No More Secrets, No More Lies will be coming out at my new publisher THE WILD ROSE PRESS.
Until that happens, you can go check out their website to see the great reads this publisher offers.
THE WILD ROSE PRESS
Marie Visone Roy - Contemporary Romance Novelist
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A Flag Cake for the Upcoming Fourth of July Holiday
Stormbound takes place during a July 4th weekend. After making this delicious dessert below you can sit down, relax and read my story.
BUY LINK for STORMBOUND:
RECIPE FOR FLAG CAKE - Prep time: 20 minutes
1 quart strawberries (4 cups), divided
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 package (8-serving size) or 2 packages (4-serving size each) JELLO-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
Ice cubes
1 cup cold water
1 package (12ounces) pound cake, cut into 10 slices
1-1/3 cups blueberries, divided
1 tub (8 ounces) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
SLICE 1 cup of strawberries. Halve remaining strawberries; set aside
STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is melted. Refrigerate 5 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites).
Meanwhil, line bottom of 13x9-inch dis with cake slices. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup of the blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake slices.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Spread whipped topping over gelatin. Arrange strawberry halves on whipped topping for "stripes" of "flag." Arrange remaining 1/3 cup blueberries on whipped topping for "stars." Store in refrigerator.
Makes 18 servings.
Friday, April 24, 2009
It's Little League and Soccer Season
This time of year holds many memories for me. Both of my sons were involved in Little League. I remember coming home from work and going straight to the baseball field to help out at the concession stand. I remember watching either from the bleachers or the stand my late husband out there coaching his team the Phillies. They were a brand new team and most of these players were inexperienced as far as playing the game.
My husband Bob loved to win. He was a very competitive person. He himself played tennis and was rated at a high level that enabled him to also coach and give lessons in that sport. His tennis team did go on to win a few championships for their school.
But when it came to baseball, yes he certainly loved to see his team win. Except I think that what was even more important to him was that every kid got the chance to play in the game. During the drafting period where coaches got together on the field to choose the players, my husband not only picked the best players for his team, but he picked those who would still need some work, and those who at first did appear to measure up to the rest of the players. For his team Bob picked the first girl to every play in the league. He also picked a young boy who was born with an undeveloped hand. These two were overlooked by other coaches, either that or simply ignored.
Bob felt every kid should have a chance to play in a sport if they wanted to play. The Phillies never went on to win any championship, but they did well and did win enough of their games during the six years that Bob coached that built confidence in the players that I'm sure carried through into their adulthood years later. (Most of these players are now into their late 30's, and maybe early 40's.)
This week one of my sons will be watching his daughter and his son play in soccer practices or games. I'll also go and watch when I can. My other son spends time on a baseball field watching his young son play T-Ball.
Each of them know it doesn't matter if you win or lose, what matters is you get to play in a sport that you want to play. No more. No Less.
Of course it's always a plus when the teams wins. Everyone involved in these sports is a champion and a winner.
I know Bob is looking down from Heaven on his sons and his grandchildren, and he's right there rooting for them every step of the way. Of course I do get sad wishing that he were there beside me instead on this side of life rather than in Heaven standing in that way he usually stands, with arms folded, and wearing his faded favorite jeans and his light blue knit shirt. How tickled he would be to see his grandkids involved in sport. His other granddaughter is a very good tennis player.
The little boy with the undeveloped hand inspired a story for which I am now finding a new publisher. It's a story that when it was available to the reading public before the publishers closed their doors, did receive excellent reviews and I was told this is a story that stays with the reader way after they finish the story.
I think that's what happens when we as writers write from snippets of our own lives because those snippets pretty much tell a story that most are familiar with and most have experienced.
This story titled No More Secrets, No More Lies reminds us to make memories with our kids because in turn they will then go on and make memories with their children, our grandchildren. And in the process these memories keep going through future generations.
My husband Bob loved to win. He was a very competitive person. He himself played tennis and was rated at a high level that enabled him to also coach and give lessons in that sport. His tennis team did go on to win a few championships for their school.
But when it came to baseball, yes he certainly loved to see his team win. Except I think that what was even more important to him was that every kid got the chance to play in the game. During the drafting period where coaches got together on the field to choose the players, my husband not only picked the best players for his team, but he picked those who would still need some work, and those who at first did appear to measure up to the rest of the players. For his team Bob picked the first girl to every play in the league. He also picked a young boy who was born with an undeveloped hand. These two were overlooked by other coaches, either that or simply ignored.
Bob felt every kid should have a chance to play in a sport if they wanted to play. The Phillies never went on to win any championship, but they did well and did win enough of their games during the six years that Bob coached that built confidence in the players that I'm sure carried through into their adulthood years later. (Most of these players are now into their late 30's, and maybe early 40's.)
This week one of my sons will be watching his daughter and his son play in soccer practices or games. I'll also go and watch when I can. My other son spends time on a baseball field watching his young son play T-Ball.
Each of them know it doesn't matter if you win or lose, what matters is you get to play in a sport that you want to play. No more. No Less.
Of course it's always a plus when the teams wins. Everyone involved in these sports is a champion and a winner.
I know Bob is looking down from Heaven on his sons and his grandchildren, and he's right there rooting for them every step of the way. Of course I do get sad wishing that he were there beside me instead on this side of life rather than in Heaven standing in that way he usually stands, with arms folded, and wearing his faded favorite jeans and his light blue knit shirt. How tickled he would be to see his grandkids involved in sport. His other granddaughter is a very good tennis player.
The little boy with the undeveloped hand inspired a story for which I am now finding a new publisher. It's a story that when it was available to the reading public before the publishers closed their doors, did receive excellent reviews and I was told this is a story that stays with the reader way after they finish the story.
I think that's what happens when we as writers write from snippets of our own lives because those snippets pretty much tell a story that most are familiar with and most have experienced.
This story titled No More Secrets, No More Lies reminds us to make memories with our kids because in turn they will then go on and make memories with their children, our grandchildren. And in the process these memories keep going through future generations.
Immune Boosting Smoothie
RECIPE FOR IMMUNE-BOOSTING SMOOTHIE
Children often don't feel like eating following a cold or illness. Their nutrition suffers and their immune system suffers. This accounts for the common occurrence of getting one infection after another. It's best to keep so well nourished that the nutritional reserves can withstand several days of poor eating. Drink this smoothie daily upon school entry in September, upon beginning daycare, upon exposure to a contagious illness, or when you or your child feels a cold coming on.
· 2 cups milk or soy or rice beverage
· 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
· 1 serving of a multinutrient supplement
· one frozen banana, cut up
· 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
· 1/2 cup each of your favorite fruit, frozen (e.g., organic strawberries, papaya, mango)
· 1 tbsp. flax oil or 2 tbsp. flaxseed meal (Because fiber steadies the absorption of carbohydrates and therefore contributes to a steadier blood sugar we suggest using rich sources of fiber, such as flaxseed meal (i.e., ground flax seeds, containing both the oil and fiber), although flax oil has a more palatable consistency than flaxseed meal. For additional fiber, if you don't mind an even grainier texture, add 1 tbsp. or more of oat bran.)
· 3 ounces tofu
· 10 mg. zinc
· 100 mcg. selenium
· 50-100 IU vitamin E
· 1 serving soy isolate powder (optional)
· 2 tbsp. peanut butter (optional)
Combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve immediately after blending while the mixture still has a bubbly milkshake-like consistency.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
HE LIKES IT! HE LIKES IT!!!!
Some of us have kids or grandkids who are "finicky" eaters. We want them to eat healthy but what if they simply refuse to eat certain foods. My five year old grandson has suffered ear infections, sore throats, etc almost since birth. Last year he had his tonsils removed. He had tubes put into his ears for drainage. He's had his adenoids removed. His tonsils were so swollen at one point he refused to eat any meat. You can't blame him. As a result he developed into a bit of a finicky eater.
He is improving as his parents are always trying to encourage him to eat good things, and are patient with him as well.
Last night he and his mom came over for a little while. I had made Portuguese Kale Soup and asked if he wanted to try some. His mom and I both had nofgreat expectations that he would eat it. So you can imagine our surprise when after finishing the first small bowl, he wanted another, and then another. Our eyes lit up because this soup is chocked full with nutritients.
I think it produces the right blends of vegetables and even fruit (tomatoes) that is quite appealing to every palate. I know I usually have a least two bowls of this stuff at a time.
Today I'm going out and getting more of these ingredients and making an extra big pot of it so that I can bring over a large container to both of my sons' houses. Hey, what are grandmother's for anyways? Even if I'm not Portuguese I love this soup. I do have a Portuguese friend who remembers his mom making this soup all the time. I guess you can say it's a memory maker as well.
I'm sharing the recipe here for those who may want to try it especially if they have little ones who are finicky eaters.
PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP
1 pound kale 2 tablespoons butter
1 pound small red potatoes 8 cups Basic Chicken Broth (I buy the fat
free canned chicken broth)
1 cup chopped onions Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup chopped carrots
3 pounds tomatoes (I buy the large canned either diced or crushed tomatoes)
2 cloves garlic
1 pound chorizo (or linguica) sausage (The linguica is not as spicy.)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
1 Strip the kale leaves off their stems and cut diagonally into wide slices. Dice the potatoes. Chop the onions and carrots. Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes. Mince the garlic. Prick the sausage and boil it in water for 5 to 10 minutes to release the fat; drain and cut it into 1/2-inch slices.
2. In a soup pot, heat the oild and butter together. Saute the oinion, carrots, and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce toa simmer, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. With a masher or the back of a cooking spoon, mash most of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
4. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add both the kale and the sausage slices, cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Salt and pepper to taste.
And that's it!
This soup tastes great the next day and the next, if there's any left over.
And of course it'll taste great with freshly made bread.
Since I'm Italian, for an Italian touch, I add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese when serving.
He is improving as his parents are always trying to encourage him to eat good things, and are patient with him as well.
Last night he and his mom came over for a little while. I had made Portuguese Kale Soup and asked if he wanted to try some. His mom and I both had nofgreat expectations that he would eat it. So you can imagine our surprise when after finishing the first small bowl, he wanted another, and then another. Our eyes lit up because this soup is chocked full with nutritients.
I think it produces the right blends of vegetables and even fruit (tomatoes) that is quite appealing to every palate. I know I usually have a least two bowls of this stuff at a time.
Today I'm going out and getting more of these ingredients and making an extra big pot of it so that I can bring over a large container to both of my sons' houses. Hey, what are grandmother's for anyways? Even if I'm not Portuguese I love this soup. I do have a Portuguese friend who remembers his mom making this soup all the time. I guess you can say it's a memory maker as well.
I'm sharing the recipe here for those who may want to try it especially if they have little ones who are finicky eaters.
PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP
1 pound kale 2 tablespoons butter
1 pound small red potatoes 8 cups Basic Chicken Broth (I buy the fat
free canned chicken broth)
1 cup chopped onions Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup chopped carrots
3 pounds tomatoes (I buy the large canned either diced or crushed tomatoes)
2 cloves garlic
1 pound chorizo (or linguica) sausage (The linguica is not as spicy.)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
1 Strip the kale leaves off their stems and cut diagonally into wide slices. Dice the potatoes. Chop the onions and carrots. Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes. Mince the garlic. Prick the sausage and boil it in water for 5 to 10 minutes to release the fat; drain and cut it into 1/2-inch slices.
2. In a soup pot, heat the oild and butter together. Saute the oinion, carrots, and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce toa simmer, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. With a masher or the back of a cooking spoon, mash most of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
4. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add both the kale and the sausage slices, cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Salt and pepper to taste.
And that's it!
This soup tastes great the next day and the next, if there's any left over.
And of course it'll taste great with freshly made bread.
Since I'm Italian, for an Italian touch, I add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese when serving.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Free Dental Clinic in my State
I was just listening to the news this morning. A free dental clinic was held here in my state. And the response was from what I saw overwhelming. They had to turn away over a thousand people. That is sad. Dental health is important to our overall health as poor dental health can cause problems or indicate there is a problem in other areas. For one heart problems. Another is poor nutrition, the inability to eat properly because of ill fitting dentures, or tooth loss.
I pay for my health care insurance. In fact I'm sure that come this July it will probably reach $500 a month for a single person, and since I live on a fixed income that is going to be an added struggle for me. Unless of course I sell more of my stories which will help defray the cost.
And I don't dare let the insurance lapse and try my darndest to get that monthly check into the mail and pay that monthly premium.
I recently had a root canal procedure which cost $1025 of which the insurance paid for $900. But actually what it comes down to is my handing over the monies to the insurance company who in turn hand over the monies to my dentist. The Explanation of Benefits was confusing at best. Dentist Submitted Fee was $1025. Allowable Contracted Fee $900. Amount not covered $125. Amount My Plan Pays $720. And the bottom line is I now owe $180. Maybe I should have this done at the ER because then I only have to pay a co-pay of $25. My last visit to the ER was close to $3,000. You can see how this can be confusing to anyone dealing with health insurance finance issues.
On the other hand, I know someone whose healthcare is through "socialized" healthcare. When she goes to her doctor, which can take weeks to set up an appointment, she feels she does not get as good a care as she would like. They will never schedule tests they feel are unnecessary. They will pooh pooh her aching ailments and write them off as either anxiety attacks, or just plain stress.
I feel when I go have a dental procedure done I do get very good care. This last root canal was made quite comfortable for me, and basically although I dread going to the dentist at every visit, I will continue to go to my dentist because of his professional manner and quality care.
Basically you get what you pay for and I feel since I'm the one paying, that I am getting good quality care. So far two of my doctors I've been with close to thirty years.
I do feel though everyone should have access to quality healthcare in this country. There really is no excuse not to. Considering the number of people who are in need of this, I don't see any reason why it can't be more affordable for them.
Healthy people make a healthy nation.
I pay for my health care insurance. In fact I'm sure that come this July it will probably reach $500 a month for a single person, and since I live on a fixed income that is going to be an added struggle for me. Unless of course I sell more of my stories which will help defray the cost.
And I don't dare let the insurance lapse and try my darndest to get that monthly check into the mail and pay that monthly premium.
I recently had a root canal procedure which cost $1025 of which the insurance paid for $900. But actually what it comes down to is my handing over the monies to the insurance company who in turn hand over the monies to my dentist. The Explanation of Benefits was confusing at best. Dentist Submitted Fee was $1025. Allowable Contracted Fee $900. Amount not covered $125. Amount My Plan Pays $720. And the bottom line is I now owe $180. Maybe I should have this done at the ER because then I only have to pay a co-pay of $25. My last visit to the ER was close to $3,000. You can see how this can be confusing to anyone dealing with health insurance finance issues.
On the other hand, I know someone whose healthcare is through "socialized" healthcare. When she goes to her doctor, which can take weeks to set up an appointment, she feels she does not get as good a care as she would like. They will never schedule tests they feel are unnecessary. They will pooh pooh her aching ailments and write them off as either anxiety attacks, or just plain stress.
I feel when I go have a dental procedure done I do get very good care. This last root canal was made quite comfortable for me, and basically although I dread going to the dentist at every visit, I will continue to go to my dentist because of his professional manner and quality care.
Basically you get what you pay for and I feel since I'm the one paying, that I am getting good quality care. So far two of my doctors I've been with close to thirty years.
I do feel though everyone should have access to quality healthcare in this country. There really is no excuse not to. Considering the number of people who are in need of this, I don't see any reason why it can't be more affordable for them.
Healthy people make a healthy nation.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
No More Secrets No More Lies
is temporarily unavailable due to the publisher closing its doors and now looking for a new home.
This is another story given four and five stars from reviewers. It should not be sitting in my hard drive unavailable to the reading public. I'm doing my best to find it a good home. One nice thing about epublished books they have a very long life span. And hopefully this story will re-emerge soon for those who love a great uplifting romance!
Marie Roy
This is another story given four and five stars from reviewers. It should not be sitting in my hard drive unavailable to the reading public. I'm doing my best to find it a good home. One nice thing about epublished books they have a very long life span. And hopefully this story will re-emerge soon for those who love a great uplifting romance!
Marie Roy
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
IS MY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MAKING ME SICK!
How can this be POSSIBLE some may ask? Do you not have a good healthcare provider.
Well, yes, I do have a healthcare provider.
I pay for this healthcare insurance straight out of my pocket every month.
I've been doing this ever since my husband died in 2002. Before that time I didn't have to pay as it was through the Board of Education and one the benefits of being an educator was having these premiums paid by them or through the state.
It seems strange though to have to pay now at a time in one's life when one can ill afford these high premiums that some Americans are faced with paying on a monthly basis.
When I first started to shell out these monies the premiums were $256 a month. Even then it was a bit of a struggle, but I am one to believe if I don't have coverage, then shit will hit the fan. For example since then I've found myself in the ER twice. One time because I required an angiogram it cost $5,000. The second time in the ER almost $3,000. Then again I've paid a whole lot more into the system than that over the last seven years so basically it wasn't anything that I got for free.
Since 2002 my premiums have risen to almost $475 a month. Now when you're living on a relatively fixed income that rise affects pretty much how I now live. I did have a gym membership at one time. I went faithfully. And all my numbers--cholesterol, blood pressure--were lower because of it.
Well, because of the rise in everything in this country, namely our taxes, insurances premiums for cars and homes, food, gas, heating oil, and of course those premiums for health care I gave up the gym membership.
Consequently, I know I'm not as healthy as I once was when I was taking part in a regular exercise program.
So I'm wondering now. Does our healthcare system that is currently in place really care about the health of the citizens of this country?
I'm not sure.
In fact I would say it could care less as long as the premiums keep rising and people like me support the system.
Something is wrong here.
Then again considering where we got ourselves because of irrational thinking and decisions that basically don't make sense on the parts of those that should be thinking rationally and making sound business decisions plus those who have been living beyond their means, it makes perfect sense that this country is going to feel the pinch of the economy for a very long time.
Meantime, I'll just continue to make my seven-day soups, buy only what I need, sell off my things on Ebay and Half.com, and live way below my means. Since the death of my husband in 2002 I've been doing just that, so doing it now is no big deal anymore.
But for those who have been taking things like "free health care" for granted, or feel they truly needed that third garage for a car they may seldom drive, or the huge house that has suddenly become the Albatross around their neck, then a rude awakening is still in the offering.
Well, yes, I do have a healthcare provider.
I pay for this healthcare insurance straight out of my pocket every month.
I've been doing this ever since my husband died in 2002. Before that time I didn't have to pay as it was through the Board of Education and one the benefits of being an educator was having these premiums paid by them or through the state.
It seems strange though to have to pay now at a time in one's life when one can ill afford these high premiums that some Americans are faced with paying on a monthly basis.
When I first started to shell out these monies the premiums were $256 a month. Even then it was a bit of a struggle, but I am one to believe if I don't have coverage, then shit will hit the fan. For example since then I've found myself in the ER twice. One time because I required an angiogram it cost $5,000. The second time in the ER almost $3,000. Then again I've paid a whole lot more into the system than that over the last seven years so basically it wasn't anything that I got for free.
Since 2002 my premiums have risen to almost $475 a month. Now when you're living on a relatively fixed income that rise affects pretty much how I now live. I did have a gym membership at one time. I went faithfully. And all my numbers--cholesterol, blood pressure--were lower because of it.
Well, because of the rise in everything in this country, namely our taxes, insurances premiums for cars and homes, food, gas, heating oil, and of course those premiums for health care I gave up the gym membership.
Consequently, I know I'm not as healthy as I once was when I was taking part in a regular exercise program.
So I'm wondering now. Does our healthcare system that is currently in place really care about the health of the citizens of this country?
I'm not sure.
In fact I would say it could care less as long as the premiums keep rising and people like me support the system.
Something is wrong here.
Then again considering where we got ourselves because of irrational thinking and decisions that basically don't make sense on the parts of those that should be thinking rationally and making sound business decisions plus those who have been living beyond their means, it makes perfect sense that this country is going to feel the pinch of the economy for a very long time.
Meantime, I'll just continue to make my seven-day soups, buy only what I need, sell off my things on Ebay and Half.com, and live way below my means. Since the death of my husband in 2002 I've been doing just that, so doing it now is no big deal anymore.
But for those who have been taking things like "free health care" for granted, or feel they truly needed that third garage for a car they may seldom drive, or the huge house that has suddenly become the Albatross around their neck, then a rude awakening is still in the offering.
Monday, February 16, 2009
TO ORDER A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE
Lia Martin’s father Eliah Stewart summons her to
The name Eliah Stewart still grates hard against Sean McIntyre’s soul, reminding him of the painful humiliation he had once experienced on that unforgettable night. Years later he would tell others he felt safer fighting in
To Order: Treble Heart Books
TO ORDER NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES
Sydney Morgan, single mother, financial advisor, wants the best for her physically challenged son. Except when his biological father re-enters her life, she realizes the secrets and consequential lies she has forced her son to live may destroy not only his trust but also his love.
When Grant Sinclair brings Sydney Morgan back into his fold, he soon discovers her long held secret. Will this secret end up destroying the yet fragile emotions that still exist between them, as well as a possible future together as a family?
ORDER STORMBOUND
A widow who can't celebrate Christmas at home; a doctor worried about losing another young patient. Together, trapped in a storm with a cast of unusual characters, these two find out what life is truly about and work on discovering the peace that has eluded them.To Order: Aspen Mountain Press
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