Dear Friends,

I've been in the hospital since last Thursday, with my soul mate. He had a stroke and bad fall and isn't expected to make it. I've been by his side day and night since. I remembered my old lap top was in the trunk of my car today and wanted to let you all know why I have been absent this past week.

Although this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through, we are keeping him comfortable and pain free. I promised Earl I would be strong but I'm thankful his grandson, Father Jason, is with me.

New Excerpt of The Mercenary Way

“You can be the most irritating female when you want to be,” he barked out of pure frustration,

remembering to keep his voice down. He had a mind not to even come back for her. Sarah was full of piss and vinegar, traits he wouldn’t normally find appealing in a woman, yet his body’s reaction to her was a contradiction.

“Why, because I won’t let you bully me?” He watched the emotions running across her dirty face.

“You’re not leaving me.”

Aggravated that she’d just read his mind caused him to growl, “I already told you I wouldn’t. I haven’t gone to all this trouble to dump you in the jungle where Rodriguez can get his hands on you again.”

“Then what do you get out of this?” she inquired, watching him. “I hope you’re not expecting money.Susan and I own a small business, but we’re not rich.”

“Then maybe I’ll take a little piece of ass.” Clint enjoyed the hot blush rising to her cheeks, knowing it’d be a cold day in hell before he got anything from her. Except maybe a swift kick where it counts.

Suddenly tired of their banter, he demanded in a voice laced with impatience. “Are you going to stay here until I come back for you or not?"

“Do I have any options?” She pressed her lips and crossed her arms.

Clint could be just as obstinate. “No.”

“Besides, where else would I go?”

Something in her voice sent up warning flags. Releasing a breath of irritation, Clint swore, his eyes

falling to that smart mouth of hers. He knew a fake smile when he was looking at one. He stared at her
for a long tense moment. “My gut’s never wrong. You can’t be trusted.”

“Then maybe you should take me with you. I’m not the enemy here, Clint.”

He sighed deeply and rolled off her, mumbling beneath his breath, “I’m warning you, Sarah, don’t make me regret this. If I tell you to jump off a cliff, you jump off a cliff. No questions. You got that?”

I have winners!

Congratulations! Catherine Lee won the $20 egift certificate to Bath and Body. Her name was drawn from The Mercenary Way Tour. As the Pages Turns wins the one year ad space at Sex Between the Covers Blog.

6 SENTENCE SUNDAY

The 6 sentences below are all from my newest release, THE MERCENARY WAY.

1) She wondered how much longer they’d walk before stopping to rest, how much longer before she collapsed and he was forced to stop.

2) “If you think I’m satisfied, you have a lot to learn about men."

3) There was nothing dainty or fragile about Sarah but Clint found he liked her full curves.

4) As the material clung to her breasts, he was suddenly reminded of what she looked like in just her underwear.

5) Suddenly, she felt alive.

6) It would be damn hard not giving in to his primitive urges.

I'm unemployed. For the first time in 40 years! It's been a couple weeks and at first I liked it. Sleeping in late in the morning, staying up late because I could sleep in, lazing around. On no one's schedule but my own. It didn't take long before I started to feel like I need something more. I still have a few good working years left. No wonder so many folks retire from their career jobs and then find something else, even part time, to do.

I didn't ask to be unemployed. I retired from Disney to take an executive position at a hotel in Plant City. The money was fantastic but the ever changing economy hit them hard. The financial consultant the owners hired thought some of us higher paid employees weren't necessary any more. So I find myself with some free time.

I can use the next few weeks to clean out the house I shared with my soul mate, now that it's listed for sale. I can visit Earl more often in Astoria. Watch my grandson in the mornings so that my son-in-law can get some sleep from his night job. Visit with my step-dad and sister when they come down next month. And I can write. I have plenty of projects going in that department.

Maybe I'll take a few months off and try to enjoy those unemployment checks that will start coming in soon. I think I'm due. One thing is for sure, I don't miss that hour and a half ride to work and back five days a week. If and when I find another job it's going to be a lot closer.

Have a great weekend everyone!

First Review in for The Mercenary Way!

Here's some of what Molly had to say over at Reviews by Molly.

Tory Richards is one of my favorite authors when it comes to right sexy, intriguing romance, and once again, she’s hit a home-run with this amazing new book.

This story is rich in sexiness, complex with suspense and page turning adrenaline. This is definitely a keeper and one
that I recommend with a high 5 Books rating and two thumbs up. I can’t wait to read more of Tory’s greatastic work!

You can read the whole review here.

Did any of you know about this?

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms.

By coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer. I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer: "I don't know. You have to ask for it." Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask?

Gee, I just had my mammogram. Wish I'd known.

Few more tour days left folks! Link here will take you to the list of links to follow. Leave a comment at each post for a chance to win a download.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air. It's that time of year when sweethearts go out on the town, the theatre, give each other small trinkets and heart shaped boxes of candy. Some even get engaged on Valentine's Day. And some don't celebrate at all. The last Valentine's Day gift I received from Earl was a stuffed panda bear holding a heart in 2004. This year I bought him one of those giant cards at Wal-Mart. Good for a smile, and I'd like to see him smile.

For years my daughter would ask, where's my valentine? And I would remind her, the holiday is really for sweethearts. But is it? After reading some of the Valentine's Day stories on the blog hop I participated in this past weekend I began to wonder. So I did a little (gasp!) research.

Below is a link that will take you to a page that explains it all. And while you're there check out some of the other interesting links at the bottom of that page.

The History of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day ICONS and their meaning:

Heart It was formerly believed that the heart was the seat of all human emotions. Accordingly, the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act of giving everything to someone you love. Though the ancients were not aware that the heart was responsible for pumping blood though the circulatory system, yet they knew one thing for sure that the heart was the center of all feelings. This ancient belief has lingered on through the ages.

Cupid The love and attraction that a man and a lady feels for one another is traditionally ascribed to the mythological god,Cupid.In Latin, the word Cupid means "desire." Cupid is represented as a naked, chubby boy with wings and possessing a mischievous smile. He carries a bow with a quiver of arrows which he uses to transfix the hearts of youths and maidens.

The RoseFrom time immemorial, beloveds have been compared to roses. If we juggle the letters of the word ROSE we get EROS, who is the God of Love. Rose has thus been the traditional choice of lovers around the world. The colour red is associated with strong emotions and below are listed sentiments expressed by different hues of rose:-

Lavender -- Enchantment and Uniqueness
Orange -- Fascination
Pink (Dark) -- Thankfulness, Friendship and Admiration
Red -- Love, Respect and Courage
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Deep Red -- Beauty and Passion
White -- Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Reverence, Humility and (according to some sources) True Love
Yellow -- Joy, Friendship, Jealousy, Hope and Freedom
Black -- Farewell
Red/White -- Unity or Engagement
Yellow/Orange -- Passionate Thoughts
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Yellow/Red -- Congratulations
Rosebud -- Beauty, Youth and a Heart Innocent of Love
Red Rosebud -- Purity and Loveliness
White Rosebud -- Girlhood
One Dozen Red Roses -- "I Love You"
Single Red Rose in Full Bloom -- "I Love You"
Tea Roses -- "I'll Remember Always"

Doves and Love BirdsIt was the popular belief that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14.Since doves and pigeons mate for life ,they symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love. Lovebirds, the small birds with colorful plumage, commonly found in Africa, are so called because they tend to get cozy with each other and can't survive without each other. pairs. Doves...common urban birds, shy and gentle by nature, with a distinctive "cooing" call...symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love .


HandsThe hands of a lady has been a favorite decoration for Valentine's Day for many years and is suppose to depict "femininity". To add to its beauty, the hand is often decorated with frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. A lady's hands was a favorite decoration that depicted "femininity." Its beauty was enhanced by adding a frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. Clasped hands are said to represent those of Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert...the symbol of friendship between their respective countries of England and Germany.

How much can one person love another?
A universe exists in time and space,
Placed within the boundaries of one place,
Pressed into a point far from forever.
Yet love comes to us from some quite other,
Visiting our sorrow with its grace,
Answering our rage with its embrace,
Lending us the wisdom of its wonder.
Even as I say this, you are there,
Nestling in where need undoes the day,
Taking up your small infinity.
Inside my window, you are everywhere,
Nor could I tell how much such love might weigh,
Even were it salient as the sea.

I think it's safe to say I've entered a new chapter in my life. Over the last couple of weeks I've had to put the man I love into a nursing home, I lost my job and now find myself cleaning out the house because we've decided to sell it. I've given myself a week to do it but after today, realize I really need help. After three hours of work I could barely walk because of my hip and leg. Those shots the doctor gave me only lasted a week and then the pain came back full force!

More than once I sat in the quiet and reflected on life. On 17 years of memories together, looking around at our things and trying to cope that it's come down to this. Never once did I think I would find myself in this situation. Really, who thinks that far ahead anyway? But as I cleaned out the cupboards and drawers, the pantry and fridge, I got kind of weepy.

It helps that Earl is gradually accepting his new home. He fought so hard not to go into a nursing home. But it's really the best place for him right now. At least he'll get 24/7 care. Something I'm thankful for since just last night his nurse called to say he'd fallen in the bathroom but was okay.

Remember Bear Cat? I've adopted him. I grew fond of the little guy and couldn't see putting him up for adoption. This weekend I brought him to the home I share with my daughter and her family. Woofy could have cared less about a new feline in the house and I actually caught them playing a couple times. The girls hiss and growl at Bear Cat, and I've caught Jezzie chasing him. If Gin Gin and her only knew that he still has his claws they wouldn't be so brave! LOL Bear Cat tolerates them and backs off. I think in time they will bond. At least there's been no actual cat fighting.

It's funny though. Jezzie is the smallest of the four and she clearly rules the roost!

New Review for Breathless Surrender!

Breathless Surrender is a short novel that is very comfortable in its own skin. It is very difficult to develop characters and story flow with limited length but Ms. Richards does an exemplary job here. Though you are thrown right into the frying pan, as it were, it fits and you can immediately continue on without feeling you are missing critical pieces of the story. The action is fast and sensual and what could be a tragedy is instead an awakening. I enjoyed both characters and felt very connected to them. The action was believable and it all worked wonderfully together. When you want a story that might be short in length but heavy in punch pick this one up!


FOUR STARS from reviewer AlexJouJou!

First Blog Hop for Just Romance Me!

And it all begins here!  After you leave your comments please go to the following site for more fun! http://justromance.me/cupidschoice/

SEXY VALENTINE STORIES
PRIZES
AND A BOOK NOOK LOADED WITH OUR BOOKS

You can't win if you don't play folks. This blog hop goes on until the 12th.  Be sure to leave comments, too. My prize is a download of one of my books, winner's choice! Instead of a post I thought I'd ask a question.

What is your favorite Valentine Day's memory?

The Mercenary Way is on tour!

Follow the tour for your chance to win!

I'm awarding a $20.00 egift certificate to Bath and Body to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and the blog host with the most comments (excluding Tory's and their own) will receive an "Own this Spot for a Whole Year" ad spot ($100.00 value) on Sex Between the Covers Blog.

When a ruthless gem smuggler mistakes Sarah for her best friend Susan, she's kidnapped and stashed on an island. Her only hope of rescue is Susan's cousin Clint -- a soldier-of-fortune whose my-way-or-else attitude is as infuriating as his muscular body is distracting.

Clint, ex-Navy SEAL turned mercenary, desperately needs a vacation. Rescuing a kidnapped woman from an island paradise isn't what he had in mind. And when he encounters Sarah's sassy mouth and tempting ways, he soon realizes he's the one in trouble.

February 6: AsianCocoa's Secret Garden
February 7: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
February 8: Bab's Book Bistro
February 9: As the Pages Turn
February 10: Louisa Bacio -- Love Knows No Bounds
February 13: Realmantic Moments
February 14: Christine Young Romance Writer
February 15: Roz Lee
February 16: The Muse
February 16: REVIEW ONLY Reviews by Molly
February 17: Kacey's Kreations

RELEASE DAY IS HERE!!!

It's out folks! You can pick up your copy of The Mercenary Way at THE WILD ROSE PRESS. Whoohoo! Gee it seems like it's been a while since I've had a book come out.

*The Mercenary Way was originally released as Against the Odds under a different publisher. This version has more content, and has been sexed up considerably for re-release.