However, my husband wanted me to have a fun time anyway, so we ventured to Wilmington on Valentine's Day. We did eat out (lunch reservations at our favorite place downtown, The Riverboat Landing) and picked up dinner from The Mellow Mushroom before heading home. In between was some shopping, a trip to the aquarium, and my favorite place, The Serpentarium. Located in downtown Wilmington, it houses an assortment of reptiles, including most of the world's poisonous snakes. (In case of earthquake or hurricane, do not take refuge there!)
Between the Serpentarium and the aquarium, I took a lot of photos:
Smile for the camera!
Can you guess what it is?
You're looking at the open mouth of a snapping turtle that was over 4' long.
I also have a fascination with jellyfish.
I'm like a kid in a candy store!
Hugs to my husband for letting me indulge in photos, critters, and more on Saturday!
Heather Gardner revealed her cover last Friday -
One Good Catch
A Maguire’s Corner novel
Title:
One Good Catch
Author:
Heather M. Gardner
Genre:
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Publisher:
InkSpell Publishing
Cover
Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Release
Date: March 13, 2015
~~~)(~~~
Ignoring
a recent trauma that is affecting her everyday life, ER Doctor Kate Maguire
engages in some high risk activities, but putting herself in these dangerous
situations isn’t enough to feed her edginess. She needs something more. When
her brother’s high school best friend comes back to town, it’s her chance for a
‘no strings attached’ fling with the man who still headlines in all her best
dreams.
Rhys MacGrath’s days of one-night-stands are long over. The pro-football player might be side-lined at rehab for a shoulder injury, but that doesn’t mean he can’t admire and desire the all-grown-up, so-damn-hot, version of the tomboy he once knew. His sudden interest in Kate might be aggravating his best friend, who doesn’t approve, but it’s her indifference that’s driving Rhys crazy.
Everything heats up when Kate’s nosy nature sets her in the line of fire of an arsonist forcing them to deal with more than just the sparks igniting between them.
Rhys MacGrath’s days of one-night-stands are long over. The pro-football player might be side-lined at rehab for a shoulder injury, but that doesn’t mean he can’t admire and desire the all-grown-up, so-damn-hot, version of the tomboy he once knew. His sudden interest in Kate might be aggravating his best friend, who doesn’t approve, but it’s her indifference that’s driving Rhys crazy.
Everything heats up when Kate’s nosy nature sets her in the line of fire of an arsonist forcing them to deal with more than just the sparks igniting between them.
~~~)(~~~
Heather M. Gardner's love of books began
on the hand-woven rugs of her small town library where her mother worked. There
she had a never-ending supply of stories to read at her fingertips. As a teen,
her favorite genres to curl up with were romance and mysteries. When she
started to create her own stories, they were the perfect fit.
Heather resides in New York with her best friend who is also her husband, plus her talented and handsome son. She is currently owned by four stray cats. Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.
Heather resides in New York with her best friend who is also her husband, plus her talented and handsome son. She is currently owned by four stray cats. Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.
Happy birthday. Love the shots :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Diane! Great pics! And I've seen Heather's book everywhere. Tweeted!
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic birthday! That gatory-crock thing is terrifying. Much more fond of the turtle, snapping or not...
ReplyDeleteNice snappers! Happy birthday, it sound like a grand filled day.
ReplyDeleteThat smile photo is awesome!!! Sounds like you had a terrific birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! And glad you did something fun for Valentine's Day. Loved your pictures.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I know that was a snapping turtle before I scrolled down. We have them here in Texas and yet, they can snap!
ReplyDeleteLovely cover on Heather's book!
Happy Belated B-day!!! I really like that image of those teeth. Really cool pic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a romantic day for you. Pictures are cool and kind of creepy.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! That snapping turtle is weird.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteLove your pics. Can't believe it's a snapping turtle. Looks more like a prehistoric crocodile.
Congrats to Heather!
The one smiling for the camera... I think I've spotted him near our place. Great pics, Diane! Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Heather and her upcoming release! We love jelly fish too. I went to a focus group last year as Sea World in San Diego is planning Jellyfish World or something like that. It promises to be something that will blow the visitor's minds.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Those pictures are amazing. Love the jellyfish.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, everyone. I may have to play catch up tomorrow to visit all of you.
ReplyDeleteWow. Do I love those images! Can I "borrow" the toothy alligator one for my fb page? It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI love the close-up of the alligator's mouth.
Congrats to Heather!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI love the close-up of the alligator's mouth.
Congrats to Heather!
That looks like such a fun Valentine's AND birthday celebration! Loved the great pictures, too! Also, I liked that it doesn't sound like having a birthday so close to Valentine's Day is too awful. Our daughter's birthday is February 8th. When she's old enough, I fully intend to advise her to marry someone who makes a big deal out of her birthday, not just combining the two events and calling it good. Sounds like your husband does exactly that for you, which is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures. I haven't been to an aquarium recently. We went to a small one in NYC when my son was younger. We should do that again!
Thank you so much for sharing the cover today!
Heather
Happy Birthday and what a perfect Valentine's Day. Love the jelly fish!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. What a fantastic Saturday.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Heather.
Happy Birthday! Those are some awesome pictures. And yes - I wouldn't want to take refuge there during a tornado or hurricane!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Those are some awesome pictures. And yes - I wouldn't want to take refuge there during a tornado or hurricane!
ReplyDeletegreat blog, very inspiring
ReplyDeletelets follow each other! just let me know and I will follow back :)
- www.angelaah91.blogspot.nl
We went to one of our favorite eating places Sat. and the wait was 1.5 hours! Thankfully my wife made reservations with a phone app and we only had to wait 15 min.
ReplyDeleteHeather's cover is gorgeous! :)
Happy Birthday to you! Have you reached 21 yet? My wife and I decided several years ago to avoid restaurants on Valentine's Day. We eat out a lot anyway so eating out on a crowded day is not our idea of fun. Instead we got marinated flank steaks from the carneceria and grilled carne asada outside on the beautiful day that it was. We had great steak dinners for far less than it would have cost for the comparable meal at a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteNo way my wife would ever go to see the snakes. She freaks out and hides her eyes if there's a snake in a movie. You can be guaranteed that we'll never be watching something like Snakes on a Plane or Anaconda.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
I love Heather's cover! I want warm weather so we can have a picnic.
ReplyDeleteI think those pics are a crocodile and a turtle. Then again, maybe it's the IRS Man and Alex :)
Happy Birthday!! I love that smile :)
ReplyDeleteHappiest Birthdays and your photos are super- WOW!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs. And Happy Birthday (at the end of the day here on the East Coast). :-)
ReplyDeleteI am glad your birthday was so happy and carefree. Best of sales to Heather on her latest book!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I love your photos and the one of you at the end~ You have a gorgeous spirit and smile~ Cheers! @>----------------
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday :) Fabulous pictures, looks like you had fun.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great birthday! Love these pictures. :) They're beautiful...but scary.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday. Sounds like your hubby knows just where to take you to make you happy. BTW, that jellyfish picture is awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone. I had a wonderful birthday filled with Minions.
ReplyDeleteIndeed looks like a wonderful day for you. Happy Birthday...and how do you get the reptiles to smile for your pics? The jellyfish...it's too hard to tell if they are smiling or not!
ReplyDeleteIndeed looks like a wonderful day for you. Happy Birthday...and how do you get the reptiles to smile for your pics? The jellyfish...it's too hard to tell if they are smiling or not!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, and a belated happy birthday! I missed V-Day by twelve hours (mine b-day is the 13th).
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Heather on her upcoming release!
Amazing photos. Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Heather on her upcoming release!
Hi Diane,
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize you were in NC. We're in the central portion. We want to do a get away to Wilmington before too much longer.
Heather, much success with your book. It sounds like a great read.
Happy belated birthday!!!! You share the same day as my mom!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you are such a dynamo... she was too!
Glad you had a great valentine's day! I love "jellies" too! There is a huge exhibit full of them and the Shed aquarium in Chicago. You'd LOVEIT!
Congrats to Heather....ALL The best!
Yay for Heather! I really love pictures of jellyfish too, but not actual jellyfish. At least, not while visiting the beach...which is what you do in Florida. =)
ReplyDeleteDean, I think they were actually snarling. They don't like the flash. But my goal is to annoy the animal kingdom one critter at a time.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I live in Eastern NC. Pig country. Lucky me.
Michael, happy birthday to your mother then.
I've gotten here late, but the pictures are plenty awesome!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Heather on her new book!
Happy Belated Birthday! Sounds like you had a grand day! Thanks for bringing Heather to my attention!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures and I would have sworn that was an alligator. You look so happy!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great birthday! Loved the pictures! Aquariums are so much fun to go to.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics. But I couldn't tell if that was a gator or a croc. Happy belated Birthday.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and best of luck to Heather.
Happy Birthday Diane!
ReplyDelete(sorry so late...)
Hope you had a FAB day!
As per usual, the pics are wonderful!
Happy Belated Birthday! Love the alligator (crocodile?) photo! And the turtle. Turtles are my favorite reptiles. What an intriguing place to visit. My son would love it, too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Heather on her upcoming book release!