13. January 2012 by admin.

Did you know that 2012 is LUCKY enough to celebrate not one, not two, but THREE Friday the 13ths? Three happen every few years, actually. The last was in 2009, and the next is 2015. 2012 is extra special because it is a year where something will not re-occur until 2040: three 13ths landing on a Friday during a leap year.

The number 13 and Friday, found mentioned in mythological, spiritual and religious tradition, means something different to me…and my mom. She delivered me, her first child, around 8 o’clock, at night, on Friday the 13^th in the dark and dreary month of November.

For many pagans, 13 is a lucky number, because it corresponds with the number of full moons each year, but I celebrate them as extra birthdays. Birthdays I do not need to count toward my age. The older you get, the more you will understand. Trust me.

Friday the 13th can feel special, say some people. (scientists, I hear) Supposedly, during a 400-year period, the 13th falls on a Friday more than any other day: 688 times.

Whatever you believe, know that I am embracing the day and using the vibrant energy to clean out my files in preparation for filing my taxes. I believe there is a much scarier date in America…April 15^th!

Nancy

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31. December 2011 by admin.

Hogmanay…a strange word to this American writer.  “What did he say?” I said to a friend the first time I heard the word. Until recently, I mistakenly assumed it was the Celtic term for Christmas.

Nope! Hogmanay is a celebration of the new Year, as close to our ‘watching the ball drop’ festivities and the Rose Bowl Parade wrapped up in one lovely holiday.

So, I am taking a moment to wish you all a very HAPPY HOGMANAY and a very, very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nancy

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23. December 2011 by admin.

I spent a couple of weeks visiting my folks, earlier this month, and snapped this waning moon from their driveway.

I am a northerner by birth, as are they, and I now reside and write fulltime in North Carolina. Palm trees excite me! Enjoy!

And, have a very HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Nancy

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13. November 2011 by admin.

I had a great day; lunch with relatives at LONGHORN at Briercreek in Raleigh (thanks, Chris, for the free dessert!); watched NASCAR; reflected on the past year. A decent year, but I am excited to see what the future will bring, especially with my writing.

I will continue to ply the trade, attend workshops, submit manuscripts until an agent agrees I have something to share, and smile each time a royalty check arrives from the six e-books already ‘out there’.

Today’s newspaper (The News & Observer) printed a ‘Horoscope for the Year’ and here is a partial:

“Mid-December is a good time for your finances and career, so work hard to make your fantasies come true.”

Now, if an agent or editor would call about one of my submissions, all will be as it should.

Nancy

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28. April 2011 by admin.

My husband and I are very lucky. We watched the news this morning, after sleeping with the radio on in order to hear Tornado Warnings, and could not believe the photos of the devastation in Alabama and Georgia.

When my husband raised the window shade in the kitchen, we were hit with just how lucky we were! There was a maple tree laying across the driveway and the hood of my Jeep!

With a trunk about 8″ in diameter, and being quite a healthy looking tree, we are now concerned about the others leaning toward our house. Break out the chainsaws as we praise Heaven for the minor damage to our home here in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Nancy

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22. April 2011 by admin.

A very happy Earth Day to my readers and their families. Hope the sun is shining and the weather stays clear and dry.

But if rain is in the forecast, may your flowers grow!

Nancy

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17. March 2011 by admin.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

TO ALL MY 

IRISH-CELTIC FRIENDS! 

Nancy Lee Badger

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8. March 2011 by admin.

BUY AN E-BOOK!

A fantastic assortment of books, in dozens of genres, are available from publisher websites, Amazon, Fictionwise, All Romance EBooks, and more. Take a chance and …download an electronic book TODAY!

Nancy 

stumped about what to buy?

DRAGON’S CURSE, a Scottish paranormal; UNWRAPPING CHRIS, a contemporary military romance, are both available from Whispers Publishing And Amazon for Kindle. 

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2. August 2010 by admin.

Another year is over and the mystery of “How are they gonna pull off moving a huge conference from one part of the country to another in about two months?” has been answered. Michelle Monkou and her fabulous staff at the Romance Writers of America headquarters came through. We will all feel disappointment over not visiting the lovely, yet too wet Nashville area, but Orlando and the Dolphin/Swan Resort complex welcomed us in style.

There were too many events to report at this time, so I’ll give some highlights. The Chapter Leadership all day meeting was an eye-opener to this new vice president (me). I want to publicly thank my wonderful roommate, Florina Craven, President of the Charleston Chapter for surviving my bout with food-poisoning.

The Literary signing was a well-attended madhouse! I was unable to visit all the authors on my list, but was happy a few new authors (my chapter mates) were there; Katherine Ashe, Qwillia Rain, and Kelly Gay to name a few.The workshops I attended were great; I survived my agent appointments; my new friend and virgin conference attendee Carla Smith…oops, I meant to say FIRST TIMER Carla Smith, had a fantastic first-ever agent appointment…the agent requested she send her full manuscript! 

The Golden Hearts were awarded to deserving not-yet-published writers and many new faces won the Ritas. The after-award party in Sabrina Jeffries suite was well attended and we love having her as part of the Heart of Carolina RWA here in the Raleigh area. She comes to most meetings and freely gives of herself whenever a struggling new writer (or one who has been around the stacks) has a problem. She looked fabulous and her party started off with fun and laughter when Nancy Berland and Lori Keizer were caught wearing the same outfit…from necklace to sparkly shoes!

The write up posted today at PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY’S BLOG is wonderful. Please visit 

http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/?p=1846&cpage=1#

for a full-length shot of these two lovely ladies. My shot was taken over a few heads, but I think I caught the happy hijinks.   

Nancy Berland and my friend, Lori Keizer, laugh about their RITA dresses!

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24. July 2010 by admin.

I am leaving soon to attend my second Romance Writers of America annual conference. Last year, I took the train along with fellow local chapter members. We met in Washington, DC. with over 1,000 other writers; hopefulls, newly published, and NY Times best sellers, to perfect our craft and rub elbows. The experience was awesome and a bit frightening. I wore my ‘First Timers’ ribbon uneasily. At my age? And among all these strangers who probably knew a lot more about the publishing business than me.

This year, we are meeting in Orlando, Florida. We had  planned on Nashville, TN but flooding damaged the convention center, so there you go. I am driving part way to my roomie’s home then heading down, three of us in her minivan. This year I will proudly wear a ‘First Sale’ribbon! I have also signed up for some volunteer duties and will represent my chapter at the Chapter Leadership meeting.

I hope to meet several members of two on-line RWA chapters. Speaking via e-mails and in chat rooms will have more appeal once I can put faces to names. I hope to talk about kilts and Scottish dragons with members of the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. I will share paranormal story plots with members of the Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers.

I have had two e-books books released in the last month. One is a contemporary romance (under the pen name Nancy Lennea) and the other is my debut Scottish historical paranormal. I have a romantic suspense scheduled for release on September 30th. This has been a banner year and I look forward to more exciting news.

My greatest need right now, I feel, is to acquire an agent. I have a three book series I am working on. SPELLBOUND HIGHLANDER is also a Scottish historical with witches, time travels, and handsome Highlanders. Wish me luck! If you see me at nationals, please say “Hi!”

Nancy Lee Badger w/a Nancy Lennea

SECRET LOVE MATCH available now at www.redrosepublishing.com

DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN coming September 30th 2010 from Red Rose Publishing

DRAGON’S CURSE available now from www.whispershome.com and www.amazon.com for Kindle

BOOK BLURB

Sometimes a special gift and an unwanted curse cannot keep destined lovers apart.Brianna Macleod has accompanied a shipload of her guardian’s friends to a remote island off the coast of Scotland. She eludes these Highland hunters to keep her innocence…and her gift of sight. Her attitude against falling for womanly desires changes when she nearly drowns. Saved by the talons of a terrifying winged beast, she awakens—naked—in a cave, beside an unusual man.Cursed by a vengeful witch to transform into a dragon at inopportune times, Draco MacDonald hides on this deserted island to live alone: until he plucks a servant girl from certain death. Fueled by jealousy, and tempered by fear for her safety, he succumbs to an unfamiliar desire to mate. Her kisses propel him to dare to make her his own.Set in 1592 Scotland on the Scottish island of Staffa, the cursed hero battles a ghostly witch, a hunter set on rape, and his own growing desire for a young woman with premonitions of his death. 

EXCERPT 

The urge to hunt finally propelled him from his sanctuary as he pondered why the witch neglected to provide night vision. He flicked his tail at the indignity of hunting at dusk, but such was life. He kept his distance from the hunting party, which was safely ensconced in tents for the night. With his astute sense of smell, their fetid stench filled the air while his nostrils flared in search of Brianna’s fragrance. “To see her once more would go far in giving me the comfort of a good night’s sleep.” His words came out as a growl. Under his scales, muscles quivered.He dipped below the cliff face as he swooped and glided, flapping his thin, leathery wings now and then to keep his bulk above the sea. He had filled his belly with two seals, and then plucked a seabird, that had the misfortune to fly too slowly, from the sky. Both filled his mouth with a taste of the salty waves, so he searched out his favorite fountain. With a few flaps, he lunged at the small cascade tumbling from the top of the rock face. He soared below the cliff’s rock-strewn edge, gulping mouthful upon mouthful of fresh water. After filling his belly to cool his throat, he roared with delight. After returning his kisses, Brianna banished him to the silence of his own imagination. Then, he recalled Jean’s laughter when he kissed her under a tree.Had she compared him to another? Possibly Lorn, I should imagine.Had she played him for a fool? Did she purposely lead him astray to fill Lorn with jealousy?When Draco kissed Brianna, her sweet body leaned into his chest. Her delicate fingertips caressed his hair and shoulders with honest need and unabashed passion. His human body, hidden beneath scales and claws, throbbed with a yearning he never dared to feel again. His time with Jean never progressed beyond light kisses. He would spend the remainder of his years alone. Catching an updraft, he flew up and over the cliff and froze in midair when the object of his thoughts suddenly screamed. Brianna actually screamed at him. Her voice filled the night air with her terror. The vibration made his wings falter, and he tumbled end over end toward the sea.His last conscious thought was guilt at the trembling in her voice and the look of fear plastered on her pale face. 

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