Unexpected Passions
Newsletter for Award winning author DeDe Ramey.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
UPDATES
I'm still working on my two projects. I had planned on releasing my romance sometime this fall, but I might need to wait until after the first of the year. I'm seeing a ton of seasonal books, Halloween and Christmas stories already coming out and I don't want to get into mix with them since mine isn't seasonally based.
But I am SO excited to reveal the cover(ONLY HERE) I haven't finished the blurb for the back so I'm only revealing the front cover. But I just love it. It conveys so much of the feel of the story just in the scene and I LOVE the colors.
For the last book of the Dalton Skies series, I haven't gotten the final cover back from the publisher. We kind of had a hiccup with that, so I'm a bit anxious about the cover. We haven't gotten a release date for that story but I do know it will be after the first of the year. But just to give you a tiny hint of what might be in store...planes and men in suits are definitely a part of the story!
So to recap...the plan is LOST TREASURE then the final story for Dalton Skies then sometime in the summer I am hoping to release the fist book in the Elena Shores series.
NEW RELEASES, SALES, and REVEALS
FREEBIE ALERT TODAY ONLY
If you enjoy reading seasonal books you might want to check this one out from Taylor Delong.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
WHOA! September snuck up on me. I've been deep in my editing cave working on my next two projects and if all goes well, I will have one ready to go before the end of the year.
AUGUST HAPPENINGS
I have to say, even though August was BUSY, it was so much fun. I had two book signings. BookMeRomance in Ft. Smith Arkansas was the first. It was absolutely fabulous, and I finally got to meet Vic Leigh! We both are from Oklahoma and we've been anxious to meet each other. Unfortunately, I was so awestruck, I didn't get a photo. But, here is her latest release.
I also attended The Lubbock Literacy Festival at the end of the month and let me tell you, they went above and beyond to make the authors feel special. We were fed breakfast lunch and dinner and there were volunteers and waitstaff that were always there if we needed a drink or a bathroom break.
I got to finally meet Shannon Myers
And Jen Simmons and I finally got to hang out too. Both these ladies are absolutely the sweetest people. As you can see from my expression, Jen is absolutely hilarious and so are her books.
I HIGHLY recommend this one.
UPDATES
As I was saying earlier, I have been working on a couple of projects. This fall I hope to finally release the first book I wrote, a stand alone romance.
That's right, Dalton Skies, 24 to Life, was actually not my first novel. I've been sitting on this story for just the right time to release it. NOW IS THE TIME! Or sometime this fall at least.
Question: Do you have a childhood friend that you still think about? Wonder whatever happened to them?
Owen Cramer was reeling from the loss of his hero and wondering how he was going to navigate life without the person he was closest to, his dad. But just as he started to lose all hope that everything would work out, a blast from his past appeared in the form of a woman with honey colored curls and light green eyes.
Bahn Jackson returned to her childhood home to reunite with her best friend who she hadn't seen in over a decade. But she wasn't prepared for the man she found. As they reminisced about the adventures they'd shared as kids, they began to realize the connection they had was more than just a childhood friendship.
But assumptions were made that opened painful wounds and threatened to tear not only their budding relationship apart but the friendship they'd rekindled. Add in the thousands of miles that separated them and they were left wondering if they should have let the past stay in the past. But Love knows better!
The last novel of Dalton Skies is currently at the publishers. Hopefully, it will be moving forward to the next step toward being published. I am hoping it will be released sometime in early 2025 and with it, the Dalton Skies series will be done.
But never fear.....I have a new series in the works. I'm hoping to have the first book in the series ready to go by summer. How's that. And guess what? There are easter eggs tying all the books to each other...just for fun.
FUNNY STORIES FROM THE SMALL TOWN
DALTON POLICE FORCE
"You're late," Cody chided as Mitch strolled up to the counter at 24 to Life.
"Had to work a B and E this morning."
"Damn. I thought we had all our crime issues behind us. Who got broken into?"
Mitch chuckled. "Well, technically it was just the entering. There was no breaking because the window was open. Grandpa Dale called first thing this morning. Said he had an intruder that broke into his car. When I got there he was standing a few feet away from his prized Chevelle, pointing at the open door. It kind of struck me as odd but I approached the car, gun ready. As I got closer I saw some movement and that's when I realized our intruder wasn't of the human kind. A young buck with a few points had somehow jumped through the open window and got his antlers caught in the steering wheel. Took Dale and I almost thirty minutes to free him. Every time I nearly had him free, he twisted and wedged himself back in the wheel. After I finally got his antlers out of the steering wheel he just sat there staring at me like he didn't want to leave. I swear if we would have given him the keys he would have stolen the car."
New Releases and Pre-Orders
Being stranded with your enemy on a deserted island could be tricky. Might need to carry a big stick, or at least be able throw it well.
Claire Kingsley is releasing the third book in the Haven series September 12th. I already have it on pre-order.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
And speaking of NEW stories, I've just completed the first book of my new series. Elena Shores will be coming, hopefully beginning in the summer of 2025. Don't hold me to that. The series is based in the beach town of Elena, Florida and revolves around the McCall family. This series will be another romantic suspense/mystery series and I am so excited to bring it to you. I've already written a couple of stories and I've got several that are in the works.
August 24th at the Overton Hotel in Lubbock, Tx
NEW RELEASES, COVER REVEALS and SALES
Sunday, June 30, 2024
What's up for July?
Y'all, it's the dog days of summer in Oklahoma. I don't like the heat beating down, and forecasters are saying the heat index is like 115, which translates to being on the surface of the sun I think. I'm all about the great outdoors. I enjoy hiking and exploring, but not when the heat burns your nose when you inhale.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Trying Something New
Introducing
Several years ago I started a blog called Unexpected Passions simply to share my thoughts on life experience.
As I ventured into the life of an author, my blog took a back burner as I let my imagination take hold, and Dalton Skies came to life.
Now, with the last book in the series in the process of being published, I'm stepping out and trying some new. I'm taking my old blog and turning it into a monthly newsletter. If it does well, I might make it more often, but for now, until I can find someone to help with my social media stuff, I'll start with monthly.
UPDATES
Things are moving forward for book 6 of Dalton Skies. Contracts have been signed so I'm just waiting to start the publishing process.
Meghan Quinn just released the fifth installment of the Vancouver Agitators. I've read the first four books and they have kept me fanning myself part of the time and giggling the other part.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
You know what they say about ASSUMING
It's been a hot minute since I wrote something in my blog. I've been off in my fictional la la land where I can escape the worries of the world...or at least correct them.
But I was reading a story recently that just had me hit pause for a moment and take to my blog, because honestly, my heart hurts from what I see happening. It's nothing new really. We make assumptions every single day. But are we right every single time? No. And do we come to the assumption in the mindset of love...or hate?
It seems in this day and time, more and more it leans the latter being true. We are way too quick to assume someone is doing something to hurt us or offend us or sway us.
Where did their assumption come from? Love or Hate
I noticed a specific piece of equipment, I wanted to use, was empty except it had weights on the bar and a bench beneath it. There was no one around that looked like they were using the equipment so I moved the weights and bench and adjusted the bar. As I'm doing my exercise, I hear an irate voice behind me say, "I wasn't done with that."
I finished my set and apologized. I said, "I'm sorry,. I didn't see anyone around the equipment so I figured the stuff just got left."
He told me he'd gone to the bathroom. I apologized again and offered to help him reset his stuff but he declined. We both basically made assumptions. I tried to respond in kindness while he was less than kind. Later, I went back and apologized again and his attitude had changed. He apologized for barking at me, I guess realizing there was no way for me to know he wasn't done with his sets.
We always think our assumptions are right. But what if they aren't? We will not be right every time so when we go into an argument or confrontation with someone, how should we approach? If we approach in a kind, loving manner, does it not stand to reason that we might have a better resolution. If we went into a confrontation or discussion trying to see things from the other person's perspective, would it not be easier to understand where they are coming from?
There is so much information out there in the world these days, it seems every subject has opposing sides and it is hard to determine what is factual and what isn't. So whatever we've heard or read, we need to realize that we may have our 'facts' wrong.
Everybody has their beliefs and I think we all have a right to believe what we want to. Heck on the news recently, they said they have concrete proof that there are aliens out in our galaxy and some have come to earth......
And when people spout off their beliefs most of the time they aren't doing it to be mean or confrontational, they are doing it to have confirmation that they are on the right track. So the best thing to assume at the end of the day is ......Positive Intent........it won't happen every time, but if we approach with understanding and kindness, instead of returning the attack, maybe just maybe we can change the outcome.
Thursday, July 15, 2021
It's Your Choice
Decisions Decisions Decisions! Life is full of them. Some are easy, like, what to make for lunch. Oh wait, that one is kind of hard. How about, whether to brave the 110 degree heat and go for a walk or stay inside in the air conditioning. No brainer. I will pick the A/C over sweat.
Your life IS the decisions you make. Chances are you have made a few good ones and a few bad ones. There are some curveballs thrown in there, that might be unexpected but how you deal with those curveballs, again, is a decision you have to make and it will affect the course of your life.
I can think of tons of choices that I've made both good and bad. Here are just a few that have brought about huge changes in my life.
I've always heard that in life you can choose to be the Villain, the Victim or the Hero.
I never wanted to be the Villain. Most people don't choose that path. I always wanted to be the hero. I like helping people. But there were times I played the part of the victim. Everyone has those moment of "why me." Unfortunately, some have more of those moments than others. But in those moments, after a brief intermission of losing my mind totally, I chose to search for a way out. I never liked the feeling of being helpless so I chose to have the mindset of "things will get better." But in those moments, I knew I couldn't just sit there and wait for the better time to happen. I had to pick myself up and put one foot in front of the other.
It was the same when tragedy struck. After losing my father, my step-father and my best friend, I could say I've had some tragedy in my life and I might even have the right to be a bit bitter. I could have easily let it consume me.
But, I choose to remember the good memories, not the bad. Yes, in some of the hard times I've faced, bad memories sneak in from time to time but again, the choice is there whether to let it take hold or take flight.
We've all had times in our lives that are bad memories. Times when we've felt less than perfect. I could rattle off tons of accidents I had,(I was a bit accident prone), embarrassing moments, things I said and wish I could take back, and days where I've just felt like I should have stayed in bed. They all creep into my thoughts and I shudder. But instead of crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head thinking I'm a lost cause, I chose to live with it.
Yep, I'm awkward. And guess what, someone fell in love with that fly by the seat of my pants, awkward redhead.
Which leads me to my next choice. I chose my hubby. Well it wasn't all my choice, he had to choose me too, but this one was a big decision. It was a definite LIFE CHANGING choice and I knew it going into it. The decision to love someone for the rest of your life is not easy and sometimes I think we forget we chose to love that person. Life gets in the way, with jobs and kids and before you know it you are just basically living with them and trying to survive. The love you had when you married, that you promised in your vows, suddenly is a distant thought. You didn't vow to survive with the person, you vowed to love them. It's a choice.
Love them like the day you married them. Crush on them. Adore them. You'd be amazed at what comes back to you.
And while you are choosing to love, choose to love everyone. Most people will say, well I already do that but for me, in the era I was raised in, I am finding, I didn't. Just being honest. I can make excuses like I didn't learn the truth in school or it was how everyone was raised around that time but the good thing is, I realized I was being judgmental against people and I chose to stop. The truth is, we all need love. We all have stuff going on in our lives that no one knows about and just a side-eye can tear someone apart but a simple smile and hello can make their day. So why not choose to put a smile on someone's face.
There's a boomerang effect when you choose the positive, when you choose to smile, when you choose to love. Others feel it and it bounces right back to you.NOVEMBER 2024 This past month has been a whirlwind and it looks like life isn't planning on slowing down. In November we will be on th...
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