Free Ebooks

Dear readers,

With so much going on right now I wanted to do something as so many may be on lock-down or Spring break with nothing to do.

It isn’t much, and I will not post a link to my Amazon Author page as this isn’t promotion but the only thing I could think of to do.

Starting TOMORROW 03/19/2020 through 03/23/2020 all of my available Ebooks, I own the rights to, will be free. (If I did it right)

If there is an ebook you want (that I own rights to) that is NOT free–let me know and I will go make it so.

Stay safe, wash those hands and PLEASE, PLEASE lets pull together as a nation. Lets care about those with medical conditions and the elderly… lets watch each others back with care and compassion.

-Bobbi Romans

Wild Adventures Theme Park

No recipe today… tomorrow one will be forthcoming. Today is giving due where due belongs. Not long ago I posted a review for Universal Studios which I was in NO WAY compensated for, in any capacity and neither have I been for the below. These are my thoughts alone.

Today—Have you even heard of Wild Adventures?

No?

It’s in Valdosta Georgia and is LESS than ½ the cost of the other major theme parks. They stand out though, in a big way, for several VERY notable things.

1) Waterpark, Zoo and Concerts all included in one price.
2) Water is free even at the concession stands.
3) This upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Active and Retired military get in Free!!

Wild Adventures offers a nice sized Water Park with kiddie area as well as monsterous sized slides and water rides as well as a lazy river and lockers conveniently located to store your items while splashing about.

There is also a super cute zoo featuring walkways through shaded woods. (Nice when you’re needing to cool down but don’t want to get wet yet or already got wet and don’t want to wet again.

Their theme park is full of awesome rides such as The Cheetah, Double Shot and my favorite, the Hangman. (too many rides to name)

In the evenings they have concerts which if you are in the park, is included!

I think the water on the hottest day of the year was what impressed me so much. It was ungodly hot. 103. I was miserable but the kids didn’t seem fazed. So, after being convinced to leave the kiddie water fountain (where small jets shoot water upwards and I’d park my fluffy fanny at) we’d headed off to another ride. I was DYING people. Like so hot my head was pounding and I had that fake mom smile on as I forced my feet forward all while smiling. We passed a concession stand and worried I might be overheating stopped to ask how much a cup of cold water was.

Free.

The attendant told me the managers told them that with such massive heat they were worried about all their guests and wanted to make sure we stayed hydrated and healthy.

Wow!

Purchase 7 days in advance and a day pass is: $39.99
2-6 Days in Advance $41.99
At the gates or less than the above required time;
Adults $49.99
Kids and Seniors $44.99
Seasons passes are about $90… something.

They do offer meal deal special offers, but I’ll let you look that up and judge whether a good deal.

So if seeking a summer trip and on a tight budget, I’d easily suggest Wild Adventures.

Happy Hump Day!

-Bobbi Romans

Cabana Bay Beach Resort-Review

Cabana Bay Beach Resort- A Review

In our whirlwind trip to Universal Studios I reviewed a few blog posts back, I promised a review of the Universal resort we stayed at.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort  -5 Stars!

Truly superb, family friendly accommodations!

Okay, where to start about this wonderful place.

*Taps finger on chin* The staff- yes, let’s start there. Every employee we encountered was smiling, friendly and proved they were willing to go out of their way to assist their guests in have a wonderful, memory making vacation.

*Isn’t that what we all hope for? The best memories from these trips?*

The resort offers, multiple temperature controlled pools, a lazy river, a pool slide, fire pits suitable for roasting marshmallows or relaxing around after a fun-filled day and Jacuzzis. There is a sandy area for kids to play, a greenway, outdoor activities/games and the lobby lounge usually has a band playing in the evenings.

*Special Note: Uh, yeah so we go lost trying to find our room. Be advised each complex of Cabana Bay has a name AND… the room number ie; 1236 is building 1, 2nd floor. See what they did there. The building and floor number are a part of your room number*

For the smokers out there, they DO have smoking areas. For those NON-Smokers out there they are placed in areas of less foot traffic .

The rooms are cute and clean and we stayed in a family suite. Now, as in size, they aren’t the largest, that said, they are by far better set up and have just about anything you might need. A mini fridge, microwave, sink, mini Keurig type coffee maker, paper plates/bowls, spoons, etc. The hide-a-bed in the sofa? Memory foam comfort! Whomever gets the sofa bed, there are drawers in the wall which really do open for putting your clothes away and a patrician wall to separate the bedroom from the living room area. TV’s in both.

There are plenty of food choices right there at the resort and even a laundry area. Once at Cabana Bay, you truly have no need in leaving. Besides the lounge/grills that are poolside there is also the Bayliner Diner which has numerous food choices in a cafeteria type setting. (Pizza, spaghetti, chicken, etc)

As far as getting to and from the parks there is never an easy way. But, Cabana Bay offers free shuttle service that basically takes you right to the escalators which take you up to all the walkways leading up to the parks and City Walk.

The shuttles run every 15 minutes so you will never have a huge wait for one and trust me after a long day at the parks all you want is an easy way back.

We enjoyed Cabana Bay so much, we realized you could easily skip the parks and have a wonderful and relaxing vacation right there, without ever having to leave for anything.

A BIG thank you to Cabana Bay Beach resort and its wonderful staff for helping make our Easter Weekend trip, extra special. (The wee ones loved their face-painting and Easter egg hunt)

Turning 50 – A mom’s eye view

Let’s start this post with a heads-up. My posts can be on anything at anytime. Happy, dark, funny or just plain insane.

Why? Because isn’t that how life rolls?

I’m Bobbi Romans. I used to write romance. Hell, I used to write period. Loved it. It was my anchor and my sanity savor. Then life went hard left while I was still strolling on the right.

Life changed. But it always does.

Now, I’m back at an office job with little free-time for writing (which I’m going to try and change) and helping a family member through a gnarly divorce and custody battle all while STILL trying to keep me-me.

I turned 50, fell twice, screwed my knee up and if a certain person I love doesn’t stop suggesting maybe losing a few pounds might help the healing knee—well there may be some ex-lax brownies in their future!

Yes, my poor knobby knee is protesting the fat ass it’s trying to keep upright. No, that’s a lie. I have no ass. Really. I don’t get it. Other women get chubby and get big boobs and a butt.

Me?

Nope. Belly. All belly.

Now going back to the falls, in fairness, the tub should have more of those non-skid things and the second fall was because some buffoon filled the dog water so full it puddled out. New gorgeous tile + water= Me sailing beyond the kitchen to rather ping-pong like off every door jam and wall between the kitchen and laundry room.
Ended up on my back with my daughter and granddaughter staring over me, freaked out and asking if I was ok.

See, that’s how you know you’re old. Younger = laughter after a fall. Older=horrified looks and phones being pulled out to call 911.

For all this however, I’m digging 50. I don’t care about the wrong things as much as I understand the right ones.

No make-up for work? No biggie. Ran out of time to dress up for the party? Cool, the house is clean and food is cooked even if I do appear as if I’ve stuck my finger in a socket and am wearing half the flour bag. I’ve finally, truly understood, those who matter don’t care what you did or did not wear. How your hair was fixed or how on point your make-up is/was.

They care you are there.

See, I think many of us have friends and family that have been this way, WE however didn’t understand it.

I tried to be the Do-It-All Mom. I didn’t buy the cookies, I made them. I didn’t buy the costumes… I made those too. Volunteer? Yep, not a day of but the weeks of. All while working full time.

Then I learned, it wasn’t the homemade vs store bought that mattered.

It’s that you are THERE.

Something about turning 50 changed things for me. I want more time to enjoy the actual events in life rather than wasting so much time looking the best that I can, while trying to be June Cleaver so much that I essentially missed life’s special moment(s). So I’m sharing my recent discovery hoping maybe someone else’s life is a nutty as mine and they are wondering if its okay to say… enough.

Don’t get me wrong. I still try to keep myself up. Just not to the degree I did before. If I run out of time for make-up-don’t care. Touch of bronzer and its out the door. If I run out of time to make that cake? Life is too short, I swing by a bakery and buy one.

I’m not Superwoman and I’m tired of trying to be.

I am me and I’m okay with that.

-Bobbi

Am I a broken reader?

Am I a broken reader?

I write this because well… I guess I read, and LOVE, what I see so many hate. Loathe, reject or deny.

Let me start by saying, this post is NOT about anyone. Its not what anyone said or did, but I what I keep stumbling across as the “norm.”

Growl. I can’t tell you how many posts I’ve run across where some say, “Oh for the love of baby kittens, NO MORE GROWLING.”

Me?

I fucking love it. Done right, if he growls at her, it shivers me timbers. Am I broken?

Millionaires and surprise babies. There are some who say, give me MORE! Some places actually push that troupe.

Me?

What the ever loving fuck? I’m so damn broke and menopausal my head can’t even begin to wrap around that. Not even for a minute. Am I broken?

First vs Third? Again, I’ve run across countless posts, from readers, agents and even editors. Heck, even crit classes. AVOID first.

Me?

LOVE it. I often write 1st POV and more often, read it. When done well, you become that character for their story. Don’t get me wrong. If there are many emotions from many characters I think 3rd is best to better get this across to the reader. Am I broken?

There are so many DON’TS that are my DO list that I’m lest wondering…

Am I a broken reader/author?

Weigh in. Gimme your thoughts. I’m curious.

 

Food: The dreaded grocery bill!

 

I’ll be switching gears from food back to romance this week. That said, there are other recipe books in the works.

 

I’m sort of known as the “holiday” cook as well. ANY holiday and recipes ranging from creating dishes with faces for the Wee Ones running amok, or making a MOUNTAIN of a casserole for the massive gatherings we have.

 

The “Bobbi Romans Recipes for Giant Sized Families on Fairy Sized Budgets” needs no blurb, but while that is my normal (every day) cooking, I can and do pull out the stops for gatherings.

Ebook

Print

 

But for any of you foodies out there, I’m going to share my biggest challenge.

 

The food BUDGET!

 

Ack!

 

Its darn near impossible to cook recipes AND stay within whatever your shopping limit is. Me? Ours ranges from $250.00-$300.00 a week. Can I cook for less? Of course! But it won’t be recipes I want to try. It will be staple dinners like SOS, Breakfast for dinner, beans and rice and so forth.

 

HOT DOGS! OMG– remember when that used to be the “cheap” meal? Have you see the price on some of those brands out there? I’d love to try some but with a crew that requires a min of 4 packs for a dinner, simply can’t.

 

Yes I’m an author, but a fledgling one so no… money isn’t rolling in. Hubby is the sole bread winner in the house with the grown kids here, pitching in a little, as we’re doing our best to help them get back on their financial feet, the grocery tab is about the biggest bill. (House pymt and electric are the only bills to top it)

 

Lunch time can be tricky. I’ve got to make sure I’ve got both packable lunches for the hubs and Wee Man, but also, lunch items for those of us still here. (4)

 

Eggs! Yep, eggs can go far. Egg salad, boiled eggs and in a pinch when stretching a dinner, deviled eggs. The Ramen noodle supreme (in the book) and flour tortillas are staples here in the house as well. Come on, a flour tortilla can be ANYTHING!

 

A breakfast burrito, a cheese taco, heck Wee Man likes his hot dogs in them. Hubby and nephew put whatever, and I mean, WHATEVER dinner is, in one and roll it up at dinner time.

 

What’s your one favorite food MUST have staple that your family requires in the house?

 

A Bobbi Romans, DON’T!

 

I’m going to try and be more “productive” in my blog, postings.

 

Right now, a Bobbi Roman’s CATASTROPHE DON’T!!

 

Do not, I repeat, do NOT attempt to oil and flour cake pans with Canola Oil. Those true bakers out there, QUIT LAGHING!! No, I’ve never tried (apparently) and grabbed my Bakers Joy to discover it empty. I was forcing myself to stay awake last night, around midnight to get the cakes at least baked, for the shower I attended/threw today.

 

Grabbed the Canola oil, oiled, floured the pans and popped 4 cakes in the oven. (Was a 3-tier cake)

 

Tried to get the biggest out… half stuck. No biggie, I used strawberry preserves to fill the large gaps in the center. Then made the 2nd large, popped it in the oven, while I began trying to get the other cakes out. ALL but 2 stuck.

 

I mean, unusable STUCK!!

 

W-T-F???!!

 

I got the 2nd large cake out, and attempted to gently inch the edges away, praying it wouldn’t fall apart like the others did. Thought I had it, went to flip it on the other large (preserve filled) cake and …

 

BAM! Fell apart into a million pieces on the other cake.

 

I was in TEARS!!! Its now approaching 2 am, and my sweet daughter offers to make a Walmart run. So off she and my SIL go.

 

She, saw the Bakers Joy, and thought… I bet mom needs this.

 

THANK YOU BABY JESUS!

 

Re made ALL the cakes, using Bakers Joy and Voila! Everyone of them came out perfect. Only had about 4 hours sleep (wee miss had leg aches all night) but managed to pull off a semi-decent looking cake that was, (I’m diabetic) according to others, DELICIOUS!

 

So make a mental note somewhere… NEVER, EVER USE CANOLA for oiling cake pans!!!

 

Now– chilling after a happy, but long day!

 

 

 

2 Fab Valentines Giveaways a Recipe & a NEW release!

Coming Valentines Day, I’m finally releasing the cookbook that has been so requested. It won’t be for everyone, but for those with super sized families… this one’s for you!

Bobbi Romans Recipes for Giant Sized Families or Fairy Sized Budgets releases on February 14th 2017.

To help celebrate BOTH the release AND Valentines Day, I’ve got not ONE but TWO fun giveaways going on! Simply, 1st-go to my Amazon Author Page here: Amazon Page

then head over to my Bobbi Romans FB Page (Bobbi Romans Books) Here:BobbiRomansBooks and simply comment, “Done” to be entered.

Winners announced on February 15th 2017.

NOT in the recipe book, but for those with little ones and on tight budgets, here’s an easy something I’ve done for years on Valentines Day.

Heart Shaped Meatloaf!

No pan needed. This works for anyone’s preferred recipe, but I’ll tell you how I make mine.

3-5 pounds of ground beef

2-3 pounds of ground pork (or a tube of your favorite sausage works)

3 eggs

Sleeve of crackers (any should work fine, so grab what’s on sale) OR bread crumbs

1 Packet of DRY vegetable OR onion soup mix.

Mix meat with eggs, soup and crackers/crumbs. Kids LOVE helping make this! Just remember to have them wash their hands thoroughly when done.

On cookie sheet or preferred baking pan, shape mixture into a heart OR make individual serving hearts. ( ex: 6 eating=6 mini hearts etc) Pop into 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. DRAIN grease from pan by gently titling over grease catcher. (In my case its a small silver pan.) Squeeze ketchup over top (to make your heart(s) RED and return to oven. For mini loaves, for about 10 more  minutes, for a full loaf 15-20 more or until meatloaf is thoroughly cooked through in middle. (if you are unsure, use a meat thermometer. I make ENORMOUS loaves and cook time is typically about 30-45 min.)

Let stand about 10-15 minutes before serving.

Now, its Valentines Day, you might want a “special” meatloaf. Make it STUFFED. You can still do the heart shape, but use 1/2 the mixture and press down in your pan. Lay sliced ham and sliced Swiss in the middle. Top with remaining meat THEN form  your heart. Now you have Cordon Bleu Loaf! Instead of ketchup, use a good marinara.

Note: Because its stuffed add 5-10 minutes to cook time.

Happy Valentines Day!

Bobbi Romans

 

 

 

 

Dear Short Little Rebel,

You make a post, minus video, closing comments off and state your feelings. While I get your point, that in almost every case we read, see or hear, there are TWO-SIDES to every coin, your hurtful words based on your “opinion” and yes, you state fact when it is in your “FEELINGS” is doing much the same as your chastising post.

Both sides (based on your comment the teacher didn’t know Caleb thought he was speaking) failed, Caleb. The one in the end that was hurt most, was Caleb. The Teacher is grown and though the hateful rhetoric poised at her, was vulgar and mean, she, as a capable adult, can deep down rationalize “some” of it.

Caleb, cannot.

Many things could have been done to prevent this.Mom whispering to the teacher “he wants to say Goble-Gooble” because, what would allowing a little boy to say Gobble, Gobble have hurt? Two simple words could have given a large gift to a little boy who struggles every day.

I’m the parent of such a child… their struggle daily, is FACT.

In the video you conveniently left off– you can hear “gasps” from other parents as the teacher “Snatches” and yes… I saw the video. SHE SNATCHED it with force and turned her back on a clearly, upset child. Autistic or not, that was a DOUCHE move and she’s paying the piper for it. If, as you state violent threats are coming her way, than no–that’s taking things way too far. But she DID react inappropriately to this situation.

I SAW the video and that is FACT.

According to you, MOM did too. You go on to say, he never attended practices, maybe that was for the best? Either way, a simple Gooble-Gooble, an innocent want, of an innocent child was ignored, and you say “he’s entitled” but then the mom “wants others to treat him the same”–well Ms. Short Rebel, there is no “regular” with Autism. It hurts. It can cut a parent to the bone knowing our child rarely fits in, no matter how hard they may try. Then we see beautiful actions and emotions so raw, many other children wouldn’t have experienced and our hearts are filled with hope.

Autism is a cursed blessing.

We have brilliant, beautiful children that are of their own world but yet which we often cannot merge into our own.

Until you can understand this, I suggest laying off the “entitled” comments.

You haven’t walked down the bumpy, golden road.

Original Video: Caleb Youtube Video

Short Little Rebels Post Link: Short Little Rebels Link

Bobbi Romans

Author-Mom- Grandmother- Wife– basically, a human with compassion.

Win BOOKS & Gain Recipes!

Loads of events happening RIGHT NOW!!

1st be sure and enter the Dark Justice: Vengeance with Sizzle AMAZON Giveaway.

What do you get when you combine Five Bad Guys, Five Heroes with Five Different Authors and Stories?
One wicked, steamy book where being bad — never felt so Justified

Giveaway Link Here:DARK JUSTICE GIVEAWAY

Next is the An American Holiday AMAZON Giveaway!

Ahh, Thanksgiving… complete with ghosts of holidays past. Those being humiliating memories of last year’s revelry gone wild: jail cells, a tattoo and rose left on Kristi James pillow by someone she can’t remember.

Toss in two brothers who, while loving, had needled her with vivid imagery on what might have happened during that fateful rendezvous at the local HoJo’s. Seriously, what’s a girl to do? She’d run like hell from Harpers Ferry back to her apartment and job in Alexandria.
She’s praying this year’s holiday ends a bit more traditional. But between exploding turkey’s, cranberry fights, and the winter storm threatening to lock them all together for

God only knew how long, she’s fairly certain her Norman Rockwell hopes have flown the coop.

Adding another layer to this casserole of disaster, the high school boyfriend—who’d cheated on her two days before prom—returns, claiming to have made a horrid mistake all those years prior.

Amid all this, what has her heart flip-flopping is catching her best friend Simon getting cozy with his latest girlfriend.

Thing is, she isn’t sure why its bothering her so badly.

Sometimes it takes coming home again… to discover how lost we’ve really been.

Giveaway Link Here: An American Holiday Giveaway

THEN join the Holiday Book Bash Extravaganza!!! Over 30 authors have teamed up for a spectacular party which has started NOW. The “official” party dates are Dec 16th, 17th & 18th starting at 4 PM EST to 10 PM EST each day! BUT– BUT the party is in full force NOW with authors sharing their favorite holiday recipes! (and a CONTEST) Each Monday (starting now) UP until the actual dates of the event, will feature NEW contests and fun!

Join Here: Holiday Book Bash Extravaganza

THEN THIS THURSDAY Nov 17th The Authors from Dark Justice: Vengeance with Sizzle gather over at Writerspace for a LIVE author chat about this HOT new release! Yep, there will Giveaways there too!

Writerspace Link:Writerspace Live Chat

 

Here’s to a fun KICK OFF to the Holidays!

Bobbi Romans