Greetings from Ren-Cot

    I’m back and writing!! During a year-long hiatus, I moved to the magnificent mountains of North Georgia and restored the parts of my home in desperate need of restoration and repair. Gone are the moss-encrusted cedar shake shingles which littered the ground – replaced with composition roofing that is more tolerant of moisture. Thank God, the previous owners had installed the shakes on top of a traditional roof (against code) – otherwise I would have been doing some serious interior repairs. After exterior painting and a few fixes inside, I moved in exactly a year ago. It was a difficult move because of the life-long and generational accumulation of stuff – including over 1000 books – that I wasn’t ready to part with. I plan to leave here on a stretcher or in a hearse and leave the hard work to my daughter.

   Homes in the community are often named, sometimes for the views or location. Other names are more personal. Mine, which looks like it’s growing out of the ground, is of that sort. Ren-Cot is short for Renaissance Cottage, which wouldn’t fit on the sign. Renaissance refers to rebirth and Ren-Cot is my place for renewal and rebirth. My writing area is in the glass-walled loft that looks onto forest filled with deer, bears, wild cats, squirrels, and chipmunks. I’ve joined a few groups and volunteer with the community’s animal shelter, but stories and characters have been roiling in my mind demanding to be written. Next post, I’ll share my book news.

Happy Fourth of July!!

This presentation of the Declaration of Independence to the members of the Second Continental Congress was painted by John Turnbull in 1817 and hangs in the Capitol Rotunda. The actual date that the Declaration was signed has been questioned. The reason for the dispute? Some of the signers were not present on the 4th of July; others had not been elected. The Declaration was presented to Congress on July 2nd, adopted on July 4th, and signed by most members on August 2nd.

On this day that we celebrate our independence, remember those who have given their lives to keep our independence.

Our freedom has a price.  Rita Bay

Farewell to a Great E-Pub

As a romance author who writes in several genre, I wanted to keep my romance books separated by sub-genre. Secret Cravings published my contemporary hot military books and Sweet Cravings published a sweet Christmas story (with a touch of spice) last year. Unfortunately, the publisher closed last week. My books published there are no longer available. After they are taken down and the rights revert to me, I will speak with my other publishers about releasing them there. SCP was great to work with and I wish things had gone better for them. Their business model was great, their contract fair, and they paid on time. It’s difficult, however, for publishers to be successful when readers download pirated books for free, authors believe that giving away books is a great marketing tool (I disagree), and self-publishing has become so easy. The publisher/owner was a pleasure to work with and I wish her and the other authors only the best.

Since I will need a new publisher(s) and covers, I plan to take advantage of rewriting and editing all the books. More later.

Monday: I edited the above and am adding a bit. I published my unfinished post yesterday because The Last Ship finale was about to start. Sic semper tyrannis – Thus always to tyrants. It’s from Julius Caesar and the words John Wilkes Booth shouted when he shot President Lincoln. What a cliffhanger!!

Anyway, every author wishes they could have written a story a bit differently or, in my case,  added a scene or two. I plan to do that before I send the books out to publisher(s). More later,on how it goes.

Flag Day & a Birthday

On June 14th we celebrate Flag Day in the United states. On  this day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental the flag of the United States was adopted. Also, the United States Army celebrates the Army Birthday on this date. Congress adopted “the American continental army” after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. God bless America our military!!

Returning soon, Rita Bay

Washington’s Home: Mount Vernon

President George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon was far more elegant than Lincoln. Although orphaned early in life, Washington was home-schooled by tutors, then worked at various jobs until he found a home in the military. His best personal decision was marrying the rich widow, Martha Custis.

While managing his own estate and those of his wife and step-children, he became one of the wealthiest men in the state. His enterprises included farming and a distillery. In spite of his wealth, Washington spent many years in service to his country –  first, as a soldier in the French and Indian Wars, in the politics of the Virginia colony, as Commander of the Continental Army, and then as President of the United States. Washington was both wise and patriotic.

In my opinion, his greatest act of patriotism was refusing a third term as President of the United States. The United States could have become a monarchy with  George as its first king.

 

Lincoln’s Childhood Home

Lincoln’s family wasn’t wealthy. He was born in 1809 in Hardin Co, Kentucky in a log cabin like the one above.  (Another vintage postcard.) No running water, indoor toilets, or electricity (Electric lights weren’t invented yet.) for this future president. He studied by candlelight at night from borrowed books after a hard day’s work. His education was won hard, but it carried him far.  Next post, a more elegant Presidential home.  Rita Bay

 

Happy President’s Day Vintage Postcard

 

LOVE this vintage card of President Lincoln – very appropriate for President’s Day. Found ANOTHER stash of vintage postcards when family downsized. All are scanned and ready to share. Up later this week – some Presidential homes – part of a set from the 1930s.

Rita Bay – FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / AMAZON

Happy Valentine’s Day Vintage Postcard

Another Vintage Card from the Family’s Hoard!

Pre-Valentine’s Day Vintage Postcard

Secret Cravings Anniversary Blog Hop: A True SCP Story, a Contest, & Freebie

Congratulations to Secret Cravings Publishing on Anniversary #4!  I share an anniversary with SCP. I signed my first book contract about the same time the SCP owner, Sandy Sullivan (a successful author in her own right – love those cowboys), was opening SCP’s virtual doors. I met Sandy the following spring at a writer’s conference. I was signed with two well-known epubs and didn’t have anything to pitch, but I didn’t forget the dynamic lady with a plan to make her company a success.

Sandy’s philosophy and business plan were a recipe for success. She was committed to operating a successful epub while keeping her authors happy with fair contracts, unsurpassed interaction with editors, monthly sales reports, and input into the covers. With an extensive offering of stories in many genres, outstanding customer support, and an easy-to-navigate site, SCP flourishes when many new publishers close their doors in months. Congrats, Sandy & staff, on four successful years and wishes for many more.

When I left my comfort zone writing historicals and paranormals and penned a couple of contemporary military stories, I submitted the manuscripts to SCP.  Fortunately for me, both were accepted.  In Search & Rescue, a steamy M/F contemporary military romance, college coed Lexie meets her future Army Ranger husband who is mistakenly reported killed in action in Afghanistan before their wedding. He returns home to discover his fiancée is missing.  In Ely’s Epiphany, a scorching hot M/M romance, two ex-Green Beret partners (Lexie’s guardians) consider the future of their relationship – will the holidays bring happiness or heartbreak?

I’m offering  an ecopy of either SEARCH & RESCUE or ELY’S EPIPHANY  to a randomly-selected commenter on my blog who shares a personal challenge or success.  The winner will be posted on Monday – usual rules apply with 48 hours to claim the prize.  There’s also a FREE DOWNLOAD FOR EVERYONE – RECEPTION INTERRUPTED – newlywed Army Ranger Captain Taylor Jackson is offered marital advice by his wife’s gay ex-Green Beret guardian, Ely Locklear, at the wedding reception. Jackson offers some “advice” of his own to Locklear. Needless to say, the bathroom of The Oyster’s Shell will never be the same, especially when the bride and Todd Anderson, Ely’s partner, join in.

Thank you for visiting. Return to the SCP Anniversary Hop by clicking HERE or the blog graphic above. Grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX.

Rita Bay – FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / AMAZON

Jan 12, 2015: Congrats to Lynne who is the winner of one of my ebooks from SCP. I’ve notified her by email. Please respond within 48 hours, so I can send the book.   Rita   7:30 pm Lynne claimed and received Search & Rescue. Enjoy the read!