Rachel Rossano's Blog, page 5

New Release Post - Kate's Innocence by Sarah Holman

Today I would like to welcome one of my long time writing friends, Sarah Holman, so she can talk about her latest release, Kate's Innocence.



   Today I would like to introduce you to one of the characters my new series, Kate’s Case Files: Brian Connor. He is a unique part of the team for many reasons, but one of them is that he is the only one that is married. What are some other things that make him unique? Here are a few:

~ he has three children
~ he acts as peacemaker for his FBI team
~ if you are looking for comic relief, Brian is your guy
~ Patrick (another team member) and him are best friends
~ he has nothing but good things to say about being married
~ he met his wife, Jamie, while they were still in high school

Here is a little of his story:
   “I see I’m not the only one here early.”
   Patrick continued putting scoops of coffee into the filter. “Morning, Brian.”
   “Ooo, someone’s in a bad mood. Did Thomas give you a lecture?”
   “No, coffee is bitter on top of the fact I think I am going crazy.” Patrick switched on the coffeemaker.
   Brian came over to be near Patrick and rested his hip against the counter. “Care to share?”
   Patrick looked at is coworker and best friend. Brian looked to be in his early twenties, but was in fact in his mid-thirties. His blond hair and blue eyes had won him many admirers, but Brian had only seen one girl since his first day in high school; Jamie, now his wife.
   “I believe Kate Mayfield’s story. I know we don’t have any proof to back up what she is saying, but…” He let his words drift off.
   “You believe her anyway?” Brian picked up a cup and then reached for the sugar packets.
   “Yes.”
   Brian smiled. “So, Saint Patty is human after all. He is taken with a girl.”
   Patrick rolled his eyes. “It isn’t like that. I really do believe her. I mean, I stood there and believed her entire story even though all the evidence is against her.”
   “Patrick, all of us have gone with a gut feeling now and then without much to back us up. Besides, I heard she was rather cute.” A boyish twinkle glinted in Brian’s eye.
    “Cut that out! I don’t think she’s cute. There is just something about her that begs me to believe her.”
   Brian poured the fresh coffee over his sugar. “Maybe your instinct is right. Besides, she needed an advocate.”


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Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate and sister to six awesome siblings. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Holman/e/B007QTJBJ4/

Cowboys and Christmas Blog Tour!

Welcome to the 2nd annual Cowboys and Christmas Blog Tour! Raising funds and awareness for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund Ring in the Holidays with a Helping Hand November 1 through Dec. 24, 10 percent of the net proceeds from all Shanna Hatfield book sales will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund . The JCCF is a non-profit organization that assists rodeo athletes who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and are unable to work for an extended period. Every book purchased during this promotional period adds to the donation total. Don't forget to add books to your Christmas lists!

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Rachel! It's such a pleasure to be here with you on my blog tour.
The Columbia River Bar As a writer, it's important to me to get the historical details as accurate as possible in my stories.
Due to that fact, I spend a significant amount of time researching information that will help bring my stories and characters to life.

The Christmas Vow features a hero who is a Columbia River Pilot back in the late 1800s. I started doing research on what this job would entail and discovered a wealth of interesting details.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Columbia River, it is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It flows northwest and then south into Washington State before it turns west to form most of the border between Washington and Oregon. It empties into the Pacific Ocean.

The river is 1,243 miles long and its drainage basin is roughly the size of France and extends into seven US states as well as a Canadian province. It is the fourth-largest river in the US and has the greatest flow of any North American river draining into the Pacific.

 The Columbia Gorge is the route the river follows dividing Oregon and Washington. The gorge is canyon that is up to 4,000 feet deep and stretches for more than 80 miles as the river winds westward through the Cascade mountain range toward the Pacific Ocean. It provides the only navigable water route through the Cascades and the only water connection between the Columbia River Plateau and the Pacific Ocean. The Gorge holds a protected status as a national scenic area and is a popular recreational destination.


 
Beautiful, isn't it?
Ships coming inland from the ocean or those traveling down the river trying to reach the ocean face a treacherous area known as the Columbia Bar. The jaws of the mighty Columbia River empty into the ocean at the bar where water gushes more than a million cubic feet per second and smashes head-on with hurricane-force winds creating twenty- to forty-foot swells roaring off the Pacific.
Eerily nicknamed the "Graveyard of the Pacific," this stretch of the coast lives up to the moniker.  Since 1792, there have been approximately 2,000 ships sunk in the area and more than 700 deaths. Water, weather, and geography combine to make the bar deadly.
The Columbia River flows through a narrow channel into the Pacific. As the water surges toward the ocean, it slows down, dropping sand and silt. The sand and silt then form a fan-shaped sandbar that extends more than six miles into the ocean, creating underwater speed bumps. The conditions can rip ships to pieces and force swells to sheer off, creating a freefall. Pelting rain and heavy fog add into the dangerous mix. The bar's weather and waves are notoriously dangerous for all types of vessels.


In 1846, after numerous shipwrecks, the Columbia River Bar Pilots organization formed to ensure the safety of ships, crews, and cargoes crossing the bar. The main office is located in Astoria, Oregon (12 miles upriver), where Victorian houses crowd the steep hills to the waterfront, giving visitors a reminder of a bygone era.
The men and women who belong to this organization must hold an unlimited master’s license (meaning they are licensed to pilot vessels without limits on size, power or geographic location) and have served a minimum of two years as master of oceangoing vessels. The standard of licensing for the bar pilots is one of the highest in the nation.
All vessels engaged in foreign trade are required to employ a Columbia River Bar Pilot licensed by the State of Oregon when crossing the Columbia River Bar.  The pilots board the vessels and assume navigational control, using their experience and knowledge to safely navigate the restricted channels of the Columbia River and over the bar both coming and going from the sea.
Approximately 3,600 vessels cross the bar each year – from 100-foot tugs to 1,100-foot tankers, bulk carriers, car carriers, log ships, general cargo ships, container ships and passenger ships. An estimated 40 million tons of cargo valued at $23 billion goes across the bar each year.
Another organization, the Columbia River Pilots, provide maritime pilotage services to all ports on the lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers once ships have crossed the bar. These pilots are charged with safely and efficiently piloting vessels in all weather conditions, at all hours of the day and night, 365 days a year. Headquartered in Portland, the group has a pilot station located in Astoria where pilots await inbound ship assignments.
 In my story, Adam Guthry is a Columbia River pilot, helping guide vessels from the bar to ports along the Columbia River and back again. You can read more about his work in The Christmas Vow, releasing this November as the fourth book in the Hardman Holidays series.
~*~  New Releases To kick off the second annual Cowboys and Christmas Blog Tour and the JCCF campaign,
 two brand new holiday romances will release Nov. 12! 
  Capturing Christmas is the third installment in the sweet holiday western Rodeo Romance series.

 Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he rescues at a rodeo. Determined to capture the best images possible, rodeo photographer Celia McGraw is fearless and feisty. Not one to back down from a challenge, her biggest risk isn’t in her work. Danger lurks in the way her heart responds to one incredibly handsome stock contractor. Will Kash and Celia capture the spirit of the season?
Pre-order your copy today! http://amzn.to/1FC8ZQj
 
 Get all three books in the Rodeo Romance series!
The Christmas Vow is the fourth book in the Hardman Holidays sweet Victorian romance series. Columbia River Pilot Adam Guthry returns to his hometown of Hardman, Oregon, after the sudden death of his best friend. Emotions he can’t contain bubble to the surface the moment he sees the girl who shattered his heart eleven years ago. Widow Tia Devereux escapes her restrictive life in Portland, returning to the home she knew and adored as a girl in Hardman. She and her four-year-old son, Toby, settle into the small Eastern Oregon community, eager for the holiday season. Unfortunately, the only man she’s ever loved shows up, stirring the embers of a long-dead romance into a blazing flame. When her former father-in-law, a corrupt judge, decides he wants to raise Toby, Adam may be the only hope she has of keeping her son.
You can pre-order your copy today for only $2.99! http://amzn.to/1KQHhvI
 
 Don't miss out on the Hardman Holidays series! 
You’re Invited to PARTY!You’re invited to join in the online Cowboys & Christmas Facebook Party , Thursday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (PST). Drop in anytime during those four hours to enter to win great prizes, chat with guest authors, and more (many of the giveaways will stay open until the following morning)! Here’s the link to the party: http://tinyurl.com/cowboychristmasparty2
 
The talented guest authors joining in the celebration include: 10 a.m. - Carmen Peone 10:30 - Kayla Dawn Thomas 11 a.m. - Melanie D. Snitker, Author 11:30 - Julie Cerniglia Lence Noon - Author CJ Samuels 12:30 - Rachel Rossano 1 p.m. - Author Kristin Holt 1:30 - Dani Harper
 
Enter to Win Prizes! To enter the drawing for an Amazon gift card, Wrangler Tote Bag, Rock & Roll Cowgirl T-shirt, autographed books, chocolates, and more fun goodies, fill out this form. Winners will be randomly drawn and announced Nov. 16. http://tinyurl.com/cowboychristmasprizes2
Where to Find The Books  Start the Rodeo Romance Series with The Christmas Cowboy. Kindle | Amazon    Travel back to a time of grandeur in the old westwith the Hardman Holidays series. The Christmas Bargain begins the popular seriesand is available free for a very limited time!Kindle | Amazon About Shanna Hatfield Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that seem incredibly real.
When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
This USA Today bestselling author is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, and Pioneer Hearts.

  Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple  

Shanna loves to hear from readers! Follow her online: ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter
Make sure you sign up for her newsletter to get the latest on new releases and exclusive giveaways! Newsletter

Cover reveal! - Lily of the Valley by Faith Blum

Happy Tuesday! Today we have a blog post with a cover reveal. But, there’s a catch. The author, Faith Blum, has split her cover into 15 different pieces! In order to enter her giveaway, you need to put it together and email her your cover. Or, if you don’t want to enter the giveaway, but you’d still like to see the cover, stop by her blog on Thursday.

The PrizeThe winner will have to be patient, but the prize for this cover reveal is a signed paperback copy of Lily of the Valley. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of shipping internationally, Faith won’t be sending a paperback outside of the U.S. If you are international and would like to participate and win, you will receive an ebook copy of any TWO of my published books including Lily of the Valley. To help you a little with putting together the cover, here is the description:

Howdy, Teacher! You don’t know me, but my kids talk bout you a lot. I been lookin fer a wife and mother fer a few years and was wonderin iffen we cood meet and get to no each other a bit. I’ll come after school to git yer answer. Grover Miller Unruly schoolchildren, three suitors, and too many things to do. When Ruth Brookings rejects one of the suitors, he refuses to accept no for an answer. To make matters worse, when she prays for guidance, she’s answered with a challenge instead: To encourage her friend to find a wife—whether he wants one or not. Will she lose her friend just when she needs a friend the most? Will she be able to weather the storms she’s about to face?

DetailsStop by each blog listed below to get their piece of the cover.Use a program like this website to put the cover together: https://www.befunky.com/features/coll.... If you get a little extra space between each piece, your cover will still count toward the prize. It doesn’t have to be perfect as long is each piece is in the correct place.Email your completed cover to Faith at faith[dot]blum[dot]@gmail[dot]com NO LATER THAN October 14th at 9:00 PM Central time. (If you have problems with time zones, shoot Faith an email and she’ll help you out).Stop by Faith’s blog to see the cover and who won.
Piece of the Cover #10

About the Author Faith Blum is a 24 year old home school graduate who enjoys doing many right-brained activities such as reading, crafting, writing, and playing piano. Her favorite genre to read and write is Historical Fiction, more specifically, Westerns. In the Hymns of the West series, she has endeavored to create clean, fun, and challenging Western stories for the whole family. She currently has three novels and three novellas published. You can find her in various places online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | New Releases Newsletter | Amazon

Author interviewPlease tell me about the heroine of Lily of the Valley. Ruth Brookings is nineteen years old, a Christian, and seeking God's will. She teaches at her local school in Castle City, Montana and loves it. Though not as shy as she was when she was younger, she is still pretty shy. Today, we would call her introverted. She has brown hair and dresses simply. She is the youngest of five and has always wanted younger siblings. I would love to get to know the hero. Micah Carson is an Easterner turned Western Sheriff. He started as a deputy, but when the sheriff resigned to get another job, he became the sheriff. Sheriff Carson has been a widower for five years and has an incorrigible ten year old son. He has never had the desire to marry again, but his son may one day force him to either quit his job or get married. What about the hymn inspired you to write this book?The book inspired the hymn actually. That sounds strange. I had ideas for the book before I knew what hymn I would use. For about the first fourth of the rough draft, the title was "Come Thou Fount." Then one day at church, we sang "Lily of the Valley" and when I got home, I looked it up to see if it was possible to use. The words to "Lily of the Valley" fit much better than "Come Thou Fount."

BloggersFind the other pieces of the cover on these blogs. If you are coming in late and would like direct links to each of the blog posts about the cover reveal, please go to Faith’s website link here. She will update each link to go directly to the blog post about the cover reveal. October 12 The Overactive ImaginationRebekah Lyn Books—with Author Interview Morgan Elizabeth HunekeAll Things Literary and PoliticalHello Precious Bliss October 13 With a Joyful NoiseRuth’s Real LifeFlights from AerieJaye L. KnightRachel Rossano’s Words—with Author Interview October 14 Zerina Blossom’s BooksGod's Peculiar Treasure RaeWildflower AcresA Brighter DestinyWriting Dreams October 15 Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections—with full cover and winner announcement  

Book Tour for All Our Empty Places by Alicia G. Ruggieri

In 1935, when the bank calls in her mortgage, Sarah Picoletti – now a penniless widow – finds herself and her children on the brink of homelessness. Sick at heart, she plans to beg her brother in New Jersey to take her family in.
Then Doctor Samuel Giorgi knocks on her door. Godly and well-off, Sam seems to have put the careless ways of his youth behind him, and he also appears to have one desire: to make Sarah his wife, two decades after he broke their engagement.
However, nothing prepares Sarah for the storm that breaks once she makes her decision. Everywhere she turns, the errors of her former choices confront her, insisting on her inferiority and the irreparable brokenness of her past. Sarah begins to wonder if Christ really can bring true redemption or if He is limited by her frailty.
Meanwhile, her daughter Grace faces new challenges in her own life. When her relationship with Paulie changes unexpectedly, Grace realizes that she must make a decision with the potential to alter both of their futures.
Compassionate and intensely poignant, All Our Empty Placespaints the portrait of a mother and daughter with broken pasts, who dare to step into a future overflowing with the grace of the Cross.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Alicia G. Ruggieri writes Christ-centered fiction that speaks of redemption. She received her B.A. in Communications and History from Rhode Island College and lives with her husband and their emotionally-disturbed pug on the New England coast.
AUTHOR LINKS:Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AliciaGRuggieriBlog: http://www.abrighterdestiny.blogspot.comTwitter: @aliciaruggieriPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AliciaGRuggieriAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliciagruggieri
PURCHASE LINKS:All Our Empty Places (A Time of Grace, Book 2) – http://amzn.com/B014JVJYCKThe Fragrance of Geraniums (A Time of Grace, Book 1) – ON SALE for $0.99 through October 31, 2015 – http://amzn.com/B00P4PB7W6

THE GIVEAWAY:
One winner will receive – a signed softcover of All Our Empty Places; a mug with 2 Corinthians 12:9 inscribed on it; Caramel Apple Biscotti; and Harvest Spice Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate mix. (Open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.)


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Procrastination...because

I am procrastinating from writing and editing.

Yes, it is a bad habit. I am being very careful that my daydreaming oldest son isn't watching me. I wouldn't want to be a bad influence on him.

The rationalization is that I need to get some promotion book done.

The truth is that I don't really want to be writing right now, and I definitely don't want to be editing the next novel in the Theodoric Saga.

It isn't the novel's fault, it is the editing's fault. I don't like editing. 

Don't worry, I won't let myself procrastinate too long.

Look, laundry to fold.

That novel will make it to print, along with the anthology (the writing I am avoiding).

The rough draft of the last story for the anthology is almost finished.
Hubby approved half of the finished stories already with only minor changes needed.

Now if only I could get him to approve the cover design. I am going to have to go back to the drawing board for that one.

Too much to do and too little time in which to do it. I really need to stop procrastinating and get back to work.

Or bed. It is getting late.

Tomorrow is another day. I intend to write tomorrow! I will write tomorrow!

Until then, here are some excerpts from my current WIPs:

I requested some of the ale the others had obviously imbibed in and a bit of bread and cheese. One could usually fare well on bread and cheese no matter how bad the cooking was in the establishment. Though, judging by the grime on the tables and the greasy film on bench beneath me, I could be risking my health with the ale.
             - Dentin's POV (unnamed very short story)

The events of the past few weeks suddenly pressed down on me. Keeping the sob in my throat by will alone, I watched the approaching man with helpless hope.
            - Myah POV (Diaspora)

Figuring out the Anthology - And new excerpts from The Making of a Man

The rough draft of the anthology is done!!! 
This project has been an act of love and agony from the beginning. Now that it is done (almost), I am both relieved and anxious. Seven short stories (possibly eight--I will explain later) spanning twenty years and focused on one character's life, it is like nothing I have ever done before.
So, the reasons I am anxious are threefold. (1) I am handing my romance-reading audience two tragedies. (2) By nature of it being an anthology spanning two decades, I am afraid I am going to lose readers unfamiliar with the Rhynan novels. (3) I am haunted by the question, did I forget something important?
Solution #1 - Make it really clear that this is not just a romance. I am going to try to make it clear on the cover, in the description, and in the promotion that this is not just an anthology full of romances (my usual product). 
Solution #2 - I am contemplating adding in timeline markers between stories to help the reader stay oriented. I haven't written those yet, but I am hoping that will be enough to deal with any time jump confusion. You should see my timeline Excel for this series. It is huge and I haven't even filled in details for the later novels yet.
Solution #3 - I asked a friend to read a beta copy while it was "raw and wriggling" (her words) and she loved it. That is where the possible eight story might come in to the anthology. She mentioned that she wished to see a story about Simon's role in the civil war that happens before the beginning of Duty. His role was a lot bigger than many readers probably suspect. So, I am seriously considering writing that story, though it will be on the shorter side.
Now for a glimpse of the contents of The Making of a Man. (All first person POVs are Dentin's unless otherwise noted)
Passing the Mantle
   Alexter announced his arrival by clearing his throat loudly.   “Are you about through?”   “Considering a dozen laps next.”   “Care to spar instead?”   “Not quite the same thing, but I am amenable.” I dropped my stance and turned to where I had left my practice sword. “I was expecting Nigel. Did you see him on your way down?” I kicked up the sword and turned in time to catch the flicker of anger in my older brother’s face before he hid it.   “I doubt he will make it any time soon.”   I inspected my training weapon and glanced past it at Alexter. “What happened?”   “Nothing.” He swung his blunted weapon in a flamboyant whirl over his head before lunging forward to skewer an imaginary opponent. “He lectured me about being respectful to Father.”
Forging Friendships
   The winner rose, but offered no hand to his opponent. Instead he bowed to Sir Fortwin and appraised me brazenly as Fortwin made introductions.   “Korwich, this is the Earl of Dentin.”   “My lord.” Korwich offered a barely perceptible bow. “I am due for a turn at the quintain.” He stalked off without another word.   The thinner man rose from the dust, bowed deeply, and waited to be acknowledged.   “Lowen Reginald, my lord,” Fortwin said as he acknowledged the man. “He is one of the men I selected for you. Loyal, even tempered, and skilled, he could be a valuable addition.”   I studied Reginald. Medium height and slender, but obviously strong enough, he met my scrutiny with calm assurance. No shame or pride, only confidence.
The Sword of Korma Monroe
Korma's POV   “My lord!” The dark-haired major burst through the canvas flap over the doorway.   I leapt to my feet and retreated to the far side of the tent before turning to face the new arrival.    Dentin didn’t even flinch. Studying the inside of his cup, as though contemplating refilling it, he asked, “What is it?”   “Trouble.” The major looked from me to Dentin. A frown drew the man’s dark brows together over his long nose. “Do you think imbibing is wise, my lord?”    “What is wrong, Dyrease?” Dentin asked without moving.   “Blair is accusing me of poisoning him.”   “Really? That seems a bit farfetched for even him. What are his symptoms?”    “Vomiting and stomach cramps.”   “Could be nothing more than bad rations.”    “He is the only one complaining.”
The Bittersweet Pear
Elsa's POV   Reginald, Simon’s first squire, greeted us at the sitting chamber door. I smiled at Reginald as I preceded Simon into the room. Continuing on through to the inner most room where my maid had drawn a bath, I immediately began disrobing.   “What do you wish me to do with this, my lady?” My maid held up the pear I had tucked into my pocket.   “I will bring it with me to dinner.”    “But, my lady, won’t Lord Dentin find it strange that you bring fruit to dine at the high table?”   I smiled. “He will find it quite vexing. See that it comes with me.”
Isbeth's Redemption
   The man's voice surprised Isbeth. Having removed his outer clothing to reveal well-made clothing beneath, he now stood with his back to the fire, arms crossed over the formidable chest of a warrior. It slowly dawned on Isbeth that she might be standing before the master of the house.   “He only said to give this to Gelsey.” Isbeth produced the crudely folded scrap from her pocket. “He didn't say anything about waiting for a reply.” But before the kitchen maid could take the offered parchment, the man plucked it from her fingers.   To Isbeth's surprise, Gelsey didn't appear a bit dismayed at the procurement of the correspondence. She simply pulled a chair out from the table that dominated the center of the room and indicated that Isbeth should sit.   “Lord Dentin will want to ask you some questions considering the unusual nature of the delivery. Won't you, my lord?” Gelsey threw the question in the direction of the man studying the message on the parchment.   “The Earl of Dentin?” Isbeth's hands trembled as she realized the identity of the man just a table length away. “The Securer of the Realm, the bulldog of Rhynan–”   “I don't recommend you call him that.” Gelsey slid a half a loaf of bread across the table with a small crock of butter. “Sit. I have a cold chicken and sliced ham, which do you prefer?”
A Squire's Love
    I was just rounding the first turn when Gelsey stuck her head out into the passage from the kitchen below.
    “Is that you, Reginald?”
    “Aye.” I leaned back against the wall behind me and turned just enough to look down at her over my load. She was a pleasant sight to behold, honey curls escaping her coiled braid and slightly angular chin balancing the softness of her wide eyes. Seeing that was well worth the increasing weight of the gear.
    “Food will be ready in about a quarter hour. Will that be enough time for you to see to all that?” She gestured to my full arms with a flour-covered hand.
    “Should be. I will be right down as soon as I finish with these.” She flashed me a wide smile that warmed my middle far faster than any of her good cooking. She ducked back into her fragrant domain releasing a puff of savory scented air as she closed the door hard. Apparently she wasn’t taking any risks that the cat would return for another try.
Prodigal Brother 
   The man kept glancing over his padded shoulder to gage my reaction to this news. Although it was intriguing bit of gossip that was all it was. Hardly something to get excited about. I did not respond.   “Why is that?” Tomas asked from my side. He always was a bit more susceptible to such things.   “She hasn’t said.” The man waved his hand. “I hoped the earl could enlighten me.”   “I have never met her,” I informed him.   Upon reaching a relief carved door decorated with gilt, he turned and studied my face in earnest.  “As far as I can gather she has never had the pleasure of your blunt conversation, my lord. But…” He squinted up at me. I stood almost a full head higher than he. “Now that I consider it, there is something familiar about your face, my lord. Are you certain you have traveled this way before?”
Questions? Concerns? Are you looking forward to this?Please let me know what you think in the comments or in the poll (top left column)

7-7-7 Blog Challenge

A blogger friend of mine did this challenge and tagged those who hadn’t done it and wanted to do it. So I thought I would give it a go.

These are the rules:Go to page 7 of your WIPScroll down to line 7Share the next 7 sentences in a blog post.After the excerpt, tag 7 other writers to continue the challenge.Since I am in the midst of writing a number of stories (books and short stories) so I will be sharing a bit from each of them.

The Reward of Anavrea (editing)

   Urith remained stubbornly closemouthed about the keeper of the keys. Instead he expounded further on Lord Klian and the late Lord Alain.
    Liam grew steadily uneasy. Urith’s description of Klian made him seem even nastier than most of the criminals Liam interacted with during his stint in the service of the king.
With Urith riding behind Liam on his mount at the front of the column, they headed off to meet the keeper. The boy led them west into the forest that bordered the fields a quarter-mile from the village. The trail showed signs of being used by foot traveler, not horses.

Diaspora (writing)

   “About time we finally meet face to face,” Doctor Overan replied. He stepped forward and offered an open hand for shaking. “The name is Doctor Jaynden Overan, but you can call me Jay.”
   Panic and anger straightened my spine. The Diaspora considered physical touch between strangers extremely rude. I made that fact expressly clear in my summary of social protocols. Extending a hand to be shaken equated a marriage proposal.
   Yet, the Diaspora representative’s response baffled me more. He looked at me. No smile. No frown. It was simply an assessing glance before turning to introduce his companion.
   Doctor Overan’s hand remained unshaken.

Prodigal Brother (writing)

   My own grief threatened to undo me. I had avoided dwelling on my father’s, and subsequently Alexter’s, death, for just this reason. No matter how I rationalized it, denied it, or tried to desensitize myself to it, I couldn’t. The pain remained raw. The wound refused to heal.
   Perhaps it was because I was missing the last piece—Nigel. I reached across the physical divide between us and laid a hand on his shoulder. “It was an accident. We never thought otherwise.”

Living Sacrifice: Book 3 (writing)

   “The Sept Son is not an elitist.” I stated it with a finality that I hoped would cut off any further questions. “I am not his wife.”
   Ariana nodded in understanding.
   Lotus’ suspicion buffeted my energy senses. I chose to ignore it. In hopes of keeping the women off the sensitive topic, I began telling them about my history while I searched the shelves for extra copies of the Revelation and the Talent’s Code.

I am tagging anyone who would like to do it. My only qualification is that I would love it if you would post a link in the comments so I can read your post. I love encountering other writer's WIPs.

Radio interview on The Write Stuff Radio 2nd Anniversary Show!

I stopped by Parker J. Cole's radio show for the third time tonight. It is always a joy to spend time with Parker J. Cole. Her shows are entertaining and informative. Check it out every Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 PM ET.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wluv103/...

Cover Reveal - Water Princess, Fire Prince by Kendra E. Ardnek

Book Description:When the Lady Dragon does come,Hold fast, do not fear, do not run.Your Water Princess will fight,Fire Prince will set all to right.Each shall come from a Fall,Their union will save you all.
Despite the fact that she's on track for competing in the Olympics, and he's practically raised his younger brothers since they lost their mom in a car accident, Clara Mandras and Andrew Stevenson are pretty much normal teens. They have normal hopes, normal dreams, and they live in a normal world.
All this is torn away from them when they are thrust into another world and declared Water Princess and Fire Prince. With no experience ruling a country, meeting each other for the first time, and being expected to fight the Lady Dragon – an evil sorceress plaguing the world of Rizkaland – Clara and Andrew are underprepared and inexperienced. Unless they learn to work together despite their standing opposition, Rizkaland's hope will be lost. 
What is to come will change their lives forever.
Author Bio: Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.


Available for kindle preorder: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Prince-Rizkaland-Legends-ebook/dp/B00YTQBTDI/  $2.99 the 19th and 20th ONLY (at which point I’ll put it up to its official price of 3.99)
Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24022364-water-princess-fire-prince
Part 1’s first chapter: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/water-princess-chapter-1.htmlPart 2’s first chapter: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/fire-prince-chapter-1.html
Q&A:Tells us more about your new release?
First of all, it's my first book thick enough to use as a weapon. 
This is a story of love, and faith, and taking on responsibility. It's a story of courage, and fear, and sacrifice. It's a story of adventure, with a bit of danger thrown in. In it, I hope to make you think, but with a proper dose of laughter.
What was the inspiration for the story?
The shower. A bit cliche, but basically, I stepped into a shower one night, about six or seven years ago, and the thought flickered through my head "What if I were to blink and suddenly be standing under a waterfall. And what if I were to be declared a prophesied Waterfall Princess who'll save this strange new land from some great land and then rule it?"
It grew from there.
When do we get to purchase your new book?
The official release date is August 31st, though the kindle version is available for preorder. And today and tomorrow, it's only $2.99!

Review - Tiger's Paw by Kimberly Rogers

I met Kimberly Rogers a while back when a mutual friend recommended I submit my books to her for review. Kimberly runs a great blog about Christian fantasy where she offers thoughtful reviews.

We got to talking via Facebook and discovered we have a lot of similar tastes in fantasy, characters, and writing. As we encouraged each other, she told me about her current WIP about shape shifters. One thing led to another and I eventually ended up designing her cover for her and beta reading her novella. All that said, I am extremely excited that her debut book is out today. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction, I recommend you give it a chance.



Amazon
What if history didn’t quite play out the way we know it? What would stay the same? What would change? Even in a world where Elves and Humans coexist, there are secrets. Not all the old legends are accurate, but neither are they false. Hidden among the Humans are the Therians, those gifted with the ability to shift into beasts. How long they will remain unseen by Human eyes depends on how well they adhere to their code of life and honor – The Therian Way.

When secrecy is vital to survive among Humans and Elves, the Therian Way offers balance. The Fringe, a militant group of discontented Therians, threaten to expose their race to Mankind. It falls to General Baran to track down and remove the Fringe Nest before time runs out. Who can he trust when the fate of his people lies in the Tiger’s paw?

This Novella Prequel is a Clean New Adult Christian Urban Fantasy.

My Review
Tiger’s Paw is a Christian urban fantasy novella set in a world similar to our own, except it is also populated by shape shifters and elves. Crafting a complex and realistic blending of reality and fantasy, Rogers builds a world that offers plenty of opportunity for more storytelling, exactly what I hope for in an introductory book.
The humans live semi-peacefully with the elves, but are uneasy neighbors with the shape shifters. This uneasiness forces the shifters into a life requiring they hide their true nature. The shifters adhere to a code, the Therian Way, that calls them to live peacefully with their weaker cohabitants, but some are choosing to ignore this code. The rebels are tired of living in secret and are plotting to dominate the other two peoples.
I really enjoyed Rogers’ main characters, Baran and Raina. Baran, a man/tiger shifter, has bit of a grumpy personality, which plays well against Raina’s teasing, taunting banter. I love the interplay between the two, especially Raina’s insistence on calling him TDS (Tall, Dark, and Serious) and likening him to another famous tiger. I liked how Rogers used the characters’ personalities to enhance the plot and the suspense as the story moved forward.

Action, adventure, intrigue and a hint of romance are woven into this exciting opening to a new series. I look forward to reading more stories by Rogers, especially the coming series where she explores this world and the tensions between its inhabitants.