Colorado Flooding Crisis #COflood

This time of crisis here in Colorado has given me the opportunity to reflect on the many blessings in my life!

I just moved to Northern Colorado in February thinking I was finally getting away from the rain/water weather events common to the Florida Gulf Coast. While I did escape the tropical humidity and hurricanes there is no getting away from natural disasters. In the past week we went from warm sunny summer days into monsoon hell.

After surviving my first winter here (and being blamed by coworkers for the uncommon snow on May 1st) I relaxed into a warm, gorgeous summer, ignoring outlandish tales of Native Coloradans about "monsoon season." Ha, what could these Westerners know about monsoons. I grew up in the sub-tropics and figured most people here had no clue what a monsoon was only to be proven woefully wrong.

Typical monsoon season here happens typically in July and August with daily evening rain showers. Reminds me of back home where evening rain showers were common in spring/summer. After experiencing monsoon season here I was not impressed in the least and utterly dismayed with Coloradans lack of driving skills in the rain. Ha, what's a little rain.

Septembers are normally mild weather months with little to no rain or drastic weather. This past week has been nothing but rain. The monsoon flow stalled out over us, flooding creeks, rivers, dams, lakes resulting in raging water flows, mud and rock slides and massive, widespread flooding. One weather report said we got over 2 trillion gallons of water dumped on us during the week. As with anything else in life, shit rolls down hill! All that water up in the mountains did exactly that. Three overflown rivers converged into one huge mess here in North Central Colorado.

My family and I have been truly blessed, managing to remain high and dry while houses and farms not 1/2 mile away have been devastated. Our worst inconveniences have been boiling water and having to drive creative routes that take longer to get anywhere. Yeah, very blessed! Basements are flooded with water, mud and sewage while other homes have been completely destroyed. Cars are flooded, swept away by water flows, along with livestock and pets. Yes, I am definitely counting my blessings! And I am heartened to see how many neighbors are helping neighbors during this difficult time.

Here are some of the latest figures:
7 confirmed dead
1,253 unaccounted for (not heard from by family)
11,700 evacuated
1,502 structures destroyed
17,494 structures damaged
30 bridges destroyed
17 counties effected (2,380 square miles)
600 Colorado National Guard and active duty Army personnel assisting local emergency officials
2100 residents rescued along with 500 pets
More than 1000 are still awaiting rescue

I did not personally take the following pictures. These are some of the thousands of photos posted online just to give you a glimpse of the devastation that cannot truly be reflected in a picture. My thoughts and prayers are with all those effected by this disaster and my heartfelt thanks to all the amazing National Guard and other first responders who have selflessly reached out to help those in need.

Cover Art Win!

WOOHOO! My cover art for Sugar Girl placed second in the Gorgeous Gals category of the Affair de Coeur Magazine cover contest. In the Hot Guyz Patrol category, Blame It On Texas placed fourth and Big Bad Wolf came in eighth. For the win, Sugar Girl will get a 6 month cover art ad online.

My sincere thanks to everyone who voted for my covers! It is awesome to have my labor of love recognized. :D

Affair de Coeur Cover Contest

Three of the book covers I've created are up for recognition in the Affair de Coeur cover contest and I am shamelessly asking for your votes!

In the Hot Guys Patrol category are my covers for Blame It On Texas by Allie Standifer and Big Bad Wolf, which I am co-writing with Allie. http://adcmagazine.com/hotguyzpatrol.html#.UfquS22ZaCg

In the Gorgeous Gals category is my cover for Sugar Girl http://adcmagazine.com/gorgeousgals.html

Thanks so much for your support!

New Release - Tripped Up

SEALs on Fire series

Written with Allie Standifer

Karen James accepts and enjoys her generous curves but still lacks confidence when it comes to the opposite sex. She's perfectly capable of flirting with the pumped up, fake cover models she works with. But real men, like the handsome SEAL her best friend tasked her with babysitting, put her on shaky ground. He ramps up her snarky attitude and keeps her body humming with a constant arousal that won't be sated.  

Garrett "Trip" Trippington is the easiest going, most laid back, steady member of Team Arapahoe. Nothing ruffles his feathers or causes him to falter; not even being shot while on a mission. All that changes the moment he first sees Karen, a curvy vision of feminine perfection with a razor-sharp tongue. He's tripped up, falling hard, and experiencing feelings that make his head spin. For the first time, his duties as a SEAL seem an easier mission.

Alien Rights - 4 Star Review

Lisianthus - Long And Short Reviews rates Alien Rights 4 Stars.

"This is a short story that moves along quickly. It’s a delicious alien abduction fated mate story. From the moment Emily wakes up on the cruiser she’s in constant pleasure and I will admit this book is very steamy.
"I enjoyed the running theme of rights and the different ways Rodar and Emily viewed them. The author creates a unique fun little world and does it masterfully. I loved the uniqueness of the ship and the toys involved. Ms. Austin definitely has a delicious and fascinating imagination and I appreciated all the little details.
"I recommend this for a quick sexy read in one sitting, I will definitely pick up another Nicole Austin book."

Awesome Review of Make Mine A Double

5 hunk review for Make Mine A Double from Carla - RomFan Reviews...Woot!

 

"This book was so hot, I'm amazed my ereader didn't catch fire.  The explosive chemistry between these three characters was amazing to witness.  Both Max and Brayden balance each other out, and Kaylie does an amazing job tying them all together.  Watching Kaylie struggling with two jobs to pay off the debt her ex left behind is sad, but she never complains or asks for help, which drives Max crazy.  Personally, I'd be fine with two super hot guys wanting to take care of me, but that's something Kaylie must accept on her own time.  Great story, and the sex in this book was amazing.  I need a cold shower just thinking about it.  :)"

Cover Reveal - Tripped Up

Woohoo! Here it is folks, the cover for Tripped Up, the final book in the SEALs on Fire series, coming soon from The Wild Rose Press. We don't have a release date yet but it will be soon, possibly before the end of the month. :D

Tripped Up
Written with my partner in crime Allie Standifer

Karen James accepts and enjoys her generous curves but still lacks confidence when it comes to the opposite sex. She's perfectly capable of flirting with the pumped up, fake cover models she works with. But real men, like the handsome SEAL her best friend tasked her with babysitting, put her on shaky ground. He ramps up her snarky attitude and keeps her body humming with a constant arousal that won't be sated.  

Garrett "Trip" Trippington is the easiest going, most laid back, steady member of Team Arapahoe. Nothing ruffles his feathers or causes him to falter; not even being shot while on a mission. All that changes the moment he first sees Karen, a curvy vision of feminine perfection with a razor-sharp tongue. He's tripped up, falling hard, and experiencing feelings that make his head spin. For the first time, his duties as a SEAL seem an easier mission.