Saturday, May 31, 2014

Sample Saturday - May 31, 2014

Welcome back to Sample Saturday. In this fragment from Gone for a Soldier, the Owen Family Saga novel that will be released later this summer, Rulon gets welcome and long-overdue news from home.
~~~

On the way to eat, someone thrust a couple of letters into Rulon's hands, and while he ate, he opened Mary's.

In only seconds, he was on his feet, whooping and hollering, his wound forgotten and the contents of his plate scattered on the ground.


One of the men looked up and asked, "What ails you, Owen?"


Rulon tried to calm himself enough to answer, but the powerful emotion Mary's words had evoked prevented him from giving a coherent reply for some minutes.


"I'm a papa," he finally gasped. "I have a son." The strength left his legs as the enormity of that responsibility swept through him. He sat with a whoosh as the air left his lungs.


The troopers of Company I gathered around, pounding him on the back and offering congratulations. All except for one, who eyed him with a resentful air.

~~~

Thank you for visiting! Please come back next Saturday for another sample of my writing.

Bestselling author Marsha Ward wrote the novella, Faith and the Foremen, in the Timeless Romance Anthology Old West Collection. She is the author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her last published book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction, and recently was named Finalist in Western Fiction in the 2014 International Book Awards. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association, a.k.a. ANWA.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Fresh Book Friday - Intertwine

Title: Intertwine
Author: Nichole Van
Genre: Romance Time Travel
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Date of Publication: February 2014

Synopsis:
Time is not a river. It is a vast cosmic sea. Where each life exists as rippling circles on its surface, past and future being eternally present. And occasionally, one expanding ring intertwines with that of another, weaving the lives of two people together....

In 2012, Emme Wilde can’t find the right guy. She wants to feel that swept-off-your-feet dizziness of true love. But so far, her dating life has come up short. Star Trek geek? Nice but too serious. Hippy artist? Cute but too vulnerable. Instead, Emme obsesses over the portrait of an unknown man in an old locket. Granted, a seriously dreamy guy with delicious, wind-swept hair she just itches to run her fingers through. But still. Dead men may be great listeners, but they are not exactly boyfriend material. Emme travels to England, determined to uncover his history and conquer the strong connection she feels.

In 1812, James Knight has given up finding the right woman. All he wants is someone to share his love of adventure. Instead, his life has become a Shakespearean drama. His brother languishes in a tragic star-crossed romance. His beloved sister clings to life, slowly dying of consumption. But then he finds a beautiful mystery woman, dripping wet and half-dead, beneath a tree on his estate. Now if he can uncover her history, perhaps adventure—and romance—will find him at last.

Excerpt:
The obsession began on June 12, 2008 around 11:23 a.m.

Though secretly Emme Wilde considered it more of a ‘spiritual connection’ than an actual full-blown neurosis.

Of course, her brother, Marc, her mother and a series of therapists all begged to disagree.

Thankfully her best friend, Jasmine, regularly validated the connection and considered herself to be Emme’s guide through this divinely mystical union of predestined souls (her words, not Emme’s). Marc asserted that Jasmine was not so much a guide as an incense-addled enabler (again, his words, not Emme’s). Emme was just grateful that anyone considered the whole affair normal—even if it was only Jasmine’s loose sense of ‘normal.’

Jasmine always insisted Emme come with her to estate sales, and this one outside Portland, Oregon proved no exception. Though Jasmine contended this particular estate sale would be significant for Emme, rambling on about circles colliding in the vast cosmic ocean creating necessary links between lives—blah, blah. All typical Jasmine-speak.

Emme brushed it off, assuming that Jasmine really just wanted someone to organize the trip: plan the best route to avoid traffic, find a quirky restaurant for lunch, entertain her on the long drive from Seattle.

At the estate sale, Emme roamed through the stifling tents, touching the cool wood of old furniture, the air heavy with that mix of dust, moth balls and disuse that marks aged things. Jasmine predictably disappeared into a corner piled with antique quilts, hunting yet again for that elusive log cabin design with black centers instead of the traditional red.

But Emme drifted deeper, something pulling her farther and farther into the debris of lives past and spent. To the trace of human passing, like fingerprints left in the paint of a pioneer cupboard door. Stark and clear.

Usually Emme would have stopped to listen to the stories around her, the history grad student in her analyzing each detail. Yet that day she didn’t. She just wandered, looking for something. Something specific.

If only she could remember what.

Skirting around a low settee in a back corner, Emme first saw the antique trunk. A typical mid-nineteenth century traveling chest, solid with mellow aged wood. It did not call attention to itself. But it stood apart somehow, almost as if the air were a little lighter around it.

She first opened the lid out of curiosity, expecting the trunk to be empty. Instead, she found it full. Carefully shifting old books and papers, Emme found nothing of real interest.

Until she reached the bottom right corner.

There she found a small object tucked inside a brittle cotton handkerchief. Gently unwrapping the aged fabric, she pulled out an oval locket. Untouched and expectant.

Filigree covered the front, its gilt frame still bright and untarnished, as if nearly new.

Emme turned the locket over, feeling its heft in her hand, the metal cool against her palm. It hummed with an almost electric pulse. How long had the locket lain wrapped in the trunk?

Transparent crystal partially covered the back. Under the crystal, two locks of hair were woven into an intricate pattern—one bright and fair, the other a dark chocolate brown. Gilded on top of the crystal, two initials nestled together into a stylized gold symbol.

She touched the initials, trying to make them out. One was clearly an F. But she puzzled over the other for a moment, tracing the design with her eyes. And then she saw it. Emme sucked in a sharp breath. An E. The other initial was an E.

She opened the locket, hearing the small pop of the catch.

A gasp.

Her hands tingled.

A sizzling shock started at the back of her neck and then spread.
 

Him.

There are moments in life that sear into the soul. Brief glimpses of some larger force. When so many threads collapse into one. Coalesce into a single truth.

Seeing him for the first time was one of those moments.

He gazed intently out from within the right side of the locket: blond, blue-eyed, chiseled with a mouth hinting at shared laughter. Emme’s historian mind quickly dated his blue-green, high collared jacket and crisp, white shirt and neckcloth to the mid-Regency era, probably around 1812, give or take a year.

Emme continued to look at the man—well, stare actually. His golden hair finger-combed and deliciously disheveled. Broad shoulders angled slightly toward the viewer. Perhaps his face a shade too long and his nose a little too sharp for true beauty. But striking. Handsome even.

Looking expectant, as if he had been waiting for her.

Emme would forever remember the jolt of it.

Surprise and recognition.

She knew him. Had known him.

Somehow, somewhere, in some place.

He felt agonizingly familiar. That phantom part of her she had never realized was lost.

The sensation wasn’t quite deja vu.

More like memory.

Like suddenly finding that vital thing you didn’t realize had been misplaced. Like coming up, gasping for air, after nearly drowning and seeing the world bright and sparkling and new.

She stood mesmerized by him until Jasmine joined her.

“Ooooh, you found him.” The hushed respect in her voice was remarkable. This was Jasmine after all.

Emme nodded mutely.

“Your circles are so closely intertwined. Amazing.”

Jasmine turned the locket in Emme’s hand.

“What does this inscription say?” she asked.

Emme hadn’t noticed the engraved words on the inside left of the locket case. But now she read them. Her sudden sharp inhalation seared, painfully clenching.

Oh. Oh!

The words reverberated through her soul, shattering and profound.

Emme didn’t recall much more of that day—Jasmine purchasing the locket or even the little restaurant where they ate lunch. Instead, she only remembered the endless blur of passing trees on the drive home, the inscription echoing over and over:


To E
throughout all time
heart of my soul
your F

Buy Link:
Amazon 


Author Bio:

Nichole Van is an artist who feels life is too short to only have one obsession. In former lives, she has been a contemporary dancer, pianist, art historian, choreographer, culinary artist and English professor, though Nichole still prefers the label 'adaptable' more than 'ADD.'

Most notably, however, Nichole is an acclaimed photographer, winning over thirty international accolades for her work, including Portrait of the Year from WPPI in 2007. (Think Oscars for wedding and portrait photographers.) Her unique photography style has been featured in many magazines, including Rangefinder and Professional Photographer. She is also the creative mind behind the popular websites Flourish Emporium and {life as art} Workshops, which provide resources for photographers.

All that said, Nichole has always been a writer at heart. With an MA in English, she taught technical writing at Brigham Young University for ten years and has written more technical manuals than she can quickly count. She decided in late 2013 to start writing fiction and has loved exploring a new creative process.

Nichole currently lives in Utah with her husband and three crazy children. Though continuing in her career as a photographer, Nichole is also now writing historical romance on the side.

Blog: http://blog.nicholeV.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NicholeVan
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/NicholeVan
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/NicholeVan
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Nichole-Van/e/B00IQ031A2/


This book sounds like my kind of romantic get-away. How about you?

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Sample Saturday - May 24, 2014

Welcome back to Sample Saturday. In this sample from Gone for a Soldier, the Owen Family Saga novel that will be released later this summer, Ben hears an emotional goodbye from his old brigade commander, who is leaving to command troops in the Shenandoah Valley.
~~~

On November 4th, General Jackson addressed the 1st Brigade, and Ben stood on a hill with the rest of the soldiers, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Old Jack," who now held the name "Stonewall" Jackson, was headed for the Shenandoah Valley to take command there, but the Brigade that also bore that nickname would hold the hard-won line before Washington.

The general said he was not making a speech, but was there to bid them farewell. After making more speech than Ben had ever heard from him, the general stood in his stirrups and exclaimed, "In the Army of the Shenandoah you were the First Brigade, in the Army of the Potomac you were the First Brigade, in the Second Corps of this army you are the First Brigade."


Ben swallowed down the lump in his throat as the general went on.


"You are the First Brigade in the affections of your general, and I hope by your future deeds and bearing you will be handed down to posterity as the First Brigade in this, our second war of independence. Farewell!"


The hush extended for a moment only, then the men around him raised cheer after cheer. Ben joined in until his throat felt raw. General Jackson briefly waved farewell and rode away at a gallop.


The man next to Ben groaned. "I wish I was a-goin' with him," he said. "I'd cotton to seein' my Sara right about now."

~~~

Thank you for visiting. Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!

Bestselling author Marsha Ward wrote the novella, Faith and the Foremen, in the Timeless Romance Anthology Old West Collection. She is the author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her last published book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.


Friday, May 23, 2014

Fresh Book Friday - Ilsa

Title: Ilsa
Author: Shanna Hatfield
Genre: Sweet Western Historical Romance
Date of Publication: April 2014

Synopsis:
One of the most talented seamstresses of her time, Ilsa Thorsen could sell her creations anywhere in the world, but she ends up on her sister’s ranch in the western town of Pendleton, Oregon. Disgusted with the dust, smells, and nearly every aspect of rural life, Ilsa wonders how she’ll survive, particularly with the arrogant Tony Campanelli constantly underfoot.

Enterprising and hardworking, Tony Campanelli embraces life in the small community of Pendleton with his sister and their friends, especially since Ilsa Thorsen moves to town. The uptight seamstress just needs to learn to have some fun and Tony’s convinced he’s the man for the job.

Excerpt:
“Oh, Ilsa,” Aundy said, trying hard not to smile as she carefully put her hands on her sister’s shoulders and turned her toward the house, knocking eggshells out of her hair as they walked. Garrett winked at his wife and a giggle escaped. Soon everyone was laughing.

Ilsa glared at Aundy then marched herself around the house to the kitchen door.

Mad at her sister for laughing and the rest of them for joining in, Ilsa stamped her foot and dislodged a flurry of eggshells on Aundy’s clean floor. Yanking her apron over her head, more broken shells and slimy yolks dislodged themselves from her head.

Hearing the back door shut behind her, she let her temper have free rein.

“How could you? It’s bad enough I made a fool of myself, but you set off all the laughter. It’s just mean.”

The sound of a muffled laugh made her even angrier. Trying to reach behind her back to undo the buttons of her dress, she needed to take a bath and have a fresh start to this awful day. It wasn’t even yet six in the morning.

“Don’t stand there like a hysterical ninny. Help me get out of this,” she ordered, resisting the urge to stamp her foot again. She felt fingers working at the buttons of her dress but the musky, masculine scent that reached her nose made her fully aware Aundy didn’t stand behind her.

Spinning around, she looked into the smirking face of Tony Campanelli.

“You!”

“Me,” he said, in a husky, low voice. Although his mouth still turned up in a smile, his eyes burned like a golden fire as they bore into hers. “Let me help you, chickadee.”

Buy Links:
Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

 

Author Bio:
Shanna Hatfield is a hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. In addition to blogging, eating too much chocolate, and being smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller, she is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

Follow Shanna online:
ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter

Email Shanna at shanna@shannahatfield.com

***
Thank you for hosting me today. I’m so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to connect with your readers.


It's my pleasure, Shanna.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Huge 3-Day Ebook Sale


This sale is amazing! Dozens of books for $1.99, $0.99, or free, plus the chance to win these fun prizes. Go to Bookmarked Bargains to click on the books you'd like to purchase and to enter to win. 

Here are the participating authors (category titles are clickable links). Happy reading!

Imperfect Love, Rebecca Talley
Wild Hearts, Heather Tullis
Fallen Angel, Lisa Swinton
The Daisy Chain, Heather Moore
Sweet Confections, Danyelle Ferguson 
A Portrait for Toni, Annette Lyon
      
My Own Mr. Darcy, Karey White
Home Matters, Julie N. Ford
Silver Linings, Kaylee Baldwin
Third Times the Charm, Heather Moore

Discovering Sophie, Cindy Roland Anderson
The Making of a Queen (Ariana Book 1), Rachel Ann Nunes
Prank Wars, Stephanie Fowers
Mr. Wrong, Alivia Anderson
Intercession, Vicki Budge

Amazon, Sunset, Marie Higgins
Loyalty’s Web, Joyce DiPastena
The Man from Shenandoah, Marsha Ward
Intertwine, Nichole Van
Illuminations of the Heart, Joyce DiPastena
Spinster’s Folly, Marsha Ward
               
Tell me No Lies, Rachel Branton
Spy Noon (Spy Another Day prequel), Jordan McCollum
A Change of Plans, Donna K. Weaver
Fourth of July, Cami Checketts
Homecoming Identity, Heather Justesen
I, Spy (Spy Another Day #1), Jordan McCollum
To Sleep No More, Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
The Colony, Cami Checketts

There, Their, They're: A no-tears guide to grammar from the word nerd, 2nd edition, Annette Lyon   
Homeschool Lifestyles from Homeschool Moms, Valerie Steimle
The 2012 Book Bloggers' Cookbook, Christy Dorrity
Of One Heart: Being Single in the LDS World, Valerie Steimle

Nourish and Strength, Maria Hoagland
Wall of Faith, J Loyd Morgan
Intercession, Vicki Budge
Family Size, Maria Hoagland

Just Like Elizabeth Taylor, Lu Ann Staheli          
Worth It (an LDS love story), Taryn Taylor
The Princess Sisters, Stacy Lynn Carroll
Frogs and Toads, Stacy Lynn Carroll
Confessions of 16-year-old Virgin-Lips, Cindy Hogan
Samara: A Kilenya Romance, Andrea Pearson
Tides across the Sea, Lu Ann Staheli
Gravediggers, Cindy Hogan

Heroes of the Highest Order (1-3), Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
The Secret Sisters Club (A Ginnie West Adventure), Monique Bucheger
The Stone of Valhalla, Mikey Brooks
The Key of Kilenya, Andrea Pearson
Simply West of Heaven: A Ginnie West Adventure, Monique bucheger
The Dream Keeper, Mikey Brooks

The Waxing Moon, author J Loyd Morgan
Blue Dragon (Dragonbound Series book one), Rebecca Shelley
Nexus Point, the Fall of the Altairan Empire Book 1, Jaleta Clegg
Soul Windows, Jaleta Clegg
DragonBound IV: Red Dragon, Rebecca Shelley

Inevitable, Tamara Heiner
Twisted Tales Trilogy, Stephanie Fowers
The Roilden Stones of Elf Mountain,  Anna del C.
Awakening: Book One of the Geis, Christy Dorrity
Fateful, Cheri Schmidt
The Silent Warrior Trilogy, Anna del C.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Welcome News about Spinster's Folly

I woke up this morning all ready to finish the build/assembly for my computer desk, but first I had to check my email.

That's when I saw this:


"Congratulations!

"The results of the 2014 International Book Awards have been announced.

"Your book has been honored as a "Finalist" in the "Fiction: Western" category."


"Your book" is my novel, Spinster's Folly, which now has received recognition in three different Literary Award programs.

It was a Finalist in Historical Fiction in the 2012 Whitney Awards;


It was the Winner in Western Fiction in the USA Best Books Awards for 2013;


And now, it's a Finalist in Western Fiction in the 2014 International Book Awards.


Okay, exclamation point time: !!!!!!!!!

Thank you. That felt good.

Needless to say, my plans for the day were slightly derailed (can anything be "slightly" derailed?). It's been another publicity day, spreading the word about my incredible good fortune!

I'm feelin' good!

Writer Wednesday - Anna del C. Dye

I'm beginning a new occasional feature here on the blog, which should have occurred last week. However, life happened, so we've begun "Writer Wednesday" today.

Anna del C. Dye
My first Writer for the series is Anna del C. Dye, who I have interviewed previously here and here. Anna writes YA Fantasy novels.

Let's get started:


1. Anna, you have a new book coming out, The Roilden Stones of Elf Mountain, which I'm spotlighting on this blog on June 13. How many books does that make that you've published?

Eight books, seven in my Elf's series and one children's book.

2. I understand you're re-launching your "Silent Warrior" trilogy. What made you want to take that task on?

I wanted to re-published the novels with Amazon and remove them from my old publisher's list. Besides, I never liked how the cover of book two, Trouble in the Elf City, turned out. It is a beautiful night scene that looked like a hot midday. We succeeded in getting the colors corrected, and now the cover of book two it is an inspiring midnight scene, and it looks more like the original.

3. Did you re-write anything in these books?

I edited them, and they look awesome, my editor says. I have learned so much since my husband and I published The Elf and the Princess that I wanted to refresh the books and make them shine. They so deserve it. :)

4. When is the re-launch taking place? Are you having a party for readers?

It started Monday, May 19, and will go on for a week. I am having a blog tour and highlights everywhere. There are a lot of wonderful people helping me with this effort.

5. What do you do in your leisure time (that's supposing you have any)?

I don't have time for anything, but once in a while I watch a movie. I just watched The Hobbit Two last night. Love it. I can't get enough of Tolkien's masterpieces.



Thank you, Anna. Now let's learn a bit about the books:


Book One: The Elf and the Princess
A most thrilling and captivating tale for readers of all ages

Menarm was a great and prosperous kingdom, known throughout the lands for its friendly, hard-working people and fair trade. But a bitter struggle of succession between twin brothers left the kingdom devastated, the people divided. Some stayed with Fenil, who had conquered the crown, others followed Renil to the wild lands of the north, founding a new kingdom.

Now Adren, the last princess of the vanquished realm of Menarm, finds herself alone in a world where women live in the shadows of men. Not only must she battle her enemies, but also a truth that could obliterate her last hope for happiness and bring dishonor to all those whom she holds dear. On her quest, she finds unlikely allies in a powerful prince and a defiant mercenary, only to be devastated by an ancient and wily elf. Will Adren survive this  assault?



Book Two: Trouble in the Elf City
To achieve peace, war is often times inevitable

In the serene and beautiful city of the elfs, life has changed but little since Menarm was destroyed and the war ended. Three springs have passed and Adren, the last princess of Menarm, has settled into her new life. Her champion, the Silent Warrior, has not been seen since the battle at Wilapond.

Suddenly the peaceful life in her new kingdom is challenged by enemies the elfs are unable to fight. Disaster seems imminent for their whole race. Will she have to witness the destruction of this kingdom and once again find herself alone in the world? Or can the Silent Warrior come to her rescue and save them all?

Once again Anna’s inspiration from the myths and legends of Europe and from writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien has woven a new and completely original tale full of suspense, adventure, and medieval-style warfare in Trouble in the Elf City, book two of The Silent Warrior Trilogy. Join in the continuing saga of Adren and the elfkind.



Book Three: Elfs in a Conquered Realm
When fear takes the heart...only love can free it

On their visit to the vanquished Kingdom of Menarm the elfs face many uncertainties. However, they are strong in numbers and sure of their purpose. Zyrthal, the young elf strategist, is given the task of finding the kingdom’s hidden treasures; but instead the elfs find ruthless mercenaries who capture the train and will stop at nothing to obtain the treasures for themselves.

Once again the Silent Warrior is sent to the rescue. Yet he has been battling demons of his own and finds himself in great doubt of his performance as the champion of the last Princess of Menarm. The shadows in his heart double with the disappearance of the two half-elf princes from the dead kingdom. Will he succeed in rescuing the young boys and thwarting the mercenaries, or has the Silent Warrior fallen from Adren’s grace forever?

Elfs in a Conquered Realm is the outstanding finale to The Silent Warrior Trilogy. Anna has answered all the open questions in the continuing saga of this beautiful race. A masterpiece of storytelling, The Silent Warrior Trilogy will take you on a journey you will not soon forget.


You will find The Silent Warrior Trilogy and Anna's other books here:
Anne del C. Dye's Amazon page | Barnes and Noble

A big thanks to Anna del C. Dye for being the first author to appear on Writer Wednesday!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Sample Saturday - May 17, 2014

Welcome back to Saturday Sample, er, that is, Sample Saturday! In this scene from Gone for a Soldier, the Owen Family Saga novel that will be released later this summer, Julia Owen faces a homefront obstacle: the draft.
~~~



Julia opened the front door to an insistent thumping, her heart in her throat. To her immense relief, a Confederate officer and several infantrymen stood outside.

"Yes?"

"Am I addressing Mrs. Owen?" the officer asked.

Julia raised her chin a fraction. His manner had been too brusque for her taste. "You are. What is wanted?"

The lieutenant consulted a paper in his hand, then looked up. "You have a son, James, living here?"

Julia nodded, slowly.

"I have papers for his conscription."

"He's the man of the house now."

He nodded once. "That may be, ma'am, but his country needs him in the army."

"I've sent four sons and a husband, and one gave his life. Isn't that enough?"

The man's eyes softened, but he straightened his shoulders. "No, ma'am. The Yankees are in the Valley again. We need your son."

Julia felt a chill. "How long until you need him?"

"Today, ma'am. I'm to bring him in with me."

She sucked in her breath. "Y'all can wait here. I'll gather his necessaries." She half turned away, then stopped. "You won't be needing my twelve-year-old, will you?" She turned back to hear the man's answer.

"No ma'am. Not today." His gaze fixed on hers, and a bit of dizziness swept through her. How long will this warring last? Will it come down to sending Clay and Albert to the front? She closed the door and called to Albert, who was hoeing weeds in the kitchen garden.

"Run fetch James. Give him a tight hug, while you're at it."

"Ma?"

"He's been drafted."

Albert gave her a horrified look, dropped his hoe, and sprinted off into the fields.

Julia held back her tears and went up the stairs to put together a bundle for James.
~~~


I hope you enjoyed this scene from Gone for a Soldier, my forthcoming novel set during the American Civil War.
 
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 read what you write and will reply. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!


Bestselling author Marsha Ward wrote the novella, Faith and the Foremen, in the Timeless Romance Anthology Old West Collection. She is the author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her last published book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Fresh Book Friday - Imperfect Love

Title: Imperfect Love
Author: Rebecca Talley
Genre: Women's Fiction/Romance
Publisher: DuBon Publishing
Date of Publication: March 2014

Synopsis:
Lauren Wilson is well on her way to her happily-ever-after. She’s passionate about her career as a middle school English teacher, she adores her handsome, hard-working husband, and with a baby finally on the way, her perfect life is within her grasp.

But then a devastating test result changes everything.

Forced to choose between her baby and her husband, Lauren makes the only decision she can live with, and she returns to her small hometown in hopes of rebuilding her shattered life.

Ethan Campbell is a gifted photographer who travels the world and has no desire to settle down. When his mother dies, he must go home to settle her estate. Then it’s back to exciting adventures across the globe.

When Lauren crosses paths with Ethan, her teenage crush, old feelings resurface—feelings she’s not prepared to face. Will Lauren have the courage to trust again or will she spend her life alone?

Imperfect Love is a story about sacrifice, healing, second chances, and discovering that although love isn’t always perfect, sometimes it’s the imperfect love that’s the sweetest of all.

Excerpt:
A plus sign.

Lauren Wilson blinked the hopeful tears back. Was she seeing it right? She flicked on the bathroom light for a better look and scrutinized the pregnancy test wand.

Definitely a plus sign.

She leaned against the wall. A baby.

Some milestones are moments, and some moments are milestones.
Lauren gazed at the wand again. This is definitely both.

After trying for over two years—well, she seemed to be more intent on conceiving than her husband, Paul, but that didn’t matter now. The wondering, hoping, then crying, month after month, didn’t matter. Nothing mattered now. She was pregnant. Excitement bubbled up inside her. She’d finally have a baby and the happily-ever-after she’d dreamed about since she was a little girl.

Lauren rested her hand across her stomach, her fingers tingling. After all this time, it was finally her turn.

Finally.

She rushed into the bedroom to find her cell phone so she could call Paul with the news. Her anxious fingers stumbled over the keypad, searching for his speed dial number. What if he’s in a meeting? What if he can’t take the call? I don’t want to leave this on his voicemail.

She ended the call before it could go through and sat on the bed. This wasn’t something she wanted to tell him over the phone. It was too momentous. Too amazing. Too wonderful.

A photo caught her eye. She handled the delicate metal frame, memories of her wedding flooding her mind. What a perfect day it had been at the church on Third Avenue in Durango, her hometown. It was such a beautiful beginning to their life together, and now they’d move to the next step—adding a baby to their family.

Ideas of how to tell Paul swirled around her head. She wanted to make it special for him, so she decided to take some time to come up with just the right way to let him know he was going to be a daddy. Daddy. The word felt sweet and satisfying on her tongue.

Lauren glanced at the clock on the light blue wall opposite the bed. Seven thirty. She’d have to hurry—she didn’t want to be late for her first class.

Her hands stroked her stomach. I’m going to have a baby. I can’t wait to tell Paul. He’ll be as thrilled as I am.

Buy at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Imperfect-Love-Rebecca-Talley-ebook/dp/B00IQ7T98I/
 

Author Bio:
Rebecca Talley grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. After high school graduation, she attended Brigham Young University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. While at BYU, she met and married her sweetheart, Del. They are the proud parents of ten highly-creative, multi-talented children, including a son with Down syndrome. They also have the most adorable granddaughter in the world. Rebecca lives in Houston, TX with her husband and most of her children.

Rebecca is the author of Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), Gabby’s Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), Hook Me: What to Include in Your First Chapter (DuBon Publishing 2012), Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012), and numerous children’s stories and articles for both online and print magazines.

When she isn’t writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, eat Dove dark chocolate, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house.

You can find Rebecca online at:

http://www.rebeccatalley.com
http://www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com


Rebecca writes fiction full of vigor. Don't miss this new novel!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

What a Difference a Designation Makes!

At least to me and my attitude.


The Old West Collection has been published for just two weeks, but already it has hit #2 on one Amazon chart, and has maintained that status for a couple of days. It's also in the top 30 for two other lists, and rising.

It's amazing to me what a lift this has given my spirits, along with the legitimate ability to claim status as a "bestselling author." I hope I don't get carried away, but you will see that appellation creeping into my promotional materials and Internet sites. It's just so fulfilling to be able to put that before my name after so many years.

Whew!

As a reader, are you influenced by the term? Are you more willing to give an unfamiliar author a chance if you see "bestselling author" before their name?

I guess the more important question is, are you going to go buy the Anthology? If you're not a Kindle person, even with an app on your favorite device, I have purchase links to various other venues on the My Books page of this site.

Thank you for your patronage!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Madcap Monday - May 12, 2014

Hello Readers! Welcome to Madcap Monday!

Today's Madcap Matter is a Free Story on Smashwords. I've reduced the price on the ebook version of my short story, Cottonwood Cowboys, all this week, to ZERO. 

That's correct. All week long you can go to Smashwords.com and download Cottonwood Cowboys free of charge.



In this short story, a pair of young men try to fit the unexpected chore of cutting up a fallen cottonwood tree with a two-man saw into their plans to attend a dance on Saturday night.

You can get this story free of charge this week, by going over to Smashwords.com and downloading it before Saturday at midnight Mountain Standard Time. Here's the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/57562 You only need a free account at Smashwords.com in order to download the story.

Enjoy!

Come back by on Wednesday to read a new occasional blog feature, Writer Wednesday, with Anna del Carmen Dye. And on Fresh Book Friday, I'm spotlighting the new novel Imperfect Love, by Rebecca Talley. See you later!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Saturday Sample - May 10, 2014

Welcome back to Saturday Sample. I've been writing a short story that will be part of an anthology to be published later. The publisher hasn't set the release date yet, so I can't give it to you, but it's going to be an awesome anthology with all the stories using the theme of the pugilistic sport of boxing. I chose to show you this world from a young woman's point of view. Here's the beginning.
~~~


Isabelle Gilbert pulled a blonde curl down alongside her cheek. She repeated the effect with a second lock of hair, then adjusted the coiffure on the other side of her head for symmetry's sake. She frowned. Mama had such sharp eyes. If the bruise weren't entirely hidden, she would spot it in one second and ask about it in the next. How would Isabelle ever explain how it had happened?

Surely Percy hadn't meant to strike her. He'd been so excited about attending the prizefight, and when she had declined to accompany him. . . . I never imagined what trouble a fiancé could be to a girl. I must work harder to make him happy.


Isabelle determined at last that three dangling curls on each side did the job of masking the unsightly discoloration. She gave her hair one last pat and rose from her dressing table to choose her outfit for the day.


Something simple. Nothing to call Mama's attention to me.



~~~

What peril could Isabelle possibly face in company with her mother? Why do you think she is intent upon not calling attention to herself, yet feels obliged to please her fiancé? What emotions do you think she is experiencing as she prepares for her day?

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit. 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 eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.

Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!


Marsha Ward is the award-winning author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her latest book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.



Friday, May 09, 2014

Fresh Book Friday - Dare to Dream

Today I'm spotlighting a book written by a friend of mine, Heidi M. Thomas. Dare to Dream finishes a trilogy of Dream novels based on her grandmother's life.

Title: Dare to Dream
Author: Heidi M. Thomas
Genre: Western Historical
Publisher:
Globe-Pequot/Twodot Press
Date of publication: May 2014

Synopsis:
Montana cowgirl Nettie Brady Moser has overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles on the journey toward her dream of being a professional rodeo rider. In the 1920s she struggled against her family’s expectations and social prejudice against rodeo cowgirls. During the Great Depression, marrying Jake Moser and then raising their son took priority over rodeos. And then she was devastated by the death of her friend and mentor in a rodeo accident.

In the spring of 1941, Nettie, now age 36, is regaining her heart and spirit, and she is determined to ride again at an event in Cheyenne, Wyoming. To her dismay, the male-dominated Rodeo Association of America enforces its rule barring women from riding rough stock and denies her the chance to ride. Her fury at the discrimination can’t change things for women—yet.

Based on the life of the author’s grandmother, who rode rough stock in Montana in the 1920s, this sweeping rodeo saga parallels the evolution of women’s rodeo from the golden years of the 1920s, producing many world champion riders, and shows its decline, beginning in the 1930s and ending with World War II in 1941.


Excerpt: 
It’s 1941 and Nettie Moser has regained her heart and spirit for rodeo. To her dismay, at the Cheyenne Roundup, she is denied the chance to ride by the Rodeo Association of America.

Nettie clenched her jaw. The Rodeo Association of America. All men. No women allowed. Montana promoters had not joined that group…yet.

Twenty years since her first ride. All the rough rides proving themselves, competing with men, the world championships won—and now cowgirls were being erased.

Nettie leaned closer to the RAA man. “I’m a woman, and I’m riding.”

“Not today.” The RAA man gave no ground. “Them’s been the rules the last ten years.”

“But not enforced,” Nettie argued.

“Then it’s about time.”

A few of the waiting riders chuckled, one whistled in appreciation, and more expressed the strong personal opinion that Nettie should step aside, at which Jake gave a warning snarl.

“It’s for your own good, ma’am,” one of the riders called out. “Bonnie McCarroll was killed in Pendleton way back in ’29, and then Marie Gibson got killed in Idaho in ’33.”

“I was there,” Nettie told him and the others. “I lost a friend to a heartless accident. I can’t believe that’s never happened to you.  What about all the men who’ve been killed? Why, just a couple years ago Pete Knight was killed in Ellensburg, Washington when his bronc fell on him.”

The men stood, humbled to silence a moment.

Nettie stuck her fists on her hips. “In Pendleton, the men in charge made Bonnie McCarroll ride hobbled. If your horse somersaulted over you—any of you—while you were tied on, you might not get free either.”

“Whoa.” Jake held her arm. “It ain’t these fellows’ fault, Nettie.”

“Go tell your troubles to Bob Jones,” groused the registration man. “You’re holdin’ up the line.”

Nettie let out a resolute breath and let Jake guide her away. “All right, let’s go find Mr. Jones. We’ve never been to a rodeo where they’ve enforced those rules.”

He stopped. “It won’t change things, honey.”

“They can’t stop us.” She spun on her boot heel and walked away, following signs to the rodeo office.
 

Buy Links:
Globe Pequot/Twodot Press 
Amazon 
Autographed copies 

Author Bio: 
Heidi M. Thomas grew up on a working ranch in eastern Montana. She had parents who taught her a love of books and a grandmother who rode bucking stock in rodeos. Describing herself as “born with ink in her veins,” Heidi followed her dream of writing with a journalism degree from the University of Montana and later turned to her first love, fiction, to write her grandmother’s story.

Heidi’s first novel, Cowgirl Dreams, won an EPIC Award and the USA Book News Best Book Finalist award. Follow the Dream, a WILLA Award winner, is the second book in the “Cowgirl Dreams” series about strong, independent Montana women. Dare to Dream completes the trilogy.

Heidi is a member of Women Writing the West, Professional Writers of Prescott, is also a manuscript editor, and teaches memoir and fiction writing classes in north-central Arizona.

She is an avid reader of all kinds of books, enjoys the sunshine and hiking in north-central Arizona, where she writes, edits, and teaches memoir and fiction writing classes.

Married to Dave Thomas (not of Wendy’s fame), Heidi is also the “human” for a finicky feline, and describes herself primarily as a “cat herder.” 


http://www.heidimthomas.com
http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com/

This is another book I'm sure will become a part of my library. I hope it will also be in yours.
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