My son just completed his freshman year of college and his first year of army ROTC. He left home for campus last fall my little boy, going off to college. Over every break I'd see little changes and realized  how he's growing up into such a fine young man. Hubby and I did well and we couldn't be more proud. But when he came home for the summer....yes, he's still my little boy (always will be), but I see the strong, determined leader he's becoming.

I remember when he first told me he was interested in the army. Fear entered every fibre of my body and when he never wavered from that route I was beside myself. I had a hard time taking off my "mom hat", you know the one that says I'm supposed to watch over and protect him. Because taking off that hat would mean accepting the fact that I wouldn't be there to watch over him. For the first time, it hit me that he was going to grow up and live his life in what could be a dangerous country. But I knew he was sincere and I knew I would support him 100%. I just had to wrap my head around what it all would mean. There were many nights I lost sleep, picturing a future so far off that only a mother's hysteria could conjur. I'd cry - real tears and silent ones. But most importantly, I started to do research. And when we started looking at colleges and speaking with ROTC staff and cadets, I realized this was the kind of world my son wanted and it would be so good for him. And seeing how much he has grown and thrived during this first year is proof positive that he is exactly where he needs to be, learning exactly what he needs to learn. It's in his stance, his smile and the way he takes care of himself by working out and eating right and having such a healthy happy lifestyle. He works hard, and it shows, and again I couldn't be more proud of this man. I can look 3 years from now and see him in full dress uniform being commissioned as a second lieutenant. Because 3 years from now he's going to be stronger, and still determined and I will shed tears of pride and joy because not only did we raise a fine young man, but we have raised a United States soldier and the things he's going to accomplish are going to be amazing, I just know it.

Do I still get scared and lose sleep? Yeah, sometimes. But I don't dwell on things that haven't happened yet. He still has a lot to learn, and so do I. But when the time comes I know I will have to be just as army strong as he is, and I will be because I'm his mother, and as he has sworn to protect our country - I will forever protect him, even if I'm thousands of miles away (in my heart and in my thoughts and the way I lead my life). While he does his duty, he will always know how much he is loved.

Even though my time is still a few years away, this picture speaks to my heart, as I'm sure it does to any Military Mom out there.

Lots of news since my last post! My next book is about to come out and I'm planning on lots of buzz and promotion. I even have a Street Team on FaceBook: Barbie's Barracks-Official Street Team of Author Barbara Witek! It's always better in the Barracks. So if you'd like top secret inside information about my books, occasional FREE swag, and lots of fun...then sign up because WE WANT YOU!

So excited that my latest book, DADDY WORE DOG TAGS will be released May 22nd!! So stay tuned for MAJOR launch party information, cover reveal, and lots of fun giveaways! Make sure you like my Facebook Author Page or join my Street Team so you don't miss out on all the fun, meet new friends and get to know some really great authors.

This story is book 2 in my Guardians of Freedom Series and will be followed by a 3rd book in late summer/early fall. Here's the blurb that I posted in The Barrack's on Wednesday.

I just LOVED writing this story. Country music played an interesting part in the book, you'll see how in some of my upcoming posts. In the mean time, enjoy the blurb and come join us in The Barracks!

HERE WE GO AGAIN Anthology is out TODAY!!! My short story, OPERATION PUPPY LOVE is among 5 other shorts by 5 fabulous authors! There's mystery, historical, contemporary...something for everyone! And to celebrate, we're having a launch party TONIGHT from 6:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time. I'm going to include the link below because you won't want to miss it. 6 authors, 4 hours and lots of fun. Prizes given away every 30 minutes and a chance to win the grand prize of a $100 Amazon Gift Card!  Just click here and join the fun: https://www.facebook.com/events/645559528837324/?ref=23 

Here's some blurbs about the stories featured in the anthology:

Explore the magic of déjà vu in this collection of warm and fuzzy short stories by some of your favorite authors where love and mystery come together.

Can Lady Audra Lambton risk the Poor Lamb’s Curse? In Leigh Michaels’ “Shadows of Love,” the death of two prospective husbands and life-threatening illness of the third ended Audra’s engagements. But when she embarks on another season as a chaperone and runs into her third former fiancé, sparks fly. Is she willing to gamble on love and Lucas’ life yet again?

High fashion goes to the dogs in Sparkle Abbey’s “Project Dogway,” when one of pet therapist Caro’s clients, owner of an award-winning beagle, drops dead at the fundraising event. But Caro, along with estranged cousin Mel, owner of the Bow Wow Boutique, refuses to sit and stay, and they soon find themselves on the tail of a killer.

A detective and a cat compete for psychic Sunshine Meadows’ attention, in Kari Lee Townsend’s “Shenanigans in the Shadows.” But when Sunny’s best friend’s heirloom wedding rings go missing, they must all work together to figure out whodunit.

In Ann Revis’ “Shadow of the Tower”, Guido, the Tuscan cat, thought he had gotten over his fear of abandonment long ago but after answering the appeal for an adventure from a feline friend, Guido and his brother Dante scale the terracotta roofs of Florence until they find themselves trapped in a church tower while a storm rages outside. Will they make it out alive after being thwarted by a wicked priest and a sticky, smelly little boy?

A date is the prize for a lost game of darts in Barbara Witek’s “Operation Puppy Love,” when a meddling pooch with radar when it comes to romance makes the date happen for veterinarian Maddie McClintock and Major Josh Briggs.

A hot highland warrior, a sassy FBI agent, two nosey old ladies, and a mysterious cat that may not actually be a cat get caught up in a deadly but hilarious assassination attempt in Anita Clenney’s “Shadow of a Highland Warrior.”

Get your copy at Amazon now!
http://amzn.com/B00IM7EUU4

Out with the old and in with the new! 2013 is officially over. For me they were a fast 12 months with changes and challenges in both business and family. Love and loss and lots of learning. We sent our oldest to college in the fall, and just when I think he can't get any more wonderful...he comes home for break this muscular young man who's ready to take on the world. He's really done his mama proud!!

For me 2014 can slow down just a bit. (although, if you're an editor with one of my submissions, this doesn't apply to you. LOL) I have many writing projects on the horizon - some waiting on answers from editors and some just waiting for me to finish. Everyone is rattling in my head at once so yes, I need to get busy and put fingers to the keyboard. I will announce any and all news as soon as I can. I look forward to putting out more stories this year.

Our middle son is waiting on college decisions - and I'm realizing I'm in no hurry to see him set off on his college journey. I know he will make me proud as well, but to have BOTH boys out of the house? Well, that's not going to be easy. My daughter will truly become the princess of the house. I laugh at this, because she's really grown up and matured and is involved in so many sports and school activities she's really no trouble at all! She's our social butterfly and shop-a-holic! And I must say, we have a great time doing things together. Thank goodness I have a few years before sending her off to college!

Here's to a productive 2014! I've decided not to make resolutions because it's always such a challenge to keep them and then depressing when the end of the year comes and you haven't succeeded. Instead, I set small goals and work on them. Things I need to do for me, not anyone else.

So, my friends, may we have many successes, increased health and surround ourselves with friends, love and laughter and positive thinking. I'm thankful to all those who supported me in 2013 and I hope to keep you satisfied with more stories this coming year!

It's time for my 12 books of Christmas giveaway contest! Starting December 13th until December 24th I will be "gifting" a book a day (e-book format only) to one lucky winner each day as a thank you to readers/fans new and old who "like" my Facebook author page! Complete rules can be found on the contest tab of my website, so please make sure you check it out. 11 wonderful authors have joined me for this contest, so you'll want to check them out on the contest page as well and see the books you have a chance to win!

Don't worry - there's plenty of time to register. You have from NOW until DEC. 12th. You can't win if you don't register. And the books up for grabs you won't want to miss out on! I have Christmas stories, romance, suspense and mysteries!

And so it begins....the mad holiday rush for the best shopping deals of the season. My daughter asked LAST year, if I would take her Black Friday shopping THIS year. I said sure. So she has saved and saved for this moment. I was fine with it, thinking I'm older now and I've learned through my ONE attempt to Black Friday shop years ago that there is NOTHING I WANT THAT BAD. There isn't. But I will go out with my darling daughter so SHE can have the experience while she's young and has respect for her elders. Only now, the holiday deals don't necessarily happen on Black Friday. OH, no.... I've been bombarded with emails all week about Thanksgiving day blow-outs, stores being open early Thanksgiving morning (which some had done in the past) and starting at 8PM going into the actual Black Friday. Needless to say, we've decided to brave the Thanksgiving evening crowds who will hopefully be too stuffed with Food to actually be nasty shoppers. My daughter is bringing a friend and I'm staying positive that we will have a fun time! [p.s. if you're reading this, then I returned unscathed and able to


NOW for my own Black Friday Fun!!!! Through the Weekend, my books: SANTA WORE COMBAT BOOTS and EXTREME LOVE MAKEOVER will be on SALE for .99 cents at Amazon.com!! That's right! If you don't have them, now's the time to get them! Don't forget, e-books make perfect gifts! There's no postage required so no long lines at the post office! You don't even have to worry about wrapping!

Also - stay tuned on for Contest Information as I gear up for my 12 Books of Christmas giveaway! 11 authors plus myself. Enter to win and you just might find yourself a new favorite author!

Thanksgiving - a holiday that has meaning but often now gets lost in the commercialism of Christmas. Symbolized still by family gatherings, more food than you can imagine and watching football, this year Thanksgiving holds a different place for me.

We recently brought my #1 son home from his first year at college - and mind you, he's home for an ENTIRE WEEK! Now I've done my share of missing him (I hate setting the table for 4 every night), but there have also been opportunities for us to visit him and attend events on campus, so it's not like he's in another state or foreign country!

To have him home brings balance to my house. The family dynamic is back. And I know not just for me, but for my husband, our other son and daughter as well. When I opened the door to the "jr. man-cave" to say goodnight to both of my boys, and both voices called back in answer...my heart felt full. To have my daughter safely back from her 4 day trip to Indianapolis and everyone home under the same roof made me feel extremely blessed.

The saying "count your blessings" is so very true. We need to stop from our busy, crazy, multi-tasking lives and just take stock of what we have that gives us joy and fills our hearts with love. And not only that, but what we can do for other people. Wouldn't it be nice to know that YOU were someone's blessing? A blessing in disguise, even? You don't have to do anything profound. Sometimes just being there is all it takes.

So as you sit with your family & friends, or even if you're alone, count your blessings. They are there.

Have anything you're especially thankful for? Feel free to share!

Did you know, Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I? I remember in school hearing the term "Armistice Day" in history class, but I've always referred to it as Veterans Day. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day pays tribute to ALL American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

While I don't come from a military family, I will one day become a military family. I have such a respect for what our veterans go through from their trainig to their deployment and to their return home. I see our armed forces as a brotherhood. How can it not be? They are trained to protect our country, themselves and each other. I don't think anyone can fully understand until you have walked in their shoes. My son will one day be serving his country proudly and I am so full of pride when I think of it. He is in college now and will graduate as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

I've spent sleepless nights worrying about a future I have no control over - as a mother, this is so frightening. It's my job to protect him and watch over him. But it's also my job to send him on his way to live his life. If I've done my job right (and I think I have) he will be a respectful, honest and hardworking adult who will go out into the world and make a difference. My husband and I have raised him right and every time I see him I'm believing in the wonderful man he will become. A strong man who will learn to protect and watch over those who can't protect themselves. He will fight for what he believes in and what our country stands for.

So to all the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters.... thank you for letting them all find their way to do what they believe in and keep our country safe and free. America truly is the home of the brave. Brave soldiers and brave family members.

Even if you don't know someone who is in the military (past, present or future), please stop to think of our troops in general on this Veterans Day. Say a prayer that they stay safe, and that they and their families remain strong until they are home again.

ROAD TRIPPIN with my CP and Best Friend Kari Lee Townsend on our way to see The Eagles in NYC! You may be asking what this luscious chocolate martini has to do with The Eagles playing at Madison Square Garden, well I'm going to tell you. While I'm in the city preparing to enjoy listening to The Eagles LIVE, I will be sipping on 1 or 2 of these babies!
I recently had a chocolate martini from a local restaurant and it looks very similar to this sans the chocolate straw :(

I love The Eagles. But according to my family I lived my life in a bubble. Because while I'm a child of the 70's and 80's...I'm absolutely HORRIBLE with connecting the "artist" to the "song". All I know is "Hey, I like this song!" not that it was Bon Jovi, The Police, The Eagles, or the various many other successful singers. I try not to embarrass myself, but sometimes it happens. Let's just say we listened to Sirrius XM radio for over an hour in the car with my family saying "Mom, who sings this" or "name this song" and I only got about half a dozen correct. It's sad, very sad. But we have fun and that's what life is all about.

So...on the road again with Kari and this time the men will be coming along! should be interesting since the last time Kari and I rode tripped to DC, we were toting a cooler full of jello shots! Hmm...don't think the guys will allow that - they tend to be practical and party-pooper'ish while on the road. But hey, Kari and I will be in the back seat so you never know what will happen!!!

Cheers everyone! Drink Responsibly and Party Hardy! Here's to Life in the Fast Lane!!

I will be tweeting our weekend so check in with me on twitter (@barbarawitek) and follow me on instagram (nybarbie84) as I will make an attempt to be a better instagram-er but I'm still new at it! would love to hear of neat places to go while in Manhattan!

It's called a Bloody Scary, appropriately named as it's spook-tacular for every 21 and over goblin on your party list! It has beautiful Fall coloring and perfect for Halloween. I never knew there was such a thing as Black Vodka! Not that I've ever hosted a Halloween party.... but if I did I'd definitely do up some appropriate cocktails. I think this would be a perfect addition to the dry ice punch. Can't you just see it with a little candy pumpkin on the edge of the glass for garnish?

Here's what you'll need:

• 4 ounce(s) prosecco (or your favorite sparkling wine)
  
• 1 ounce(s) freshly squeezed blood orange juice
• 1/2 ounce(s) Campari(aka bitters)
  
• 1/2 ounce(s) Simple Syrup
  
• 1 ounce(s) Blavod Black vodka, chilled (it's the only black vodka out there)

Here's how you make it:
    In a champagne flute (or your favorite party glass), combine prosecco, orange juice, Campari, and simple syrup. Pour vodka     over the back of a cocktail spoon into glass creating a layer of black. Serve immediately.

No need to fear this crafty cocktail.....well, unless you have too many! Mwaahaahaahaaa........

Trick or Treat responsibly, my friends!