CELEBRATING 10 YEARS SINCE MEETING MY MUSE KGM FOR THE PASSION NOVEL!!!

Dear Readers,

March 2nd marks 10 years since an IMPORTANT and MUCH LOVED muse walked into my life!!

Kelly Mitchell is a treasured and celebrated friend whom I hold close to my heart.

I'm eternally grateful for his mentoring, kindness, insight and love. I really don't know what my life would be like, had he not shown up that wintry March day so long ago.

Over the years, he's been the shoulder when I had a dilemma, crisis, had a question  or suffered a dramatic loss (my Trent). Even if he couldn't relate to my loss, he sure offered empathy and a safe haven in which to place my pain. With those charismatic blue eyes and comforting hands, it's been a god

send to experience Kelly as my kindred spirit.

I want to let him know that his presence in my life is PRICELESS. I would not trade it for any other experience or connection with another human being. It is said that when we reincarnate, we relentlessly come back to the same souls we knew in past lives. Mister Mitchell is definitely one of those souls.

Thank you Kelly -- from my heart and soul-- for always being there for me. For never turning me away when I needed you in my dark days and for sharing my triumphs when I succeeded. You will go down in history as SOMEONE who made my Journey all the more happier and fulfilling.

I love you, my friend.

RR xo

The Spark That Lights Up Someone Else's Life -- KEANE !!!

Today is Sunday. The day of rest...when all the "rest" of the stuff gets done around Casa Rochelle. Grocery run, laundry, house chores...you get the picture.

It's also the day of the week when I do DEEP reflection on past years and on the people who have made an imprint on my heart and have truly AWAKENED my spirit.

I want to thank "KEANE" aka Kelly Mitchell,  the man who walked into my life on March 2, 2009. It's almost a decade since we first met. This person deserves ACCOLADES and AWARDS to praise him for what he's done in my life. If you asked him, he'd probably say "oh, you did it all on your own, Rochelle. You had the power all along." Which isn't far from the complete truth. Yes, indeed, I have my own power and I'm fully capable of doing great things. Yet I feel in some major way, if he had not come along, where would my writing career be? I spent a long, grueling drought of 13 years without a single complete novel. THAT was exasperating!!!

But Kelly has always been my Northern Star. I love this man. Deeply. Before you go there and say "oh here comes another gushing, sappy romance," no...actually. It's more than a romantic feeling. I have felt SHAKEN and MOVED on a deeper level. The EVOLUTION of Rochelle has transpired due in part to Mister Mitchell appearing in my life, and also the SPARK that created my exciting novel "PASSION."

My heart abounds with ever-flowing GRATITUDE for him. Never a day has gone by where his words of encouragement have not impacted me. When a loss happened in my life, I'd phone him up and he'd listen to me whole-heartedly (even give up his lunch hour) and support me. I've always felt HEARD, SEEN, and VALIDATED by him. His presence has created a SAFE HAVEN for me to unload the contents of my heart, while being supported and understood. It's magic, how he does that. I never knew a man could hold space for me in that way (except for my Trent) but now I've been lucky enough to know TWO men who have accommodated me this way, and I'm truly thankful.

When I had victorious or good news to share, it was Kelly whom I wanted to share the news with. The good, the bad, and the ugly. All of it. He seemed to really CARE about the huge things in my life that probably seemed trivial to others... but he took the time to validate these things. He did it with passion and enthusiasm. I've always marveled how he had the capacity to make me feel special. I love his warmth and charisma. He stands out for me as a HERO. One I hold close to my heart. The one who came to save the day...just in the nick of time. Somehow, those dark days, painful losses, and devastating moments seem to pale over time...the ache has eased a lot...because he took the time to show me in his wonderful way "Rochelle, you matter."

On this sunny, mild January day...I'm here to salute you. Kelly, never stop being my support, because I will always need you.

Your friend faithfully

RR xo

PASSION: REVISITED

Dear Readers,

I'm stoked to announce some very PASSIONATE news!!

My love story from February 2012 is getting a revamp, and I'm launching it just in time for Valentine's Day!! The book is going to have a better storyline and will be reformatted in both Kindle e-book version and paperback.

There will be a giveaway on Amazon, a chance to WIN a FREE COPY of PASSION!!

This book is near and dear to my heart...and it broke the 13 year "drought" I'd suffered from 1998 to 2011 when no complete novels would manifest from my bank of writing. Lo and behold, I took a resume-writing workshop and voila...PASSION was born!!

***Come along for a thrilling ride of the senses...fall in love all over again, with this timeless story of the heart, as Keane and Rhiannon find their second chance at love, and lock in their own personal fairytale in the book of destiny***

Wherever YOU are this Valentine's Day, I wish you much joy, love, and PASSION!!!

Love Always,

RR xo

Here is the back-cover blurb:

"She once had dreams bigger than the Beatles. Dreams she’d leave this small town and be a world famous novelist. But heartbreak and missed opportunities seem to linger. Rhiannon Rose has failed at a lot of things, except motherhood to a loving daughter on the brink of teen status. She's always believed in miracles, but lately her optimism is wearing thin. Till the day handsome employment counselor Keane Mitchell walks into her life and gives her the one thing she is lacking…HOPE. His expertise, charisma and piercing blue eyes motivate her on the fast track to success. Within weeks, Rhiannon is hired as assistant editor at Random Hearts Press, a popular book publisher. Keane helps her create the million-dollar portfolio that lands her the job and a publishing contract. Soon, they are swept away on a sea of passion that threatens to bring scandal to Keane's personal life. Torn between right and wrong, neither wants to face the truth. With Christmas arriving, Rhiannon wants to give Keane the perfect thank you gift to honor the boundless support he has shown. Little does she realize, he's already given her the best gift that cannot be found in any shop...a token to share for all time...to bind them forever."

THE STRONGEST OF THE 4 LETTER WORDS

I'm one extremely lucky woman at the moment, and I'm smart enough to recognize it.
I've been moved in a profound way, and it resonates with me so deeply, that I just had to share.

What I'm alluding to is the gift of LOVE I've received in my life. I woke to read a blog by one of my mentors, and got the sense that he was speaking to ME (in code, of course). While he didn't name me, for the risk of giving away my identity, I knew clearly what was being said.

Now, LOVE comes in many forms; it can be the love of chocolate lava cake, the love of the Pacific Ocean, or how the blazing pink sunset paints the sky of Sacramento and catches your breath. Maybe it's the goofy way your Boston terrier jumps into your lap or licks your face to show they love you. Perhaps it's the love of a good friend who holds your hand through various trials in life.

Love could also be the devotion for a spouse, sibling, colleague or mentor. In my life, I have been blessed with such as this.

My mentor came unexpectedly into my life. While experiencing 13 years of writer's block, where try as I might, could not seem to produce another novel, things were tough. From 1998 to 2011, every effort flopped.

But then in November 2011, I took a writing course that changed my life. HE was the head of the class, the teacher. This "spark" of an idea that came from one flash of his smile and charismatic blue eyes, formed the first pages of my novel "PASSION."

Inspiration is great, isn't it? You just never know when it's going to hit you out of the blue. One day you're struggling to form a few paragraphs, and the next, you're burning the candle at both ends, because you cannot sleep, you have so much adrenaline and motivation from this spark of genius. I call it DIVINE INSPIRATION or a gift from the gods.

This mentor has been around for half a decade, and I'm infinitely grateful for his support and friendship. Any day of the week, I could pick up the phone and just share my heart with him or any part of my life, for that matter. It's a platonic connection, but never underestimate the importance of these. They can be your saving grace in times of trials and suffering. I love his effortless flow of conversation, and the warmth of his voice, as he shares a mutual understanding on life and just about everything else, music included. I don't believe he ever has "bad days"-- with a spring in his step, a sparkle in his eyes, and the joyful camaraderie he exudes, I have to admit I'm a little jealous of how seemingly pulled together and in charge he seems to be on a daily basis.

Nevertheless, this man is my godsend. I've had a few of them in my life, and it feels exhilarating. I can honestly say unashamedly, that I LOVE this man. Now before you get all flustered and judgmental, no, it's not like that. I LOVE him with the warmth of a friend and the respect of a colleague; plus he's been happily married for some 30 years or so. This post is not about revealing any big epic love story, just a simple exclamation of gratitude to the world, on how people can affect us in a positive light.

Yes, I LOVE this man. He's given me a new perspective on life, and it never gets old. From time to time, I always revisit the novel that he inspired. It is fresh, funny, passionate and pure bliss to read. Of all my novels, I'd have to say that PASSION is the one that "knocked it out of the park" for me. Hands down, it brings a burst of euphoria to my heart, whenever I open the pages and read the love story of Keane and Rhiannon.

Thank you, mentor, for being here and just for BEING YOU. I love your smile, your wisdom, and considerate ways. I LOVE you just the way you are, so don't ever change. I LOVE your quirks, flaws, and humor, but also the penchant to be a nerd sometimes (only you know what I'm referring to here).

HOPE is the one word you gifted me that day in class, when someone behind me scoffed as I answered your question about what I would be doing if I could secure my dream job. Remember when I announced that I was a novelist and wanted to become a bestseller like Danielle Steel? That naysayer laughed behind me and said "dream on." But YOU answered with an uplifting comment that made my spirits soar: "Do you hear that folks? That's the sound of HOPE in her voice." Then you went on to encourage me about my writing, even if you ultimately wanted me to be realistic about job hunting...over the years, I think with all the novels I've cranked out and a few radio and TV interviews, you started to believe that maybe this was not just some lame pipe dream.


Well, that is about it for the gushing today. I've made my point, and just want you to know how LOVED you are and what you mean to me.

I'll leave this blog post on a light note. If there is someone out there who inspires you, makes you try harder, holds your hand when you're struggling, or just brings you a cup of coffee on a day when you're feeling down...by all means...reach out to them and tell them THEY ARE SO LOVED.

We only get ONE CHANCE in this life to show people how much LOVE they've inspired within us. Take the opportunity to do it, while you can. Because you never know when that moment might be your last one with them. It could be their final breath, and you never want to live your life with the regret that they never knew how incredibly PRECIOUS they were in your eyes.

LOVE is all around...and so the feeling grows...

Be love,

RR xo