Friday, March 25, 2016

Another walk down memory lane - Aloha to Connie Y. Harris and FOREVER IN OCALA



Growing up in Miami, my family escaped to Florida's rolling hills in Marion County for short breaks.  From its  website (link),

The county is internationally known as the “Horse Capitol of the World” for its more than 700 horse farms covering more than 30,000 acres with 450 of the farms in the thoroughbred. Ocala has capitalized on this with a variety of international horse shows including dressage, jumping and driving events.

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The title and cover of Connie Y. Harris' debut novel, FOREVER IN OCALA, caught my attention on social media ...

Determined to protect her life and heal her broken heart, equine vet, Ariel Armstrong, seeks a refuge from her violent ex-boyfriend. Her job working with prized race horses enables her to hide in plain sight and care for her brother, an injured Marine. After losing her father to war and witnessing her brother’s daily battle to overcome his injuries, she’s sworn off military men forever.

Gavin Cross, Navy SEAL, and the son of Ariel’s new boss has one mission in life—to serve his country. After showing signs of PTSD, he’s sent home but vows to get back in the action ASAP. The last problem he needs is an emotional entanglement but the beautiful vet’s love tempts him in an undeniable way and has him questioning his need to return to duty. Will Gavin choose a future with Ariel or protection of America from terrorism?

Connie Y Harris

From Connie's website, connieyharris.com,


With close ties to the Navy SEAL community, Connie’s mission as a writer is to offer the reader a realistic portrayal of men who transfer their alpha tendencies and athletic prowess into serving a noble cause.

A former English teacher and corporate executive Connie holds a B.A from East Carolina University. Although she continues her role as Vice President in a busy ad agency, her first love has always been writing. She maintains a portfolio of songs, poems and stories she wrote as early as ten. When she isn’t working or writing, Connie enjoys Zumba fitness and claims her best story ideas come to her while dancing.


Connie lives with her family and two adorable Westies near the Gulf Coast of Florida.



Florida is also home of the Navy SEAL Museum (link). Thank you, Connie, for your close ties to the Navy SEAL community and featuring a Navy SEAL in your contemporary romance!  

I am giving away Navy swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about horses - do you have any experience with them?  

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Horses grazing on Oahu's North Shore
(under the Opana Radar Station)

14 comments:

  1. I only went horseriding once as a child. But occasionally feed some horses in a field closeby.

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  2. I must say Jo's Daughter that sounds exactly like me.

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  3. I love horses but sadly I've never ridden. They are some beautiful animals. I didn't realize there were so many horse farms in Floridas. Thanks for the interesting post.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  4. I rode horses when I was a kid and even won a couple of blue ribbons in a riding event. Have only ridden a couple of times as an adult. Wished there had been more opportunities.

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  5. I love betting on them at the race track.

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  6. I have limited experience, but my daughter works on a horse farm and gifts us with her knowledge of them. LOL

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  7. I used to ride as a child, but now, I am too afraid of falling off to really enjoy it. This sounds like a book I need to read, though, as I know Ocala well!

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  8. Only the one that fell when I was in Haiti climbing down a mountain side. I don't blame the horse - they were probably terribly overworked. I still think horses are magnificent.

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  9. I love to see horses and pet them. I have only ridden a horse a couple of times.

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  10. Seen them, but never had a chance to ride on one.

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  11. I liked horses have not ridin one
    Kimh

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  12. I took a few riding lessons when I was a teenager & have taken trail rides, but haven't riden in years.

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