Friday, November 30, 2012

Marie Owen is glowing now

I'm feeling a bit down today, with a crick in my neck and a chill starting up my back. I jump as the doorbell rings, then a sharp series of knocks begins on my door, and I pry myself out of the chair to answer it. Forgetting that I've hung a map on the inside of it and can't peep out, I start to get annoyed as I scramble around to find the knob to unbolt the door.

Me (opening the door and speaking in an annoyed voice): Yes? What is it?

(I see a young woman on my step. She's wearing a long dark dress, and is hugging herself and bobbing up and down. I move my computer glasses around until I can focus, and recognize Marie Owen.)

Marie (squealing): Mom!

Me: Come in! It's chilly out there.

(I open the screen door, and she enters, then flings her arms around me.)

Marie: Oh Mom, Mom, you can't believe how happy I am.

Me (Trying to breathe within her tight grasp): I'm glad. Come sit down. What has you all excited?

Marie: I'm free of that brutish man! (She loosens her hold on me, then smiles brilliantly and sits on the chair I point to, bouncing a bit) You did that. You got your book about me to the readers, and now I'm out of his clutches.

Me: Mr. Thorne?

Marie (scoffing) Mister? He doesn't deserve the title. But it doesn't matter. He's gone now.

Me: I believe I know about that ending.

Marie: Yes. (She looks away briefly, then meets my gaze again.) My man is helping me forget that.

Me (starting to get over being grumpy as I feel the peace and joy radiating from her): Your man, huh?

Marie (suddenly shy): He's, he's the most wonderful man I ever met!

Me: You've changed your opinion, then?

Marie (giggling): Mom! He loves me. He suffered a mighty hard journey in order to find me. He never gave up, Mom. He came for me, and when he did, I was so frightened for him. (She starts to bite a nail.) He suffered more than the journey!

Me: He does care deeply for you.

Marie (her eyes lighting up): Yes. Thank you.

Me: For what?

Marie: For publishing the book at last.

Me: I'm sorry it took so long. You were in such distress when last you visited.

Marie: All that is over now, thanks to you.

Me: Do you love him?

Marie: What?

Me: Do you love him, or are you merely beholden to him?

Marie (She closes her eyes and takes in a slow, deep breath. I watch her, and when she lets out the air, she is smiling.) I love him.

Me (I nod)

Marie: At first, before I agreed to marry him, I worried that I didn't care for him, that he would smother me. Then it came to me, like a ray of sunshine through a cloud, that he was precisely the man I wanted. The man I wanted all along.

Me: Where is he?

Marie: He's out holdin' the horses. He's more shy than you know, considering.

Me: Considering what?

Marie: Considering we rousted a priest out of bed to have us a ceremony.

Me: A what? You don't mean--

Marie: Yes! The priest agreed that since we're not of his Catholic faith, we didn't need any delays to read banns or the like.

Me: How long ago did this happen?

Marie (suddenly very shy): Just now.

Me: When?

Marie: A few hours ago.


Me: You're kidding me! (I grin at her, maybe a bit too broadly) No wonder he's standing out in the cold.

Marie: Don't be a-teasin', Mom.

Me: I'm sorry. (I pause and look at this glowing creature I created.) I reckon you'd best be on your way. It's cruel to keep the man waiting.

Marie (standing): It was his idea to come here. He thanks you for publishin' the book.

Me (smiling as I rise to my feet): You go give him my love.

Marie (trying to keep her smile in check as she inches toward the door): I reckon not. At least, not tonight. He's only gettin' my love tonight. (She giggles.) I'll give him your love on another occasion.

Me: Butter.

Marie (stepping outside and turning to gaze at me): Exactly so.


And she's gone. I close the door slowly, feeling some of her glow myself. "Butter. Melting butter."




Spinster's Folly, Book 4 of "The Owen Family Saga," is available as an ebook and in print at online book sellers. Autographed copies available at http://marshaward.com.

The Lonely Number One

Somebody used to sing about One being the loneliest number (I'm sure one of you will recall who it was and leave me a comment, right?). I looked around my blog the other day and realized that I have 199 Followers.

Yikes! "One is the loneliest number..." So I thought I would appeal to you to drag someone new over here to Follow me so I can have an even number over there in my sidebar. I do so like even numbers. Odd numbers are so...odd.

Except in the case of Whitney Award Nominations. The minimum required number of those so that Spinster's Folly may even begin to be considered for a Whitney Award is Five. Therefore, I like the odd number Five.

I haven't yet been informed that Spinster's Folly has been nominated for consideration for a Whitney Award, so I'm left to surmise that there are not yet five brave souls out there who have enjoyed Spinster's Folly enough to step up and click on the link over there to the right. (The graphic for the link looks like this.)


I know how difficult it is to remember to do something, especially at a busy holiday time. Sheesh! I'm afflicted with the condition known as ADHD, after all. However, only the readers out there, in this instance, YOU, can click the link and put Spinster's Folly into contention for this award. I can't do it. I'm the author. I can't even PAY to enter, nor not pay to enter the Whitney Award lists. Only a reader may do that.

You can read a bit about who can receive the Whitney Award in my sidebar, or click the link and navigate in the site to the rules and About to learn about the lengthy judging process and so forth to acquaint yourself with what a Whitney is and why I'm lusting after, er, wishing that I might at least feel good about being nominated for having written what some people have said is a decently enjoyable novel in Spinster's Folly.

(gasping for breath)

Thank you.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Simon & Schuster Joins Forces With Author Solutions To Rip Off Writers

This situation is despicable. Can Big Publishers go any lower? WRITER, BEWARE! (and note there a couple of instances of rough language quoted below)

Reblogged from the estimable David Gaughran:


Simon & Schuster has launched a self-publishing operation, Archway Publishing, contracting one of the most disreputable players in the business to run the show: Author Solutions.

We’ll get to that distasteful link-up in a second, but first let’s have a look at what Simon & Schuster are offering prospective customers (i.e. writers).

Fiction packages start at $1,999 and go up to $14,999. If you have written a business book, prices are saucier again: $2,999 to $24,999.

While the upper end of the pricing spectrum is obviously shocking, some of you might think that $1,999 isn’t too bad if you are getting a proper edit and a decent cover.

Not so fast.

That price tag doesn’t include any real editing, just an assessment which – according to their own website – is “not a replacement” for editorial services but “a preliminary diagnostic tool.”

But what if you need proper editing? Fear not! Simon & Schuster is here to help. For just $0.035 a word, you can have a thorough edit of your book. Which sounds cheap until you realize that a standard 80,000 word novel would cost you $2,800. So, in actual fact, the cheapest package, plus their edit, will set you back $4,799 for a standard length book.

As if that wasn’t enough, Simon & Schuster will also take half of your e-book royaltiesafter Amazon and the other retailers take their cut – and pay pennies for print sales.

Not looking so reasonable anymore, is it.

“But wait!” I hear you cry. “Those Simon & Schuster editors might be pretty damn good.” Alas, Simon & Schuster won’t be lending any editorial expertise to this new operation; it will be run and staffed by… Author Solutions – the world famous repository of editorial talent.

In fact, the whole operation has been outsourced by Simon & Schuster to Author Solutions. In case you aren’t familiar with them, let’s go over a little history.

AUTHOR SOLUTIONS

Author Solutions is the umbrella for (and owner of) several seriously shady self-publishing service companies (or vanity presses, if you prefer) – such as Author House, Xlibris, iUniverse, and Trafford.

Each of these companies has managed to achieve disreputable status on their own, but together they have screwed over more than 150,000 writers. Going through the full history of their rip-off schemes would require a book, rather than a blog post, so I’ll stick to the highlights.

The formidable Emily Suess has been covering Author Solutions for some time:
The short list of recurring issues includes: making formerly out-of-print works available for sale without the author’s consent, improperly reporting royalty information, non-payment of royalties, breach of contract, predatory and harassing sales calls, excessive markups on review and advertising services, failure to deliver marketing services as promised, telling customers their add-ons will only cost hundreds of dollars and then charging their credit cards thousands of dollars, ignoring customer complaints, shaming and banning customers who go public with their stories, and calling at least one customer a ‘fucking asshole.’
Read the above list carefully. Take a moment to consider it. This is the company that Simon & Schuster has hired to run their self-publishing operation – a company which was purchased by Penguin in July for $116m.

If you are unfamiliar with the charges above, this post will give you a little more detail.

PENGUIN

At the time of the purchase, some commentators expressed hope that Penguin would clean up this cesspool. Instead, Penguin gave Kevin Weiss – the head of Author Solutions – a seat on the board.

A seat on the board!

And the scammy behavior hasn’t stopped; in fact, some of it is getting worse. I’ve received reports of Author Solutions staff calling prospective customers and asking if they want to be “published by Penguin.” Yes, they went there.

Then, a month after Penguin’s purchase, Author Solutions were heavily criticized for their misleading marketing strategies by Victoria Strauss of industry watchdog Writer Beware.

Aside from the usual litany of dodgy affiliate programs and misleading “independent” websites, Author Solutions had now gone a step further: using fake people to tout their services. A social media profile for “Jared Silverstone” was decked out with a stock photograph, and sent out to hustle for Author Solutions – under the pretense of recommending them independently.

Since Fake Jared’s fifteen minutes of fame, I’ve seen similar “writers” and “publishing consultants” disingenuously promoting Author Solutions companies in various writing groups on Facebook. And they’re just the ones that slip through the net – the administrator of one popular Facebook group told me that she “turns away people like this all the time.”

The latest wheeze is even better: an army of spam bots, posting comments to writing and publishing blogs, attempting to both lead people back to Author House and boost SEO. I snapped a comment from one such bot on the blog of Porter Anderson last week (which hasn’t been deleted at the time of writing).


Thank you, Author Solutions. The world really needed more spam bots.

PREDICATED ON IGNORANCE

Before you say that any writer who gets suckered only has themselves to blame, you must consider that Author Solutions is extremely disingenuous about how they target customers.

They prey on people who don’t understand the industry. Their whole business model is predicated on customer ignorance – and they are relentless at exploiting that, hounding people with incessant calls, pushing every emotional button they can think of, until they crack.

And it works. The average customer spends $5,000 getting their book published – which is crazy money – and Emily Suess has received reports of writers being tricked out of tens of thousands of dollars. After all that, the writers don’t sell anything anyway, and what little they do make is often delayed or unpaid altogether.

I can’t say it any plainer: Author Solutions are in the business of ripping people off.

That’s who Penguin purchased. That’s who Simon & Schuster hired to run their self-publishing operation. That’s who the Author’s Guild partnered with to help their members get books back in print.

150,000 writers have already been duped by Author Solutions. That number is likely to increase significantly now that Penguin has legitimized the company by purchasing them and Simon & Schuster has validated their business practices by hiring them.

Let’s make sure no more writers get ripped off.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cyber Monday Sale today only!!!


Cyber Monday Sale on ebook formats of my novels at Smashwords.com: Half-Price today only!

The Man from Shenandoah: coupon code ZU45N
Ride to Raton: coupon code ZK58F
Trail of Storms: coupon code VK63R
Spinster's Folly: coupon code NL87B

Bonus Extra -
No More Strangers (prose and poetry collection) FREE: coupon code TX64R

Use the coupon codes at checkout. Good only November 26, 2012 at Smashwords.com.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample - Nov 24, 2012

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples. The great news this week was the arrival of a box of books: Spinster's Folly. It's beautiful! Autographed copies are available at my web site.



Today's sample is a scene from Chapter 19 of Spinster's Folly. Bill Henry is part of a search party that was raised to find Marie Owen. Here we see interplay between some of the principal members of the group:



When Old Man Owen and Mr. Hilbrands returned from their foray into the rain, Bill couldn’t help noticing the sour expression shared by both men. Mr. Hilbrands carried a pot smelling of beans and pork, which he apportioned out to the men.

Bill sat crosslegged on the floor beside Rulon, Chico, and Sourdough. They ate plates of beans and hunks of bread from a loaf Mr. Hilbrands had taken from inside his coat. He’d said the food came from his hotel restaurant.

Chico looked up, his mouth full of half-chewed beans. “You reckon Hilbrands will pass a cup for us to pay for this here grub?” he mumbled over the food.

“Humph,” Sourdough grunted, sopping bean juice with a crust of the bread. “The bread’s stale. I wouldn’t pay a penny for it.”

“It’s wheat bread,” Bill observed.

“It ain’t decent wheat bread,” Sourdough claimed.

Bill managed half a smile at the outrage in the cook’s voice.

After the meal, he stood beside the open door, watching the clouds to the west brightening a bit just before the sun went down. He turned away. Mr. Bates and the stable hand were lighting lanterns.

Rulon, who was sitting against a wooden upright in the open alleyway between the two rows of stalls, beckoned to him, and he walked over to join him.

“Thorne ain’t anywhere in the town,” Rulon said as Bill took his seat on the floor. “Nobody has seen him since he left here in the company of the Dominguez boys a couple of days ago.” Rulon rubbed his thigh. “Pa says there’s some talk he was forced out of town.”

“Any idea why?” Fear clutched at Bill’s throat, and he swallowed a couple of times, trying to clear it off as he waited for the answer.

Rulon’s face had darkened in the lamplight. “Something about mistreating a girl.”

A thick chill swept over Bill. “We should leave tonight,” he muttered.

He started to get to his feet, but Rulon put a hand on his arm and pulled him back down.

“There’s no sense freezing yourself in that rain. You’ll be cold enough tomorrow when we head out for Denver City.”

“Early?” Bill heard in the pitch of his voice the fear, the anger he was trying to hold back.

“I reckon. Pa will leave plenty early. Bunk down and sleep.”

Bill shook his head, meaning to reject the advice after all, but Rulon persisted, and he finally agreed.

As Bill wrapped his blanket around himself and began to wiggle a space for himself between Chico and Sourdough on the floor of a stall, raised voices attracted his attention.

Old Man Owen and Mr. Hilbrands sat in a stall across the alleyway, consulting with their Virginia comrade, Mr. Bates. They spent the next half hour in a discussion that frequently escalated toward an argument.

Bill tried to block out their voices by tying his neck scarf around his ears and pulling his hat further down onto his head. Then he attempted to find a bit of sleep atop the dusty hay, jammed in among other men trying to achieve the same goal.

When the search party mounted up early the next morning, it was evident that Mr. Hilbrands had no plans to continue onward. He and Mr. Owen exchanged a few heated words, then they parted ways as the mounted men rode into the teeth of the wind-swept rain.

The initial rainfall let up toward midday, but began to came down again in fits and starts during the afternoon. Riding in the wet was pure misery to Bill. The only things keeping him going despite his sodden exhaustion were recovering the girl and taking vengeance on the man.

He found himself riding alongside the boss a few minutes later, and was surprised to recognize the same ends reflected in his haggard, tightly set expression.

He is her pa. If Marie was my daughter, I reckon I’d take it mighty hard to have her stolen away.

The possibility that the vile scoundrel had taken the girl’s virtue crossed his mind. Anger flashed with the power of lightning through his veins at the repugnant thought of another man, especially that man, possessing Marie against her will. He knew he’d been avoiding letting the idea out into the open, realizing that rage would paralyze him. As he struggled to concentrate on the obscure trail ahead, he thrust the fury down into his gut where he could bring it out later for examination.

The rain ceased again late in the day, about the time they found a wide spot in the road that consisted of a pair of saloons, a couple of bathhouses, and a few outbuildings. The Old Man called a halt.

As Bill climbed off his horse, he noticed a peculiar rumbling sound. It was not loud, but continuous, like a chorus of men humming at a low pitch.

Rulon and Mr. Bates accompanied the boss into one of the establishments while he and the other men looked around for accommodations for the night. Quiet, persuasive Clay got them the use of a stable behind a bathhouse, and found Bill and Chico together near one of the saloons.

Clay imparted the news, then added over the low rumble behind him, “They call this Boiling Springs, on account of the noise the gas makes rising up through the water. Folks come here to sooth themselves and drink the water. It is plenty tasty.” His morose expression didn’t harmonize with the good cheer in his words. He showed them the way to their lodgings.

Rulon came later, and drew Bill out of the stable where they could talk in private. He bore a visage carved from equal parts of anger and despair.

Bill’s limbs began to quiver as he eyed Rulon. “What did you learn?”

Rulon’s voice came slow and steady, but with an edge of steel. “He called himself Thornecroft hereabouts. Set up a poker table in one of the saloons for a spell.”

Bill sensed there was more, and waited for it with a feeling of dread.

“They say he’s cold, not right in the head.” He paused, gazed at his toes, then raised his chin and looked Bill in the eye. “He abused a girl so bad it killed her.”

Bill reached behind him, feeling for the stable timbers to hold him up as his legs threatened to fold.

“They was fixin’ to string him up, but he got away clean and headed south. I don’t reckon he’d come back this way, nor head to Denver.”

“You argued that to your pa?”

“I did. He’s seen the error of his ways.”

Bill sucked in air through clenched teeth.

Rulon gestured toward a stall. “Rest up. We’re turnin’ south at first light.”

~~~


Thank you for participating in Sweet Saturday Samples. Click on the link to go visit other authors' blogs with samples of their work. I'm sure they like comments as much as I do.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Cyber Monday Sale coming

On Monday, November 26, I will run a Cyber Monday Sale at Smashwords.com. All of my Novels in ebook format will be on sale for half-price, plus the No More Strangers collection will be free!!!

Cyber Monday-specific coupon codes will be listed here on Monday at 12:01 a.m., Mountain Standard Time. Codes are entered at checkout. The coupon codes will also be listed on Monday at my Facebook Author Page.

My novels that will be on sale for half-price are:

The Man from Shenandoah
Ride to Raton
Trail of Storms
Spinster's Folly

The collection, No More Strangers, will be FREE!!!

Pop on over here on Monday for the coupon codes for savings you won't see the rest of this year.

 






Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I'm interviewed (part 2) by Tanya Mills

Tanya Parker Mills, author of A Night on Moon Hill and The Reckoning, posted Part 1 of her interview with me as her "Wednesday Writer" last week as a part of my Blog Book Tour for Spinster's Folly. This week, she has posted Part 2. It tells a lot about me as a child growing up in rural Phoenix, Arizona. Yes, Phoenix used to be a small town, not a megalopolis.

Tanya's insightful questions drew out of me a plethora of memories that I shared. Find out how Old Dan, a mulberry tree, and fragrant pine boughs helped shape my imagination and creativity.

Thank you, Tanya!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Author Interview: Patricia Kiyono

Author Patricia Kiyono is a retired elementary school teacher who now teaches future teachers at a university. I found it interesting that she also works part time at a bakery. As any doting grandma would, she regularly takes care of her adorable granddaughter. She writes both contemporary and historical romance in novella and novel lengths. Her first historical novel, The Samurai's Garden, was released in electronic book formats by Astraea Press earlier this month.

Welcome, Patricia! What type of writer are you? Do you plan ahead/plot or do you simply fly by the seat of your pants?

I like to plot out a story. I start with a central conflict, and then choose characters who would have the most at stake in such a conflict. From there, it's a matter of planning a series of events where the couple meets and works together to solve the conflict. And since I write romance, I also need to develop that relationship.

At what time of day do you write best?

I work best in the morning. Right now it's 4 AM and I am getting ready to go to my job at the bakery. I've already read my email and checked Facebook. If I finish this interview and I still have time, I'll probably write another scene in a Valentine's Day story I'm doing with a co-author.

Yikes! That's about the time I get to bed each "night!" With such an early start to your day, what food or snack do you generally use for fuel to keep the words flowing?

When I'm writing, I always have something to drink next to me - either coffee or tea, or sometimes a cappuccino.

Since you like to plot out your work, what sparks a story into life for you? Where does it come from?

As I mentioned before, I usually start with the central conflict. Sometimes it comes from something I read - for example, my samurai story sprang from an article I read that mentioned the abrupt end to the samurai period when Emperor Meiji declared an end to the feudal system and abolished the entire samurai class. Thousands of men had to find a new way of life. I decided to take one former samurai and follow his journey. For my Greek island story, Aegean Intrigue, I began with my daughter's comment that Greek women didn't have much independence.

Then it doesn't matter if a writer is a plotter like you or a pantser like me. Reading is fundamental. What was it about the romance genre that interested you enough to choose to write in it?

I've been reading romance for many years. Even when I worked full time and had two young children, I would make time to read. Romances helped me cope with stress because I would live through the conflict along with the heroine. By the end of the book, the conflict was solved and the hero and heroine lived happily ever after - and then I could go to sleep. I'm hoping my romances can do that for someone else.

That's a great aspiration, Patricia, and another thing we have in common. Tell us about a Character you wish you had created. It could be someone else's famous character, or one you have yet to write about.

Meg Landslow from Donna Andrews' series of cozy mysteries is a wonderful character. She's smart, resourceful, and deals with an amazing amount of stress in each story. Unlike some other series heroines who still have to decide between two or more potential mates, she has settled down with a husband and now has a set of twins - which I expect will inspire even more chaos!

She sounds like a great character! What authors do you look to as a role model and inspiration?

Debbie Macomber and Robyn Carr are my favorite romance authors. They write about real people in real situations.

I like those kinds of stories, too, and those two authors are good role models. What's the best writing advice you ever received?

Just get the words on the page. You can't edit what you haven't written.

Exactly! I believe good writers read a lot. What do you use to mark your page while you're reading a book?

I read on my ipad and iphone for the most part. I can't remember the last traditional book I read! So on those devices, the pages are kept electronically, and when I "open the book" it opens on the page where I left it! This is especially handy because I tend to read on the go—like at doctors' waiting rooms (I drive my mother and husband to lots of doctor appointments) or during lunch breaks at work.

You caught me on that one. I need to edit my questions to stay abreast of the times. What one thing do you like most about writing?

I love being able to craft stories that entertain. I love it when people tell me they've enjoyed a story I've written.

Yeah, that's the best kind of feedback. What do you like least?

The thing I like least is reading the final edition of my book and STILL finding errors or things I could have expressed more clearly!

[sigh] That is the worst thing, finding errors when it's way too late. As I mentioned, your new novel is called The Samurai's Garden, published by Astraea Press. Tell us what the book is about.

The Samurai's Garden is about a former samurai soldier during the 1870s. Japan's emperor Meiji had declared an end to the feudal system, abolishing the entire samurai's class. Hiromasa Tanaka was born into a samurai family, and had spent his life in training to be a warrior. He could join his brother as a member of the Imperial Guard, but he chooses to wander. He goes to the far north, where he meets a struggling female subsistence farmer.

Why should anyone part with their hard earned cash and precious time to read The Samurai's Garden? Sell it to us!

The Samurai's Garden will take you on an adventure unlike any you've taken before. The time period and the location (Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan) are unusual and the culture is different, but you'll find people need and want the same things in life—a safe home, and love.

Those are the universal wants and needs. Where can readers buy your book?

The Samurai's Garden is available at Astraea Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

I noticed the price is only $2.99, an excellent price for an ebook. I wish you many sales! What are you writing next, Patricia?

My next project is with a writing partner, Stephanie Michels. We're putting together a series of stories about a group of women who belong to a quilting group in southwest Michigan. The women are a different stages in their lives and lead different lifestyles, but all are connected by their love of quilting. We are hoping that the first book will be available by Valentine's Day.

What a neat idea. Good luck! Now that you're becoming established, what advice would you pass along to other writers?

Write every day, whether you feel like it or not. If the story isn't flowing, journal. Record your rambling thoughts. You never know when those thoughts will gel into another storyline!

Excellent advice. Thank you for being my guest today.

Thank you for having me, Marsha! I'm so honored to be here.

Patricia Kiyono has also written The Legacy, The Christmas Phoenix, Aegean Intrigue, and The Partridge and the Peartree, as well as The Samurai's Garden.

Connect with Patricia online at:
her blog: www.creative-hodgepodge.blogspot.com
her website: www.patriciakiyono.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patricia-Kiyono/149294485148710
and on Twitter @PatriciaKiyono

Patricia's entire booklist is available at Astraea Press, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Last Day for Blog Book Tour

Today, Anna del C. Dye has an interview with me on her blog. I hope you'll go on over and visit her. Leave a comment, please.

It has been fun getting together this blog book tour for Spinster's Folly. I hope you will consider picking up a copy, either digital or print. 

If you don't think you like historical novels set on the Western Frontier, please consider the men in your life. With plenty of action and adventure, the books in the Owen Family Saga make great gifts for any occasion. (There is enough romance in each book to please a women, too.) Since we're heading into prime gift-giving season, please think about giving the gift of literacy and enjoyment this year.


Whether you give my books or those of another author, remember that books make fine gifts, not only when you present them, but when your recipient reads them. Those long hours of enjoyment can't be overestimated!



The Owen Family Saga novels:
Autographed Copies
Personalized Inscriptions for ebooks


The Man from Shenandoah: Book 1 - in print and ebook formats
Print | Smashwords eBooks | Kindle
Ride to Raton: Book 2 - in print and ebook formats
Print | Smashwords eBooks | Kindle
Trail of Storms: Book 3 - in print and ebook formats
Print | Smashwords eBooks | Kindle
Spinster's Folly: Book 4 - in print and ebook formats
Print | Smashwords eBooks | Kindle

The Owen Family Saga Sampler (eBook  - Several chapters of the novels to whet your appetite)
Smashwords eBooks | Kindle



Friday, November 16, 2012

Blog Book Tour Day 13 - Review & Giveaway!

Today, Debra Erfert posted a wonderful review of Spinster's Folly on her blog, Debra's Windows into Writing. Not only that, she has a Giveaway for those who comment on the blog post: a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

You don't want to miss this! Go on over and visit, then be sure to comment and give your email address to be entered into the Giveaway.

Thank you, Debra!

Book Review - Secrets of the Red Box, by Vickie Hall

Vickie Hall is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Links:
Purchase link: Amazon 

My blog is one of the stops on an extensive blog tour for Secrets of the Red Box, by Vickie Hall. It is coordinated by Kathy at the I Am A Reader, Not A Writer blog, and includes a Blog Tour Giveaway (see below). I was provided with a copy of the manuscript for this review.

I reviewed a previous novel by Vickie Hall, and can see impressive growth in her as a writer.

Here's the back cover copy for Secrets of the Red Box:

Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Secrets of the Red Box is not an ordinary, feel-good romance or mystery. I think I would term it a novel of psychological suspense.

When I began reading, I was not sure where the story was going, but soon, it picked up steam and began to draw me in. At first, Bonnie wasn't a very likeable heroine, certainly not the typical main character, as she lied her way through  several encounters with men who wanted to date her. She had a different background story for each one, and soon began to stumble over her lies. 

Then the author managed to play with my perception of Bonnie, and I began to see her as a victim of her past instead of a cold-hearted, manipulative character. I was amazed that Hall was able to do this so deftly. By the end of the novel, I had true sympathy for Bonnie, and for Glen, the man who was able to inspire changes in her for the better.

Hall gives clear road marks when she switches time frames, which I appreciated. Sometimes, a reader is left to guess where a story has jumped to, but not here. I liked being able to immerse myself in the past, as Hall clearly did a lot of research to get to know the times and the ambiance of the novel's setting. I felt like I was a young girl again, with mentions of familiar surroundings out of my own memories. The forties were another time and place in America, and Hall brought them vividly to life. 

I enjoyed reading Secrets of the Red Box, and recommend it as a fascinating look into a tortured soul's journey toward redemption.

Click here for the Rafflecopter Giveaway that ends on November 25th: 

  • $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall + copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US - Paperback, Kindle ebook - International)
  • Paperback copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US only)
  • Kindle Ebook copy of Secrets of the Red Box (International)



Thursday, November 15, 2012

Day 12 - Blog Book Tour for Spinster's Folly

I'm happy to direct your attention today to Alethea Williams's blog,  Actually Alethea, where she's hosting a guest post I wrote, featuring a visit with my main character, Marie Owen. I know both Alethea and Marie would love to have you visit, and comment, if that strikes your fancy.

I'm adding a couple of links to this post here, so you can find Spinster's Folly online, to purchase in either a print book or as an ebook. I will have autographed and personalized print books to sell from my website in approximately two weeks.

Print | Smashwords eBooks | Kindle  

The Smashwords site has Spinster's Folly in all the ebook formats, and they are available worldwide.

Thanks for lending me your eyes.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Spinster's Folly: The Dream is Alive!


Spinster's Folly has now been published both in ebooks, at Smashwords.com and Amazon.com, and in a print edition, available right now at CreateSpace.com. The print version will be on Amazon.com soon, so watch for it (although I earn a better royalty if you get it at CreateSpace).

I'm very happy that this book is finally available in all versions. It will slowly make its way forward, out to all the online booksellers. In a few weeks' time, you can even urge your local bookstore to carry it, if you give the buyer the International Standard Book Number. It soon will be in the Ingram Book Company pipeline (they are the major distributor this side of the pond), as well as other entities, and should have wide distribution.

What is the International Standard Book Number or ISBN?

978-0988381001 

Armed with that number, my name, the book title (Spinster's Folly), and the word Ingram, you might try asking not only bookstores, but your library to order it.

Do you have anything to lose but a few minutes of your time?


I'm revamping this blog

Just a tiny bit, like on the sidebar and the pages up there above. Like the Buy Links page, in particular. I've just put in the places where you can purchase Spinster's Folly. That includes a brand-new link, to the CreateSpace store for the novel! I'm exciting about this. Now, as of today, Spinster's Folly is available in a print edition, so don't be shy. Go ahead. Click on the Buy Links Page above and find the link to buy Spinster's Folly as a real, live, paperback book!

Or you can save yourself a click and just hit one of the links in this post. :-)

 

Getting off Track - Days 10 & 11

My Blog Book Tour for Spinster's Folly continues, even as I get off track by duties left over from my Book Release last Saturday.

Now I have all the prizes distributed or in the mail, except those for one person. I had to acquire a particularly-sized box to mail the items. I'll get that into the mail tomorrow.

Yesterday, my friend Patricia Kiyono, who styles herself as author/crafter/seamstress/procrastinator, hosted my Tour at her blog, Creative Hodgepodge. She included a guest post I wrote telling what I ask my beta readers to do in order to help them evaluate the things I need to know about the work at hand. Thank you, Patricia!

Today, three other friends are helping me get the word out about Spinster's Folly.

Valerie Ipson interviews me on her blog, Of Writerly Things. She asked what authors I admire, and why, along with revealing my secret to breaking through writers block.

Tanya Parker Mills, the author of the newly published novel, A Night on Moon Hill, sent me several awesome questions that she has crafted into a two-parter, so be sure to check out the first part today on her "Wednesday Writer" segment, and go over again next week to see what else I may have said to embarrass myself.

Steve Westover, whose new novel, Gold Clash, is coming out in December, posted an excerpt of Spinster's Folly over on his blog, Westover Writes.

Thanks, Valerie, Tanya and Steve!

Be sure to stop by and read what these kind folks have done. Please consider leaving a comment on their blogs to show you appreciate them. Thank you.

Monday, November 12, 2012

JDP News additional host today for Blog Book Tour

Go over and savor Joyce DiPastena's delightful presentation of my guest post on her blog.

Thanks! Be sure to leave a comment to let her know her efforts are appreciated.

Blog Tour Day Nine Begins Early in Japan

Today's Blog Book Tour includes a post by a fellow Western writer who hails from Arizona, but who has lived in Japan for many years, because--as he explains it--that's where his wife lives.

Check out The Outlaw Trail blog from Chuck Tyrell, and don't forget to leave a comment, if you will. All bloggers appreciate it when we tell them what we think. It proves someone reads what we take the time and effort to write and post.

Thank you.

I'll be back later to direct you to another stop on the Blog Book Tour.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

A Cool Review for Day Eight of the Blog Tour

Today, a friend and colleague from the Rim Country Writers group posted her review of Spinster's Folly on her blog. Thanks for taking the time to visit, and if you're so inclined, to leave a comment.


Spinster's Folly is available at this time in ebook formats at Smashword.com and Amazon.com. Various unavoidable factors have delayed the production of the print book, but it's coming soon.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Day 6: Get to know me for Blog Book Tour

Today's stop on the Spinster's Folly Blog Book Tour is over at Shaunna Gonzales's blog where she has interviewed me. Thanks, Shaunna!

Don't forget, tomorrow is the big Book Release Party over on Facebook (unless my power goes off due to the expected storm). Come on over! We'll have lots of prizes and fun!

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Day 5 - Spinster's Folly Blog Tour

I'm thankful for these Blog Tour Hosts today:

November 8
Teatime Romance - Author Interview
Donna K. Weaver, Author: Weaving a Tale or Two - Excerpt 

Please go visit, and consider leaving a comment, as well.

Thank you!

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Spinster's Folly Tour Hosts so far...

If you've missed out on the great posts offered by hosts on the Spinster's Folly Blog Book Tour to date, here are their links. Questions in the games on Saturday may have answers in these posts!
 
November 4
Joan Sowards - Two Questions

November 5
Words and Works - Guest Post

November 6
Ryan Hunter - Review and Guest Post
Tina Scott, Author and Artist - Author Interview

November 7
Mama Pike Says - Review
Murphy's Law - Author Interview
Writers Mirror - Party Announcement

And tomorrow's hosts are . . .
 
November 8
Teatime Romance - Author Interview
Donna K. Weaver, Author: Weaving a Tale or Two - Excerpt

Spinster's Folly Blog Tour: Day 4

Go read things you didn't know about me at the blogs of today's Blog Book Tour Hosts: Kari Pike and Heidi Murphy.

Mama Pike Says - Review
Murphy's Law - Author Interview

There is food mentioned. Here's one hint:

 

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Just a little something blood-stirring for this day

Spinster's Folly Blog Tour - Day Three

Today I have two blog hosts participating to let you know about Spinster's Folly.

Ryan Hunter is posting a guest blog from me, and Tina Scott is probably going to roast my ears off in her interview!

I know these bloggers do fun things with their posts, so please go visit. I'm sure they'd appreciate your comments, too.

Edited to note that Tina didn't roast me, but did a very nice interview. Ryan's blog design is so awesome that you really must go take a look just to admire it. While you're there, you can read my guest blog.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Blog Book Tour - Day Two

The host today on my Blog Book Tour for Spinster's Folly is Margaret Larsen at Words and Works. Margaret is the author of several books, including Save the Child and the A Nurse's World series.

Thank you, Margaret!

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Spinster's Folly Blog Tour begins

Hello friends,

Today begins the Spinster's Folly Blog Book Tour, which runs for the next two weeks. Author Joan Sowards is the initial Blog Hostess, with a post in which she asks me two off-the-wall questions. Drop on by, if you want to know my answers.

Click here for Joan's blog post

The highlight of this week will be the Book Release Party for Spinster's Folly, which will be held on Saturday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. MST - ONLINE! 


Yes, there will be no limitation to this party. You won't have to go to a physical location to obtain Spinster's Folly. I will tell you where it is available as an ebook. Watch for a later announcement about where you can order it as a print book. Due to sunspot activity, phases of the moon, illness, and other factors, the print books will be available a bit later.

However, this party is going to be BIG! There will be games, prizes, lots of fun, and you will probably learn more than you ever wanted to know about me, characters, how and why I write, and why I love being an independent author.

Here's the location of the party on Facebook

Click here to find a list of the blogs that are joining me during these two weeks to celebrate the newest member of The Owen Family Saga, Spinster's Folly! (Yes, it's to that tab up there that says "Spinster's Folly Blog Tour," top of the page, extreme right hand side).

Happy reading!

Marsha Ward
Spinster's Folly release coming Nov. 10th!
https://www.facebook.com/events/333393153425853/

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample - Nov 3, 2012

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples.

I'm looking forward to the Online Book Release of Spinster's Folly in one week. Yep. One Week! I'll host a virtual Book Release event on November 10 over at Facebook, with prizes and fun. In addition, a Blog Book Tour will be running from November 4 through 17, so click at the appropriate tab above for the tour schedule. Go visit the blogs on the tour to add new dimensions to your Spinster's Folly experience. Fellow bloggers will interview me, host guest posts by yours truly, do reviews of Spinster's Folly, and maybe include an excerpt or two, as well! Enjoy!

This week's sample is a scene played out between Julia Owen and some of her neighbors. What are they waiting for?

Julia stopped stirring the pot hanging over the fire and returned to her seat. Gripping one hand with the other, she set her mouth and waited, her head inclined so she could see an area on the floor about fifteen inches in front of her shoes.

“It won’t do to fret, Julia,” Elizabeth said. “If Mr. Morgan catches up to them today, we’ll know by nightfall.”

“Leave her be, Lizzie.” Muriel Bates stood from her chair and went to Julia’s side, gave her a pat on the shoulder, then turned to remonstrate with Elizabeth, whose face had turned ashen. “Yes, you know I call you 'Lizzie' whenever I’ve a mind to. This is one of those times when a body ought to be allowed to fret all she wants, and I’ll stand here and tell you so to your face.”

“Well! I never heard the like in all my days! I’ve a mind to get in my wagon and go home, if this is the treatment I can expect hereabouts.”

“You know you’re blowing hot air, dearie. You’ve never hitched up a team in your life. Mind your manners and leave Julia to have as many dark thoughts as she’s willing to bear.”

“You really are being dreadful to her, Muriel,” Julia said, not moving a muscle beyond those necessary to talk. “I grieve in the open. Elizabeth hides her feelings behind charitable acts.”

“Charitable acts? Pshaw!” Muriel strode to the fireplace and stirred the pot. Then she rounded on Elizabeth again. “I don’t blame the girl for running off when her expectations were wrapped up in living her life under your thumb.”

“Stop it, Muriel!” Julia arose and felt her cheeks burning. “I don’t reckon quarreling will help me or you or Elizabeth abide the waitin’ with any hope of decorum or calm. It’s not your dog in this fight, much as I value your friendship and good sense.” Seeing Muriel’s crestfallen countenance, she took two steps and folded her in a tight embrace. “Oh, you know I mean you no ill will. I do need all the peace I can muster.” As the gravity of the night’s events overcame her again, she dropped her arms from around her friend and moaned, her voice breaking, “My girl. My girl! Will I ever see you again?” Her shoulders slumped and her head hung forward. “Please, pray with me.”

A voice came from the doorway. “I will join you. It is but the least thing I can do for you, Julia.”

Julia turned and saw Amanda Hilbrands coming toward her, and she swiped at her eyes. “Yes. Thank you. Ladies, please pray for my girl, and for my wounded boy, for that matter. And for Lizzie’s boy. His feelin’s must be mighty raw, Marie treatin’ him thataway.”


Thank you for participating in Sweet Saturday Samples. Click on the link to go visit other authors' blogs with samples of their work. I'm sure they like comments as much as I do.
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