Family

Meet Taylor Valentine

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I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the people in The Chemical Attraction Series. Taylor Valentine, Eva O’Sullivan, and Joe Roberts are siblings by choice. They’ve told me their story, and I wrote about their amazing journey. These interviews take place just after their adventure in Chemical Reaction. [trivial spoilers/no plot spoilers]

Taylor Valentine, a natural beauty, embraces her vanilla tendencies. Her plan for her life reinforces those traits. Kindhearted, she doesn’t apologize for giving people the benefit of the doubt.

In Their Rigid Rules and The Kindred Code, she meets Stuart and her perfect plan hits a snag changing her life significantly. Taylor has a minor part in Chemical Attraction and Chemical Reaction, but she supports the family with her subtle strength. Today, she answers a few questions for the fans of the Series.

CHRISTINA: After all the drama from Their Rigid Rules and The Kindred Code, has your outlook changed about your life?

TAYLOR: Yes. I’ve become more flexible bending with my plans so not to break. Bad things happened back then, but so much good happened as well. All those changes in my original plan led me to Stuart.

CHRISTINA: Was that the start of your Happily Ever After?

TAYLOR: Not quite. Stuart and I had to deal with the aftermath of Their Rigid Rules in the sequel, The Kindred Code. Stuart tried to protect me from the stress which ended up making everything worse.

CHRISTINA: Eva and Joe have mentioned throughout the series that you have a family vibe. Can you elaborate on that? Are you psychic?

TAYLOR: No, I’m not psychic. I had developed an ability of insight with our family. The snapshots I saw weren’t about the future; they were about the present. I can’t always decipher the meaning just the emotion of the family member. Once I saw Eva, embarrassed, angry, cold, and stranded in a snow bank. What I couldn’t see was that Eva slipped into a snow bank just outside the Allenton Police Station. This vibe hasn’t come in handy at all. I just worry more. It’s irksome that there’s no context to these visions.

CHRISTINA: Do you think Joe met his match with Madeline?

TAYLOR: Oh yes! Eva told me about the chemistry of their first kiss. I’m thankful they found each other. Joey works too hard. He found his equal.

CHRISTINA: Thanks for joining me today and giving the fans an insight into your life. To read more about Stuart and Taylor’s romance, check out Their Rigid Rules and its sequel The Kindred Code.

 

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Meet Stuart Morgan from The Chemical Attraction Series

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I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the people in The Chemical Attraction Series. Taylor Valentine, Eva O’Sullivan, and Joe Roberts are siblings by choice. They’ve told me their story, and I wrote about their amazing journey. These interviews take place just after their adventure in Chemical Reaction. [trivial spoilers/no plot spoilers]

As a history professor and former Marine, Dr. Stuart Morgan, a blond, blue-eyed war hero, battles his inner demons. Although he longs for mental peace from an empathetic woman, his rigid rules prevent it.

In Their Rigid Rules, he meets Taylor in his Civil War seminar then throws out his strict rules to pursue her. Instead of sharing their personal struggles in The Kindred Code, they drift further apart. In Chemical Attraction and Chemical Reaction, Stuart and Taylor remain supportive of Joe and the rest of their family. Today, Stuart answers a few questions for the fans of the Series.

CHRISTINA: Will we ever hear your military story that won you a medal?

STUART: Yes, Taylor and I discuss it in The Kindred Code. I had a hard time putting that time in my life behind me. Thankfully, I have Taylor and the rest of the family for support.

CHRISTINA: What do you do to cope with your PTSD?

STUART: It’s not something a lot of people know about. Although medication has helped many, I don’t take any because I don’t want that to be an issue with my job. Unfortunately, it would give the university president more ammunition against me. The negative connotation of perceived violence is why many vets with PTSD don’t seek medical help … myself included. Support from my family helps, and I work out every day at the gym. Although my symptoms have lessened, I still have occasional nightmares and panic attacks.

CHRISTINA: Are you and Matt Connor friendly? We haven’t seen much interaction between the two of you in the stories.

STUART: We’re married to sisters so, yeah, Matt and I hang out a lot. Joe’s usually there, too. He’s a smartass. Matt and I keep him grounded and enjoy giving him a hard time. Joe’s like our annoying little brother.

CHRISTINA: Have you and Joe worked out your issues over Taylor?

STUART: I worked out my issues with Joe a long time ago. It took him a while longer. Joe protected Taylor for much of her life. He focused on his career, which, I think, helped his transition with the changes. Joe cares about his sisters. You can’t fault him for that.

CHRISTINA: On a lighter note, are any of the football players in your history classes?

STUART: All of them are. It’s a requirement. Taylor once met me as my class let out. Talk about awestruck. She went gaga. The guys were all about meeting her because of our notoriety. She impressed them with her knowledge of the game. She even lectured the offensive linemen on their tells which gave away their blocking direction. I don’t tell Taylor when that class is. My students don’t need the added distraction, and I don’t need the competition.

CHRISTINA: Thanks for joining me today and giving the fans a look into your life. To read more about Stuart and Taylor’s romance, check out Their Rigid Rules and its sequel, The Kindred Code.

 

 

 

Meet Matthew Connor from The Chemical Attraction Series

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I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the people in The Chemical Attraction Series. Eva O’Sullivan, Taylor Valentine, and Joe Roberts are siblings by choice. They’ve told me their story, and I wrote about their amazing journey. These interviews take place just after their adventure in Chemical Reaction. [trivial spoilers/no plot spoilers]

Ruggedly handsome with a calm demeanor, Officer Matthew Connor had pushed any romantic life aside to focus on raising his eight-year-old son, David. Then, he meets Eva O’Sullivan in Their Rigid Rules. In The Kindred Code, he watches Eva take his hometown by storm. As the police chief, he steps up during Joe’s case in Chemical Attraction and Chemical Reaction. Today, he answers a few questions for the fans of the Series.

CHRISTINA: When you first saw Eva with David, what was your first thought?

MATT: Mesmerizing came to mind. She definitely spiced up my life. The first time she visited my home, she turned the town upside down. I didn’t think the Allenton gossip circuit could travel faster than the speed of light. Boy, that weekend it had.

CHRISTINA: How hard was it to be a single dad for the first eight years of David’s life?

MATT: Tough. Like I mentioned before, gossip is big in this town and stereotypes are even bigger. I’ve been the chief for nine years, but I’m still known as the guy who knocked up his high school girlfriend. Beth gave up her rights to David right after he was born while I embraced fatherhood. I wouldn’t have changed a thing though. David makes me a better person, and I strive to be the man he looks up to.

CHRISTINA: Uncovering a criminal network in your town, Joe created tension by not informing you about his case from the beginning. How’s your relationship with him now?

MATT: Man, I don’t want him to visit us anymore … too much drama when he’s around. Joking aside, I love Joe like a little brother. Years ago in The Kindred Code, Stuart and I helped him out of a sticky situation, which cemented a brothers’ bond among the three of us. Besides, I could do worse than have a federal agent and a college professor as brothers.

CHRISTINA: Just a couple more questions before I let you go. Do you want David to pursue a career in law enforcement?

MATT: It’s his choice. Eva’s not keen on the idea, but she accepts it. David’s smart and has made responsible choices so far. As a dad, I have to trust he’ll continue to do that. There’s not much else I can do.

CHRISTINA: I get the feeling that your responsibilities take over much of your life. What do you do for fun?

MATT: Ha. Not having much fun these days. I enjoy spending time with my wife and I crochet to relax. It’s meditative. My mother taught me years ago. I made David’s first baby blanket, and I donate the baby blankets I make now to our local hospital. After seeing the basket of yarn next to our sofa, Joe gave me a hard time until Eva told him what I did with the finished ones. Boy, did he feel bad. His niceness lasted for a month. It really creeped Eva out.

CHRISTINA: Thanks for joining me today and giving the fans insight into your life.

Read more about the chemistry of Matt and Eva’s first meeting in Their Rigid Rules (Book One). Then follow up with their touching romance in The Kindred Code (Book Two).

Their Rigid Rules (Book One)

The Kindred Code (Book Two)

 

If you obey all the RULES, you miss all the fun.

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“If you obey all the RULES, you miss all the fun.” ~ Katharine Hepburn

One of the reasons for the second edition release of The Chemical Attraction Series is to put it in chronological order. Captivating, fast-paced, suspenseful, and romantic, Their Rigid Rules is now the first book in the Series. Learn more about these characters from the beginning:

Taylor Valentine, a senior at Western Michigan University, has had her life planned out since kindergarten. After her parents died while she was still in high school, she had perfected it to make them proud. Now with the help of her best friends, Joe and Eva, she focuses on graduation and a career with romance in the far distant future. However, when the visiting professor enters the lecture hall to a four-weekend Civil War seminar, her perfect plan hits a snag.

As a handsome history professor and former Marine, Dr. Stuart Morgan has his own set of strict rules especially with infatuated students. He enjoys his boring yet pleasant life until he starts receiving death threats. With his unwanted bodyguard in tow, Stuart is unnerved by his reaction to Taylor.

Their rigid rules discourage all but a flirtation. With the threats from family and foe pulling them apart, Stuart must somehow convince Taylor to break her rules and embrace a new plan.

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Their Rigid Rules (Book One)

Siblings by Choice

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Mark your calendars for the release of The Kindred Code on Wednesday, July 19th. In the meantime, enjoy the excerpt between Joe and Eva, who are siblings by choice. They tease, harass, deflect, and know each other so well…

Excerpt from The Kindred Code

“Joey, focus! You missed the street,” Eva said.

Joe backtracked and finally found Matt’s house, a plain, well-kept country blue ranch with a two-car attached garage and a chain link fence in back half buried in the snow. In the neatly shoveled driveway, Matt’s old Bronco had also been cleared. Joe stopped beside it then blew out a breath in relief, glad to be done with the long drive on the slippery back roads.

“Crap,” Eva said, searching through her brown leather purse. “He gave me a key and I forgot it.”

“Damn it, Eva. I’m not going back,” he replied, flexing his fingers to ease the ache from his tight grip of the steering wheel. “Maybe he has one hidden somewhere.”

She laughed. “Here,” she said, holding it out for him. “You’re the one who needs to lighten up.”

He ripped it from her hand. She continued to laugh as he walked around the car to help her out. She handed him her purse and mittens then struggled to stand on her own, despite the walking boot cast on her right foot. Stubborn as always. With a sigh, he filled his arms with her crutches and suitcase from the back seat.

Taking the crutches, she started hopping toward the front door. Matt had shoveled the walkway bare, too, and rock salt covered every cement surface. Matt was definitely a responsible guy. Joe chuckled as he followed her.

Eva held out her hand for the key. “Just drop my purse and suitcase inside then you can leave,” she said, unlocking the door.

“No way. What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t look around and make sure he’s not some psycho?” he asked.

Inside, Eva turned and glared at him. “He’s a cop and a wonderful father who owns his own home.”

“You do need to lighten up. I was kidding, except for the snooping part.”

In the living room, Joe set her suitcase, purse, and mangled mittens beside the worn yet comfortable looking sofa. Under one end table, he spotted a wicker basket with yarn and a partially crocheted blanket.

“How domestic do you want to be with this guy? Crocheting? Really?” Joe said with a chuckle.

“Aren’t you going to be late?” Eva replied.

“Nope. I’ve got time.” He walked toward the kitchen on the right.

The plain white kitchen had enough room for a square wooden table and four chairs. David’s school paintings on the refrigerator added the only color to the room. To annoy Eva, Joe opened a cupboard above the bare countertop.

“Joe, stop,” she said, leaning on the back of one of the chairs.

“Do you really want to get tied down with a kid?”

Opening the fridge, he found it overflowing with Tupperware containers. He pulled out the closest, lifting the lid to see what was inside. His mouth watered at the macaroni salad. He quickly found a spoon in the drawer. After taking a huge bite, he moaned and held out a spoonful for Eva.

“This is so good,” he mumbled with another mouthful.

“I think his mom made it. His parents live across the street.” She hopped to the lid on the counter and held it out for him to cover the bowl. Instead, he walked around the table, making her hop after him.

“Sounds like Everybody Loves Raymond,” he said, before taking another bite.

“Have you talked to Taylor today?”

“No,” he replied, taking the lid she thrust in his face. “She’s not my problem anymore.” He shoved the container with its lid back into the refrigerator.

“Not your problem? She’s your family.”

“You know what I mean. She’s with Stuart now.” Leaving the kitchen, he headed down the hallway and glanced in David’s dinosaur-themed bedroom. In the guest room next to David’s, six boxes of toys and books rested on the bed beside two police uniforms lying across an ironing board.

“Do you want to talk about her?” she asked at his heels to keep him from snooping too thoroughly.

“This place is void of a female touch. Are you gonna decorate right away or wait until you’re living here?”

“Peter’s going to make you wear a suit everyday with the FBI.”

“Not if I can help it,” he replied.

Before Joe could add another retort, he and Eva heard a bang then a rattling from the basement. Joe whispered for Eva to go into the bathroom and lock the door. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head while Joe opened the basement door. The rattling vibrated the steps as Joe carefully descended. Eva hopped down behind him.

Beside neatly packed boxes on metal shelves that lined the perimeter of the small clean basement, an old furnace shook. At closer inspection, Joe found a large wrench sitting on the water heater and a slight dent in the furnace beside it. He banged the wrench into the dent and the rattling stopped. The heat popped on.

Joe grinned. “Owning a home is easy. I’m a pro already.”

Eva snorted and hopped back up the stairs huffing as she went. When his cell rang, Joe checked the caller ID. He let Taylor’s call go to his voicemail. Eva watched him.

“You need to work through your feelings for her,” Eva said.

“And, on that note, I’m out of here.” She was right, but he wouldn’t openly admit it.

Using her crutch, Eva poked him in the back, stopping him. “I love you, Joey.”

“Stay out of trouble,” he replied, giving her a hug, “although nothing ever happens in these farming towns.”

 

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THE KINDRED CODE: Did you know?

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Some writers say they put bits of themselves into their stories. I, too, have incorporated parts of my life in my writing. I call it — Therapy. These are a few of my bits and pieces that sparked my series. (You may sense a Back in My Day theme as you read them.)

DID YOU KNOW I spoke with an Afghan war veteran about his experiences? He helped bring authenticity to Stuart’s PTSD flashback scene. I’ve known my son’s friend since they were in middle school together. He’s grown into a caring responsible young man. Caleb, thank you for your service. I’m proud of you.

DID YOU KNOW I modeled the tiny spunky nun in this story after Sister Maxine Magee from The Sisters of St. Joseph? I knew her through Nazareth College and our church. She sang “Ava Maria” at my wedding. She recently passed away. I’ll miss the little gal with a big voice and heart to match.

DID YOU KNOW I named Linda Lou’s bar, after my mom? She’s not fond of her middle name. Now, it’s out there in the book world. (Take that, Mom, for grounding me when I was fourteen.) In another book, I name a Great Lakes cruise ship after my dad. I though the USS Hershall Floyd has a certain ring to it. (I’m hilarious!)

 

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THEIR RIGID RULES: Did you know?

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Some writers say they put bits of themselves into their stories. I, too, have incorporated parts of my life in my writing. I call it — Therapy. These are a few of my bits and pieces that sparked my series. (You may sense a Back in My Day theme as you read them.)

DID YOU KNOW Taylor and Eva’s dorm room isn’t set up like the dorms at Western Michigan University? Instead, it’s akin to the dorms at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo where I attended college. At my small college, two buildings had four floors each. The men were on only one of the floors since the campus first became coed in 1971. Shout out! Go Moles! (Yes, that was our mascot.)

DID YOU KNOW Holly’s Bistro on Westnage Avenue in Kalamazoo was a real place? Stuart takes Taylor to Holly’s on their first official date. My now husband Kraig and I had dinner there often while dating. Sadly, the romantic restaurant isn’t there anymore.

DID YOU KNOW Matt Connor’s son, David, started out as such a minor role that I used my son David’s name? I wanted a strong name, and my son’s was right there. Now, David Connor has become an integral character in the Series. I don’t regret naming him after my son, however, my David may receive flack for it. (Sorry/Not sorry, Son.)

Mark your calendars for the re-release of Their Rigid Rules on Wednesday, July 19th.

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The Birds of Winter

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cardinal-2

Today, I’m featuring a short story written by my brother, James. I’d like to think my passion for writing is rubbing off on him…

 

The Birds of Winter

By James Bennett

I knew returning to Michigan was going to be hard. Under these circumstances perhaps even harder. It had just started to snow as I arrived at my mother’s house. A gust of cold wind blew across my neck as I made my way to the door. She was ready with a glass of wine and a deck of cards hoping to make up some lost time. It’s been tough for her since her father died two months ago. Especially on Sunday when we used to gather for the traditional family dinner.

We sat down at the kitchen table and had time for a few games before my brother and sisters arrived. “Gin again,” my mother said as she slapped down her cards. I had never quite got the hang of the game she taught us when we were kids. She left me there to shuffle the cards as she journeyed to refill her drink.

Just then a cloud passed overhead and cast a shadow on the room. When I glanced outside I noticed a bright red Cardinal staring at me from the feeder. I was mesmerized by his flickering motion and instantly transported on a memory to my grandfather’s house. I was six years old standing perfectly still in a foot of snow with my arms outstretched. Wrapped in a faded purple snowsuit that was handed down from my sister, I waited patiently.

I remember my grandfather telling me that if I was perfectly still, they would come. And as the minutes passed, standing there trying not to shiver from the cold, they came. I was hypnotized by the movement, watching them dart back and forth. I could see them jump around on the different feeders hanging from the small maple tree. They would jump from a branch to the feeder and back again waiting for their turn. Sometimes they would light in the huge black walnut tree just down the hill and sometimes they would seem to appear out of nowhere. I knew each type of bird. My mother and grandfather both taught me the difference between Sparrows, Wrens, Finches and a dozen others.

Finally, it happened. First a Chickadee, then another, then a Wren and two sparrows. They took turns hopping in and out of my hands taking a bit of seed each time. Their tiny feet felt like snowflakes dancing in my hand. I’ve never felt closer to nature.

“What are you staring at?” my mother said as she returned with her drink.

“I was just remembering when grandpa taught us how the birds could eat out of our hands.”

“I haven’t thought about that for years. What made you think of that?”

“I just noticed the birds outside on your feeder. Do they stick around all winter?”

“Of course,” she said.

“But, don’t most birds migrate for the winter? What makes these stay though the harsh bitter cold months?”

“Well, because, this is their home and this is where their families are.” After a moment, we both smiled at each other.

“Now deal the cards,” she said.

xxx

Thanks again for stopping by. Did you enjoy the story?

Let James know in the comments.

Happy 2017—a Year of Kindness & Encouragement!

 

Searching for Her

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purple-roses-4

“Synchronicity happens when you align with the flow of the Universe rather than insisting the Universe flows your way.” – Akemi G

Searching for Her, an anthology of short stories about Joe Roberts from The Chemical Attraction Series, takes place after The Kindred Code leading into Chemical Attraction.  Each story shares secrets about Joe’s family, secrets that aren’t revealed anywhere in the novels.

Throughout the seven shorts, Joe gradually loses faith that he’ll find his one.  Convinced that Madeline Pierce is his perfect match, Joe’s sisters push for a connection between them.  Each time they force a meeting, it backfires in a big way.  With synchronicity keeping them apart, Joe and Madeline are unaware God’s Plan for them is grander.

SEARCHING FOR HER on Amazon

 

Some men think there’s a choice between right and wrong. Great men know there is none – General S. Randall

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TruckersCatFrontCover1500x2400

With a family history of military service, I wrote The Trucker’s Cat, a fast-paced romantic adventure with a patriotic theme.

After hearing the brave stories about my father and grandfather, I learned that believing in something greater, whether it’s the love of God, country, or each other, affects us in powerful ways. I enjoyed writing about the emotional workings of our mind and heart and the spiritual energy that taps into our passions.

In The Trucker’s Cat, Samantha Randall and Major Logan McCormick, inspired by General Randall’s patriotic speech, do what’s necessary to prevent the unthinkable—a Presidential assassination.

Leaving the Russian Embassy where she lives with her mother and stepfather, Samantha treks cross-country to warn the driver that his cargo has the proof, but she finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Driving a truck on a special military assignment, Logan sees no choice and rescues Sam from a bloated lecher. Against protocol, he gives the wildcat a ride. With Russian soldiers searching for Logan’s cargo and another team chasing Samantha, they quickly realize they must work together. Their belief in a common value takes on extraordinary meaning.

Although I’ve created these characters, I’m also inspired by them. That’s why I dedicated The Trucker’s Cat to the servicemen in my family:

Lieutenant Colonel John Bunyan Bennett, M.D., United States Army (WWI, WWII)

Parachute Rigger 1st Class LeRoy Stewart Thompson, United States Navy (WWII)

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Hershall Floyd Bennett, United States Marines (Korean War)

Senior Airman James Hershall Bennett, United States Air Force

Corporal Caleb Weyrick-Greene, United States Marines (Afghanistan)

Senior Airman David Stuart Thompson, United States Air Force

Do you know a military serviceman or woman who inspires you? Please share their name and rank. I would love to acknowledge them and their service. Thanks for stopping by today.

The Trucker’s Cat on Amazon

The Trucker’s Cat on Goodreads