Hits and Misses With Baby Gear

This is the first in a series of posts I'll be writing. Sprout, my beautiful bouncy baby girl, was born last spring. Early. She caught us unprepared. VERY UNPREPARED. She's our first (and only baby.) And we found ourselves trolling the internet and wandering the stores not at all sure what we needed and what was just money-wasters.

I'd like to share some of the Hits and Misses from our purchases to help new families, grandparents, friends and family looking to buy something useful to give at a baby shower. I know, the amount of junk that are marketed as "MUST HAVES" for babies is OVERWHELMING.

I hope these posts help you cut through the clutter and purchase those items that you'll really use.

HIT:

Cloth Diapers

bumGenius One-Size All-in-One Freestyle (Hook and Loop)

I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers, but the choices and varieties had my head spinning. I bought several different brands and different styles. This style has won out, hands down!

What I liked:

1. One Size. This means I don't have to purchase new diapers as my Sprout grows. These grow with her.

2. Freestyle. This means the diaper insert is attached to the outer cover. There is no stuffing of inserts. Or unstuffing. The diapers are pretty much fold and go. When you have a wiggling little one, this has been SO HELPFUL.

3. Velcro fastener (Hook and Loop.) I tried the snaps and didn't like them. I have read rave reviews of the snap closures. But I struggled to snap the right size. The one-size diapers with the snap closures are covered with snaps in order to adjust to the baby's size. To be honest, they confused the heck out of me. I always used the wrong snaps and would end up with leaky diapers. I found the Velcro easy to use and easy to get the diaper to fit Sprout correctly.

4. No Blowouts. If you don't know what this is, don't ask. Let's just say, I haven't had to deal with them with this diaper...and it's a VERY GOOD THING.

5. Works well as an overnight diaper. Again, I haven't had to deal with leaks. YAY!

What I don't like:

1. Expensive. Yes, these diapers cost about $20 a piece. I have 24 of them and do a load of laundry just about every day. Although the initial cost is high, the amount of money I'm saving by not buying hundred of disposals is in the thousands. HINT: This diapers would make great gifts for families looking to use cloth diapers.

2. They don't fit newborns. At least not my little preemie. They say they fit babies 6.6 pounds to 35.3 pounds. I think Sprout was about 7.5 pounds before I started using these.

MISS:

CLOTH DIAPER

FuzziBunz One-Size Pocket Diaper

What I liked:
1. Soft. The interiors of these diapers are so soft. I figure they're comfortable for Sprout to wear.
2. Adjustable elastic for the legs. At first I loved this idea! I can make a diaper that'll fit my tiny preemie.

What I don't like:
1. Adjustable elastic for the legs. Yes, I both loved and hated this. I loved the IDEA. I hated how difficult it is to actually make the adjustments.
2. Leaks. Because I struggled to get the snaps and the elastic correct these diaper ALWAYS leaked for me. Now, I could have taken the time to try and try again to get the size correct. But remember this is a baby who is constantly growing and changing. I don't have time to keep fiddling with the adjustments for this.
3. Diaper inserts. While this isn't the end of the world. I still use diapers with cloth inserts. I don't like it. I'd rather not have to mess with the microfiber inserts. And they would sometimes move around after inserting them, which may have contributed to the leaks.

I know many people swear by these diapers. They simply didn't work out for me.

I'm still 100% sold on cloth diapers because of the cost savings over disposables and the impact to the environment.

BONUS:

CLOTH WIPE WARMER

Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipes Warmer

My sister laughed and laughed at me for buying this. But it's great!

What I liked:

Since I'm using cloth diapers and doing laundry regularly, I also wanted to use cloth wipes. But I couldn't figure out how to easily keep them wet. Yes, a plastic container would have worked. I read, however, other parents raving about how those middle of the night diaper changes were a breeze because the wipes weren't freezing. So I bought it because it'll help keep my cloth wipes wet. AND because it'll keep them at a nice temperature for Sprout.

It's been easy to use.

I started out rolling the wipes, as shown in the picture on the Amazon site. But that got old quickly. Now I simply fold them in half and stack them. Works great!

What I don't like:

Price. It's expensive. And a plastic container would work. However, I don't feel too guilty about the splurge since I'm not spending money on disposable wipes.

Have a baby product that you couldn't live without? Did you fall for something that you never used? Leave a comment and I'll use it in a future post.

Gluten Free Quick and Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

To help us eat healthier, we've subscribed to an organic vegetable/fruit delivery service. Every other week a box of goodies show up on our doorstep. This past week's box included several limes.

"What the heck are we going to do with those?" I asked Hubby, holding up the bag of limes. "Make limeade?"

"Nah," he replied. "I've got a better idea. Let's make pie!"

But it's hot and humid in the deep South right now. And we didn't want to turn on the oven. So Hubby found a pie recipe that uses the microwave and adapted it to be both gluten free and for key limes. I know. I know. Many people will roll their eyes when they read that last part. We don't usually bake with the microwave. But sometimes, like when the A/C can't keep up with heat and humidity outside, there really is no other choice. I mean, unless you don't want pie.

And I wanted the pie!

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 cups Gluten Free Chocolate Chip cookie crumbles (We used Immaculate Baking Co's Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk cookies--found in the refrigerator section. We baked them in the toaster oven for longer than the directions called for to take them from the chewy-gooey consistency to a crunchy toasted cookie.)

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup granulated sugar (We used raw sugar)

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (About 3 limes)

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 Tbsp grated lime rind

1 cup whipping cream (We used a reduced fat whipping cream)

Directions:

1. CRUST. In the microwave, melt 3 Tbsp of butter. It should take about a minute. Stir cookie crumbs into the melted butter until moistened and press into a 9-inch microwave-safe pie plate. Press against sides and bottom of the pie plate to form the crust. (Found that we needed to use our fingers to press the crumbs to form the crust.)

2. Microwave crust at HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes or until the crust is set. Let cool completely. (We put it in the fridge while we tackled the next part.)

3. FILLING: In a microwavable bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined. Stir in the lime juice, melted (but cooled) butter, and rind.

4. Microwave on HIGH for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture boils and thickly covers a spoon when stirred. (Stir twice when cooking.) Let cool. Put mixture in fridge until cool.

5. Whip cream. (Hint: when whipping cream, things will go faster if the cream is COLD as well as the bowl and the whisk. I placed them in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to whipping. And then whipped with my electric mixer.) Whip until stiff.

6. Fold half of the whipped cream into the cooled lime curd mixture.

7. Spoon lime curd mixture into the prepared pie crust. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (overnight is better.)

8. For the remaining whipped cream, add a teaspoon of vanilla and powdered sugar to taste to make a whipped topping for the pie when you serve it.

********

Dorothy McFalls is author of more than 13 novels (including the White House Gardener Mystery series written as Dorothy St. James).

The Huntress, a sexy romantic suspense adventure, is available now on Kindle for $2.99!

Praise for The Huntress

"...an action-packed adventure with sass and style. I absolutely loved it!" --Deborah Macgillivray, Author of A RESTLESS KNIGHT and Reviewer for The Best Reviews

"...delivers a plot ripe with suspense, tension, and conflict." --Amanda, Fallen Angel Reviews

Overview:

Spunky bounty hunter Vega Brookes meets her match when she hunts down a dangerous ex-special forces officer accused of murder.

Read more about Dorothy and her books at her website: www.dorothymcfalls.com

Gluten-free Sicilian Cream Puffs Recipe

Ever since my husband learned that he has a wheat allergy, we've (when I say we, I mean he since he's the cook in the family) been working to adapt recipes so he doesn't have to miss out on yummy foods. And I won't miss out either, since he's the cook!

We were watching a cooking show that made Sicilian Cream Puffs and thought, we could do that AND make it gluten free!

This is how we did it:

INGREDIENTS:

Gluten-Free Flour: (makes 2 cups)
(You can use a gluten-free all purpose flour premix or make your own. We made our own.)
1/2 cup of brown rice flour (We put this in a grinder to make extra fine texture since this flour can sometimes make a recipe's texture taste gritty.)
1/4 cup of tapioca flour
1/4 cup of potato flour
1/2 teaspoon of Xanthan Gum (Hubby says this is optional, but we included it.)

Filling: (Canolli Filling)
15 oz ricotta cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup grated sweet or dark chocolate (We prefer to cut up our own chocolate instead of using chips, but you can use mini chocolate chips)
1 Tablespoon of vanilla

Cream Puffs:
1 cup of the gluten-free flour (see above)
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/8 teaspoon of salt
4 eggs

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven 450 degrees.

Mix ricotta with sugar, chocolate, and vanilla and set aside.

Put water, butter, and salt in a sauce pan and heat. When boiling, add flour all at once. Stir with a wooden spoon until leaves sides of pan clean. Remove from heat. Beat in one egg at a time. Beat until thick and smooth.

Spoon about 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer.

When cool, slice in half and fill with ricotta mixture. You can sprinkle with powdered sugar. I didn't because I'm trying to watch our sugar intake. I know, I know there's plenty of sugar in this recipe already!

Free eBooks!

It's that time again...We're having another free eBook promotion!

And there's some super books to be had. You won't want to miss out!

You can find a full list of the books and the links to their Amazon pages at www.freepartay.com.

Two of my favorite books are being offered for free, and I'll let you know about them here.

FOR THE HISTORIC ROMANCE LOVERS:

LADY IONA'S REBELLION

Take a step back into the world of Regency England...

She was looking for freedom....

When the always obedient Lady Iona is pressured into accepting a husband of her father's choosing, she seeks out the notorious rake, Lord Nathan Wynter, for his help in learning how to standup for herself. 

He was looking for respect...

While Iona is seeking adventure, Lord Nathan is doing his honest best to reform his ways in order to repair his reputation and his disastrous relationship with his family. Winning the very proper Lady Iona for a wife would go a long way to achieving that end. 

They found each other.

The more Nathan tries to protect Lady Iona from running head-long into disgrace, the more he admires her daring spirit and unpredictable antics. Instead of returning her to the obedient world to which she was raised, he encourages her blossoming passions. Such a move is surely going to lead them both to ruin. 

But for love he is willing to risk everything.

"Filled with emotion and torment, a steamy romance in which the hero and heroine can barely keep their hands off of each other, and a tender, heartbreaking realization and reconciliation, LADY IONA'S REBELLION meets every requirement that we deem necessary for it to be a Perfect 10. The writing is crisp, the tension so thick that you can cut it with a knife, and the cast so alive and vivacious, down to even the most secondary of characters." ~ A Perfect 10! ~

--Amy Cunningham, Romance Reviews Today

FOR THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE LOVERS:

Mystical Seduction

Sometimes fate doesn't let you walk away....

The powerful Horace West doesn't want a woman in his life. Women are nothing but trouble. And that's what he gets when lust takes over and he has sex with Faith Summers--trouble. The sultry vixen was doing everything in her power to drive him crazy. Even so, it was a mistake. A huge mistake. 

Faith is human. He is not. He's a Protector--a race of beings with mystical powers--who protects the humans from otherworldly attacks. Somehow, while having sex with Faith, he transferred his powers to her. And now, unless he can undo what he's done, Faith will have to die.

Praise for Mystical Seduction:

"AMAZING!! ... I have never read Dorothy McFalls before but she has earned a place on my 'to-be-read' list!" ~ Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"Dorothy McFalls brings a would-be couple's battle of wills to new heights . . . A botched mating and scorching sexual tension certainly make things interesting for the author's like-minded protagonists, Horace and Faith." ~ Heartstring Reviews 

"Wow! ... Dorothy McFalls delivers an original, action-packed plot with plenty of steam." ~ Fallen Angel Reviews

COMING SOON TO BOOKSTORES EVERYWHERE FROM BERKLEY PRIME CRIME:

OAK AND DAGGER: A White House Gardener Mystery

(April 2013)

There's a spy in the White House Gardens?!

Missing documents, death threats, mysterious holes in the South Lawn, and now a dead body's been found in the garden. It's up to White House organic gardener Casey Calhoun to uncover the deadlink between the stolen papers, the holes in the lawn, and a rumored 200-year-old treasure--before the killer strikes again!

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Praise for the White House Gardener Mysteries:

“A bright blossom in the garden of cozy mysteries.” —Jacklyn Brady, author of Cake on a Hot Tin Roof

“Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans.”—Publishers Weekly

“[A] delightful debut mystery…just the ticket for all us flustered and withered gardeners… Fans of cozy mysteries will adore this new series, and are sure to find themselves anxious for the next installment!” —Fresh Fiction

"A potboiler of homicide, blackmail, journalism, power and sex—but one that St. James handles with taste as well as verve —The Scarlet Pepper fulfills the promise of last year's series debut, Flowerbed of State, and then some."—Richmond Times-Dispatch

Congratulations Malice Domestic Nominees!

The Nominees have been announced, and I was pleased to see so many fellow Killer Character authors being honored at the upcoming Malice Domestic Reader Convention where Traditional Mysteries rule!

So please join with me in congratulating:

Krista Davis for The Diva Digs Up The Dirt (Nominated for Best Novel)



Duffy Brown for Iced Chiffon (Nominated for Best First Novel)




Mollie Cox Bryan for A Scrapbook of Secrets (Nominated for Best First Novel)

Erika Chase for A Killer Read (Nominated for Best First Novel)

Shelia Connolly "Kept in the Dark" (Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon Anthology) (Nominated for Best Short Story)

Y'all are inspiring!

I've been tagged! Blog Hop...

Paula Benson from the Writers Who Kill Blog tagged me in the BLOG HOP! Congratulations, Paula, on the publication of your first story, "Nectar of the Gods!" I couldn't be more excited for you.

Other authors who hopped over at Writers Who Kill are E.B. Davis, Warren Bull, Gloria Alden, and Alyx Morgan. When you get a chance, be sure to hop over there are see what they've been talking about.

Now on to my upcoming release, and the questions the Blog Hop poses each author...

1. What is the title of your story?

Oak and Dagger (Book #3 in the White House Gardener Mysteries)

2. Where did the idea come from for the story?

I've always love a great spy story. For me, they add a little extra spark to a whodunit. It's all about the cloak and dagger, danger, and working for a higher purpose (be is good or evil.) When I started working on the White House Gardener Mystery series, I knew right away that there would have to be a spy involved at some point in time. And that time is now...or is it? Is there a spy in the White House or is there something else going on. That's something Casey Calhoun will need to find out.

3. What genre does your story come under?

Quirky cozy mystery. Yep...they're out there!

4. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your story?

When the head gardener is accused of murder, Casey Calhoun, White House assistant gardener, promises to find out what really happened in the White House's Children's Garden, even if it means chasing after a phantom spy.

5. Is your story self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

It will be published April 2013 by Berkley Prime Crime. But you can pre-order your copy today!

6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

First draft? Now this is a difficult question, because I write a bit and revise. Write some more and revise. I never actually have a messy first draft.

It took me about a year to get to "The End." And because I was writing and revising and pulling my hair out all along, I didn't have much cleaning up to do once I reached the end of the book.

7. What other stories would you compare this story to within your genre?

I always get nervous when comparing myself to other authors. Actually, I never feel worthy. But some of the authors who have inspired me and these books include Elizabeth Peters (Vicky Bliss Mysteries), Julie Hyzy (White House Chef Mysteries), and Lillian Jackson Braun (The Cat Who Mysteries). I love their writing styles and if you wish to compare me with any of these I'd be tickled pink!

8. Who or what inspired you to write this story?

My deadline. I'm an incredibly lazy writer and would sit and read novels all day if I didn't have a deadline licking fire under my seat.

9. What else about your story might pique the reader's interest?

Casey Calhoun, my gardening sleuth, is an organic gardener. She peppers organic gardening tips and fun projects throughout the story. But you don't have to garden or even enjoy gardening to have fun with this book.


Thank you, Paula, for inviting me to be part of your Blog Hop! Now, I'll have to think of someone to tag. Hmmm....any suggestions?

What the masters think of short stories...

If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, a short story can be just the ticket to take you away on a mini-vacation. The art of the short story is often overlooked. But it takes real talent to fit a full story into a small space.

What do writers think about short stories? Here are a few quotes from a few great authors:

“A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it.” ~ Edgar Allen Poe

“A good [short story] would take me out of myself and then stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit.” ~ David Sedaris

“Short fiction seems more targeted - hand grenades of ideas, if you will. When they work, they hit, they explode, and you never forget them. Long fiction feels more like atmosphere: it's a lot smokier and less defined.” ~ Paolo Bacigaliupi

"I used to take my short stories to girls' homes and read them to them. Can you imagine the reaction reading a short story to a girl instead of pawing her?" ~ Ray Bradbury

"I decided to write short stories because they got rejected quicker." ~ Caroline B. Cooney

In short, short stories are fun!

Check out a new website, Lunch Time Reads, to browse through a variety of fun short stories that are available for your kindle!

The Power of the Short Story

In my busy life, there are times when I want to get lost in a story but I don't have time to get lost for long. What to do? What to do?

Read a short story, of course!

There are some who hate the short story. They feel cheated. Not me!

As a writer, I'm amazed when an author can tell a full story...let me fall in love with the characters, and hurt for the characters...in a short period of time. When that happens, it's magical. And magic is the power of the short story.

There's a new website celebrating these "bite-sized" reads called Lunch Time Reads. The stories I've found there really do prove the axiom: "Good things come in small packages." Check it out.

************************

NEW RE-RELEASE! A short mystery set in Hawaii.

BIRDS IN PARADISE BY DOROTHY MCFALLS

A bumbling P.I. with a big heart.
A missing sister.
And a hunky detective who is nothing but trouble.
Things are about to get messy!

Celebrating Christmas-Regency Style

SOURCE: Charles Kinkel. "Santa Claus Galop" Sheet music cover. New York: Peter's, J.L., 1874. Sheet music cover for the music "Santa Claus Galop" by Charles Kinkel. Cover art portrays a young girl at a Christmas tree in the 1870s with a doll and tea set; Santa Claus in the chimney in the top right corner. http://memory.loc.gov/music/sm/sm1874/10900/10920/001.jpg

“Christmas is come and gone, and I am again alone! That it is not good for man to be so, is a truth which eleven years of absolute solitude have taught me too often to feel, though it is chiefly at this precise period that a sense of utter loneliness finds vent in thought, if not in words. It is not in spring, when the woods are vocal, and the fields instinct with life; —it is not in summer, when a contemplative mind finds "tongues in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything;" —still less amid the sober stillness of autumn—the year's grey twilight, when man holds communings with his spirit, too deep and awful to be shared with his nearest and dearest, —that the burden of solitude becomes oppressive. No! It is when, after partaking in the refined, the social, or the domestic joys of those among whose firesides custom and consanguinity have divided my holidays, I return to the cheerless meal and silent vigil of my own bachelor home.”

~“The Bachelor’s Christmas” Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine January 1828, Number CXXXIV, Volume XXIII

Oh, our poor Regency (well, post-Regency) bachelor! In the January 1828 issue Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, our hero recounts his sad tale of love lost. In the end, he helps his nephew marry his true love. But this kind act drops our bachelor into a fresh pot of misery. His nephew and bride depart to begin their new lives, leaving our restless bachelor to rediscover what it means to truly be alone.

What lover of romance, especially a lover of historical romance, can read the words of this lonely man and not dream ways to give him the happy ending he longs for?

So let’s do just that...Let's give him the happy ending he deserves.

Picture a worthy widow who is as lonely as our dashing rogue. Perhaps she’s down to her last penny and finds herself wassailing with a group of ladies and gentlemen who share her same misfortune. They sing door to door for a little bit of food and if they’re really lucky, a halfpence coin.

I can already hear her clear, melodic voice singing an old Christmas carol that paints a beautiful picture of an English Christmas scene.

“Lo! now is come our gladdest feast,

Let every man be jolly,
Each room with ivy leaves is dress'd,

And every post with holly.

Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke,
And Christmas blocks are burning,

Their ovens they with baked meats choke,
And all their spits are turning.

Without the door let sorrow lie,
And if with cold it chance to die,
We'll bury it in a Christmas pie,
And evermore be merry.”

~ The Christmas Box: An Annual Present to Young Persons, edited by T. Crofton Croker, Esq. 1829

But what’s this? An icy slip? She tumbles down our bachelor’s doorsteps, twisting her ankle and knocking her head. Our lonely bachelor, seeing that the lovely widow is hurt, rushes out into the cold and carries her into his warm parlor. He offers her and her friends hot tea and refreshments from his kitchen. And he’s so charmed by our brave widow that he invites them all to join him for a dinner of Christmas Pie (mincemeat pie).

From that small act of kindness, a romance blooms.

Ah, romance...

My Regency romances spring from kernels of ideas just like this one. Each new idea a precious gift. It's like the excitement and magic of opening presents at Christmas, discovering new stories to write about fills me with joy and—yes—sleepless nights as a writer’s version of sugarplums dance in my head at night.

There’s the tortured marquess, Nigel, who hides his true passions—especially his love for the poor widowed, Elsbeth—beneath an icy mask. ~ The Nude, May 2009 (On sale for Kindle $0.99!)

Then there’s Nathan, the wild, out-of-control rogue, who longs for a steady wife to tame him. ~ Lady Iona’s Rebellion, June 2007 (On sale for Kindle $0.99!)

And I can’t forget my unhappy bachelor, Radford, who after a brush with death decides it’s time to take a wife. He makes a list of requirements for his a suitable spouse only to discover the untamed lady who makes his heart race meets none of his requirements. ~ The Marriage List, May 2005 (On sale for Kindle $0.99!)

And although their stories have been told, these characters are as real to me as anyone I know. I can’t help but sometimes wonder about what they are up to. What are they doing this Christmas?

To help answer that question, I have researched some Regency Christmas traditions:

Trimming a Tree: The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree was just arriving in England in the 1800s. Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, carried the tradition with her from her German homeland. Her biographer, Dr. John Watkins, provides an account of the scene:

“In the middle of the room stood an immense tub with a yew tree placed in it, from the branches of which hung bunches of sweetmeats, almonds, and raisins in papers, fruits and toys, most tastefully arranged, and the whole illuminated by small wax candles. After the company had walked around and admired the tree, each child obtained a portion of the sweets which it bore together with a toy and then all returned home, quite delighted.”

Don’t forget to station a footman beside the tree to tend the candles. We don’t want a fire!

Deck the Halls: This is an ancient tradition of decorating the interior and exterior of the home with holly, ivy, and other evergreens. In some areas it was considered unlucky to bring evergreens into the house before Christmas, so the decorating wouldn’t take place until Christmas Eve or even until Christmas Day.

Visit Family and Friends: As it still is, the holiday season is a time to pay calls on family and friends. You might bring a small gift for the host and his family. Books were just as popular gifts then as they are now.

Plan a Feast: Finally, what is a celebration without a grand feast? 

When you sit down at 4:00 pm for Christmas dinner in a grand manor house with your relatives, get ready to tuck in, for you’ll be feasting on either roast beef or venison served with fowl such as goose, capon, pheasant, swan or peacock.

Winter vegetables included potatoes, squash, Brussels sprouts and carrots.

And don’t forget the Christmas pie!

For dessert (is there room?) you’ll nibble on a fare that might include Christmas pudding, gingerbread, butter shortbread, trifle and syllabub.

Wine and wassail along with a healthy heaping of good cheer would be served along with the meal.

Ah, I don’t know about you, I’m stuffed. I believe I’ll retire to the library to catch up on my reading while the children pester their fathers to play outside in the snow.

No matter what holiday you celebrate this season, or how you celebrate it, take some time and have a very merry holiday this year!

***************

Dorothy McFalls writes romantic suspense, mystery, Regency romances, and cozy mysteries. 

Visit her website: www.dorothymcfalls.com to learn more about Dorothy and her books.

Trick or Treat Free Historical Romance ebooks!

Get sucked back in time with these historical ebooks!

FREE for a limited time!

Trick-or-Treat Free ParTay! For Two Days Only, Oct. 10th - 11th , "Lady Iona's Rebellion" will be FREE!

When obedient Lady Iona is pressured into accepting a husband of her father's choosing, she seeks out notorious rake, Lord Nathan Wynter, for lessons in rebellion.

If you like "Lady Iona's Rebellion"you might also like these other FREE books: 

"Aces Wild," They call him Angel, but every woman he meets sees the devil in his eyes. By Taylor Lee. 

"Autumn's Flame," A willful pregnant widow forced into the "evil" sheriff's custody. By Denise Domning.

"Ridiculous," Identity theft regency style with a sexy, fun kick! By D.L. Carter.

"A Man of Value," He would never be worthy of her. By Anna Markland.

"The Mistress of Trevelyan," Benedict frees her passions, but his past will destroy her. By Jennifer St. Giles. 

To enter to win a Kindle and $25 worth of Amazon gift cards, simply visit FreePartay.com and sign up for our newsletter! 

Praise for Lady Iona's Rebellion

"Filled with emotion and torment...." ~ A Perfect 10! by Romance Reviews Today

"...an outrageous romp through Regency England." ~ 4 Ribbons! by Romance Junkies

"Lady Iona's Rebellion took me by storm. Not only is the writing grand, but the whole premise of the storyline is beautifully created..." ~ 4 Cups! by Coffee Time Romance

"The plot is fresh and adventuresome... I literally could not put it down. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves regency romance." ~ 5 Hearts! by The Romance Studio

"Dorothy McFalls has written a fantastic romantic tale...made me forget I wasn't right there on the pages with Lady Iona and Lord Nathan." ~ 5 Angels! by Fallen Angel Reviews

For anyone who craves sexy Regency romances by Jo Beverley, Jennifer Ashley, Julia Quinn, and Cheryl Bolen...make Lady Iona's Rebellion your next romantic escape!

Trick or treat Free Halloween Ebooks!

Boo!

Here's a Treat for you! Free Paranormal Romance Novels!!!

Trick-or-Treat Free ParTay! For Two Days Only, Oct. 10th - 11th , "Neptune's Lair" will be FREE! 

It's worse than a bad hair day! Dallas's new lover is taking control in the bedroom, and an otherworldly force is threatening her soul.

If you like "Neptune's Lair" you might also like these other FREE paranormal romances:

"Phantom's Touch," Sexy warrior phantom protects an action film star from a crazed madman. By Julie Leto.


"His Devious Angel," Man hater meets her fate thanks to a Devious Angel. By Mimi Barbour.


"Dark Powers," Can his dark power find her kidnapped sister? By Rebecca York.


"Entanglements," Opening a vortex to a dark dimension sucks! By P.R. Mason.


"Optical Delusions in Deadwood," Packed full of humor, romance, sex, ghosts, suspense, and mystery! By Ann Charles.

To enter to win a Kindle and $25 worth of Amazon gift cards, simply visit FreePartay.com and sign up for our newsletter!

Praise for Neptune's Lair 

"...tender in all the right places and hot and steamy everywhere else! Ms. McFalls has a skill for penning an addictive read." ~ Book Reviews by Crystal

"The last two chapters gave me tingles and goosebumps..." ~ Joyfully Reviewed

"...no one should miss out on reading NEPTUNE'S LAIR!" ~ Romance Junkies

"The psychic link between Dallas and Brendan makes their sexual encounters especially deep.... It all adds up to a very special story of overcoming your past while striving for a new future. I loved this book." ~ Coffee Time Romance

If you enjoy sexy paranormal romances by authors like Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Kim Harrison...let Neptune's Lair spark your imagination.

Free Ebooks for Fall!

Wednesday and Thursday only!

Dozens of Free eBooks are available on Kindle from top authors in several genres!

You can get a full list of the free ebooks at www.freepartay.com 

Don't miss out!

Come join the Par-tay!!!

I am offering two books for free!

 Mystical Seduction (A sexy paranormal romance)

"Wow! ... Dorothy McFalls delivers an original, action-packed plot with plenty of steam." ~ Fallen Angel Reviews

A young anthropologist searching for love on her birthday. 

An otherworldly hunk determined to make her his sex slave. 

Add to that a prophecy denied and a demon with murder on his mind. 

Life is about to get very dangerous...

"AMAZING!! ... I have never read Dorothy McFalls before but she has earned a place on my 'to-be-read' list!" ~ Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Get your copy!

The Nude: A Historical Romance

"...one of the best historical romances that I have read in the last few years." ~ The Romance Studio

Upon my honor! If not for that shocking painting... It has ruined everything.

A handsome marquess promises to repair my tattered reputation.

But how can I trust him or his clever kisses when he's clearly hiding a deep, dark secret of his own?

"McFalls' tale is a wonderful combination of mystery, suspense and romance." ~ Romantic Times BookReviews

Get Your Copy!

New, Hot "Vegas" Series – Are you feeling lucky?

It's my pleasure to host Mimi Barbour on my blog today. She's celebrating a couple of new romantic suspense releases and is running a contest! (Who doesn't love winning prizes?) 

Thank you, Mimi, for spending time with me At The Garden Gate. Break a quill with these great new books!!


Thank you, Dorothy, for letting me visit your blog today and for your support in helping me spread the news about my new series called "Vegas"

This is release day for the new romantic suspense

Vegas Series by Mimi Barbour

"Partners" Book One in the new Romantic Suspense Vegas Series.

Riveting and fast-paced, this short blockbuster will introduce you to Aurora Morelli and Kai Lawson, the characters who are the stars of the Vegas Series.


In this novel, Aurora is forced to accept one very difficult fact—she's lonesome for her partner Debbie. An attack by a maniac put paid to their working together and Aurora is pissed. She's out to get the madman who hurt her friend and God help anyone who gets in her way.  Therefore when a new partner is forced on her, a bloody hotshot no less, the kind of dude she always stays as far away from as possible, she's even more pissed.

This action–packed short is humorous and will sweep you into the lives of these Las Vegas Detectives.



Short Excerpt – Chapter One

So this is what missing someone feels like. Kind of sad and lonely mashed together, eating away at you all day long. Aurora had never felt this way before; wouldn’t have given herself permission. This time the annoying ache refused to stop.

She seldom allowed gloomy thoughts to grab hold and mess with her head. But looking around the small office assigned to her and another, seeing the empty desk, sorrow gnawed away until she gave in. Her old partner Deb left behind a hollow emptiness, a sensation she wouldn’t ever admit to anyone else. What did you expect? She chastised herself. Not having the person you trust more than anyone else in the world backing you up sucked big time.

Two weeks ago, life had been normal. She’d gone to get a cup of the sludge they called coffee and left Debbie working on their backlog of case files. Returning to their office, Lieutenant Cory Ashton had caught up with her and they’d stepped into the room together, both coming to a dead stop. Debbie, who’d lately taken to the layered look with sloppy clothes, had bent over to pick something up from the floor and everything had draped open— her pregnant belly had been revealed for all to see.


"Roll the Dice" Book Two in the romantic suspense Vegas Series.


“You shot me!” Aurora is incensed. Her new partner shrugs and answers. “I saved your life.” From the very first page of this riveting story, these two battle for supremacy in trying to catch the serial rapist who ripped both their lives apart. With all her might, she fights the attraction to his baby blues that tease and start her internal warning devices humming. After all, her job is her life and determination has always been her lifeline.

Kai has a mission of honor to undertake. The man who’d raped his sister can’t be allowed to live. After all, she hadn’t! Revenge fills his soul while visions of his new partner fills his heart. The sassy woman rattles his calm, and he can’t keep his hands to himself. Doesn’t mean she has the power to stop him from doing what has to be done.


Short Excerpt – Chapter One

“You shot me!”

“You told me to.”

“Dumb shit!” Aurora pushed her new partner from hovering over her so she could sit up. “I didn't mean it. I just wanted you to scare Rhondo.” She felt blood poring from the wound on her arm and purposely kept her head turned away.

“Shooting you did scare him. He let you go, didn't he?”

Aurora frowned at him. Why did his voice have to sound so damn reasonable?

“What-ever!” She hoped her scorn would get to him.

“Hey! I saw his eyes, you didn’t.  He had every intention of using that knife. You know, the sharp one he had pressed against your throat. If I’d shot him instead of you…” He shrugged.

Aurora shuddered, fighting off nausea. She didn’t want to listen to reason. Being angry made the situation a whole lot easier to deal with. Sarcasm, the best weapon she had in a macho man's environment, replaced whining.

She glared at him and saw his shapely eyebrows rise. The light of the bulb hanging from the ceiling of the cruddy apartment haloed his head making the bare skin shine.  “Just my frigging luck to end up with a partner who thinks and looks like Bruce Willis."

Kai chuckled. Her glower put a quick end to his merriment. He tried changing the subject with sweet talk. "I've been told I have a nicely shaped head for being bald."

"Sure and it goes swell with your baby-blue eyes." She sneered on purpose. No way would she admit he did look good.

His response was a grunt of displeasure. “Are you always this crabby?”

Disbelief shone in her amazed expression. “Not at all…” She said, disdain evident. “…only when I’ve been shot.”

"Vegas" Contest Rules 

(Sept 15 – Sept 30th)

1. Read the book called "Roll the Dice". 

2. Write an honest review for Amazon.

3. Send a copy of Amazon's notice to 

mimibarbour@hotmail.com

Then…

you'll have a chance at being the lucky winner of a 

$50 Amazon Gift Certificate

I've purposely set the price of the book down to $0.99 for this contest and on Sept 19 & 20 it will be promoted in the 

www.Freepartay.com 

and will be …

…you guessed it!

FREE!!!

Good Luck!!!