New Release: The Rumball Rumba by Bonnie Edwards

Today I have a treat for you. My friend Bonnie Edwards has a brand new holiday romance you're going to love—The Rumball Rumba.

Just the book's title tells you it's going to be fun.

Getting to Know Bonnie Edwards

In case you've not read Bonnie before, let me tell you a bit about her.

She's been writing all her life, starting with a poem about Santa suffering with gout. She was seven, Santa was a thousand-teen years old.

Delighted with writing, she went on to write family sagas, humorous contemporary romance, romantic suspense, erotic paranormal ghost romances and more.

She may jump around within romance, but all her stories come with a tear, a laugh, and a happy ending.

Published by Kensington Books, Harlequin Books, Carina Press, and Robinson (UK) Bonnie’s stories stretch from short stories to novellas and novels. Now, she's happy to be publishing her work herself.

With over 35 titles to her credit, she has been translated into several languages and sold books worldwide. Aside from standalone romances, she has 4 ongoing romance series, Tales of Perdition, The Brantons, and Love at Christmas. Contemporary family sagas find a home in Return to Welcome.

Now she's hard at work on two new series. Learn about more exciting releases and get a free romance by subscribing to her newsletter, Bonnie’s Newsy Bits.

Follow Bonnie Edwards Online

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More About The Rumball Rumba

At Christmas, a secret baby arrives in Dickens…

Pregnant and divorced, successful artist Trix Warden returns to Dickens to raise her child surrounded by family. To do that, she needs to renovate a horse barn into a gallery/market for other artists.

At 37, her baby is an unexpected miracle that is hers alone. Determined to get everything done before Delivery Day, she hires widowed single father, Jon Carpenter to do her renovations.

As they move through the work, they spend time together enjoying the holiday season. Trix helps Jon through tricky times as a parent of teens, and he offers support throughout her pregnancy.

Their friendly business relationship blossoms into mutual attraction, and on Christmas Eve, when the baby comes early, Trix trusts Jon with her secret and her heart. But the secret Trix reveals creates a deep divide between them as Jon struggles to accept the decision Trix has made.

Trix is afraid her secret Christmas baby, and her choices, may tear their newfound love to shreds.

Bonus! Included is a recipe for No Bake, No Rum, Rum Balls.

Ready for an Excerpt from The Rumball Rumba?

Chapter One

July 3

The small town of Dickens

“I’m getting a divorce.” Those words had seemed like a dreadful announcement to give her family last Christmas, but she’d weathered the storm. The combined Moore and James families had rallied quickly and supported her through the whole messy business. Dale, her husband of too many years, had left her for his much younger receptionist.

It still pinched that she was the first divorcee in her family. Trix Warden, loser at marriage. Last Christmas she couldn’t imagine anything worse.

Until now, today.

Because today she got to say the words, “I’m pregnant. I’m a pregnant divorcee.” She winced because that wasn’t the worst of it.

She smoothed her flowy white blouse and denim shorts as she walked the hall in Gram’s house.

Everyone had gathered for the Fourth of July weekend. From the kitchen she saw them on the patio, sitting on chairs in a semi-circle, cold drinks in hand. Her cousins Kayley and Brenna sat beside Brenna’s husband, Jett. He wore his usual expression; besotted. Not only did he love her cousin he was wealthy and generous. Kind, too. They’d only been married a few months having met right here in Dickens last Christmas.

She’d overshadowed their budding romance with her horrid divorce announcement, but that couldn’t be helped.

She sucked in her belly and plastered on a smile. Her Egyptian cotton top was long and roomy. It was perfect for July heat. This morning, without warning, she’d been unable to zip up her best pair of shorts, so she’d dug through her ‘big’ clothes and cut off her pre-divorce jeans above the knee. She needed to give her blossoming tummy more room.

Trix drew in a breath and slid open the screen slider. “Hi everyone. I finally made it. Getting out of Brooklyn was a bear.”

Takeaway Truth

Bonnie Edwards—Earthy, Irreverent...Real Romance—is an author you'll want to add to your must-reads.

Pick up your copy of The Rumball Rumba today.

Want a Cocktail? Try a Thankstini

I fought the crowds in the supermarket today.

It was more frantic than a BOGO sale at Neiman Marcus—if that upscale department store actually had a BOGO sale which they don't.

After filling a shopping cart, checking out, trundling the cart to my car, risking a hernated disk by loading the gazillion plastic bags in the trunk of my car, driving home through suicide alley aka my local freeway, unloading the car, lugging the bags inside, putting away enough food to stave off the next famine, and collapsing on the sofa while I wondered what I could cook for tonight's dinner, I thought of the perfect drink to go with my exhaustion and general disgruntlement.

The Thankstini

Ah, yes. a cocktail sure to knock the stuffing out of you if grocery shopping didn't do it. The Thankstini, created by Barney Stinson of How I Met Your Mother.

Never heard of it? Then you must not be a Barney Stinson fan. Barney described it this way: "A fun and delicious new novelty drink I invented. Cranberry juice, potato vodka, and a bouillon cube. Tastes just like a turkey dinner."

Takeaway Truth

I could have served Thankstinis and saved a fortune on turkey, gravy, white potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, green beans, salads, pumpkin pie, lemon pie, apple cake, Jello salad, etc. Hope I didn't forget the Alka Seltzer!

5 Crucial Website Pages

I'm still trying to get my domain moved so my website is down as is my domain email.

I know what content I want to put on my website once it's live again starting with the pages that are absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately, I see websites all the time that lack a crucial page.

5 Crucial Website Pages

#1 — Home Page aka Landing Page

This is the landing page which many think is not needed. I think you do need it. It should contain a welcome message, a current news release like a sale, a new release, coming soon, etc., and links to various pages on your site. This page can be a CTA (call to action) for your readers.

#2 — Book Page or Pages

This page shows your books (covers, short blurbs, buy links). If you have just a few books, you can use only 1 page. If you have a lot of books, you may want to set up several pages. It's your choice how you want to organize it: by series names, by genre or sub-genre, etc.

#3 — Blog, Event, or News Page

If your website theme allows for an interactive page, set one up depending on your time and ability to interact with your readers. If you set up an interactive page, be sure to update it on a consistent basis.

#4 — Author Bio Page

Many readers want to know about you the Author. Give them a bio page with your social links and a photo. Make it as formal or informal and chatty as you wish. You want to be friendly and accessible.

#5 — Contact Page

Readers may want to get in touch with you so always have a contact page with an email address or contact form. Repeat your social media links here. This is the one page that most websites lack.

Takeaway Truth

If you want to learn more about the basics of website design, try How to Create a Website: A Step by Step Guide available on Amazon.

Review: Red Notice on Netflix

Red Notice, a film written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, is a Netflix Original, and it was our choice for a movie this weekend.

Short Blurb

You've probably seen the trailers on YouTube and/or Netflix. Even if you haven't, the film has a somewhat familiar plot.

Dwayne Johnson stars as an FBI agent reluctantly teamed with a renowned art thief—the awesome Ryan Reynolds—in an attempt to catch a notorious criminal known as the Bishop—that would be Gal Gadot in another strong woman role.

If you want to read a lengthy plot description, visit the Red Notice Wiki.

Film's History

This movie is the 3rd time Johnson and Thurber have collaborated, and it seems they work well together.

Red Notice was planned as a release by Universal Pictures. Netflix acquired distribution rights, and the film began a limited theatrical release on November 5, 2021. For lucky Netflix subscribers, Red Notice began streaming on their platform a week later.

My Review

I'm surprised the movie received generally negative reviews from critics. 

Red Notice is one of the most entertaining films I've seen in quite some time.

I didn't go into it expecting life-altering drama or anything other than entertainment, humor, likable characters, good acting, solid plot, and awesome action stunts.

I was not disappointed. The film clicks on all those levels and even has some nice twists and turns. Even the ending is done well as it is a setup for other films in what may well become a popular franchise. At least I hope it will.

Red Notice is in theaters and, for subscribers, on Netflix. Watch it. You'll be entertained, and you'll laugh. That's a blessing in this CoVid era. Darling Hubby and I give Red Notice 4 thumbs up!

If you don't want to go to theaters, and you aren't a Netflix subscriber, you can rent another 2021 Ryan Reynolds film, Free Guy, on Amazon. Reynolds is king of the comedy/action flick, a genre I embrace.  

Takeaway Truth

I'm willing to bet you too will like Red Notice. Let me know what you think in Comments.

Another Free Jonathon Stone Mystery

Want a free mystery short story? James Moushon, Author Advocate and book industry blogger, is the author of the Jonathan Stone Mystery Series.

James is giving away copies of Operation Hidden Truth from now until November 12.

About Operation Hidden Truth

Stone is a CIA agent who works domestically. He's assigned to the CLASSIFIED CIA DOT Division. His ops involve terrorism and espionage.

Stone tries to catch an elusive terrorist before he can leak government secrets.

A plea bargain turns deadly, and a known gun runner is the primary suspect. Jonathon Stone becomes involved with the FBI to try to catch the elusive terrorist. 

With espionage and government secrets in play, the DHS suddenly becomes a problem. Jonathon needs to be on top of his game for this op.

About James Moushon

Join James and the HBSystems Publications Short Story FREE Stones Promotion for the Jonathon Stone Mysteries Series.

Operation Hidden Truth is available at Amazon FREE until 11/12/2021 so get your copy today. 

Each short story in the series will be FREE in the next few months. Check out the HBS Author's Spotlight  or James's website for more information.

Takeaway Truth

Load up your Kindle with these free ebooks for some reading fun.

Writer's Corner: Dialogue Tips #1

I thought I'd start giving a few tips to those who want to "become" authors.

Not every day but maybe once every week or week and a half.

Let's start with Dialogue since I think this is the easiest element of writing for most beginners—especially if you're the type who thinks snappy retorts to another but rarely says the sassy words aloud.

1. Dialogue should sound believable in keeping with the character.

Dialogue reflects the speaker's educational level, personality, attitudes, economic status, age, and sometimes ethnicity, country of origin, and country of residence. 

A young man from a traditionally wealthy background and educated at Harvard will probably speak differently than a young man with a high school diploma from a blue collar family in a small town. 

That small town young man will speak differently than a young man from an immigrant family where all members of the family work multiple jobs to attain the American dream.

2. Dialogue should sound like people actually speak.

Have you ever read a story in which characters do not speak in contractions? 

Someone running for her life does not scream, "Help! A man is chasing me. He has a knife. He is going to kill me." 

The woman would scream, "Help! A man's chasing me. He's got a knife. He's going to kill me."

Dialogue without contractions sounds stilted and formal. It drags the pace of a story. Readers won't find your story compelling. They can not because people in contemporary culture don't talk like that. Write the way real people speak.

Exceptions? Someone speaking without contractions to emphasize what they're saying. Example: "I said do not leave the house, young man. You are grounded!"

Or, if you're writing in a historical period when contractions weren't commonly used.

3. Dialogue should be written without regard to proper grammar if that's the way the character speaks.

People talk in fragments quite often. Don't they? Most people don't speak in grammatically correct sentences. So don't write dialogue like that. 

Example: "Are you going out?"

"Guess not."

"Grounded, huh? Bummer."

"Word."

I remember a retired teacher who wanted to be my proofreader. I gave her 10 pages.

She returned it with every contraction circled in red and the words for the contractions written out. Just in case I didn't know them, I guess.

I smiled and thanked her very much and assured her that was the only thing I needed proofread.

4. All dialogue should advance the story.

Dialogue should always move the story forward. It should reveal something about the internal landscape of the characters, the external perception of the characters, the protagonist's story goal, the conflict, or the plot. 

If dialogue is meaningless chit chat between characters, with nothing about the characters or the plot revealed, it should be cut.

5. There are two kinds of dialogue: internal and dialogue spoken aloud, and the two may be alike or may be different.

Example: A character raised in the South might say, "I'm fixing to go to town." But what if that character has trained herself through education and consciously eschewing the verbal habits of the South? Then she might say aloud, "I'm going to town." Of course, someone like that may speak well, but her internal dialogue may still reflect the verbal habits of her upbringing.

Takeaway Truth

I hope this helps those of you who are wannabe writers. If so, let me know by leaving a comment and tell me you want more of this type of post.

My thanks to the talented graphic artists and photographers who make their work free on Pixabay.

Image 1: Girls Happy Chat by Mircea from Pixabay.

Image 2: Girl Skirt Smile by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay.

Review: Monsters of Man

Surprise! A review of Monsters of Man, a science fiction action thriller included with Prime Video.

I say surprise because the movie surprised me with a good story, solid acting, and sound production values.

Monsters of Man, directed by Mark Toia, was selected by Darling Hubby for recent weekend viewing.

I had a book queued up on my Kindle to read since the movie sounded like so many other killer robot films.

To my surprise, the story caught me. Of course, veteran actor Neal McDonough stars as the villain of this story.

He's superb in everything. (I wish he could get a continuing series role on a streaming service because he is such a good actor.)

Accompanied by Brett Tutor, Jose Rosete, David Haverty, Paul Haapaniemi, and an ensemble cast of nearly a dozen other actors, the film will definitely hold your interest. 

About Monsters of Man

A robotics company teams up with a corrupt CIA agent (Neal McDonough) conducting an illegal, unsanctioned military operation in which 4 prototype robots are dropped into a suspected drug manufacturing camp in the Golden triangle.

Unfortunately, 6 doctors volunteering their services there are witnesses to the brutal slaughter of a nearby village and are forced into a deadly game of cat and mouse as they become the new targets.

Two Thumbs Up

Brett Tutor as Mason is a likable hero with believable survival skills. 

Some of the people in the doctors' group are irritating in what has come to be clichéd behavior of people caught in perilous situations, i.e., acting in ways that make no sense, constant fighting among each other, etc.

Monsters of Man is free for Amazon Prime subscribers. If you're not a subscriber, you can either rent or buy the movie from Amazon. 

Takeaway Truth

I think this is a movie you'll enjoy especially if you like science fiction action thrillers with robots running amuck.