the gym twice a week, now it will be at least three times a week. The best trainer in the world, Ana, keeps me going, and I can do water zumba and be weightless for a little while.

Plan to see the grandson (and his parents) every 6-8 weeks because, damn, is he growing fast. Will be three this year, I only blinked . . . Planning trips to see La Daughter too, since she’s moved even farther away, it’s not as easy.

Want to finish decorating the condo. Still pictures to hang, but it’s mostly done. When the bathroom renovation is paid off, we’ll do the kitchen. I’d like to think that’ll happen this year. (I’d like to)

My goal last year at Goodreads was to read 100 books. Got to 95, so I need to pick up the pace for 2018, and at least make a dent in my TBR pile. (Yeah, I’d like to) 

What about you? Are you going to finish that book you’ve been working on? Get an agent? A publisher? Start a series? Go to a conference? Downsize? Upsize? Go for a different job? Make the New York Times Bestseller List? What’s your secret desire?

I’d love to hear about it – maybe you’ll inspire me. Maybe I’ll inspire you. Either way we both win. Thank you so much for your support this year and Happy New Year!  

Lunch . . .

Had lunch with la daughter and her roommate today on campus.  They were talking about the food and it took me back – when I was an undergraduate at the same institution, it was nothing like today.  They can now choose between Bojangles, Pizza Hut, Salseritos, or Subway besides the actual “cafeteria” which also has “food” food.

When I was here, in the dark ages when dinosaurs still roamed the earth, it was still high school cafeteria style with up to 3 (count ’em three!) choices. I remember attending a Board of Trustee meeting as a senior (because I was on a committee that reported to them) and when the meeting ended, it was nearly lunchtime.  The Board decided on a whim to go over to the cafeteria.  They were already here after all.  The president of the student body and I looked at each other and attached ourselves to the group.  Now, you have to remember, things like that did NOT happen.  The food services area always had plenty of warning when real people (i.e. not students) would be served and made sure real food was available.  This was without warning!

I’ll never forget the face of the lady that took our ID cards when we got there.  Panic was the only word to describe it.  Prez and I gleefully got into line and saw our choices – 4 day old lasagna (I know because I’d already eaten it three days in a row), tuna tetrashitty, and mystery meat.  I got my 4^th day of lasagna and watched these high-powered business men just stare at the “food”.

Have to admit it was one of the best meals I ever ate here!

We’re overdoing it this year. Since we didn’t get to do any decorating last year, not even a tree, I pulled out all the stops this time.  

We don’t have a mantle any more, but we made it work. We’re using my antique dresser now – it came out of the barn after the house fire when Momma was 5, so we’re taking 1924 and it was old then. It was constructed with no nails, only pegs, and works perfectly.

We have two trees – one green and filled with my ornaments, and one metal with strictly round ornaments. Believe me, we have enough ornaments to fill both. And I love being able to display my fairies again.

It’s fun finding new locations for our Santas and the tree, and making new memories. But I do have pics of the old locations. Great memories. No wonder I love writing those Christmas novellas every year! What are your traditions – must have decorations out each year?

Blurb:

Ask Cassie about her life on the river and she’ll tell you it’s lovely and peaceful. But while Cassie loves the life she lives, peaceful is not always an accurate description. Whether she’s confronting an armed man who’s in a drunken rage, planning a friend’s wedding or dealing with a ghost in a backwoods lodge, Cassie is going to deal with it the best way she knows how. And peaceful doesn’t always work.

When a mysterious phone call comes for Cassandra Wentworth – Cassie’s past is suddenly back to haunt her in a devastating way. Tom has always said nothing from before the time they met counts, but he didn’t know about this. Sue, Annie, Allie and Jenny are all willing to help, but will it be enough?

Buy link – Amazon

Excerpt

The next morning, however, did not start off to my liking. I was sleeping peacefully in this wonderful, warm, comfortable bed when at seven ten, seven ten in the morning, mind you when I was ripped from my sleep as Tom tore the covers from me and started in on my behind with his favorite alternate use of his slipper.

I boiled up out of the bed with a multitude of unladylike things to say. I managed to contain my language to just, “What in the Sam hills do you think you are doing?”

Tom was grinning at me and said, “Come on darlin’ we’re burning daylight!”

Burning daylight? Was he crazy? I was dopey, sleepy, grumpy and probably several other dwarfs so I just let him have it.

I was fussing about him waking me at the crack of dawn on our first day of vacation, stealing the covers, spanking me for no reason… I was letting him have it. I alternated shaking my finger at him and having my hands on my hips as I fussed. He was still looking at me grinning and not seeming to be listening to a thing I was saying, when he said, “Cassie, you are so beautiful.”

I’m sure that was meant to sound romantic, but I could see in the mirror behind him and to say I was not looking my best was truly an understatement. I was quickly pulling on one of my old robes, which was probably not my prettiest when it was new. My hair was plastered to my head on one side and sticking up on the other. Now with the artistic application of make-up I can look presentable in most any setting but of course I had on no make-up and with the sun streaming in I fully looked my age. I started to snap at him for making fun of the way I looked since he had just snatched me from sleep, but as I looked at him closely I could tell the man was completely serious. What is it about love that can allow him to look at me in that state and still think I’m beautiful? His smile and his sweet talk quickly changed my mood.

“Get dressed, let’s go to breakfast,” he told me.

I looked at my sweet man feeling a mixture of love and exasperation. Slipping my robe back off I crawled across the bed to him and began unbuttoning his shirt. “I’m not quite ready to get out of bed just yet. Why don’t you join me and we’ll get brunch later? Tom and I make a great couple, he may be the boss, but I have great powers of persuasion.

Other books by PK Corey:

Cassie’s Space (book one)

Cassie’s Tale (book two)

Cassie on the Move (book three)

Cassie’s River Living (book four)

Cassie’s Conflict (book five)

Cassie’s Influence (book six)

Cassie’s Ordeal (book seven)

Cassie Corralled (book eight)

Cassie’s Road Trip (book nine)

Cal’s Law (book one)

Becoming Family (book two)

All of PK Corey’s books within her series are written as stand-alone books. Jump in anywhere.

Meet PK Corey

The love of writing came to me late in life and I spent time trying to fit writing into a busy schedule. Recently I retired, the kids are out and on their own and my wonderful husband encourages me to spend more time exploring the world of writing.

I always hear you should write what you want to read, so I have. I write loving domestic discipline with the stress on ‘loving’. I want a strong man who cherishes the woman he loves and is willing to go to any length to keep her safe and protected.

My Cassie’s Space series shows a mature couple who are deeply in love. Despite loving Cassie’s free spirited ways Tom is determination to keep her safe, even if it takes a trip over his knee. My new series, Cal’s Law, is about a younger couple. Though they come from very different backgrounds, love and discipline draw them together.

Blog – PK Corey’s Reading Room – http://pk-corey.blogspot.com

email – pk.corey@yahoo.com

Amazon Author page – https://www.amazon.com/PK-Corey/e/B00H9W9XB4/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Twitter – https://twitter.com/pkcorey

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/pk.corey/