My Forthcoming NaNoWriMo Entry 2018!!!!

Each November, I've been fortunate to partake in the annual National Novel Writing Month. For me, it's a passionate endeavour to get an entire novel finished in 30 days. The feat is bewildering, intense, delicious. Your adrenaline is on edge and the coffee carafe is flowing nonstop! All my nails are bitten off in full anxiety and my social life takes a hit. But to be honest, I would not have it any other way.

This year, the novel that "chose me" is a sexy crime thriller full of sass, sin and intrigue. I've dubbed it Scent of Midnight (and the title may change later) so fasten your seatbelts...it's going to be one helluva ride!!

I began a while ago, creating the main characters in my head as I worked my day job. Yeah, I'm a space cadet sometimes, drifting off into my own wonderland, conjuring up spicy scenes that could make you blush. 

Rebecca and Alex are my lovers. They don't like one another at first, and it's an unlikely pairing, but oh when things heat up in the kitchen, Chef Alex gets my heroine's mercury rising!

The setting is a retirement community in a lakeside town. Think Dirty Dancing meets Murder She Wrote meets Golden Girls. 

I'm beyond stoked to see how my 7th consecutive NaNo entry plays out. The cast of characters are colorful and scintillating. 

On November 1st, I'll sit down to draft the first chapter. Stay tuned!

With much love and appreciation,

RR xo

CONGRATULATIONS MISTER GIBERSON

Here at the Passion Chronicles, there's an elevated spirit of celebration going on.

My favorite political candidate in the Oshawa municipal election has come out victorious! It gives me great pleasure to announce Derek Giberson as the new leader for Ward 4. After being part of the election canvassing and Giberson cheering squad, my heart is ecstatic for Derek's soaring career. Congratulations, my friend. You deserve all the luck and blessings your heart can hold.

On October 22, the morning of election day, my heart was racing with anticipation as I lay in bed, the clock reading 4:00 a.m. and my mind not able to relax. "Today is the day," I prophesied. "Today Derek wins the election."

My support for him comes with a deep affinity. Derek inspires me, makes me dream BIG DREAMS, fills me with hope daily, makes me yearn for monumental things yet to come in my life. My heart swells with pride over him.

The groovy frontman for The Professors of Funk inspired my latest novel, THE CHRISTMAS KEYS, a heartwarming, Hallmark style book. There's not enough kind words to say about Derek. All in all, I'm a sincere ally who is beyond thrilled for him to represent my ward. He's an AUTHENTIC SOUL who works tirelessly in multiple facets of a career that is full of heart, compassion and service to others.

When I see someone get ahead -- someone truly worthy of praise for his efforts -- it makes my heart happy.

Congrats, Derek. You're a kindred spirit who will go far in life. I salute you today and always. May your every wish come true.

Your friend for all seasons,

RR xo

HEART WIDE OPEN

Once in a while in the middle of an ordinary life, magic appears.

I've been blessed to recognize this when it shows up. Time and time again, no matter what the trials or tribulations in my life...this magic resurfaces. It might be a person who comes to make my day, or a magenta sunset that just burst across the sky and stole my breath away. It could be a brand new song just released from my girl Mariah, sending my heart into flight. Or maybe it's the friend who surprised me after work and drove me home. She stopped in at the local Starbucks and bought us both iced pumpkin spice lattes...to die for! Tonnes of whip cream and cinnamon on top. The perfect treat after a long day slaving away. You get the gist.


When my soulmate died 2 years ago, I feared the magic would be gone forever. I went into a brief depression because losing My Trent was the most painful, riveting blow to the heart. It's been 27 months since he died and broke my heart. Everyday the ache still lingers...but it is much more bearable.

Sometimes a person steps into my life and just makes it really beautiful again. Fortunately, I have radar for when this rare soul shows up. My feet have a spring in their step...my heart a little lighter...the days brighter and even a workload is less a burden because my thoughts have shifted to the sweetness of that muse who helped me feel alive again.

For a romance author, finding a new muse in which to channel fresh material is a godsend. Even more so...one who inspires me to reach for the stars and yearn for the best in life. He's reminded me that I'm capable of achieving so much more than the mediocre life I'd been settling for since Trent passed. The biggest fear I carried with me was that my heart would close up and shut down. But the exact opposite happened. My heart broke wide open, with love rushing forth, like a river, ready to make a grand adventure. In this discovery, I found that invincible summer within me, knowing my courage and heart had grown tenfold.

A heart wide open becomes a magnet for miracles. My brand new muse is someone I needed in my life. To inspire. To relate to. To fulfill a need. A mission. I can't express fully how grateful I am that he has come along. In the coming weeks and months, I hope we grow as friends and support one another in a warm connection. My heart is at peace that he is here. He's got a major project in the works and I've jumped onboard to help support the campaign.

That's the thing about a heart wide open. It wants to give and never hold back. To offer freely its time and services to those it holds dear. Unconditional love at the helm of the ship. Steering straight into the blue horizon.

I feel like a kid all over again. Joyful.  Abundant. Free. Wealthy. Loved. Blessed.

Magic is everywhere and I'm loving how it's touched my heart.

I love you, my new friend. I'm proud of you beyond measure. May you always have the blessing of the gods on your side. May the sun always shine on your face. May you always be in my corner.

Thank you from my heart.

Cheering for you.

RR xo

My Forthcoming Novel THE CHRISTMAS KEYS!!!

Dear Readers,

I'm incredibly amped to bring you the final, published product of last November's NaNoWriMo, "THE CHRISTMAS KEYS." Soon, you will have a fresh copy of my latest romance in your hands.

Every November, I partake, along with 600,000 other authors around North America, in the National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to complete a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days! It's a monstrous feat, at best. But by far, it's my annual gift to myself. You could say...an early Christmas gift.

Along with the blushing afterglow of finishing up Derek and Ronnie's story of adopting the concert pianist child prodigy, Jonathan Spence, I'll be promoting the book regionally. Look for me on local TV and for the book in Kindle and paperback format, and on Amazon for sale. Local book retailers will have a copy as well.

Now, I bid you adieu, as I'm back to final edits. Yes, Fall time is here and it won't be long before the autumn leaves turn into that first, heavenly

snowfall.

Cheering for you always,

RR xo

Hello September!!!

Every year at this time, I do a little happy dance.

Why, do you ask?

Strangely, as a girl who was born in April, I have a hugely over-enthused OBSESSION WITH FALLTIME.

I know, I know. Stop it with the Pumpkin Spice talk, right? But I can't help it. Something abut the days getting shorter, the nights getting longer, and the scent of fall in the air just sends me on a trip to the moon.

We're in September officially today. Here in southern Ontario, that means hot days and cooler nights. Today the mercury hit 34 Humidex (25 celcius but feels like 34c with the humidity) In Fahrenheit for my American friends, it feels like 93.

The sun is shining and I've had my first pumpkin spice latte of the season. Tim Hortons is brilliant, although I do prefer the Starbucks version.

Soon, there'll be the crunch of fallen leaves beneath my feet, those familiar, chilly nights and the scent of wood burning fireplaces in the neighbourhood. This time of year, the night skies get prettier. Everything about Autumn pulls me in. Pure romance. Sweater weather. Cozying up to someone you love. I might even be compelled or inspired to have an Autumn romance myself. Wink Wink.

Romance is always on the brain for me, whether in my fantasies or in the form of a book. I love conjuring up a good ole love story. Right now, I'm drafting the outline for my annual NaNoWriMo entry. It's my yearly novel that I set out to write in November. Something about that 50,000 word count just sends the pulse racing and stirs something deep inside me. I am beyond stoked for this year's novel. The storyline hits close to home and it's got romance, murder and intrigue.
I'd like to say it's a hybrid between DIRTY DANCING, MURDER SHE WROTE, and HARLEQUIN.

TANGO IN THE NIGHT is the working title, but it might very well change when November gets here. Right now, it's just a draft, a germ of an idea.

When inspiration hits, you just run with it. My hero is a sexy, adventurous alpha male who likes to work in the kitchen. The heroine is feminine, smart, intuitive and courageous. There's no telling what mischief these two will get up to! Stay tuned for more on Alex and Rebecca.

Wherever you are in the atmosphere right now, may your weekend be filled with adventures and happiness.

As always,

Cheering for you,

RR xo

REST IN PEACE SHILOH: WE WILL MISS YOU

On August 13, 2018 my beloved family pet was euthanized. Trust me. This was not an easy decision to make. Shiloh, our beautiful white haired Schnoodle, was 12 and aging badly. He'd not been eating properly for five weeks. It had gotten to the point where I was hand feeding him morsels from a can of chicken flakes. Poor thing refused to eat any kind of dog food. He knew he was on his last days. Animals try to speed up the death process by deliberately foregoing meals in hopes to end their pain.

The choice to put him to sleep was excruciating for me. To watch him in pain day after day, week after week, was so painful. I felt selfish, because I wanted him alive, to be near as he always had, the faithful companion and the buddy who greeted me at the door as I came in from work. But seeing him deteriorate was more than enough to bear.

When my time comes and it's someone's choice to pull the plug, it won't be easy for them to make that call. We love those close to us and we beg God for "just one more day" in hopes of cherishing those 24 hours forever. Or praying for a miracle.

Shiloh was in my arms, so frail, in that vet office, when they came to take him away. I opted not to watch as they injected him. Instead, I stayed in a side room, sobbing hard. The tears fell like Niagara Falls and I felt so ashamed. What was my problem?He was going to be pain free, finally, and cross that rainbow bridge to doggie heaven to join the other loving souls. He would be at peace and his pain finally gone. But here i was...bawling like a baby. It was for the best, the vet assistant told me, trying to reassure. Yet we love our pets and we linger...hoping for one more hug, one more doggie kiss or wag of the tail that reminds us we are our loved and that we mattered to them.

My Shiloh is resting with angels now. Perhaps he has been greeted by Mr. Lou, our other Schnoodle who passed in October 2012. Or maybe he met with Lady, our beloved Springer Spaniel who died Dec.12, 2000. It's a nice thought to relish. At any rate, he is better off. Me? It took some time to adjust. I would lie in bed after his passing and swore I heard more than a few times his small whimper at my bedroom door to alert me that he wanted in. And I would wake in the morning before work to see his doggie bed was empty. How truly depressing that was. No more 6:00 a.m walks before I hurried off to work.

Now, though, there's a void where Shiloh inhabited my heart. I caught myself on kijiji the other day, perusing ads for puppies. One known breeder of CKC registered English Springer Spaniels had a litter of gorgeous pups born June 11th. Another slap in the face for me. The anniversary of my soulmate Trent passing.  It's like the Universe just grabbed my heart and mocked me with a rollicking laugh that echoed off the walls. I cringed at the irony.

I know one day I'll own another dog. Because dogs love you like no one else. Humans leave you, betray you, mock you, deceive you...but dogs...they love you UNCONDITIONALLY. All they ask for in return is for a scratch behind the ears, a full food dish, walk to the park and some water. Not much at all.

My heart is heavy tonight. I miss you Shiloh. You were a good boy and faithful friend. Rest in peace. Till we meet again. Adios.

RR

RENAISSANCE MAN

One to watch in Oshawa's Ward 4 municipal election this October is Derek Giberson. He's an epic humanitarian with a heart of gold, boasting accolades from the music business and the nonprofit sector.

Derek is a pleasant mix of worldly wise and humility; of bravery, vision and determination. Both passionate and focused, he's working for the people of Ward 4 and planning to bring his expertise to the title of city councillor.
He'll get my vote hands down. Ok, maybe I'm partial to him because we both studied Journalism at Durham College and I'm a die-hard music fanatic. Or perhaps it's because I'm a sucker for an old soul with superb vocals.

As a celebrated musician and bandleader, he fronts the funk & soul group The Professors of Funk. They're in demand all over the GTA and Durham Region as a successful nine piece band with percussion and a horn section. Their chemistry together is a thrill to watch time and time again.

Derek's tireless work for the Back Door Mission for The Relief of Poverty has given hope to disadvantaged and vulnerable people living on the street. The annual fundraising concert he hosts every December at Simcoe Street United Church has brought in some $32,000 from generous donors. He also won an Accessibility Award in Durham Region for breaking barriers for those living with physical disabilities. Derek's vision for aiding the homeless and hungry is the main factor why I'll be voting him in on election day.

The man has heart, soul and conviction. All the traits of a true Renaissance Man. I'd say there's no one better to represent this ward than someone with empathy who truly cares for the people and aims to make a difference.

So without further ado, if you're lucky enough to reside in Ward 4, cast your vote for Mr. Giberson on October 22 and bring monumental change to this community.