Lora Palmer's Blog, page 3
February 27, 2017
Spotlight: Interview with Sara R. Turnquist, Author of Hope In Cripple Creek
Today I'm thrilled to welcome on my blog fellow Clean Reads Author, the amazing Sara R. Turnquist, with a super fun interview and the scoop on her latest novel, Hope in Cripple Creek. I hope you all enjoy this spotlight!
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1. Tell us a little something interesting about yourself :). Well, I have a great many interests...I have a degree in Biology/Chemistry (focusing on Pre-Med), and though I worked in a hospital for a while, my science career was mostly in zoos and museums teaching about animals and science. That was my true passion for quite some time. I love sharing about wildlife and wild places and how the decisions we make can impact them in positive ways. I have worked for several zoos, including Disney's Animal Kingdom.
2. How long have you been writing? I've always been a strong writer as far as essays and whatnot. And I've always written short stories and fan fiction, but when I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor, a vet…or an actress. I know, I know…those are very similar goals. When I started playing with a fan fiction challenge that blossomed into the idea for my first book, I became more serious. I continued to work on the book for years (I was pursuing the Pre-Med degree at the time, so time was limited) and finally completed it. Then I was inspired to write another. And my interest in writing grew from there. But I would call myself a “closet writer”. I had completed four novels before I began querying to get the first one published.
3. What is your most recent novel, Hope in Cripple Creek, about, and what inspired you to write it? During the last great gold rush in Colorado (in the 1890s), a schoolteacher is caught between marrying the many who may have caused her best friend’s death or letting two orphaned children be separated and sent away. What is a girl to do? She feels a particular responsibility for these children because of a connection with their mother. This is her story amidst a town gone haywire because of the true historical events of the fall out of this gold rush.
I was inspired by stories set in this time period and similar locales. I had the set up for the love triangle in mind and I wanted to place the story in Colorado. My husband had visited Cripple Creek and we began researching the history. This amazing story of this strike fell into my lap.
4. What is your writing process like - are you a plotter or a pantser? I am a pantser at heart. And my published novels are all written with very little planning or outlining. I have, after more training in craft, become more of a "plantser", where I do more plotting on the onset on my characters before pantsing my way through the story. But my plotting is primarily on character development. Though it is incredibly deeper than what I ever did before.
5. Where is your favorite place to write? I have several places I write: my office, a local coffee shop, the back deck...my favorite place would probably be the coffee shop. I have three children who are still quite young. So, getting out of the house, away from the mayhem and the piles of "to do's" is a must! But I have to have to have to share the day's scenes with my husband when finished. I just need the sounding board and instant feedback.
6. Do you have advice to share with aspiring authors? Two suggests: Have determination and believe in yourself. You have to be your number one advocate and cheerleader. I have a wonderfully supportive husband who spurs me on, but I have to have faith in my own work. It feeds my determination. And that determination is what gets me up and writing on those days I don't feel like it. Because some days you don't. But I have found that if I will only be faithful to sit down and start going at it, the ideas and juices will start flowing. It only takes that initial determination to get started.
7. If you could choose any fictional character to meet for a day, who would it be and why? I have thought about this question quite a bit. And I'm going to go with my first instinct...Elizabeth Bennet. She is such an intriguing character. I've always thought she and I would have rather interesting conversations. And I'd like to hear her thoughts on some of this modern day craziness :-)
8. Anything else you'd like to share that I didn't already ask? I always like talking about what's next. I am getting ready to submit the sequel to my first novel (The Lady Bornekova) and I have three other novels in various states of editing. (Yes, I am rather prolific.) And I have been invited to teach at the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. The faculty will include bestselling authors Brandilyn Collins and Cara Putman, among others. If you are anywhere within reach of this conference, it is going to be a good one!
Author: Sara R. Turnquist
Title: Hope In Cripple Creek
Publisher: Clean Reads
How to reach me:
Website/URL: http://saraturnquist.com/ e-mail: sara.r.turnquist@gmail.comTwitter: @sarat1701 - https://twitter.com/sarat1701/ Facebook: AuthorSaraRTurnquist -https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Pinterest: SaraVTurnquist – http://www.pinterest.com/saravturnquist/
Author Bio:
Sara is originally from Middle Tennessee. After a short stint in Memphis, where she earned a degree in Biology and began a career as both a Zoo Educator and a Sleep Technician, she then followed a dream to work for a large zoo in Orlando, FL as an Educator. Once she and her husband started their family, they moved back to Middle Tennessee where they currently reside. Sara and her husband now enjoy a full life with their three beautiful and very active children. She enjoys many creative outlets – singing, piano, drawing, drama, and organizing anything. And even though she has enjoyed her career as a Zoo Educator, Sara's great love of the written word continued to draw her to write. She has always been an avid reader and, for many years, has been what she terms a “closet writer”. Her travels and love of history have served to inspire her to write clean Historical Romance. Sara has made several trips to the Czech Republic. Her time among the Czech people and the landscapes of the country inspired her and greatly influenced her work on her debut novel, The Lady Bornekova, set in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. Sara is also the author of The General’s Wife, Off to War, and Hope in Cripple Creek and a member of ACFW.
Blurb:
Tragedy strikes Katherine Matthews and the small town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. An epidemic teams her with an old enemy, Wyatt Sullivan, the town’s doctor. In the midst of desperation and death, Katherine has decisions to make. But she has no idea to what extent they will affect her daily life and livelihood.
The town is turned upside-down when the gold miners go on strike. The owners bring in outside reinforcements, ready to break the resolve of the Western Federation of Miners. Everything in an upheaval, Katherine faces a crisis of faith and hard choices. Will life ever be normal again?
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Cripple-Creek-Sara-Turnquist-ebook/dp/B01MEH8G9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485207688&sr=8-1&keywords=hope+in+cripple+creek
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-in-cripple-creek-sara-r-turnquist/1124917787?ean=2940156874248
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hope-in-cripple-creek?utm_source=indigo&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=retailer
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/673860
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hope-in-cripple-creek/id1161625919?mt=11
Enjoy a Cute Meme:
Excerpt:
Chapter One The stagecoach moved along, bumping and rocking as it went. Trees and other green scenery whisked by the window. Views of mountains and open plains were visible from the seat of the coach, vistas familiar to its occupant. Katherine Matthews was coming home. She returned to Cripple Creek, no longer the scared, unsure teenager who had left to further her education so many years ago with hopes and dreams of a new life in a new place. No, she had matured into a confident young woman who had grown in stature and in beauty. Her hair was no longer the mousy color she always hated, for it had deepened into the same beautiful chestnut brown she had always admired in her mother’s appearance. She’d grown out of her awkward teenage features, and was now well regarded among her peers as a rather handsome woman. Returning to Cripple Creek brought many rather-mixed emotions to the surface. Imagine, one of her first postings would be at the same schoolhouse where she received her educational start. When her mother wrote to her of the interim need, she was glad to help out. What an odd coincidence that the letter would find her, too, in transition. Would this turn into a permanent placement? Did she want it to? The mountain scenery became more recognizable, and she thought back on her childhood. There were so many happy times here. Unbidden, her mind wandered to the day of the great tragedy that had marred her spirit—the day Ellie Mae died. Even all these years later, she carried the scar in her heart. The events of that day had left her broken. Why must thoughts of Ellie Mae plague her so? And all the more as her return became imminent? She shivered as the images from her nightmares the previous evening flitted across her mind. They would not stop. These same visions visited her in sleep night after night. All the more frequently these last weeks. Closing her eyes, the hazy images took form and became memory. It was as if no time had passed. She and Ellie, walking through the schoolyard just as they did every other day . . . Hooking arms with Ellie Mae, Katherine stepped out of the schoolhouse and into the yard. A rather large group of students gathered off to the right near the old tree. It didn’t bother Katherine. She turned her attention toward the path that would lead home. “What do you think they’re up to?” Ellie Mae whispered. Katherine glanced in that direction and noticed Betsy Callaway at the center, flapping her jaws. Why would anyone listen to anything she said? But they did. The class at large seemed to adore Betsy. It didn’t make sense. Clenching her teeth, Katherine grabbed for Ellie Mae’s hand. “Whatever it is, we don’t want to be involved.” She pulled Ellie Mae along as she walked on, trying to pass the gathering. “I know Miss Matthews couldn’t do it,” Betsy said loudly. Katherine froze in her tracks. What had she just said? The crowd of students parted and glared at Katherine and Ellie Mae. “Let’s keep going,” Ellie Mae pleaded, tugging on Katherine’s hand. She should listen to Ellie Mae and not become a part of whatever game Betsy played. But she could not let Betsy get the best of her. What would everyone think of her? So, she turned to face her accuser. There stood Betsy with Wyatt Sullivan, the most popular boy in school, right beside her. Betsy’s blonde pigtails, tied back with perfect pink ribbons, shone in the sun. Her dress was no less perfect, pink with just the right amount of lace and even a slight puff to the sleeves. “Do what, pray tell?” Katherine shot back. Her heart beat furiously in her chest. “Go down through the mine shaft.” Betsy folded her arms in front of her chest and raised an eyebrow. Katherine’s heart skipped a beat then, but she tried not to show her fear. Ellie Mae’s grip tightened on her hand. “I assure you, Miss Callaway, it’s not that I can’t do it. It’s simply that I have better things to do than to be traipsing about a mine shaft.” She turned to leave and hoped that would be enough to silence Betsy. “Prove it.” Betsy’s voice rang out after her. Katherine’s eyes slid closed. Was there any way around this? “I have nothing to prove to you,” she called back over her shoulder. “Fraidycat!” Betsy laughed. The other students joined in. Katherine’s face burned. A fire had been lit within her. She was not afraid of anything! Releasing Ellie Mae’s hand, she then whirled around. “I am not afraid!” “There’s only one way we’ll believe that.” Betsy’s hands moved from her chest to her hips. There was no way this would be a one-way challenge. “Are you going?” Katherine poked her chin out, putting her own hands on her hips, attempting to puff up her chest as much as she could. “Of course,” Betsy said, though her voice caught. “Then, let’s go.” Katherine grabbed after Ellie Mae’s hand and headed out in the direction of the old mine shaft. She hoped Ellie Mae didn’t feel how her palms had started to sweat. Perspiration covered her whole body. How was she to keep up this façade? The group of students followed, a din of voices behind. As they neared the cavernous opening, they became quiet as they halted several feet short of the forbidden place. Wyatt pushed through the crowd once they had stopped. “Now, girls, this is foolishness. Talking about it is one thing, but you’re not actually going down there, are you?” Katherine glanced at the mine opening. It looked dark and ominous. Not what she wanted to see. Then she eyed Betsy. She had everything— the popularity, the most handsome boy in school ... But she would not have Katherine’s pride, too. “I am.” “Then I am, too.” Betsy stared at Katherine, matching her glare through slitted eyes. “Kath-rine,” Ellie whispered, tugging on her hand. Katherine looked over at her friend. Ellie’s eyes begged her not to go. Katherine wondered again at the danger. Her friend had every right to be concerned, she supposed. But it would not last. Betsy would go but a few steps in and give up. Katherine was sure of it. So, she would not be dissuaded. Wyatt’s eyes moved from one girl to the other. A couple of years older than the girls at their thirteen years, he stood a good head taller than Katherine. At last, he threw his hands up in the air. “Then I’m going too.” “And so am I,” came Ellie Mae’s quiet response. Katherine leaned toward her friend. “Ellie, you don’t have to go.” Her eyes held Ellie’s. What was she going to do? She couldn’t take Ellie into that place. But something had eased in her when Ellie Mae volunteered to go. Was it selfish of her to want her friend to accompany her? “Yes, I do.” Her voice was firm, though her chin quivered. “I’m sticking with you.” A bump in the trail jolted Katherine from her reverie. The scenery outside became blurred. Or was it her? Touching her face, she felt moisture. She wiped at the tears. This would not do! Whatever happened when she returned, Katherine was determined she would face it with as much bravery she could muster. Not for the first time, she wondered what had become of Wyatt Sullivan and Betsy Calloway. She had avoided this subject in her correspondence with her parents over the last few years. Knowing Wyatt, he had gone on to bigger and better things and gotten himself out of Cripple Creek. And Betsy had probably caught the first stagecoach that took her wherever Wyatt went. So that was that. The coach slowed and the town she knew so well appeared in the distance. In a matter of moments, she would be home. What a state this trip had left her in! With gloved hands, she smoothed over her dress and straightened her jacket. Her fingers worked to once again secure the pins that held her hat in place as the coach turned. Then they trotted down the main stretch into town. Some of the changes her parents had written her about became visible. Cripple Creek had become a mining town. When Ol’ Bob Womack filed his claim, which he’d named the El Paso Lode, he’d started another gold rush, this one in Cripple Creek. She remembered the old man. Everyone thought he was crazy and at first no one paid attention to Ol’ Bob until a mining man formed the Cripple Creek Mining District, bringing in thousands of miners and prospectors within weeks. And then a stranger to their town, a Mr. Winfield Stratton, struck gold as well. Not just a little bit of gold, but such a lode that he became the first millionaire to grace this part of Colorado. That did nothing to deter interest. Some of these things were part of her memories, some her parents had told her through letters, but the events blurred between the two. The stagecoach came to a slow stop, and the door opened. Katherine coughed at the burst of dust that flew into the coach. Once that settled, she was thankful for the fresh air. She gathered her things and stepped out of the coach. Taking in the sights around her, she was struck at the amount of activity that filled the main thoroughfare. The main street appeared quite different with tents, makeshift cabins, and lean-tos set up all along the way. At the same time, it amazed her how little Cripple Creek had changed. As she gazed down the street, she spotted the bank, the church, the General Store... Katherine could almost see Ellie Mae standing there at the corner of the street, waiting for her so that they could walk the rest of the way to school. Blinking back tears, she fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. “Ma’am?” a man’s voice interrupted her thoughts as fingers touched her arm. Turning her head in the direction of the sound, she found a well-dressed man looking at her. He seemed to be expecting an answer. Had he asked her a question? “I’m sorry, sir. My mind was elsewhere.” She fought the urge to touch her face and wipe away any incriminating tears. “That’s quite all right. I’m John Jacobs, the town mayor. Katherine Matthews, I presume?” He stuck his hand out to shake hers. She slid hers forward, forcing a smile she didn’t truly feel. “Yes, nice to meet you.” “And you as well. Welcome to Cripple Creek. Rather, I suppose I should say ‘welcome back.’” Katherine nodded, her eyes drifting past Mayor Jacobs to the town once more. The voices from the past called to her. But she drew her attention to the present and to Mayor Jacobs. “Yes, it’s good to be home. Although it has changed.” “That’s what I understand. The population of this town has grown in the time I’ve been here. I can’t imagine how much it’s changed for you.” She nodded again. How much indeed. The streets are full, Ellie Mae isn’t here, and I’m doing business with the Mayor. A loud clap on the wooden boards of the sidewalk startled Katherine. Turning, she placed a hand on her chest. Only her trunk and bags being unloaded from the coach. Mayor Jacobs gestured toward the stack. “Shall I have these things taken to the boarding house? That is still your plan, I take it?” “Yes, I thank you.” She released her grip over her heart and let out a deep breath in hopes it would slow its beating. He nodded and then continued with some hesitation, “I hate to impose, Miss Matthews, but I hoped you would be agreeable to meeting with the town council. They are eager to speak with you.” The trip had tired her. She had traveled for many days, and the emotions of being back in Cripple Creek had begun to overwhelm her. What she truly wanted was a couple hours of rest before her parents came to collect her for dinner. This delay would affect her plans. However, this was her job, and she didn’t want to disappoint the town council. After all, they hadn’t had the opportunity to interview her properly before offering her the position. So she tipped her head in agreement. He smiled. “Good. They’ll be at the schoolhouse within the hour. Do you need some refreshment after your trip? The boarding house has a nice café.” Maybe this would help her relax before the meeting. “Perhaps a glass of water or lemonade. I am parched.” “Of course you are.” The mayor ushered her toward the lower level of the two-story building. “We have time for a bite to eat as well.” Eat? She was far too anxious to put anything in her stomach. “No, but thank you. I’d rather get a look at the state of the schoolhouse and I don’t want to keep the council waiting.” “All right.” Mayor Jacobs opened the door, and Katherine stepped off the wood planked porch and into the cooler rooms within. The space was open and smelled of coffee and pot roast. Katherine’s mouth began to water at the enticing aroma, but she reminded herself she did not wish to chance a meal. Simple oak tables covered with white linens were scattered about, and burgundy curtains lifted in the breeze that flowed through the space from the open windows. Altogether, a pleasant sort of place. Nothing quite so quaint existed in San Francisco where she’d gone to receive her higher education. But it fit Cripple Creek. Once inside the small café, they were acknowledged and seated quickly. The mayor ordered two lemonades. As they sipped on their cool beverages, the mayor made small talk about the town, the townsfolk in general, and the mining operations. He inquired after her family, and they concluded their visit with some chitchat about her father’s ranching business. By the time Katherine finished her lemonade, the mayor had long since drained his glass. She blotted her mouth with her napkin and stood. Mayor Jacobs left enough money on the table to cover the bill and escorted her out of the café and back into the hot sun. Now on the main stretch, he held his arm up in the direction of the schoolhouse. “This way, ma’am, as I’m sure you remember.” Katherine moved through the town, taking the same steps she had so many times before. Her view of the road changed and before her eyes she saw the ghosts of her past. As if the townsfolk she had known were before her, and her childhood classmates moved through the streets to get to the schoolhouse on time. As they neared the old tree in the schoolyard, Katherine took a moment to touch the sturdy trunk. How many times had her younger hands touched this very spot? How many games had she played around its frame? A fine bench had been put in underneath its branches. She sat on it and ran her hand over the smooth wood. It was unimaginable the hours two friends could pass here, telling stories and sharing secrets. The new playground lay nearby, but as she gazed at it, it was not faceless children she imagined there; it was her classmates. And Ellie Mae . . . Ellie Mae had been Katherine’s best friend for as long as she could remember. They had grown up together. Her friend’s raven-colored hair and blue eyes made her one of the more intriguing-looking girls in class. She also had Katherine’s pale complexion. However, Katherine thought it much more becoming on Ellie Mae. “Hey,” Ellie Mae said, waving, having spotted her friend. Katherine rushed over to her. Pleased, as always, that her friend waited to walk the rest of the way to school with her. “Hey, Ellie.” They linked arms and turned toward the schoolhouse. “Did you see Betsy this morning?” Ellie lowered her voice as if she shared a great secret. “No.” Katherine rolled her eyes. What was Betsy up to now? Always something with her. “She is wearing quite the dress today. And mooning over Wyatt.” “I’ll bet.” Betsy was always throwing herself at Wyatt. Even more so now with the fall dance coming up. That girl would do anything to get him to ask her to the dance. Katherine was curious why he hadn’t. Why did he continue to make everyone suffer Betsy’s through antics? Not that it truly bothered her. He wasn’t her beau. And she didn’t have a crush on him. Heavens no! “She is so obvious. I wish he would just ask her already.” Ellie Mae’s eyebrows furrowed. “I think he likes the attention.” Katherine scowled. Wyatt was just plain vain. “Shhh!” Ellie Mae elbowed her as she stifled a giggle. Katherine looked around. Why had Ellie Mae cut her off? Now in the schoolyard, they had just passed Betsy, Wyatt, and their classmates gathered by the old tree. But as Katherine glanced in their direction, Wyatt stared at her. Their eyes met. Katherine turned away. Why would he be looking at her? Did he hear what she had said? Did he know she was talking about him? Katherine, her face warming, ducked her head and quickened her pace to get inside the schoolhouse. Ellie Mae wasn’t able to keep up. As they reached their seats inside, she caught her breath at last. “What was that all about?” Ellie Mae’s eyes sought Katherine’s after they did a sweep of the area. “Why did Wyatt look at you like that?” “I don’t know. Do you think he heard us?” Katherine’s heart raced, and her body coursed with energy as if she could run away. And that’s just what she wanted to do — run a million miles away! Ellie Mae shook her head. “Surely not.” Katherine looked in the direction of the door. “I hope not.” But the warmth continued to creep further into her face. She was hopeless! The school bell rang and a flood of students came through the doors. Katherine’s eyes remained fixed on the open doorway until Wyatt appeared. When she spotted his tall, slender frame, she spun around and dropped into her seat with a thump, dropping her head into her hands. As the rest of the students took their seats, Miss Johnson, the schoolteacher, moved through the room toward the front of the class. Katherine pulled her head up, but couldn’t focus. Had Wyatt heard her comment? Did he know it was about him? Wyatt was by far the most handsome boy in the whole schoolhouse. His sandy blond hair and blue eyes weren’t all that remarkable, but the strength of his features won him acclaim among the females. To Katherine, he was her greatest rival. She might not be much to look at, but she knew she was smart. Well, so was Wyatt. For every high mark she made, he made one point above or below her. They always challenged each other for the top score. How unfair that he could have both the smarts and the looks! But that was life. Everything became quiet around her. Ellie Mae poked her. “Wha—?” she startled in response. One look at Miss Johnson silenced her. Miss Johnson stared at her. And so did everyone else. Had the teacher just called her name? “Um . . . present,” she said, rubbing her offended arm. She shot Ellie Mae a mean look. “Are you sure?” Miss Johnson raised an eyebrow. The class laughed. Though she did not think it possible, Katherine’s cheeks heated several more degrees. “Yes.” Miss Johnson moved on with the roll. Mayor Jacobs coughed, drawing her attention back to the present. “I’m so sorry, Mayor. I seem to have lost my sense of time again.” Katherine stood and strode over to the schoolhouse stairs. She ducked her head as she passed him, almost as embarrassed by this lapse as she had been that day so long ago. The town had kept the building up quite well. It appeared to have recently received a new coat of paint. Taking the few stairs, she stepped inside the one-room structure and pushed a fresh flood of memories to the side to focus on what lay in front of her. The student benches and desks all seemed to be in good repair, and the leg of the teacher’s desk, which Miss Johnson had propped up with books, had been fixed. Forgetting the mayor was with her, she moved among the desks, letting her hand graze the tops, hearing Miss Johnson calling roll. Walking toward the front of the classroom, she let her hands run over the edge of the teacher’s desk and chair. Now at the chalkboard, she shifted to take in the whole room. Her eyes drifted across the room, seeing her classmates as Miss Johnson would have seen them. And the desk she shared with Ellie Mae. “Well, what do you think?” the mayor’s voice interrupted her reverie. She must get control of herself. Katherine shook her head and cleared her throat. “Quite nice. Rather well kept.” “Thank you.” His voice was soft. Did he know she was struggling to stay in the present? “We do what we can. Our children and their education are important to the people of this town.” “That’s good to hear.” She swallowed hard, attempting to quell the myriad of emotions welling up within her. This always had been a good town. Full of heart. The stairs creaked outside. Katherine’s eyes darted toward the door and she guessed they were about to be joined by the first of the town council. A tall man dressed in black entered the room. His pastoral collar caught her eye. But as she looked at his face, she knew this preacher was familiar to her. He had grown into a man and a beard hid some of his features, but she would know the eyes of her first schoolyard beau anywhere. “Timothy,” she said as he closed the door behind himself. He grinned. “Katherine.” They moved toward each other, meeting in the middle of the classroom, embracing as old friends. “It is so good to see you.” Katherine found herself leaning into his strong frame. It did feel good to be received so well. Not all of her classmates would have done the same. “You too, Katie,” he said as he pulled back. “My goodness, look at you.” Katherine’s face warmed. “And you, the town preacher.” She straightened the lapels of his jacket. Why had she done that? There was time and distance between them, but he still smiled at her. And so the edges of her mouth formed a wider smile as they continued to gaze at one another. While they had kept up correspondence when she left for school, over time, her letters became few and far between. And then she stopped writing altogether. Katherine just couldn’t make herself stay so connected to home. The last she knew, he had gone off to seminary and hoped to return as Cripple Creek’s preacher. She had suspected her chances of coming across Timothy were good and she prayed for understanding. And now here he was, welcoming her back with open arms. “Does it suit me?” The pride in his eyes could not be mistaken. She nodded. “It does.” There was much of the boy she knew in the man before her. Yet he had grown up. What had changed? What was the same? “I guess no introduction is necessary here,” the mayor interjected, stepping in from somewhere. Katherine had forgotten anyone else was present. “No.” She took a step back. “The Reverend and I are old friends.” Referring to Timothy as ‘Reverend’ seemed odd. When she said that word, the face that flashed through her mind was that of old Reverend Jones. May he rest in peace. The door opened again and two men Katherine did not recognize joined them. They were introduced as Michael Hammond, the town’s banker, and Phillip Yerby, who ran the General Store. Once Mr. Yerby was made known, Katherine could see in the older man’s face the features of the man she had known as a girl. The years had been hard on him. “We’re just waiting on Doc, as usual,” Mr. Yerby said. “And who knows when he’ll be free?” Was the doctor not to be inconvenienced for council meetings? Or was it that he felt his work was more important than meeting the new teacher? “Our town doctor is the fifth member of the council,” the mayor explained. “He’ll be here as soon as he can. What with emergencies and whatnot. That being said, we might not see him at all.” Emergencies? Were there that many emergencies in little Cripple Creek? “Why don’t we start without him?” Timothy offered. The men let out a chorus of agreement. Mayor Jacobs pulled the teacher’s chair around to the front of the desk, indicating for Katherine to sit, and the councilmen took seats at the students’ desks. Katherine took the offered seat and turned her thoughts to the men in front of her, attempting to give the man who was not present the benefit of the doubt. “First, we want to thank you for coming to fill our interim position. We are so pleased to have a qualified teacher with our children during this time of transition,” the mayor said as they all got settled. “I’m glad to be here.” Katherine smiled. It was true after all, right? She didn’t know anymore. “The Reverend tells us you are from Cripple Creek.” Mr. Hammond gave her a curious look. “Yes, sir. You might know my parents, Tom and Lauren Matthews.” She had this. Her parents were good people, strong people in the community. They were certainly well regarded. Murmurs of acknowledgement rumbled among the group. Mr. Hammond’s features relaxed, but his questions continued. “And you went away to further your education?” “Yes, to San Francisco.” They didn’t need to know that it wasn’t the only reason she’d gone away. “And how long have you been a teacher?” Mr. Yerby piped up. “Since I graduated, three years ago.” While she spoke, the door opened to admit the final member of the town council. The long awaited doctor had finally arrived. The man nodded in her direction as he entered, his features masked as his head was tilted forward. But as he came closer, she began to make out nuances of his face. A chill ran down her spine and she froze. It was none other than Wyatt Sullivan. “Miss Matthews?” Mayor Jacobs’s chair squeaked as he leaned forward. “Yes?” She caught herself. Had he been speaking to her? “I said, ‘I believe you may already know our doctor as well.’” She nodded, unable to speak. Yes, she knew him. Better than she wanted to. So much so that she would do anything to erase the memory of everything surrounding him. “I hope you don’t mind, Wyatt. We got started without you.” Timothy waved to a nearby student desk. “But jump in whenever you’d like.” How could Timothy just speak to him so amicably? Had he forgotten? Wyatt nodded, sliding into the chair that was much too small for his tall frame. “Certainly.” He turned toward Katherine. “Good to see you again.” Katherine nodded at him but still couldn’t find her voice. She looked at his shirt, his hair, everywhere but his eyes. “Did you spend those three years teaching at the same institution?” Mr. Yerby pulled out his handkerchief and wiped at his brow. So the room was warm, it wasn’t just her. She longed to fan herself or loosen her collar. Anything to relieve some of this heat inside her. A moment lapsed before Katherine remembered she still sat in a session with the town council. “Yes,” she said, closing her eyes to focus her thoughts. “The Billingham Boarding School for Girls.” “Katherine,” Wyatt leaned forward on his elbows. “If I walked into your classroom on a typical afternoon, what would I see?” Meeting his eyes at last, she blinked a few times before finding an answer. “You would find students learning.” She bit her lip. It was not her intention to be snarky. “But I don’t think that’s what you mean.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “You would find the students and I engaged in a discussion about a book or a topic in science. Perhaps we would be doing math on our tablets, but I prefer most of our learning to be done through discussion.” There, that was done. His question had been answered. Her eyes moved toward the other men, but Wyatt spoke up with another question. “Why did you want to become a teacher?” Pause. Breathe. She met his gaze. “Because I love learning and I want to share that with the next generation.” Wyatt’s next inquiry came within a breath of her answer. “Tell us about your discipline philosophy.” She stared at him. This seemed more like an interview and less like a ‘get to know you’ session thanks to Wyatt’s questions. Still, she responded, shoulders back, chest tight. “I think it’s important to reduce behavior problems by offering students a stimulating environment.” This time, she continued to stare at him, daring him to continue questioning her. He rose to the challenge. “But how do you handle discipline issues?” Her heart started to pound. She became rather uncomfortable under his scrutiny. The others eyed her, and she decided it best to do what she could to remain calm. “I prefer to remove privileges and have the students do write offs.” “What are your classroom rules?” Mr. Hammond interrupted the back and forth. Somewhat relieved for the respite from Wyatt’s steel blue eyes, Katherine shifted her attention over to the banker. “My rules revolve around the students respecting myself, other students, and the schoolhouse. That involves things like no talking when someone else is talking, raising hands to be recognized to talk, no behaviors that would be destructive to the schoolhouse or the desks . . .” “What about students who are not performing as they should?” Wyatt interjected. “It depends on whether it is a discipline issue or a capability issue.” Katherine raised an eyebrow at him. Would his questions never end? He leaned back, folding his arms across his chest as if he had not considered that fine point. Not wanting to give him any opportunity to gain on her, she continued, “If the student is willing, I can give him or her extra attention and time in order to support them.” Wyatt opened his mouth, but the mayor cut him off. “Miss Matthews, thank you for answering our questions. Do you have any questions for us?” “Whom do I take any of my concerns to?” She had been dreading the answer to that question since Wyatt had walked into the schoolhouse. Holding her breath, she waited for the mayor to confirm or alleviate her fears. “You will work most closely with the Reverend,” the mayor said, tipping his head toward Timothy. “Most issues and concerns will be addressed by him.” Timothy offered her a winning smile. A deep sigh of relief escaped her. Was it audible? “Serious issues that, for whatever reason, need to go beyond the Reverend will be handled by myself.” Mayor Jacobs placed a hand on his chest. “But we only want to support you.” She nodded. Nothing would faze her as long as she didn’t have to answer to Wyatt. “I understand.” “Anything else?” Katherine shook her head. She hadn’t expected to end this session with such an elated feeling in her heart. “Unless something has changed from our most recent correspondence as far as salary and start date?” The mayor shook his head. “Everything is the same.” “Then I have all the information I need.” Still aware of Wyatt’s gaze on her, she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. “Well, gentlemen,” Mayor Jacobs said as he looked at the other men. “I think we need to let Miss Matthews rest after her trip.” He turned back toward her. “Thank you for meeting with us.” And the men rose, each nodding in her direction in turn before shuffling toward the door, making small talk with each other. Katherine stood as well, only to realize how weak her knees were. But she maintained her posture as the men clustered near the back of the room, still chatting. Timothy alone stepped toward her. “Might I walk you back to your parent’s house?” Was he being forward? Did she want him to be? “I’m actually staying at the boarding house in town.” “Oh.” He looked toward the floor. Did he think her refusal was a rejection? She had not intended that. “But I would welcome your company back into town, if it’s no trouble.” The other men had already started moving in the direction of the doorway. Was it her imagination, or did Wyatt linger? Was he eavesdropping? It wasn’t long though before even he had vacated the schoolhouse, leaving her and Timothy alone. “No, no trouble at all.” The corners of his mouth twitched and turned upward. A warmth spread through Katherine. Yes, she still rather enjoyed the way Timothy’s smile made her feel. Katherine took one last long look around the room where she’d be spending most of her time in the days to come. She allowed herself a few more moments to lose herself in her memories. Perhaps she should rearrange the schoolroom to prevent these flashbacks. Turning back to Timothy, she offered him her best smile. Maybe he would come to like her smile too. “Ready when you are.” With that, they made their way toward town. “So,” she couldn’t help but say, grinning. “Find any good lizards lately?” When they were but schoolkids, Timothy had been well known for his obsession with all things creepy crawly. He tried to share this love with her, but her obsession had been books. Hopeless even then. He shook his head, stifling a laugh. “I haven’t been on a good reptile hunt in quite a while.” “That’s a shame. I think you must take my students on one of your famous reptile hunts!” Had she just said that? Was she flirting with Timothy? Would that be all right? “Truly?” One of his eyebrows shot up. “If only you would.” She tugged playfully at his arm. “I think I would like that.” “It’s settled then.” She once again surprised herself and slid a hand into the crook of his arm. It was her turn to be forward. He seemed surprised by her familiarity, but soon fell into step with her, bending his arm to create a better space for her handhold. A silence fell between them for a few moments. The time and distance hung in that space. She needed to speak about it. If it remained unsaid, it would only create a greater gap. “I’m sorry I stopped writing.” Her voice became quiet. “I understand why you did,” he said, his voice soft. With his free hand, he reached across to lay it on hers. She nodded, biting at her lip to contain her emotions. “Thank you . . . for understanding.” “I’m glad you’re back in town.” His voice seemed deeper somehow when it was so quiet. Katherine kept her gaze on the ground for a few seconds before looking over at him. How much should she trust him? He was the closest thing she had to a friend here. Ever since . . . “I have mixed feelings about it.” She didn’t have to say anything further. Timothy would understand. That same silence fell on them again, only this time it was thick with memories. He slowed their steps, breaking the spell. “I wanted to stay, don’t let Wyatt’s questioning bother you. He’s just that way about things. It’s nothing to do with you.” Surely Timothy meant to reassure her. That could not be so. “I wish I could believe that,” she confided. Timothy pressed her hand, but said nothing. Katherine drew her attention from Timothy to her surroundings. Long had they left the grassy surroundings of the schoolhouse and entered the dusty streets of town as they approached the boarding house. “Here we are,” Timothy said, turning to face her, but not releasing her hand. “Yes, we are.” She glanced down at her captive hand. Why did he hold her hand so? Was it possible he maintained his interest in her? “What would you say to dinner tomorrow night?” His breath quickened and his voice shook, almost imperceptibly. As if he were that same young kid asking her to the fall dance so many years ago. Her stomach flipped. “I think that would be nice, Timothy.” Smiling up at him, she gave his arm a little squeeze. “Good.” He beamed. “If you need anything before then, don’t hesitate to stop by.” “Thanks.” She thrilled at the thought of spending more time with Timothy. He would also be an invaluable ally with Wyatt in town and on the council. Not to mention how relieved she was that their friendship was still intact despite her actions. With that, he released her hand and moved in the direction of the church. She watched him go, thankful again for her old friend’s presence and help during this transition. And perhaps the hope of something more. Katherine’s father would be by to collect her for dinner soon, so she’d best get out of her travel clothes and into something more comfortable. What a day it had been! The memories, the interrogation, the promise of an evening out. She stepped into the boarding house and moved toward the stairs at the back of the café. As Katherine passed the small mass of tables, she paused. Was that . . . ? She turned her head to get a better view of the café. It was – Wyatt and a blonde woman. But why should it stop her in her tracks? Why should Wyatt’s dining habits concern her? Still, she couldn’t help but chance another glance in his direction, letting her eyes drift over to his dinner companion. Her breath caught. His dining partner was none other than Betsy Calloway. Betsy hung on Wyatt’s every word, eyes glued to his face. But Katherine watched Betsy’s face, every bit as beautiful as Katherine remembered, a clear step above her peers. It irked Katherine, and she chided herself for feeling that way. She was no longer the preteen girl who felt lost among her peers. As a grown woman, Katherine had become well regarded and respected by those who knew her. Why should it matter to her what Betsy looked like? But Betsy’s presence here with Wyatt did strike Katherine. So, after all this time, she had finally gotten her man. Good for her. Katherine turned her attention to the stairs and made her way toward her room, trying, for the millionth time, to put Wyatt Sullivan out of her mind.
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1. Tell us a little something interesting about yourself :). Well, I have a great many interests...I have a degree in Biology/Chemistry (focusing on Pre-Med), and though I worked in a hospital for a while, my science career was mostly in zoos and museums teaching about animals and science. That was my true passion for quite some time. I love sharing about wildlife and wild places and how the decisions we make can impact them in positive ways. I have worked for several zoos, including Disney's Animal Kingdom.
2. How long have you been writing? I've always been a strong writer as far as essays and whatnot. And I've always written short stories and fan fiction, but when I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor, a vet…or an actress. I know, I know…those are very similar goals. When I started playing with a fan fiction challenge that blossomed into the idea for my first book, I became more serious. I continued to work on the book for years (I was pursuing the Pre-Med degree at the time, so time was limited) and finally completed it. Then I was inspired to write another. And my interest in writing grew from there. But I would call myself a “closet writer”. I had completed four novels before I began querying to get the first one published.
3. What is your most recent novel, Hope in Cripple Creek, about, and what inspired you to write it? During the last great gold rush in Colorado (in the 1890s), a schoolteacher is caught between marrying the many who may have caused her best friend’s death or letting two orphaned children be separated and sent away. What is a girl to do? She feels a particular responsibility for these children because of a connection with their mother. This is her story amidst a town gone haywire because of the true historical events of the fall out of this gold rush.
I was inspired by stories set in this time period and similar locales. I had the set up for the love triangle in mind and I wanted to place the story in Colorado. My husband had visited Cripple Creek and we began researching the history. This amazing story of this strike fell into my lap.
4. What is your writing process like - are you a plotter or a pantser? I am a pantser at heart. And my published novels are all written with very little planning or outlining. I have, after more training in craft, become more of a "plantser", where I do more plotting on the onset on my characters before pantsing my way through the story. But my plotting is primarily on character development. Though it is incredibly deeper than what I ever did before.
5. Where is your favorite place to write? I have several places I write: my office, a local coffee shop, the back deck...my favorite place would probably be the coffee shop. I have three children who are still quite young. So, getting out of the house, away from the mayhem and the piles of "to do's" is a must! But I have to have to have to share the day's scenes with my husband when finished. I just need the sounding board and instant feedback.
6. Do you have advice to share with aspiring authors? Two suggests: Have determination and believe in yourself. You have to be your number one advocate and cheerleader. I have a wonderfully supportive husband who spurs me on, but I have to have faith in my own work. It feeds my determination. And that determination is what gets me up and writing on those days I don't feel like it. Because some days you don't. But I have found that if I will only be faithful to sit down and start going at it, the ideas and juices will start flowing. It only takes that initial determination to get started.
7. If you could choose any fictional character to meet for a day, who would it be and why? I have thought about this question quite a bit. And I'm going to go with my first instinct...Elizabeth Bennet. She is such an intriguing character. I've always thought she and I would have rather interesting conversations. And I'd like to hear her thoughts on some of this modern day craziness :-)
8. Anything else you'd like to share that I didn't already ask? I always like talking about what's next. I am getting ready to submit the sequel to my first novel (The Lady Bornekova) and I have three other novels in various states of editing. (Yes, I am rather prolific.) And I have been invited to teach at the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. The faculty will include bestselling authors Brandilyn Collins and Cara Putman, among others. If you are anywhere within reach of this conference, it is going to be a good one!
Author: Sara R. Turnquist
Title: Hope In Cripple Creek
Publisher: Clean Reads
How to reach me:
Website/URL: http://saraturnquist.com/ e-mail: sara.r.turnquist@gmail.comTwitter: @sarat1701 - https://twitter.com/sarat1701/ Facebook: AuthorSaraRTurnquist -https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Pinterest: SaraVTurnquist – http://www.pinterest.com/saravturnquist/
Author Bio:
Sara is originally from Middle Tennessee. After a short stint in Memphis, where she earned a degree in Biology and began a career as both a Zoo Educator and a Sleep Technician, she then followed a dream to work for a large zoo in Orlando, FL as an Educator. Once she and her husband started their family, they moved back to Middle Tennessee where they currently reside. Sara and her husband now enjoy a full life with their three beautiful and very active children. She enjoys many creative outlets – singing, piano, drawing, drama, and organizing anything. And even though she has enjoyed her career as a Zoo Educator, Sara's great love of the written word continued to draw her to write. She has always been an avid reader and, for many years, has been what she terms a “closet writer”. Her travels and love of history have served to inspire her to write clean Historical Romance. Sara has made several trips to the Czech Republic. Her time among the Czech people and the landscapes of the country inspired her and greatly influenced her work on her debut novel, The Lady Bornekova, set in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. Sara is also the author of The General’s Wife, Off to War, and Hope in Cripple Creek and a member of ACFW.
Blurb:
Tragedy strikes Katherine Matthews and the small town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. An epidemic teams her with an old enemy, Wyatt Sullivan, the town’s doctor. In the midst of desperation and death, Katherine has decisions to make. But she has no idea to what extent they will affect her daily life and livelihood.
The town is turned upside-down when the gold miners go on strike. The owners bring in outside reinforcements, ready to break the resolve of the Western Federation of Miners. Everything in an upheaval, Katherine faces a crisis of faith and hard choices. Will life ever be normal again?
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Cripple-Creek-Sara-Turnquist-ebook/dp/B01MEH8G9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485207688&sr=8-1&keywords=hope+in+cripple+creek
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-in-cripple-creek-sara-r-turnquist/1124917787?ean=2940156874248
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hope-in-cripple-creek?utm_source=indigo&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=retailer
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/673860
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hope-in-cripple-creek/id1161625919?mt=11
Enjoy a Cute Meme:
Excerpt:
Chapter One The stagecoach moved along, bumping and rocking as it went. Trees and other green scenery whisked by the window. Views of mountains and open plains were visible from the seat of the coach, vistas familiar to its occupant. Katherine Matthews was coming home. She returned to Cripple Creek, no longer the scared, unsure teenager who had left to further her education so many years ago with hopes and dreams of a new life in a new place. No, she had matured into a confident young woman who had grown in stature and in beauty. Her hair was no longer the mousy color she always hated, for it had deepened into the same beautiful chestnut brown she had always admired in her mother’s appearance. She’d grown out of her awkward teenage features, and was now well regarded among her peers as a rather handsome woman. Returning to Cripple Creek brought many rather-mixed emotions to the surface. Imagine, one of her first postings would be at the same schoolhouse where she received her educational start. When her mother wrote to her of the interim need, she was glad to help out. What an odd coincidence that the letter would find her, too, in transition. Would this turn into a permanent placement? Did she want it to? The mountain scenery became more recognizable, and she thought back on her childhood. There were so many happy times here. Unbidden, her mind wandered to the day of the great tragedy that had marred her spirit—the day Ellie Mae died. Even all these years later, she carried the scar in her heart. The events of that day had left her broken. Why must thoughts of Ellie Mae plague her so? And all the more as her return became imminent? She shivered as the images from her nightmares the previous evening flitted across her mind. They would not stop. These same visions visited her in sleep night after night. All the more frequently these last weeks. Closing her eyes, the hazy images took form and became memory. It was as if no time had passed. She and Ellie, walking through the schoolyard just as they did every other day . . . Hooking arms with Ellie Mae, Katherine stepped out of the schoolhouse and into the yard. A rather large group of students gathered off to the right near the old tree. It didn’t bother Katherine. She turned her attention toward the path that would lead home. “What do you think they’re up to?” Ellie Mae whispered. Katherine glanced in that direction and noticed Betsy Callaway at the center, flapping her jaws. Why would anyone listen to anything she said? But they did. The class at large seemed to adore Betsy. It didn’t make sense. Clenching her teeth, Katherine grabbed for Ellie Mae’s hand. “Whatever it is, we don’t want to be involved.” She pulled Ellie Mae along as she walked on, trying to pass the gathering. “I know Miss Matthews couldn’t do it,” Betsy said loudly. Katherine froze in her tracks. What had she just said? The crowd of students parted and glared at Katherine and Ellie Mae. “Let’s keep going,” Ellie Mae pleaded, tugging on Katherine’s hand. She should listen to Ellie Mae and not become a part of whatever game Betsy played. But she could not let Betsy get the best of her. What would everyone think of her? So, she turned to face her accuser. There stood Betsy with Wyatt Sullivan, the most popular boy in school, right beside her. Betsy’s blonde pigtails, tied back with perfect pink ribbons, shone in the sun. Her dress was no less perfect, pink with just the right amount of lace and even a slight puff to the sleeves. “Do what, pray tell?” Katherine shot back. Her heart beat furiously in her chest. “Go down through the mine shaft.” Betsy folded her arms in front of her chest and raised an eyebrow. Katherine’s heart skipped a beat then, but she tried not to show her fear. Ellie Mae’s grip tightened on her hand. “I assure you, Miss Callaway, it’s not that I can’t do it. It’s simply that I have better things to do than to be traipsing about a mine shaft.” She turned to leave and hoped that would be enough to silence Betsy. “Prove it.” Betsy’s voice rang out after her. Katherine’s eyes slid closed. Was there any way around this? “I have nothing to prove to you,” she called back over her shoulder. “Fraidycat!” Betsy laughed. The other students joined in. Katherine’s face burned. A fire had been lit within her. She was not afraid of anything! Releasing Ellie Mae’s hand, she then whirled around. “I am not afraid!” “There’s only one way we’ll believe that.” Betsy’s hands moved from her chest to her hips. There was no way this would be a one-way challenge. “Are you going?” Katherine poked her chin out, putting her own hands on her hips, attempting to puff up her chest as much as she could. “Of course,” Betsy said, though her voice caught. “Then, let’s go.” Katherine grabbed after Ellie Mae’s hand and headed out in the direction of the old mine shaft. She hoped Ellie Mae didn’t feel how her palms had started to sweat. Perspiration covered her whole body. How was she to keep up this façade? The group of students followed, a din of voices behind. As they neared the cavernous opening, they became quiet as they halted several feet short of the forbidden place. Wyatt pushed through the crowd once they had stopped. “Now, girls, this is foolishness. Talking about it is one thing, but you’re not actually going down there, are you?” Katherine glanced at the mine opening. It looked dark and ominous. Not what she wanted to see. Then she eyed Betsy. She had everything— the popularity, the most handsome boy in school ... But she would not have Katherine’s pride, too. “I am.” “Then I am, too.” Betsy stared at Katherine, matching her glare through slitted eyes. “Kath-rine,” Ellie whispered, tugging on her hand. Katherine looked over at her friend. Ellie’s eyes begged her not to go. Katherine wondered again at the danger. Her friend had every right to be concerned, she supposed. But it would not last. Betsy would go but a few steps in and give up. Katherine was sure of it. So, she would not be dissuaded. Wyatt’s eyes moved from one girl to the other. A couple of years older than the girls at their thirteen years, he stood a good head taller than Katherine. At last, he threw his hands up in the air. “Then I’m going too.” “And so am I,” came Ellie Mae’s quiet response. Katherine leaned toward her friend. “Ellie, you don’t have to go.” Her eyes held Ellie’s. What was she going to do? She couldn’t take Ellie into that place. But something had eased in her when Ellie Mae volunteered to go. Was it selfish of her to want her friend to accompany her? “Yes, I do.” Her voice was firm, though her chin quivered. “I’m sticking with you.” A bump in the trail jolted Katherine from her reverie. The scenery outside became blurred. Or was it her? Touching her face, she felt moisture. She wiped at the tears. This would not do! Whatever happened when she returned, Katherine was determined she would face it with as much bravery she could muster. Not for the first time, she wondered what had become of Wyatt Sullivan and Betsy Calloway. She had avoided this subject in her correspondence with her parents over the last few years. Knowing Wyatt, he had gone on to bigger and better things and gotten himself out of Cripple Creek. And Betsy had probably caught the first stagecoach that took her wherever Wyatt went. So that was that. The coach slowed and the town she knew so well appeared in the distance. In a matter of moments, she would be home. What a state this trip had left her in! With gloved hands, she smoothed over her dress and straightened her jacket. Her fingers worked to once again secure the pins that held her hat in place as the coach turned. Then they trotted down the main stretch into town. Some of the changes her parents had written her about became visible. Cripple Creek had become a mining town. When Ol’ Bob Womack filed his claim, which he’d named the El Paso Lode, he’d started another gold rush, this one in Cripple Creek. She remembered the old man. Everyone thought he was crazy and at first no one paid attention to Ol’ Bob until a mining man formed the Cripple Creek Mining District, bringing in thousands of miners and prospectors within weeks. And then a stranger to their town, a Mr. Winfield Stratton, struck gold as well. Not just a little bit of gold, but such a lode that he became the first millionaire to grace this part of Colorado. That did nothing to deter interest. Some of these things were part of her memories, some her parents had told her through letters, but the events blurred between the two. The stagecoach came to a slow stop, and the door opened. Katherine coughed at the burst of dust that flew into the coach. Once that settled, she was thankful for the fresh air. She gathered her things and stepped out of the coach. Taking in the sights around her, she was struck at the amount of activity that filled the main thoroughfare. The main street appeared quite different with tents, makeshift cabins, and lean-tos set up all along the way. At the same time, it amazed her how little Cripple Creek had changed. As she gazed down the street, she spotted the bank, the church, the General Store... Katherine could almost see Ellie Mae standing there at the corner of the street, waiting for her so that they could walk the rest of the way to school. Blinking back tears, she fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. “Ma’am?” a man’s voice interrupted her thoughts as fingers touched her arm. Turning her head in the direction of the sound, she found a well-dressed man looking at her. He seemed to be expecting an answer. Had he asked her a question? “I’m sorry, sir. My mind was elsewhere.” She fought the urge to touch her face and wipe away any incriminating tears. “That’s quite all right. I’m John Jacobs, the town mayor. Katherine Matthews, I presume?” He stuck his hand out to shake hers. She slid hers forward, forcing a smile she didn’t truly feel. “Yes, nice to meet you.” “And you as well. Welcome to Cripple Creek. Rather, I suppose I should say ‘welcome back.’” Katherine nodded, her eyes drifting past Mayor Jacobs to the town once more. The voices from the past called to her. But she drew her attention to the present and to Mayor Jacobs. “Yes, it’s good to be home. Although it has changed.” “That’s what I understand. The population of this town has grown in the time I’ve been here. I can’t imagine how much it’s changed for you.” She nodded again. How much indeed. The streets are full, Ellie Mae isn’t here, and I’m doing business with the Mayor. A loud clap on the wooden boards of the sidewalk startled Katherine. Turning, she placed a hand on her chest. Only her trunk and bags being unloaded from the coach. Mayor Jacobs gestured toward the stack. “Shall I have these things taken to the boarding house? That is still your plan, I take it?” “Yes, I thank you.” She released her grip over her heart and let out a deep breath in hopes it would slow its beating. He nodded and then continued with some hesitation, “I hate to impose, Miss Matthews, but I hoped you would be agreeable to meeting with the town council. They are eager to speak with you.” The trip had tired her. She had traveled for many days, and the emotions of being back in Cripple Creek had begun to overwhelm her. What she truly wanted was a couple hours of rest before her parents came to collect her for dinner. This delay would affect her plans. However, this was her job, and she didn’t want to disappoint the town council. After all, they hadn’t had the opportunity to interview her properly before offering her the position. So she tipped her head in agreement. He smiled. “Good. They’ll be at the schoolhouse within the hour. Do you need some refreshment after your trip? The boarding house has a nice café.” Maybe this would help her relax before the meeting. “Perhaps a glass of water or lemonade. I am parched.” “Of course you are.” The mayor ushered her toward the lower level of the two-story building. “We have time for a bite to eat as well.” Eat? She was far too anxious to put anything in her stomach. “No, but thank you. I’d rather get a look at the state of the schoolhouse and I don’t want to keep the council waiting.” “All right.” Mayor Jacobs opened the door, and Katherine stepped off the wood planked porch and into the cooler rooms within. The space was open and smelled of coffee and pot roast. Katherine’s mouth began to water at the enticing aroma, but she reminded herself she did not wish to chance a meal. Simple oak tables covered with white linens were scattered about, and burgundy curtains lifted in the breeze that flowed through the space from the open windows. Altogether, a pleasant sort of place. Nothing quite so quaint existed in San Francisco where she’d gone to receive her higher education. But it fit Cripple Creek. Once inside the small café, they were acknowledged and seated quickly. The mayor ordered two lemonades. As they sipped on their cool beverages, the mayor made small talk about the town, the townsfolk in general, and the mining operations. He inquired after her family, and they concluded their visit with some chitchat about her father’s ranching business. By the time Katherine finished her lemonade, the mayor had long since drained his glass. She blotted her mouth with her napkin and stood. Mayor Jacobs left enough money on the table to cover the bill and escorted her out of the café and back into the hot sun. Now on the main stretch, he held his arm up in the direction of the schoolhouse. “This way, ma’am, as I’m sure you remember.” Katherine moved through the town, taking the same steps she had so many times before. Her view of the road changed and before her eyes she saw the ghosts of her past. As if the townsfolk she had known were before her, and her childhood classmates moved through the streets to get to the schoolhouse on time. As they neared the old tree in the schoolyard, Katherine took a moment to touch the sturdy trunk. How many times had her younger hands touched this very spot? How many games had she played around its frame? A fine bench had been put in underneath its branches. She sat on it and ran her hand over the smooth wood. It was unimaginable the hours two friends could pass here, telling stories and sharing secrets. The new playground lay nearby, but as she gazed at it, it was not faceless children she imagined there; it was her classmates. And Ellie Mae . . . Ellie Mae had been Katherine’s best friend for as long as she could remember. They had grown up together. Her friend’s raven-colored hair and blue eyes made her one of the more intriguing-looking girls in class. She also had Katherine’s pale complexion. However, Katherine thought it much more becoming on Ellie Mae. “Hey,” Ellie Mae said, waving, having spotted her friend. Katherine rushed over to her. Pleased, as always, that her friend waited to walk the rest of the way to school with her. “Hey, Ellie.” They linked arms and turned toward the schoolhouse. “Did you see Betsy this morning?” Ellie lowered her voice as if she shared a great secret. “No.” Katherine rolled her eyes. What was Betsy up to now? Always something with her. “She is wearing quite the dress today. And mooning over Wyatt.” “I’ll bet.” Betsy was always throwing herself at Wyatt. Even more so now with the fall dance coming up. That girl would do anything to get him to ask her to the dance. Katherine was curious why he hadn’t. Why did he continue to make everyone suffer Betsy’s through antics? Not that it truly bothered her. He wasn’t her beau. And she didn’t have a crush on him. Heavens no! “She is so obvious. I wish he would just ask her already.” Ellie Mae’s eyebrows furrowed. “I think he likes the attention.” Katherine scowled. Wyatt was just plain vain. “Shhh!” Ellie Mae elbowed her as she stifled a giggle. Katherine looked around. Why had Ellie Mae cut her off? Now in the schoolyard, they had just passed Betsy, Wyatt, and their classmates gathered by the old tree. But as Katherine glanced in their direction, Wyatt stared at her. Their eyes met. Katherine turned away. Why would he be looking at her? Did he hear what she had said? Did he know she was talking about him? Katherine, her face warming, ducked her head and quickened her pace to get inside the schoolhouse. Ellie Mae wasn’t able to keep up. As they reached their seats inside, she caught her breath at last. “What was that all about?” Ellie Mae’s eyes sought Katherine’s after they did a sweep of the area. “Why did Wyatt look at you like that?” “I don’t know. Do you think he heard us?” Katherine’s heart raced, and her body coursed with energy as if she could run away. And that’s just what she wanted to do — run a million miles away! Ellie Mae shook her head. “Surely not.” Katherine looked in the direction of the door. “I hope not.” But the warmth continued to creep further into her face. She was hopeless! The school bell rang and a flood of students came through the doors. Katherine’s eyes remained fixed on the open doorway until Wyatt appeared. When she spotted his tall, slender frame, she spun around and dropped into her seat with a thump, dropping her head into her hands. As the rest of the students took their seats, Miss Johnson, the schoolteacher, moved through the room toward the front of the class. Katherine pulled her head up, but couldn’t focus. Had Wyatt heard her comment? Did he know it was about him? Wyatt was by far the most handsome boy in the whole schoolhouse. His sandy blond hair and blue eyes weren’t all that remarkable, but the strength of his features won him acclaim among the females. To Katherine, he was her greatest rival. She might not be much to look at, but she knew she was smart. Well, so was Wyatt. For every high mark she made, he made one point above or below her. They always challenged each other for the top score. How unfair that he could have both the smarts and the looks! But that was life. Everything became quiet around her. Ellie Mae poked her. “Wha—?” she startled in response. One look at Miss Johnson silenced her. Miss Johnson stared at her. And so did everyone else. Had the teacher just called her name? “Um . . . present,” she said, rubbing her offended arm. She shot Ellie Mae a mean look. “Are you sure?” Miss Johnson raised an eyebrow. The class laughed. Though she did not think it possible, Katherine’s cheeks heated several more degrees. “Yes.” Miss Johnson moved on with the roll. Mayor Jacobs coughed, drawing her attention back to the present. “I’m so sorry, Mayor. I seem to have lost my sense of time again.” Katherine stood and strode over to the schoolhouse stairs. She ducked her head as she passed him, almost as embarrassed by this lapse as she had been that day so long ago. The town had kept the building up quite well. It appeared to have recently received a new coat of paint. Taking the few stairs, she stepped inside the one-room structure and pushed a fresh flood of memories to the side to focus on what lay in front of her. The student benches and desks all seemed to be in good repair, and the leg of the teacher’s desk, which Miss Johnson had propped up with books, had been fixed. Forgetting the mayor was with her, she moved among the desks, letting her hand graze the tops, hearing Miss Johnson calling roll. Walking toward the front of the classroom, she let her hands run over the edge of the teacher’s desk and chair. Now at the chalkboard, she shifted to take in the whole room. Her eyes drifted across the room, seeing her classmates as Miss Johnson would have seen them. And the desk she shared with Ellie Mae. “Well, what do you think?” the mayor’s voice interrupted her reverie. She must get control of herself. Katherine shook her head and cleared her throat. “Quite nice. Rather well kept.” “Thank you.” His voice was soft. Did he know she was struggling to stay in the present? “We do what we can. Our children and their education are important to the people of this town.” “That’s good to hear.” She swallowed hard, attempting to quell the myriad of emotions welling up within her. This always had been a good town. Full of heart. The stairs creaked outside. Katherine’s eyes darted toward the door and she guessed they were about to be joined by the first of the town council. A tall man dressed in black entered the room. His pastoral collar caught her eye. But as she looked at his face, she knew this preacher was familiar to her. He had grown into a man and a beard hid some of his features, but she would know the eyes of her first schoolyard beau anywhere. “Timothy,” she said as he closed the door behind himself. He grinned. “Katherine.” They moved toward each other, meeting in the middle of the classroom, embracing as old friends. “It is so good to see you.” Katherine found herself leaning into his strong frame. It did feel good to be received so well. Not all of her classmates would have done the same. “You too, Katie,” he said as he pulled back. “My goodness, look at you.” Katherine’s face warmed. “And you, the town preacher.” She straightened the lapels of his jacket. Why had she done that? There was time and distance between them, but he still smiled at her. And so the edges of her mouth formed a wider smile as they continued to gaze at one another. While they had kept up correspondence when she left for school, over time, her letters became few and far between. And then she stopped writing altogether. Katherine just couldn’t make herself stay so connected to home. The last she knew, he had gone off to seminary and hoped to return as Cripple Creek’s preacher. She had suspected her chances of coming across Timothy were good and she prayed for understanding. And now here he was, welcoming her back with open arms. “Does it suit me?” The pride in his eyes could not be mistaken. She nodded. “It does.” There was much of the boy she knew in the man before her. Yet he had grown up. What had changed? What was the same? “I guess no introduction is necessary here,” the mayor interjected, stepping in from somewhere. Katherine had forgotten anyone else was present. “No.” She took a step back. “The Reverend and I are old friends.” Referring to Timothy as ‘Reverend’ seemed odd. When she said that word, the face that flashed through her mind was that of old Reverend Jones. May he rest in peace. The door opened again and two men Katherine did not recognize joined them. They were introduced as Michael Hammond, the town’s banker, and Phillip Yerby, who ran the General Store. Once Mr. Yerby was made known, Katherine could see in the older man’s face the features of the man she had known as a girl. The years had been hard on him. “We’re just waiting on Doc, as usual,” Mr. Yerby said. “And who knows when he’ll be free?” Was the doctor not to be inconvenienced for council meetings? Or was it that he felt his work was more important than meeting the new teacher? “Our town doctor is the fifth member of the council,” the mayor explained. “He’ll be here as soon as he can. What with emergencies and whatnot. That being said, we might not see him at all.” Emergencies? Were there that many emergencies in little Cripple Creek? “Why don’t we start without him?” Timothy offered. The men let out a chorus of agreement. Mayor Jacobs pulled the teacher’s chair around to the front of the desk, indicating for Katherine to sit, and the councilmen took seats at the students’ desks. Katherine took the offered seat and turned her thoughts to the men in front of her, attempting to give the man who was not present the benefit of the doubt. “First, we want to thank you for coming to fill our interim position. We are so pleased to have a qualified teacher with our children during this time of transition,” the mayor said as they all got settled. “I’m glad to be here.” Katherine smiled. It was true after all, right? She didn’t know anymore. “The Reverend tells us you are from Cripple Creek.” Mr. Hammond gave her a curious look. “Yes, sir. You might know my parents, Tom and Lauren Matthews.” She had this. Her parents were good people, strong people in the community. They were certainly well regarded. Murmurs of acknowledgement rumbled among the group. Mr. Hammond’s features relaxed, but his questions continued. “And you went away to further your education?” “Yes, to San Francisco.” They didn’t need to know that it wasn’t the only reason she’d gone away. “And how long have you been a teacher?” Mr. Yerby piped up. “Since I graduated, three years ago.” While she spoke, the door opened to admit the final member of the town council. The long awaited doctor had finally arrived. The man nodded in her direction as he entered, his features masked as his head was tilted forward. But as he came closer, she began to make out nuances of his face. A chill ran down her spine and she froze. It was none other than Wyatt Sullivan. “Miss Matthews?” Mayor Jacobs’s chair squeaked as he leaned forward. “Yes?” She caught herself. Had he been speaking to her? “I said, ‘I believe you may already know our doctor as well.’” She nodded, unable to speak. Yes, she knew him. Better than she wanted to. So much so that she would do anything to erase the memory of everything surrounding him. “I hope you don’t mind, Wyatt. We got started without you.” Timothy waved to a nearby student desk. “But jump in whenever you’d like.” How could Timothy just speak to him so amicably? Had he forgotten? Wyatt nodded, sliding into the chair that was much too small for his tall frame. “Certainly.” He turned toward Katherine. “Good to see you again.” Katherine nodded at him but still couldn’t find her voice. She looked at his shirt, his hair, everywhere but his eyes. “Did you spend those three years teaching at the same institution?” Mr. Yerby pulled out his handkerchief and wiped at his brow. So the room was warm, it wasn’t just her. She longed to fan herself or loosen her collar. Anything to relieve some of this heat inside her. A moment lapsed before Katherine remembered she still sat in a session with the town council. “Yes,” she said, closing her eyes to focus her thoughts. “The Billingham Boarding School for Girls.” “Katherine,” Wyatt leaned forward on his elbows. “If I walked into your classroom on a typical afternoon, what would I see?” Meeting his eyes at last, she blinked a few times before finding an answer. “You would find students learning.” She bit her lip. It was not her intention to be snarky. “But I don’t think that’s what you mean.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “You would find the students and I engaged in a discussion about a book or a topic in science. Perhaps we would be doing math on our tablets, but I prefer most of our learning to be done through discussion.” There, that was done. His question had been answered. Her eyes moved toward the other men, but Wyatt spoke up with another question. “Why did you want to become a teacher?” Pause. Breathe. She met his gaze. “Because I love learning and I want to share that with the next generation.” Wyatt’s next inquiry came within a breath of her answer. “Tell us about your discipline philosophy.” She stared at him. This seemed more like an interview and less like a ‘get to know you’ session thanks to Wyatt’s questions. Still, she responded, shoulders back, chest tight. “I think it’s important to reduce behavior problems by offering students a stimulating environment.” This time, she continued to stare at him, daring him to continue questioning her. He rose to the challenge. “But how do you handle discipline issues?” Her heart started to pound. She became rather uncomfortable under his scrutiny. The others eyed her, and she decided it best to do what she could to remain calm. “I prefer to remove privileges and have the students do write offs.” “What are your classroom rules?” Mr. Hammond interrupted the back and forth. Somewhat relieved for the respite from Wyatt’s steel blue eyes, Katherine shifted her attention over to the banker. “My rules revolve around the students respecting myself, other students, and the schoolhouse. That involves things like no talking when someone else is talking, raising hands to be recognized to talk, no behaviors that would be destructive to the schoolhouse or the desks . . .” “What about students who are not performing as they should?” Wyatt interjected. “It depends on whether it is a discipline issue or a capability issue.” Katherine raised an eyebrow at him. Would his questions never end? He leaned back, folding his arms across his chest as if he had not considered that fine point. Not wanting to give him any opportunity to gain on her, she continued, “If the student is willing, I can give him or her extra attention and time in order to support them.” Wyatt opened his mouth, but the mayor cut him off. “Miss Matthews, thank you for answering our questions. Do you have any questions for us?” “Whom do I take any of my concerns to?” She had been dreading the answer to that question since Wyatt had walked into the schoolhouse. Holding her breath, she waited for the mayor to confirm or alleviate her fears. “You will work most closely with the Reverend,” the mayor said, tipping his head toward Timothy. “Most issues and concerns will be addressed by him.” Timothy offered her a winning smile. A deep sigh of relief escaped her. Was it audible? “Serious issues that, for whatever reason, need to go beyond the Reverend will be handled by myself.” Mayor Jacobs placed a hand on his chest. “But we only want to support you.” She nodded. Nothing would faze her as long as she didn’t have to answer to Wyatt. “I understand.” “Anything else?” Katherine shook her head. She hadn’t expected to end this session with such an elated feeling in her heart. “Unless something has changed from our most recent correspondence as far as salary and start date?” The mayor shook his head. “Everything is the same.” “Then I have all the information I need.” Still aware of Wyatt’s gaze on her, she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. “Well, gentlemen,” Mayor Jacobs said as he looked at the other men. “I think we need to let Miss Matthews rest after her trip.” He turned back toward her. “Thank you for meeting with us.” And the men rose, each nodding in her direction in turn before shuffling toward the door, making small talk with each other. Katherine stood as well, only to realize how weak her knees were. But she maintained her posture as the men clustered near the back of the room, still chatting. Timothy alone stepped toward her. “Might I walk you back to your parent’s house?” Was he being forward? Did she want him to be? “I’m actually staying at the boarding house in town.” “Oh.” He looked toward the floor. Did he think her refusal was a rejection? She had not intended that. “But I would welcome your company back into town, if it’s no trouble.” The other men had already started moving in the direction of the doorway. Was it her imagination, or did Wyatt linger? Was he eavesdropping? It wasn’t long though before even he had vacated the schoolhouse, leaving her and Timothy alone. “No, no trouble at all.” The corners of his mouth twitched and turned upward. A warmth spread through Katherine. Yes, she still rather enjoyed the way Timothy’s smile made her feel. Katherine took one last long look around the room where she’d be spending most of her time in the days to come. She allowed herself a few more moments to lose herself in her memories. Perhaps she should rearrange the schoolroom to prevent these flashbacks. Turning back to Timothy, she offered him her best smile. Maybe he would come to like her smile too. “Ready when you are.” With that, they made their way toward town. “So,” she couldn’t help but say, grinning. “Find any good lizards lately?” When they were but schoolkids, Timothy had been well known for his obsession with all things creepy crawly. He tried to share this love with her, but her obsession had been books. Hopeless even then. He shook his head, stifling a laugh. “I haven’t been on a good reptile hunt in quite a while.” “That’s a shame. I think you must take my students on one of your famous reptile hunts!” Had she just said that? Was she flirting with Timothy? Would that be all right? “Truly?” One of his eyebrows shot up. “If only you would.” She tugged playfully at his arm. “I think I would like that.” “It’s settled then.” She once again surprised herself and slid a hand into the crook of his arm. It was her turn to be forward. He seemed surprised by her familiarity, but soon fell into step with her, bending his arm to create a better space for her handhold. A silence fell between them for a few moments. The time and distance hung in that space. She needed to speak about it. If it remained unsaid, it would only create a greater gap. “I’m sorry I stopped writing.” Her voice became quiet. “I understand why you did,” he said, his voice soft. With his free hand, he reached across to lay it on hers. She nodded, biting at her lip to contain her emotions. “Thank you . . . for understanding.” “I’m glad you’re back in town.” His voice seemed deeper somehow when it was so quiet. Katherine kept her gaze on the ground for a few seconds before looking over at him. How much should she trust him? He was the closest thing she had to a friend here. Ever since . . . “I have mixed feelings about it.” She didn’t have to say anything further. Timothy would understand. That same silence fell on them again, only this time it was thick with memories. He slowed their steps, breaking the spell. “I wanted to stay, don’t let Wyatt’s questioning bother you. He’s just that way about things. It’s nothing to do with you.” Surely Timothy meant to reassure her. That could not be so. “I wish I could believe that,” she confided. Timothy pressed her hand, but said nothing. Katherine drew her attention from Timothy to her surroundings. Long had they left the grassy surroundings of the schoolhouse and entered the dusty streets of town as they approached the boarding house. “Here we are,” Timothy said, turning to face her, but not releasing her hand. “Yes, we are.” She glanced down at her captive hand. Why did he hold her hand so? Was it possible he maintained his interest in her? “What would you say to dinner tomorrow night?” His breath quickened and his voice shook, almost imperceptibly. As if he were that same young kid asking her to the fall dance so many years ago. Her stomach flipped. “I think that would be nice, Timothy.” Smiling up at him, she gave his arm a little squeeze. “Good.” He beamed. “If you need anything before then, don’t hesitate to stop by.” “Thanks.” She thrilled at the thought of spending more time with Timothy. He would also be an invaluable ally with Wyatt in town and on the council. Not to mention how relieved she was that their friendship was still intact despite her actions. With that, he released her hand and moved in the direction of the church. She watched him go, thankful again for her old friend’s presence and help during this transition. And perhaps the hope of something more. Katherine’s father would be by to collect her for dinner soon, so she’d best get out of her travel clothes and into something more comfortable. What a day it had been! The memories, the interrogation, the promise of an evening out. She stepped into the boarding house and moved toward the stairs at the back of the café. As Katherine passed the small mass of tables, she paused. Was that . . . ? She turned her head to get a better view of the café. It was – Wyatt and a blonde woman. But why should it stop her in her tracks? Why should Wyatt’s dining habits concern her? Still, she couldn’t help but chance another glance in his direction, letting her eyes drift over to his dinner companion. Her breath caught. His dining partner was none other than Betsy Calloway. Betsy hung on Wyatt’s every word, eyes glued to his face. But Katherine watched Betsy’s face, every bit as beautiful as Katherine remembered, a clear step above her peers. It irked Katherine, and she chided herself for feeling that way. She was no longer the preteen girl who felt lost among her peers. As a grown woman, Katherine had become well regarded and respected by those who knew her. Why should it matter to her what Betsy looked like? But Betsy’s presence here with Wyatt did strike Katherine. So, after all this time, she had finally gotten her man. Good for her. Katherine turned her attention to the stairs and made her way toward her room, trying, for the millionth time, to put Wyatt Sullivan out of her mind.
January 5, 2017
Cover Reveal! Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney
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Today I'd like to welcome fellow Clean Reads author Mallory McCartney with a cover reveal of her upcoming release, BLACK DAWN. Isn't the cover gorgeous? The book will be available 2.14.17!
Here's a brief blurb of the story:
Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life that is until two mysterious, and dare I say handsome soldiers show up at her apartment doorstep and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Coming from the magical and ravaged world of Kiero, Emory is brought back not realizing that both men are darkly woven in her past. Discovering she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line Emory is thrown into Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne. With both lives clashing Emory uncovers hidden secrets from her past, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.
Some things are better left in the shadows.
Tag Line: “The end of an Empire, The rise of a Queen.”
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Author Bio: Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.
Connect with Mallory on her Social Media links:
Twitter: @MalMcCartney Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authormalmccartney/?ref=bookmarksInstagram: @authormalmccartney
Today I'd like to welcome fellow Clean Reads author Mallory McCartney with a cover reveal of her upcoming release, BLACK DAWN. Isn't the cover gorgeous? The book will be available 2.14.17!
Here's a brief blurb of the story:
Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life that is until two mysterious, and dare I say handsome soldiers show up at her apartment doorstep and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Coming from the magical and ravaged world of Kiero, Emory is brought back not realizing that both men are darkly woven in her past. Discovering she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line Emory is thrown into Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne. With both lives clashing Emory uncovers hidden secrets from her past, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.
Some things are better left in the shadows.
Tag Line: “The end of an Empire, The rise of a Queen.”
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Author Bio: Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.
Connect with Mallory on her Social Media links:
Twitter: @MalMcCartney Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authormalmccartney/?ref=bookmarksInstagram: @authormalmccartney
January 1, 2017
Spotlight: Eli Celata's High Summons Blog Tour
Hey, all! Today I'm excited to host Eli Celata during the blog tour by Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours to spotlight her new paranormal fantasy, High Summons.
Title: High SummonsAuthor: Eli CelataGenre: Paranormal/FantasyHosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours
Check out the cover. Isn't it gorgeous?
Blurb:
Jon Blythe is sick of waiting for his Yoda. After years of hiding his magic, he's ready to retire from his mortal life, drop out of college, and jump into the world of demon hunters. He just didn't really expect a bleach blond bookstore clerk with light up toys for weapons. Unfortunately, Jordan is Jon's only hope. When rogue magic users come to Rochester with a malicious plan, the odd couple strikes out to save the day. Jordan might not be what Jon expected, but between demons and Econ homework, the demons win every time. Wild nights drag Jon further from normal into the world where his father vanished. Maybe he's becoming an addict. Maybe magic just comes with a price. Either way, he’s hooked.
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/EliCelata/
Author Bio:
Eli Celata was born in Rochester and is currently attending Binghamton University as a doctoral student.
Author’s Social Media Links:Twitter: @Celata_EWebsite: elicelata.wordpress.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/EliCelata/Buy Links for Book:Amazon: https://goo.gl/PQ7lzhKobe: https://goo.gl/4ZrKVsSmashwords: https://goo.gl/eYuVNUiTunes: https://itun.es/us/MEqCdb.l
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Title: High SummonsAuthor: Eli CelataGenre: Paranormal/FantasyHosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours
Check out the cover. Isn't it gorgeous?
Blurb:
Jon Blythe is sick of waiting for his Yoda. After years of hiding his magic, he's ready to retire from his mortal life, drop out of college, and jump into the world of demon hunters. He just didn't really expect a bleach blond bookstore clerk with light up toys for weapons. Unfortunately, Jordan is Jon's only hope. When rogue magic users come to Rochester with a malicious plan, the odd couple strikes out to save the day. Jordan might not be what Jon expected, but between demons and Econ homework, the demons win every time. Wild nights drag Jon further from normal into the world where his father vanished. Maybe he's becoming an addict. Maybe magic just comes with a price. Either way, he’s hooked.
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/EliCelata/
Author Bio:
Eli Celata was born in Rochester and is currently attending Binghamton University as a doctoral student.
Author’s Social Media Links:Twitter: @Celata_EWebsite: elicelata.wordpress.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/EliCelata/Buy Links for Book:Amazon: https://goo.gl/PQ7lzhKobe: https://goo.gl/4ZrKVsSmashwords: https://goo.gl/eYuVNUiTunes: https://itun.es/us/MEqCdb.l
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October 20, 2016
Blog Tour: YA Paranormal Paranormal Romance THE DECISION (Everlasting Trilogy, Book #2)
Title: The DecisionGenre: Young Adult Paranormal RomanceAuthor: L.K. KuhlThe Decision is the second book in The Everlasting Trilogy
Tag Line: The Decision’s made. The choice is simple. Or is it?
Back Cover Blurb:The guests are invited. The cake is all set. In just a few short hours Sophia Bandell will be saying “I do” to a guy she isn’t sure she loves. But where does she go from here? She feels her life is headed in a downhill spiral. Her first and real true love, Tate Forester, is a ghost. But he’s the man she wants to be with…the one she can’t live without. Sophia is faced with the toughest decision of her life. Does she forget about Tate and marry the egotistical lawyer, Aaron Stuart? Or does she take the plunge and join Tate to be with him for eternity?
Excerpt:Sometime through the night, Tate’s kisses woke me. They landed on my cheek like a soft sigh. He began on my cheek and traveled down my neck, resting delicately on my shoulder. But each one felt like he was snuffing out a candle flame. I knew that this would be the last time I’d ever feel him again. He was telling me goodbye in the gentlest way he knew. I held in my sobs but couldn’t stop the silent tears from sliding down my cheeks. They spilled to my neck and pooled there in the deep, hollowed indent above my clavicle. Tate kissed them away, and wiped a wet strand of hair from my face. “Don’t cry. I was hoping I could slip away without waking you. I need to go. Aaron will be home soon.” My throat ached. I grimaced and tried to swallow away the soreness, but it had its claws dug in too deep. There was no way to release it, to ease this massive tumor that kept growing inside of me each time it was time to say goodbye. “This is the end, isn’t it? Your kisses told me everything you can’t say. So do your eyes.” “It has to be. It’s time.”
Buy Links:Amazon: Barnes & Noble: Kobo: iTunes: SmashWords: Amazon CA:
Author Bio:L.K. Kuhl is the author of the Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series, The Everlasting Trilogy. The Decision is book two of this trilogy. She has also penned Chasm, a Romantic Suspense novel. Chasm was released in May of 2016. L.K. lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg and Will, their furry dog kids. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.
Author Links:Website: http://kuhlreads.com/ Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kuhlreads Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynettehoff1 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lynettehofferbe/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28674602-everlasting Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01BXDJGIY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l.k.kuhl/ Blogger: http://kuhlreads.blogspot.com/Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lkkuhl1stuff
Google+: https://plus.google.com/110924570998555007561/posts
Tag Line: The Decision’s made. The choice is simple. Or is it?
Back Cover Blurb:The guests are invited. The cake is all set. In just a few short hours Sophia Bandell will be saying “I do” to a guy she isn’t sure she loves. But where does she go from here? She feels her life is headed in a downhill spiral. Her first and real true love, Tate Forester, is a ghost. But he’s the man she wants to be with…the one she can’t live without. Sophia is faced with the toughest decision of her life. Does she forget about Tate and marry the egotistical lawyer, Aaron Stuart? Or does she take the plunge and join Tate to be with him for eternity?
Excerpt:Sometime through the night, Tate’s kisses woke me. They landed on my cheek like a soft sigh. He began on my cheek and traveled down my neck, resting delicately on my shoulder. But each one felt like he was snuffing out a candle flame. I knew that this would be the last time I’d ever feel him again. He was telling me goodbye in the gentlest way he knew. I held in my sobs but couldn’t stop the silent tears from sliding down my cheeks. They spilled to my neck and pooled there in the deep, hollowed indent above my clavicle. Tate kissed them away, and wiped a wet strand of hair from my face. “Don’t cry. I was hoping I could slip away without waking you. I need to go. Aaron will be home soon.” My throat ached. I grimaced and tried to swallow away the soreness, but it had its claws dug in too deep. There was no way to release it, to ease this massive tumor that kept growing inside of me each time it was time to say goodbye. “This is the end, isn’t it? Your kisses told me everything you can’t say. So do your eyes.” “It has to be. It’s time.”
Buy Links:Amazon: Barnes & Noble: Kobo: iTunes: SmashWords: Amazon CA:
Author Bio:L.K. Kuhl is the author of the Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series, The Everlasting Trilogy. The Decision is book two of this trilogy. She has also penned Chasm, a Romantic Suspense novel. Chasm was released in May of 2016. L.K. lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg and Will, their furry dog kids. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.
Author Links:Website: http://kuhlreads.com/ Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kuhlreads Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynettehoff1 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lynettehofferbe/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28674602-everlasting Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01BXDJGIY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l.k.kuhl/ Blogger: http://kuhlreads.blogspot.com/Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lkkuhl1stuff
Google+: https://plus.google.com/110924570998555007561/posts
October 13, 2016
Month9Books In The Beginning Charity Anthology Coming 10/25/16
Only twelve days to go before the anthology's release, and I'm so excited the day is almost here! Isn't the cover gorgeous? If you like dark YA retellings of biblical stories, you'll love this amazing collection. Seriously, put this one on your Goodreads TBR list. www.goodreads.com/book/show/25946627-in-the-beginningAttention, bloggers! Sign up to review/interview/host a spotlight for Month9Books In the Beginning charity anthology here goo.gl/y59gQq
SPOTLIGHT: The Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon
Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon
Genre: Young Adult Sweet Paranormal Romance
Teen Wytche Saga Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB3FkcbbPGs
Praise for The Teen Wytche Saga:
“Spell Check is a great story for the young adult or the young at heart. I enjoyed the vicarious experience of falling in love, dealing with secrets, and working out best friend issues.” ~ Long and Short Reviews
"A fantastic YA paranormal read, reminiscent of the film "Practical Magic"! Spell Struck combines quirky but fun teen characters dealing with new schools, romance, and family problems, with magic, and more serious topics like suicide and kidnapping." ~InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart review
“Edge of your seat? Check. Magic around every corner? Check. Teen angst? Check. Unputdownable? Definitely. Quick tip-make sure you read the first three books before starting Spell for Sophia. They provide a ton of great backstory and will make everything a lot more understandable, and without a doubt enhance your enjoyment of this book as well as the entire series.” ~Carra at Making It Happen blog
The Teen Wytche Saga Books by Ariella Moon:
Book One: Spell CheckBook Two: Spell StruckBook Three: Spell FireBook Four: Spell For Sophia
Where friendship, first love, and magic collide.
Series SummaryThe Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon
Think magic will solve your problems? Bring you love? Cure you? Protect you? Help you find someone who is lost? Think again.
In The Teen Wytche Saga, a shape-shifting spell book upends the life of each girl who possesses it. Passed among a group of disparate teens, the rebellious book morphs into a new system of magic as it aligns or opposes the girl entrusted to safeguard it. The girls soon discover…
Magic tests friendships. It hisses, chirps, stinks up the room, backfires, and explodes! Magic forces you to make tough decisions. Shatter limitations. Discover your true self. And you thought navigating high school was tough.
Read how it all began…Spell Check (The Teen Wytche Saga #1)
Two girls, one guy, and a spell book — what could possibly go wrong?
BlurbBullies. A secret crush. A traitorous friend.
First year of high school isn’t supposed to be an emotional minefield. A photojournalist father isn’t supposed to die in war, and no one should cast a binding love spell on her best friend’s secret crush. And yet…
Halloween looms and so does the anniversary of Evie’s father’s death. She needs to pull herself together or she’ll lose her position as Yearbook Photo Editor. Even worse, Evie will lose Jordan, her secret crush, if she can’t stop her friend Parvani from casting a love spell on him. Despite a falling out, Evie never forgot Jordan. Now they are lab partners and the chemistry between them definitely sparks. Parvani possesses a brimstone-hissing spell book and plans to cast the spell by Halloween. To save Jordan, Evie must join forces with Salem, the school goth.
The clock is ticking. Can Evie get her mojo back in time to check this spell?
ExcerptAbout ten minutes into class, while Mr. Esenberg wrote on the board, I heard Jordan slide his feet under my desk. My breath wedged in my throat as the tips of his size nine high-performance sneakers nudged the heels of my shoes. Could the girl in front of me hear my heart thudding? Should I move my feet forward?My feet tingled and refused to move. A blush blazed across my cheeks. I struggled to pay attention to Mr. Esenberg without making eye contact. Forty minutes passed, the bell blared, and I had no idea what had transpired. Hopefully, my notes will make sense. I think I took notes.Jordan slid his feet back and thudded his book closed. We both bent down and reached for our backpacks. His leaned against mine. Our hands brushed and our heads were so close I could smell his herbal shampoo.Students walked past us. I’m sure some of them were talking to each other or flipping open their cell phones. But it all faded away along with the smell of chalk, highlighters, and sweat. Everything receded except the warmth of Jordan’s skin, his cinnamon gum-scented breath, and the heart-stopping rush sprinting up my arm.“Evie?”We jerked apart. Seeing Parvani in the doorway looking hurt and shocked snapped my senses into hyper focus. Conversations sounded extra loud. Colors seemed too bright. It felt like a movie had started, full blast, in a hushed theater.For more excerpts, or to purchase books in The Teen Wytche Saga:http://www.amazon.com/Ariella-Moon/e/B0071NUOAK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=Ariella+Moon
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Ariella-Moon
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ariella-moon/id507847259?mt=11
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Ariella+Moon
About the Author:Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. The Teen Wytche Saga is a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances. Her Two Realms Trilogy is a medieval Scotland and Fairy fantasy adventure series.Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety and taller students that mistook her for a leaning post marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. She lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and a media-shy dragon.
Ariella loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at: http://www.ariellamoon.comhttp://www.ariellamoon.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/ariellamoon.authorhttp://www.goodreads.com/AuthorAriellaMoonhttp://www.pinterest.com/ariellamoon/
And now, Ariella Moon has also graciously provided us with her reflections for this upcoming Halloween:
As Halloween nears, the veil between worlds thins. Loved ones from the Other Side slip into our thoughts. For me, beloved pets that have passed on visit me in my dreams. And my stepfather, who in life was a prankster, used to return in his ghostly form and wrestle my bracelet off my wrist, and throw it across the room.
I am a shaman and medium, as well as an author. During October, strangers stop me on the sidewalk or in airplanes, and tell me about a loved one who has died. Their stories always end with, “I don’t know why I am telling you this.” I explain that their Beloved Dead placed them in my path because they want to convey a message. If the person’s energy is bad, or the message from the departed is hostile (which is very rare), I say nothing. Otherwise, I flip on the psychic switch and act as a bridge between this world and the next.
Some people prefer to experience the paranormal through books. So I channel my magical knowledge and experiences into my Young Adult fiction. THE BELTANE ESCAPE kicks off my medieval Scotland and Fairy trilogy. My contemporary series, The Teen Wytche Saga, starts with SPELL CHECK, in which Halloween proves to be a ticking clock portending possible heartache and disaster.
Halloween is nearly upon us. Light a candle for your Beloved Dead so they will know you remember them. And watch out for flying jewelry.
October 6, 2016
Release Day Blog Tour: Empower
Title
Empower
Genre
urban fantasy, suspense, new adult/adult
Back cover blurb
Over a month has gone by since Melina won her internal battle between good and evil. She and the elders have been vigilantly waiting for Maura and Adelia to enact their plan, but there have been no signs of them anywhere. Then one day, Melina sees a Noxin demon lurking behind an old building. As more and more demons start to appear around town, she begins to worry that their plan may have already been put into play.
While Melina tries to figure out what the demons are up to, she starts to notice a sudden increase in her negative emotions, which in turn seem to be amplifying her powers. At first, she likes how strong it makes her feel. But when she realizes that her newly acquired demon powers are the cause of her sense of empowerment, she wants nothing to do with it. Even though she has reversed her demon powers to do good, she still sees them as coming from an evil source and fears that by using them the evil she fought so hard to overcome will rise up in her again.
But as the demon activity increases, and the people in her town, including all the people she cares about the most, start to display strange and violent behavior, Melina finally understands that if she wants to stop the demons and help her friends, she must embrace not only the good in her but also the bad. Because the only way to truly empower herself is by finding a way to use them together.
Tag line
You have to have the dark to see the light.
Excerpt
She turned to look at the front of her store and saw that the huge front window had been completely busted in, allowing the chilly winter air to blow right through the room. The rest of the store wasn’t in any better shape. Broken glass, splintered wood, and burnt, ripped up books and paper covered the entire floor. She felt like she should be having déjà vu, seeing as how her store had been destroyed by Noxin demons before, but there was a difference this time. She didn’t have her friends to help her pick up the pieces. Before she was able to get teary-eyed again, she heard footsteps coming from behind her. She turned around and saw that Walter was back, and he had Phinneas, Cecil, and Helene with him. They all nodded at Henry, who nodded back at them, and then they all returned their focus to Melina. “Hi,” Melina said as she gave them all a slightly confused look. “What are you all doing here?” “I thought it was necessary to tell them what’s happening with you,” Walter said. Melina pulled her robe a little tighter around her and turned her gaze down to the floor. She wondered if they were disappointed in her for not telling any of them sooner. “Melina,” Phinneas said as he took a step toward her. “None of us blame you for feeling the way you do. The fear you have of your anger and of your demon powers is completely valid. But it’s nothing to be afraid of, or ashamed of. I’ve told you before, not everyone is all good or all bad. We all have good and evil in us.” “Yes,” Melina said as she nodded her head. “I remember you saying that. But then you also said that we just have to choose which one is going to win, and I chose good.” “And I’m so glad you did,” Phinneas said. “But just because you chose good and were able to reverse the demon powers to use them for good, doesn’t mean that the bad aspects of the demon powers aren’t still a part of you, too.” “Melina,” Walter said as he took a step toward her. “To truly embrace all of your powers, you must accept not only the good aspects of them but also the bad. I can only imagine how strong it must make you feel when your emotions amplify your powers, but instead of fighting them and trying to stop them, feel all of those emotions and use them in a good way. Use them to empower yourself.” He paused for effect and then continued. “You have become a force to be reckoned with. You just need to learn to accept them and then control them.” Melina’s eyes were filled with tears again. His words reminded her of what Lee had told her—that she needed to accept all of herself. She knew they were both right, but she still couldn’t let go of her hesitation and fear. “But what if it makes me susceptible to being taken over by evil again?” She bit down on her lip as she stared over at Walter with eyes full of distress. He gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you’re scared, but I also think that you know, deep down, that you’re not going to be taken over by evil again. This is just how the demon powers are going to work in you. We all experience negative emotions, Melina. But it's what we do after the emotions arise that matters. We can act upon those negative feelings and let them control us, or we can feel them, acknowledge them, but then choose not to act on them. And instead of letting them control us, use them as motivation for something good.” He was silent for a moment then said, “You have to have the dark to see the light.” Melina sat quietly as his last words sunk in. She had never thought of it that way, but he was right. She had both light and dark in her, just like everyone else, but she just needed to make sure that her light always shone brighter.
About the author
Ashley Stambaugh grew up in a small town in Illinois where she and her two siblings created some of the best memories playing on their family’s farm. She stayed in the southern region of the state to attend college where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and also met her husband.
Now, she and her husband live in central Illinois and spend their time creating new memories with their two rambunctious boys. She also enjoys reading, taking long walks, and finding great bargains. When her sons are a little bit older, she has a great desire to travel with her family. Oh, and she also has a slight obsession with chocolate.
When she’s not busy chasing after her two young children or losing herself in a good book, you can find her curled up on her couch with her laptop, writing.
Social media links
Website: www.ashleystambaugh.blogspot.com
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/ashleystambaughauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleystambaughGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8054295.Ashley_Stambaugh
Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Empower-Collide-Book-Ashley-Stambaugh-ebook/dp/B01LY3LYYJ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1475749075&sr=1-3&keywords=Empower
October 5, 2016
The MirrorMasters (YA Sci-fi/Fantasy) on Your Library's Overdrive Media
(Image courtesy of Pexels)
Hey, everyone! I'm so excited to share that The MirrorMasters is part of the Overdrive Media digital collection in eight library systems already. Keep reading to see if it's in yours.
Bucks County Free Library in Pennsylvania (My home library
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library in Indiana (The very first library to carry my book!)
Clevnet in Ohio
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Library System in New Mexico
Peninsula Library System in California
Laredo Public Library in Texas
Board of Regents School District #901 in Normal, Illinois
Rochester Public Library in Rochester, New York
Want to add your library to this list so you and your friends can read MirrorMasters? Just ask your local library to pick up a copy for you. And, of course, you can always pick up a copy of the ebook for yourself =).
October 1, 2016
Release Day Blog Tour: Two Graves by Zoe Kalo
Title: Two Graves (Retribution Series #1)Author: Zoe KaloGenre: Dark Psychological SuspenseAudience: New Adult/AdultWord count: 18,000 words – 70 pages (short novella)Launch date: October 1st 2016Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31840144-two-gravesPurchase on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Graves-Novella-Zoe-Kalo-ebook/dp/B01LDIXCR0
About the Book A Dante-ish descent through a sinister world of decadent shadows and woeful souls…Seven years ago, he shattered her life. The town eventually forgot the headlines and the nightmares. But 23-year old music student Angelica hasn’t forgotten. For the past seven years, she’s contemplated payback with as much intensity and unwavering faith as she puts into her violin playing. Finally, all the pieces are in place. Over the course of one night, disguised for a masquerade ball, Angelica orchestrates a journey of revenge. About Author Zoe Kalo A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir. She is the author of the YA fantasy series CULT OF THE CAT. Connect with Zoe Kalo on the web:
www.ZoeKalo.com / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
My thoughts so far:I'm about 50 % through reading Two Graves, and I'm blown away by this spellbinding tale. The language is gorgeous, sensuous, vivid. After I'm finished, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon, so look for that soon. In the meantime, pick up your copy!
August 31, 2016
Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour!
Today, I'm thrilled to host my fellow Clean Reads author Dana Provo, with her new release, Bleeding Hearts! [image error]
Author- Dana Louise ProvoTitle: Bleeding HeartsGenre: New adult, romantic suspense Blurb: Orphaned at an early age, now twenty-four-year-old Camryn Lucks is ready to commit to find that special someone, and so accepts a date from a charming, gallant, handsome stranger. The last thing she imagines after accepting that first date with Carson would actually be the beginning of her worst nightmare.Red roses, a reminder of her parents' killer, soon become an emblem of horror for Cami as one by one, those closest to her fall victim to a serial killer. Cami becomes an obsession for Carson, the man she had finally allowed herself to love. Not only is he vying for her heart, but also her life. Finding herself in a whirlwind of torments shadowed by the blood-colored bloom, Cami finds solace in Isaac, a neighboring police officer. She’s desperate to escape the haunting memories, but she must revisit them in order to catch her would-be killer. Living life in constant fear has driven Cami to second-guess every choice she makes. Will the police catch the illusive murderer, or will Cami be forced to face him once again?Author Bio: Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to Adult Historical Romances. She is the author of the Romantic Suspense novel Bleeding Hearts. When she's not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia.Excerpt: My arm trembles as I grip the cool handle of my pistol, keeping a firm grasp to ensure it doesn’t slip out of my sweaty hand. It usually stands sentry in my left nightstand to scare the nightmares away. But this isn’t a dream. The room is dark and hides the face of the man whose intent is to kill me. But I know who he is. A metallic taste fills my mouth; I want to gag. My blood drips off the blade in his hand in slow, steady beats on the carpet. My arms shake as I lift the barrel and point it in his direction. He doesn't move. His heavy breaths alert me to the meager distance between us.We’re at a stalemate.A soft glow from the lamppost just outside my window casts a sliver of light on his face. His dark, beady eyes that I have grown to know rake over my body like I'm another one of his many victims. He lifts the edges of his mouth into a smile. My heart plunges into my stomach. I know what that sinister expression means, and I think back to all the times he had looked at me like that before. I had been so blind.Before I react he lunges at me, grabbing onto my waist and twisting me to the ground. I shriek as my head slams against the bed frame. Black spots flood my vision. I squeeze my hand only to find it empty. My gun is gone. The sound of the knife clattering on the floor gives me slight hope. Not much though. He climbs up my body trying to pin my arms to the floor. I thrash my fists around, desperate to knock him off.“Get off!” I scream, pulling on his shirt and kicking him off balance. Wrapping his hands around my arms, my attacker cuts off the circulation of blood. Rug burns flare across my skin as he drags me across the carpet. He closes his hands around my neck, shutting off my air supply. I pull at his hands but it's no use; he has always been stronger than me. My pulse drums a frantic beat in my ears. The air slowly leaks out from my lungs, killing any hope I may have left. I search for the gun around the room; it may be my only savior now."Why are you doing this?" I struggle to get the words out. He squints his dark eyes. I'm wondering if there might be a chance that he will stop this madness. I am wrong."It'll be over soon, sweetheart." His hands again tighten around my neck, blocking the air from entering my lungs.
Social Media Links (You don’t have to use all): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordanaprovo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaProvo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icehorses12/ Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/DanaProvo Blog: https://authordanaprovo.wordpress.com/Tumbler: http://icehorses12.tumblr.com/ Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115997761074256146273/about
Buy Links: Amazon: http://a.co/3z28apXBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bleeding-hearts-dana-provo/1124476658?ean=2940156806997Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/bleeding-hearts-17Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/660974
iBooks:
Author- Dana Louise ProvoTitle: Bleeding HeartsGenre: New adult, romantic suspense Blurb: Orphaned at an early age, now twenty-four-year-old Camryn Lucks is ready to commit to find that special someone, and so accepts a date from a charming, gallant, handsome stranger. The last thing she imagines after accepting that first date with Carson would actually be the beginning of her worst nightmare.Red roses, a reminder of her parents' killer, soon become an emblem of horror for Cami as one by one, those closest to her fall victim to a serial killer. Cami becomes an obsession for Carson, the man she had finally allowed herself to love. Not only is he vying for her heart, but also her life. Finding herself in a whirlwind of torments shadowed by the blood-colored bloom, Cami finds solace in Isaac, a neighboring police officer. She’s desperate to escape the haunting memories, but she must revisit them in order to catch her would-be killer. Living life in constant fear has driven Cami to second-guess every choice she makes. Will the police catch the illusive murderer, or will Cami be forced to face him once again?Author Bio: Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to Adult Historical Romances. She is the author of the Romantic Suspense novel Bleeding Hearts. When she's not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia.Excerpt: My arm trembles as I grip the cool handle of my pistol, keeping a firm grasp to ensure it doesn’t slip out of my sweaty hand. It usually stands sentry in my left nightstand to scare the nightmares away. But this isn’t a dream. The room is dark and hides the face of the man whose intent is to kill me. But I know who he is. A metallic taste fills my mouth; I want to gag. My blood drips off the blade in his hand in slow, steady beats on the carpet. My arms shake as I lift the barrel and point it in his direction. He doesn't move. His heavy breaths alert me to the meager distance between us.We’re at a stalemate.A soft glow from the lamppost just outside my window casts a sliver of light on his face. His dark, beady eyes that I have grown to know rake over my body like I'm another one of his many victims. He lifts the edges of his mouth into a smile. My heart plunges into my stomach. I know what that sinister expression means, and I think back to all the times he had looked at me like that before. I had been so blind.Before I react he lunges at me, grabbing onto my waist and twisting me to the ground. I shriek as my head slams against the bed frame. Black spots flood my vision. I squeeze my hand only to find it empty. My gun is gone. The sound of the knife clattering on the floor gives me slight hope. Not much though. He climbs up my body trying to pin my arms to the floor. I thrash my fists around, desperate to knock him off.“Get off!” I scream, pulling on his shirt and kicking him off balance. Wrapping his hands around my arms, my attacker cuts off the circulation of blood. Rug burns flare across my skin as he drags me across the carpet. He closes his hands around my neck, shutting off my air supply. I pull at his hands but it's no use; he has always been stronger than me. My pulse drums a frantic beat in my ears. The air slowly leaks out from my lungs, killing any hope I may have left. I search for the gun around the room; it may be my only savior now."Why are you doing this?" I struggle to get the words out. He squints his dark eyes. I'm wondering if there might be a chance that he will stop this madness. I am wrong."It'll be over soon, sweetheart." His hands again tighten around my neck, blocking the air from entering my lungs.
Social Media Links (You don’t have to use all): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordanaprovo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaProvo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icehorses12/ Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/DanaProvo Blog: https://authordanaprovo.wordpress.com/Tumbler: http://icehorses12.tumblr.com/ Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115997761074256146273/about
Buy Links: Amazon: http://a.co/3z28apXBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bleeding-hearts-dana-provo/1124476658?ean=2940156806997Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/bleeding-hearts-17Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/660974
iBooks:
