Welcome Summer! #Write Wed

I live for the summer! It’s my favorite time of year for so many reasons. The weather for starters, although I’m not a fan of 90 degree days. The beach. Reading on the beach. Napping on the beach. Writing on my balcony. The flowers. Fresh tomatoes right off the vine. Parades and fireworks. Concerts on the boardwalk. So many many things! I wish summer could last all year long, but then it wouldn’t be so special, would it?

As for writing, I get tons of writing done during the summer months as I sit on my balcony in the early morning quiet. Just love it!

Enjoy the first day of summer and some photos of my fav summer things!

Taming the Bachelor Contemporary Romance #TeaserTuesday

TAMING THE BACHELOR contemporary romanceSpeaking of surfer dudes, the hero in TAMING THE BACHELOR is totally a surfer dude and totally the kind of man that a woman like Daisy Ramos would avoid. Daisy is a scientist and uber responsible, so a laid back anything happens kind of guy is so wrong for her, right? Of course, it’s hard not to fall in love with the sexy bachelor, but can Daisy tame his ways in order for them to have their happily ever after?

Jersey Girls Contemporary Romance Box SetTAMING THE BACHELOR. You can get this story as part of the JERSEY GIRLS Contemporary Romance Box set which is priced at 3.99 for 3 books, so it’s a bargain as well! You can order the box set here:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/JrzGrlAMZUS
Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/JrzGrlAMZUK
Amazon CA: http://bit.ly/JrzGrlAMZCA
Nook: http://bit.ly/BNJerseyGirl
Kobo: http://bit.ly/JrzGrlKOBO
iBooks: http://apple.co/1DUcYmh

Please click here if you cannot see the teaser from TAMING THE BACHELOR.

Surfer Kao Smith #ManCandyMonday & Weekend Surf Sounds #AttheShore

Don’t know why, I’ve always been attracted to that blonde surfer type. Of course, hubby looks nothing like that and is not much of a swimmer, but go figure.

Today’s Man Candy is surfer Kao Smith who is a professional surfer and together with his brothers owns The Sunrise Shack on Oahu’s Sunset Beach. The Sunrise Shack specializes in providing “drinks that create health, strength and happiness.”

I think this shot just epitomizes the surfer coming in after a day on the waves. Thanks to Kao’s Instagram for this photo!

Stralia 🇦🇺

A post shared by Koa Smith (@koasmith) on

For those of you who might miss some of my weekend posts on Facebook and Instagram, I’m sharing these soothing surf sounds with you today! Just one of the reasons I love the Jersey Shore.

#ThrowbackThursday Time to Leave . . .

I’ve always thought that you can’t know where you’re going, if you don’t acknowledge where you’ve been. For good or bad, every step in your life leaves a mark. Like in this picture. I’m pretty sure this is a photo of me for my passport when we were leaving Cuba. I must have been about 3 or so. My parents were already in the U.S. and my maternal grandparents were watching my sister and me. We were stuck in Cuba because the Castro regime had taken away our passports because my parents had left. Soldiers would come and harass the family regularly. My parents finally found a way to get us out and to get us in the U.S. It was a scary time in my life and I think it shows in this photo. I think inside of me there is still that scared little girl at times until the woman I’ve become rises up and reminds me that surviving all that has made me strong.

Turnip Redux Recipe #TuesdayTip #CooksTreat

My hubby and I love root vegetables, especially carrots, beets and turnips. It’s great to be able to go to the farm market near my office and pick up some locally grown veggies and the one vendor actually has them for really reasonable prices. Here’s a photo of what the green market looks like on a regular day!

Last weekend I picked up some lovely turnips whose greens were still fresh and vibrant. Perfect for making what I call Turnip Redux which was inspired by a recipe from A Chef’s Life on PBS. This recipe uses both the turnip and the greens hence the redux.

For those of you who have not tried turnips, please give them a shot. They are cruciferous veggies that have lots of health benefits. Cancer-fighting, bone and lung health, cardiovascular and digestive aid thanks to Vitamin K and fiber in the greens. Plus, low in calories!

Turnip Redux

2 pounds turnips, peeled and cubed
Turnip greens, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 onion, chopped
Olive oil
2 tbsp butter (optional)
2 slices bacon chopped (optional)

Directions

Cook the turnips in salted boiling water until tender. Drain and coarsely mash.

Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the bacon (optional). Once the bacon is close to crispy, remove from the oil and add the chopped onion. Sweat it out until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a minute of two. Add the greens and cook until almost soft. Add the mashed turnips to the greens and cook for another five minutes or so. Add the butter and toss. Garnish with the crispy bacon. The last two steps, butter and bacon are optional.

That’s it! This makes a great side dish for any grilled meat and again, HEALTHY! Enjoy.

Delicious David Gandy #ManCandyMonday #AtTheShore

I don’t like to repeat, but sometimes someone is just too delicious not to repeat, especially when I see these commercials on TV. Of course, I imagine I’m the lucky girl in that raft or maybe a more empowered version with David in the raft and me jumping off the cliff (NEVER – you all know I hate heights!).

Come to think of it, I could so see David playing Owen Pierce from ONE SUMMER NIGHT. Sigh.

Click here to see the David Gandy Dolce & Gabbana commercial if you can’t see it below!

Weekend Movies? Guardians of the Galaxy 2 or Wonder Woman? #FridayFun

I have been so chained to my desk with both my day job and writing, that I haven’t had a chance to see two movies that were both on my “have to watch” list: Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Wonder Woman.

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve seen either of the movies and if so, what you thought of them! Maybe let me know which one you’d go see first if you’ve already seen both.

Also, don’t forget I’ve got a month long contest going! You can enter multiple times daily until June 30. Just click here of visit this link: http://bit.ly/2qJqPP5