Marina’s Journal

I know I haven't been around for a while, but not to worry. I'm okay. It has, however, been an interesting year so far. The "interesting" stuff began last January, when a few acquaintances posted some rather divisive and inflammatory posts on Facebook. Granted, none of them were close friends, although, they had always come across as kind-hearted, compassionate people. Seeing their true colors came as quite a shock. For a time it left me ...

So far it's been a year of brain fog, among other things I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, 2024 wasn't a great year. It may have started out well, but it ended with a serious health challenge. Thankfully, I've pretty much recovered, but I have some lingering brain fog. So along comes 2025. I was hoping it would be a much better year, but so far it's been downright bizarre. ...

We've all had that one friend. The one who thinks she's a good friend, but can be easily manipulated by others. Cecilia "CeCe" Wood, from the contemporary romance novel, Rivalry is such a friend. CeCe has another bad habit. She likes to stick her nose into other people's business.  CeCe and Jenna are interior designers at a Denver architectural firm. They have a good working relationship. CeCe even introduced Jenna to her Ken, someone she's ...

I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, 2024 was a long and difficult year. I'm honestly glad to see it go. Each year has it's challenges, but 2024 was like challenges on steroids. This past spring I took a trip to San Antonio which turned out to be the vacation from h-e-double-hockey-sticks. It was hot, humid, and crowded. As many of you know, I also enjoy photography, and I came to ...

The holiday season has arrived, and I often include a Thanksgiving scene in my contemporary romance novels as most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. Canada also has its own Thanksgiving,  It's celebrated on the second Monday in October. Thanksgiving was one of my favorite holidays when I was growing up. My mother would get up a five o'clock in the morning to get the turkey in the oven. I always loved the smell of the turkey while ...

Bill Haskell isn't my typical leading man. He's in his mid forties, making him a little older than most of my leading men. The one exception being Ian Palmer, in The Reunion. But unlike Ian, Bill began his career as a blue collar worker. He later became a part-time art professor and a successful sculptor. He's also a widowed single dad who lost his wife in a car crash. His entire world turned upside down ...