Character Spotlight ~ Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss' Rosalie Matthews

Rosalie

Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss pair up again to write another historical romance in the Love Finds You line from Summerside. This time around it is the 1940s, during the height of WWII, when love blooms between an unlikely pair.

Enjoy this insight into Rosalie:~

Brief physical description

Have you seen the picture of Rosie the Riveter with the brown hair peeking past her bandana, a flexed bicep, blue jumper, and tough look? That’s pretty much our Rosalie, although she doesn’t grimace quite like that. I don’t think we purposely painted her to match the icon. It just sorta happened.

Actor/famous person

Early on we discussed a young Rita Hayworth, which definitely fits. But I have to admit, after watching His Girl Friday, I couldn’t help but imagine Rosalind Russell as our Rosalie. And her name even goes with it!

Strengths and weaknesses

Our Rosalie has a big heart! At one point in the story, Rosalie volunteers at the USO, collects pantyhose and old tires for the war effort, works to restore an old house, takes in ladies who have no place to live, helps a wounded soldier, and works to recruit more ladies to work at the plant. Phew! Rosalie can’t stop herself from working for victory. Like so many of the real Rosie the Riveters, she’s also strong, smart, and determined.

As is often the case, Rosalie’s strengths also represent her weaknesses. She tends to take too much on (gee, do you think?) and her powerful personality can lend itself to struggles with bouts of anger. She’s also terribly afraid of public speaking. As her path progresses, her new faith tempers some of this and she begins to find her hope in Christ rather than herself.

Quirk (if any)

Our girl likes to swing dance! The Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Charleston—her dancing is one of the traits that drew Kenny (the hero) to her.

Your inspiration for the character

We were so impressed by the real Rosie the Riveters we read about, and then when we interviewed five of them (one who’s a stand-up comedienne at age 81) our admiration grew. We tried to capture at least a hint of their strength, sacrifice, and patriotism in Rosalie.

Background to the story

Many of the events, descriptions, locations, slang, music, movies etc. sprang from the period’s true history. As you’re reading, if you wonder, “Did this really happen?” chances are they did. (Note: You can find a list of some of the real history behind Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington www.ocieanna-ohistory.com) on Ocieanna’s blog.

The Second World War has stolen Rosalie’s fiancé from her. But rather than wallow, Rosalie throws herself into her work at the Boeing plant in Seattle, shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy. A local reporter dubs her “Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter,” and her story lends inspiration to women across the country.

While Rosalie’s strong arms can bear the weight of this new responsibility, her heart cannot handle the intense feelings that begin to surface for Kenny, the handsome reporter. Fear of a second heartbreak is a powerful opponent—but will it claim victory over love?

Thanks so much ~ what a great insight into Rosalie and women's contribution to the war effort!

On Monday we head to the Vietnam War with a spotlight on John Aubrey Anderson's Bill Mann from his military thriller, The Cool Woman

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana

Character spotlight on Julia Cavanaugh

Visit Tricia's website and blog

Buy Tricia & Ocieanna's books at Amazon or Koorong

The winners of The Cool Woman are.........

Aussie winners ~ Chloe-Anne & Sheree

US winners ~ Danielle J & Terri

Congratulations - your book will be on its way to you soon :)

Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy

Synopsis:~

In the wake of a stagecoach accident, doctor Alex Buchanan and nurse Beth McClellan discover that they're both skilled healers who work well together. Other than that, they have nothing in common! She's an idealist and he's a jaded army deserter fleeing a bounty hunter. Surely their alliance ends here . . . or does it?

My take:~

Mary Connealy always serves up an appealing story, where love and laughs abound. Sophie's Daughters is her newest series centered on the lives of the young daughters of her lead character in a previous novel, Petticoat Ranch. You will not find wilting wallflowers in Mary's stories, and Beth McLennan epitomises a Connealy heroine, feisty, independent and disdainful of most men. Enter a dirty, slightly crazed, army deserter and there is plenty of fodder for fun and emotional conflict and even a serious twist with a look at post traumatic stress disorder before it even had a name. Doctor in Petticoats is sure to add spunk and colour to your day!

With thanks to Barbour for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Mary's website and blog

Buy Mary's books at Amazon or Koorong

Coming in 2011 from Thomas Nelson ~ Suspense

I love suspense but there are some backlist books of these authors that I have not got to yet and I must read, especially Sibella and Erin's!

It's interesting to see that for Liz Wiehl's novel, the antagonist is identified in the synopsis. For those of you who have read the prior books in the series, is that unusual or have you known the killer from the start?

Which ones of these upcoming Thomas Nelson titles are on your wishlist?


The Circle by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker’s most popular series – together at last in one volume.

More than a million fans have been transfixed by Ted Dekker’s groundbreaking Circle series of Black, Red, White, and Green. Each of the four novels have been bestsellers – with combined sales of more than a million units. Now all four books are together for the first time in a unique binding sure to appeal to new readers and long-term fans.

The Circle is an epic story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. It’s also the story of a man named Thomas Hunter – an unlikely hero who finds himself pulled between two worlds. In our reality, he works in a coffee house. In the other, he becomes a battle-scarred general leading a band of followers known as the Circle. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he wakes in the other. The fates of both worlds now rest on his ability to shift realities through his dreams while trying to find a way to change history. Come full circle with Black, Red, White, and Green – the best-selling adrenaline-laced adventure where dreams and reality collide.

February, 2011

The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy

It's her destiny to die young. The man who loves her can't live with that.

Promise, a talented young vocalist with a terminal illness, is counting on fame to keep her memory alive after she dies. Porta is an aging witch and art collector in search of the goddess who will grant her immortality.

When Promise inexplicably survives a series of freak accidents, Porta believes that Promise is the one she seeks. But Chase, an autistic artist who falls in love with Promise and opposes Porta, comes between the women with his mysterious visions and drawings, and plunges everyone into a flesh-and-blood confrontation over the true meaning of eternal life.

February, 2011

The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello

Even Alaska can't give Raleigh Harmon a vacation from her job as an FBI forensic geologist.

A cruise to Alaska sounds like the perfect vacation--it's a geologist's dream and will give Raleigh space to sort out her feelings about her recent engagement. But before the ship even reaches its first port, a case manages to find her. The producer of a movie that's being filmed onboard goes missing and is then discovered hanging from the railing. Suicide seems to be the cause, but Raleigh quickly realizes the pieces don't add up.

When the Seattle field office sends Jack Stephanson to assist her in the investigation, her personal uncertainty skyrockets. Why is it that she forgets to even call her fiance back in Virginia. And Jack seems to know her as well as she knows herself. She'll have to wait to sort out those feelings, though, because she and Jack only have five days before the cruise ends to solve this case.

March, 2011

Heart of Ice by Liz Wiehl & April Henry

Triple Threat Club novels follow three fiercely intelligent women—a TV reporter, a Federal prosecutor and an FBI agent—as they investigate crimes as current as today’s headlines.

The Triple Threat women have faced intense situations before…but never such a cunningly cold-blooded murderer.

Elizabeth Avery is a stunningly beautiful woman. But her perfectly managed exterior hides the ice cold heart of a killer. She ingeniously manipulates everyone who crosses her path to do exactly as she wishes--from crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, who thinks Elizabeth is her new best friend, to a shy young man Elizabeth persuades to kill for her.

As Elizabeth leaves a trail of bodies in her wake, Federal prosecuter Allison Pierce and FBI agent Nicole Hedges must piece together clues from seemingly unrelated crimes. Can they stop her before she reaches her unthinkable, ultimate end game?

April, 2011

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

Synopsis:~

Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men--ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable--vie for her attentions, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her.

Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones--and garner suspicion from her friends--by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love?

My take:~

Courting Morrow Little is not just a story to be read but it is an experience to cherish. Laura Frantz writes with an inherent beauty that graces every literary aspect of her story, from exquisite prose and intricate characterisation to meticulous historical detail and striking emotional connections, this book sets the standard in historical faith fiction. Morrow's torment, Red Shirt's devotion and the town's derision are tangible emotions that will echo in your heart as a result of Laura's authentic and evocative language. Labeling this novel a romance does not do justice to this spiritually uplifting, emotionally complex and fascinating tale - Courting Morrow Little is a love story of the highest calibre and should be savored again and again.

“Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of The Frontiersman's Daughter

Character spotlight on Lael Click

Visit Laura's website and blog

Buy Laura's book at Amazon and Koorong

Look for our character spotlight on Morrow and her men coming soon!

Coming in 2011 from Thomas Nelson

Can you see me jumping up and down? Loving the look of these books from Thomas Nelson and some of my favourite authors :)

Denise Hunter's A Convenient Groom and Surrender Bay are being reissued with new covers ~ what do you think?

Can't wait to read the mischief cooked up by Jenny and Kristin in Save the Date and A Billion Reasons Why!

Rachel's a fave and I know so many of you love Neta and Sara :)

Sigh ~ don't you just love books?! Stay tuned because I will back tomorrow with more 2011 releases in a different genre for you ;-)



Softly & Tenderly by Sara Evans & Rachel Hauck

Jade has moved from her past toward a bright future. But then the man she loves most destroys her trust.

Jade Fitzgerald's hope for a perfect marriage shatters when her husband confesses he has an illegitimate son. What’s more, he wants to raise the boy in their home.

Hurting and confused, Jade embarks on a road trip to Iowa to take her sick mother to her childhood home. In the comfort of the old homeplace, Jade struggles with her fears and the tug of her first love. With the help of her family and her faith, she comes to understand her future doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's mercy.

January, 2011







Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter

Once childhood friends, Samantha and Landon are now separated by distance and secrets. Will Samantha’s return to Nantucket bring her the peace she longs for?

Samantha Owen's estranged stepfather has died, leaving her his cottage in Nantucket--a place she left years ago, never planning to return. As a single mom, Samantha can't afford to pass up on a financial windfall like ocean-front property. So she travels home to fix up the house and sell it . . . never suspecting that Landon Reed still lives two doors down.

As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Samantha must face a past that left her with a fear of abandonment and the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she left the island.

Will Sam finally find the God who never abandoned her? The secrets she's hidden all these years could tear her and Landon apart . . . unless his love is really as unconditional as he claims.

A heart-tugging tale of shattered trust and enduring love . . . all in a romantic, seaside setting.

January, 2011

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter

She wrote the book--literally--on finding the right mate. But does she really understand what love's about?

Five hours before her Nantucket beach wedding--and on the eve of her big book launch--celebrity marriage counselor Kate Lawrence has everything in place.

Everything, that is, but the groom. She might not have a career, either, when her nationwide audience finds out their marriage guru has been left at the altar.

Enter Lucas Wright, who offers to stand in for the missing husband-to-be and marry her. Kate's desperate enough to agree--although she's sure this Mr. Wright is completely wrong for her. Can they pull it off? And why would Lucas marry her in the first place?

With her life spinning out of control, Kate wonders what good her carefully laid plans are if they only lead to chaos. Could it be that "Dr. Kate" doesn't know the first thing about love? When she seeks God's will instead of her won, Kate finally discovers true and lasting love.

January, 2011

A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter

Wade's ranch home needs a woman's touch. Abigail's life needs a cowboy's touch.

Four years ago, rodeo celebrity Wade Ryan gave up his identity to protect his daughter. Now, settled on a ranch in Big Sky Country, he lives in obscurity, his heart guarded by a high, thick fence.

Abigail Jones isn’t sure how she went from big-city columnist to small-town nanny, but her new charge is growing on her, to say nothing of her ruggedly handsome boss. Love blossoms between Abigail and Wade--despite her better judgment. Will the secrets she brought with her to Moose Creek, Montana separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?

March, 2011

Save the Date by Jenny B Jones

When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life.

When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?


February, 2011










A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck

He’s a handsome billionaire. She’s not impressed.

Katie McKenna has never loved any man but one: billionaire Luc DeForges. He was her first love. But there are a billion reasons why she's engaged instead to Dexter Hastings, a solid and stable man who wants the same things she does: marriage and a family but all of the things that she wants without the deep-seeded pain and fear of being abandoned that Luc brings.

Dexter and she have worked an arrangement that's akin to faith without action, love without deeds -- a dead faith. Going home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend's wedding, Katie must search her heart to find out if any of her reasons for being with Dexter are stronger than love. Only when Katie steps fully into faith and jumps off the cliff of life into the arms of Luc does she understand the fullness of God's grace.

February, 2011

Who Is My Shelter by Neta Jackson

Every woman needs a safe shelter.

The tables have turned and Gabby's estranged husband--who threw her out when she didn't live up to his image of a "corporate wife"--needs her in a way neither ever expected. He's begging for reconciliation, but Gabby has moved on, finding purpose and a future in the House of Hope. Not only has she found shelter for herself and her sons there, but she's able to help provide shelter for homeless moms and their kids.

And yet . . . there's a hole in her life. Is God leading Gabby down a new path and giving her something--and someone--new? Or is He redeeming what she thought was gone forever?

March, 2011

Character Spotlight ~ Mary Ellis' Leah & Matthew Miller and Jonah Byler

Leah, Jonah & Matthew

Mary Ellis continues to provide her readers with sweet Amish fiction, loveable characters and delicious food in her latest story, The Way to A Man's Heart. I hope you enjoy this latest insight.

Over to you, Mary:~

Brief physical description

Straight-forward Leah has brown hair and eyes, loves to cook, prefers winter over summer because of allergies, is afraid of bugs, and refuses to sweat.

She falls for Jonah Byler, a cheesemaker with a secret past. He’s tall, dark, moody, with a wry sense of humor.

Her brother, Matthew, has orange-red hair and freckles—colorings that usually men hate when young.

Actor/famous person

Renee Zellweger would make a great Leah.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers would be super for Jonah

David Caruso for Matthew, back when he was 19.

Strengths and weaknesses

Leah’s is practical, hard working, kind-hearted. Her weakness is vanity, and reluctance to confront.

Jonah’s weakness is lack of trust and his fall-from-faith because life didn’t go as planned.

Matthew’s strength is integrity—to stand up for injustice, while his weakness is paralyzing shyness.

Quirk (if any)

Leah sneezes whenever around pollen or animal dander—troublesome if you live on a farm.

Jonah’s quirk is a wry sense of humor, almost sarcastic. No one expects the Amish to be funny, but many of them are.

Like most shy people, Matthew blushes whenever he’s around women.

Background to the story

While driving around the countryside, I spotted a rundown train car and caboose on a railroad siding outside a small town. I thought, wouldn’t that make a great diner catering to locals instead of tourists? A story was born! I’ve been haunting rural restaurants and eavesdropping on conversations ever since.

Since I can’t bake a lick, I asked an Amish friend to invent the recipes that appear in my story. She invited me to a family dinner to sample various pie recipes and to pick out the ones I liked. It doesn’t get much tastier than that.

Your inspiration for the storyline

We don’t know how we’d handle a particular vice or sin, until we’re face-to-face with it. Leah certainly didn’t think herself vain until surrounded by admirers, all clamoring for her attention. What woman wouldn’t enjoy fame, at least for a while? The Amish are faced with temptation the same as us, and must draw on their faith to resist.

Thank you Mary ~ all that food sounds like for hungry reading :)

On Thursday, the spotlight shines on Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss' Rosalie Matthews from Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington

Relz Reviewz Extras

Reviews of A Widow's Hope and Never Far From Home

Visit Mary's blog

Visit AmishReader.com

Buy Mary's book at Amazon or Koorong

Perfectly Dateless by Kristin Billerbeck

Synopsis:~

Daisy Crispin has 242 days to find the right date for the prom. There's only one problem--her parents won't let her date or even talk to a guy on the phone. Oh, and she's totally invisible at school, has to wear lame homemade clothes, and has no social skills. Okay, so maybe there's more than one problem. Can she talk her parents into letting her go to the prom? Or will they succeed at their obvious attempt to completely ruin her life?

My take:~

First up, I don't usually read YA fiction but I've always enjoyed Kristin's books and was keen to see how she turned her hand to the teenage set.

Perfectly Dateless is a great read, witty, entertaining and ultimately thought provoking, challenging young readers to look beyond the superficial in their clothing as well as their relationships. Daisy it a likeable young girl with Christian parents who keep a firm hand on her activities, dress and future choices. Kristin draws out both the positive and negative impact this kind of parenting has on Daisy. The climax of the story turns the book from being a lighthearted, quirky read into something more meaningful and challenging. I'm looking forward to where Kristin takes this series.

“Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Kristin's website and blog

Buy Kristin's books at Amazon or Koorong

Special Saturday Spotlight ~ Robin Jones Gunn's Carissa Lathrop

Carissa

Prolific author, Robin Jones Gunn, invites readers to join her at one of her favourite places in the world in her latest novel, Under A Maui Moon ~ the beautiful islands of Hawai'i. Enjoy this insight into her lead character, Carissa Lathrop.

Over to you, Robin:~

Brief physical description

I often cut out pictures of intriguing looking people when I find them in magazines and catalogs. (Yes, this does sometimes drive my husband crazy when he picks up an Eddie Bauer catalog and finds a few pages missing because the polo shirt he was looking for happened to be on the model I just decided would make a stellar hero in a future novel.) I keep a file of all these cut outs and line them up for interviews whenever it’s time to work on my next book. I know I’m not the only author who does this. What would readers think if they knew we spent a serious day at work playing with paper dolls and using a glue stick to arrange them in a binder?

For Carissa Lathrop in “Under a Maui Moon” I selected a picture of a woman out of a J. Jill catalog because she looked so normal; 5’5”, brown hair, dark eyebrows, serene expression, straight nose. She reminded me of Katharine Ross from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. So, of course, when I made that connection, I had to watch the bicycle riding scene from the film to remember how she laughed and carried herself. It’s all research, right?

Strengths and weaknesses

Carissa is hard working, organized, pensive and poetic. Her soul wound is that her father left when she was 12. In the new empty-nest season of life she feels disconnected from her husband and needs to get her heart back.

Your inspiration for the character

Carissa is a compilation of several women I know and was future inspired by a lot who have written to me over the years and shared their hurts with me. I’m not good at offering advice or direction to those women but I listen and take in what they tell me. Then I sort of work out a possible life solution to those real life challenges by creating a compilation character who is going through the same problems. I literally watch as the story unfolds in order to see how the imaginary character faces the same issues and comes out with her heart tender to God. That’s always my objective. Not that the problems are necessarily solved, but that the character’s heart is softened and they turn to the Lord.

Background to the story

My husband is a counselor so a lot of his life experience influenced the opening of the story. And of course, I set Under a Maui Moon on the island of Maui because I LOVE Maui and spend as much time in the Hawaiian Islands as I can. In the back of the book I posted photos of the last time our family stayed at the real campground near Hana that is described in the book. I also included photos of the Bishop Chapel on Oahu where I spoke several years ago to 450 Hawaiian students about the history of Ka’ahumanu. That real life experience became a pivotal part of the ending of the book.

Over the years I’ve developed some wonderful friendships on the islands with some women sho work in the museums and teach at the schools. One of those women, Kahu Kathy Weaver, was an invaluable source of information as I was developing this story. (photo attached) We’re pictured together here at the Mission Houses Museum on the island of O’ahu.

On the homepage of my website www.robingunn.com I’ve posted a video my son took a few years ago at the waterfall pools described in the book.

On my facebook page I’ve posted an album of all my favorite places in Hawai’i.

Also, I’d love to invite readers to sign up for my newsletter at www.robingunn.com and find out about my next destination novel and when it will release.

Robin ~ thanks for sharing your thoughts and personal photos with us!

On Monday the spotlight shines on Mary Ellis' Rene & Jonathon from The Way to A Man's Heart.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Robin's website

Buy Robin's books at Amazon or Koorong

RBC Book Club with Alison Strobel & The Weight of Shadows

I've just closed the door on the last of my book club members after a great discussion of Alison Strobel's The Weight of Shadows. Alison chose to answer our questions via YouTube videos which I am delighted to post here for you all. Bear in mind, if you haven't read the book there are SPOILERS contained in Alison's answers.

With plenty to discuss about domestic violence, living with guilt, bitterness and betrayal, coping with death and dysfunctional families, The Weight of Shadows is a great book club pick and a challenging read.

A big thanks to you, Alison for the effort and time taken to answer our questions in these videos. It was the next best thing to having you in the room with us. And yes, book us in for Skype next year when the time difference might be more manageable :)

Interview with Canyon Metcalfe ~ Nightshade's Green Beret

Canyon's story is told in Wolfsbane, book 3 in Ronie Kendig's Nightshade series which will release in July, 2011. Canyon is a bit of an enigma amongst the team so Ronie and I wanted to give him the chance to share a bit about himself!

Canyon "Midas" Metcalfe
from Wolfsbane

Canyon is an invaluable member of the Nightshade team, former Green Beret and now Nightshade's medic he quietly gets the job done with little fuss. Being raised in a large, loving family hasn't prevented issues arising between Canyon and some of his siblings, but he is loyal to the core and hates to disappoint anyone.

Over to you, Canyon:~


Rel:~ What drew you to the Army Special Forces Group?

Canyon:~ My dad was a Green Beret in Nam. I've wanted nothing but to honor him and make him proud. Too bad I'll never know.

What unique abilities to you bring to Nightshade?

Ya know, I've wondered how I got on this team. They're an amazing group of men, solid, loyal, fierce. I'm solid--I'll be there, I'll do the job. My loyalty is to the team. I don't hesitate to act because that hesitation can kill.

You're not a big fan of your call sign, Midas - how did you get it?

Aw man, this is wrong. Do you have to ask? ::sigh:: It...well, I guess you could say I have this sixth sense in the field. I could detect inconsistencies, pick out an enemy combatant from among civilians dressed alike. Can't explain it. Just could. So, any time we'd go out, they said I turned the mission to gold because my instincts netted some pretty HVTs--high value targets. It's stupid really. Nobody has luck. I don't believe in it--or maybe it doesn't believe in me. But it gave them hope, ya know? And in combat, thousands of miles from family and loved ones, those guys needed any thread they could grab no matter how thin. So...it stuck.

You're known to be the quiet one on the team - what is one thing the boys don't know about you?

Dude, if they don't know and they cover my six, think I'm going to tell you?

Your family is really important to you, tell us a little about them?

There's six of us kids--my parents had this thing for nature when they were newlyweds. So being the lucky offspring we are, all my brothers and sisters are named after elements or nature. There's Stone, he's the oldest and looks it. I think he feels responsible for the family since dad died. Brooke is the oldest sister and acts like our mom--maybe that's why her husband left her. I'm not judging, just saying... Then there's me, then Range--only ten months separates us and it causes problems. Willow is next, then the runt, Leif. He'll kill me when he finds out I said that in public. Some of us are pretty messed up but we're tight. Metcalfes stick together.

It's a quiet night and the lads are arm wrestling - who wins?

Dude, have you seen Cowboy or Legend? Hands-down, it'd be one of them, just because of the sheer size of their biceps. I'm not stupid enough to get up against them. I know what can happen to the arm. In fact, I saw one guy in basic end up with a spiral fracture of his humerus. Sick man. Sick.

The BBQ is on ~ what are you grilling?

Steaks--but don't tell my mom. She's still stuck in the 70s with her ideals and vegetarian preferences. Don't get me wrong--she's an amazing woman. I doubt I could ever find a woman like her to marry but sometimes, she wears me thin with her beliefs about meat and poisoning the body.


Any tatts?

This is a taboo subject around our house--my mom thinks it's a sin to mark up the body. But when I made it into Special Forces, it was a way to show my commitment. I mean, not that we had to, but it was just...dunno, something my team did. So, I have the Green Beret logo on my arm, and I have three crosses over my heart.



Well, Canyon, there is definitely more to you than just a pretty face ~ LOL! Hey, the Kid made me say it! Wolfsbane can't come soon enough - I have it on good authority that you are in for a tough time but I'm sure you've got the guts to pull through.

Next week, it's Griffin's turn and he is really kicking and screaming about it. I might need Canyon's medical assistance when all is said and done!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Nightshade

Interviews with Max and Colton

Visit the Discarded Heroes website

Visit Ronie's website and blog

Buy Ronie's books at Amazon or Koorong