Join me in welcoming Calisa Rhose to the Roses of Prose today.
Hi ladies! Thank you for having me on Roses of Prose! I’m in
awe of the wonderful talent surrounding me, but thrilled to be a one-dayer.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my parents lately. Partly
because it is the season to celebrate mothers and fathers, but also because
it’s the season of both their passing. We lost Mommy on April 29, 1984,
unexpectedly, from an unknown heart issue at the young age of 46, just eleven
days before her birthday. To say we miss her is an understatement. We lost
Daddy four years later, on May 26, 1988, at 62 to a multitude of illnesses from
a hard life. I love and miss him terribly too.
But I’m happy to say I am who I am because of those two
wonderful people. I think back about Mommy and I know she wasn’t the perfect
mother. She wasn’t always there when I needed her. She liked to go out and
party on weekends with or without my Daddy. There were times one of the kids
were sick and she’d check on us and then leave for the night. I had hard
feelings about her for years, but when I married Mitch that seemed to just go
away. We spent eight months together before she died and I have some very fond
memories of those months.
I remember praying one day as a young teen that God keep mom
alive until I came to my senses and forgive her for not being perfect. Did I
blame myself for how she was? Not at all. I did recognize my part in our
distanced relationship, however. I was bitter and resentful when she divorced
my dad and left us kids with him without, or so I thought, a second look. We
talked years later and she tried to explain her actions. I still don’t
understand how a mother could leave her children like she did, as she said I
would once I had kids of my own, but I do think I understand her a little more.
She was a mother, unwed, at 16 and life was not always kind to her. By the time
she left us I think she just needed to be her for a while. She married my dad a
month before she had her first baby- not his- and never had a wild child time
to sow oats and she was one of those people who apparently needed that to
become a whole person.
Then again, maybe I’m looking for a silver lining where
there isn’t one. I choose to see it anyway.
What I do know for certain was Mommy was ecstatic when I
became pregnant with her first grandbaby. She was proud to be able to be a part
of my life during the early months of that journey. That was the times I
cherish most in my life with her. When my mom became my friend.
Sadly, God granted my prayer and as we became closer and
forgiveness was a given for both of us she became sick and no one knew it--or
she just didn’t tell anyone. With a new peace in our relationship He took her
three months before I gave birth and Mom never saw her first grandbaby. But He
also let her live until I came to my senses…as I’d asked so many years before.
Was my prayer a premonition? I’ll never know. Sometimes I
feel selfish and wish I’d stayed mad at her longer if it would have kept her
here with us so mine and my sister’s babies and grandbabies could have met her.
I’m just glad I asked him to give us that chance to heal before He took her. It
just goes to show me- God hears prayers and forgiveness is golden.
It’s late--but Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy. I love and miss
you.
I’m thankful I had a better relationship than my heroine in
Risk Factors did with her parents. If you don’t mind I’d like to share a little
of this March release with your readers now.
RISK FACTORS-
available March 4, 2013
Love, like life, is not without risk.
BLURB- Veterinarian
Vivian Dane has purchased her uncle’s practice in the tiny town of Wales,
Missouri, where most residents still doubt her ability to
treat their pets. But Viv is used to being
considered less-worthy than her predecessors. After all,
her parents are world-renowned wildlife
vets, and most everyone is unimpressed she’s chosen to not
follow directly in their footsteps.
Now Connor, a patient’s owner, is hot for Viv, but clearly
doesn’t think she’s dating material
because he has a daughter…who he believes no woman is good
enough for.
Being a perfect dad is EMT paramedic Connor’s life focus.
He can’t seem to stay away
from sexy Doctor Viv, but attraction is as far as he’ll
ever let it go. His mother abandoned him,
leaving him to be raised in the foster system, and then
his wife abandoned both him and their
daughter. He absolutely will not risk bringing another
woman into his little girl’s life and having
her feel the hurt of being left…again.
Forfeiting is easier than attempting and failing. So why
does Viv feel compelled to prove
she’s a sure bet for Connor and his daughter? Can Connor
trust Viv--and himself--enough to play
the possibilities?
LONG EXCERPT:
It was close to five o’clock and Viv wanted to go home.
Winter hadn’t reached the Midwest yet, but from September through October the
temperatures often dipped and dove sporadically, before diving for the long
winter ahead. There’d been a slight chill in the air that morning and she hoped
for a few more weeks of warmth before harsh weather moved in.
She looked forward to a hot soak in the bathtub, but
Skittles was due for pick-up first. Connor had assured her he’d pick her up, or
have his father get her before five. She glanced at her watch again.
Four-fifty-six. She didn’t mind staying late if she needed to; it would be a
shame to leave the nervous animal alone another night.
She opened the small closet to put the dust mop away.
“Hello.”
With a start, she spun and her hand caught the broom handle
on her way around. Gasping, she grabbed uselessly, horrified as the cleaning
tool flew sideways from the closet. In slow motion she saw it shoot out against
Connor’s shoulder and fall with a sharp snap onto the tile floor.
“Oh! I’m so--so sorry! Are you hurt?” Instant heat rushed up
her neck and she bent to reclaim the errant broom to shove into the closet. She
slammed the door and leaned against it on a sharp breath.
“I’m fine. You worried your killer broom might attack again?
You might consider putting a lock on the door,” he said with a crooked smile.
Puzzled, Viv looked around and realized with total
humiliation how it appeared she’d trapped the broom inside the closet--when in
actuality, she wanted to climb through the door beside the instrument and hide.
“Of course not. That would be silly. I didn’t expect you
right now.”
“It’s two minutes of five. I told you I’d be here for
Skittles. Is it too late?”
Right. The skunk. “No. I’m sure she’s more than ready to go
home. Do you have the pet carrier to put her in?” She probably didn’t need to
ask when Connor stood empty-handed before her.
He lowered his head and she knew he’d forgotten it, fought
back a smile at his forgetfulness. “Sorry. I drove straight from work and
didn’t think about it.”
“No worry. I have one you can borrow.” Which meant he’d have
to see her again. She’d definitely need to see him again.
“Thank you. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”
“Oh, there’s no rush. I keep a few on hand for emergencies.”
She led him back to the cage where the skunk still huddled, and got a carrier
while he opened the cage to retrieve his daughter’s pet. As he lifted the black
fur ball out, Viv set a pink case next to him.
He hissed under his breath and almost let the animal loose.
Viv opened the cage and held it upright for him to lower the skunk down inside
and shut the door. Once he stood with the pet taxi, she detected a smear of red
on one finger.
“She bit you?” Skunk bite, rabies, germs…
“It’s fine. When she’s scared she tends to nip a warning
like a cat.” Connor’s lack of care concerned Viv, however.
“I should clean it with antiseptic before you go.”
“I’ll tend it when I get home.”
“But, it may have germs…get infected.”
“It’s not the first time, and her rabies vaccination is
current. Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”
Viv stopped by a cabinet on the way to the front reception
area to grab ointment and a Band-Aid.
Author Bio:
Calisa Rhose is an Okie, born and bred, through
and through, and proud of it. While growing up, when she wasn’t on the back of
a horse, she could be found with pen and paper in hand. Her writing career
began with poetry in her younger days. Then she discovered Rock-n-Roll and cute
musicians. Poetry turned into stories of romance and dreams. These days she
lives with the same man who convinced her to take a romantic journey with him
almost 30 years ago. After raising three strong daughters she spends her days
loving their granddaughters, hoping for a boy someday, and writing. When she’s
not writing, you can find Calisa putting on her editor hat and working to help
other published and aspiring writers.
She is working on more projects with her favored
contemporary cowboys, first responders
and firemen, as well as, the occasional ‘other’ heroes- and their sexy
female counterparts, those sassy, stubborn heroines.
Thanks again for letting me come by today.
