Diet – It’s an ugly word

Sure, it’s tied in with getting and staying healthy, but it makes you feel restrained. In a country where most people have access to all the food they want, it’s hard to think about limiting yourself.
Several times a week, I try to be content with eating soup without crackers and cheese, but I haven’t been able to make it a habit. Then there’s the low-carb diet, which supposedly lets me eat all I want, as long as I severely limit my carbs. And I do love bread, and desserts of all kinds. Luckily, strawberries and sometimes blueberries and blackberries are plentiful, reasonable in cost, and good for you. With a little Cool Whip, berries make a healthy, low carb dessert.
My husband has admitted his pants are getting tight, and he should lose weight. If a doctor tells him that, he is likely to change doctors, even though he is overweight. So, I try to serve only low-carb vegetables, but I get tired of the ten we both like. And then there’s a sale on Blue Bell Ice cream, which he dearly loves. Since he has a low-functioning heart and may not live many more years, do I want to deprive him of small joys?
Unfortunately, snacks add calories to those of healthy meals. Somehow, an apple doesn’t seem very satisfying. I’ve read nuts are better snacks, so I keep some mixed nuts on hand to discourage us from eating graham crackers and Ritz crackers. (Luckily, they are not as tasty as cookies, so we are not tempted to eat more at one time.)
But then I read a report from Dr. Rand McClain from LCR Health stating the best nuts are Macadamia (which are expensive) and Almonds, but Cashews are not so good because they have anti-nutrient compounds. His sources are the science departments of the University of Memphis, Florida State University, and University of Toyama.
Even then, it’s not wise to eat too many nuts because they are high in fat and calories and some kinds may cause digestive problems. And while exercise helps, it all boils down to eating less carbs and less calories, because studies show people who eat less calories live longer.

Here’s a recipe for Apple Whiz – a quick low-calorie dessert:
1 Apple
Mixture of Cinnamon and sugar or Sweet ‘n Low
Cut the apple in quarters and remove seeds and tough parts around them. Slice thin (about 1/8th to 5/16th inches thick). Spread on a plate and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture. Microwave for 2-3 minutes and serve with toothpicks. Serves two.
Recipe from There Is Life After Lettuce by Pepper Durcholz, Alberta Gentry, and Carolyn Williamson

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Amazon Plans to stop publishing Kindle World Novels

With Kindle Worlds, I have enjoyed writing some novels as part of other writers’ story worlds. In July Amazon plans to stop publishing Kindle World novels. However, they will still be available in June. You can obtain any of my three Kindle World Books on Amazon.

The Royals of Monterra: Holiday with a Prince is one of my novels set in the imaginary kingdom of Monterra. Mario Fiorelli is the king’s nephew and a star player for Monterra’s soccer team. When he encounters a distraught traveler, who has arrived after the gate to board has been shut, he uses his influence to get them to open the gate and get her and her friend a first-class seat on the plane. She is bowled over by his attention but can’t hope to compete with all the beauties he must date.
She is thrilled to accompany him in his private plane to fly to visit Mt. Etna where they narrowly escape being threatened by an eruption. He takes her to visit the pyramids, but when he flies her to Florence to see the Uffizi, the famous art museum, his plane crashes. She spends the night sleeping next to him in a cave but stays aloof because he says he’s decided to marry a former girlfriend.

Royal Wedding Cake still available in June

Another of my Kindle World Books is Royal Wedding Cake. Reporter Danielle Dawson is excited to cover the wedding of Monterra’s Prince Dominic II and his bride Kat MacTaggart. She enjoys meeting the royal family and especially his handsome cousin, Prince Armando Fiorelli. However, after a bomb derails the reception and two of the princesses are kidnapped, she helps Armando find them, but will the dashing Armando ever consider settling for one woman?<a

Another Kindle World Book Available in June

I was also privileged to write in Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay Kindle World.
Lisa Davenport struggles to prep for her graduate school exams, while working as a summer crafts teacher at the Casa Blanca Spa and Resort on Barefoot Bay. However, sexy jewelry expert Justin Sherrod not only lures her from her studies to spend time with him, he’s secretly hunting a jewel thief – and he just may be planning to throw the book at her.

Launch Party for Romancing the Doctor – Today May 22, 2018

You are invited to the Launch Party for Romancing the Doctor

CDC Doctor Daniel Whistler travels with Heather McKinley on a cruise ship they boarded to hunt for the spreader of a mysterious virus, who created havoc in Atlanta, Dallas, and New Orleans before going on a Caribbean cruise. She was glad to finally become pregnant but then became sad because the virus caused her to miscarry. She and Daniel each have secrets they fear will ruin their relationship. Visit my facebook page, Carolyn Rae Author on May 22 from 5-9 (CDT) for the Launch Party for Romancing The Doctor. Comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

Romancing the Doctor is released today, May 22nd.

My bookmarks with a picture of the cover for Romancing the Doctor just arrived. I really like the cover.

Here’s a sample excerpt from Romancing the Doctor

Chapter One

“Twenty-one people from the same bus were admitted to an Atlanta hospital. It’s like some virus or poison was released in the vehicle.” Heather McKinley’s boss at The Dallas Morning News sounded excited like she thought this would be a really big story.

Like steady drumbeats, rain pounded on Heather’s car, making it hard to hear the woman on the phone. Heather slowed the vehicle down before pulling off to the shoulder on the wooded road. “What?” Poison? On a bus? she couldn’t possibly have heard right.

“That’s right. I want you to interview someone who’s willing to talk.”
Heather dug out a pen and pad. “Who?”

“Mark Hanes. See what you can find out.”

Heather scribbled down the information. “I’m on it.”

She jotted down questions and dialed the number. A hoarse male voice grated on her ears.
“Mark Hanes. Please leave a message.”

“I’m Heather McKinley with The Dallas Morning News, and I’d like to interview you about being on that Atlanta bus where a number of people became ill today.”

She glanced ahead, ready to pull back onto the road. She strained to focus. A golden-brown lump lay in the grass on the shoulder. Wait…did it move? If it’s an injured animal, I can’t just leave the poor thing lying there cold and hurt. After killing the ignition, she grabbed her umbrella from the back seat. Jumping out into the weather, she gripped the umbrella tightly against the wind and rushed to the quivering animal.

The cold wind whipped the leaves in the trees, and goose bumps rose up on her bare arms. A puppy lay beside the ditch. Barely visible, a swollen eye looked at her from dripping, slicked-down fur.

She knelt to examine the dog. “Oh, look at you.” It whimpered, tearing at her heartstrings. “You poor baby. Where’s your owner? Did someone leave you out here all by yourself?”

She ran her hand over its body and found no obvious cuts or blood except around its eye. It struggled to its feet and walked unsteadily toward her in a weakened state. Carefully, she lifted the puppy up and hugged it to her chest. Its wet fur chilled her, and its tiny limbs shook. Snuggling against her, the puppy let out one more whimper then stilled. she could barely feel a tiny heartbeat. Her fingers felt through its straggly fur for a collar but didn’t find one.

“Damn it. Why did someone just leave you here beside the road when they could have taken you to the SPCA?”
Her watch said ten to five. If she hurried, she could get to the vet’s before it closed. “There, there. You’ll be okay soon.”

She laid the puppy on the passenger seat, threw her sweater over it and turned the heater on full blast. After aiming the vents toward the pup, she gunned the motor and headed back onto the road, all the while praying the office was still open. Soon the blowing warm air heated her enough to make her unbutton her sweater. She patted his golden fur. It felt warmer and drier.

She’d met Dr. Thomas Whistler the previous week at church in their small town of Pleasant Prairie, and they had exchanged a few words. He seemed like the kind of man who wouldn’t mind staying late for an emergency. Beside her, the puppy squirmed and stretched his front legs to push against her side. It would be a shame if no one claimed the little fella. The little dog snuggled closer and licked her hand, its tongue raspy and warm.
* * *
Sitting in the vet’s office, Heather stashed her notebook in her purse and took a moment to glance around the room. Across from her sat a man with a cleft chin and high cheekbones. His brown eyes met her gaze. With a quick brush of his long fingers, he smoothed back wavy chestnut hair and smiled at her.

He wore a well-pressed suit and tie and was studying a stapled report. However, he kept glancing her way with his warm brown eyes. When she met his gaze, he smiled back. It felt good to be noticed the way a man notices a woman. A glow suffused her body as if she were basking in the sunshine on a balmy spring day. She felt her face flush and hoped he didn’t notice.

He returned to his paperwork. Sliding a glance his way, she decided he looked to be in his early thirties and from the briefcase near his feet, an executive. His hair lay in even waves, every strand in place. How would he react to someone ruffling it? Why was she even thinking about that?

Holiday with a Prince Launch Party

See my facebook page, Carolyn Rae Author, to read about my Launch Party on April 17, 2018, from 5-9 p.m. central time.

Prince Mario flies Kelly to Mt. Etna and the pyramids

Aspiring travel writer Kelly Chandler’s heart beats faster when handsome Prince Mario gets them seats in first class after the gate has closed on a flight to Paris.

I’ll include information and pictures about places Prince Mario takes Kelly like the pyramids and Mt. Etna, where they barely escape as an eruption begins. I’ll ask questions like – how would you feel being invited to tea with the queen? and – What would you talk about on a date with a prince like Mario? Those who comment will have a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.