My Heart is a River

My heart is a river,

rushing forth with emotion so strong

testing the tide

tempting fate

finding the passageway

into your heart

my heart is a deluge,

ever-flowing,

overjoyed,

relentless

impassioned

on the journey

to your westward sky

and open land

where the mountains

touch heaven

and the pines

boast

of God's handiwork.

My heart is a stream,

crystal clear,

and filled with truths

the gods spoke of

centuries ago,

when all this beauty

was yet to transpire

and finally, you are here

like a vision i manifested

from all my secret dreams

My heart is an ocean

it ebbs and flows

so purely

back and forth,

telling of its

yearning

and bringing forth

all the goodness

that your heart

has needed to hear

all this time

Rochelle Renee

9:30 p.m. July 1st, 2021

Love Walked In!!! Coming this Summer!!!

 Dear Readers,

My heart is bursting with gladness and anticipation for my forthcoming novel "Love Walked In."

This gem was inspired in May 2020 through a beautiful, real-life connection I've experienced. A wonderful soul walked into my life; his parents were residents at the senior's home where I work. Long story short, over a span of 17 months of knowing this beautiful, loving couple (married 64 years), they both passed in early 2020, just two months apart. They couldn't bear to be apart! Sigh....my heart melts thinking of how incredible that love story is. I can only HOPE to find a connection that powerful and steadfast in this life.

I'm writing this epic story tonight, and it's making me feel SO STOKED!!! The electricity between the two main characters is OFF THE CHARTS...and the sweet thing is....it started as a friendship.

LOVE WALKED IN chronicles the story of housekeeper Rileigh Rhodes, whose husband died of a heart attack and broke her heart. Since then, she's thrown herself into her busy life, working hard and filling that empty space with her workmates and her social life, to avoid her pain.

Divorced Ken Winslow is a hero on a Harley; caring for his elderly parents at the senior's home and ensuring they have everything they need. His wife walked out on him years ago, leaving him with three kids, and he raised them successfully, put them through college and helped them leave the nest to find their way in life. Now, he's footloose and fancy-free, money in the bank galore, and not looking for a woman to tie him down, but eager to enjoy his retiree life in the gorgeous Fraser Valley of British Columbia. 

Neither of them expected to find one another, living 2,700 miles apart. But when Rileigh Rhodes knocks on the door of room 111 at Amberlea Gardens, Ken is in for the "ride" of a lifetime.

Now, discover how their love unfolds in the most unforgettable way.

Second chance love is so exciting, especially when it comes out of the blue, without warning!

COMING SUMMER 2021... LOVE WALKED IN!!!

Stay passionate, stay safe,

RR xo

AGAINST ALL ODDS IS FINALLY HERE!!

 Dear Readers,

My new book, "Against All Odds," is finally here! It was launched Tues. April 27th. I cannot wait for you to read this gem! I penned it years ago, when I was first starting out as a writer. It was created on a typewriter, from May 19, 1993, to April 20, 1994. Those were glorious days for me, discovering my "voice" as a writer, the whole process was fun, and my heart was brimming with big dreams and massive hopes for the future.  This work made me so proud, as a teenager who idolized Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts. One day, I'd hoped to see my name on the NY Times Bestseller list; that dream carried me through many years of hardship, through the highs and lows, the triumphs and tribulations.  

I remember being so excited about writing this one; sometimes, in the middle of the night, I'd have an idea for the characters or plot, and I'd turn on the light and scribble down some dialogue on a pad of paper. 

It's the 9th title of my books to be published and made available for purchase on Amazon, available in both e-book format and in paperback.

I just know you're going to LOVE this bicoastal romance, about the stunning Starr Taylor, news anchor for Channel 10 Chicago, and the sexy, heartthrob music producer in Los Angeles, Peter Adams. Their love for one another is extraordinary, their quest to keep it alive is a journey itself, across 2200 miles and many obstacles. Their PASSION is off the charts!!

Without further ado (28 years in the making since the first page was written), I present you with my "baby" -- my golden child -- AGAINST ALL ODDS. 

Link for purchase, e-book:  https://www.amazon.ca/Against-All-Odds-Rochelle-Renee-ebook/dp/B093TQZFSF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rochelle+renee+against+all+odds&qid=1619885083&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Link for paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Against-All-Odds-Rochelle-Renee/dp/1544605757/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rochelle+renee+against+all+odds&qid=1619884935&s=books&sr=1-1

Thank you, from my heart, for your continued support! 

Cheering for you always,

RR xo

DESIRE - The Novel - Coming April 2021

 Dear Readers,

I have been faithfully working on a few projects here, amidst my full-time day job, and on weekends I devote my time to writing and music. "Love Walked In" has been another novel in the works, as well as "Falling For Saint Nick." The projected release for all three books is 2021. Thank you for your patience.

"DESIRE" -- my latest labor of love -- was conceptualized in January 2019. 

Just the tiny seed of it, the first love scene, took glorious form at that time, and I set it down for a while to let it marinade. In the Spring of 2020, I began writing again. It's been a tough year for all of us, with the pandemic, family stuff going on, life changes, work, other

stressors, and the collective of humanity going through a massive energy shift.

I felt it was only right to put the writing on the backburner for a bit. My readers deserve QUALITY writing, not specks of details jammed together. Also, I want my characters to fully develop and show up with truth and meaning in the pages of this passionate love story.

My hope is that you love this sexy, powerful novel featuring a loving, vulnerable woman named Reanna Mcleod who has escaped the abusive partner who sent her to the E.R. after a violent episode. She swore it was the last time, and has committed fully to her healing, when the abuser is locked away.

Longtime neighbor Grant Montgomery has always been the featured heartthrob in Reanna's diary. Through the years, she's kept her secret yearning under wraps, out of respect for Grant's wife and for him also. But when Jean Montgomery dies from cancer, Reanna can't help but face her feelings for the sexy professor who's owned her heart all these years.

When the contents of her torrid diary are discovered by a surprised Grant, he vies to unravel the secrets of the lovely woman who lived across the street for 15 years. Not knowing she was so enamored with him makes his pulse race even more. Grant is determined to pursue her, and soon the two are swept into a blazing love affair much hotter than the Sahara!

Will they find their happy ever after, or will Reanna's past rear its ugly head and destroy them both?

COMING APRIL 2021.

Thank you for reading my novels and supporting this indie author since 2013 when "LONGING" was first published and this blog was launched July 26, 2013. I am excited and thrilled to see what this year brings for my career.

Wishing love and peace to you all!

Stay passionate,

RR xo

Happy 59th Birthday in Heaven, My Loving Trent

 Dear Readers,

This is the 59th birthday of my loving Trent, my soulmate, confidante, best friend, and biggest cheerleader.

My heart has a gaping hole that's never healed, since he died June 11, 2016.

I miss him every day, every hour, every minute that he is not here.

Let's wish him the BEST and BRIGHTEST birthday of all time! He is watching over me from heaven, each and every day. How do I know this? He sends me "signs" all the time. 

He leaves me dimes everywhere I go, with the year "2016" on them, to commemorate his passing and so that I will know it's him for sure.

He sends vehicles with the license plate 419 for his police badge or 611 for his death anniversary.

Trent loves me, beyond the grave, beyond all eternity. He sends people to comfort me on my dark days, he sends songs out of nowhere..."I left my Heart in San Francisco"(Tony Bennett)..."Owner of a Lonely Heart"(YES)..."Money"(Pink Floyd)...just to name a few.

He sent a piano player to my work...she plays every lunch hour on the piano, two of my all time favorites..."I Believe" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." Her name is Patricia, a sunny, loving, delightful lady who had no clue these songs got me through painful times in my life. I sobbed when I first heard her gentle fingers dancing across the keys on the piano. I can't even make this stuff up.

Without further ado...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN, TRENT RIGEL GARDNER. MISS YOU. ALWAYS XXXX

Love always,

Your Queen,

RR xo

Merry Christmas To All, And to All A Good Night!! We survived the pandemic of 2020

 Dear Readers!

Christmas Day is here! I can't believe the year is slipping away so fast!

Remember when the pandemic first hit big in March of this year in North America? The mass panic and hysteria of extra hand washing, wearing masks, and hiding out at home really had us in an uproar. Not to mention, those frantic people hoarding toilet paper! You had to drive to about seven stores before you could find some. So glad they put restrictions on that now.

How are you doing out there? Here in Southern Ontario, we got a dusting of the white stuff. It's not much,  maybe an inch or two, but it was enough to put me in the mood for a white Christmas. Last night was freezing rain and gloominess.

Just wanted to hop onto the computer and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, wherever you are.

I'll be resting here A LOT with four days off work. My lemon tea, Starbucks blond roast, and egg nog will keep me company, along with boundless Hallmark Christmas movies and the company of my amazing daughter. Oh, and my Scentsy stash. This romance author is a Scentsy consultant with a serious addiction to the wonderfully fragranced wax bars that make home and hearth smell so divine!

Yes, we are self-isolating. There's no place I'd rather be, than here at home for the holidays. I need to rest. I am exhausted. This year has been draining, emotionally, physically, and mentally. I hope you're all taking good care of yourself, with plenty of rest, fluids,

and self-care. Loving yourself through it all is the best gift you can give.

In the timeless

and festive words of writer Clement C. Moore: "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

Stay safe! Happy holidays and a VERY BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TOO!

Much love,

RR xo

LET THERE BE LOVE

Let there be falling leaves
from well-worn trees,
towering oaks,
and silver birch,
etched in time
with lines to tell
what they've been through

Autumn's bounty of
crimson, tangerine, gold
Falling, trickling,
Cascading
to the earth like
dreams and stories
we've carried so long
in hearts brimming with
hope & promise

Let there be September and October nights of
smoky skies
and diamonds in our eyes
as we watch the world slumbering
and we sit hand in hand,
under the blanket of love
sharing, loving & caressing
Just two souls
who've found one another
in the lottery of the cosmic path

We are lucky,
oh so lucky
to be here at this moment
Two flames amid
7 billion

I wanna get lost in your aquamarine eyes
and just forget the world
savor every minute of you
like the whip creme on my lips
and the hint of pumpkin spice on my tongue
from the steamed milk latte
you served me today

Let there be September skies of baby blue
with sunlight pouring through
and evening skies of sapphire
when the firewood burns
in old homes across town
while we share a moonlit stroll
murmuring secrets
only we can know

Let there be joy in our hearts
to whisk away the fear
let there be kindness
to chase away the gloom and doom
of this cruel world
let there be laughter
bubbling over from
our happy, kindred hearts

But most of all,
let there be Love.

--Rochelle Renee --
Sept 5 --2020
12:26 p.m. EST