Sunday, December 1, 2013

WeWriWa - Amish Romance, Rebekah's Quilt

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! Come journey back to the Amish community of Gasthof Village, Indiana Territory, 1888 in this installment of Rebekah's Quilt. 



            
The thunder was so loud when it ripped with a booming crack outside her window that Rebekah jumped, landing in a heap on the floor. Her waist-length blonde mane twisted in her fall and clung to her face like Peter’s bandana had clung to his neck.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Rebekah’s sleepy eyes flew open wide to view the world with adrenaline-charged vision.

“Help!”
            
The flashes of lightening were so bright that Rebekah was forced to cover her eyes with her arms. Even then, she could feel the brief heat from the striking bolts on her skin.
           
“Somebody, please!”
            
The rain hammered violently on her windows, demanding to be let in -or else.

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt! Get your copy of Rebekah's Quilt here, or check out more historical adventure romances by Sara Barnard here. 

To continue on with the other awesome authors of WeWriWa, go here

Friday, November 29, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving one and all -- and the day after! Around here, we have lots to be thankful for, and it can all seem lost in the wants and the don't haves from time to time.

How can we instill in our children that happiness isn't in the material things when our daily life is bombarded with the obvious happiness the "newest thing" is sure to bring?

With four little ones, this is something I grapple with on a daily basis.

Age old lessons such as "the gift is in the giving" seem to be long lost to the advertising world -- a heartbreaking realization, but one I work daily to overcome so my children will learn the TRUE meaning of what it means to be thankful and blessed.

Good health, a loving family, a beautiful Christmas tree decked with memories, a houseful of loving rescue pets, hope for tomorrow and plans for the future ... and that's just in the living room! Just a few things money can't buy but we'd be lost without.

What are you thankful for today? How do you instill the importance of the priceless things in your children?

Monday, November 25, 2013

Awesome Author Christine Steendam!

Welcome Romance author Christine Steendam today!



Thank you Sara for hosting me on your blog today.

Unforgiving Plains is quite different from your first novel, Heart Like an Ocean. How did this contemporary story come about?

Unforgiving Plains was one of those books that was born from pure inspiration. I didn't have to think about the characters or the story, it just came to me. And once it came it wouldn't leave me alone until I finished it.

I understand that!! Hey, what is your favorite scene in the book? Is it the cattle round up scene? (That's my favorite!)

I've always wanted to take part in a cattle round up. My fascination with the event probably started after watching The Man From Snowy River umpteen times as a kid. So, when I was invited to ride on one I packed up my truck and drove to Alberta. We round up over three hundred head of cattle that morning, driving them across acres of land on horseback.

That must have been amazing! I am a bit jealous!

It was definitely the experience of a lifetime. And after that Vince and Rayna wouldn't leave me alone.

Tell me about Fieldstone Ranch. Is it a real place?

Fieldstone ranch was, in part, based on the ranch I went on the round up for. The drive up through rolling hills and bounding antelope through the fields are real as is the town of Foremost--though the characters are not.

Tell me, will Vince and Rayna's story continue?

I loved writing this story. It was a new experience for me to write a place and time that you could actually jump in the car and drive to. I will definitely be writing more contemporary romance books with a similar feel to Unforgiving Plains, but as for Vince and Rayna I think their story is done.

Thanks for visiting today Christine! Would you mind telling the blog readers a bit about yourself and your work?

I write historical and contemporary romance that is mixed with a little adventure. Stop by and say hey on Facebook, Twitter or Email me at kcsteendam(at)gmail(dot)com. I’d love to hear from you.


Contact Christine here!

Http://www.facebook.com/authorchristine.s
Http://www.twitter.com/chrissteen1991
Http://www.christinesteendam.com



Heart Like an Ocean:
http://getbook.at/heartlikeanocean
Unforgiving Plains:
http://getbook.at/unforgivingplains




About Christine Steendam



Christine started writing when she could put pen to paper and form words. Now, many years later, not much has changed. Her stories are romances that you can relate to with a little bit of adventure mixed in. She enjoys writing flawed but loveable characters and more often than not a horse or two will find their way in as well.

Christine makes her home in Manitoba, Canada on a sprawling 15 acre ranch with her sons, husband, and many animals.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

WeWriWa -- Today's Eight from Amish Romance Bestseller Rebekah's Quilt

Hallo everyone! Thank you for stopping by! Without further ado, here is my eight-sentence snippet from my bestselling Amish Romance, Rebekah's Quilt.

Click on the book cover to get your copy from Amazon today! Just 2.99!





Rebekah let her eyes meander up the lean, black-clothed frame of her oldest companion. From his black shoes, up the extra-long black britches, over the dark green shirt his mother had sewn, to his face. The one that had grown so handsome over the years that it frequently appeared in her thoughts without warning. 

As an unmarried man, Joseph was still clean shaven. His constant smile readily revealed the deep dimples that made her insides turn to applesauce. “Rebekah?”


She stared into his eyes, which were as deep and blue as the lake on a summer day. Joseph gazed back in such a way that she was certain he could see all of her heart’s deepest secrets.

Here's some more about Rebekah's Quilt! 

Who can Rebekah trust when the line between English and Amish becomes blurred? 

An Amish Settlement. An English stranger. The Blizzard of 1888. 

Rebekah's mother, Elnora Stoll, is the finest quilter in all of Gasthof Village but it seems Rebekah has inherited none of her skill. It's not until the arrival of a mysterious English stranger that a lifetime of questions are answered and Rebekah, her special friend Joseph Graber, and the entire settlement of Gasthof Village learn the true meaning of what it truly means to be Amish. 



Friday, November 22, 2013

Snowy Southern Day

The words snow and Texas ... at least the far reaches of west Texas where we live ... usually only find themselves in the same sentence in a joke or remember-when story. But not today. This blue norther hit last night, whooping in with wind and freezing temps. Of course, we got up this morning to white roofs and freezing rain ... along with the promise of snow at some point today since the high is only 31 degrees. I suppose that means winter is really here. It's about time! Is it any wonder all of us woke up with sore throats this morning? After all, it was over 85 degrees yesterday!

Today, I am going to help some fourth graders work on their writing skills. Then, I'll be working on edits for two amazing manuscripts from 5 Prince authors -- both of which you'll hear more about in the near future! I am looking forward to starting edits with my own awesome editor on the fourth installment of the Everlasting Heart series, A Heart Forever Wild.

How are you spending your day?

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Bestseller alert!

I am thrilled to announce that my debut Amish historical romance, Rebekah's Quilt, has become a bestseller on Amazon! Here is a little info about Rebekah's Quilt, which is the first in a series. 


Who can Rebekah trust when the line between English and Amish becomes blurred? 

An Amish Settlement. An English stranger. The Blizzard of 1888. 

Rebekah's mother, Elnora Stoll, is the finest quilter in all of Gasthof Village but it seems Rebekah has inherited none of her skill. It's not until the arrival of a mysterious English stranger that a lifetime of questions are answered and Rebekah, her special friend Joseph Graber, and the entire settlement of Gasthof Village learn the meaning of what it truly means to be Amish. 









Why do you write Christian fiction?

I received a very interesting email this morning. It read: "Why do you write Christian fiction? Are you some kind of goody-goody?"

Sigh.

I smell a stigma!!

My reply went something like this:

I began writing Christian fiction by accident. I love love love adventure, especially wilderness and old west adventure. So this is where my characters usually wind up. Once you've been lost in the woods, alone, possibly with outlaws on your tail, God is sometimes your only option, and He's always there -- at least for my characters (and for me!)

I'm not perfect, neither are my characters. Actually, I'm probably about as far from perfect as you can get, at least it feels that way! For my characters, too. I try to put them in as real-life situations as I have been in, and I have had some adventures. So, it sort of came naturally when my writing turned from inspirational to Christian. Plus, writing for God is the least I can do and I am proud to do so.

I pride my books on having a kernel of truth my readers can relate to and take with them without being preachy or overbearing. A good book can change your outlook, or your life. Lonesome Dove did for me. Maybe mine can do that for someone someday ... maybe you!



The end.


Check out my new release, bestselling Amish Romance Rebekah's Quilt!! It WILL be a series!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Summer Reading Blog Hop


Summer Reads Blog Hop
Book 2
An autographed copy
can be yours!
Welcome to the Summer Blog Hop! Put on your flip-flops and bathing suits, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready for a great summer of reading. Thanks to Cody Gary of Avon Romance for starting this round robin blog hop.  My hostess is Charlene Raddon.

Each author answers five questions about his or her latest release and/or current WIP. They also post a recipe… hopefully pertaining to their work. Then, each author invites five more authors to participate and links them all together!

 One lucky commenter will receive an autographed copy of A Heart Broken, book 2 in the An Everlasting Heart series. Be sure to leave a comment WITH contact information so I can get your book to you!
 
 

Book 1 in the An Everlasting Heart series. In other words, the one I mention in this post!



1. When writing, are you a snacker? If so, sweet or salty?  Actually, yes. Since I write late at night after the kids are in bed and most of the world is fast asleep, I make a cup or three of decaf coffee and grab a handful of raw spaghetti to snack on.

2. Are you an outliner or someone who writes by the seat of your pants? And are they real pants or jammies?   I have written one fiction book with an outline and it wasn't my favorite way to write. I prefer to be a "pantster" and enjoy the adventure with my characters! As for if I prefer real pants or jammies, I like my new balance and danskin shorts that double as sleep shorts AND day shorts ... sometimes in a row!  

3. When cooking, do you follow a recipe or wing it? Depends on what I'm cooking. Since I cook as little as I can get away with, I usually cook something I don't need a recipe for, but if I get a wild hair and go all out, I totally wing it.

4. What is next for you after this book?  Well, this book is first in a series, has become a bestseller, and is up for the RONE award in Romance Excellence for 2012 in American Historical Fiction. Hopefully good things will happen with that come August! Books 2 and 3 in the series, A Heart Broken and A Heart at Home, are available now with book 4, A Heart Forever Wild, coming soon! Rebekah's Quilt, my debut Amish romance, will release November 16. My next children's book, Little Spoon, will release in September -- all coming from 5 Prince Publishing!




5.  Last question … on a level of one being slightly naughty and ten being whoo-hoo steamy, how would you rate your book?  I would say a three. It is a definite romance, but it is sweet.

 Want to keep hopping? Check out the following websites:

OTHER BLOGS TO VISIT FOR THIS BLOG HOP:

http://www.jeshays.com/
http://www.wittyonlineeditor.com
http://vintagevonnie.blogspot.com/
http://www.charleneraddon.blogspot.com/

Enjoy this excerpt from A Heart on Hold:

The trees were thick along the Sabine River that muggy October day in Arkansas. “Something’s not right,” Sanderson muttered to Lieutenant J.B. Price.

“What is it, Captain?” The Lieutenant’s voice trembled.

Unable to put his feeling of unease into words, Captain Redding simply shook his head. There was no way he could explain to the green Lieutenant that he sensed he was leading the Lieutenant and the rest of his men of the 17th Griffith’s onto the brink of a great precipice with the howling wind blowing angrily behind them. Or that the wind could send them hurtling to their deaths at any moment, was growing closer by the millisecond.

“Can’t you feel it, Lieutenant?” Sanderson could hear every crack of every twig, every leaf that shimmered in the rare passing breeze, every footstep from every man, and every breath taken by them, hoarse and jagged with fear.

Lieutenant Price held out his hand as though to feel for precipitation. “Feel what, Cap’n?”

“INCOMING!” The dreaded word tore from Sanderson’s lips as the thick, heavy calm was transformed in an instant into a hail of bullets raining down upon them. The cypress tree that Sanderson had been standing alongside was stripped of its bark, mini balls riddling the soft wood underneath. “We‘re caught in a crossfire, Lieutenant,” Sanderson called as he realized the bark was gone from both sides of the tree. “Take five men and cover the front, the rest of us will take the rear!”

Sanderson instinctively dropped to one knee, leveled his musket and squeezed off a shot, dropping a Federal soldier who had dared peek out from behind a gnarled cypress tree, only yards away. He managed to kill two more before Private Joe Dan ‘Lil Joe’ Simmons’ urgent tugging on his sleeve drew his attention off of the ensuing battle.

“I’m plumb out of munitions, Cap,” the young soldier chirped, his voice wavering on the edge of hysteria, “And they’s comin’ through that there marsh in droves!”

Sanderson dared a glance over his shoulder and verified that, indeed, a passel of Yankees were headed their way. “They’s gonna reinforce them that’s already behind us, Cap!” Private Simmons’ voice was a high-pitched cry now. “An’ we got ‘em in the front of us, too!”

Without so much as a pause, Sanderson drew his Bowie knife from its scabbard and tossed it in one fluid motion to the trembling Private. “We fight to win, Private!” Sanderson’s voice was a booming thunderclap over the melee alongside the boggy river before he killed another Union troop that charged at Lil’ Joe’s back.

Here's an 19th century recipe for green beans:

Fry a slab of bacon in your cast iron skillet. While it browns, slice an onion and add to your skillet. Do not drain the fat! Dice a clove of garlic and sauté until golden. Add your fresh snapped green beans -- as many as the skillet will hold. Cook on a high flame, covered, until you taste one and simply have to eat them then and there. Enjoy with hot coffee and homemade bread!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

WeWriWa Historical Romance!

I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because when you're writing the West, you never know what outlaw adverbs will ambush your prose!

 
 
Welcome to this week's edition of Weekend Writing Warriors!
 
I have been absent for a few weeks ... between an interstate move, sick kids, my Master's work, writing, and getting a new house in order time has been more than scarce, but I am so glad to be back here with all of y'all now loud and proud from my native Lone Star State!!
 
 
A Heart on Hold is up for the 2012 RONE award for best in American Historical Fiction, sponsored by InD'Tale Magazine! The award will be presented in Las Vegas in August.
 
In honor of this, today's eight will come from A Heart on Hold, bestselling book 1 of An Everlasting Heart Series.
 
***Here we are in Alton Confederate Prison in Illinois where the Gypsy girl Minerva Dika is tending to Confederate prisoners.***
 
“Hey, Gypsy, some of my men could use some help doctorin’.” It seemed that the big Lieutenant, who always spat tobacco juice and spittle as he talked, was always yelling at somebody, just now it happened to be her. Minerva rose from where she had been sitting next to a man whose chronic diarrhea had made it impossible for him to survive any longer. "Do not worry, soldier, you are not alone in your journey into death ... I am here,” she whispered. The big man didn’t care that she was helping one of his prisoners die. Lieutenant Lantz seemed to care about nothing aside from his tobacco. Minerva glanced down at the dying prisoner, lying in a puddle of brown liquid of his own making, muttering incoherently and patting ground where her hand had been holding his moments before. “Leave that sorry Reb and tell your pa I said to get your people and get on out to the Island.” I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from A Heart on Hold. Follow along with Charlotte and Sanderson's adventures in the subsequent books that make up the An Everlasting Heart series:
 
 
Their love survived the Civil War, but can it survive Sanderson's murder trial?
 
 
 
Gold. Massacres. Indians. Soldiers. Can Charlotte survive life on the trail or will the wildness of the west tear her family apart?
 
 
 
Stay tuned for my debut Amish Historical Romance, Rebekah's Quilt, coming November 16th from 5 Prince Publishing!
 

Friday, May 31, 2013

Awesome Author Keri Neal and her new release, FLIGHTLESS!

Pop on over to the awesome author page and visit with Keri Neal about her new release, FLIGHTLESS!



Synopsis:
Pen and I are lounging under a big white umbrella. I am curled up
with my head on his chest. His heartbeat is steady and slow, his
breathing shallow. He is asleep. I pinch his arm playfully. “You’re going
to miss it.”
He takes a deep breath and chuckles. “I’m awake. And I’ve seen my
share of sunsets.”
I turn my head and rest my chin on his chest. His eyes are still
closed. “You’re a grouch, you know that?”
He opens one eye and stares at me. “You know I’m going to find
you. You don’t need to do this.”
My throat burns with emotion. “Yes, I do. You might not make it in
time.”
Both his eyes open and stare blankly up at the umbrella. He is
angry. His jaw clenches and his nostrils flare.


Thursday, May 30, 2013

Come with me to the casbah ... or the goodreads giveaway, whichever!

ONE COPY AVAILABLE!  The Big Bad Wolf Really Isn't so Big and Bad -- about wolves, for wolf lovers, and sort of told by a wolf! Enter before June 15th for your chance to win!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Big Bad Wolf Reall Isn't so Big and Bad by Sara Barnard

The Big Bad Wolf Reall Isn't so Big and Bad

by Sara Barnard

Giveaway ends June 15, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Sunday, May 26, 2013

WeWriWa - Amish Romance

Good morning! Well, sorry I missed last Sunday -- it has been an extremely busy couple of weeks. We got a house, moved our family from the tornado-heavy state of Oklahoma to our hometown in Texas. We have been busy unpacking, reorganizing, and of course, having fun! Last weekend though, the kids and I drove across three states to rehome our kittens with my editor and friend, who drove across two states to meet us halfway! We had a ball in New Mexico and the visit was over much too soon. Not to mention the stomach virus rearing its ugly head at the most inopportune time. But I digress, onto my first Amish historical romance, Rebekah's Quilt-- coming soon from 5 Prince Publishing.


In this scene, our Amish couple, Joseph and Rebekah, are talking in Rebekah's barn when a strange English visitor appears.
 
 

 
 
         With a jingle, the stranger stepped into the patch of light framed by the barn’s door. The sun glinted off the two tinkling silver stars that stuck off the backs of the stranger's boots. “I’m Peter O’Leary."
 
          Hallo,” said Rebekah and Joseph in unison. 
            She let her eyes roam over the stranger, who couldn't be much older than Joseph or her, taking no qualms at subtlety. Tufts of straw-colored hair stuck out from under Peter's black hat, which was cocked over one eye in a decent attempt at covering a vertical scar that ran through his eyebrow.  His stormy green eyes stared back at her from his stubbly face, revealing no emotion. He neither smiled nor frowned. 
I hope you enjoyed this excerpt of Rebekah's Quilt! To get back to WeWriWaa, click here. To check out some more work by me, check out my website! There, you'll find my historical romance books 1-3, A Heart on Hold, A Heart Broken, and A Heart at Home, of my series A Everlasting Heart, and all three of my bestselling children's books, Chunky Sugars, The Big Bad Wolf Really Isn't So Big and Bad, and The ABC's of Oklahoma Plants.

Friday, May 10, 2013

WeWriWa 8 sentences -- For Mom

Welcome to this Sunday's edition of Weekend Writing Warriors! This Sunday's snippet isn't from any works or works in progress, but is an eight-sentence tribute to my mom, Awesome Author Ann Swann on this Mother's Day.



Thirty years ago, you gave me life and have remained my true, constant, and sometimes only friend, advocate, confidante, and most recently, fan.
Through every twist and turn my life has taken so far, you have been there, without fail, to both raise me up happy times and pick up the shattered pieces when everything has fallen apart.  
Thank you for raising me in such a way that I know, with all my heart, I can count on you.
Tell you anything. 
Come to you with any problem, concern, or bit of joyful news.
I only hope that I am as good a daughter to you as you are mother to me.
Happy, happy Mother's Day to the most deserving mother out there.
I love you, Mom.
 
 


To get back to the other writers with Weekend Writing Warriors, click here.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

WeWriWa - Historical Romance





Since last week, I have some wonderful news to share. A HEART ON HOLD, book 1 in An Everlasting Heart series, has hit TWO bestseller lists on Amazon! To celebrate, my publisher decided to knock the digital purchase price down to .99 cents for the month of May! Whee-ha!






So to celebrate series titles, my 8 sentences today come from the smack-dab, dad-gum, boot-scootin' beginning of book 2, A HEART BROKEN. I hope you enjoy!

 
 
“Don’t die till we get to have some fun, girl.” Samuel’s whiskey-ruined voice was hot in Charlotte’s ear. Somewhere behind her, Dean’s maniacal laughter pulsated with cruelty.
The Bowie knife grew closer to her face, but with her arms lashed behind her, Charlotte could only watch in helpless terror as the promise of death drew nearer.
“Sanderson!” she screamed, just before the icy blade met the skin of her neck.
“I’m here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” Sanderson murmured into her hair. His arm, muscled and tanned, tightened around her middle and his voice was still thick with sleep.
 
I hope you enjoyed this excerpt.
If you'd like to get back to the other awesome authors in the Weekend Writing Warriors, click here. 

Friday, May 3, 2013

Welcome Awesome Author Dana Fraedrich!

Awesome Author Dana Fraedrich
 
 
 
Come check out her debut novel
 
 
 
Skateboards, Magic, and Shamrocks

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Bestseller, Best Price!


A Heart on Hold, book 1 in An Everlasting Heart series, has hit not one but TWO bestseller lists!! Voting is still going on as well for the 2012 RONE award -- A Heart on Hold is a finalist in the American Historical division!!

If you'd like to catch up on the adventures of Charlotte and Sanderson --or experience them for the first time -- get your digital copy today for .99 cents -- limited time only!!

Already finished with A Heart on Hold? Check out books 2 and 3 in the series, A Heart Broken and the newest release in the saga, A Heart at Home.



Monday, April 29, 2013

Awesome Author Veronica Scott

Welcome Veronica Scott to my Awesome Author page today! Today, we're celebrating her award-winning novel, Wreck of the Nebula Dream!


Sunday, April 28, 2013

WeWriWa - HIstorical Romance - New Release

In honor of the release of A Heart at Home (An Everlasting Heart, Book 3), today we have a snippet from the beginning of A Heart at Home.


“Guess we’re really on our way,” Charlotte whispered to Achilles. “A new home, out west, where there are still wild horses and Indians.” Her speech was interrupted by a tremendous clap of thunder.

“Least we made it a mile!” Sanderson joshed from the wagon as the torrential flood of rain cascaded from the blackness above.

“Everyone stay still,” Jerry cried, “we’ve got white-out rain!”

In seconds, Charlotte was alone with Achilles, isolated by the blinding rain. The cold fingers of fear tickled her spine. Sensing the change in Charlotte's mood, the normally even-tempered gelding perked up his ears and every muscle in his body stiffened, as though preparing to defend himself against the unseen onslaught of nothingness.


Want to catch up with the adventures of Charlotte and Sanderson? Check out A Heart on Hold (Book 1)
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Welcome Awesome Author Charlotte Kent

Welcome Awesome Author Charlotte Kent to the blog today!

 
 
We are celebrating the release of her newest novel, A Clue for Adrianna.



Come on over to the Awesome Author page and say hi!

Release Day and 2012 RONE award voting!

Today is a special day! Today marks the release of book 3 in An Everlasting Heart series, A HEART AT HOME.

 
The links to buy the newest edition in the Sanderson and Charlotte adventures will be going live all day today, so I will keep everyone updated!
 
 
A HEART ON HOLD, Book 1 in An Everlasting Heart series is a finalist for the prestigious 2012 RONE award! Guess what, voting is open to the public and begins TODAY! So pop on by and cast your vote here. There are two ways to vote, electronically and by paper (print and scan/mail!)
 
 
 
Thank you for your support!!
 
 

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Eight Sentences WeWriWa - Historical Romance

Wonderful news on the publication home front, fellow WeWriWa-ers! Book 3 in my historical romance series, An Everlasting Heart, will be released ahead of schedule -- in 5 days to be exact, April 26th! Wahooo!!! In honor of this, today's excerpt is from A Heart at Home, book 3 in An Everlasting Heart saga.

 
 
As she stared at the little rock cottage, emotion surged from the depths of Charlotte’s soul. “Don’t know if I can leave, Sanderson.”
She didn’t realize she was trembling until her beloved’s hand fell gently on her shoulder, drawing her watery gaze from their first home to him. Sanderson was still handsome, he always would be, but in a more aged way since escaping from the Confederate prison and returning from war. Sparkles from the sunrise accented the brown flecks in his hazel eyes. A slow smile spread wide across his full lips, revealing those dimples that made her knees turn to water and her stomach turn up in knots. Everything will be alright, it seemed to promise, cloaking her fears in warmth. As long as we’re together, everything will be alright.
 
I hope you enjoyed this week's eight! Want to check out the other books in An Everlasting Heart series? Check out my website, http://www.sarabarnardbooks.com for your all-access pass to everything Charlotte and Sanderson!
 
Click here to access other awesome authors from WeWriWa!

Happy Reading!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

WeWriWa - Historical Romance

Today we jump back into Charlotte's world in pre-Civil War Arkansas in A Heart on Hold.

 
"Do you think we'll really see a war, Sanderson?" Charlotte mused as she placed her bare foot in Sanderson's proffered hands. He had laced his fingers together and crouched to hold them at her level.
Not wanting to reject him, Charlotte had obliged and used his hands as a step. Holding onto Achilles' longish silver mane, she hoisted herself into place atop his wide back. She shuddered as Sanderson's gaze remained steadfast on her bare leg. She curled her toes inward and readjusted her seat.
"Hmmm ..." Sanderson's voice was dreamy. "What?"
"What are your thoughts on a war?" Achilles' hooves crunched through the twigs and left over leaf litter from winter. She was hesitant to broach the subject of war, but her curiosity won out.
 
Already read A Heart on Hold? Book 2 in the Everlasting Heart series is available now, too! Click here to check out A Heart Broken.
 
 
Join in the countdown to the release of Book 3, A Heart at Home, which will be born on June 10 -- just like me!
 
 
 
Hop back over to the other Awesome Authors at WeWriWa here!

Excerpt Time!

Here are six sentences from my debut novel, A Heart on Hold (An Everlasting Heart, #1).

The thought of war was removed from Charlotte's mind as she uncurled her legs from beneath her patched cotton dress and stretched them into the brook. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes as the icy water swirled over her bare feet. It felt good to have finally loosened the tight braid from her hair. She swayed back and forth, letting the way locks tickle her shoulders. Achilles, who had been grazing contentedly, whinnied at the light bugs that flickered about his muzzle. Charlotte's fingers found the soft jade and eggshell tassels that ringed her picnic blanket and her mind began to wander.


 

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Eight Sentence Sunday WeWriWa

Today, I wanted to do something a bit different. I have shared with you from two of my historical romance novels, A Heart on Hold and the forthcoming A Heart at Home. I have shared Chunky Sugars with you, as well as The ABC's of Oklahoma Plants and we even discovered pink bluebonnets and their folkloric legend in my forthcoming The ABC's of Texas Plants.

Now, the time has come to introduce you to my family. Here is a poem I wrote when my son, then 5, rode his first bull at an area rodeo. Rest assured, they were mini-bulls and the only riders were children 4 and up.



Here are seven stanzas for my contribution this week for the awesome group at WeWriWa!

The Bull rider's Mommy
 
You told me once,
in your voice so sweet,
you wanted to be a cowboy,
and I thought, how neat!

"Not just a cowboy,"
you assured me right quick,
"I want to ride bulls!"
Mommy's stomach went sick.

But your time finally came
and we were rodeo bound.
On the back of a young Brahama,
your heartsong was found.

All emotions were a go-
Fear, terror, and dread!
They combined as you prepped,
adding gray hairs to my head.

Our excitement built up
as Daddy lowered you down,
then you blew out of the chute,
with the bull spinning around!

One and a half seconds later,
you dashed to the gate.
Your eyes big as saucers,
your smile was so great!

"Did you like it?  Did you love it?"
"Mom, that was so cool!"
I guess it's time now,
to look into bull riding school.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Awesome Author Christine Steendam

 
Welcome Awesome Author and fellow historical romance novelist Christine Steendam to my blog today!

 
 
Heart Like an Ocean ... where heartache, horses, and history meet on the open seas.

Pink Bluebonnets

Here you go! As requested! Pink, blue, and white bluebonnets :-)

Saturday, March 23, 2013

WeWriWa - More Regional Nonfiction

From the forthcoming follow-up book to the Amazon bestseller The ABC's of Oklahoma Plants, The ABC's of Texas Plants!

 From Chapter L...
Lupinus texensis

Texas bluebonnet


Aside from being the state flower of Texas, the Texas bluebonnet makes its appearance in this book for my sweet friend, Rochelle, who hails from the Texas hill country. In the words of fellow Historian Jack Maguire, “The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom is to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England, and the tulip to Holland.” Wow, Texas – our state compared – not to other states, but to countries ... awesome!

These flowers are normally blue, as the name implies, but rarely you may find a white bluebonnet, which is believed to have been the inspiration for our white Lone Star on the Texas flag. South of the town of San Antonio grows another special form of bluebonnet – a pink or crimson flower, sometimes referred to as an Aggie bluebonnet. Legend has it that this pink variety grows only downstream from the Alamo. I’ll let your minds wrap around that little tidbit of information as to why you think it grows there and only there ... might it have something to do with the legendary battle of the Alamo?
 
 
Want to catch up on all the nonfiction, bestselling, botanical fun? Check out The ABC's of Oklahoma Plants ... and watch for your state coming soon! Get your Kindle version here and your print version here!
 
Needing some historical romance? Check out my An Everlasting Heart series by checking out my website!
 
 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

WeWriWa Snippet - Regional Nonfiction

This week's snippet comes from my Amazon bestselling nature book, The ABC's of Oklahoma Plants!!

Farkleberry. Chrysothamnus nauseosus . Old Man’s Beard. Zanthoxylum clava-herculis. What do all of these farkling, nauseating, hairy clubs of Hercules have in common? They are all easily-identifiable plants found in Oklahoma, that's what!
 
 
Chapter A
Ash
Ptelea trifoliata
 
Stinking ash: What better way to start our botanical alphabet adventure than with a stinky tree, Latin name Ptelea trifoliata?
The Stinking ash, also known as Wafer ash, Skunk bush, or Hop tree, (not to be confused with hop frog) gets its name from the citrusy, musty smell that comes from crushing the twigs. Actually, all of this tree is pretty smelly.  
The Stinking ash can grow to be up to 25 feet (or two and a half stories!) tall, with its leaves rounding out the crown of the tree. The bitter bark comes in varying shades of gray.
Ususally when in the backcountry, the rule of thumb is, if it stinks and the birds don't eat it, you don't mess with it either. With the Wafer ash, this proves untrue because the tincture made from the roots of this tree can be used to treat an upset stomach.
 
I hope you enjoyed this part of my debut book that is now an Amazon bestseller!!  The ABC's of Texas Plants coming soon!!!
 
 

Behind the Scenes ...of A Heart on Hold

Where is your book set and why did you choose that place?

A Heart on Hold (An Everlasting Heart, #1) begins in Arkansas just before the outbreak of the Civil War. Charlotte Adamsland and her long time love, Sanderson Redding, are just recently reunited until she learns he's enlisted for the Cause, and is certain to be swept away from her once again. As the story unfolds, Charlotte is forced to continue her life in Arkansas while the Army takes Sanderson to various Civil War battlefields before he finally winds up at Alton Confederate Prison in Illinois. I chose these particular places based on the life of real-person Confederate Captain E.A. Adams, who hailed from Arkansas, was commander of the unit Sanderson finds himself in, and who also did time at Alton. Unlike Sanderson, Captain E. A. Adams never made it out of Alton, dying there just three days before Appomattox.

How do the temperature, terrain and other factors inform the story?

Since this story is set in the 19th century, lots of outdoors are involved so temperature and terrain are always an issue. Also, since a prison break is involved, temperature and terrain can either be to an advantage or a severe disadvantage ... or a little of both.

What would change if your book were set somewhere else?

As the An Everlasting Heart series progresses, so does the setting and landscape. Charlotte and Sanderson find themselves as far east as the thick, humid woods of Kentucky hunting notorious Outlaw William "Bloody Bill" Quantrill (A Heart Broken, An Everlasting Heart #2) and on the trail to California battling nature, renegade Indians, and bloodthirsty Army units (A Heart at Home, An Everlasting Heart #3). Who knows what book 4, A Heart Forever Wild will bring!

How is this setting different from ones in your past books?

This is my first series of historical romance books, though I have another Amish romance that is also set during the 19th century. I also have two kids books out, many more in review with my publisher, and an 18th century Scottish romance in the works!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

In the words of Elvis ...

Viva Las Vegas!

I am going to be attending my very first writer's convention and I'm fortunate enough that it be the annual one of the Western Writer's of America in none other than Las Vegas, Nevada!! If I run into Robert DeNiro, I may fall down and beg for an autograph and embarrass myself, so be sure to watch the news while the conference is going on. I can hardly wait as the days flying by oh-so-fast and this summer quickly approacheth! (Yes, I am watching Braveheart, so my vernacular may slip into that of the 13th Century Scottish form ...)

The ABC's of Oklahoma Plants has made top 10 on Amazon for nonfiction nature books! Another exciting snippet of news is that the follow up, The ABC's of Texas Plants is almost complete and should be so by the summer, just in time for flower hunting in the Lone Star State! Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center has graciously agreed to donate the pictures for this book as well and I can hardly wait to see how awesome it will look! I will keep you updated!

Until next time ...

Alba Gu Brath!!

8 Sentences for WeWriWa -- Children's!!

I decided to shake things up a bit this week and take a break from Historical Romance. Today, I've decided to introduce you to my debut picture book, CHUNKY SUGARS, published by 5 Prince Kids January of this year and penned for my fourth and chunkiest baby, Lil' Bit! Designed to be read with mommies and babies! Click here to order one for you chunky little baby today!

 
Mama loves her chunky baby. She loves to get chunky sugars!
Mama loves to get one chunky sugar on a sweet little nose.
Mama loves to get two chunky sugars on pudgy little cheeks.
Mama loves to get three chunky sugars on a fluffy little head!
Mama loves to get four chunky sugars on two baby hands.
Mama loves to get five chunky sugars on each little piggy.
Wait, baby gives Mama chunky sugars on her nose ...
 
Order yours to find out the twist!!

 
Still needing a historical romance fix? Click on any of my book covers below to order!