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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

OCEAN REEF CLUB in Key Largo

With its dazzling setting and balmy weather, it promised terrific fishing and tropical relaxation for vacationers.

In 1945, a developer from Minnesota bought the 40 acres land and a couple of shacks, cistern, and no amenities. He built a 26-room inn, dining room, and lounge, a few cottages and a spacious residence for his family. In 1970, a golf course was added, along with tennis courts, a medical office, and many residential units.

After hurricane Andrew the residents bought the assets of their community and secured the right of self-governance.
Ray and Cheryl Parker hosted the 2012 Tennis Tournament and invited my husband, Sam, to participate as a partner to Cheryl. I tagged along, and for three days I had the privilege of discovering the sophisticated village, called Ocean Reef Club, and admiring its quaint and relaxed mode of living.

On Thursday night we were invited to a cocktail for the inauguration of the Tennis Tournament, and later to dinner by Cheryl and Ray in one of the many restaurants of the Reef that promote healthy food with an elegant presentation.

On Friday morning I watched Sam and Cheryl play their games and win the match.




After lunch, Cheryl lent us her golf cart. Sam gave me a tour of the Reef.

The next day, we visited the marina and I took pictures of the superb yachts to help in my research for my novel, GREEK ENCOUNTER.

During the day we attended more tennis competitions for Cheryl and Sam who well deserved championship trophies.


In the evening Ray and Cheryl hosted a lovely party for the guests of the Tennis Tournament. The theme was the Roaring Twenties. The tables were decorated with rows of beads dangling from a wide cup.



A band played Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and many oldies, while mute movies of Charlie Chaplin scrolled on a TV screen. We toasted and danced.

Thank you, Cheryl and Ray, for your invitation and lovely hospitality.

Mona’s Books and buying links:

NO MORE LIES     http://tinyurl.com/79r88wp

RIGHT NAME, WRONG MAN, http://tinyurl.com/85o4wg7

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN   http://tinyurl.com/6mcd6e3

Osiris’ Missing Part  http://tinyurl.com/6t3aa7b
 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day



Happy Valentine's Day to my dear husband,
to my children and their spouses,
to my adorable grandchildren.

To my friends, my on-line friends,
and the many authors and writers
who offer help and supoort so generously.

To you all a bouquet of flowers.



If you like to travel and love to read, treat yourself to a romance for Valentine's Day.


NO MORE LIES: white lies, second chances, humor, 99cents, bestseller at amazon http://tinyurl.com/79r88wp



RIGHT NAME, WRONG MAN: If you like a hot charming French count for a doctor, this 99 cent romance novel is for you,  http://tinyurl.com/85o4wg7



BABIES IN THE BARGAIN new at Amazon.com, $0.99. No one will break her heart again. Especially not the gorgeous Doc  http://tinyurl.com/6mcd6e3

Saturday, February 11, 2012

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, Winner of 2009 BEST ROMANCE NOVEL at the Preditors& Editors Readers Poll and WINNER of the 2009 BEST ROMANCE at READERS FAVORITE.

99cents at Amazon.com      http://tinyurl.com/6mcd6e3

Short Synopsis:
With only one year left to complete her medical training, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not Dr. Marc Suarez. The heartthrob of the hospital who used to collect sports’ trophies and nurses’ kisses broke her heart seven years ago.

When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated, but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?





Excerpt:

Marc stared at the infant suckling and the gorgeous woman feeding him as if he was her own child. A perfect picture of maternal love. For a moment, he imagined her in a silk dishabille, baring a breast to a hungry child, while his knuckles caressed the baby’s cheek and the mother’s flesh in the same loving gesture.

Blonde and lovely Holly. 

Mesmerized, he sucked in a deep breath and squatted beside the rocking chair, clenching its arm with itching fingers.

Paulito needed a loving mother, but even with imaginative effort Marc couldn’t picture himself married. At least not yet.

Holly could be the closest thing Paulito would ever have to a mother, if...

“Move in with me,” Marc whispered.

“What?” The bottle dropped from her hand. Her gaze shot to him, incredulous and bewildered. “What did you say?” Her voice lowered to a rough murmur.

“Come live in my condo,” he said, with a firm tone to convince himself his request wasn’t completely crazy.

His eyes strayed over her blushing cheeks, her parted lips. He inched closer, unable to resist the sweet temptation...then jerked backward.

Conflicting feelings twitched his insides. His baby needed Holly, the best mother in the world. If she agreed to live under his roof, he swore he'd never take advantage of their proximity in the same house. He’d behave like a gentleman—even like a monk—to make her forget his playboy reputation. And he’d battle his attraction to Holly every step of the way, so as not to scare her away.

“Are you crazy?” Her jaw sagged and her eyes rounded, two beautiful turquoise pools shimmering with uncertainty. 

George Clooney was my model for Dr. Marc Suarez
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.” He stroked the baby’s scalp. “Paulito needs you and you love him.” It was the only possible way he could give his son a loving mother...and protect himself from a noose around his neck and his Abuelita’s nagging.  

She exhaled, her gaze following his fingers’ gentle motion on Paulito’s head. “Of course I love him, but I have my work. I’m as busy as you, if not more.” Her lips pinched as she narrowed her eyes.

“If you move in with me, we could dovetail our shifts and share his care.”

Please, Holly, say yes.

“You and me, living together? Just like that?” She flipped her hand open. “How could you even think about it?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply any...hmm.”

Never.

He blinked. The thought had filtered through his mind, but to his credit, he’d discarded it right away. “It’s just a roommate arrangement. Consider it a business proposal, cross my heart.” With all due respect and no hanky-panky, so help me God.

Marc gazed at her with deep longing. This arrangement would torture him for sure, but to have Holly caring for Paulito, Marc would squeeze every bit of lust out of his system. He silently vowed to maintain his part of the bargain if she agreed.