Special Promotion – Limited Offer!
Exciting News
The Long Road Home is FREE today for your digital ebook download. No Kindle Unlimited – No Problem! Limited offer (1/5-1/9/2021) Grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable and read today!
Fall is in the air and expectations for the new season are something to talk about.
Do you love the change of seasons? The crisp morning air reminds us we have ventured into fall. A perfect time to relax with an exciting novel while enjoying your favorite beverage.
Exciting News.
Today’s feature is The Long Road Home! Download your eBook today FREE during this limited offer (October 5-9). Prefer reading a paperback or hardback? Place your order and enjoy sleuthing to determine Kate’s next move.
The Long Road Home.
The Long Road Home, a romantic murder mystery is available in digital, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon and your favorite bookstores.
Book Description
Kate’s life was in turmoil after the death of her parents. She’d been always protected and sheltered by them. Suddenly she finds herself with a conniving fiancé living under her roof, a powerful businessman with terrorist ties from across the ocean trying to kill her and more family secrets than most American politicians. She was also unaware that a half-brother she knew nothing of was about to enter her life. Her situation was getting precarious right at the moment she was least able to cope with it.
The featured setting in my latest release ONE, Sydney Jones Series, book 3 is Barbados. Ah, and what a beautiful scenic destination with beautiful people dedicated to keeping their culture alive.
In all my novels, food is important to the family and cultural exploration of the scenic vistas. The recipe below is one of Sydney’s son, David’s favorite dishes. He believes no one can cook it like a native, and he’s right!
Macaroni Pie – Bajan Recipe (Barbados.org)
Bring salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Break the macaroni tubes into thirds and add to the boiling water. Cook uncovered until macaroni is tender but still firm.
Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
Drain the macaroni and return to the saucepan.
Add the onion, cheese, milk, ketchup, mustard, and egg. Add salt and pepper to taste. Herbs such as marjoram and thyme can also be added.
Pour into a greased dish and top with more grated cheese. Fine breadcrumbs can also be added as a topping.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Macaroni pie can be served as a side with fish, chicken, pork, stew… whatever you wish really.
Do you want to explore touristy destinations with mystery and political suspense hidden behind every dune, then the Sydney Jones Series (Trilogy) is your next read! The complete series is now available at Amazon in the box set. I can’t wait for your ah-ha moment!
Follow on Pinterest for my attempt on the dish’s native to the regions in the Sydney Jones Series! Warning, David, Sydney’s son has it right the natives serve it up best! Join the fun and post to my novel fan pages with cultural and/or scenic images that remind you of the book. Thanks, Carolyn Bowen
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Quote of the Day: We will be known forever by the tracks we leave. – Dakota
We’ve kicked off the promotions for the Sydney Jones Series and want to say thank you for supporting our new mystery series. If you want to be one of the first to know about future releases, sign up below. Here’s a snippet about the Sydney Jones Series Books 1 & 2.
Chance – A Novel is available for download FREE with Kindle Unlimited or purchase as a paperback or ebook.
From the back cover
Walker didn’t plan to fall in love with Sydney. He blamed their closeness in proximity, horrid circumstances in her life, and no friends but a paid confidant to comfort her. There was no one to hold her in their arms, and that’s what the lady needed—to cry and release the pain in her life.
Sydney struck a chord in his heart. Her beauty, along with her spark to keep going through the hell in her life, enamored him even more. Did he love her? Yes!
The government had him now. It didn’t take him long to realize they’d framed him for Roxanne’s murder, then got his case dismissed when he agreed to become their agent.
The problem was, Sydney may still think him guilty of murder. The agency didn’t give him time to discuss the dismissal of charges against him. All he could tell her was the government needed him and he was catching an early morning flight.
Practicing law in a large partnership, Sydney Jones was primed for making partner. Then her life turned upside down after a disagreement with her boss at Birdman & Birdman.
Leaving the office, she was swiftly kidnapped and taken to her assailants’ hideaway, beaten, and raped. With no memory of whom she has put her at a disadvantage with her captors. Through gritted teeth, she promised a day of repercussions for their actions while mentally visualizing her revenge.
Warned by her assailants to keep her mouth shut or else, she was delivered to her home. Not recognizing her former living quarters, she was careful in exploring her options for regaining her memory.
Piecing together the reasons for her kidnapping brought her into contact with people, some she could trust and others risky. The problem was the amnesia prevented her from recognizing the difference.
Tapped for a crime once nudged her toward caution for something afoul was going on at Birdman & Birdman. She prepared for a fight. With a vision of fury, she made a chilling decision – never to be a victim again.
Sign me up!
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Quote of the Day: You see, I am trying in all my stories to get the feeling of the actual life across – not to just depict life – or criticize it – but to actually make it alive. So that when you have read something by me, you actually experience the thing. You can’t do this without putting in the bad and the ugly as well as what is beautiful. Ernest Hemingway
One thing I think we can all agree on is the road to discovery for authors is challenging. We write and hope for the best reception for our stories. Most times it seems as though our stories come from a place of inspiration rather than a rational decision to write and plot around a specific topic. I’m speaking for myself here. If you have a writing method that works for you, good!
I’m going to skip right to reviews and reviewers for this is the pressure point for deciding the fate of your novel.
What to do!
Find your niche, your tribe, or following many say. Don’t send out review copies or place your work on websites that are not friendly to your genre. For example, you may ask why in the world someone would download and read or attempt to read about murder mystery if they find it appalling?
They do and are subject to leaving crass reviews making it difficult for real mystery lovers to find your novel. It doesn’t matter if you’ve written in Agatha Christie’s style or the most eloquent presentation of your story. Your novel and some readers just do not match. And, Lord help you if you get an overly zealous reviewer that goes to every site your novel is published on and shares their distaste. Please beware this is cyber-stalking!
You may ask, “Didn’t they read the novel’s description, clearly stating what it was about?”
I’m with you there. If a novel is crime fiction or in similar categories, you can expect a story line with gritty details about happenings that some may find offensive. That’s why their different genres for novels on all the platforms selling books.
What to do
If you’d like a sample of my new psychological thriller, Primed For Revenge, the 1st in the Sydney Jones Series, follow my blog using your email address and I’ll forward you a PDF of the first 25 pages. Note: Crime fiction, murder mystery, psychological thriller, adult rated!
I look forward to this new season and connecting with mystery lovers here and on social media. Carolyn Bowen
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Quote for Today: “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
I am excited about the new season and the delightful activities available during Spring. What are some of your favorite things to do when the weather feels just right outside?
You’ve probably noticed I haven’t been posting on my blog lately. It’s not because I didn’t want to! My computer had a hiccup and off to the repair shop we went. A week later, I’m proud to announce I’ve got a new laptop. A much-needed reprieve for my writing life.
Here’s an inside look of my writing life when my computer stalls and I’m left to figure a way to continue with my creative ventures.
I’d talked about getting a blackboard in a previous blog. The idea was to use it for creating a visual of my plots. The timing was perfect. The plotting and writing of scenes on the board kept my writing moving forward. I also used a handy composition book to record my thoughts and ideas. The show must go on!
The countdown to the release of my new mystery-thriller, Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1 is ticking down daily. You can preorder your copy today and be one of the first to read and review this new novel.
If you’d like a sample of this new thriller, follow my blog using your email address and I’ll forward you a PDF of the first 25 pages.
I look forward to this new season and connecting with mystery lovers here and on social media. Carolyn Bowen
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Quote of the Day: “In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember
Today is World Mental Health Day and a worthy awareness cause to celebrate. However, concerns for friends and family’s mental health and our own should be something we recognize daily.
Recently I was told about a woman who was in the midst of the worst and best days of her life. The events happened in threes with some planned and others unplanned. The occurrences hiked her normal stress levels to new heights.
The first was the unexpected death of a parent, immediately followed by her daughter’s planned wedding, then a car accident where she was at fault. You’re probably thinking – how in the world was she coping? It seemed she was attempting to put one foot in front of the other and carry on until she could find a place and time to personally make peace with life events.
Stresses can build up over time if not resolved and can destroy your mental and physical health. We don’t think about it often, but good happenings like weddings, new job, partner, home, financial windfall, and others add to our stress level. Then when the boom falls caused by death, divorce, job or business loss, home disaster, and other life problems we find ourselves staring at the bottom of a dark hole.
We feel debilitating stress when the good and bad experiences make an impact acting as a vortex spinning our world out of control.
When you’re feeling you’re being swallowed up by things out of your control, seek help. Don’t wait for things to get better on their own. There is qualified help to get you back on a wellness path. For immediate free help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Today through the end of the year, December 31st, 2018 I’m offering new subscribers a free Kindle version of my personal transformation book, Cross-Stepping Your Way To Success! Act Now! Limited Offer – Fill in the information below for emailing your gift code to redeem your book.
“Cross-Stepping Your Way to Success!”
To learn more about my books, review my “About” page, Amazon Author Page, and/or your favorite bookstores.
Thanks for connecting, Carolyn Bowen, Author.
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Quote of the Day: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Elliot
Today’s topic is courage for I can’t think of a more pertinent quality and conduct for achieving success.
Courage, bravery, valor, bravado refer to qualities of spirit and conduct. Courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear: to take (or lose) courage. Bravery implies true courage with daring and an intrepid boldness: bravery in a battle.
To step into your destiny and live your dreams for the future, courage or a lack thereof plays an important role. When you’re feeling courageous it seems the world is your template to create the lifestyle of your choosing.
When doubt intervenes in your thought processes, you become stuck in your tracks unable or fearful for making a decision that changes the status quo. Calculated change to your present circumstances can bring about the results you’re seeking. A shift in your mindset toward the idea of success and accomplishing your goals is the first step.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell
What’s impeding your steps toward achieving your goals?
The above are all possibilities if you focus on the downside. Some of the most successful people in history have failed, more than once, but they didn’t stop trying or believing in their goals.
“Worrying about something you can’t change will forever be the biggest waste of your time.” — Unknown
Fear of the unknown has caused many to stop in their tracks, don’t let that be your downfall. People who judge you most likely don’t know you. They’re likely acting out of jealousy, greed and/or shortcomings of their own. Don’t let anyone influence your life goals. Even those close to you, don’t know everything about you. Listen, and then make your own judgment calls.
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. Mark Twain
First, you’ve got to believe in yourself and your plans for the future. Then, have clearly defined goals and strategies for accomplishing your dreams or ideas for the future. Lastly, follow through on your plans and revise as needed to hit your mark.
What are your plans for success? Begin taking action today one step at the time. I’m looking forward to learning about your courageous leaps of faith to realize your dreams. Carolyn Bowen
Launching “Cross-Stepping Your Way To Success! ” has been a wonderful experience. Helping others live their best life now is rewarding. I’m looking forward to reading your reviews and comments about this potentially life-changing book.
Check out the latest book review for “Cross-Stepping Your Way to Success.“ More reviews for my books are posted on my media page.
Check at your favorite online bookstores and corner bookshops. Click the direct link to begin reading on Amazon. Happy reading!
The Long Road Home: Romantic Murder Mystery
Cross-Ties: Historical Fiction Passages
I’ll be writing and sharing on social media. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen
These are a few of my social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!
Love picture ideas? Me, too. Pinners Follow Here!
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Quote for Today: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” Michael Altshuler
This month is swishing by like a video streaming of an Amtrac train blistering full throttle down the tracks. Sticking to my writing schedule is a daily priority and I am deliberate in making progress although tight-knuckled at times. I’m tickled to see the end in sight for my next project. I’ll tell you more about it next month. (Smiles)
I love celebrating special occasions and holidays are included in these fun days. The dates listed below are this month’s (Oct.) observances. Although I’m not a big fan of Halloween, I’ve noticed its’ growing popularity. So, enjoy and have fun trick or treating!
Monday, October 8 Columbus Day (Federal Holiday)
Wednesday, October 31 Halloween
What do you enjoy most about the fall season? Comment below!
Do you want a sneak peek of my next novel? Sign up for a Kindle version for your review on major book platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, and others. You’ll be added to my reviewers’ list and emailed your gift code with my appreciation. Thank you!
Exciting news! Subscribe to receive the latest updates about book releases, reviews, giveaways, and receive a free Kindle version of Cross-Stepping Your Way To Success! Limited Offer – Act Now! Note: If you follow using a social media sign-in, please provide an email address to send the gift in privacy mode. Thank you!
Launching “Cross-Stepping Your Way To Success! ” has been a wonderful experience. Helping others live their best life now is rewarding. I’m looking forward to reading your reviews and comments about this potentially life-changing book.
Check out the latest book review for “Cross-Stepping Your Way to Success.“ More reviews for my books are posted on my media page.
Check at your favorite online bookstores and corner bookshops. Click the direct link to begin reading on Amazon. Happy reading!
The Long Road Home: Romantic Murder Mystery
Cross-Ties: Historical Fiction Passages
I’ll be writing and sharing on social media. Hope to see you there, too! Carolyn Bowen
These are a few of my social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!
Love picture ideas? Me, too. Pinners Follow Here!
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Carolyn M. Bowen, Author 