AND THE WINNER IS...

CONGRATULATIONS to Vivien!

She is the winner of my monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com. Thanks to everyone for their support on my blog tour!

SMALL TOWN CELEBRATIONS!

This week featured celebrations:


Hog Wild Days
Annual celebration in Island City. Lots of entertainment for the whole family. Celebrate "Hog Wild Days" with food, parades, craft and flea market vendors, famous "Pig Train," live entertainment, and a barbecue.  http://www.unioncountychamber.org/pages/Events

Enjoy your state parks on us June 2
State Parks Day is our thanks to you. Free one-night camping and day-use June 2. Also in this issue of the Go Guide: When you take a trip to a state park, you're more than likely supporting local businesses. Learn about historic cemetery preservation and their importance to our heritage community. Grant's Getaways takes us on a tour of the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway near Cottage Grove. http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/index.shtml


Function 4 Junction

Back by Popular Demand: The Function 4 Junction Show 'N Shine and Classic Car and Truck Cruise will be held this Summer in Downtown Junction City, Oregon. Thank you to all of our sponsors and everyone that came out last year! We hope you will return again this year for more Food, Fun and Festivities. The Function 4 Junction is a non-profit organization that raises money 4 the Children, 4 the Schools, and 4 the Community. Come be a part of this family-friendly event!

Welcoming Cars and Trucks of all years, makes and models to participate in the Show 'N Shine. The Cruise is open to 1974 models and earlier cars and trucks only. 
(Sorry, no 4WD or Motorcycles in the F4J Cruise.) Saturday, June 2, 2012; Registration: 8AM to 7PM; Show-and-Shine: 8AM to 4PM; Cruise: 6PM to 9PM.  http://www.function4junction.com/


High Desert Rhubarb Festival
Calling all Rhubarb growers! The Rhubarb Festival will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012. Event hours are 9 am to 4pm. Free admission. All recipes prepared will feature Rhubarb; main dishes, pies, cakes and much more. Food sales begin at 11:30 am and goes until it's gone. Dutch oven cooking, classic car show, beer garden, vendors throughout the nursery, live music, hay rides, food available on site. We will have a antique John Deere Tractor and wagon to shuttle attendees into the event from parking areas. Proceeds from this event will go to benefit S.C.O.O.T.R. Live music provided by the Klassic Ayre Band from Sunriver, Oregon, founded by a group of seniors to celebrate the good 'ol days of Rock and Roll. Come dance and sing along with your favorite music
 from the 50's and 60's. Bend N' Strings Bluegrass Band will play from 11:30 to 12:30. http://www.lsgardens.com/events.html


For a list of more Oregon festivals and celebrations, please visit the Oregon Festivals & Events web site at http://www.oregonfestivals.org/

AND THE WINNER IS...

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Susan W!

Winner of my week #4 blog tour prize--a $10 gift certificate to Powell's Books!

I'M GUEST BLOGGING TODAY...

Please join me!


May 28--Rachel Brimble's blog

THE ACTION IS AT TALLIE'S

BERNIE'S LEGACY

Police officer Bernie O'Shea became a legend to the people around Halo. Cleaning up the corrupt police department, quietly helping out neighbors in need, and going head-to-head with bad guys. A bullet may have silenced Bernie, but his LEGACY lives on in the lives and actions of his widow and eight adopted children. 

EXCERPTS

**By the time Claudia realized the crowd wasn't cheering but screaming in fright, Patrick's arm was wrapped securely around her shoulders, sweeping her and the little boy toward his big brown sedan. 

The buildings of Halo exploded around them, shaking the ground as pieces of boards blasted past. Then fires erupted and licked greedily at the shards of debris from the old buildings.

As Patrick tucked Claudia into the car, he shouted, "Marly, take the wheel and go to Tallie's." 

Terror filled Claudia's senses as the old vehicle rocked with the force of another explosion and the thought of Patrick leaving her. She clutched his arm. "What are you going to do?"

"Save as many as we can."

***

After Patrick tucked Claudia into the car, he directed people into the big brown sedan until they were packed several deep in both the front and back seats. 

With the buildings of Halo exploding around them, people piled into any available vehicle moving out of town. The ground shook as Patrick zigzagged through the streets, dodging fragments of boards blasting through the air while he looked for any stragglers who might have been trapped. 

By now, emergency personnel were moving a safe distance away from the center of the blasts as fire crews, including his brother Jeremiah, pumped water from Celestial Creek to control the flames.

...While his brother, Grady, stayed in relative safety, Bomber the robot maneuvered over the  deeply gouged holes in what used to be downtown Halo and searched through the debris for explosives that might be lying dormant until some unsuspecting sucker stubbed his toe on them…

Patrick jumped on the bumper of a fire truck and rode to the relative safety of the command post his brother, Collin, had set up on the outskirts of town. 

When word came that the man who set off the explosives was at the O'Shea house where the evacuees had been sent, Patrick's heart nearly stopped. He jumped into the deputy's vehicle with Dawson and one of the EMTs. The tense silence as they sped to Tallie's was broken only by the crackle of urgent messages over the radio.

***

Tallie sighted through the scope of the rifle, zeroing in on a hulking hairy beast that brought the legendary Bigfoot to mind. She pulled the trigger--too late. The sound of an explosion rolled toward them, as splinters of boards from her chicken house flew high into the air. From a nearby field where they had been searching for seeds, her laying hens squawked in protest. Tallie prayed her feathered girls were far enough away to be safe, though they would be roosting in the barn tonight.

Marly muttered an obscenity under her breath as she peered out a nearby window. "We've got to distract him. Pull him away from here." 

...In a crouch, Marly zigzagged out the door toward the garage. Several motorbikes sat on one side, including the bike she had ridden as a teenager. Hoping her brothers kept it in running order as they did the others, Marly straddled it and kicked the starter. The little bike sputtered to life. She revved the engine and, after letting it warm up a few seconds, she sped down the old dirt trail she had raced with her brothers innumerable times during her teenaged years. 

The sound of another motorbike soon buzzed angrily behind her. 

Good, Marly thought. Swaggerty had taken the bait. Now to keep just far enough ahead of him that he was focused on catching her and not watching where they were going--until it was too late...As the brush thinned beside the trail, the dredge loomed directly in front of them. 

Adrenaline spurted through Marly's veins. Years had passed since she had successfully pulled off this stunt, but Swaggerty was closing in.

She had one chance to make this work.

With a prayer the baby carrier stuffed with blankets wouldn't throw off her balance too much, Marly revved the motorbike's engine and zipped through the doorway of the wooden, warehouse-like structure. Inside, she maneuvered past huge metal gears that had once moved this giant rock-eater through several miles of landscape to digest the rich deposits of gold. Her focus--and exit--was the stacker that disgorged old tailings of unwanted material. This conveyor belt pointed up, up, up at the back of the dredge.

And ended high over the middle of the pond dug by the dredge years ago.

As she soared out the end of the stacker and over the pond, the bottom dropped out of her stomach as it always did, and kicked up the corners of her mouth in a satisfied grin. 

Just like the old days.

***

**EXCERPTS from LEGACY Series books, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel.

MEET PATRICK'S ANGEL

**Twilight was settling over the landscape as he drove the old pick-up back to the ranch. Too late to catch a train back to his sanctuary, Patrick settled in the barn for the night. Though he doubted he would sleep much, he soon slept soundly.

"I am proud of you, my son." 

Patrick blinked and shaded his eyes from the brilliant glow of the angel's white robe. "You've come back."

"I've always been with you. You didn't want to see me."

Patrick turned his face away. "I'm not worthy..."

"You are of the Source. There is no worthy or not worthy. There simply is."

Patrick fisted a hand and brought it to his chest. "I feel unclean."

"There is no clean or unclean. All life's events are simply to experience and to teach. If they suit you, hold them in joy. If they bring you pain, release them."

"You make it sound so simple."

"And so it is. The human condition so many times complicates your experiences on Earth."

Patrick faced the angel once again. "I want... things... a priest shouldn't want."

"Those are human rules. If they do not suit your spirit, release them."

"You mean I don't have to be a priest?"

The angel smiled. "What suits you?"

"I feel the desire to serve others, but I want pleasure for myself also. I want to receive love, not just give of myself until I feel empty. Hollow."

"There are many ways you can serve others while meeting your own desire for love. Simply be open to those ways."

When Patrick woke, the eastern sky was still streaked with darkness. Rather than return to his sanctuary, he rode the train to where he parked his car and drove slowly back to Halo. 

The old priest suggested forgiveness. His angel said the future was his choice. 

The thought of living without the shield of priestly raiments exposed vulnerabilities Patrick didn't want to feel. Yet at the same time, brought a cautious hopefulness centered around seeing Claudia again. 

Would she understand? Would she be willing to give him a chance to rebuild their lives together?

**EXCERPT from LEGACY OF ANGELS copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel

AUTHOR NOTES--PLEASE HELP ME NAME BOOK #6

I've probably said it before, but one more time-- my LEGACY series is my life!

Book #1--PICTURE PERFECT LEGACY--was released March 1.
Book #2--LEGACY OF ANGELS--was released May 1 and I'm promoting this book, which includes a virtual blog tour and contest, as well as a number of online ads.
Book #3--LIVING THE LEGACY--will be released July 1. I finished line edits for this book last week and am setting up promotion for it.
Book #4--CHASING THE LEGACY--is scheduled for release on September 1, and I should have the manuscript back from my publisher in the next couple days to make copy edits. I also tweaked the cover for this book to better reflect the action/adventure tone.
Book #5--CHALLENGING THE LEGACY--is scheduled for release on November 1. I just sent this to a beta reader on Sunday, which means it's pretty close to ready to send to my publisher. I should finish the cover for this book sometime this week.

Then I'll start edits to Book #6, and I'm asking for your help in naming this book. I confessed in a guest blog post that I waffle on titles to my books. I think I have the perfect title, then find something I like better. Most of the time I go through six or eight titles before settling on The One.

Some parameters for this title:
--It has to have the word, "LEGACY," in it.
--The hero is a firefighter/EMT and the heroine is a burn victim, so I want another word in the title like fire, flame, burning, etc.
--I love titles with more than one meaning. This story will be a romance, so that will fit well with flame-related words. Also, the series is coming to a "big reveal" moment that will spin the legacy of the O'Shea family in a new direction and cause much conflict. So the title can also hint at that.

I'll make the choice of a title (with my publisher's approval, of course) based on what catches my fancy at the moment. Yes, this is totally subjective! LOL!

If I decide on a title no one submits, I'll toss everyone's name on a hat and draw for the prize. What's the prize? Perhaps a selection of candles? I'll go shopping soon. If I can't find the "perfect" prize, there's always a gift card! Can you tell I'm in the brainstorming stage where anything is a possibility? And I'll send you a free download of the e-book when it's released in January 2013.

Please send me your suggestions by Sunday, June 10.

I'M GUEST BLOGGING TODAY...

Please join me today at:

MWVRWA blog!


I also want to share my latest cover, for book #5 of the LEGACY series, CHALLENGING THE LEGACY.

SMALL TOWN CELEBRATIONS!

We are coming up on Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer celebrations! Here are a sampling of celebrations in Oregon small towns:


SUMPTER, OR
(Sumpter is in located in Eastern Oregon's old gold mining country near the fictional town of Halo, where my LEGACY series takes place.) Here's what's happening in Sumpter this weekend:


--Sumpter Flea Market, 5/25/2012 from 8:00 AM to dusk.
 A little bit of eveything at this Flea Market, Antique Glassware, Collectors Items, Arts & Crafts, Food, Coins, Funiture & Books. Free admission to the public.



--Sumpter Valley Railroad Opening Day, 5/25/2012, 10:00 AM TO 3:15 PM [Photo from <http://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/>]
Opening Weekend for the Sumpter Valley Railroad and the kick off to Memorial Day Weekend events in Sumpter. Two round trips on Friday, three round trips on Saturday and Sunday, and two round trips on Monday.


You can find more info on these two events at <http://www.visitbaker.com/>.


--And don't forget you can also visit the Sumpter Valley Dredge, similar to the dredge Marly jumped through in PICTURE PERFECT LEGACY.  <http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_239.php>




ALBANY NOSH TOUR 2012
Via Albany's Historic Trolley, departing from the Albany Visitors Association (AVA), the Nosh Tour takes participants back stage in many of Albany's home-grown restaurants; tasting food and drink samples of what makes each establishment stand out, getting to see behind the scenes, and speaking with the people who make it all happen. The tour is so popular, AVA is scheduling tours the last weekend of most months. AVAILABLE BY RESERVATION ONLY. See <http://albanyvisitors.com/> for more information.




BOATNIK
Since 1959, The Grants Pass Active Club has held Boatnik every Memorial Day weekend along the Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon. For more than 50 years families have enjoyed this five-day event that supports the children and youth programs of the communities of Southern Oregon. 


The activities start Thursday evening in Riverside Park with a carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. Friday includes a spectacular fire works display on the river. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown and ends at Riverside Park. Throughout the weekend the festivities continue in the park that include: Sprint and Drag boat racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, Papa John's pizza eating contest, children's activities, Bingo, food vendors, Monday Sundaes, the Chevy Drive It Home Golf Shoot Out and a second night of patriotic fireworks. Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring the World Famous Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race. 


All funds raised by the Grants Pass Active Club from Boatnik are returned to the community by supporting local children and youth programs. 
For more information, visit <http://www.boatnik.com/>.




PORTLAND ROSE FESTIVAL
And though definitely NOT a small town celebration, Oregon's largest city, Portland, is offering nearly a month of events during the 2012 Rose Festival, named the Best Festival in the World by the International Festivals and Events Association. For more information, visit <http://www.rosefestival.org/>




YOU CAN FIND MORE OREGON SMALL TOWN CELEBRATIONS AT <http://www.oregonfestivals.org/>

AND THE WINNER IS...

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Karen H.

Winner of my week #3 blog tour prize--a $10 gift certificate to Powell's Books!

I'M GUEST BLOGGING TODAY

Please join me!
May 21--Reader Girls

SUNDAY AT TALLIE'S: MAJOR CHANGES

Sunday dinner at Tallie's can bring major changes in the O'Shea family, such as this announcement from Patrick:


At a Sunday dinner, Patrick rose and simply stood by his chair. Silence gradually replaced conversation as all gazes turned toward him, and he began to speak.

"I've made a decision and perhaps could bore you all with flowery phrases outlining my reasons. However, I think something this important is better said in plain words." Patrick paused and looked around the table. "I've decided to leave the priesthood."


Those few words spun not only Patrick's life in a new direction, but affected the entire family, as readers will see in future books of the LEGACY series.

MEET HALO CITIZENS: PAUL & EMMA MIDASSEN

Paul and Emma Midassen are a wealthy, older businessman and his young, beautiful wife. Under the guise of a legitimate adoption, Paul pays a lot of money for the baby his wife so desperately wants. Before the baby's first birthday, child welfare takes custody of the child when an anonymous tip reveals he has been stolen from his mother. 

This child becomes the center of a controversy that uncovers a baby-selling operation making a lot of money for many high-powered people for several decades. 

When her child is taken, Emma is devastated and tries to commit suicide. Then she discovers a core of strength as she begins a journey of healing. Months later, her husband builds her a magnificent house near Halo. He is rarely at that house, so Emma--now pregnant by a sperm donor--is making her way mostly by herself. 

And, of course, with the help of Halo's legendary citizens. 

AUTHOR NOTES: MORE WINNERS!

The Spring Fling Web Hunt, sponsored by Night Owl Reviews, wrapped up on May 15. This was my first online scavenger hunt, and I enjoyed it so much I've signed up for one in the fall also!

One of the best parts of contests and online events is giving away prizes. My winners from this Web Hunt are:
Alicia--$15 Amazon.com gift card & e-book copy of THE ROCK STAR
Pam (who said this is her first prize in a Web Hunt)--An e-book copy of THE BODYGUARD
Amanda--An e-book copy of THE LEADER OF THE BAND

Congratulations to these three ladies and to all the winners in the Spring Fling Web Hunt!

THURSDAY TRIVIA

My LEGACY database is filled with trivia about this series of books. So for you trivia fans, I'm going to tease you with trivia on Thursdays this month. The answers to some of these questions will be found on this blog or on my Web site <www.GenieGabriel.com>. I'll let you know if you have to read one of the LEGACY books to find the answer.

Q. What is the name of the teenagers forced into prostitution that Patrick O'Shea tries to save?

A. For those who want to find out the answer yourself, you'll have to read the book, LEGACY OF ANGELS. For everyone else, I'll spell the answer backwards: LEGNA.

OREGON SMALL TOWN CELEBRATIONS

BIRDS, ALIENS AND MUTTS...

We've had a few sunny days in my area, which has me looking forward to summer. Along with summer comes celebrations. Some unusual, some educational, some just fun!

Thought I'd share a few of those with you:

American Avocet
- Photo by Cathy Nowak -

LADD MARSH BIRDATHON
May 18-20, 2012
Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, LaGrande, OR
Novice and experienced bird watchers are welcome to attend the  annual Ladd Marsh Birdathon at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area located 7 miles south of La Grande, Oregon. The event is an International Migratory Bird Day event scheduled at the height of spring migration and nesting in the Grande Ronde Valley. Few, if any, places in Union County have a more diverse bird population than at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Over 200 species of birds either visit or live permanently at Ladd Marsh.

Register for the event, receive your passport and explore the wildlife area from sun up to sun down. Experienced birders will be at several birding stations to offer assistance and information about birds and bird watching. Only on this weekend will birders have the opportunity to explore places on the wildlife area generally closed to the public, providing increased opportunities to see an abundance of ducks, geese, swans, raptors, shore birds and passerines. In addition to great birding experiences, the event also includes evening speakers, kids activities, a birds of prey exhibit with live birds and more.

For a schedule of events, visit:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/education/outdoor_skills/workshops/ladd_marsh_birdathon.asp#Noah

From UFOfest Web site

13th ANNUAL UFO FESTIVAL
Friday, May 18 & Saturday, May 19, 2012

McMENAMINS HOTEL OREGON

McMinnville, OR

UFO Speakers · Costume Parade · Live Music · Kids’ Fun and more!

Set in a small town in the middle of Oregon wine country, the UFO Festival explores and  celebrates the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Skeptics and believers alike are invited to enjoy all the events happening throughout the weekend!

Events (besides speakers) are free. Tickets to each speakers' event are $10, and will be available online or at the door, as well as a 3-event pass for $25.

The festival began as a way to honor the famous 1950 Trent sighting in which two local citizens witnessed and photographed a UFO, said to be some of the most credible images of UFOs to date. Read a detailed history of the Trent sightings. More info at <http://www.ufofest.com/>

MUTT MASTERS DOG SHOW AND OLYMPICS
Lincoln City, OR 
May 19, 2012

11AM – Registration Begins

NOON Mutt Masters Dog Show and Olympics Begins!

Mutt Masters Dog Show and Olympics is an annual “for fun” dog show which benefits doggie related causes in Oregon. Mutt Masters welcomes friendly dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds to participate. Handlers of all skill levels too! Doggie vendors, prizes and more!

Events include: Tail Wag Champ, Cutest Puppy, Fabulous Frisbee Catcher, Unusual Pet Trick, Most Distinguished Elder, Sweetest Smoocher, Best Handshake, Best Dressed, Most Unique Looking, Dog Human Look Alike, Best in Show.

For more info: <http://www.oregoncoast.org/mutt-masters/>


WANT TO SEE MORE?
This is only a sampling. If you'd like to see more Oregon celebrations, visit the Oregon Festivals and Events Association Web site <http://www.oregonfestivals.org/>.

AND THE WINNER IS...

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Cait045!

Winner of my week #2 blog tour prize--a $10 gift certificate to Powell's Books!

I'M GUEST BLOGGING TODAY...

Please join me at:
May 14--Bunny's Review

A FIRST MOTHER'S DAY ON A JOURNEY TO COURAGE

Happy Mother's Day! In my LEGACY series, Tallie O'Shea is the mother of eight adopted children. In the time they were married, Bernie insisted all the kids clean up, dress in their best and do something special for Tallie. Their "something special" had changed over the years, but not Bernie's insistence on Mother's Day being a day to show gratitude for all Tallie did every day. Since Bernie had been gone, her children continued this practice.

In this first Mother's Day after the LEGACY series begins, Claudia--the heroine of LEGACY OF ANGELS--is also celebrating her first Mother's Day with her son, the stolen baby at the center of a controversy that led to Claudia's attack by a beast-man. Vowing revenge against all he feels have wronged him, the beast-man blows up the town of Halo. Although Claudia is delighted to have her son back, she is swamped with guilt that an entire town was destroyed because of her and her son, and vows to make it up to the citizens of Halo.

I hope you join Claudia on her journey to courage.

I'M GUEST BLOGGING TODAY...

Please join me today at:

Rogue's Angels blog!

AUTHOR NOTES: ENJOYING LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES

I met with two fellow authors tonight, as we try to do each month. We chatted about writing and promotion--of course. But we also caught up on our personal lives and chatted about…"stuff."

We've been friends quite a while, so our conversations can meander. Tonight, one of the topics we touched on was slowing down enough to feel the joy in life's simple things. 

One of the authors who usually meets with us wasn't there because she had already realized this. So she and her husband had "run away from home" for some much needed R&R. 

However, sometimes this slowing down can be forced--such as the broken arm one of the ladies sustained in an accident. She said it could have been so much worse and, for the first time in a long time, she felt the joy of the sun shining on her face as she was driving to work a few days ago.  

For me, the wake-up call came when a second dog began limping this morning. Before the feeling of powerlessness swamped me, I realized I had the "cure" literally in the palms of my hands or at my fingertips--pick whichever cliche you prefer. I am a Reiki practitioner and most of the energy I channel flows through--you guessed it--my hands. 

But when one of our group suggested we plan a weekend retreat, I quickly said I couldn't get away. Hmm…guess I need to work on enjoying those simple pleasures a bit more. For now, it will be a cup of lemon tea before I call it a night or simply sitting with my dogs on a sunshiny morning.

How about you? What simple pleasure have you indulged in lately?

I'M GUEST BLOGGING TODAY...

Please join me today at:

MWVRWA blog!

ONLY FIVE DAYS LEFT TO ENTER WEB HUNT!

See Spring Fling Web Hunt for details!

There are only five days left to enter our online scavenger hunt with over 75 sponsors! 

Between now and May 15, visit sponsors' Web sites, answer the questions, and be registered to win great prizes. Prizes include Kindle Fires, loads of gift cards and e-books, and more!

Have fun meeting new authors or visiting old favorites!

For details and how to enter your answers, visit the Spring Fling Web Hunt page.

THE SANCTUARY...

Hidden in the tall reeds was a raft that looked as if it would sink with the weight of the family of ducks swimming nearby. However, when Patrick climbed on, the craft barely dipped before stabilizing. He turned and reached out his hand in invitation. Cautious but curious, Claudia climbed aboard.

Using a long pole, Patrick pushed them across the lake and under a rocky outcropping. He secured the raft to a sawed-off tree stump that served as a pier post for a make-shift dock and stepped off. "Be careful. It can be slippery."

Intrigued, Claudia once again took Patrick's hand and climbed off the raft. They walked toward a sheer rock cliff topped by ruins of what could have been an ancient stone cathedral. However, as they reached the cliff, Patrick slipped through a notch in one of the rocks. Once inside, he retrieved a flashlight from a pocket in the rock wall and turned it on, revealing a narrow corridor. Claudia followed him down a winding pathway for what seemed like miles. Patrick walked without hesitation, turning down side tunnels until she felt totally disoriented.

At last he stopped in front of a solid rock wall. Well, it appeared solid. Until he slid aside what must have been a doorway, revealing into a cavernous room.

"Where are we?" Claudia asked.

Patrick turned with a half-smile. "Safe. That's what you wanted, right?"

Claudia watched him light sconces in pockets of the stone walls and build a fire, illuminating several carved stone benches arranged around a raised fire pit. "How did you know about this place?"

"At times I've needed...a sanctuary." Patrick didn't elaborate, but continued preparations to make them comfortable. He walked to a corner of the cavern and retrieved several cushions from what appeared to be a large vinyl bag. Then he laid them on the benches, as if he was fluffing cushions on a couch.

Warily, Claudia glanced around. In addition to the benches, tables and several chairs had been fashioned from stone. The cavern looked like a living room with furniture made out of stone. The wispy smoke from the fire curled upward toward a domed ceiling that arched high overhead, disappearing in darkness.

"The bathroom area is behind the wall in the back." Patrick waved toward a golden wall fringed with jagged tooth-like structures. Stalactites or stalagmites--Claudia could never remember which pointed up and which hung down.

"Sorry, no running water in this area." Patrick smiled gently. "But there is a hot springs bath beside the restroom area."

**Excerpt from LEGACY OF ANGELS, copyright Genie Gabriel aka Genene Valleau

AND THE WINNER IS...

CONGRATULATIONS TO: MomJane!!


Winner of my week #1 blog tour prize--a $10 gift certificate to Powell's Books!

DOUBLE BLOG DAY!

Please join me today! I'll be at two blog sites:
May 7--Books Are Magic
May 7--Coffee Addicted Writer

SUNDAY AT TALLIE'S

It's Sunday and usually the day for dinner at Tallie's.


However, today instead of dinner, I'm going to share a draft book cover for CHALLENGING THE LEGACY, which is Tallie's story and will be released November 1, 2012.


I'm finishing edits to the story and looking for feedback about the cover. So please leave a comment if you have one.


Happy Sunday!

THE CHILD AT THE CENTER OF THE CONTROVERSY

"Go." Todd pointed to the door...

"Not right now, sweetie." Claudia picked him up. He arched backward and shrieked, nearly launching himself out of her arms. "Easy, little one. Are you hungry?"

Todd shrieked louder.

Claudia jiggled him in her arms, trying to calm him with soothing words. He began to flail his arms so wildly Claudia feared she would drop him.

"Any suggestions?" she asked over his screams.

Patrick swung the child up in his arms and swooped him around the room like an airplane. The child fell silent, staring with fascination at the man who held him. "Let's fly to the train station."

Curious, Claudia followed Patrick. The family room downstairs still held boxes that had contained personal care kits distributed to people who had been evacuated from Halo last night.

Patrick lined up several boxes on the floor and set Todd in the first one. Then he plopped a cap on the child's head. "This is your train, young man, and you are the engineer. Choo-choo!"

Todd smiled with delight as he echoed, "Choo-choo!"

**Excerpt from LEGACY OF ANGELS, copyright Genie Gabriel, aka Genene Valleau

vs. A BEAST-MAN

Two tarnished angels join forces to protect a child from a beast-man's savage vengeance…

Patrick stepped into the pale light of the moon. Swaggerty was indeed as damaged as Claudia had described. One side of his face sagged in folds of scarred flesh to melt into his neck and, even from several yards away, Patrick could see the talon-like fingers of one hand wrapped around the wood of the club. 

"Ah, it's the preacher man who consorts with whores." Swaggerty yanked on a rope he held in the other hand and pulled Claudia forward so the moonlight shone on her frightened features. 

Fear for Claudia shafted through Patrick as he stepped forward. If he knocked Swaggerty down, the noose around her neck would jerk. Still, he could gain some advantage. With a quick few steps forward and a sharp roundhouse kick, the club flew through the air, landing with a thunk beyond the fire stones.

With a hearty curse, Swaggerty rubbed his wrist, yanking the rope around Claudia's neck in the process. "So you're not just a simple priest."

**Excerpt from LEGACY OF ANGELS, copyright Genie Gabriel aka Genene Valleau

TWO TARNISHED ANGELS: CLAUDIA

A woman forced into prostitution determined to find a better way...

Standing over her son's bed, Claudia once again marveled such a beautiful child had been born of a violent act. Her heart swelled with love and ached with sadness she might not see him again. If Swaggerty made good his threats, she could die and her son--

She shuddered at what that monster might do with her child.

Determination straightened her backbone as she jotted a note and tucked it in an envelope.

Then she formed a child-sized bundle and covered it with a blanket so Swaggerty would think she had taken Todd with her. She slipped quietly through the hallways of the house to the room occupied by Marly's birth mother, Ruby. As was her habit when she couldn't sleep, the older woman sat in bed reading. 

Claudia entered the room and closed the door with a quiet snick behind her. 

Ruby looked up from her book. "Didn't expect to see you until the fighting was done."

Ignoring the insult, Claudia raised her chin. "I have a favor to ask of you. Mother to mother."

One of Ruby's pencil-thin eyebrows lifted slightly. 

Claudia touched the necklace Patrick had given her for courage and walked the few steps to the bed. She handed Ruby the envelope. "If I'm not back by morning, please see that Emma Midassen gets this."

She hesitated, then also handed Ruby a baby monitor that picked up sounds from Todd's room. "And if Todd fusses, please ask someone to check on him."

"Running away from trouble or toward it?"

"You and I have both made choices we regret. I don't want to wait until my life is ending to make things right. Will you help me?"

Slowly, Ruby smiled and nodded. "For what it's worth, I'm proud of you."

**Excerpt from LEGACY OF ANGELS, copyright Genie Gabriel, aka Genene Valleau

TWO TARNISHED ANGELS: PATRICK

A priest battling personal demons…

Patrick rolled back into his blanket and closed his eyes, feigning sleep yet alert to any movement Claudia might make. The terror and shame in her eyes when she woke from the nightmare struck an answering chord in his heart. Brought a flash of what he thought was memory, but the shapes were shrouded in darkness and he couldn't be sure. 

Years ago, his angel said he should become a priest, and so he had. 

Yet some unknown, unhealed wound lurked in the deepest part of his soul. A darkness at odds with the teachings of the priesthood; that refused to be banished except by pushing his body to its physical limits. So he developed the double life of a beatific priest while also seeking refuge in manual labor and martial arts. While his spirit searched for enlightenment, his body became carved in muscular strength. 

However, lately he found it more and more difficult to escape the shadows in his soul. So he spent more time here at his sanctuary, stripped of even the button-down shirt and slacks that carried some semblance of his priestly career. If he focused completely on the strength of his physical body, perhaps the restlessness of his spirit would once again be silenced.

His plan seemed to be working--until Claudia's panicked flight resonated so deeply with his own desire to flee that he became her accomplice.

**Excerpt from LEGACY OF ANGELS, copyright Genie Gabriel, aka Genene Valleau

LEGACY OF ANGELS IS HERE!

It's release day for LEGACY OF ANGELS!

And I'm saying 

"THANK YOU" 

to readers in a number of ways:

--My novella, "Chasing Rainbows" remains a free read at Amazon.com today and tomorrow. 

--The Spring Fling Web Hunt continues through May 15, with a chance to win Kindles, gift certificates, and many other prizes. I'll be giving away a gift certificate and free e-books.

I'm also kicking off a new contest in conjunction with my Virtual Blog Tour that starts next Monday. 
--A $10 gift certificate to Powell's Books to a commenter each week during May.

PLUS

--A grand prize of a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com to be drawn on May 29 from all commenters from May 1-28.