Hailey Rose's Blog, page 16

Beautiful People-May Edition

Here we are, back again with the May edition of Beautiful People. This month, I am so excited to introduce you to the main character of a current WIP, Ocean Hues. Meet Chelsea Sanders.

 

How often do they smile? Would they smile at a stranger?

She smiles frequently, and yes, she would smile at a stranger.

 

What is the cruelest thing they’ve ever been told? And what was their reaction?

The cruelest thing was her Grandma saying that she was “appalled and humiliated” to be seen with Chelsea. Her reaction…hmmm…her reaction was shock and ‘smoothing over’ at first, then lots of tears after it sunk in.

 

What is the kindest thing they’ve ever been told? And what was their reaction?

Kindest thing? Hmm. Probably that he (her daddy) is proud of her and will love her no matter what. And that her mom (who died when Chelsea was a toddler) would be proud of the young woman she’s become.

She responded by getting pink cheeks and growing very quiet. Not a typical Chelsea reaction, I assure you.

 

What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

Naming the Cora Lee. It lasted because Chelsea’s mother had just died, and it’s the only time she remembers her daddy crying.

 

What book (a real actual published book!) do you think your character would benefit from reading?

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud. Everyone should read this book, but Chelsea needs it extra bad.

 

Have they ever been seriously injured? How severely? How did they react?

No, she hasn’t been seriously injured. Yet. That might change through the course of the book. :)

 

Do they like and get along with their neighbors?

Yes, though in New York the neighbors aren’t exactly friendly. She gets along better with the garden workers than the homeowners themselves.

 

On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being easy and 10 being difficult) how easy are they to get along with?

Eight. She’s the sort of person I want to know.

 

If they could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go?

Hawaii. She’s used to Seattle, Alaskan, and New York weather. Somewhere warm is her dream.

 

Who was the last person they held hands with?

Hehe…with Rhett Newman at the airport, saying good-bye.

 

 

 

Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world? Are any of you doing this Beautiful People link-up? Let me know in the comments…I’d love to read about your characters!

 

 

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Samara’s Peril by Jaye L. Knight Release

 

Jaye L. Knight’s newest novel, Samara’s Peril, has been released! Samara’s Peril is the third book in the Christian fantasy series, Ilyon Chronicles. Read about it below and be sure to check out the other blog stops on the tour by visiting the official tour page. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

About the Book

When news arrives that Emperor Daican has been in contact with his chief war strategist, it signals potential doom for the country of Samara. Determined to intervene, the resistance in Landale, headed by Lady Anne, embark on a covert mission in hopes of unearthing further information. However, a shocking discovery leads to complications no one could have foreseen.

Armed with their newfound knowledge, they set out for Samara to warn the king. War is inevitable, and they must face two desperate battles—one on the walls of Samara’s great stronghold, and the other on the battlefield of Jace’s heart, where victory might only be achievable through great sacrifice.

Available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks!
Add to Goodreads

And now, for my interview with Jaye.

 

Welcome, Jaye! I’m so happy to have you here on my blog!

 

Thank you so much for having me! :)

 

What is something that writing has taught you?

 

Patience. :P It definitely takes a lot of patience. And dedication. It would be really easy to give up if I didn’t love it so much.

 

Has writing brought you closer to the Lord? If so, how?

 

Yes, I believe it has. Life is so crazy, and sometimes you just can’t imagine what is going in. When I write, I can see how everything works together for the best. It’s a constant reminder that, just like the stories I write, there is an Author who sees how it all works together.

 

How do you get through the ‘low points’ in writing?

 

I have had a tendency toward bad writer’s block. I have found that the best way to get past it is to just write, no matter how terrible it might be. You can always fix it later. Then there’s the times when you just feel like you’re not a good writer at all. No matter how many books I write and publish, I always have times, usually right before I publish, that I wonder if the book is really any good. I think every writer feels that at times. At that point, you have to remember that if you love it, that’s the most important. We writers write because we have to. We’d go a little crazy if we couldn’t.

 

What was the hardest thing about writing Samara’s Peril?

 

Well, this book has a Savior figure in it, and that is never easy to write. For one, I never feel qualified to try to portray Christ in fiction. It involves a lot of second-guessing and wondering if you’re doing it well enough. Then, you start to wonder how others will react. That was definitely the hardest part of this book.

 

What is your advice to aspiring authors?

 

Read, research, and study. Read lots of books. This really helps you develop your style. Also do a lot of research about writing and publishing in general. The more you know about the process, the better. And, of course, study the craft. Learn the “rules.” It doesn’t mean you have to always follow them (I don’t), but you need to know them anyway. Then it’s just a lot of practice and learning from experience.

My review of Samara’s Peril:

Ooooohhhhhhh, Samara’s Peril.  The much awaited sequel to The King’s Scrolls. This book was absolutely incredible. So many things about it were just… *squeals giddily*

 

Plot/Storyline: 5/5

Absolutely fantastic. I thought nothing could be better than Resistance, but obviously I was wrong.

 

Characters: 5/5

The character development was so well played out. I wanted to jump into the story and wring a few character’s necks (and others needed some hugs).

 

Writing: 5/5

Stayed true to Jaye L. Knight style. I loved it.

 

Dialogue: 5/5

Better than the last two books. If such a thing is even possible.

 

Want-to-read-ability: 5/5

I actually had to practice some self control when reading this book, as I sadly had to work it into my “young adult” duties. Even so, I read it in just a couple of days. It was absolutely impossible to put down.

This book was so good that I actually locked my keys in the car. How you ask? I was in the chapter 14-15 area (those who have read it know what an intense spot that is). I arrived about fifteen minutes early for my class, so I whipped out the Kindle and frantically read. When it came time to go inside, my brain was still far away in Ilyon, so I tucked the Kindle in my purse, locked the car with the on-the-driver’s-door button, and sprinted indoors.

Four hours later, I dig in my purse for the keys so we can get home. They have vanished. I dumped out the contents of my purse. There were keys for the other 3 cars my family owns, but no keys for the car I drove here.

* sigh *

My mind flitted back to the ONE TIME I locked the keys in the car (last year). But no, surely I’m not that clumsy. (Well…yes I am, but I had come up with a pretty good system and it hadn’t happened since that first time.) Then again, I’m not really in my right mind (half of my brain is still in Ilyon). Hanging my head, I make my way into the parking lot. My brother managed to open the car with the fancy little keypad unlocker. I climb into the driver’s seat, trying very hard not to panic. How in the world should I tell my mom that I’ve lost the car keys and she needs to come pick us up? (Note we’re an hour away from home.)

Lo and behold, there, dangling from the ignition, are the keys.

End of story.

About the Author

Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Etsy.

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a themed giveaway pack! Prizes include an autographed copy of Samara’s Peril, a John 3:16 necklace by FaithWearDesigns, and a green wire dragon bookmark by Wirelings! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)

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Schedule

Friday, May 13

 

Tour Introduction at Jaye L. Knight
Review at Pencils Can Change the World
Book Spotlight at Fictionally
Review and Author Interview at Written Rest
Review at However Improbable
Review at Meagan Davenport
Review and Excerpt at Gabrielle-Soli Deo Gloria

 

Saturday, May 14

 

Author Interview and Excerpt at And Then There Were Three
Review and Author Interview at Lakeside Publications
Review and Author Interview at Reviews by Soleil
Review and Author Interview at Red Lettering
Author Interview at alivemasterpiece
Review at Sutori no Hana
Book Spotlight at Fishing For Ideas

 

Sunday, May 15

 

Review and Excerpt at Melody Jackson, Author
Book Spotlight at God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
Review at The World Of The Writer
Review and Author Interview at Running In His Reign
Review and Excerpt at Inklings and Notions
Review at My Bookcase and I

 

Monday, May 16

 

Review at Reality Calling
Review at Backing Books
Review and Excerpt at Haddie’s Haven
Book Spotlight and Excerpt at Rachel Rossano’s Words
Review and Excerpt at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
Review and Author Interview at A Heart Redeemed

 

Tuesday, May 17

 

Review and Author Interview at Reading Anyone
Review and Author Interview at Honey Rock Hills
Author Interview at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
Review at Shire Reviews
Review and Author Interview at 26CountlessPossibilities
Excerpt at The Overactive Imagination

 

Wednesday, May 18

 

Review and Excerpt at Thriving Hope
Book Spotlight at The Destiny of One
Book Spotlight at Letters from Annie Douglass Lima
Book Spotlight at The Writer’s Window
Review at To Be A Person
Author Interview at Leah’s Bookshelf

 

Thursday, May 19

 

Review at A Writer’s Heart
Review and Author Interview at Scattered Journal Pages
Review and Excerpt at Elvish Pens, Fantastical Writings
Review and Author Interview at Tricia Mingerink
Review and Author Interview at The Book Hound
Review at Scarlett! Reviews
Author Interview at Knitted By God’s Plan

 

Friday, May 20

 

Character Q&A at Ilyon Chronicles – Behind the Scenes
Book Spotlight at ♦ A Sapphire Chamber ♦
Review at Leah’s Bookshelf
Review at Looking Through My Lens
Review and Author Interview at Zerina Blossom’s Books
Review and Author Interview at The Warrior and the Writer
Review and Author Interview at Thoughts of Anna S. Brie

 

Saturday, May 21

 

Tour Conclusion at Jaye L. Knight

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Letter To My Book

I’m totally stealing this idea from Katie. She wrote an awesome letter to her novel, and it inspired me to do the same. So without further ado, here is a letter to my book, The Old River Road.

 

Dear TORR,

You aren’t the first book I’ve ever written, nor are you the last. You’re kind of that stubborn, middle-child story that was easier than my first, yet harder than the next. You forced me to grow, as a writer, in ways that I never imagined.

In hindsight, writing went relatively smoothly, despite all the tears, headdesks, and facepalm moments. I wrote you faster than I’ve ever written a book before, thanks to this insane thing called NaNoWriMo. 80,000 words in 3 months, the first 50,000 in 30 days. I didn’t think I could do it. It took me 4 years to write your 130,000 word cousin, Chained Heart.

To be honest, I hated the writing process. I was handicapped by my perfectionism; crippled by the fact that I couldn’t get every little detail exactly right.

But I did it. You helped me prove to myself that I can write fast. That I can edit fast. That “perfect” is unattainable (and that’s OK). That I can fit writing into my everyday life. That I can get over myself and do it.

Somewhere along the way, the idea/necessity for your sequel was born. I didn’t want to write a sequel. I still don’t want to. I don’t know if I have the mental energy to write it now, or even 6 months from now. But God has big things in store for you–I can see that already–and I’m not going to shut any doors just for the sake of my own desires.

I’m very excited for what comes next, yet am hobbled by fear at the same time. You are so precious to me for so many reasons, yet I’m going to be throwing you out into a big world of readers who may or may not like you. I’m ready to make the transition from Writer to Author, but I’m half afraid that you aren’t a worthy debut novel. I don’t know if any of my novels are.

I’m afraid that if I were to wait until my novels were ‘worthy,’ I would never make the transition.

Now that we’re in the final stages of preparing you for publication, I get all the warm fuzzies as I write the epilogue, afterward, and acknowledgements. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. I’ve wanted it to happen, d e s p e r a t e l y, since I was a little thirteen year old with big ideas. But I never thought that you would be my first published work.

There have a lot of times when I wondered if I would even make it past the first couple words. There have been even more times when I wondered if writing stories was worth the time and energy it took. And unfortunately, there will still be times like that…lots of them…but I will be able say to myself, “I already did it. I can do it again.”

It’s been a frustrating, maddening, yet completely awesome ride. I can’t wait to see how God will use you in the big scary world of readers.

Much love,

your author.

 

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The Old River Road Cover Reveal

I am SO excited to finally be sharing the cover for MY book with you. I can’t believe I’m to this point. Honestly, there were times when I wondered if this day would ever come. A lot of times, actually.

Perry did an absolutely fantastic job with the cover. I’m so happy with it. If you ever need design work done, go to her. She’s amazing and so awesome to work with.

 

Ready to see the cover?

 

 

 

 

 

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Isn’t it amazing?!?!?!?! I love it so much. And the back is just as beautiful as the front.

I am getting SO excited about releasing this thing! Is anyone else excited? Or is it just me? (It might be just me.) :)

 

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Book Review~Dare by Tricia Mingerink

I really hadn’t heard much about this book before I downloaded it. I don’t remember exactly what made me want to read it in the first place, but I probably saw it on someone’s blog (it seems that I find a lot of books in that way). Boy, was I in for a surprise.

Plot/Storyline: 5/5

How many ways can I say awesome? Amazing. Stupendous. Astonishing. Phenomenal. Need I go on?

Note to you non-fantasy people: Even though this book is listed as fantasy, there was absolutely no magic or prophecies or anything of that sort. The feel of the book was that of medieval historical fiction.

 

Characters: 5/5

Tricia Mingerink has an amazing gift for creating 3 dimensional characters. There are only a handful of books I’ve ever read where I remember feeling so connected to the characters.

 

Writing: 5/5

Her style is so different and refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Dialogue: 5/5

Absolutely killer dialogue. It was like I was hearing every word, seeing every raised eyebrow, and watching every finger twitch.

 

Want-to-read-ability: 5/5

More like 10/5. I loved this book. Way more than I ever expected to. I mean…knife-wielding knights dressed in black, who creep about the countryside spying on nobles? How much cooler does it get?

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Really Awesome Research Vlog (not mine)

I know, I know…two posts in one week?!?! And I’m not done yet. There’s a book review coming on Saturday. :-)

I just wanted to tell you guys about this amazing vlog on researching for a historical fiction novel. Emily Ann Putzke did a really nice job making the video clear and concise. It was very informative and helpful for me, so hop on over to her blog and take a peek at it! (And look around while your there. Her blog is absolutely amazing.)

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Life Lately/April Wrap

Well, these monthly wrap up posts seem to be “the thing” right now, and while I try not to do what everyone else does, these posts are so fun to read I don’t see a good reason not to do them!

(And yes, I do know that it is May 4th. Life gets in the way of my desires to post on time.)

 

~Books Read~

11. Sorry, I don’t have the energy to list them all every single month.

BUT.

I will list my top 3 favorites.

Samara’s Peril by Jaye L. Knight. I got to be an advanced reader for this book!! Can you believe it!!!! I still can’t! It was so amazing!!

The Ryn by Serena Chase.

The Remedy by Serena Chase.

(I am completely blaming my dear friend Hope for telling me about those last two. And no one needs to know how late I stayed up reading them. They were totally awesome, by the way. :) )

 

~Writing~

Well, since I had a long day of near panic when I realized how close the release date of The Old River Road is coming in comparison to how much work still needed to be done, I re-evaluated my goals for April.

Total words written: 20,000

Total words edited: 85,000 (that was my whole manuscript for TORR)

I successfully completed my “week of insane writing.” Barely. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. The story just wasn’t flowing right. But I pushed through, and finished with 15,000 words in five days.

BTW, please tell me I’m not the only one that gets to the “..999” word count and seriously cannot think of ONE MORE WORD to type to finish up my daily amount.

Most words in one day: 5,126

Least words in a day: 216

Most words in an hour: 2,000 (a new personal high!)

 

~Beta-reading~

Abi’s Martin Hospitality
My own book. (Does that count?)

 

~Life~

Well, a lot of life stuff happened this past month.

I got accepted and enrolled in college. *ahhhhh!!!!* I will be taking classes from home through Liberty University. Classes start in 14 DAYS!!!!
I buckled down on high school stuff so I can close that area of my life.
Edited an entire book, hired a cover designer AND editor, rounded up 12 amazing beta readers…and somewhere in there lost my sanity.
Learned how to drive our 36ft motorhome. (Told you I lost my sanity.)
Resumed TaeKwonDo classes. Boy I tell you, I am one rusty black belt. Eight years of no practice really puts a tarnish on that shiny blackness.  :-)
Ate at Chick-fil-A for the second time in my entire life. Seriously, they need to get these restaurants in Eastern Washington. What the heck is up with them only being in the southern/eastern states and in Seattle?
Met an internet friend in person!!! (Hi Rosey!!!!) :-)

 

~Goals for May~

Finish getting The Old River Road ready for publication. This means going through my beta-reader’s comments, sending it to my editor, going through her comments, then sending the manuscript to the formatted. (WHEW!)
Start college. This one is inevitable, so maybe I should say “survive starting college.”
Plan my graduation/baptism/18th birthday/Mom and Dad’s 22nd wedding anniversary.  These events are all so close together I decided that we may as well celebrate them all on the same day. Why not, right? Now I just have to plan the insane event.
Beta-read Hope’s Song of the Sword, and Abi’s Martin Hospitality.
Read 8 books.
Do a Vlog.
Survive. (This one has been on the bottom of my daily to-do lists as of late.)

 

~~~~~~~~

Well, there was a lot more that went into April, but that’s all I have the energy to record for now.

So how was your April? Did you do anything absolutely fantastic that I should know about? How do you feel about frozen cookie dough? (Sorry, that was random, but seriously, have you tried the stuff?)

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T STOP READING YET!!!!

Are you still reading? Good. Keep going.

I have this wonderful idea to do a Vlog sometime in the near future (’cause Vlogs are awesome), but in order to do so I need to know if you have any questions for me. I can come up with a topic on my own if necessary, but it would be far more fun to answer your questions. Please, if you have any questions, leave them in the comment box, or email me with the contact form. THANK YOU!!!

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Sneak Peek–The Old River Road~Pt 2

Yay! You’re back! Enjoy the second part of Chapter 1. Read Part 1 here.

 

~~~

Clara tried to answer her sister, but William spoke before she had a chance.

“Miss Boutwell had an encounter with a mud puddle, which was entirely my fault.”

Clara vainly stifled a giggle as Esther looked up to William’s handsome face. Esther’s rosy cheeks flushed and Clara saw her eyes widen.

“Your fault?” Esther asked, her gaze fixed on William.

“He bumped me and I fell into a puddle,” Clara said quickly. She shrugged William’s coat off her back and handed it to him. “Sorry to ruin your coat.”

William smiled and took the coat, handing Clara’s books to Esther. “No problem. Dirt and water will wash out. Again, I apologize for my carelessness.”

“No need to apologize. It’s been quite a long time since I went for a swim in a puddle.” Clara smiled at him and let her eyes flash childishly.

William laughed and let himself out the door. “Good afternoon.”

Esther let out a dramatic sigh when the knob clicked shut. “Ohhhh Clara, he’s so handsome!” she squealed. “Who is he? Where did you meet him?”

Clara groaned. “I’ll tell you later. Please Esther, stop being dramatic and help me out of these clothes. I’m freezing.”

“Alright, alright.” Esther dropped her playful teasing and helped Clara up the stairs.

Esther was twenty years old; three whole years older than Clara. She was the youngest of Clara’s older sisters, and the one Clara was closest to. Though Esther wasn’t a biological sister, she bore such resemblance to all four Boutwell women that no one ever guessed she had been adopted. Clara didn’t remember exactly when Esther had come to live with them…they had both been such little girls and Esther had been very quiet and reserved the first few months, grieving the death of her father, who had raised her since her birth.

“Clara?” a sweet voice called from the top of the staircase. “Is that you?”

“Yes, Mother.” A part of her hoped that her mother would stay where she couldn’t see her; shivering and filthy as she was.

“My goodness, Child, what happened to you?” Mrs. Boutwell asked as Clara alighted the staircase.

“I fell into a puddle on my way home.” An attack of chills overcame her as she spoke, making her words tremble.

“Oh Clara, you’re so unromantic,” Esther chided. “No Mama, an extremely handsome young man bumped Clara and threw her into the puddle. He walked her home and even made her wear his coat.”

Mrs. Boutwell’s hand flew to her mouth.

“It was an accident, Mother.” Clara firmly resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Esther. “He didn’t mean to bump me. Neither one of us was watching where we were going. Mr. McDonald was kind enough to make sure I made it home without freezing.”

Mrs. Boutwell sighed and shook her head, but Clara thought she saw a hint of a smile playing at her mother’s lips. “Let’s get you out of those clothes and into a hot tub. Esther, please put some water on the fire.”

“Yes, Mother.” Esther turned back down the staircase and Mrs. Boutwell led Clara into the master bedroom.

The Boutwells certainly weren’t considered wealthy, but they lived a comfortable life in the city. Clara’s father, a War veteran, was the pastor of a local Presbyterian church. He also earned a good living being in the Illinois Volunteer Militia, where he had risen to the rank of General.

Clara was proud of her father in many ways. Mostly though, because he feared the Lord above all else. Unlike many other men Clara had heard of who beat their wives and spent all their money in taverns, her father was a hard worker and a well-respected man, both by his family and his congregation. His quiet way with words and powerful ability to make a difference in people’s lives astounded Clara.

 

Mrs. Boutwell helped Clara strip off her still-dripping dress and petticoats, and Clara stiffly eased into the claw-footed tub. Clara thought she saw a smile breach her mother’s lips as she turned on the tap, but she couldn’t be sure.

“Oh Clara,” Mrs. Boutwell said, placing her hands on her hips and gazing at her. “Will you ever learn to keep yourself out of scrapes?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose, Mother, it was an accident. Mr. McDonald bumped into me, and I couldn’t catch myself.” Clara grinned sheepishly. “I saved my books.”

Mrs. Boutwell looked wistfully at the ceiling, but she too smiled. “Sometimes I cannot believe that you are nearly seventeen. But then again, you’ve always been more concerned about books than your clothes.”

Esther knocked on the door before entering with a pot of boiling water. She slowly dumped it in the tub, and Clara closed her eyes as the hot water mixed with the lukewarm water from the tap. It made her feet and legs tingle as they thawed.

“One more pot should be perfect,” Clara said, leaning against the cool porcelain of the bathtub and trying to ignore her stinging toes.

***

Mrs. Boutwell helped Clara wash the dirt out of her long, curly hair. Clara’s hair was the annoying and frustrating, but she wouldn’t get it cut for anything. The tight, curly locks fell to her waist, shimmering like her mother’s best brown silk dress. Clara was the only one of her sisters to inherit her father’s curly, Scottish hair. She couldn’t decide if it was a blessing or a curse. Though complicated to care for, the curls were strikingly beautiful.

Clara chuckled a bit as her mother gently worked soap into her curls and rinsed them repeatedly to remove the dirt and gunk that had attached itself after her fall. Her mother had been trying in vain for years to convince Clara to wear her hair up, as most young ladies her age did. But Clara liked wearing her hair long. She loved the feeling of the curls bumping against her back and shoulders. And besides that, wearing her hair up on top of her head was the surest way to get a dreadful headache. It was true though; had she worn her hair up today, it wouldn’t be in such a dreadful mess now.

Clara lingered in the warm water as long as she dared. Supper must be prepared, and her father would be home soon. Mrs. Boutwell left Esther to help Clara dress her hair while she began making supper.

“What was the young fellow’s name?” Esther asked, carefully squeezing the water out of Clara’s curls while Clara sat at the vanity in a fresh, dry dress.

“William McDonald.”

“How old was he?”

“I don’t know! I don’t ask questions like that.”

Esther chuckled, then gasped. “Did you say his name was William McDonald?”

“Yes, that’s what he said.” What’s so important about his name?

“Do you know what that means?”

Clara turned and looked at her sister’s vibrant face. “No, I have no idea.”

“Sir John McDonald? The prime minister of Canada?”

“What does he have to do with Mr. McDonald?”

“Father was telling me about him…Father knows young Mr. McDonald’s father. William McDonald is the nephew of Sir John McDonald! Don’t you remember him telling us about it?”

Clara shook her head, spellbound.

“Ohhhh!” Esther faked a swoon. “The nephew of the one and only Sir John McDonald, prime minister of Canada, is sparking our little Clara!”

“What?” Clara spun about and faced her sister. What a preposterous idea! “Why would he be interested in me?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Esther teased.

Clara thought back to her exchange with William. Could he truly be the nephew of Sir John McDonald? He had been dressed better than most young men in the city. If he was indeed the nephew of such royalty, he would no doubt be quite wealthy…far too wealthy to be wasting his time with a poor little mouse like her.

“He’s not sparking me!” Clara protested, her brows knitting. “He bumped me into a puddle, helped me out, and then walked me home. What is so ‘sparking’ about that?”

Esther laughed as she brushed out Clara’s long curls. “You came in the house wearing his coat. He was holding your books. What else would he be thinking?”

Clara groaned. “I was wearing his coat because he didn’t give me a choice. And he was holding my books because I didn’t want to ruin them any more than they already were ruined. I think you’re taking this too far.”

“Oh Clara, Katie and Emma and I both know that you’re far prettier than the three of us put together. Young fellows have been eyeing you for years now, you just haven’t seen it. Now, they’re making themselves more obvious.”

“I’ve never seen Mr. McDonald before in my life!” Clara burst. “It’s not as if he were ‘eying me’ as you say. He was simply being a gentleman. Do stop teasing now, Esther.”

Esther said nothing, but Clara’s heart still pounded uncomfortably. Why must Esther tease her so? As if William had any motives other than helping Clara home. He felt awful about the accident, quite obviously, and simply wanted to amend his mistake. There was nothing romantic about that.

Esther finished dressing Clara’s hair and put a shawl around her shoulders, pulling the still-wet curls out over the thickly knit material.

“There. That will keep your dress dry until the curls stop dripping. I’m going to help Mother with supper.”

“I’ll be down in a few minutes.” Clara stood and fingered her damp hair, gazing at herself in the mirror. Her mind flitted back to what William said about her age. It was true; she did look much younger than she was, and the fact that she wore her hair down didn’t help at all.

But Clara wasn’t about to give herself perpetual headache just so people, even handsome young men, would think she was older.

~~~

Did you enjoy this little sneak peek? I hope so! I can’t wait to share the book with the world!

 

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Sneak Peek–The Old River Road~Pt 1

You’ve heard me talk about it. You’ve listened to my blubbering and whining about it. But you haven’t seen it yet.

Well, since the release date for The Old River Road is only 12 weeks away *PANIC*, I thought I’d give all of you lovelies a sneak peek of the first chapter.

 

Chapter 1

Clara couldn’t contain a scream when she felt herself suddenly thrown off balance. Unable to catch herself before falling, she hurled her armload of books far away from her. Cold, muddy water splashed into her face as she broke the fall with her hands. Grime squished under her fingers and coldness seeped through her skin.

“Oh my word—I am so sorry! Are you alright? Can I help you?”

The words tumbled out of an unseen stranger’s mouth almost before Clara realized she was on her hands and knees, up to her stomach mucky water. She attempted to stand up, but already her many skirts and petticoats were soaked and heavy.

Strong hands grasped Clara’s upper arms and plucked her out of the puddle as easily as if she were a pesky weed in the garden. Her knees wobbled when her feet were set on firm ground.

“Are you hurt?” the voice asked again.

Clara looked up…far up…to meet the face of a young man. His striking blue eyes were laced with embarrassment and concern.

“Ah…no.” Clara shuddered as rivers of water trickled down her front and spiraled around her legs. “I’m alright.”

“I am terribly sorry,” the man said, though it occurred to Clara that he couldn’t be much more than a boy. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Clara raised her arm and put it to her face to wipe gritty water from her cheeks. But she stopped her hand mid-air, realizing that the sleeve was even wetter than her face was. She let it fall to her side. How was she going to make it home in this condition?

“Use this, please,” the man begged. He offered a bleached muslin handkerchief, but Clara shook her head.

“I don’t want to ruin it.”  

The soft cloth swiped over her face anyway, his hand behind her head.

“There.” The man stepped back and offered a half-smile, folding the handkerchief and replacing it in his pocket.

“My…books,” Clara spluttered, pointing a soggy arm to where her books lay sprawled on the wet ground.

He sprang to where the books were, and picking each one up, he wiped the covers off on his coat before offering them to Clara. Clara reached out to take the books, but then pulled her hands back in when she realized that they were covered in mud.

“Oh—”  The man looked Clara up and down. “Can I walk you home? It’s the least I can do after—”

Clara managed a small smile and nodded. She didn’t want to ruin her precious books any more than necessary.

“Where do you live?”

“Ahh—” Clara’s mind was still spinning from the shock of the cold water. “West side of town, near the new church.” Two miles through Chicago in a soaking wet, muddy dress. Wonderful.

“Oh yes, I know where that is. My name is William, by the way. William McDonald.”

Clara felt stiff as she began walking. Her skirts clung to her legs and dripped on the ground. “I’m Clara Boutwell.”

William smiled. “I’m happy to meet you, Miss Boutwell. Though I wish it would have been in a slightly more comfortable way…”

Despite the heat burning in her cheeks, Clara couldn’t help smiling. William looked even more embarrassed than she felt.

More people, Clara’s coworkers, streamed out of the Singer building. Clara averted her eyes from their stares and carefully stepped out of the way of other ladies’ skirts. What business of theirs was it that she had taken a mud bath?

“You work for the Singer company, too?” William was saying as they began walking.

“Yes.” Clara looked up to meet William’s eyes. His face was clean-shaven and long, with a distinct chin and thin, decisive lips. He wasn’t the least bit homely. “I work in the design department.”

William flashed a smile. “I work in engineering. But these books—” William looked down to the stack he carried. “These don’t seem necessary for designing Singer sewing machines.”

Clara chuckled. “I’m studying to take the teacher’s exam.”

“Are you?” William appeared surprised. “You hardly look much more than a schoolgirl yourself.”

Clara tipped up her chin and straightened to her full five foot two inches. “I’m nearly seventeen. I finished school two years ago.”

“Seventeen?” William burst. “I aged you at thirteen or fourteen, if that.”

Clara watched as William’s face grew red.

“I mean…you’re so…small. But it’s not—” William fumbled with his words and his face turned even redder.

Clara couldn’t contain a laugh, though she hardly thought her mother would approve of her chortling in the middle of a busy Chicago street. Then again, her mother would probably die if she saw Clara walking down the street looking like a drowned rat.

“I am small,” Clara said, any awkwardness between her and William suddenly disappearing. “And yes, I am nearly seventeen.”

“How long have you been working for Singer?” William asked.

“Two years,” Clara said as they stepped off the boardwalk into the muddy streets.

“I began four years ago. It’s surprising our paths haven’t met before now.”

A cold blast of October air blew through Clara’s wet clothing and she inadvertently shivered. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest in an attempt to hold the heat in, but it did little good. She was soaked to the skin.

“Here.” William handed Clara’s books to her, and, before she could protest, he had taken off his coat and put it snugly around her shoulders. He then took the books back and tucked them under his arm.

“You don’t have to give up your coat,” Clara said, though she pulled the already-warm fabric tighter over her body.

“I don’t mind.” William smiled down at her. How nicely his blue eyes complimented his blonde hair. “Besides, I’m the one who knocked you into that puddle.”

Clara smiled and laughed a little. “My mother is going to be horrified when she sees me.”

“I’ll explain that it was entirely my fault. Will she be hard on you?”

“Mother? Oh no. She’s all bark and no bite.” Clara looked down at her muddy dress and chuckled. “And besides, I’m the youngest in my family, so they’re used to the messes I get myself in.”

“You’re the youngest?”

Clara nodded. “I have three older sisters. And they tell me that before I was born, there were two young brothers who died during the War. I wish I could have met them.” Clara stared ahead. “Having brothers would have been such fun.”

“Brothers are fun,” William said. “I have one, though he’s many years younger than me. We have a good time together.”

Clara watched as a cloud suddenly passed over William’s face, and his Adam’s apple bobbed inside his skinny neck.

“And then there’s George. He was my best friend, just two years older than me.” William took a shaky breath. “But he was killed last year, in an accident in New York.”

Clara said nothing, not knowing exactly what to say. At least Clara hadn’t known her brothers before they died. But William’s brother…they had grown up together. They had been friends. Clara shuddered. What would it be like if one of her sisters suddenly died?

“I had another older brother,” William went on, “But he died when I was too little to know him.”

Thank goodness.

They walked in silence for several minutes, Clara thinking how fortunate she was to have the only siblings she’d ever known still living.

She was unable to keep from shivering by the time they reached the Boutwell family home. Even wrapped in William’s large coat, which nearly fell to Clara’s knees, waves of cold swept over her.

Not bothering to knock, she turned the brass doorknob and stepped inside, welcoming the warm air from the fireplace in the parlor.

“Clara!” a shrill voice gasped. “Whatever happened to you?”

~~~

So what do you think? Are you as excited as I am about this release?!? Come back on Saturday for the second half of chapter 1!

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Book Review: Resistance by Jaye L. Knight

 

I had seen a lot of posts about Resistance on many of the blogs I read. After about a year of seeing post after post about how awesome Resistance was, I decided to give it a try for myself.

I am so glad I did.

This book has been put on my list of favorites. That is a high honor for any fantasy book in my mind (I don’t typically care for fantasy).

At first, I read this book on my iPhone with the kindle app (and went cross-eyed). Then I ordered the paperback. When it finally arrived, I may or may not have been clutching the book to my chest and jumping up and down, squealing like a piglet for several minutes. The sheer beauty and massiveness of a 500 page book struck me silly. I am very happy that no one pulled out the video camera for that moment.

Okay…enough gabbing…here’s the review!

Plot/Storyline: 4/5

It was slow to start, and I feel that some parts in the beginning could have been condensed. Once the story started rolling though, it didn’t stop. (And I mean buckle-up-tight-didn’t-stop.)

 

Characters: 5/5

The characters were AMAZING. Jaye was able to develop them all in so many ways…I felt like I knew each one of them.

A few minor things that bugged me; there were a lot of male characters with one-syllable names that began with T.  It got confusing at times. Also, most of the characters had blue eyes. More variance in that department would have been nice.

 

Writing: 5/5

Outstanding! I love the deep point of view. If you don’t know what I mean, read the story and you’ll be able to tell a difference.

 

Dialogue: 4/5

Could have been better, but was far from deplorable.

 

Want-to-read-ability: 5/5

After the first hundred pages, I could not set this book down. Seriously. My family had to whack me on the head if they wanted to get my attention.

 

This book is not one that can be taken lightly…it packs a punch.  (A good punch!) Don’t try to read this book and the next in the series consecutively. I, for one, would be crying for days if I did that. :)

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