Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

romance readers

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                   (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Enough of the weather! Let’s get onto important things, like romance. Today is Jane Austen’s birthday, she was a truly amazing author. While I’d heard about Jane Austen, I never studied her work in school.

Then the 2005 movie of “Pride and Prejudice” came out. I was hooked for life. The words, the actors, the cinematography, the music; breathtaking.

Besides the scene in the rain, this is my second favorite; the happy ever after. When he walks across the pasture with his coat flying behind him and his shirt collar open, big time swooning commences on my part.

We all need more romance. Fire up the tv, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch Jane Austen tonight.

Happy Quirky Friday! Have a great weekend. Who cares about snow and cold weather when we have Jane Austen?

Summer Loving, Photography and Grease?

By 3 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twittter@  WarriorTales)

Some of my best summer kid memories are staying outside late playing when the weather was warm and the air smelled like endless time. Those days seemed to last forever.

Summer sunset in the park with John Travolta singing "Greased Lightning!" Damn!
Summer sunset in the park with John Travolta singing “Greased Lightning!” Priceless!

Even riding in the bed of my Dad’s pickup to go watch the fireworks with family and friends was a big thrill. Yes, current safety concerns aside, many of us boomers did survive the attempt to perhaps thin the herd when we were young; no bike helmets, no air bags and no seat belts for a while. It may also explain a lot about some of us, come to think of it.

This past Friday I joined family and friends and went to see a free movie at the park, “Grease.” I always have my camera with me. After I plopped my butt in my fold up chair, I took a couple of pics of the pink sunset.

Now I didn’t move, mind you, I just clicked away. I like this one the best of the lot, given I was using telephoto to block out fellow movie goers and buildings, the scene might be in a forest. Think fairies and unicorns.

But to prove I am true to my word, here is the rest of the Friday night movie going herd waiting for the fun to begin in the second photo. One of my favorite scenes in another movie “The Wedding Planner,” is when they are watching black and white movies in the park. How romantic! Us real people can actually do these things, especially during the summer.

Used telephoto on this pic too, since we were back in the cheap seats on the hill. This is what America means to me! Outside free summer movies and people watching!
Used telephoto on this pic too, since we were back in the cheap seats on the hill. This is what America means to me! Outside free summer movies and people watching!

So check your parks and library folks and see if there might be a fun free outside movie in your future. In downtown Portland they even show them on top of parking garages. Maybe it’s just us West Coasters who enjoy the outside movies, but I doubt it. Enjoy summer and be a kid again!

Grab your folding chairs, blankies, hoodies, snacks and get outside for movies! Don’t forget your camera too. Magic might happen!

Happy Almost Valentine’s Day Everyone!

By 5 Comments

Kimberly A. Cook                   (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Valentine’s Day Eve, the day when those of us who are single get to buy ourselves presents! The current man in my life at the moment, Spec Ops Cat, is a little tight with his wallet so I shop for myself. Let me tell you, I have excellent taste.

So what better way to celebrate the almost holiday than to view one of my favorite romantic scenes of all time from the only perfect movie version of “Pride and Prejudice” in my opinion, this fabulous clip. See, we all love it so much folks put it on YouTube. And, yes, “The course of true love never did run smooth;” did it Shakespeare?

And huge Happy Birthday hugs and love to my Mom, the best Valentine’s Day baby ever!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all and Happy Quirky Friday!

Moving Into A New Year Of Possibilities?

By 4 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Here we are getting ready to move into 2015. A New Year brings high hopes and fond memories. Since five is supposed to be a lucky number, I’m thinking good things for all of us ahead. That is my wish for all.

Weather is odd once again, woke up to 25 degrees outside and high winds. But we have brilliant sunshine so I can bundle up no problem. Most of the U.S. is in the Arctic Cold outbreak once again so here are some fun things to do this week.

Spec Ops Cat demonstrating his Olympic level napping skills this week. He's a black belt Nap Master. Watch and learn.
Spec Ops Cat demonstrating his Olympic level napping skills this week. He’s a black belt Nap Master. Watch and learn.

1. Figure out what is bugging you the most and clean it out. Did this recently with the container next to my stove that holds my utensils. Couldn’t even get one more in the container, so sorted it out. Stuffed the overage into the kitchen utensil drawer, so now I need to clean that out. But I accomplished one thing!

2. Take a nap. Spec Ops Cat demonstrates his professional level at this activity in the photo. Remember to relax like a cat. Just wish I was as limber as he is.

3. Play a game from your childhood. Taking the Yahtzee game over for New Year’s Eve celebration treats tomorrow to play with family. Nothing like rolling dice and not losing money to make me a happy woman.

4. Read. A magazine, book, cookbook,  ebook or cereal box. It feels like a guilty pleasure to do this during the day in the sunlight, so count me in!

5. Socialize. Whether your watching the bowl games with friends and family, Go Ducks!, or visiting family and friends during the holidays, make time to bond. Actually listen and talk with people. Unplug! It’s a wonderful thing.

6. Be grateful. It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the stuff and things and expectations, but the true joys in life are the little things; always have been, always will be. My favorites this past week were my sister’s pumpkin bread, a calm and happy Christmas, healthy family and friends, donating books to the library, spending Christmas Eve with my Mom, sleeping in and Spec Ops Cat cuddles. Priceless!

Hoping your holidays are going well and let’s all make fun plans for 2015. Happy New Year!

Spring and Summer are just around the corner!
Spring and Summer are just around the corner!

Want To Ride Along With Sled Dogs In Alaska?

By 2 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook                   (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

While most fiction authors are publishing only ebooks, my author bud Cindy is advancing in another direction like the Marines. She decided to augment her latest fiction ebook by indie publishing it in paperback. I love it when one of our “quirky warriors,” as she proposed we call ourselves, slips out of the salmon stream and goes walkabout on land.

Her book “Iditarod Nights” is a great romance read, complete with a feisty heroine, a former cop hero with issues and those wonderful sled dog puppies who steal the show. It’s fast paced and the perfect gift for someone on your holiday list who likes to read paperbacks OR ebooks.

Love this cover! Her talented hubby designed it.

(Love this cover! Her talented hubby designed it.)

So what better way to say thank you to one of my favorite authors, buddies, editors and an all around wild and crazy girl, than show you her latest offering on Amazon. This is Cindy’s third romance fiction book and she is getting ready to publish her first women’s fiction novel very soon. (I’ll keep you updated on that one.)

If you’re looking for a journey to exotic Alaska, this is your romance. Besides, Cindy always comments on my blog posts, so for that she earns a medal. Check it out on Amazon and know I ordered my paperback copy last night to add to my ebook copy. I have a Cindy shelf I keep stocked with her paperbacks. Enjoy romance along the Iditarod sled dog race this winter from your favorite cozy chair!

Link to Cindy’s book: http://www.amazon.com/Iditarod-Nights-Cindy-Hiday/dp/1501059319/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417496228&sr=8-1&keywords=iditarod+nights

Cindy’s web site: www.cindyhiday.com

Lost Your Glass Slipper?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Cruising YouTube and stumbled upon this new movie trailer to Disney’s “Cinderella.” As a life long romantic and believer in HEAs (Happy Ever Afters) this is right up my alley. And the real fantasy part is a pair of high heels that are comfortable!

Get ready for the holiday movie release season, but this film opens in March 2015. Bet it will be a hit, more than 6 million views since yesterday! Now to find a pair of glass slippers……. Actually, I have a pair that are really close to glass slippers in my shoe collection. They are in a box next to the Ruby Red Slippers….

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!