Category: ThrowbackThursday

Right now I’ve jumped back into writing FIGHT FOR LOVE, the next book in The Calling is Reborn Vampire series. As I’ve mentioned before, a number of the scenes in the book are going to be set in and below Grand Central Terminal.

Why? Well, there are so many secret rooms, abandoned platforms and more. The terminal is actually the world’s largest facility of its kind with 44 platforms and 67 tracks that encompass 48 acres in New York City. Wow!

One of the areas that has fascinated me since watching a SECRETS OF NY broadcast is the space that holds the generators that power many of the train lines that come into Grand Central. It is rumored that during World War II, anyone caught in this area would be shot on sight and in fact, two German spies were captured by the FBI before they could execute a plan to sabotage the generators.

This secret sub-basement is called “M-42” and its location is not indicated on maps of the Terminal. The exact location is a super secret and closely guarded, although there have been shows which provided glimpses of the old generators and the new ones which now power the trains. The old generators have been kept for historical purposes and I’d love to see them one day!

As for M42 being secret? Well, my Slayer Council (and now Diana and Ryder) know where the M42 is located and meet there. Why? There is something about the generators and their power that helps hide the energies that the Slayers possess and so when they gather in large numbers, it assists to keep them hidden from prying eyes and of course, vampires who want to take a bite out of them.

Here’s a photo of a Redstone missile in the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. This shot was taken in 1957 during the Cold War.

I hope you enjoyed this little throwback to Grand Central Terminal and that you’ll want to read more about a place that I truly love in NYC.

You can click here to learn about and see photos of FDR’s abandoned railroad car beneath Grand Central Terminal.

To see more about Grand Central’s Secret Rooms, you can click here!

Some history about the abandoned Grand Central-Waldorf Astoria Platform.

More about the M42 terminal and other underground locations.

It’s National Pet Month so on today’s Throwback Thursday, I thought I’d share some pet photos, both new and old.

Here’s an oldie for you: Spotty, my hubby’s old pet beagle. Spotty inspired the pet in THE LOST. Yes, I know he looks like a bassett hound, but trust me, he’s just a big old beagle.

This is my daughter with our cat, Osiris, shortly after we got her. Osiris is sometimes my writing companion during the summer months. She just loves hanging out on the balcony. Not with me, just out on the balcony.

We have a lot of feral cats in the neighborhood and came upon a mom and little kitten on the deck one morning. The kitten was adorable and we felt so bad, that we set out some food for it. The mom and kitten came and went for months and then the mom kind of left and another set of cats came. We could tell they were related by the coloring and because one of them had extra toes on their feet which was just like the mom and kitten.

Here’s a picture of our two feral pets. We call them Blinkie and Whitey. Blinkie, as you can imagine, seemed to always be blinking, but she is really really friendly and adventurous. Whitey has a big white patch on her chest and is only friendly and adventurous when Blinkie is around. This winter we built them this little area where they could eat and warm up.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at some of our pets. What about you? Do you have pets? Beside the feral cats I also have a red-eared slider turtle named Buffy!

I’m not normally one for getting done up in a costume, but I decided to put on my fedora and vampire hunter belt for a little fun at this party! Ran across Jacquelyn Frank disguised as an “Innocent Girl” when she was really undead and ready to bite. She also brought along a werewolf pal and I so had to defend myself. Luckily, Joy from Joyfully Reviewed was there just in case I couldn’t handle them! LOL!

It’s #ThrowbackThursday and I’m taking you back to my daughter’s Quinceanera. In Latin customs, it’s not typical to do a Sweet Sixteen, but rather a Quinceanera – a “Sweet Fifteen.”

The Quinceanera is a big ritual which usually starts with a mass at church and then on to a venue for the rest of the celebration.

Since the celebration is about the passage of a female child into womanhood, there are many symbolic moments in the celebration.

For example, the young lady walks in with her father wearing a very fancy dress, children’s shoes, and a toy, but then changes into heels and hands her toy off to a young child to symbolize that she is leaving childhood. The young lady is usually accompanied by her father and a court consisting of 14 young people.

After a dance with her father and the court, the women of the family present various gifts to the young woman to signify her new role in life. It’s customary for the young woman to receive:

A tiara
A bracelet or ring
Earrings
A necklace, cross or medal
And since it is partly a religious ceremony, a bible or rosary

At our daughter’s Quinceanera, I gave her a ring from her my mom, who she unfortunately never got to meet. This is a picture of that moment.

After this, there is usually a meal. Later, there is a lighting of 15 candles, where the young woman offers a candle to 15 people (or groups of people) who have been special in her life.

After that, more food and dancing! Cubans love to party! The theme of our Quinceañera was Old Cuba since we can’t go to Cuba yet. Maybe one day.

We had a fabulous time at the Quinceañera and I know it will be a day we all will remember with joy and happiness.

There’s lots of exciting things that happen when you’re an author. “The Call” when an agent or editor lets you know they want to buy your book.

The first time someone asks you sign a book.

Meeting an online friend face-to-face (one of my favorite things to do!)

And for romance writers, it’s getting the call that you’re a RITA finalist. I got my call in 2012 for THE LOST, one of my paranormal romances.

It was so exciting for so many reasons. First of all, the RITAs are like the OSCARS for romance writers. Second, I took a really big risk writing THE LOST because it wasn’t your typical paranormal. No vampires, shifters, etc., but something different and unique – an ancient race of energy gatherers.

I loved that concept and plan on releasing the third book in the series later this year!

This is a picture of me and my editor, Selina McLemore, all dolled up for the very fancy and exciting awards ceremony!

This is a picture of the screen when they announced my nomination!

I didn’t win – 🙁 – but it was still a most exciting, rewarding and happy moment in my life.