Top 100 Crime Novels

This morning, With Cruel Intent rose to be included in the top 100 Crime Novels sold on Amazon.com.  The list is dynamic, changes every minute - we hope to maintain our presence as long as we can.  The recognition from several sites has been helpful and they are linked below:

Featured on several of their pages!

 These are both informative and reputable sites catering to eBook deals! 

Listed in their Bargain Section

I've been working quite aggressively lately to complete the first draft of my next novel, a post-apocalyptic tale set in the area where I grew up.  Initial reviews from family and friends has been very positive and I think readers will enjoy the change of pace from my previous works.  Thanks for your continued support.

Visit the page listing here.

Hawaiian Cruise Holiday

February 2013 we ventured to Honolulu to begin a 7-Day Cruise aboard Norwegian, our first time testing the water's, so to speak.  Our experience was not ideal due to an outbreak of the Norwalk Virus the week before we sailed, bringing the ship during our cruise into a quasi 'lock-down' state.  Service aboard the ship was mediocre at best, with all available staff trying to keep up with cleaning and trying to serve in the buffet.  We couldn't even salt and pepper our own food!  The experience on the ship was therefore not what we had hoped but we still had a great time with our friends, the Camps.  Much of our time was spent on shore, among the various islands; sightseeing, quading, eating and generally enjoying our time in the sunshine.
Below you can capture a bit of the fun we had:

Japanese Garden - Hilo

Sunset near Diamond Head

Nothing better than 2 weeks with this beauty!

Quad Trip on Kauai - Banditos

Kauai - Our Favorite Island

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Dennis & Holly 2013 - Hawaii

 Black Sand Beach

Pearl Harbor Gunners, Dennis & Val

Incredible Rainbow over Honolulu

I've always wanted to visit the memorial and museums of Pearl Harbor but I was not emotionally prepared for the deep sadness and reverence I would feel while there.  All these years later, I am in awe of the heroism and bravery of the men and women that fought, some living and many dying, on that historic day.  I couldn't help but think that a message was being sent our way when the rainbow above rested over the city of Honolulu for over two hours, the exact length of time that we were at the memorial.  Coincidence?  Maybe, but I was still so very touched by this beautiful event.

Oahu Impressive Northern Coast

Beautiful locations, good friends, a wife that I adore and no work for two weeks.  What could be better? Oh, maybe retirement so I can do this fun stuff full time!

An Evening at the Reay's

My sweetheart is away visiting our youngest daughter and family so Cory and I are managing on our own for a few days.  Easier said than done.  Thankfully I have some wonderful children that look out for their old Dad and make sure I'm fed.  We had a bit of a Dog-Introduction Celebratory Dinner and Danielle and Allan's tonight.  Haley got a new little puppy this week, Ruby, and you'll see from the pictures she is just as cute as our Hannah when she was little.  The kids had so much fun with her and were so excited.  You just can't capture the pandemonium and excitement with words or video, you had to be there.

If I ever need to smile, all I have to do is think of my wonderful little grandchildren and their antics and it brings a smile to my face.  There is nothing greater than being a grandpa unless it's from the perspective of grandma.

Today I spent most of the day, again, editing some punctuation errors and typos from my manuscript, 'With Cruel Intent'.  Next time I hire a copy editor!!  Uncle Rick got the proof copies in the mail and they look really good.  I have to say I'm pretty proud of the final product even if we don't become world renowned because of it.  I'll be happy just to have it to show my grandchildren and great grands when they come along.

Ruby

Some photos from our fun evening together.

Des and Lillian

Reay Children entertaining Ruby

Walker proving to us that he can fly - Awesome Attempt!

Book his #4 a few days ago on the Amazon.ca Romance Suspense Novel List!

Holly at Snow Canyon - St. George, Utah Dec. 2012

Really missing Holly and St. George tonight!

The Superhero 'Walk-a-Do' Turns 4

This past week my energetic grandson, Walker, turned four years old.  He is such the 'minnie me' to his father, Allan.  I get such a kick out of how excited he gets over various things especially Superheroes and lately, Transformers.  Walker has been such a wonderful blessing to our family.  He was our first grandson and we are fortunate to have he and his family so close.  We get to see them on a regular basis and have seen him grow and grow and grow into the stout little man that he is today.  Allan is sure that he will be, in not too many years from now, playing linebacker for the BYU Football Team.  I have no doubt that he will have the physical capabilities to do just that.  I believe that we all have the ability to accomplish whatever we focus our energies on.
Walker, or as I prefer to call him, Walk-a-Do, has more energy than I ever remember any of our children having.  I just sit back and watch and chuckle to myself as his parents try to contain this bundle of, sometimes misguided, kinetic energy.  On one hand he can be 'over the top' all boy, dragging his little sister around while she screams and a minute later he will be holding and cuddling her and telling her it's going to be alright.  Seeing the interaction of he and his sisters is magical to us as grandparents.  He adores his older sister, Emma, and counts the minutes till she will return from school so they can play dress up, he being the hero in every circumstance, I'm sure.
I appreciate so much, in this little boy, that he cares about others and is concerned about their welfare.  He is going to grow to be a big, powerful man but I have no worries that he will still retain his compassion and love of others.  It warms my heart to have him be so excited about his next 'sleep-over' party with grandma and grandpa.  It is one of the days of the month that we look forward to the most.  Walker stands out as a unique character in our family and we are so very blessed to have him be a part of our sometimes hectic lives.
Walk down memory lane with me as we look back at his past four years!

Driving Instructor Walker

The Blanket Fort

Walker 'Texas Ranger' on his Hog

The Reay Children, Perfect Blend of Mom and Dad

Walker wearing more clothes than usual

Danielle with kids at the circus, so very excited!

Walker, loved by Aunts and Uncles - Richard, what's up?

Aunt Haley loves her little buddy

Reay Family with SLC Temple Backdrop 2012

Walker learning to shoot from the 'Master'?

Reading Time with Grandma - Famous Sleep-Overs

What Grandpa's Do Best?

 Walk-a-Do, what a Cool Dude!

Just Chillin' at Uncle Rick's Pool

Walker loves his 'Dress up'

These two may fight like crazy but they are so sweet together most of the time.

Walker, the boy behind the smile.

The 'Real' Walker Allan Reay!

Happy Birthday Walker, we love you so much!

My Novel 'With Cruel Intent' Is Available NOW!

In October of this past year I started on a quest to write a romantic short story for my wife.  Once I got into the story and with some direction of my wife, the story took on a life of it's own and it eventually became 'With Cruel Intent'.  A novel synopsis is below:

The author of 'With Cruel Intent' takes the reader on a roller coaster of a ride, evoking an array of emotions as the main characters experience happiness, romance, treachery and pain.
A stagnant heat and economy push Blanche Delaney, a beautiful 33-year-old librarian, to pack her bags and head for Valdosta, Georgia in search of happiness, adventure and love.  Concerned that life is passing her by she is compelled to travel the thousands of miles away from family and friends to start a new life among a host of Southern characters that will ultimately change her life forever.  Her new home, a temporary room at Caroline's Bed & Breakfast, introduces the woman to true Southern hospitality.  The array of guests, coming and going, opens the door for antics that prove to be both humorous and horrifying.
A trio of unlikely suitors enters the librarian's life, each with unique capabilities and characteristics; Jasper, a black bodybuilder who is liked by all, an unlikely hero in Seymour, an awkward university student that falls for Blanche and lastly, an accomplished burglar, with no rap sheet but an obsession with the shapely newcomer.
The untimely death of a local real estate tycoon pits Beverly Marshall, the middle aged widow, against her stepson, Jeremy, for control of the estate.  A conspiracy develops that draws the unknowing lovers into the fray, leading the reader on a wild crime-ladened ride through the homes and streets of Lowndes County.  Before long the entire populace is scared and seeking answers from the local Sheriff's Office, headed by Sheriff Angelo Lupo, 'The Wolf'.  Twists and turns aplenty as the entire cast of unlikely characters will be pulled together in an explosive and very unexpected ending.

Available at www.amazon.com

 The Kindle Digital version is available now and the Soft Cover version will be available in a week or so.  If in Canada use www.amazon.ca.
$3.99 for the Digital Version and $14.99 for the Soft Cover

Sleep-over Party & Gma & Gpa's

Every few months we get to have our Reay grandchildren over for a sleep-over party.  Cars, play-kitchen, books and treats are the order of the day.  Today was no different except the cupcakes had small cookies baked into the center of them for a little surprise.  Emma, Walker and Lillian certainly enjoyed Grandma's Special Cakes.  Emma is getting so big that she can read to me better than I to her and Walker is the ultimate Super Hero or Power Ranger depending upon the day.  Lillian is just content to look at books as long as they have animals in them so she can do the sounds over and over again.  I especially like that all birds say 'quack', bunny's say 'hop hop' and fish make her smack her lips together.
There is nothing better than being a parent and grandparent.  Greatest memories and joys are created within the walls of your own home, at least it's been that way for us.  Some pictures of our latest adventure with the kids below:

Grandma frosting the cupcakes - cute little granny, eh?

Emma, looking so cute with her new haircut.

Walker, not sure if he gets more in him or on him.

Lillian, made quick work of her treat as per usual.

Auntie Haley came to help out, so much fun to watch her play with the kids.

Movie Time - Walker was so excited, looks so much like his dad.

Lillian, of course, was more interested in eating my keyboard than the movie.

Emma loves to snuggle with Gma when watching a show.

 

 

Hannah just seems to take it all in stride, a precious moment without Lillian mauling her.

 

My Son, Cory, 22 on the 22nd!

I grew up with three brothers and no sisters, so when our first three children were girls I found myself at a bit of a loss as to what to do.  I knew nothing of hair bows or hormones and it was quite a rude awakening, to say the least.  You can imagine how relieved I was when our fourth child was a little boy, who we have called 'Big Guy', from the time he was very small.  He helped to level the playing field in our home and gave his sisters something to focus on.  I can't even begin to count the number of times he was dressed up, made up and fussed over.  Cory was the 'toy' his sisters had always wanted and they spoiled him more than we did as his parents.
As a child, Cory was always interested in doing 'Big Work' cause he was sure he was a 'Big Worker Man'.  If there was a screw driver, saw or any sort of tool involved he had to be right in the thick of things.  I love to look back in my mind's eye to see him toting a tool, almost bigger than himself, to help with any type of project.  Putting the swing set together in our backyard stands out as one of those events.  It was difficult to bring down a few years ago because each time I would look at that play-set, I could still see the kids laughing and playing and Cory right in the middle of the fun.
Cory has always been a tender-hearted little guy and never liked to see anybody struggling or sad.  I remember on one occasion, he was at the office with me and a man approached us as we left the mall at Christmas time and asked us for some change.  I had none but Cory had two loonies and insisted on giving them to the stranger.  This example has stuck with me all these years and I can't turn people away because of the actions of my little boy.
I don't know where the years have gone.  Just yesterday he was a skinny little toddler making the whole family laugh with his antics, doing 'squinty-eyes' or the 'funny walk'.  He's always been able to make us laugh with his quick wit and funny perspective of the world around us.  Those years pass too quickly and if you're a parent you know what I mean.  Cherish those years!  My days used to start with Cory shaving right along with me, him sitting on the counter, lathered up and matching me, stroke for stroke, with an old razor with no blade.  He would then take me prisoner and lock me in the imaginary jail so I didn't have to go to work and could stay home and play trucks with him.  Oh, how I wish I could turn the clock back and get locked in that jail again.
We have been blessed to see some modern-day miracles in the life of our son.  For years, we feared that he would be smaller than his friends and we knew this troubled him, but following some miraculous changes to his health and problems with food allergies, he has grown to be taller than myself and is as strong as a bull.  He still worries that he's not big enough but I keep telling him, "Just wait till your metabolism slows down, and then you'll be working to keep the weight off.  Look at me and my brothers."
My boy has always shown only the greatest respect for Holly and I and I love him for that.  He is honest and can share his deepest thoughts and most troubling concerns with us and we love him for it.  Cory is no longer a boy, even though he can be a boy at heart, as you'll see in the pictures below.  He is a man that I am so very proud of.  He has worked to overcome challenges and has the character of a man that I will be proud to have carry my name into the next generation.
Cory is a vibrant member of our family and we are certainly not complete without him.

Story Time with Holly and Sisters

Cory and Grandma Lynn at Logan Zoo

Army Man Dress Up, An Every Day Occurrence

Duck Feet From Nursery at Church

Cory Graduates from Playschool

Cory relaxing with Dad and Great Grandma Verlyn

Big Worker Man Birthday - His mom, her only time as a redhead.

More Big Work - digging holes for new trees.

Cory giving his sisters a quick flight in a chopper like his Uncle Rick.

Cory during his weapons phase.

Still in the weapons phase but more deadly.

Playing with Eli, a nephew.

More fun with nieces and nephews, this time with Lillian.

Cory never passes up a chance to make us laugh!

My pheasant hunting partner - 2011.

Kind of ticks me off that he's a better shot than me!

Boys will be boys, who wants to grow up anyway? Christmas 2012

Trip to Utah 2012, Haley, Holly and Grandma Broby

Driving Hannah crazy, we're quite sure she hates him.

Holly and our children - 2011 Mother's Day

What an amazing and fun 22 years, very much looking forward to the next 22 with my 'Big Guy'.  Happy Birthday Cory!  Know that we love you more than words could ever say!