Category Archives: Writing

What started it all?

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When people find out that I am an author, I am always intrigued by the various reactions that I receive.  The look I receive most often is that of bewilderment quickly followed by the words, “No, you don’t.”  Then I have to prove it to them by pulling a book up on one of the  merchant’s sites.  Keep in mind, I teach high school kids, which are never very trusting in the first place.  Then they start firing the questions and I answer as best I can.

One question I don’t think they have ever asked is, “what started this?”  But I found myself coming across something old and familiar as I was searching for my “Throw Back LittleWomen3
Thursday” book cover.  Little Women is what started it all for me.  I think that one scene simply called “Under the Umbrella” is the most romantic scene of any love story I have read to date.  This is the part that makes my heart melt every time:

“‘Ah! Thou gifest me such hope and courage, and I had nothing to gif back but a full heart and these empty hands,’ cried the professor, quite overcome.

Jo never, never would learn to be proper; for when he said that as they stood upon the steps, she just put both hands into his, whispering tenderly, ‘Not empty now,’ and, stooping down, kissed her Friedrich under the umbrella.”

*sigh*  How could that not make you melt?  How could you not fall in love with Friedrich Bhaer right then and there?  How could you not wish to be Jo March in that very moment?  *sigh*

Thank you, Mrs. Bryan (6th grade Reading Teacher) for introducing me to this beautiful story, staying my friend through the years, and encouraging me in my own endeavors.  So, there you have it, not just the book, but the exact text within the book that started my love affair with romance and happily-ever-afters.

LittleWomen7If you have not read Little Women, I encourage you to do so.  It is a lovely book about four sisters finding their way in the world, and even though it takes place during the Civil War, it is amazing how so many things they go through is still applicable today.

If you are reading this, I would like to know, what started your love affair with romance books and happily-ever-afters?

Happy reading!

Tammy Jo

excerpt taken from:

Alcott, Louisa May.  Little Women. Illustrated by Michael Adams. New York: A Golden Book, 1987.

Cabin Fever

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For those of you that are not aware, those of us here in the North Texas region are on a Mother Nature Lockdown.  Most of us have been locked in our houses since Thursday evening because of a vicious cold front and ice storm that trekked its way through here.  The temperature today never reached above the low 20s.  However, this cold weather has indicated several things.

  • The end of football season is approaching.  High school playoff games were postponed, college conference championships were played, and NFL wildcard hunts begin.
  • The yuletide season is upon us.  So, what did I do?  I watched ABC Family Christmas movies on my Charter on Demand and then finished out the night by popping in White Christmas into the VCR.  Yes, VCR – kicking it old-school.
  • Also, for the girl who usually only drinks cold drinks, it was a coffee all day type of day for me.  (And that never happens.)

I worked hard on editing book #3, To Love and Protect, but had to fight hard against the cabin fever that had me clicking on FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest, e-mail, and anything else that could successfully distract me.  And halfway through the day I found myself thinking, “I would kill for a Dr. Pepper right about now.”

It looks as if we are going to have one more day that we are locked inside our igloos (most churches in the area, including mine, has cancelled services on Sunday) for another day.  So, here is hoping you and yours stay warm and toasty and find a way to beat your cabin fever for one more day!

Happy reading!

Tammy Jo

Labor Day

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      Labor Day is a bit of an oxymoron, isn’t it?  It is a day when most people are off work, but some of us know that there are just things that need to get done. Last minute things around the house has to be done since school has started back up.  I got all the house stuff done earlier this weekend so I could focus on editing today.  It is now 3:00 and I have not touched editing yet.  One reason was we had rain and thunder all night and almost all morning.  It was really hard to not laze about in bed, cuddling with the baby boy, and listening to the much needed rain.

     Well, I did get a little inspired.  I have heard that the Christian Grey character has been set.  Even though I was really pulling for Ian Somerhalder, I have found a picture of Charlie Hunnam that has sold me on him.  Hmmm….  It will be interesting to say the least!

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Writing conundrum…

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When I am writing, I have to stay away from reading historical fiction. Especially anything near that time period.  It is just a big no, no for me.  So here I sit in my cozy little house with Baby Boy (the cat) & 11 bookcases (I know, I know…keep in mind I am a librarian!) mostly filled with historical romances.  So what’s a girl to do???

I love pulling out the old Diana Palmer’s.  Mrs. Palmer, if you are reading this, I have been a fan since the beginning!!!  Then there are all the old Harlequin’s and Silhouette’s from back in the day.  And, oh my goodness, the Harlequin Presents of the present.  I mean, really, do they make heroes like the Italians, Greeks, Brits, Aussies, and Latin Americans that we read about in those books?  And don’t forget those rugged cowboys and business moguls of America.  I love picking up one of these books where you are guaranteed to read about a wickedly attractive man, with an ego that won’t quit, some kind of commitment issue, and money to spare!  (Hello, Mr. C. G.!)

Well, it’s time to curl up with an oldie, but goody, Beloved by Mrs. Palmer herself.  Baby Boy is wanting to play fetch (yes, he thinks he’s a dog!), and I am ready for an 8-hour nap!

Have a great night!

Tammy Jo