If you’re casting about for something to do on Friday, September 18, why don’t you head over to the Neighborhood Comedy Theater in Mesa. I’ve been invited to tell some stories, after which improv comedians will act them out. Sounds interesting, yes? The show starts at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available here or at the door.

Liaison: A Next Chapter Imprint

Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Rebecca Quinn escapes her controlling husband and, with nowhere else to go, hops the red-eye to Arizona. There, Gaby Strand – her aunt’s college roommate – gives her shelter at the Salt River Inn, a 1930’s guesthouse located in the wildly beautiful Tonto National Forest. Becca struggles with post-traumatic stress, but is enthralled by the splendor and fragility of the Sonoran Desert. The once aspiring artist meets Noah Tanner, a cattle rancher and beekeeper, Oscar Billingsley, a retired psychiatrist and avid birder, and a blacksmith named Walt. Thanks to her new friends and a small band of wild horses, Becca adjusts to life in the desert and rekindles her love of art. Then, Becca’s husband tracks her down, forcing her to summon all her strength. But can she finally stop running away?

Get your copy here.

Praise for Wild Horses on the Salt

“Wild Horses On The Salt showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven and dramatic storytelling that is the hallmark of an award-worthy novel.” – Midwest Book Review

“Ms. Montgomery weaves an intricate parallel tale, portraying the struggles of one woman, and that of a lost wild stallion—both fighting to rise above the cruelty of an unkind world. Her unique writing style, incredible knowledge of her subject matter, combined with her ability to create vivid scenes of the East Valley, and particularly the Tonto National Forest and Salt River area in Arizona, takes the reader on a fascinating (and educational) journey.” – Margaret Millmore Author

“A beautiful yet tragic story of healing.” – Erin Kosio Amazon

“The story of the wild horses of the Salt is expertly interwoven into this exciting and thoughtful story of a wounded soul determined to regain her life and find genuine love.” – Sharon Grow Goodreads

“It is a romance, not just between men and woman, but between people and a place. Montgomery captured it and accurately, too. This was an engrossing read, despite the abuse. I recommend it.” – Anne R. Marshall Amazon

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller-highly recommended.” – Rose Auburn-Writing and Reviews

“Fantastic page-turner. Fast-paced, adventurous, and thoughtful story of the survival of Becca’s wounded soul. Her struggles, experiences, passions, fears, healing, and the truth of her chilly silence are wonderfully portrayed.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

I’m at the age where I find myself thinking more about death and dying. Perhaps that’s because I’m now on Social Security, a financial payment that we’re encouraged to take as late as possible, since the money keeps growing at 8% yearly, which is a damn good return on one’s investment. Before taking those monthly stipends, we’re asked to consider how much we have in savings and what other forms of income we’ll have in retirement. And, of course, we’re told to gage just how long we think we might live, in an effort to not run out of money in our later years.

Though experts can’t pick an exact number, it’s thought that our genes are responsible for between 20 and 40% of our longevity. That has me feeling pretty positive since my dad died one week shy of 96 and my mom was about to turn 99 when she moved on. Still, one never knows when that speeding meteor from outer space will plunge through the atmosphere and strike one on the head, a scenario I mention because, if I had a choice, that’s the end I’d pick: death by giant space rock. Imagine the headline. Wouldn’t that be cool? Of course, I’d want to be instantly vaporized, if for no other reason than to dispense with the “What do we do with her body?” scenario.

My sweetie pie and I have already had the “When we’re dead…” discussions with the kids. We have instructed them who to contact and explained how their inheritance will work. (Sorry, guys, no one gets a dime until you’re at least forty, so use your educations and get good jobs and pay your bills while you wait for us to kick off.)

Then the conversation always turns to our remains.

“I don’t want to be buried,” I’ve explained on multiple occasions. “I’m an organ donor, so let the doctors take whatever they think is useful. Then cook me.”

“You want me to put your ashes in the sea?” Ryan asked. Though the question might sound strange, we’re both scuba divers, so yes, I liked the idea.

“How about you dump some of me in the sea, some of me in the mountains, some of me in a forest, and some of me in my beautiful Sonoran Desert?”

Ryan stared with a look that said, “Nothing is ever simple with you.”

***I’m sporting a lot of metal parts, so I was wondering where they would go when I’m creamated.***

The thing is, I don’t care where my ashes end up. The kids can toss them in the kitty litter, if they want. But I know there will be a bit of a glitch with the dispersal of my earthly remains because of…metal. I have a lot of it. I’m carrying a titanium plate and 11 screws in one leg and I sport a handful of metal plates, spacers, and screws in my spine. Not sure about my teeth, but since they’re awful—I’ve put a lot of dentists’ kids through college—I’m guessing there might be a bunch of metal in my mouth, as well.

I’ve learned that, when I’m dead, they’ll shove me into a big toaster, cook me to the desired texture and temperature, and then they’ll rake through my ashes to find my metal bits. I picture them placing that hardware in a ziplock bag and handing it over to the kids.

“Make a windchime,” I told my son Troy. “String up my parts and hang me in the yard.”

“Really?” he said.

I grinned, picturing my fragments singing in the wind. “Absolutely!”

YOUR FORGOTTEN SONS

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Order your copy today

Find Anne Montgomery’s novels wherever you buy books.

Goodreads

Amazon