Exotic - or not - Adventures

Welcome to this week's Friday Five. If you are new here, Friday Five is nothing more than a short (hahaha) list of five random(ish) things. They might be favorites, thankfuls, pet peeves, or frankly whatever else strikes me on any given Friday.  Because I have been slacking on my blogging endeavors for a few weeks, I've decided today's list will be a little peak into FIVE EXOTIC - or not so exotic - ADVENTURES I've had in the last five weeks. 



1. Fillmore, Utah -  Yes, you read that right. I said Fillmore, center of the Beehive state, middle of almost nowhere, Utah. Perhaps you've driven the I-15 corridor and zoomed by the Fillmore exits (yes, there are 2 of them!) without blinking an eye. I'm going to admit, I'm guilty of doing just that. And, though I have a rich ancestral connection to this little town, up until a few years ago I had no idea of the treasures and adventures that can be found there. The canyons to the east are covered with beautiful scenery, four-wheeling trails, and even some ancient hieroglyphics. In the desert to the west, we discovered the Tabernacle Hill Lava Tubes. (okay, in fairness, "we" didn't discover them, but thanks to someone else's exploratory adventures we got to experience them.)  The lava tubes were like nothing I've ever seen before. Thousands of years ago a volcano erupted and left behind miles and miles of lava fields, craters, and tubes (ie: caves). They are said to be over 10,000 years old and formed while Lake Bonneville was receding.

Looking down into the opening of a lava tube (cave).  Tabernacle Hill, Meadow , Utah. 

My grandma lived in Fillmore in her youth, yet she had never heard of the the Lava Tubes. Likewise, we met an older lady while we were hiking around who, like my grandma, had grown  up in Fillmore and had only learned of the tubes in the last couple of years. According to her, they stretch all the way from the St. George  area and continue much further north of Fillmore (spanning 100 to maybe even 200 miles).

Inside a lava tube. Tabernacle Hill, Meadow, Utah.

Just to the south of the lava tubes, in the middle of a wide open field, are some natural warm springs, also known as the "Hot Pots." We stopped in the quaint little town of Meadow to ask for directions. Here's what we got, "Go through town and when you see the big tree take a right. Go down the dirt road, over the freeway, and when the road ends you are there."...

Meadow, Utah... Who'd have ever thought there'd be natural hot springs in the middle of this field? 

So, we did just that: found "the big tree" (although we doubted that we would be able to differentiate it from the other big trees that line the road!), and followed the dirt road til it ended. 

This is the largest of the Hot Pots.  Meadow, Utah warm springs. 

And then, along with a few locals and a drifter or two, we swam in the Hot Pots. There are a number of springs, each corralled by a wooden fence. The easiest to access is the warmest and smallest one (a local told us it was 103 degrees F). The funnest to swim in, however, is the bigger, slightly less hot (though still quite warm) one.    

2. The Emergency Room - Little did I know that our little rendezvous to the Hot Pots would land me in the ER. It's a family joke that I'm going to meet my demise as the result of a random head injury, but who'd have ever guessed that it might actually be from a stubbed toe... Yes, a stubbed toe! I'm not exactly known for my grace and, as I climbed out of the small hot pot, I stubbed my toe on its rocky, moss covered edge. Guess what? That awesome mineral water that people love to soak in because they believe it is loaded with good vitamins and minerals for their skin... well, it's also loaded with all kinds of nasty bacteria. At first we thought my toe was broken. It swelled up like a balloon and hurt like nobody's business!! I hobbled around on it for a week - even did a 7 mile temple walk to prep for our upcoming Pioneer Trek - and on day 8, I finally conceded to let my hubby take me in to have it looked at.

An x-ray was in order and when it came back negative the doctor sighed with relief. Not that a broken toe is a big deal on its own, but, based on a visual analysis of the wound, he was worried about infection getting into the bone. He took a culture and immediately started me on what would become my first round of antibiotics. The next morning I got a frantic call that they were changing my antibiotics. And, the morning after that, they had me on a nice cocktail of various antibiotics. I had not one, but two different strains of STAPH growing in my toe! Oh, and strep too!  - Three nasty infections, one little, very sore toe. Yeah, me!! Thanks to modern medicine, it appears that I will be able to keep my toe. Good thing, too, cause I kinda like it.


3. Angels Stadium - We took the whole fam to a Los Angeles Angels game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California. It was the first Major League Baseball game I've ever experienced in person. Angels vs. NY Yankees.

Yankees had it 6-0 until the bottom of the ninth when it looked like the Angels might just pull off a miracle. They fought hard and closed the game with a 6-5 loss. But, it was still a good time! They had events for the kids (painting, photobooths, sandbottles, games, prizes, etc..), and in the great maturity of my children (whom are mostly teens) I would venture to guess that the highlight for them came everytime Albert Pujols came up to bat. It took me a couple at-bats to realize what their giggles were all about, but, lo and behold, when I tuned into the announcer, I caught on pretty quick... I'd like to say I was too mature to contribute a chuckle or two, but it'd be a lie. With a name like Pujols (pronounced Poo-hole), who can resist? 

4. Themepark Overload - We spent 10 days in Southern California. Five of those days were spent doing the hurry up and wait shuffle at Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Sea World. It's been about 17 years since I was last at Universal. They've made a few changes and added a few rides, but honestly the shows are my favorite part. We hit Disney every couple of years and for me it never gets old. I've been more times than I can count and every time I discover a little something new. Sea World isn't as exciting to me now as it was when I was a kid. My ten year old, however, loved it. Sharks, dolphins, whales... yah, he absorbed every second!

5. Sand, surf, and sunshine - I often dream of owning a beach house. I don't often consider it a reality, however, so I've never really put much thought into what specific beach such a home would need to be on... until now! While waiting for the Disney train one evening, a kind Hawaiian native who found herself transplanted to San Diego, shared with me her favorite beaches. The next day, we drove to the San Diego area to check one out. I fell in love! Moon Light beach is a cute, quiet community. When I grow up, I'm going to own a vacation home there.

We also did some swimming/sun bathing at Seal Beach and Corona Del Mar.

Did I mention we had a little visitor??? - Nothing to get your heart pounding like a giant fin swimming right towards you....

Or three! Who says you have to go to Sea World to swim with the dolphins? We got them for the price of parking.

So, that's it. Five of my most recent adventures. I hope you enjoyed reading about them, but even more so, I hope you have many adventures of your own. 

Life on target... or missing it (I'm not sure which!)

For those of you who regularly follow my blog, you may have noticed that I've been MIA for a bit...

I wish I had a great adventure story to tell as to why I've been missing but unless you consider pushing my senior through his last several weeks of high school (more like dragging him!), cheering on my sophomore's  homework endeavors, balancing my 6th and 4th graders end of year projects, tackling my son's pre-mission to-do list (shopping, doctors, visas, temple prep, etc.), training a puppy, and keeping up on the never-to-be complete yard work an adventure, I've got nothing. Okay, who am I trying to fool: motherhood is anything but nothing!

Not gonna brag, but when the kids are all at school I do pretty good juggling it all -  motherhood, writing, reading, journaling, taking care of the house, managing the money. But as soon as the days start to warm up, spring fever burns so hot we... meaning me, mostly... go crazy!

I haven't sat still for weeks. Too much to do! Tomorrow, as with all my proceeding tomorrows, I hope for a breather. What I wouldn't give for a minute alone to bask in the pages of a book... or, better yet, to actually finish the final edits on my soon-to-be released romantic suspense. But tomorrow, like today, will likely find me frantically crossing off one thing from my list just to add four more. :)

So, here's to life. Here's to having people to love and projects to conquer! Maybe someday I'll be able to hit every target I aim for, but in the mean time, I'm gonna try to enjoy every minute I get with these children who are all too quickly becoming adults.

Blog Tour: The Women Gather - by Katalin Kennedy

About Katalin Kennedy:
On Christmas Eve, 1956, Katalin (Kennedy) and her parents escaped from Hungary, their homeland. The following April, they arrived as refugees in Saint John, New Brunswick. She spent most of her adult life in Ottawa, Ontario. Katalin graduated from Carleton University and joined Health Canada. She managed major national projects as Program Consultant on Seniors’ and Women’s Issues. Katalin is involved in various community activities including writing her monthly Kindness column for Cornwall’s Seaway News. Her first novel “The Women Gather” has been published by Baico Publishing Inc.
http://katalinkennedy.com https://www.facebook.com/EmesesDreamProduction

About The Women Gather:
Nora’s mission had been demanding. She wanted to find a way for women to rediscover their true selves, denied to them throughout the centuries ‒and to make the world a better place. When the young girl Aideen asks Tunde if she may come to Lemuria, Ontario and learn about the beginnings of the Norean Order founded in 1998, she agrees. Tunde’s preoccupation, however, is with the smooth flow of the ‘Gathering’ symposium of 2066. Women from all the Sanctuaries throughout the world are in attendance and await the momentous event: the opening of the Portal to the Outerworld. She has little time to spend with Aideen who unravels layers and layers of stories found in letters, articles, diaries, newspaper clippings and videos about the struggles and triumphs faced by Nora's family and by the Order itself. What Aideen also detects is something she considers to be mystical ‒ that no one wants to acknowledge. 

My Review: 
I've got to be honest here, the story started out a little confusing. I was a bit overwhelmed in the first couple of chapters trying to figure out what was going on and who was who. I admittedly struggle with weird/different names (one reason I don't read sci-fi or fantasy) and The Women Gather is full of them. Having said that, once I got the names down and found my bearings, the plot unfolded beautifully. The story unfolds as Aideen, a teenage girl, seeks to find out more about Lemuria and specifically the history of the Norean Order. The text plays out in a series of email correspondence, letters, journal entries,  scenes from DVDs and other recordings. My favorite text was that of the journal entries - beautiful, heartfelt, and authentic. Kennedy did a great job spanning the 60+ years of storyline in a fluent and honestly, genius manner.  Though I thought I had it all figured out, the end caught me off guard... in a good way. 

If you're looking for romance, probably not a good read for you. But if you're into a little bit of mystery, a touch of science fiction, and even a tad of mysticism, you won't be disappointed. Though not my typical fare, overall this was a good read. I know that I have many friends whom will love it. 

Five Virtues of Successful Parenting

I'm asked from time to time when I'm going to write a book on parenting. After I finish laughing, I am humbled by the compliment. I suppose those queries are a testament to the great children whom I'm blessed to have in my home. I'm not sure the credit is mine or my husbands to take alone, but I am sure there are some keys - virtues if you will - that have helped us along the way: 

Patience - Patience, while being a virtue, is also a process. I use to think that I fared pretty good on the good ol' patience scale... Life has since proved me wrong! Regardless of the chapter you find yourself in, parenting can be the ultimate test of patience. And, it's not like your children purposely try to dance on your nerves... oh, who am I kidding? Yes, they sometimes do!! But most of the time, the knot-wrenching they cause is inadvertent and honestly innocent.  

Be patient. Bite your tongue. Breathe. The most valuable lesson I've learned as a parent is to pick my battles. Ask yourself if the supposed infraction is really that important. Is your child hurting himself or others? Is he causing damage to property? Or, is he simply exploring his world, learning its natural boundaries, and in the process, making a mess of your pristine home? Be reasonable, rational, and realistic with your expectations. Not only will your children benefit as you step back and relax, your physical wellness will thank you too.

Humility - I remember the first time I screwed up as a parent... Okay, probably not the first time, but the first blatantly obvious time. While we may not like to give breath to our weaknesses or our failures, lets admit it, we are not perfect. I don't care who you are, at some point you will take a wrong step in your parenting adventures. Painful as it may be to your pride, admitting your faults is not a sign of weakness. In fact, little words like "I'm sorry," or "Can you please help me?" are imperative to becoming a good parent. If you are unwilling to recognize your faults, how can you improve upon them? Successful parents are teachable parents. Learn to apologize when you fall - especially to your children! Be teachable and understanding. 

Pride - I'm not talking about the "puffed up" kind of pride that the Bible so importantly reminds us to avoid. Talents, success, beauty, and even smarts should not be the target of our affection. While it's important to recognize our children's strengths and abilities, it's also important that they know you are proud of them regardless of the trophies, honors, or accolades they receive. I've been in several situations where parent's play the "one-up" game using their children as their pawns. "My kid does x,y, and z..." "Oh yah, well my kid does a, b, c, and D!!" What if your child doesn't do x,y, z, a, b, c, or d? Does that make him/her an invalid person? What if Johnny doesn't play football but instead finds joy in serving others? What if Janey doesn't like to dance but loves to lose herself in books? 

My children may never earn a Pulitzer, a Heizman, or a Grammy, but that doesn't negate the fact that they are amazing people. Be proud of who they are, not what they can do. Thankfully we all come with our own personalities, talents, and interests. Our hobbies and interests may not be the same as our children's... and that's okay! At the end of the day, the potential size of your child's future paycheck or the number of trophies that adorn his/her wall are not important. Their ability to love and to feel love, however, is. Rather than trying to force your interests on your children, why not let them discover their own? Embrace their uniqueness and find pride in the gift of parenthood. All children - both yours and mine - have the potential to do much good in this world. Teach them to love and respect themselves and humanity, and you will always have cause to be proud.  

Humor - Laugh. Life's too precious and too short to be serious 100% of the time. Sure, there's a time and a place to be all buttoned up and serious, but there are also appropriate times to let loose and laugh! Find joy in your parenting journey. Fill your home with laughter. Children are delightful. Parenthood is tough, but it can also be fun! Play  with you kids. Kick back and enjoy a good belly jiggling, tear-invoking, snort-inducing laugh. 

Gratitude - Every night I hit my knees to thank my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with the care and nurture of His beautiful, valuable children. Parenthood is not an opportunity any of us should take lightly. As parents - and even grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends - we have an obligation to teach, prepare, and ultimately love the little people in our lives. While most of my children are no longer technically "little people" (three of them are as big or bigger than me) they are still precious children of our Heavenly Father... and they will always be my babies! 

I know that there are certain phases of your child's progression where time may seem to drag by, but believe me when I tell you to cherish those moments. Nobody loves tripping over collections of baby dolls or having little legos brutally lodged into the sole of your foot, but be grateful for them, for that chapter of innocent chaos will close sooner than you expect. I know it's cliche to say so, but they really do grow up soooo fast. Diapers turn to playdates, then homework, then real dates and driving, and then.... sigh... 

Be grateful for each step of the journey. Be humble, teachable, patient, loving, and full of joy. Cherish every moment, create memories, and look forward to each amazing chapter! 

 

Unbelievable - by Sherry Gammon

Click here for more blog tour dates

I'm honored to be part of the blog tour for author Sherry Gammon's Unbelievable. 

Unbelievable is the second book in Gammon's Port Fare series, however, it does quite well as a stand alone. (Note: regardless of the order you read these first two books of the Port Fare series, once you read one, you will want to read the other!)

I read this book in two days - not always an easy task for this busy mother of four - but, a sure testament of its quality. I was hooked right away by the sassy Delilah and, if that wasn't enough, the quirky, klutzy Doctor Cole was instantly irresistible. I found myself in awe of Gammon's ability to seamlessly  weave such an intricate, plot thick story into such an easy, page turning read. The dialogue was fun and snappy. The back and forth between Booker and Maggie was reminiscent of the way I banter with my brothers. (I only wish that one of them could've be labeled a kitty cat!)     

I've noticed Unbelievable being billed as a YA novel, but if YA isn't your thing, don't shy away. While it is certainly appropriate and surely appealing to a YA audience, I think it could better be classified as a ROMANTIC SUSPENSE. With twists and turns throughout, I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I look forward to future books from Gammon... especially ones in this series. 

(As part of Unbelievable's blog tour, there are some pretty fun giveaways. Make sure you read all the way to the end of my post to check them out!) 

About the Book: 

Delilah Lopez Dreser’s in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there’s more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole’s in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. However, is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brother’s murders?                       
Maggie and Seth’s reaction when the truth is revealed pushes friendship to the limit. And this time around it won’t be a Dreser causing an uproar in Port Fare. It will be Cole's good friend Booker. But does Booker have it all wrong?  Usually not!

About the Author

Unlovable was Sherry's debut novel and quickly rose to many top seller lists on Amazon. She is pleased to announce that Unlovable is currently being made into a movie. She has added three more novels to her body of work. Souls in Peril, the poignant story of Max Sanchez who is on a journey to help the struggling JD Miller survive high school, and Pete & Tink, a fun, light-hearted novella of a manga-loving geek and and five-and-a-half inch fairy. And UNBELIEVABLE, Book 2 in the Port Fare Series

Sherry and her husband, along with their children and a couple of crazy dogs, call Upstate New York home. It is where she spends her nights writing instead of sleeping {:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords (for ALL ereaders including your computer)

Don't forget to enter for your chance to Win one of Sherry's fabulous Blog Tour prizes!!

ONLY THREE entries are Mandatory, the rest are optional on the Rafflecopter!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prizes:

1. A Signed paperback copy of Unlovable and Unbelievable 

2. An Ecopy of Unbelievable
3. A signed book wreath made from the pages of Unlovable

 4. Swag

5. Sheppard's Hook Bookmarks
6. An ecopy of Author Cindy C Bennett's new anthology Enchanted Fairytales

7. Ecopies of part one and two of Author Camelia Miron Skiba historical anthology.

I was here...Before You came and Born in Sin (due to be released in June)

   

Blog Tour Schedule

April 15 http://www.ya-aholic.com/~ Review
April 15  http://jamiecanosa.blogspot.com/~ Review

April 16 http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 16 http://fic-talk.com/ 

April 17 http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.co.uk/

April 17 http://www.iamareader.com/

April 18  http://blackbirdinmywindow.blogspot.com/ ~  Review

April 18 http://wrathsqueensbooks.blogspot.co.uk/ ~  Review

April 18  http://coffeebooksandme.blogspot.com/

April 19 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Confessions-of-a-Bookaholic/136192026473783?fref=ts  ~Review

April 19 https://www.facebook.com/NovelSeductionBlog?fref=ts ~  Review

April 20 http://bookreaderaddictsgiveaways.blogspot.ca/ ~ Review

April 20 http://chapter-by-chapter.com/

April 21 http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 21 http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.com/

April 21 http://drwrnmk.blogspot.com/ ~  Review

April 22 www.workadayreads.com ~ Review

April 22 http://www.examiner.com/latino-books-in-national/mayra-calvani Review 

April 22  http://www.mistymoncur.blogspot.com ~ Review

April 22  http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.com/ -http://mybookaddictionreviews.com/ ~ Review

April 23 http://authorcameliamironskiba.com/ ~ Review

April 23 http://julicaldwell.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 24 http://www.marendille.com/ ~ Review

April 24  http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 24 http://www.aliciakleppert.com/ ~  Review

April 24 http://jessicahaight.blogspot.com/

April 24  http://www.camichecketts.com/ ~ Review

April 25  http://www.uniquelymoibooks.com/

April 25 http://www.gabicreads.blogspot.com/
April 26 http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 26 mybookaday.blogspot.com ~ Review

April 27 www.stacylynncarroll.com ~ Review

April 27  http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com/ ~ Review

April 28 http://wormyhole.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 28 http://shantalhiatt.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

April 29 www.goodchoicereading.com ~ Review

April 29 http://www.mandituckerslack.com/ ~ Review

April 29 http://thevictorianvanity.blogspot.com/ ~ Review

Called to Serve... Getting the fateful mission call

Last night, in a much anticipated event in the Mormon culture to which I happily belong, our family gathered to open my son's mission call. Over the next few years, I'm sure I will find occasion to share some experiences from his mission on this blog. Realizing that not all of my awesome readers share my faith, I feel that perhaps a little explanation may be necessary:

What is an LDS missionary? 

LDS Missionaries are young men (18-19 year olds) and women (19-21 year olds) that leave their homes and devote two years (18 months for females) as representatives of Jesus Christ. These young people leave their families, their friends, their internet, and even their cell phones. They postpone their work/schooling, pay their own way, and most often live in very humble circumstances. They do not choose where they will serve, and it is anything but a two-year vacation. So why, you may ask, would they volunteer their service? It's really quite simple: As members of the LDS (Mormon) church, we strive to keep the Savior, Jesus Christ, as the center of our lives. We have faith in Him, love Him, and find joy in His service. Because we have felt His love and know the peace He can bring to our lives, we invite others to learn of Him and accept Him in their lives.  For more information about missionaries and their work, you can visit Mormon.org.

Talk of my son's mission has filled the walls of our home for years. Since he was little, his desire to serve the Lord has been humbling. As his mother, I am so pleased with the young man that he has grown into. I am excited to see him prepare himself to be worthy and willing to dedicate his time, talents, and the fullness of himself in the hopes of bringing others to Christ. I am just beginning to realize the scope of this commitment and the sacrifice it will be for both him as well as for our family and I am honored to be the mother of such an amazing young man.

What does it take to be a missionary?

There is much preparation that must take part before a missionary can serve. One must first learn of the Savior, develop faith in Him, and strive to live His commandments. Missionaries are not perfect; however, just like other faithful Christians, they are striving to live as Heavenly Father would have them live. This is not an overnight process but a life-long journey. There is much learning a missionary must do to prepare to serve. He/she should know and understand the commandments, faithfully read and be familiar with the scriptures (both the Bible and the Book of Mormon), and attend their church meetings to further their learning of the gospel. A missionary also must be clean...clean from drugs, alcohol, sexual relations, unhealthy habits, and unlawful acts. 

Prospective missionaries essentially apply for their mission by submitting their "papers" to LDS Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. These "papers" include documentation from their doctor and dentist stating their physical eligibility, recommendations from their bishop and stake president (local church leaders) about their worthiness, and a series of personal questions. Upon receipt, members of the First Presidency prayerfully make each mission assignment. 

My son completed his papers and his interview with our bishop and stake president a week and a half ago. Typically it takes two weeks to receive your call (aka: assignment). However, because of the recent age change for prospective missionaries, the influx of submitted papers has spiked, thus slowing the process in some cases to 6 weeks. Imagine our surprise when, after only a week and a half, we got his fate-filled envelope in the mail!!!

We gathered our family together - some via phone - to share in the experience as he opened the envelope... and, essentially the unveiling of where his next two years would be spent. Having no control over where your 18 year old is going to be for two years is a bit nerve wracking for any mother. Honestly, for me, it was a HUGE test of faith. 

As we waited on pins and needles, I could only imagine where he might go. Would he be going foreign or domestic? Familiar or completely new? Tropical or perhaps even arctic? Would he have to learn a new language? What kind of cultural changes were in store?

I know I'm not the only one that was shaking with anticipation as he gently tore into the envelope! 

Though I'm not a crier, I was prepared for tears. What I got instead was an overwhelming confirmation that Heavenly Father does, indeed, know my son! His call wasn't one that I'd even considered, but as I looked at my beaming son, I KNEW it was exactly where he was supposed to go. 

Because of the public nature of this blog, I've chosen not to share the location to which he has been called. He might be legally an adult, but my mama instinct tells me I still need to protect him. To those who know my family personally, I will be glad to share. For the rest of my amazing readers, I will tell you this: he has been called to serve in one of the beautiful countries of his ancestors  He is both excited and qualified for the experience that lies before him. I have no doubt that he will touch the lives of those whose paths he crosses. I also have no doubt that the Lord will always be mindful of him. 

The Jeweler - by Ken Murray

Today I am honored to participate in author Ken Murray's blog tour. 

By way of introduction, Ken Murray lives with his wife Beth in Winter Park and has sons and daughters and three grandchildren. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he served in a top secret cryptographic unit of the U. S. Army in the Pentagon during the Korean war organizing intelligence from codes deciphered by the National Intelligence Agency. He moved to Florida in 1958, retired early, and for the past fifteen years has been writing novels and poetry. You can learn more about Ken by visiting him at www.kennethsmurray.com. 

Now on to our Interview: 

[Stephanie]: Ken, as an author my stories and characters are often influenced by events, experiences, and even people in my life. Is the same true with your writing?

[Ken]: Yes, Stephanie - all three. Rock and Carla Hard, the jewelers I met through our daughter, Jennifer, up in the Florida Panhandle are a prime example. They inspired me to write the novel - his youth and background were just too good not to build that into a story.

[Stephanie]: Is there a character in The Jeweler that shares some of your own personality traits? Which one? And how?

[Ken]: No. There's no one in the novel that touches the cusp of insanity, that walks on the edge of the envelope, a dreamer of tales, who frequents the cosmos and finds himself seeing the world and people through the eyes of new characters that invade my senses - all of whom are conjured by witches I employ.

[Stephanie]: Who was your favorite character to write? Why?

[Ken]: The character I most enjoyed describing and developing was Jacob Turley. The little British recruiter for the CIA. He's introduced on page 115, and as I write the reader slowly gets a vivid picture of the pipe smoking Brit with the English accent and unusual humor that he builds into asking a man to become an assassin.

[Stephanie]: Where did you draw your inspiration for The Jeweler (or any of your writing for that matter)?

[Ken]: Inspiration in most cases comes from imagination - true for several other novels such as 'Fort Knox Heist,' 'The Final Plan,' and my just completed sci-fi, 'The Second Creation,' that will be available at ebook sites quite soon. But all of them involve lots of facts developed by research which is extensive in all of my writing. I believe great fiction should be based upon a lot of fact which gives credibility that leads to acceptance by the reader.

[Stephanie]: What drives you to write? Is it something you've always wanted to do or something you stumbled upon during the course of your life?

[Ken]: Sheer boredom after retiring early lead to my interest in writing. I've been an avid reader all of my life, and then in a muddle a few years ago, I stumbled into poetry. That's a wow. I mostly write romantic poetry, but some spiritual. John Updike said 'poetry is the most intense and the most satisfying.' I know what he meant.
[Stephanie]: Do you have any particular habits or rituals that help you get in "the zone" for writing?

[Ken]: When I'm into writing a novel, like the sci-fi I just finished, I just sit down and it flows from where I left off. I write at different times of the day, lots at night - less disturbance, and I don't write from an outline, that's way too confining. I like the freedom of ideas or new characters that just come to me, then I get inside their heads and they tell me what to write.

[Stephanie]: Thanks, Ken. It's been fun to get to know a little more about you. Creativity is certainly something I think we all can respect and when that creativity comes forth in the form of a book, that's even better.

About Ken Murray's The Jeweler: 

Cole Hanson learned the jewelry trade early in life. Dealing in emeralds in Columbia, Hanson is kidnapped and taken to the mountain jungle lair of the Black Jaguar, a cocaine drug lord. He witnesses a horrible triple murder, executes the killer, and escapes. Hanson is overwhelmed by a euphoric rush and struggles with this discovered Jekyll and Hyde personality. Hanson is recruited to become an assassin for the CIA who learns of his strange predilection for death and uses this alter ego to press The Jeweler ever deeper into espionage and assassinations around the world. Murder occurs in England. Diskettes with top secret information about the Soul Catcher are stolen. Incensed, Hanson seeks the killers, but is on his own without CIA approval as clues take him across Europe and to the Vatican for revenge. After twenty years of service The Jeweler attempts his toughest sanction. Hussein is well guarded moving between palaces and seems an impossible target until fate deals a hand. Hussein flees on his mega-yacht. Hanson battles his way on board for the final action and twists in the Persian Gulf.

Find Ken on  Facebook,  @KenMurrayAuthor on Twitter, and Goodreads

Purchase a copy of  The Jeweler  on Amazon

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·         First prize: Autographed Copy of The Jeweler; $20 Amazon Gift Card

·         Second prize: Autographed Copy of The Jeweler

·         Third prize: Autographed Copy of The Jeweler