Babies at the Border Compilation ...

The situation at the southern border has gotten worse. There are children being ripped from their parents. They are being kept in cages (still). They are not given basic supplies for hygiene ... not toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap! The rooms they are staying in are freezing with only mylar blankets for warmth. Food and water are at a premium. Babies are not given clean diapers and there is so much illness in these camps.

Are you pissed off?

I am.

I'm beyond pissed. I'm livid and disgusted by this administration's heartless behaviors toward the immigrants seeking asylum in the United States, seeking a better life. These CHILDREN are innocent bystanders. They are not political pawns, but Trump believes it necessary to make a statement, using these innocent people to promote his hatred, his racism, his bigotry.

I want to make a difference. I don't know if I can, but by writing a story for this second compilation is one way for me to make that difference.

Information about the compilation will be posted in Babies at the Border Compilation Facebook Group. You can check it out here: Babies at the Border FB Group. 

Below is a summary of my submission. I've yet to write it, but I hope I can do it justice.

Isabella Biers had it all. A loving husband, two adorable children and the dream job. One night, however, changed everything. Bella had a spinal stroke, paralyzing her from the waist down. Bella's husband tried to be there for her, but caring for a wife who was invalid proved to be too much for him. He divorced his wife, unable to cope with her long recovery.

Despite being abandoned by her husband, Bella was determined to not let her disability define her. She wanted to walk again. Enter her physical therapist, Edward Cullen. With the perfect combination of humor, patience, stubbornness and love, can he help her in her endeavor in walking again? Will he open her heart after it was shattered by the man who vowed to be with her, in sickness and in health?

It all begins with A Single Step ...

Public Service Announcement

I thought I could do it. I really did ...

But, I just can't.

I can't keep up with this updating schedule. I recently got a promotion at work. As a result, I have a lot more responsibility at work and I have to put in significantly more hours. Those hours cut into my writing time. When I get home, I want to decompress. Writing can do that for me, but with the update schedule, it feels like work.

So, I'm deciding to put some stories on hiatus and focus on ONE story at a time. The plan is to focus on Buying Love. That one is close to the end. There will be about one hundred chapters and I'm on chapter ninety-three. I'll post updates probably as soon as I finish them, or at least the following day (giving you a teaser). After Buying Love, my attention will turn to So You Think You Can Dance? I'm hopeful that it will be finished by Halloween. I'm thinking that it will be around twenty-seven chapters. Then, I'll come back to The One That Got Away and La Musica del Cuore. 

I hope you all understand my reasoning, but I'm just overwhelmed.

And that's putting it mildly.

I need more hours in a day. Or a personal assistant. Or both?

Thanks for sticking with me!

Friends with Benefits, Help Tease?

Which dress for Bella for the benefit?

 

Option A

 

Option B

 

Option C

 

Option D

 

Option E

 

Option F

 

Option G

 

Option H

 

Option I

 

Option J

Which Wedding Dress??

For Starlet? What screams Bella?

Help me choose!

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Option G

Option H

Option I

Puppy Love ~ One Shot Donation for the Fandom for Animals

"I wanted to make love to you, my Bella,” he said, caressing her slightly flushed cheek. “Besides, our time is usually so filled with our children that the morning is really the only time to do so.”

“But at 5:24 in the morning?” Bella giggled.

“Okay, that was a bit much, but you weren’t complaining,” Edward smirked. Then, he wrinkled his 

nose. He sneezed so loudly that the bed shook. “Oooh, bless me.”

“You okay?” Bella asked, her brow furrowing.

“It’s probably allergies, gorgeous,” he sniffled as he sneezed four more times. “Really bad allergies.”

Bella got up from the bed, pulling on her panties before scampering to their shared bathroom. Edward’s sneezing increased in intensity and volume. She quickly cleaned the aftermath of their lovemaking and grabbed some Benadryl. She handed Edward the pill and he wrinkled his nose. “No, Bella. That knocks me out. I’ve got a Skype meeting with Seattle PD and I’ve got to be coherent.”

“What causes allergies like this, angel?” Bella asked, her brows furrowing.

“Anything airborne. However, I only ever sneezed this badly when Jasper brought home a cat for a day when we were in college. I’m highly allergic to pet dander,” Edward said.

“We don’t have any pets. We have children,” Bella snickered.

“They count as pets, don’t they?” Edward smirked before sneezing again. “Okay, I’m going to shower and then I’ll run to the store to pick up some Zyrtec. I can take that and still manage to be a functional member of society. Though, I may be allergic to our children.”

“What did you do with the cat?” Bella asked, arching her brow.

“Gave it to the neighbor across the hall who was a crazy cat lady,” Edward replied.

“We can’t pawn off our four children onto our neighbors,” Bella giggled.

“We do pawn them off to grandparents,” Edward laughed, waggling his brows. “Maybe they can have some grandparent time this weekend.”

“Insatiable, Cullen.”

“Only for you, gorgeous,” he smirked, swaggering to the bathroom, displaying his fine behind. Then, he sneezed, smashing his head on the edge of the dresser. He collapsed to the floor, groaning.

“EDWARD!”

Banner created by Evilnat

Do you want more? You know you do...If you want to find out why Edward was sneezing and what happened prior to that little tidbit of goodness, visit the following link and donate to help out the creatures who can't talk...animals. Click the following link for more teasers, information on how to donate, and the list of other authors, banner makers and betas donating their time and talents for this cause.

Fandom for Animals

The compilation will be sent out, if you donate money, in early September. Help out the innocents who can't speak for themselves and who typically receive the harshest treatment. 

Yep, still torn...more options...

I need help...

Planning the wedding for A Prescription for Love...what color scheme should I choose? Leave your responses in the comments section.

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Option G

Option H 

Option I

Public Service Announcement

Hey all...

I hope you are all doing well. Things are starting to pick up on my end, though. I mean, really, really, REALLY pick up. In real life, that is.

Anyhow, in addition to my job as a teacher, I've also been asked by 30 students to accompany them for solo/ensemble contest. The students play their instruments or sing while I play the piano underneath. That means I have 30 pieces of music that I need to have learned by the last weekend in February.

Can I get a drink yet? HA!

PLUS, I've been asked by one of the high school choral directors to be one of the assistant musical directors for their production of Singing in the Rain. I'm over the moon excited about this but slightly stressed at the sheer amount of work that's entailed. As far as I've been told, I'm responsible for teaching all of the vocal parts, obtaining props and writing the program. I think? It's good money, but a ton of work and a lot of extra time at school.

I've got those two things. On top of that, I'm moving on March 25th into a condo. (Go me! I'm a homeowner! WOOT! WOOT!) Zero time to pack though.

Long story short, my time will be at  premium until the end of April. I am still planning on updating my stories but you won't get as many updates as you're accustomed to from me. I'm hoping I'll have updates for you every two weeks. If I'm lucky...

Yeah...this picture kind of describes how I'm feeling right now...

Stupidity and Cruelty at its Finest

Yesterday a 17 year female , who attends Lancaster High School in California, was beaten by a football player, on school grounds, for being gay. After receiving over a dozen blows to her jaw, head, eye and head, all he received was a 5 day suspension by the Lancaster School District. She suffered from a fractured jaw and multiple concussions to the head and the Deputy Sheriff advised her mother to re-think her wanting to file charges against the football player because her daughter pushed him back. The school ended up documenting "assault" charges on the victims school file, NOT the football players!!! To make things worse, the Deputy Sheriff warned the victim, by saying, "Just so you know, if you file charges against him, I'm taking his side." We're attempting to raise awareness and bring this story to light because Lancaster High School is trying to sweep this "Hate Crime" under the rug! Like if you care and please forward to everyone you know.

FYI : CBS, KCAL 9 news are running the story tomorrow at 10pm

Oh My!

Hey all...

I just notification that two of my stories are up for 'Top Ten Completed Fics in August' on the TwiFanfictionRecs website.

Please vote for my two stories... Voting is open until October 1st.

Figure Eight ~ Bella Swan is a nationally ranked paired skater with Jacob Black. Edward Masen is beautiful British skater paired with Tanya. However, both of their partners fall into hard times. These two try to navigate their way through life, both on and off the ice. 

Finding Love Through Music ~ Edward is a choral director, reeling from his recent divorce from his wife, Jessica. His world is filled with his daughter, Emma, his music and his job. Bella is an English teacher, running from her past and wary of love. ExB, AH, AU

Help!

Fandom4LLS needs your help. We're still short of our fundraising goal. For just $5 minimum donation, you get stories from over 65 authors, including my A Prescription for Love futuretake, A Healing Touch. 

Please consider donating. This is a cause that's near and dear to my heart. Thank you.Fandom4LLS 

A Prescription for Love Outtake/Futuretake

Hey all...

At the beginning of the summer, I was approached by the Fandom4LLS to write a one-shot. Shortly afterward, it completely slipped my mind because of the drama with FF.net. Anyhow, I got a reminder about it and I just finished adding the corrections that Bridget, my wonderful beta, suggested. If you want to read the one-shot, you have to donate some money (information on how to donate and what the money goes toward is on their site: Fandom for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

Please take the time to donate some money and get an awesome compilation of stories from your favorite authors in the Fandom.

My story is entitled A Healing Touch. Roughly six months after Bella and Edward meet at Cook County Hospital, their relationship is moving along and life couldn’t be better. However, one frightened child, two parents, one doctor and one nurse are presented with an illness that baffles them all. What will happen and will our favorite doctor and nurse be able to figure out the medical mystery before it’s too late?

Thank you to Elaine for the idea and I hope you like what I did with your suggestion. Hugs!!! Also, thank you to m81170 for the beautiful banner that you created for my one-shot. It's gorgeous and totally fits with the feeling of the story. 

Reaching out to my graphic designers...

Hey all -

I’m completing a one-shot for the Fandom for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I’m the worst at making banners and I need a banner for my one shot, please.

It’s a future take from one of my more popular stories, A Prescription for Love.

Here’s the summary for the actual story…

Bella Swan works as a nurse at Cook County Hospital in the ER. She’s older and desperate for love. It’s hindered by her shy personality and plump body. Her father, whom she lives with, teases her relentlessly for being fat and single.

Edward Cullen, thirty-three, is hired as a doctor in the ER. He’s getting over a divorce. He moved to Chicago to be closer to his family: sister, Rosalie, and brother, Jasper. Rosalie is younger than Edward by ten years and is struggling with an eating disorder brought on by a heinous rape of her ex-boyfriend. Jasper, twenty-seven, is finishing up his doctorate in history.

Bella is charmed by this new doctor in the ER. He’s kind and thinks about his patients and maintains a friendly rapport with the nurses and orderlies. Edward is intrigued by the sad nurse who does her job efficiently but doesn’t have a sparkle in her eyes.

Will she allow Dr. Cullen into her life or will she let her insecurities get in the way of her happiness. Perhaps, Dr. Feelgood can write her a prescription. A prescription for love…

And the Summary for the ONE SHOT - Roughly six months after Bella and Edward meet at Cook County Hospital, their relationship is moving along and life couldn’t be better. However, one frightened child, two parents, one doctor and one nurse are presented with an illness that baffles them all. What will happen and will our favorite doctor and nurse be able to figure out the medical mystery before it’s too late? Rated M/NC-17 for language, lemons and adult situations.

The story will be called The Healing Touch. Anyone? Please???

Thanks, oodles!


Edited to add...I did my own banner...whaddya think?

Help!

In an upcoming chapter for  A Prescription for Love, Bella and Edward are going to a ball and I need some help with what she should wear. Below are several pictures of gowns I have as an idea for her. It's a pretty fancy ball, so which one should she wear???

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Option E

Option F

Option G

Option H

Option I

Option J