Andrea Boyd's Blog, page 3

Deconstructing Waiting For You

You're about to see just how honest I can be as I talk about this first book in the Spencer Family series.

Unusual Request from God

Has God ever asked you to do something that just didn't make sense? Maybe it's a request that just doesn't seem like something God would concern Himself with, or maybe it goes against your way of thinking, or even against your beliefs. Whatever the case, it has you questioning whether it's really from God but the urge is unmistakable. Do you do it?

Non-Christian Characters

I definitely write Christian novels but not all of my characters start out as Christians. Some are Christians, but they don't act like it at the beginning of the book. But you never have to worry with one of my stories. The main characters will always reach redemption by the end. The side characters... well, that's a different matter.

The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

A love that goes off script.With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

Romance in Fantasy- Scene from Healing Gilvary

Think my fantasy series lacks romance? Think again! Here is a scene from Healing Gilvary. (which happens to be .99 this week- free if you have Kindle Unlimited)

“I believe you promised the first dance to me.”

Gwen glanced up and then away. I thought for a second she might deny me the privilege. I stood waiting as the emotions played across her features. I could imagine her wanting to say no but then convincing herself that she could not deny the crown prince. I hated the feeling that she was forcing herself to dance with me, but I did not have the strength to let her out of that promise. This may be my last chance to hold her in my arms.

I held out my hand and she took it. I noticed there was no ring to match the rest of her jewelry. I still hoped one day mine would grace her finger.

I led her out on the dance floor and pulled her to me. She gasped and her body stiffened at first but soon she relaxed and we moved together as if we were one person. I had no doubt this woman was meant to be mine. She studied my face as if she were trying to memorize it. This scared me more than before when she had been trying so hard not to look at me.

“I have missed you.”

She drew her brows together. “It has only been three days.”

“It feels like an eternity.”

She glanced nervously at the couples dancing on either side of us. “That woman, is she here?”

“No. I have not seen her or her father since that meeting in Farris’ office. I can only hope God allowed the ground to open beneath them and it swallowed them up.”

“Reagan.” Even with her reprimand, she seemed to relax after hearing that the woman was absent. What was she afraid of?

I pulled her closer until her body pressed against mine. “I . . . I want you to know that when all of this is over, I am coming after you. Do you hear me? I know God is going to work this out and when it is all straightened out, it will be you and me again. I will not rest until you are mine.”

I had started to tell her that I loved her, but that would not have been fair.

“You think you know what is going to happen, but you have no idea. God may mean for you to end up with this woman. I cannot continue pining for you when we may never be together again. For now, it is over. Try not to think about me anymore. Just do what you need to for your kingdom and forget about me for the time being.”

“I may as well try to stop breathing because that is the equivalent of me not thinking about you. All my hopes and dreams are full of you. I am in love with you.” Hang trying to be fair. Life was not fair for either of us right now.

“Reagan, I cannot do this. Do not seek me out again unless you have a medical emergency. Please. My heart cannot stand what you are putting me through.” Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

I hated myself for being the cause of them. The song ended right at that moment. She took a step back, but her gaze was still locked with mine as if it was the last time she would ever look at me.

Author Cliff Notes- Wordcount Goals

There's no hard rule about how long your book should be, but there are industry standards to aim for. Chapter length is up to the author.

1000 - 8000 Short story

10,000 - 18,000 Novelette

20,000 - 50,000 Novella

50,000+ Novel

Traditionally published novels usually run in the range of 80,000 - 100,000.

Author Cliff Notes- Finding the Writing Program that works for you

If you’re going to be a writer, you’re going to have to get those words out of your head and onto paper. You could write it all out in longhand but if you plan to publish your work, you’re going to have to eventual get it into a writing program that can be shared. No doubt, there are many other programs out there but here is a list to get you headed in the right direction.

Programs for everyone

Microsoft Word- Listed first because it’s the most popular with writers and publishers alike.

Pages- Apple/Mac alternative to Microsoft Word

Apache OpenOffice- Like Word and Pages, but FREE

Programs specifically designed for writers.

Scrivener- Helps with outlining your story, allows you to write scenes separately and shift them around to where they belong, organize characters, and more. Downside- big learning curve.

Living Writer- Like Scrivener. Cloud-driven so you can work from different devices.

Dabble Writer- Like Scrivener -Cloud-driven

yWriter- Like Scrivener but FREE

Ulysses- Apple/ Mac

Papyrus Author- Mac -FREE

Final Draft- Screen Writing Program

Barebones writing apps.

Google Docs- online only -FREE

Fast Pencil- Cloud-driven FREE

Evernote- Cloud-driven -best for writing notes or scenes on the go -FREE

Time For A Mental Health Sabbatical

I think we could all use a little mental health sabbatical right about now. I’m no therapist but I’ve made up a list based on common sense, experience, and research that I hope you’ll find helpful.

Pamper yourself- This is probably the most obvious suggestion for relieving anxiety but maybe you need the reminder. Take a long, hot bath or shower. Use some scented oil or a sugar scrub. Even trimming/painting your nails can be pampering.

Coloring- no longer just for kids! There are a plethora of adult coloring books out there and mediums to use with them. I won’t even judge you if crayons are still your favorite. The one I use has Biblical sayings. Or if you want to feel more like a grownup, you can always start with a blank canvas and some paint. I have those too, but so far it’s still just blank canvas and bottled paint. I’ll let you know if I ever do anything with it.

Crafting- It can be something you already enjoy or take up something new. Here’s an idea that cost absolutely nothing. Try making a wreath from things found in your yard. A wreath, maybe?

Try something new- I’ve already suggested trying a new craft, but it could be anything really. I recently visited a local museum that I’d never been to before. It had me looking around at what else I had been missing out on right here in my own neighborhood. Which in turn has gotten me out of the house and away from dwelling on the world’s problems.

Nature walk- Worried about going into public buildings and getting too close to other people? Take it outdoors! I bet there’s a state park nearby with miles of sparsely used trails waiting for you to visit.

Listening to music/singing- If you’re like me, maybe your singing voice is best for a smaller audience—like just yourself. So what? Next time you’re alone, crank up the music and sing to the top of your lungs. It might even inspire a little dancing, which also helps get the feel-good juices flowing.

Family Meal- Just planning and cooking the meal is a joy for me but if that seems like a chore to you, order takeout. The important thing is to spend time with the ones you love.

Games- While you’ve got the family together, pull out a game to play. My family’s favorite is Wild Rummy played with two decks. Even a game played by yourself on your phone can be a great distraction.

Journaling- Getting those feelings out of your head and onto paper can help put things into perspective.

Reread your favorites- Sometimes when you’re stressed, it’s hard to get into a new book, which for an avid reader this only adds to the stress. Try revisiting your old favorites.

Psalms- Psalms (most of them) can be the most comforting part of the Bible.

Do something nice for someone else- Believe it or not, doing something for someone else is a great way to boost your own spirits. Volunteer, get involved in community outreach, make a meal for a sick friend—it doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. My church fills backpacks for children in need at this time of year. I have gotten more joy from finding items for those kids than I have anything in a long time.

Got any suggestions to add? I’d love to hear them!

Blessing,

Andrea

First Chapter of When Forever Fades

One

“It isn’t what you think.”

Belva Turner cut her eyes toward where her husband sat on the edge of the bed next to her, stopping short of actually looking at him. She couldn’t bear that right now. It hurt too much.

“I’m not stupid, Gray. I saw the way you were looking at her, leaning in like you were about to…” She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her hand tight against her mouth. Trying to hold back the anger and the hurt and failing miserably.

How could he do this to me? To us?

“I never… we never… it was never physical.” Grayson huffed out a breath. “Come on, Bel, you know I could never…”

It didn’t escape Belva’s notice that he couldn’t even complete the sentence. Because it was a lie. Maybe they hadn’t gone all the way, but something had happened. And if he hadn’t gotten caught… She couldn’t even finish her thought, either. Didn’t want to. Never wanted to have this conversation to begin with. And truth be told, before today she would’ve considered it near impossible that Grayson Turner would ever do anything like this.

“You’ve kissed her.” No question there. It had been about to happen when Belva and the kids had walked up on them today. Something told her it hadn’t been their first.

She’d decided to surprise Gray by taking him out for lunch. She’d been told he’d already left, so she went on without him.

At least, that had been the plan.

But when she started toward the restaurant, there he was, in the parking lot, his hands on the waist of another woman as she leaned into him. The only thing that stopped their lips from meeting was the sound of his daughter’s voice calling out to him.

His quiet yes finally broke the long pause that followed her statement.

“Touched her?”

Silence.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

He still didn’t say anything.

“So let me get this straight. You’ve had what I can only guess were some pretty intense make-out sessions with the woman, and you never expected it to lead to something more?” Her voice had been surprisingly steady until it rose toward the end, matching her rising fury.

“I messed up, okay? I’m sorry. It won’t ever happen again.”

“Who is she? Where did you meet?” Belva pushed the heel of her hand against her stomach. Thank God, she hadn’t eaten anything since this morning. After seeing her husband with that woman, they’d never made it to the restaurant. She’d picked up a couple of kids’ meals from a drive-thru and let the twins eat in the van on the way home.

Asking about the other woman was nauseating. She didn’t want to know, but she had to know. The questions had been eating away at her all afternoon. She’d barely had enough presence of mind to take care of the kids.

Too much time passed, and he still hadn’t answered. That could only mean one thing. Belva’s teeth ground together until her jaw ached. She turned and this time she looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. “Gray?”

“She’s a legal secretary at the firm.”

She sprang from the bed and her feet automatically carried her to the door.

“Belva, wait. I’ll take the couch.”

Because that’s what he always did whenever they fought, which seemed to happen a lot lately. But this wasn’t some lovers’ spat. Things wouldn’t cool overnight. It wasn’t something that could be gotten over quickly. Maybe not at all.

“No, you stay. I’ll go.”

He stood and took a couple of steps toward her. “No, I won’t let you take the couch. It isn’t right.”

Belva turned to look at him, her hand against the door casing for support. “Do you really think I’m going to sleep tonight? Do you think I will be able to close my eyes for a minute and not see you with her?” Her voice broke and a traitorous tear popped out followed by more.

Gray had once said seeing her cry broke his heart all the more because she hardly ever did. He always said he could take anything better than her tears. He had that look in his eyes right now. The one he always got right before he took her into his arms and loved the hurt away. He’d even taken another step toward her, his arms already rising.

She threw her hand up to halt his progress. “Don’t.” She choked out another sob. “I don’t want you touching me.” Ever again.

♥

It had taken Belva exactly two hours last night to decide it was time to leave. Two hours of pacing the living room floor and going over every argument she and Gray had ever had. Most of them had been about the kids. The rest usually centered on the house they lived in—or more specifically, its location.

She’d grown up on a farm with wide open spaces and room to think. A place where kids could play outside without worry. Where everyone knew everyone and stranger danger wasn’t a constant concern.

The cramped neighborhood they lived in was stifling, but it was stylish, a symbol that Gray had moved up in the world. Up from his trailer park roots. Well, he could have it. She was home now, and home was where she’d stay.

Her oldest brother, Wade, had inherited the bulk of the family farm when their dad died, but twenty acres right along the edge of it had been divided among her and the other three siblings. Five acres of nothing but grass and fresh air and her little farmhouse.

She’d had to fight to get Gray to build the small house out here on the property. He’d wanted them to save their money to be able to one day buy an even bigger house than the one they already had in an even fancier neighborhood. Her mom had been fighting cancer at the time and Belva had used that as leverage to get what she wanted.

It wasn’t unusual for them to spend weekends and summer vacations in their country home. They were always happier here, but Gray never would acknowledge that fact. That happiness evaded her at the moment, but it would return.

Wouldn’t it?

Belva lifted her head from the pillow and listened. Were the twins up? She’d allowed them to veg out on the sofa watching cartoons all morning. They’d both fallen asleep and she’d taken advantage of the rare naptime to seek the comfort of her bed.

Footsteps sounded in the next room, too heavy to be the kids. Her heart pounded beneath her ribcage. Had Gray come to try and work things out? She kicked her feet, trying to free herself from the covers and had just sat up on the edge of the bed when her sister, Jolene, made an appearance.

Belva’s eyes stung and a heaviness anchored her to the bed.

Jo, not Gray. Of course. He’s at work. With her.

Jolene pulled the door almost closed, kicked her shoes off, and went around to the other side of the bed. “You look like crap, Sis. What’s going on?”

“How’d you know I was here?”

Jo had already pulled the covers back and climbed into bed. “Family grapevine, how else? Wade saw you pull in this morning and mentioned it to Ma. She tried to call you and couldn’t get through. She called Rachel, who said you hadn’t come by there yet. And then she called me. I knew it was only a matter of time before Ma made her way over, so I ran interference by offering to come check on you.”

Belva slid back into bed and laid on her side facing Jo. “I come here all the time. What sounded the alarm this time?”

“You don’t usually come in the middle of the week. When you do come, one of the first things you do is head next door to see Rachel and the boys. Plus, you haven’t answered your phone.”

“I didn’t want to talk to Gray.”

“So y’all had a fight? It must’ve been a doozy.”

“I caught him with another woman.”

Jolene froze. The only thing that moved were her light brown eyes as she studied Belva’s face. Then she blinked and looked away. “I never thought… How did you catch them?”

“I took the kids to Charlotte. We were going to surprise him for lunch. The surprise was on me when I saw him about to kiss another woman. He says he hasn’t slept with her. I don’t know if that’s true or if it even matters. He still cheated.”

“What are you going to do?”

She pressed her trembling lips firmly into submission before answering. “I’ve left him. What else is there to do?”

Jo turned to her back and looked up at the ceiling. “Are you going to give him another chance?”

“Would you?”

“I…” She blew out a breath and then inhaled deeply. “I don’t know. I’m not married and have no children. I don’t know what I’d be willing to do to keep my family together. I just don’t know.”

This was not the response she expected from her sister. Jo had always been the fierce one. The one to step into battle and fight against injustice—especially when it came to her family.

“It seems like all Gray and I have done lately is fight. Maybe it’s time to let go. I’m not sure I can get over this. Every time I close my eyes, I see him with her.”

“Maybe you just need time.”

Time wasn’t going to change the fact that he’d been unfaithful. If she took him back and they stayed together for another fifty years, his infidelity would always be a part of their story. Maybe this should be its ending.

My Favorite Books for 2020

These are not listed in order of rank and you can see I may have binged on quite a few Sally Britton books this year. But I want you to know one on this list ranks above and beyond all the others in my mind. A Long Time Comin’ by Robin W Pearson is the most ‘real’ book I’ve read in a long time. Loved it!

Contemporary

A Long Time Comin’- Robin W Pearson

In Spite of Ourselves- Jennifer Rodewald

An Unlikely Proposal- Toni Shiloh

Historical

On Wings of Devotion- Roseanna M White

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall- Julia Klassen

Miss Devon’s Choice- Sally Britton

An Uncommon Woman- Laura Frantz

The House at the End of the Moor- Michelle Griep

Reforming Lord Neil- Sally Britton

His Unexpected Heiress- Sally Britton

Saving Miss Everly- Sally Britton

Miss Devon’s Choice- Sally Britton

More Than a Pretty Face- Karen Witemeyer

Christmas

The Hope of Christmas Past- Stephenia H McGee

The Wedding Dress Christmas- Rachel Hauck

All the Moore- Toni Shiloh

This and Every Christmas- Jaycee Weaver

Did any of these make you list?