Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples. Today I'm sharing a short scene from my WIP, wherein Rulon Owen learns his fate, at least in the short term. Enjoy!
Rulon stood on the bottom step outside the church, clasping his hands behind his back. He knew his foot was tapping rapidly against the brick. He simply could not control it as he waited.
"Young man!"
Rulon swung around at the sharp tone he heard in Randolph Hilbrands' voice. It sounded like the man intended to give him ill news. "Sir?" he said, hoping his face bore a conciliatory aspect.
The man descended the steps, a frown bending his thin moustache in a downward curve.
A chill raised the hairs on the back of Rulon's neck. Had he lost Mary? He couldn't feel his hands.
Mr. Hilbrands stopped on the step above where Rulon was standing, and stared down at him. He took a quick breath. "My daughter wants to be your bride," he said, a fierce look on his face. "She says it must be now, before you enlist. I told her that was a fanciful notion."
Rulon didn't dare say a word. He couldn't hear himself breathing.
"She is most persuasive in her reasoning. She is young, but she seems to have a firm grasp of what she is fixing to do. Given the circumstances, I am giving consent."
Rulon felt himself toppling, and slid his left foot back to maintain his balance. His ears rang with the man's words: "I am giving consent."
"Tha-thank you, sir." He struggled to stand upright, instead of sagging as he felt inclined to do. In point of fact, his knees begged to kiss the step, but he conquered the impulse after a long moment, and reached out to seal the bargain.
Mr. Hilbrands solemnly shook his hand, but added, "Her mother is not convinced as yet, but may come around in time. You would do well to spend time in that effort."
"Yes, I will, sir. Thank you again." Rulon left off pumping the man's hand, expecting to take his leave and go to Mary's side to ask her to marry him.
Mr. Hilbrands forestalled him, saying, "I spoke to the minister. It appears there are several weddings taking place due to this war fever. He does not have any open days until May 11th. Will that suit?"
Rulon hoped his mouth wasn't gaping as Mr. Hilbrands' words swirled in his brain. May 11th. That was an age away. He gulped. "Yes, sir. That suits just fine. Give Mr. Moore my thanks."
"He'll want your coin for the service. Two dollars."
Rulon gulped again. Two dollars. That was four days' wage at the pig iron furnace, provided he could hire on for a short term. He'd never thought of any cost involved in getting wed. Two dollars! What would Pa say?
~~~
Thank you for
visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample
compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write
and reply.
Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Please refer to the Buy Links Page
above for locations to purchase any of my work. Also take note of the
"Newsletter" tab above. Do consider subscribing to my mailing list so
you will receive my quarterly newsletter. It contains news about me,
book signings, places I'll be making special appearances, book news,
links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list
to find other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the authors
participating in our weekly blog hop enjoy comments as much as I do, so
please don't be shy. Thank you!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
No Sweet Saturday Sample today
Due to the fact that I'm traveling, and didn't get my act together sufficiently to pre-post a sample, I will return with something fresh and new next week. See you then.
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Sweet Saturday Samples - May 4, 2013
Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples. I'm posting a short bit of a conversation between Ella Ruth Meem and Ben Owen, from my WIP, Gone for a Soldier. Ella Ruth has been talking about her dream wedding when we come across them below. I hope you enjoy this sample!
~~~
"Once Pappa admits what a wonderful catch you are, we will have that nice wedding, with all our friends and family to witness our happiness," she said, then giggled again. "Ben, you'll look so handsome in a frockcoat, with lovely long tails, just like in the novels."
"I've never seen such a coat," he said, dubious that a piece of raiment like that was to be had in all of the county.
"We can have it specially made in Boston, and shipped here by special coach."
Ben drew a breath and nearly choked at the thought of the expense. He turned aside and coughed. Ella Ruth took such wild fancies into her mind at times.
"Girl, you realize Boston is in another country now."
"Oh, you men say that, but it's not important. Pappa can get anything."
~~~
Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Please refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work. Also take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider subscribing to my mailing list so you will receive my quarterly newsletter. It contains news about me, book signings, places I'll be making special appearances, book news, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to find other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the authors participating in our weekly blog hop enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
~~~
"Once Pappa admits what a wonderful catch you are, we will have that nice wedding, with all our friends and family to witness our happiness," she said, then giggled again. "Ben, you'll look so handsome in a frockcoat, with lovely long tails, just like in the novels."
"I've never seen such a coat," he said, dubious that a piece of raiment like that was to be had in all of the county.
"We can have it specially made in Boston, and shipped here by special coach."
Ben drew a breath and nearly choked at the thought of the expense. He turned aside and coughed. Ella Ruth took such wild fancies into her mind at times.
"Girl, you realize Boston is in another country now."
"Oh, you men say that, but it's not important. Pappa can get anything."
~~~
Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Please refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work. Also take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider subscribing to my mailing list so you will receive my quarterly newsletter. It contains news about me, book signings, places I'll be making special appearances, book news, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to find other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the authors participating in our weekly blog hop enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Sweet Saturday Samples - April 27, 2013
Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples.
This week, to celebrate the re-publication of the print version of The Man from Shenandoah under my own label, I'm posting a snippet from that book. Carl Owen has just returned from the Civil War. Here he comes across his younger brother, James, after not seeing him for a long spell:
~~
Carl took the horses to the pen and stripped off the saddles. Hearing a faint scraping sound behind him, he crouched in the brush. A short ways off he saw a young man seated on the bank of the creek, stropping a razor. At his side he had a basin of water and a pistol. After a while he laid the strop down and began to remove the curly black beard from his lanky face.
“James!” Carl called out. He rushed from the bushes and ran to the creek. The younger man threw down the razor and grabbed the pistol, then dropped it and gave a rebel yell.
Meeting on the bank like two young bulls, the brothers crashed together in a welter of arms and heads, wrestling each other to the ground.
Laughing, Carl declared, “You’re just the feller I want to see. And you got you a razor, besides.” He rubbed his red stubble while James punched him fondly in the side. “You be through shaving when I’m finished with the horses, you hear?”
“Carl, you coon-faced old lard bucket, we thought you got took prisoner or something. Pa was ready to go to Washington City to see what become of you.”
“You’re joshing me!”
“No sir, not me. He and Ma were sure worried some. I never seen them so worked up about a body. I reckon [event removed so as not to spoil a plot point in the current WIP] took some of the sand out of both of them.”
“You old liar, you. Pa never had more sand than now. He’s ripping us out of this valley, lock, stock, and barrel, and taking us to Colorado. Says we’re going to raise beef cattle for the miners.”
“He’s what?”
~~
Thank you for visiting. Refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work.
I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider signing up for my occasional newsletter, which will contain news about my books, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the other authors participating in Sweet Saturday Samples enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
This week, to celebrate the re-publication of the print version of The Man from Shenandoah under my own label, I'm posting a snippet from that book. Carl Owen has just returned from the Civil War. Here he comes across his younger brother, James, after not seeing him for a long spell:
~~
Carl took the horses to the pen and stripped off the saddles. Hearing a faint scraping sound behind him, he crouched in the brush. A short ways off he saw a young man seated on the bank of the creek, stropping a razor. At his side he had a basin of water and a pistol. After a while he laid the strop down and began to remove the curly black beard from his lanky face.
“James!” Carl called out. He rushed from the bushes and ran to the creek. The younger man threw down the razor and grabbed the pistol, then dropped it and gave a rebel yell.
Meeting on the bank like two young bulls, the brothers crashed together in a welter of arms and heads, wrestling each other to the ground.
Laughing, Carl declared, “You’re just the feller I want to see. And you got you a razor, besides.” He rubbed his red stubble while James punched him fondly in the side. “You be through shaving when I’m finished with the horses, you hear?”
“Carl, you coon-faced old lard bucket, we thought you got took prisoner or something. Pa was ready to go to Washington City to see what become of you.”
“You’re joshing me!”
“No sir, not me. He and Ma were sure worried some. I never seen them so worked up about a body. I reckon [event removed so as not to spoil a plot point in the current WIP] took some of the sand out of both of them.”
“You old liar, you. Pa never had more sand than now. He’s ripping us out of this valley, lock, stock, and barrel, and taking us to Colorado. Says we’re going to raise beef cattle for the miners.”
“He’s what?”
~~
Thank you for visiting. Refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work.
I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider signing up for my occasional newsletter, which will contain news about my books, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the other authors participating in Sweet Saturday Samples enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
I'm risking the weird reaction of Facebook . . .
but I'll take it to do a favor for a friend.
For some reason, my friend Janette Rallison's blogs are being blocked by Facebook as some kind of sp@m. I assure you, JR has not a mean bone in her body, let alone a vicious, sp@m-ridden one.
To that end, if you want to go to her blogs, click one of the following links:
janette-rallison.blogspot.com
cjhillbooks.blogspot.com
For some reason, my friend Janette Rallison's blogs are being blocked by Facebook as some kind of sp@m. I assure you, JR has not a mean bone in her body, let alone a vicious, sp@m-ridden one.
To that end, if you want to go to her blogs, click one of the following links:
janette-rallison.blogspot.com
cjhillbooks.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sweet Saturday Samples - April 20, 2013
Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples.
This week I am posting a snippet of a scene featuring an Owen brother you don't hear much about. His name is Benjamin, Ben for short.
~~~
Ben waited in the darkness of the lane leading from the Meem Bottom bridge. Before him stood the grand house, the centerpiece of the Strathmore estate owned by Ella Ruth Meem's father.
Ella Ruth was late in arriving to their tryst, but that was to be expected. Ella Ruth was late for every occasion.
He smiled to himself and adjusted his leaning position against the trunk of a tree. If he could have his way, he would scoop her up and run away with her to the nearest place he could legally marry her, but he would bid his time. For a while.
Hearing footsteps, he pushed away from the tree and straightened.
"Ben?" Breathless. Timid. Hopeful.
"I'm here," he called, keeping his voice low.
The footsteps slowed. Hesitant. "Where?"
"Just here," he said, bringing the girl into his arms.
"Oh Ben," she sighed, snuggling against him, her head fitting into the hollow beneath his chin. "I worried you wouldn't come." Her anxiety showed itself in a constrained giggle.
"You can depend on me," he told her, repeating a phrase he'd said so many times before in his attempt to woo and win her.
"You always say that," she said, a little chuckle in her voice.
"I want you to remember it. I want you to know I am true to you. There is no one in my heart but your dear person."
"Oh Ben," she repeated. "It's Pappa you need to convince, not me."
~~~
Thank you for visiting. Refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work.
I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider signing up for my occasional newsletter, which will contain news about my books, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the other authors participating in Sweet Saturday Samples enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
This week I am posting a snippet of a scene featuring an Owen brother you don't hear much about. His name is Benjamin, Ben for short.
~~~
Ben waited in the darkness of the lane leading from the Meem Bottom bridge. Before him stood the grand house, the centerpiece of the Strathmore estate owned by Ella Ruth Meem's father.
Ella Ruth was late in arriving to their tryst, but that was to be expected. Ella Ruth was late for every occasion.
He smiled to himself and adjusted his leaning position against the trunk of a tree. If he could have his way, he would scoop her up and run away with her to the nearest place he could legally marry her, but he would bid his time. For a while.
Hearing footsteps, he pushed away from the tree and straightened.
"Ben?" Breathless. Timid. Hopeful.
"I'm here," he called, keeping his voice low.
The footsteps slowed. Hesitant. "Where?"
"Just here," he said, bringing the girl into his arms.
"Oh Ben," she sighed, snuggling against him, her head fitting into the hollow beneath his chin. "I worried you wouldn't come." Her anxiety showed itself in a constrained giggle.
"You can depend on me," he told her, repeating a phrase he'd said so many times before in his attempt to woo and win her.
"You always say that," she said, a little chuckle in her voice.
"I want you to remember it. I want you to know I am true to you. There is no one in my heart but your dear person."
"Oh Ben," she repeated. "It's Pappa you need to convince, not me."
~~~
Thank you for visiting. Refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work.
I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider signing up for my occasional newsletter, which will contain news about my books, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the other authors participating in Sweet Saturday Samples enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Sweet Saturday Samples - April 13, 2013
Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples.
I believe that marriage is a sacred commitment between one man and one woman. I believe it should last, and be worked at. That's one reason I like the tremendously flawed but immensely tender head of the Owen clan, Rod Owen, and his practical wife, Julia. Here's a scene featuring the two of them, from my WIP, Gone for a Soldier. I hope you like it!
~~~
"They set the day." Julia stood behind Rod's chair, her hands resting on his shoulders as he stared into the fire before he bestirred himself to end the day.
"How soon?"
"Next week." Her fingers kneaded his neck. "My baby is a man." Her voice seemed sunken into her throat, and he looked around to see her face.
"He'd like to presume that of himself." He captured one of her hands underneath one of his. "There's a heap of impetuosity in his nature."
"Don't he come by that naturally!" Her free hand wandered up the back of his neck, spreading his hair between her fingers.
"Woman, what do you mean by that?"
"Husband," she returned his bantering tone. "Who was bent on eloping instead of facing my brother to ask for my hand?"
"Jonathan is formidable."
"No more than you."
"I have grown into my fearsome posture."
She chuckled. "How do you reckon Jonathan arrived there?"
He pulled her around the side of the chair and lifted her onto his lap. "You are my daily breath, Julie. I don't take a step without thinkin' on your beauty and grace."
She took his earlobes between her fingers and stroked them. "Husband, what news are you tryin' to ease into breakin' to me?"
He sighed, a long exhalation. "You know me too well, wife." He enfolded her in his arms and drew her close, nuzzling the top of her head. "I wrote my name on a paper today."
She struggled against him, squirming until she was in a position to see his face. "You didn't! You couldn't be satisfied playing at war in a foreign land?"
Her irritation pricked both his conscience and his pride, but he could only choose to address one or the other. He chose to be properly abashed, but lay it to pressure.
"Chester shamed me into it."
"You'd blame your friend. Rod Owen. You are a scoundrel."
"I . . . am a scoundrel," he agreed. "But I'm your scoundrel, and my native land's scoundrel. I can't let the Yankees invade my home."
In a flash, she turned into a melting woman and sank heavily against his chest. "I had hoped to avoid losing you to this squabble."
"Oh Julie, Julie." He felt the melting of his bones that her distress brought upon him these days. Tenderness had not been native to his nature, but over many years, he had learned a hard-won lesson, tenderness betwixt a man and his wife was well worth cultivating. "I cannot pretend to know what is in store for me. I cannot lie on that point to ease your feelin's." He kissed her hair. "Know this, woman. I will love you beyond any power that death has to separate us."
She wept in his arms, soft sobs she surely was trying to keep within the bounds of their chair. He could only whisper endearments and hold her closer to his soul.
~~~
Thank you for visiting. Refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work.
I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider signing up for my occasional newsletter, which will contain news about my books, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the other authors participating in Sweet Saturday Samples enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
I believe that marriage is a sacred commitment between one man and one woman. I believe it should last, and be worked at. That's one reason I like the tremendously flawed but immensely tender head of the Owen clan, Rod Owen, and his practical wife, Julia. Here's a scene featuring the two of them, from my WIP, Gone for a Soldier. I hope you like it!
~~~
"They set the day." Julia stood behind Rod's chair, her hands resting on his shoulders as he stared into the fire before he bestirred himself to end the day.
"How soon?"
"Next week." Her fingers kneaded his neck. "My baby is a man." Her voice seemed sunken into her throat, and he looked around to see her face.
"He'd like to presume that of himself." He captured one of her hands underneath one of his. "There's a heap of impetuosity in his nature."
"Don't he come by that naturally!" Her free hand wandered up the back of his neck, spreading his hair between her fingers.
"Woman, what do you mean by that?"
"Husband," she returned his bantering tone. "Who was bent on eloping instead of facing my brother to ask for my hand?"
"Jonathan is formidable."
"No more than you."
"I have grown into my fearsome posture."
She chuckled. "How do you reckon Jonathan arrived there?"
He pulled her around the side of the chair and lifted her onto his lap. "You are my daily breath, Julie. I don't take a step without thinkin' on your beauty and grace."
She took his earlobes between her fingers and stroked them. "Husband, what news are you tryin' to ease into breakin' to me?"
He sighed, a long exhalation. "You know me too well, wife." He enfolded her in his arms and drew her close, nuzzling the top of her head. "I wrote my name on a paper today."
She struggled against him, squirming until she was in a position to see his face. "You didn't! You couldn't be satisfied playing at war in a foreign land?"
Her irritation pricked both his conscience and his pride, but he could only choose to address one or the other. He chose to be properly abashed, but lay it to pressure.
"Chester shamed me into it."
"You'd blame your friend. Rod Owen. You are a scoundrel."
"I . . . am a scoundrel," he agreed. "But I'm your scoundrel, and my native land's scoundrel. I can't let the Yankees invade my home."
In a flash, she turned into a melting woman and sank heavily against his chest. "I had hoped to avoid losing you to this squabble."
"Oh Julie, Julie." He felt the melting of his bones that her distress brought upon him these days. Tenderness had not been native to his nature, but over many years, he had learned a hard-won lesson, tenderness betwixt a man and his wife was well worth cultivating. "I cannot pretend to know what is in store for me. I cannot lie on that point to ease your feelin's." He kissed her hair. "Know this, woman. I will love you beyond any power that death has to separate us."
She wept in his arms, soft sobs she surely was trying to keep within the bounds of their chair. He could only whisper endearments and hold her closer to his soul.
~~~
Thank you for visiting. Refer to the Buy Links Page above for locations to purchase any of my work.
I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I always read what you write and reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Take note of the "Newsletter" tab above. Do consider signing up for my occasional newsletter, which will contain news about my books, links to original material, and special offers.
Come back next Saturday for another sample. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the other authors participating in Sweet Saturday Samples enjoy comments as much as I do, so please don't be shy. Thank you!
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