I hope this post finds all of you nicely snuggled in at home enjoying the down time. I also hope you aren't allowing the frenzy in the media to usurp your peace. 
So often, we allow external influences to interfere with a life that could be so easy if only we look within ourselves for the light we each hold so dear.
Yes, I'm being rather philosophical today. 
What if we each looked at our current situation and tried to find the silver lining? For example, instead of lamenting that we are stuck at home, why not see the benefit of being at home. Being able to just take a moment to sit back and enjoy the home we made for ourselves. Maybe taking some time for the much-needed relaxation that we secretly pined for just a little over a week ago. Spending time with our families without the interruption of having to run here or there. Sitting down at the dinner table with each other instead of poking down that Big Mac meal behind the wheel of your car on your way to run this errand or that errand. Leisurely completing that home improvement project or finishing up one of the hundred craft projects stashed in the closet. 
It's getting to be spring planting time. What if this down time could be used to grow the most fabulous garden you've ever grown? And in the fall, reap the most magnificent harvest ever. A haul of vegetables and fruit that you can preserve or freeze for the upcoming winter. A step toward more self-sufficiency.
What if this crisis we are going through is a means by which to teach us all how to be more self-sufficient? A way to help us heal the earth. To return to ways more simple that served our ancestors for hundreds of years before us. To teach us humility and how to put our fellow humans' needs before our own. 
I'm not sure why we are going through what we are going through right now. I just know when I look outside my living room windows I see the grass starting to turn green as Pistol and Bullet wander aimlessly about picking through the new growth. I see a lovely red cardinal who has been sitting on the mirror of my Jeep every day since I got home from the hospital last Sunday. I hear the birds singing and the cows mooing and the sunshine falling down upon the spring earth. What do you see and hear? Are you taking the time to see and hear or are you flooding your mind with senseless drivel from the main stream media? 
Take a minute. Take an hour. Take a day. Relish the time you have. Enjoy the down time. 
Take care of yourselves. God bless.

I have news! And I'm excited about it!! 

I just sent my short story off for a new anthology that will be available at Wild Deadwood Reads this summer. My story...Finding Elsie...is a story about a young woman who got left at the altar. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she quits her job and loads up her car for destinations unknown. Fast forward to a broken-down car along the road in the black hills, she's rescued by a sexy man on a Harley Davidson. That's when fate kicks in and in her journey to find herself, she finds a lot more. Watch for more news on Finding Elsie and other stories by a slew of other amazing authors in the Getting Wild in Deadwood Anthology...coming in June 2020!!

Other news from the front...

The big red drama queen is home from a trip to the veterinarian where she got spayed today. Wearing the pink camo cone of shame hasn't worked out so well because she keeps running into things. Right now...sans the lampshade...she is under the bed groaning in typical drama queen fashion. Hopefully, she will be back to her normal self by morning! The spaying was a must because my old little Oscar gets really worked up when she goes into heat and I was afraid he'd eventually have a heart attack. Even though he's neutered, he imagines himself as a big stud dog...not understanding even if he had the equipment to be a stud, he'd need a ladder to reach his target.

Little Bullet...the unexpected arrival two days after Christmas...is doing well. She and her mama are back in the barn with the rest of the herd. Unfortunately, she has inherited her mother's timid nature and doesn't much like being caught and cuddled. I hate that, because there's nothing I'd rather do than cuddle with the fuzzy little baby goat. I'm going to work on both of them when spring gets here and it's not quite such a muddy mess to try to make nice with them.

I have to say, I really enjoyed writing Ruby's Revenge. It's not a romance like my usual novels but is more like a Lifetime Movie Channel story. If you haven't gotten your ebook copy yet, stay tuned because it will soon be available in paperback. And if you are a subscriber to my newsletter, you will have the exclusive chance to get a SIGNED copy for FREE!!

I'm going to take a week or so off before I start working on my next novel. I haven't decided which one I'm going to work on yet. It may be an extended full-length version of a paranormal romance set in New Orleans...it may be the fourth book in my Possum Creek series...or it may be another contemporary women's fiction about a woman in search of her sister who made her escape from a religious cult and is presumed to be dead. Too many choices and I'm not really sure what I'm in the mood for yet. Of course, I could take my last Deadwood anthology story and expand on it...a historical romance about a gambler and the preacher's daughter set in...DEADWOOD!!

Speaking of Deadwood, I'm really looking forward to my trip this year. Instead of flying, I'll be driving to Eau Claire, WI to meet up with my author friend Tina Susedik and we are going to road trip it to Deadwood. We will be there the weekend of Wild Bill Days and are sharing a historic haunted brothel with eight other awesome people. I'm pumped about the entertainment on Main Street...OMG! Jo Dee Messina and Ronnie Milsap right outside our window! If any of you are going to be anywhere near Deadwood that weekend, I hope you take the time to stop by Wild Deadwood Reads for our FOURTH year! 

I'm certainly glad winter is starting to wind down. Even though we had a poor excuse for a snowstorm yesterday (I for one would love a nice big blizzard...and I'm not talking about the Dairy Queen variety), I guess if we aren't going to get a good snowstorm, I'm ready to call it spring and be done with it. I can't believe how the schools close for three inches of snow when we had to go to school with snow up to our butts. Not enough snow to build a snowman or throw snowballs at unsuspecting victims.

I recently bought my first smart TV and I'm loving it. For a mere few bucks a month and internet service, I have more channels than I had on Dish. Next in line is a smart TV for my bedroom, but for now, I'm using my jailbroken Firestick and watching just about everything. Binge watching is my new past time...last Friday I watched the entire first season of Locke and Key...highly recommend it! And if you are into sitcoms, The Ranch is probably one of the best I've seen in a long time. And it doesn't hurt having the opportunity to ogle the sexiest older man alive!

Well, I'm going to wrap things up for now. I've been in a mood lately and trying to figure out what it is that will get me out of it. Until then, I'll binge watch and feed my face with carb filled junk!

Take care everyone! Have a great beginning to March and let's hope it comes in like a lion so it will go out like a lamb!

Super Bowl Sunday and it's half-time...I don't much care for the recent half-time show performers so I'm going to use the time wisely and do some pondering over a recent post my daughter made on Facebook. 
As a romance writer, I have some definite ideas of what a hero should look like, and I discovered last week that my opinion doesn't necessarily match that of my last born. You see, she posted a meme that she felt defined what she thought a man should be or do. I didn't agree, so we have agreed to disagree on that point. 
The meme depicted various pictures of a man doing things for his woman... such as painting her toenails and washing her hair and I believe feeding her something. Don't choke me on this...but this is the farthest idea of what I would want from a man. My idea of a manly man does not include these things. I see a manly man fixing plumbing, electrical things, changing the oil or tires, and working in the yard. 
You see, I go and let the little man at the nail salon paint my toenails...that's what he gets PAID to do. I have two good arms and hands and am quite capable of washing my own hair. I guess it would be different if I were bedridden or even had a broken arm, but as long as I'm capable of taking care of my own personal hygiene, leave me to do my thing. And when I go in to take a bath, I sure don't want someone...anyone...interrupting my peace.
I would even go as far as to say I don't want a man in my kitchen for the most part. Unless it's to refill his plate or rinse his dirty dish off in the sink. Or fixing a clogged drain or broken refrigerator. Cooking on the grill is different. He can cook on the grill if that's what he wants to do. Call me old-fashioned, but there's nothing sexier than a man who can FIX things...who isn't afraid to get sweaty or dirty...I mean...that's what HIS shower is for...right?
I'm pretty self-sufficient...my dad made sure I could take care of minor repairs myself. That doesn't mean I WANT to do it...but I can do it. Change a tire...yep...change my own oil...yep...wire a light...sure...plumb a faucet...absolutely. I can even hang and mud dry wall or install flooring. But, if I can get a man to do it...all the power to him.
Geez...I'm getting off topic. I was talking about what makes a manly man or a sexy man. To me, it sure isn't taking care of my toiletry needs. Can you chop wood? Till a garden? help shovel manure? Stretch a fence? Take care of mechanical repairs? Do you wear your jeans on your waist where they belong? Please tell me you don't have one of those disgusting topknots on your head. 
I guess what I am saying, there is a time, place and means for showing affection. Hold my hand during a movie whether it be at the theater on kicked back in the bedroom. A swat to the butt while I'm doing something in the kitchen. Show appreciation for a meal I COOKED. Offer to take the trash down to the dumpster at the end of the drive or ask if I need some help carrying in the groceries. 
I know...everyone is different...but I know I would be absolutely mortified if someone said "hey baby, sit down and let me paint your toenails" or "can I come in and wash your hair for you"...ABSOLUTELY NOT...go find a manly thing to do and let me take care of myself.
I guess I've rambled on enough about that...
I do have a couple announcements to make...first of all, if you like dark romantic suspense there is a heck of a promotion going on right now...here's the link if you would like to take advantage of it...you can even pick up my newest release for a mere 99 cents!

books.bookfunnel.com/darkromanticsuspense/33pcimoe1r

If you didn't already know, Ruby's Revenge is now LIVE on your favorite eBook retailer. For this first week only, you can pick it up for 99 cents instead of the regular price of 4.99. Here are the links...

books2read.com/u/47rxza
www.amazon.com/dp/B0847DL1D9​

If you are a newsletter subscriber, you will get these links in your email...go take a look!

I think I'm going to go to the kitchen and further blow my Keto diet this weekend...chips are sounding awfully good right now!  Take care and have a wonderful week...!!

So...it's 2020...the year I'm going to hit yet another milestone birthday...and talk about hit! Ouch!!  I think I'm having a mid-life crisis...because I have so much I want to still accomplish in this life and the time is running shorter. My bucket list keeps getting longer and I'm thinking to myself...oh my gosh...how am I ever going to get it all done? Some days I feel like I am bouncing from here to there and back again and not accomplishing a darned thing! 
Tonight, I sat here and took inventory of all that I've done and the list is incredible...I gave birth to three wonderful and beautiful daughters each unique in their own way...they gave me seven awesome grandchildren...I've just written my 17th book...I've traveled to places I never dreamed I'd travel to...I've met a lot of new friends along the way...I've got a great education...a great job...a home I love and so much to be thankful for...yet, something is missing and I don't know what it is. I've probably just been watching too many Hallmark movies this winter!
On my bucket list is a trip to Ireland, and I think I'm going to book it for sometime later this year. Hitting the NYT bestseller list is another bucket list item and I'm working hard on those books waiting for that first one to make it. Kicking off my own business to sell handcrafted items is another one and I started working on Sunflower Acres in the fall. Retirement is a few years off yet and I'm still undecided where I might decide to land for those silver years. A part of me wants to just go buy one of those cute little campers to fix up and go buy a new truck to pull it behind and just become a gypsy. Is that such a bad thing? Imagine it...pulling up roots and just going wherever I want to go, whenever I want to go there. But, I don't know if even that will fill the unknown gap I'm trying so hard to identify. Surely, I'm not the only woman out there who gets to feeling that way? 
Funny, I don't feel like I'm getting ready to hit that BIG 6-0 in the fall...and I sure as hell am fighting every step of the way to not look the part or feel the part. I'd like to think I'll be forever young...besides, young is a state of mind, right? Whoever said it was fashionable to age gracefully...not me...I'm going to kick and fight every step of the way before I let age get the best of me. 
Enough of that drivel...
Did I tell you I just finished my 17th book? Yep!! I have a new release coming out on February 3rd and it's not my typical romance or paranormal romance. I think, perhaps, Ruby's Revenge is my best work thus far. I took a young girl with the odds against her and made her into a wealthy, successful woman. She did some things that probably weren't very honorable and even bordering on illegal...strike that...some of her actions were downright criminal. But necessary in her story. If you get a chance to check it out, I don't think you will be disappointed. It will be available on Amazon, B&N, Kobo and Apple on February 3rd for a limited time special price of 99 cents before it goes to full price of 4.99. And for any of you who have some time on your hands and would like to get an advance copy to read, drop me a line at teresa.keefer.author@hotmail.com and it's yours if you promise to review it between February 3-5. 
I hate to cut things short tonight, but I have a big red drama queen sticking her cold nose in my face begging for attention. I swear, I've never seen a dog quite like her. Until next time...stay warm...be happy...and don't ever let life get you down!

It's the first day of the new month, of the new year, and a new decade and I'm sitting here with Kate the big red drama queen on one side of me on the sofa and Oscar my little 11 year old bestie on the other. Last night, they were both on my lap as we contemplated the new year.
Speaking of new, the farm had an unexpected arrival on December 27th...I went out to feed the animals and stumbling around the barnyard on new born legs was a baby goat...that none of us realized was coming...thus the unexpected arrival! Mama Pistol is doing well and she now has little baby Bullet...they have been relocated to the dog pen and have taken up temporary residence in Kate's doghouse (which she never uses anyway...she prefers the middle of my bed). I'm guessing little Bullet maybe weighs around 2 pounds, and she is adorable...
We had a nice dinner last evening...I made use of the bread machine I got for Christmas and did up a nice loaf of white/wheat bread along with corned beef, cabbage, mashed red potatoes, and sugar cream pie. There was no Keto dieting going on last night...but I'll get back to it tomorrow...after the bread and pie is gone! And of course, I still have a half a growler of Key Lime beer from Bad Dad's Brewery in Fairmount, IN. If you are in the area, Bad Dad's is a definite place worth stopping...and then walk through to Grains and Grill for a nice dinner. I've been there at least three times during the holiday season and have tried their honey grilled brussels sprouts, their steak, and their sausage and sage pasta so far. (Keto-ing has been rather difficult throughout the holidays...)
Trying to plot out my 2020 travel and book release schedule and for some reason, I cannot find my brand new planner...my brand new PURPLE planner...I will take another look around once I get done writing my first blog of the decade...
Some of the things planned, without specific dates are two new releases...Ruby's Revenge which I'm hoping to release later this month and I have an idea for a new Possum Creek book...the goal is to grace all my readers with at least 3-4 new releases this year and as those plans fall into place, all my newsletter subscribers will be the first to know.
As far as travel, I will once again be making the annual trek to Deadwood, SD...this time via automobile with one of my fellow authors...this should be a fun experience! And there are 10 of us renting a haunted historical brothel...if you are in the Deadwood area during Wild Bill Days...look us up...we authors are one heck of a fun bunch. I have expressed my interest in a signing in North Carolina and was thinking if I made that trip, I would like to take a trip to the Outer Banks and maybe find a cozy little place to stay for a couple days. Depending on how the year goes, I may consider a trip to Ireland...finally...how cool would it be to spend one of those landmark birthdays in one of my bucket list destinations?  Has anyone been to Ireland in October? I'd be glad to hear any tips about that...
I was excited to see all my seed catalogs arrive yesterday...that is my first glimpse of springtime being around the corner. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could go from the holidays to April 1st without all the cold, grey gloom between? I'm so ready to start working on the garden and doing some landscaping on the rear side of the house. Of course, in the meantime, I'm going to be doing some upgrade projects to the inside. Starting with having a bar built between the living room and the kitchen. I'm really excited about that.
Okay, my pledge to myself and to my readers this year is more communication on more channels than Facebook and Twitter...so I will be doing a weekly blog post and a monthly newsletter in addition to the daily Facebook and Twitter drops. I am looking for input from my readers about what you would like to see or hear from me this year. You can reach me at teresa.keefer.author@hotmail.com if you'd like for me to chat or include something special in any of my communication.
I'm going to get busy on my WIP now...after I go have another piece of sugar cream pie...Happy 2020 to all of you wonderful folks!!!

Looks like I missed October altogether! Sorry to all you loyal blog followers! Is being busy an excuse for neglecting you? I mean, bam...it's already November!
So you ask, what have I accomplished while I've been blog neglectful? There's a list...
First of all, I am proud to announce the release of Destiny Whispers which is a compilation of short love stories contributed to by Tina Susedik, Beverly Ovalle, and first time ever published author Mona Casey as well as me. Destiny Whispers has a little of something for everyone and the good news is, all proceeds will be donated to a charity which supplies necessary support to homeless veterans. Right now, it's only on eBook, but when I return from my book signing trip next weekend I'll be working on the paperback copy. Four unique stories...one great cause...all for $3.99. I will post the links at the end of this posting.
I mentioned a book signing, right? Next weekend I am going to check another item off my forever growing bucket list. I am going to be signing at the Deadly Reality event in Estes Park, Colorado. Not JUST Estes Park...but THE STANLEY HOTEL!! On the same weekend that Dr. Sleep comes out!! If you are in the area, stop by and see me...I'm giving away what I'm going to call my "Naughty List" package...an early Christmas package for some lucky reader with an erotic novel, some champagne, a candle, body care items and a shirt which actually says you are on the 'naughty list'. Seriously, come see me and some other fantastic authors at The Stanley Hotel on November 9th!
Two weeks ago, I had a short long weekend in Washington D.C. with some of my favorite people. It was a beautiful weekend and I believe I must have walked at least 20 miles. We stayed at the Harrington Hotel, which was a bit run down yet right in the middle of everything and an easy walk from the Metro station. I know it hasn't been updated for awhile because the last President's picture displayed in their lobby was the one before the Great Donald Trump! Unfortunately, I didn't get to run into my favorite president but I did get a picture with his wax likeness at Madame Tussaud's so that will have to suffice for now. After all, I did get the honor of hearing both he and Mike Pence speak at the NRA Conference in Indianapolis last spring. I think my favorite parts about the trip to D.C. (other than the company) was the walk through the gardens at the Smithsonian complex where I got some really cool pictures and the city at night. As far as food...it seems everywhere we went they were out of something...no shrimp at a restaurant who had a sign out front that it was their special...no cheesecake even though it was on the menu...no ice cream at Ollie's Trolley which is known for their milkshakes...and no nachos or potato skins at Hard Rock Café where we had dinner Saturday night. The worst things was the rats come out in droves at night and the anti-Trump people are out all the time. Which is a shame because nobody seems to want to give the man credit for all the fantastic things he's done. I'll shut up...trying to not become political on here. Each to their own...
At the homeplace, I have my spare bedroom re-carpeted and ready for everything to go back in. I found a really cute felt sunflower garland with LED lights to hang over the window covering and a quilt with a lot of colors as well as some sunflower throw pillows. Last weekend, I made my first attempt at making soap...it turned out pretty good for a first timer...I am gradually getting things put together for my new website/online store called Sunflower Acres. So far, I have soaps, essential oils, candles, and some handcrafted items. I plan on kicking the whole thing off the week of Black Friday for all those online shoppers looking for unique handmade gifts and flea market finds. I'll announce it right here when it is up live.
Now it's time to talk about books. I am again doing the NANOWRIMO this November and the book I am working on is called Ruby's Revenge. This is a book different than any I've ever written and is more along the lines of women's fiction rather than romance...even though it will have some sexy scenes...but it follows a young woman who was born on the wrong side of the tracks and has lofty dreams that will put her above it all. There will be some tragedy, blackmail, murder and sex all wrapped into one. Ruby is the good girl gone bad who gets everything she wants...even if it means hurting someone else...because they deserved it.
Okay, I'm going to sign off for now. Time to work on Ruby's Revenge and grab a bite to eat. Tomorrow starts Keto again, so that cold pizza I'm having for lunch today is going to be my last hurrah until Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful November and remember to be grateful for those things you have today...little and small...because they are gifts to you.
Blessings and Happy November!!

Links to Destiny Whispers:

https://books2read.com/u/49QR00
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZN8HD38
​

Alas, Labor Day Weekend is drawing to a close and I can tell you this...I labored!
Although my Friday got off to a rough start with a fender bender that rendered me with a Jeep that I couldn't drive, Saturday I got a rental car and I was off to Lowe's, Hobby Lobby, Tractor Supply and Joann Fabrics to get the tools and supplies I needed to perk up my living room.
By Saturday evening, I had new trim above my wainscoting that had been sitting there naked for the last 6 years and even if I do say so myself, it looks pretty darn good! Tired of the lackluster white doors, I grabbed some wine colored paint and both doors got a makeover. New prairie curtains at the window and my grandmother's hope chest which had already received a face lift at the hand of my dear friend several years ago now sits beneath the window with throw pillows and an afghan for a cute little seating area. 
Of course, after visiting Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabrics, I got in the mood to do some autumn decorating and my bench on the front porch now has a new seat cover where a cute little scarecrow is guarding a jack-o-lantern and floral basket while a welcoming flag adorns the front steps alongside a pair of dark red mums. 
The exciting part of the weekend was  that my barn quilt got delivered and I absolutely LOVE IT!! I can't wait until the new siding gets put up on the house so I can hang it for everyone who might wander down this country road to enjoy. Of course, I'll have to get a spotlight to focus on it so even at night it can be seen.
Last night, when I finished up with my projects, I was covered with paint and liquid nails but a soothing bath topped off with a lavender bath bomb from Mama Pearson's Soaporium took care of the aches and pains of a couple days worth of satisfying labor.
I finished up watching the second season of Yellowstone and at the recommendation of my daughter, started watching The Handmaid's Tale. If you haven't watched either, I highly recommend both. 
Tonight, I'm just going to chill and write and enjoy the fruits of my labor before I prepare for the upcoming work week. On the agenda this week other than my day job will be more writing and I hope to get a newsletter out. I've been procrastinating that, but I promise to you who subscribe to my newsletter, you are in for a long-awaited treat. And I might just have to put an exclusive offer in there...wait and see!
I do want to extend some prayers and well-wishes for those of you who are in the path of Hurricane Dorian. I've seen some of the images rolling in on social media and my heart breaks for those of you who have been affected by this storm. I'm hearing that in addition to it being a strong storm, it's also a fickle one and cannot seem to decide which way to go. So, I'll just send a blanket prayer to all of you who might end up experiencing the wrath of this storm. 
With that, I'm going to wrap it up for tonight and wish you all a lovely week ahead...
​

I finally got inspired...or unblocked...or whatever you want to call it. I managed to eke out a whole chapter for a new book last night! I typed the first chapter for The Magick Christmas Quilt and for those who love the holidays and love a bit of magick, you are going to love this one! I don't want to tell you a whole lot about it yet, but watch my blog right here for some sneak previews.
Speaking of sneak previews...I thought I would share a little bit of my newest release...Third Time Lucky...you can get it now on all your favorite eBook retailer sites!

WARNING-Sexually Explicit

It was dark along the cobblestone street save for the flicker of lanterns outside the meeting house as Thomas stepped outside away from the discussion of the certain battles which would be fought in this new land. The British just would not let things go, leaving the new settlers to go about their own business away from the tyranny of the King. But they would be prepared to fight to the death so as to break the ties with the old country.
He had received her note, discreetly slipped to him by one of the wenches serving them food and drink inside the stone building where they were meeting. She knew he would be there because most of the more prominent men gathered each Saturday night. Including her husband. The jowly fat excuse for a man spent more time flapping his jaws and Thomas doubted when the time came, the fat bastard would do much more than hide from the British soldiers.
The beautiful and seductive Margaret was too good for George Montgomery. At least twenty-five years younger than her husband with peaches and cream skin and deep green eyes, her auburn hair generally piled high upon her head except for the few times he had been able to see it spread out and tumbling about her naked shoulders. He thought of the way her Irish lilt murmured his name and felt his manhood respond beneath his breaches.
His own wife was a prude. A shrew. Bound to her by the agreement he had made with her father before they left Salem. There had been several uprisings by the natives and her father feared for her safety. In the beginning, when they were courting the proper way, she had been lively and more flirtatious than her father’s Puritan ways permitted. Back then, he had been fond of her. Even liked her. But since coming to Virginia after their swift marriage, she had changed.
Thomas had to admit, the night he had taken her virginity had not been pleasant for her and she spent the next few days crying in their bed chamber. However, the second time was no better and she just lay beneath him like a corpse while he satisfied himself. Then a few months later she began to become ill every time she ate, and a neighbor woman pronounced she was with child. The child came early and did not survive. Sarah became a shell of the woman she had been back in Salem and if not for his agreement with her father, he would have sent her home to be with her family.
The night still was broken by a low whistle. It was her. Margaret who preferred he call her Maggie. He listened for the sound again and turned toward it when it came. Thomas caught glimpse of movement in the shadows between two buildings across from where he stood. Heard the whistle again and saw the shimmer of light upon her green brocade skirts. Skirts which hid the slender legs and miniscule waist and the place of sweetness where he was going to bury himself as soon as they slipped away to someplace private where they wouldn’t be seen.
He glanced back at the meeting house to make sure nobody had followed him outside. Not a soul stood in the shadows of the flickering lights and he breathed a sigh of relief. Thomas stepped cautiously to avoid any horse dung which might be left in the street and made his way toward the space between the two buildings across from him. Where Maggie waited with her sweet secret tucked between her legs.
When he reached her, he pulled her to him roughly for a lingering kiss which would let her know what was to come. Her lips tasted subtly of something sweet and fruity. Apples and cinnamon. Her skin smelled like the heady fragrance of the roses which grew in the garden behind his home during the hot summer months. Her body was warm and lithe as she wound herself around him as much as her layers of skirts would allow.
Disengaging from her embrace, he took her arm and tugged her farther from the street. “Come along, we don’t want to chance one of the men coming outside for a breath of air and happen across us.”
“Aye. That would be a problem now, wouldn’t it?” She laughed and it was musical, not like the immature giggles of other women he had known. “How much time do we have together? I’ve been waiting here for quite a bit now. Surely, the men are not going to be meeting all night?”
He wished he could just take her to an inn and spend an entire night ravishing her body. But there were too many eyes around town, and they would be found out for sure. Then he would likely be challenged to a duel by her fat bastard of a husband and they would both be banished from town once he shot him square between the eyes. There was too much for both them to lose.
“We might have but an hour at the most, but not more. They were starting to wrap things up when I got your note and I had to wait long enough to be discreet before I slipped away.” He continued to tug her along with him deeper into the darkness between the buildings. He lifted a finger to his lips. “Let me cross over there then you wait a moment before joining me.” Thomas motioned toward the space between a livery stable and a house that was currently empty as the owners had packed up a month before to sail back to England.
She nodded and reached out to touch the front of his breaches. “I’ve been waiting for tonight a long time.”
Thomas chuckled, it had only been a few days since he had found her gathering wildflowers in the meadow outside of town and taken her there in the high grass beneath the bright spring sunlight. A risky proposition it had been too, as at any time a group of riders could have come through on their way into or out of Alexandria which was the center of most of the trade in Virginia. “How quickly you forget our rendezvous in the meadow. ‘Twas just the other day.”
Maggie sighed. “Thomas, don’t you know by now I just cannot get enough of you?”
He fingered her breasts through her gown and brushed her lips. “I’m going now. You wait for a moment, then come join me and have me you shall.” He didn’t miss the shiver of excitement which rippled through her at his touch.
Despite her spunk, she followed his instructions trusting him to keep their secret trysts away from detection. He leaned against the stone wall of the house and waited in the shadows for her to make her way to him. Her voluminous skirts rustled as she slipped her way quietly to his side. In his mind, he was already undressing her. Peeling away those skirts and slipping her pantaloons down her slender legs to reveal the sweet mound of flesh between them. His manhood was rock hard, and he shifted in his breaches for some relief. But relief wouldn’t come until he was buried to the hilt inside her hot, tight wetness.
“I think I shall have you right here.”

Want to read more? Here are the buy links...and it will be on sale for $1.99 the entire month of September!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VL1N3ZG

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1459221858

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/third-time-lucky-teresa-keefer/1131183811;jsessionid=4EF77778FF555695A0B2BDBF2CD7734C.prodny_store02-atgap03?ean=2940156420858

​https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/third-time-lucky-24

Hello everyone! I don't have a lot to chat about tonight, but I'm going to give it a shot. The weather here is looking more and more like fall, which is my favorite time of the year. There's fog hovering across the horizon in the mornings when I head to work, the deer are starting to run across the fields...and the roads, the corn is finally getting tall, and I thought I even saw a touch of color to some of the leaves. 
I'm still struggling with writer's block...yes, I'm going to admit it...my usual mind full of ideas is drawing a big old blank. I can't remember a time since I started writing when I didn't have a plethora of ideas floating about in the recesses of my imagination. But, I guess it happens to every writer every now and then.
I hung out with my amazing group of writer friends for a cookout on Sunday in hopes I'd get some inspiration. But our time was cut short due to a wall of storms that had my weather hound, Katie, hiding in the closet for hours. The big girl is a big ninny when it comes to storms and the slightest bit of change in the atmosphere sends her with her tail tucked to her safe place in the corner of my bedroom closet. Which is where she was when I got home on Sunday night.
I did pull out a couple of cross stitch kits and take a jab at the fabric for a little bit over the weekend, but even craft projects can't keep my attention. One of these days, I'm going to get super motivated and finish up the endless projects I've started and not finished. 
Speaking of finished, my barn quilt is done and ready to pick up and I'm so excited to get the siding put on the house so I can hang it in its designated place on the front of the house. Who said barn quilts were just for barns? It just seems the bare place on the front of my house is crying out to be adorned. I just have to figure out a way to get it home. I guess I'm going to measure the back of my Renegade and see if I can fit it back there. I mean, I DID get a full sized bed in a box back there to take up to the lake earlier in the season. So, all I need is room for a 4x4 barn quilt.
The lake isn't really holding any appeal to me right now either. I suppose I better set aside some time to go up and clean out the freezer and fridge and get ready to close it up for the season. Maybe Labor Day weekend that can be my project. It has to be. I only wish I'd have had more time to go up this summer and enjoy the beauty of a lakeside sunset and drinks on the deck by the fire pit. 
I have some traveling this fall...I'm going to take a class on the history of modern spiritualism at the onset of Labor Day weekend, I have Indies in Indy on September 14, a trip to our corporate office September 16-19, Spirit Fest the 21st and 22nd, then I have a few weeks to buckle down and get some household projects done before my trip to beautiful Estes Park, Colorado and the famed Stanley Hotel for my final book signing of 2019. I'm hoping I run into a couple ghosts while I'm there...who said dead men tell no tales? I'm hoping a ghost or two gives me some story ideas to keep me writing through the winter.
Not a lot of canning to do this year since the garden went in late and only a few tomato plants and cucumber plants survived the late start and all the rain we got. But I will be able to get enough pickles to can some bread and butter pickles and enough tomatoes for a nice batch of spaghetti sauce. I guess I could go to the farmer's market and pick up some cabbage for sauerkraut, some green beans to replenish my dwindling supply, and even some corn on the cob to make corn relish and still have some left to freeze for winter meals.
I'm still sporadically doing the Keto thing. When I say sporadic, I mean VERY sporadic. I have tended to get pretty "hangry" around 11 am every day and by the time I get out to get something to eat, I'm usually to the point I'm craving something other than low carb/high fat/high protein food. In the shape of a greasy burger with cheese and fries. Not that I've got a lot of weight still left to lose...and I've been maintaining the weight I lost...but when I was eating Keto I felt 100 percent better than I do when I stuff my pie hole full of carbs.
I hope you are all enjoying your last remnants of a very short summer and are looking forward to the smells and colors of autumn. You know...apples, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, leaves littering the ground, Halloween around the corner with Thanksgiving and Christmas not too far behind. I'm not overly excited about the holidays, but I am holding out hope that this year will be more like holidays past and I end up with a houseful of family and close friends and get to do a lot of cooking and baking to feed the people I love.
Until next time...Teresa is signing out...have a great week!

Good grief...I'm at a loss for ideas at the moment. A lull in my creative imagination. Here I am between books and I really need to get started on my next project and have no idea where to start. This isn't like me. I usually have at least a half dozen stories running around in this little brain of mine. Not right now, though.

I'm settled into my new day job and loving it. The necessary things at the lake are done for now. I'm in the midst of doing some landscaping here at the house but by the time I get home in the evening, I don't have enough time or energy to complete a whole project. So, I'm going to save the landscaping for this weekend. I picked up some craft kits at JoAnn Fabric two weeks ago and have started a cross stitch, but summer just doesn't seem like the right time to sit around and do craft projects. I have a bad case of the doldrums I think!

Speaking of landscaping...I did make a pretty cool purchase this week. I've ordered a barn quilt for the front of my house! It's a sunflower pattern and will look fantastic once the siding is complete! It was special order and I cannot wait to go pick it up in a few weeks once it is finished! I'll be sure to share it once I get it!

I guess I could pick up one of the books on my TBR stack and see if reading someone else's work sparks my imagination. I have plenty of those. And it's been a long time since I've read anything of substance. It would be better than sitting here on the sofa playing mindless games on my phone or watching my Twitter feed for interesting tidbits.

Bottom line is, I have a goal to complete one short story, one novella, and one full-length holiday romance before the end of the year. Maybe I should start small with the short story--which is technically due by August 15th--for the anthology which proceeds will go to benefit homeless veterans. I know at least one of my very talented author friends has completed hers. I'm falling behind. Sigh.

I'm not one to believe too much in writer's block...so I have no idea what it is to call this mood I'm in...or not in. I just know I need to pull myself up by the bootstraps and dig in by the first of next week. But what shall I write?

Enough of that. Enough of the pity party. In the famous words of my favorite author Nora Roberts..."just f---ing write". Easier said than done!

So...here's an idea...for the short story...
Heroine lives in the middle of the desert in an oasis-like spot where she runs a café and shop for people passing through. But who is she and why is she there? Along comes a hero biker...but what is he rescuing her from? How much heat between the two? How erotic should the loves scenes be? 

And for the novella...which is already partially complete...
Heroine moves to New Orleans to get away from an abusive ex-boyfriend. Rents an apartment off a flamboyant older woman who she becomes fast friends with. Discovers some memorabilia from the 1800s in her attic...hears mysterious music in the middle of the night...finds a trunk belonging to a young woman from early days. In it is a photograph of a young man in a Confederate uniform. And while she's working at a local coffee shop, she runs headlong into a man who looks strikingly like the man in the picture.

And for the holiday romance...The Magick Quilt...
A distant great aunt bequeaths a mysterious hand-patched quilt to her single niece. The quilt is said to have magickal powers and will bring forth the owner's true love. Niece scoffs at the idea, but puts the beautiful piece of work on her bed. And along comes the man of her dreams.

I'm looking for feedback if anyone cares to give it...do any or all of these strike your interest? 

On my agenda for 2020 besides Wild Deadwood Reads is the fourth in my Possum Creek series. Join me as I match young veterinarian Ellie up with a difficult dog breeder. Make the return to Possum Creek, TN where the men are hot and the women are spunky.

Okay...I have a pacing dog which means she is either ready to go to bed...go outside...or there's a storm brewing about an hour away...I think it's probably the outside thing! Thanks for dropping in and if you care to send some motivation my way...please feel free to do so!

​Have a great first week of August!!