• Erotic,  Small Town Romance

    Read Guarded by Lyz Kelley @LyzKelley #RLFblog #SmallTownRomance #Romance #Suspense

    Read Guarded by Lyz Kelley @LyzKelley #RLFblog #SmallTownRomance #Romance #SuspenseHe was the one—but could she open the door to his heart?

    Lyz, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Guarded.

    Guarded by Lyz Kelley

    Genre Contemporary

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): NC17

    Tandy was smitten with Jack Burke. He was handsome, honorable, and dedicated to serving the community of Elkridge as a volunteer EMT. He was her everything. Until she realized he could never give her what she wanted most—his heart.

    With an exciting job offer in hand, she left the small mountain community to escape her heartache. But now she’s back with a secret she can’t bear to share.

    Jack Burke long ago learned to wall off his emotions. As a former Army Special Operations Medic, he witnessed plenty of tragedies, and learned to hide the horrors behind an unbreachable wall at the back of his mind.

    But now Tandy Baker has flown back into town and threatens his safe, purposeful life. And once again she buzzes around him, a lovely, iridescent hummingbird more determined than ever to get him to make peace with his past.

    Yet Jack is leery of Tandy. Her presence in Elkridge, and the mystery of her return, are threatening to bring down his safety walls.

    Where to buy Guarded

    Publisher Belvitri LLC

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRQYWBQ
    (going wide in April)

    Lyz Kelley Social Media

    A healing love is at the heart of all of award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author Lyz Kelley’s books. She mixes a spoonful of heart, healing, humanity, happiness, hope and honor in these small-town stories written especially for you. Creating these wounded yet amazing characters—discovering what drives them, frightens them, heals them, makes them laugh—is what gives her joy.
    She’s also a total disaster in the kitchen, a compulsive neat freak, a tea snob, adores her four-legged fur babies, and adores writing about and falling in love with everyday heroes
    Website https://lyzkelley.com/index.html
    Twitter https://twitter.com/LyzKelley
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LyzKelleyauthor
    Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lyzkelley/_created/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lyzkelley/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16298410.Lyz_Kelley
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lyz-kelley
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Lyz-Kelley/e/B01N4AYJUL
    Get to know Lyz Kelley better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/book-library

  • Fiction Furbaby,  Small Town Romance

    Fiction Furbaby: Meet Brady from Child Of Mine by Jana Richards @JanaRichards_ @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets #SmallTown

    In Child of Mine, a small town romance by Jana Richards, Lauren turns to her brother-in-law Cole for comfort on the day of her estranged husband’s funeral. When she discovers she’s pregnant, she has to decide whether to tell the truth about the baby’s father. Is Lauren’s love for Cole stronger than her fear of scandal in her hometown?

    Jana, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We support all furbabies, real life or fictional. We want to know all about your Fiction Furbaby, but first, please tell us about Child of Mine.

    Child of mine by Jana Richards

    Genre contemporary smalltown romance

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Lauren didn’t intend to sleep with her brother-in-law Cole on the day of her husband’s funeral. But now that she is pregnant, she’s not sorry. Cole’s given her a baby, a long-wished-for miracle. He’s been her friend forever, though she never told him or anyone else how unhappy her marriage to his cheating brother was. And she’s afraid to tell the small town that considered her husband a hero that the baby isn’t his.

    Cole’s been in love with Lauren since he was sixteen. It kills him that everyone believes the baby is his dead brother’s. All he wants is to claim the baby, and Lauren, as his own. Though she marries him, will Lauren’s heart ever be his?

    Lauren must tell the truth or risk losing Cole. Is her newly-discovered love for him greater than her fear of scandal in her hometown?

    Meet Brady from Child of Mine

    Full name: Brady

    Gender: male

    Species: dog – Labrador Retriever

    Physical description: fairly large, beautiful golden hair, sweeping tail and a smile on his face.

    Relationship to main character: Brady is Cole’s dog and lives with him.

    Relationship to the villain/antagonist: n/a

    Where this furbaby came from: I don’t actually say in the book where Brady came from, but since Cole is a veterinarian and sometimes helps out at shelters, I believe Brady was rescued from a shelter.

    What inspired you to create this character?

    Like I said, my main character, Cole, is a veterinarian. I worked for several years for the veterinary association in my province, and most, if not all, the vets I knew had a pet, and often more than one. So, it seemed logical to me that Cole would have a dog. Cole is a compassionate, caring person who enjoys having an animal in his life.

    What does the main character think about this furbaby?

    Cole adores Brady, even though Brady’s exuberance can get him into trouble at times. Part of the reason Cole adopts Brady is for the company he provides. Cole is busy with work, but before Lauren comes back into life, he comes home to an empty house every night. Brady provides companionship to Cole and makes him laugh, something he really needs.

    How do other characters react to or interact with this furbaby?

    When Lauren and Cole marry and she moves in with Cole and Brady, Brady falls head over heels for her. Cole jokingly says Brady has completely forgotten about him. When Cole and Lauren’s love is tested and they’re going through difficult times, Brady sticks close to Lauren and provides her with unconditional love and support.

    What is this furbaby’s natural habitat?

    Brady lives in Cole’s house in Masonville, North Dakota. His natural habitat is the sofa, or in his human’s bed, especially if Lauren is there.

    What does this furbaby add to the story?

    I think Brady adds some comic relief and a shoulder for his humans to cry on.

    What about this furbaby will readers like, and why?

    I think Brady will remind readers of dogs they’ve known and loved and lived with. Brady is a member of Cole and Lauren’s family. Sometimes he gets into trouble, but the unconditional love he provides gives his humans much needed solace when they need it most.

    Where to buy Child of Mine

    Publisher https://www.thewildrosepress.com/books/child-of-mine-the-masonville-series-book-1
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Child-Mine-Masonville-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07MBVK9LY
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/child-of-mine-jana-richards/1130197427?ean=2940161413616
    iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/child-of-mine/id1449022684?mt=11
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/child-of-mine-16
    Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jana_Richards_Child_of_Mine?id=4WGHDwAAQBAJ

    Jana Richards Social Media

    Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.
    When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.
    Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.com
    Website https://www.janarichards.com/index.html
    Blog http://janarichards.blogspot.com/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/JanaRichards_
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274.Jana_Richards
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jana-Richards/e/B002DEVWWG
    Get to know Jana Richards better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

    Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist

    Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
    Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
    Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
    Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescues

  • Small Town Romance

    Read a new book by Lori DiAnni Wishing on the Stars Misty River #2 @loridee21 #RLFblog #SweetRomance #SmallTownRomance

    Read Wishing on the Stars the new #SmallTownRomance by Lori DiAnni @loridee21 #RLFblog #SweetRomanceCan a single mother find a daddy in time for Christmas to make her daughter’s wish come true? Find out in Lori DiAnni’s second book in her Misty River small town sweet romance series

    Lori, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Wishing on the Stars.

    Wishing on the Stars by Lori DiAnni

    Genre: Small town sweet contemporary

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG

    Chloe Sweet, a small town bakery owner and single mom to Sophie, has one wish on her Christmas list this year: to win the local Christmas tree contest so she can purchase a new oven for the bakery. Chloe loves Christmas in Misty River, Maine, despite the fact the man she loved had left her on Christmas Eve, five years ago. As she prepares for Christmas, she asks Sophie what her Christmas wish is. Sophie tells her she wants a daddy!

    Tyler Anderson, a talented photojournalist and world traveller, is not a fan of Christmas and doesn’t believe in wishes coming true. He had made a wish a long time ago only to have it break his heart. For five years, Tyler has avoided Christmas and the small town of Misty River, Maine because of the painful memories. But now he’s returned to the little town to help his ailing grandfather. As Christmas approaches, his grandfather makes a wish to have Tyler settle down and raise a family.

    Can Chloe and Tyler bury the hurt of the past to make their loved ones’ Christmas wishes come true?

    Where to buy Wishing on the Stars

    Publisher Coffee Mug Press

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NTZ84ND

    Lori DiAnni Social Media

    Lori DiAnni writes small town sweet contemporary romance novels. Her Misty River Romance series features four friends who find love in the small fictional town of Misty River, Maine. Lori is inspired by the small town she grew up in– Essex, Massachusetts as well as the small towns in Maine. Her stories contain themes of friendship; family; a strong sense of community and of course, forever love. Lori also writes non-fiction and time-travel under her pen name of Lori LeVeille.
    She enjoys going for long rides with her husband along the beaches of Maine and NH; going for walks; photography; scrapbooking; and spending time with her two daughters and two grandchildren. You can also find her watching her favorite channel—Hallmark.
    Check out her website at www.loridianni.com for freebies when you sign up for her newsletter, Coffee and Romance
    Website https://www.loridianni.com/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/loridee21
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LoriDiAnni.Author
    Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/authorloridianni/_saved/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/loridianni_author/
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21612194.Lori_DiAnni
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-dianni
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B091BNX3D7
    Get to know Lori DiAnni better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.loridianni.com/members

  • Christmas or Holiday,  Quick and Fun,  Small Town Romance

    Read Sommerville holidays and Sommerville holidays too by Vicki Batman @Vicki Batman #RLFblog #ChristmasBooks #SmallTownRomance

    Read Sommerville holidays and Sommerville holidays too by Vicki Batman @Vicki Batman #RLFblog #ChristmasBooks #SmallTownRomance

    After the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation, indulge in these holiday story collections, Sommerville holidays and Sommerville holidays too, by Vicki Batman which are sure to tickle your fancy.

    Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming holiday tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.

    Vicki, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I'm Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog.

    Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Sommerville holidays and Sommerville holidays too.

    Sommerville holidays by Vicki Batman

    Genre Romantic comedy holiday short stories

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG

    I love writing holiday stories-romance, lights, great food, fun with friends and family.

    Holiday Disaster: Days before Christmas, a librarian experiences plumbing issues and visits from Mr. Maintenance Man who isn't nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.

    The Littlest Angel: Two people. One ornament for the tree. Can a twosome find common ground and discover the true meaning of Christmas?

    Holiday Handbag Extravaganza: Christmas Countdown is on! A hunk-a-licious customer pesters a boutique owner to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between them is his sister, the meanest girl in town.

    Sommerville holidays too:

    Genre Romantic comedy holiday short stories

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG

    The Great Fruitcake Bake-off: When a five-time baking champion teams up with her new neighbor for The Great Fruitcake Bake-off, they discover baking a prize-winning entry is complicated, bad guys are plotting to take the crown, and first prize isn't just about a ribbon.

    Christmas Romeo: When two feuding co-workers win Christmas river cruises at the company holiday party, they discover each other isn't so bad after all.

    Twinkle Lights: When the owner of a Christmas tree stand has a heart attack, a do-gooder and a reformed high school delinquent turned lawyer meet the challenges of running the establishment; yet, when revenue goes missing, fingers are pointed.

    QUICK

    Do you write more than one genre? If so, what are they?

    Kinda. Sorta. I write romantic comedy mysteries and romantic comedy short stories.

    How do you come up with ideas?

    Ideas abound! I wrote my first mystery based on a word game that used "window." My son said something which made my head go bing!! I've looked at a picture and created a story.

    What is the single most important part of writing for you?

    Writing the story. Some take longer than others; however, I always finish the work.

    When did you write your first book?

    I wrote my romantic comedy mystery, Temporarily Employed, first. Then I critiqued short stories for a friend, got the rhythm, and wrote shorts of my own.

    FUN

    Leather or lace? Neither. I'm a cotton t-shirt kinda gal.

    Black or red? LOL. I wear both.

    Satin sheets or smooth cotton? Cotton flannel. Oh so soft.

    Ocean or mountains? Nothing is better than a long walk along the shore. Yet, I often retreat to the mountains.

    City life or country life? City.

    Party life or evening at home? Evening at home.

    Dogs or cats? I've had both. I miss kitties. Right now, I have two adora-poos.

    Where to buy Sommerville Holidays and Sommerville Holidays Too

    Amazon Sommerville Holidays https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z45SGC5

    Amazon Sommerville Holidays Too https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JQN19L6

    Series https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DVSL8Z7

    Read Sommerville holidays and Sommerville holidays too by Vicki Batman @Vicki Batman #RLFblog #ChristmasBooks #SmallTownRomance

    Vicki Batman Social Media

    Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"

    Website http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/ 

    Blog http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/ 

    Twitter https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/ 

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction-133506590074451/ 

    Pinterest http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/ 

    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/ 

    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman/ 

    Newsletter http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html/ 

    Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vicki-batman/

  • Small Town Romance,  What's for Dinner

    What Ben Grayson eats for dinner, from Unexpected by Jana Richards @JanaRichards_ #RLFblog #Contemporary #SmallTownRomance

    What Ben Grayson eats for dinner, from Unexpected by Jana Richards @JanaRichards_ #RLFblog #Contemporary #SmallTownRomanceBen feels betrayed when Jamie goes behind his back and does the one thing he asked her not to do. But Jamie believes it’s the only way to save their family, in Jana Richards’ new contemporary small-town romance, Unexpected. Ben’s inability to trust could cost them everything, including each other.

    Jana, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.

    Unexpected by Jana Richards

    Genre Contemporary small-town romance

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Single dad Ben Greyson wants only to retain custody of his two stepdaughters. A dysfunctional childhood has made family the most important thing in his life. When his late wife’s parents sue for custody, a desperate Ben is left with two choices – run away with his girls or marry his next-door neighbor.

    Jamie Garven wants to be a mother. She’s intrigued by her handsome new neighbor and falls in love with his little girls. Then Ben is faced with losing his children, and Jamie agrees to marry him for a chance at motherhood. They’re determined to show the world, and the girls’ grandparents, two loving parents.

    Their marriage of convenience turns into unexpected love. But Ben interprets Jamie’s efforts to save their family as betrayal—they could lose everything, including each other.

    Let’s chat about what to eat

    First, what is your name and how old are you?

    My name is Ben Grayson and I’m thirty-four.

    What is the time period in which you live?

    I live in the here and now. I’m a contemporary kind of guy.

    What is your favorite meal?

    My favorite meal is the one I don’t have to cook! I’m kidding, sort of. I like to cook, but when the girls and I were on our own, I didn’t have a lot of time to plan and cook meals. We ended up eating take-out pizza more often than I care to admit. But now that Jamie and I are married, we share the cooking and the shopping. She makes those chores a lot of fun. As for a favorite meal, how about a favorite dish? Before we were married, Jamie taught me how to make a sweet potato casserole that I took to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving. It’s delicious and there’s not a mini marshmallow in sight! And the fact that Jamie and I made it together makes it my favorite.

    If any, what food do you refuse to eat?

    Liver. Never gonna happen.

    Tell us about a meal or food that says “home” to you.

    Any meal shared with my daughters and Jamie says home to me. It can be as simple as scrambled eggs and toast, but as long as we’re together, I’m home.

    Growing up, who was the best cook in your family?

    The housekeeper! When I was growing up, my family had a lot of money. We lived in a big house in St. Paul, Minnesota and my parents employed people who cooked and cleaned for us. My mother wouldn’t have been caught dead doing domestic chores. She didn’t do any of the things other mothers did with their kids, like bake cookies. Victoria was far more interested in boosting our father’s political career and hanging out with the St. Paul elite at the country club then in doing activities with us. Victoria wasn’t your average mother. Still isn’t. (pauses, clears his throat) Can we talk about something else?

    Do you keep snacks on hand, and if so, what are they?

    I’ve got two growing kids, so I always have snacks on hand. Sophie is five and Bella is eight, and left to their own devices they’d probably snack on candy every chance they got. I try to have things like carrot sticks and apple slices in the house so they’re not eating too much junk food, but every once in a while we’ll go crazy on potato chips and soft drinks!

    How much coffee or tea do you drink?

    I like a cup or two of coffee in the morning. I never used to drink tea at all, but Jamie loves herbal tea, particularly chamomile. She has a cup every evening, and I started having one with her, because I wanted to spend time with her. Being with Jamie is the best part of my day. I’m even starting to like chamomile tea.

    Favorite alcoholic beverage?

    Back before I quit drinking, I had a real fondness for vodka. More than a fondness. It was an addiction. I’m an alcoholic, like dear old dad. I’ve been sober now for nearly six years. I knew I had to stop drinking or I was going to die. And besides, I wanted to be a good father to Sophie and Bella and getting sober was the only way I was going to be able to do that.

    Who are your favorite people to share meals with?

    No question, my wife and kids. I’m so blessed to have them in my life. I’ll do anything to keep them.

    Where to buy Unexpected

    Publisher https://www.thewildrosepress.com/book-post/unexpected
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG2MVS7
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unexpected-l-rosamond-richards/1114738832?ean=2940162376996
    iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/unexpected/id1580981690
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/unexpected-139
    Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jana_Richards_Unexpected?id=oOBDEAAAQBAJ
    Target (Print) https://www.target.com/p/unexpected-the-masonville-by-jana-richards-paperback/-/A-84179310#lnk=sametab

    Jana Richards Social Media

    Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.
    When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.
    Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.com
    Website https://www.janarichards.com/index.html
    Blog http://janarichards.blogspot.com/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/JanaRichards_
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274.Jana_Richards
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jana-Richards/e/B002DEVWWG
    Get to know Jana Richards better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

     

  • Cancer Awareness

    And then stuff happened #CancerAwareness by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman author of Temporarily Employed #RLFblog

    And then stuff happened #CancerAwareness by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman author of Temporarily Employed #RLFblog

    Welcome to day three of Cancer Awareness posts for 2021 on RLFblog. Today's guest is Vicki Batman.

    It's been a while...

    I haven't written about Handsome and the trials and tribulations due to throat cancer and his treatment over the past fifteen years. Mostly, we thought all was good.

    Turned out, stuff happened.

    Here's the story: Handsome cut himself, shaving over the plate area of his left jaw, right where the radiation hit him hardest, causing poor blood circulation. The area spread to the size of an eraser and then grew to a half inch. Then bigger. We knew what that meant-a visit to the reconstructive plastic surgeon.

    Handsome went to the doctor, who determined tissue from his back would be used, mainly because arteries were larger. The vessel feeding the "flap" would cross under his chin to connect with his right carotid. All sounded good, and surgery was scheduled for July 20.

    On the Sunday before the surgery, we took off for Houston, staying at a hotel suite five minutes from the medical district. The following day, we navigated to the hospital. Covid protocols dictated no valet parking, clean hands before entering, wear the mask they provided. Tests were done. At our plastic surgeon's visit, we discussed the surgery again. All decided a "go" for the next morning.

    At 5:30 A.M., we arrived for admission. Handsome went to pre-op, and staff readied him for the operation. By 7, the nurses wheeled him to surgery, and I went to the waiting area.

    Before noon, the volunteer called my name and said the doctor wanted to meet with me. The doctor? We settled in a consultation room, where he explained surgery did not proceed as planned. The right carotid artery (probably brittle from radiation) sprung a leak. The doctor went into lifesaving mode, called a vascular surgeon who used a stent, who then called a neurosurgeon to make sure Handsome didn't stroke. The doctor took Handsome's right pectoral and laid it along his neck. A graft from his left leg covered this. The doctor said there would be no more surgeries unless needed for lifesaving measures.

    We were disappointed but understood. The risk was too high.

    Handsome stayed in the hospital until the Sunday after surgery. He looked great. Lost some weight. Wanted to rest and get back to normal. A week after surgery, we went to the reconstructive plastic surgeon's office for a checkup. A drain was removed. We stayed for two more days. After another check on Friday, we loaded up and began the drive home.

    Only we didn't get far.

    Handsome asked me to pull over, saying he lost vision in his right eye. I did, and we sat for a long while; so long, the police came by. We returned to the hospital's emergency room, where I dropped him at the entry and turned to navigate through the creepy parking garage.

    That's when I lost it.

    I called #2son and cried. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with my family and the Adora-poos. I wanted my life.

    I found my way back to the emergency room, and a kind security guard guided me inside where Handsome sat, waiting to be called. After an hour, we talked with an emergency room doctor. She and another doctor decided because of the possible stroke risk, Handsome had to be admitted.

    Over two days, Handsome saw ten doctors, did a lot of neurological tests, repeated for every doctor his vision loss story, had a CT scan and an MRI done, and ophthalmology testing.

    Late Sunday night, the neuro doctor came to his room to review the MRI. He flipped through the images, saying, "nothing. Nothing. Good."

    No one knew what had happened. A TIA? Maybe. A vascular spasm? Maybe. No one knew for sure.

    We stayed one more night. I loaded us in the car Monday morning and headed out. The drive exhausted Handsome. Once home, I sent him upstairs and unpacked.

    So since?

    Recovery was challenging. The surgical site looked darn good, except for the area under the chin, which improved slowly. Fatigue swamped him. Handsome lost thirteen pounds, and because he drinks his nutrition, he had a hard time gaining weight and maintaining a higher blood pressure.

    Five weeks later, I saw how the surgical site improved greatly. We had few answers for the fatigue. He scheduled a six-week checkup. All determined he looked great. The one-minute vision loss was probably because of low blood pressure.

    So what is his future? All we know is we will continue with our plans for trips and living.

    I say this every time I blog for RLF Cancer Week. Do Not Smoke. The Number One reason for throat cancer is smoking. But no one knows for sure how Handsome got it as he wasn't a smoker. Our sincere hope by sharing his story is we help someone. Be healthy. Maintain a good weight and eat right. Exercise. Socialize.

    Cancer is a booger bear.

    And then stuff happened #CancerAwareness by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman author of Temporarily Employed #RLFblogWhen your dream job disappears, your new SUV gets wiped out, and you're desperate for cash, what do you do? Hattie Cook becomes temporarily employed...

    Temporarily Employed: A Humorous Romantic Mystery

    Hattie Cooks Mystery Book 1

    Genre Cozy mystery

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G

    Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy-Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee—the very one she replaced. The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he makes her heart pound.

    Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life. He evolved from a pocket protector-wearing geek to a handsome police detective. When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.

    Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?

    Where to buy Temporarily Out of Luck

    Publisher The Wild Rose Press
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4J5FDQ

    Vicki Batman Social Media

    Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"

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