Ruth Ann Nordin's Blog, page 89
March 19, 2013
Updates on What I’m Working On
I’m done with the first draft of Runaway Bride!
It was hard to end the book because I didn’t want it to end. LOL I had so much fun with this one. It’s not a comedy, but it was just so easy to work with the characters, and I discovered why Caitlyn and Lexie’s mother was the way she was in Suddenly a Bride. It turns out, she wasn’t that bad after all. :-) And of course, I had a few scenes with Chris and Caitlyn to see how they were doing and even added a couple with Sandy to give her a proper lead in to her book (His Abducted Bride).
I might get this question, so I’m addressing it now. I do have plans to fix up Blake (Caitlyn and Lexie’s brother), but I want to put him in with the Florida Romance Collection. The first book in that series is Substitute Bride (featuring Kevin and Alexandra). So he’ll fit in somewhere with one of the characters in that series, and it will allow me to give an update on Caitlyn, Lexie, and Sandy at a later date in their lives. ;-) I don’t have any immediate plans to write his book, though, so I have no idea when that will be written.
His Abducted Bride is coming along nicely.
I’m really happy with the way this book is progressing. I’m currently at chapter ten, so I’m getting close to the halfway point.
Kent Ashton’s Backstory
I’m doing this as inspiration and time permits, but I have added a couple more scenes. On Monday, I posted a new scene I just wrote and plan to post another scene or two this upcoming weekend. But his story is far from done so more will be coming in the future on this blog.
His Reluctant Lady (original title is back)
I know I run the risk of confusing people by switching Blackmailing the Countess back to His Reluctant Lady, but it occurred to me I’m safer keeping the original title because I put the description and title for this book at the end of A Most Unsuitable Earl, and to be honest, I don’t feel like going back to the book to update the “Coming Soon” section. So the title His Reluctant Lady stays. :-)
Other Books I’m Working On
I have started Patty’s Gamble but am not far into it. I plan to start up The Earl’s Scandalous Wife and Boaz’s Wager soon, too. I am using this week to get as much written for His Abducted Bride as I can. I’ll also need to do the initial edits of Runaway Bride now that I’ve finished the first draft. I am best focusing on three books (at max four) at one time. Once His Abducted Bride is done, I plan to give my full attention to The Earl’s Scandalous Wife, His Reluctant Lady, Patty’s Gamble, and Boaz’s Wager. At the moment since I am not finished with His Abducted Bride, I will need to focus on that book. While I am finishing His Abducted Bride, I do plan to make some word counts in a couple of those books as inspiration strikes.
March 18, 2013
More of Kent Ashton’s Backstory
I wrote another scene for Kent Ashton’s Backstory.
I wanted to pair up the scene I posted yesterday in my Sunday Story Sample from Falling In Love With Her Husband. I didn’t want to rewrite the scene from Kent’s point of view. Instead, I opted to have the next time they talked. That way I don’t repeat myself, so if you read Falling In Love With Her Husband, you won’t get bored with the same scene. ;)
Without further ado, here’s the scene. Remember, it’s in first draft form…
***
Two weeks later, Kent waited by the oak tree in front of the school. Classes ended for the day, but he hesitated to go home. He shifted from one foot to the other and watched the campus lawn as students left the building. He wanted to see Ann Statesman. Maybe today she’d be alone. So far, she’d been with her friend Agnes Brothers. Sometimes Agnes’ older brother, Todd, was with them. Maybe no one would accompany her today. Ever since he met her in class, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind. He’d wanted to talk to her sooner but didn’t know what to say. This time he had planned some things he could say to her.
“Hi, Kent.”
He turned around and saw that Rebecca was standing behind him. He hadn’t heard her approach. Glancing back at the school where he didn’t see Ann, he said, “Hi,” and reluctantly turned his attention back to Rebecca. “Do you need something?”
She shook her head. “No. I just wanted to see how things are going. Adjusting to a new place and all. It must be difficult.”
“Not really. One place is as good as another.”
“I’ve been to New York. It was a year ago. I got to see the Statue of Liberty. Did you ever see it?”
He looked back at the school entrance. “Yes. A couple of times.” Catching sight of Ann leaving the school, he said, “I have to go. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to New York.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he hurried over to Ann. She was alone today! If he didn’t act quick, he might not get another chance for a long time. “Ann!” he called out.
Ann halted in midstep and turned to face him. “Good afternoon, Kent.”
When he caught up to her, he gestured to her books. “I’d be happy to carry those home for you, if it’s alright?”
Blushing, she nodded and handed them to him. “Thank you.”
“Which way do you live?” The truth was, he already knew since he caught sight of her carriage in front of her house three days ago, but he was afraid if he admitted it, then she’d wonder if he was following her. And he wasn’t following her. He was just taking note of the things she did.
“I’m four blocks in that direction.” She pointed down the sidewalk.
He fell in step beside her, his heart beating with excitement. As long as he didn’t say anything wrong, he might get a chance to court her. “That’s not far from where I am. I’m three blocks away.”
“Oh, your family is the one who moved into the Hubbards’ old residence.”
“I suppose. I didn’t take note of who lived there before.”
She smiled. “They were an elderly couple. They moved to Boston to be closer to their son.”
An image of his parents moving closer to be near him made his skin crawl. His hope had been in going back to New York and sending them money as they needed it. He hoped they had the same desire.
“We talked briefly before, shortly after your arrival here,” she began, her cheeks a lovely shade of pink.
“Yes, I remember.” Like he could ever forget the moment she walked into the classroom and everything else around him had faded so she became his focal point. Recalling the boy she’d been talking to in a friendly manner, he said, “I wasn’t too forward in introducing myself, was I? I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but I did interrupt the conversation you were having with Todd.”
“No, you didn’t interrupt anything. I’ve known Todd for as long as I can remember.” After a moment of silence, she added, “I’ve also known Alex for almost that long. I hope you don’t think we’re all the same way he is, pulling the pranks that aren’t as funny as he thinks they are.”
He grimaced. The afternoon when Alex ruined his pants still bothered him. “I didn’t think anyone else were the same as him.”
“Good. Because we’re not.”
“He doesn’t seem to bother most people.”
She shook her head and adjusted her hat to better shield her eyes from the sun. “I think it’s because his father is a prominent member of society. Plus, many students have respect for Todd and he’s close friends with Todd. I think most of them overlook what Alex does because they like Todd.”
Since she’d brought up Todd again, he wondered if she harbored romantic feelings toward him. “So,” he began, wondering how he could best word his question, “has Todd asked to court you?”
Her eyes grew wide and she gasped. “No! My family is well acquainted with his, but that’s all there is to it. I have no desire to be with him in that manner.”
Relieved, he relaxed his hold on her books. That was the best news he’d received since he came here. His parents wanted to see him marry a young woman from a wealthy family, and she caught his interest. Perhaps he could satisfy his parents and be happy.
“I hear you come from New York,” she said.
“Yes.”
“I hear there’s much to do there.”
“There is. Theatre, art, music… It’s a place filled with culture. I’d like to return there once I find a job after we graduate.”
“Oh.”
Noting the slight disappointment in her voice, he ventured, “And of course, I’d take the lady I marry with me.”
Her cheeks grew a brighter shade of pink and her smile widened. “Oh?”
Sensing her interest, he grinned. “I can tell you more about New York sometime.”
“I’d love to learn more about it. I only know what a friend told me, and she made it sound fascinating.”
“It is. There’s always something exciting to do.” They reached her house, and his steps slowed. “Thank you for letting me walk you home.” He waited until they reached her front door before he handed her her books. “Can I walk you home tomorrow?”
With a nod, she said, “Yes, you may.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He waited until she entered her house before he headed home, feeling much better about his future than he had since he moved to Virginia.
March 17, 2013
Story Sample Sunday: Falling In Love With Her Husband
Yes, I wrote Falling In Love With Her Husband from the first person point of view, and it was given from Ann’s Point of View and Todd’s Point of View. It turned out to be confusing, so I never did this method of storytelling again. (Live and learn.)
Tomorrow, I’m posting a new scene from Kent Ashton’s Backstory, so I wanted to present this post as a background to go with it. The scene tomorrow takes place after this scene I’m posting today.
Note: Falling In Love With Her Husband is the combination and revision of Todd’s Bride and Ann’s Groom. Please do not waste your time reading Todd’s Bride or Ann’s Groom. Read Falling In Love With Her Husband instead.
***
This is Ann’s Point of View
On Monday, I entered the classroom. I quickly waved to Debbie and Rachel as I headed straight for my desk.
“Ann, may I say something?” Todd asked as I passed him.
I stopped, not because I wanted to but because it would be rude if I didn’t. I clutched my books to my chest and waited. He wouldn’t say anything in front of the entire class. Would he? I had the sinking sensation that he wanted to court me and hoped to make sure the conversation regarding it never came up.
He stood up. He smoothed his hair and adjusted his tie. “I’m glad to see you made it.”
I shrugged. “It was either come here or stay bored at home, staring at the walls.” It was a dumb joke but it was all I could think of. I glanced at my seat which was a couple of rows from him.
“Did I upset you Friday when I talked about Alex? I know he bothers you.”
“You’re his friend. I expect you to mention him.” I sighed. “I suppose he shouldn’t irk me so. I mean, it’s not like he does anything to me and no one else seems to mind his pranks. It probably doesn’t help that I keep calling him Creepy Alex either.”
He chuckled. “He calls you Scary Annie.”
I frowned. “I’m not scary.”
“Well, you did hit him with a broom.”
I giggled. “That was funny, wasn’t it?”
“Good for you,” someone interrupted. “I think Creepy Alex is an apt term. However, I can’t imagine you being scary, even if you did come after me with a broom.”
I paused and turned around so I could see the person who spoke. Dark brown hair, clear green eyes, and a great smile. This had to be Kent. And he was handsome! I imagined someone from New York would be fascinating but he put all of my fantasies to shame. I thought he was rude to listen to what Todd and I said, but since he set his books on the desk in front of Todd, I realized he couldn’t help but overhear if that’s where he had to sit.
“I’m Kent Ashton.” He kissed my hand.
I stared at him, bewildered that he could be so bold. That must be how New Yorkers were. Bold and charming. I cleared my throat. “Todd told me you came here last week.”
“Yes. My family moved from New York.”
“I know. He told me that too.”
“We can always talk later when your family comes over to see mine,” Todd said.
Remembering Todd, I looked at him. “What?”
His smile faltered. “Never mind. I just wanted to apologize for mentioning Alex on Friday.”
“Oh. It’s alright. I wasn’t upset with you.”
He nodded and sat down.
Blushing, because Kent still had his beautiful green eyes on me, I shyly said that it was nice to meet him and walked to my desk. I had no idea what to say to him. He was much more sophisticated than me. To my surprise, he followed me.
“May I hang your coat in the back of the room?”
My heart skipped a beat. “Uh…” None of the young men had offered to do that before. But Kent was from New York. Maybe young men did that kind of thing there.
“I promise I won’t run off with it,” he teased.
I laughed. “I know.”
Feeling somewhat awkward and aware that Debbie and Rachel watched me with amused expressions, I took my coat off and handed it to him. I watched as he put it on one of the hooks.
He returned to me. “I hope you don’t think I’m overstepping my bounds, but I think you’re the best looking lady in this room.” Then he went to his seat.
My eyes grew wide. He was definitely bold! I numbly sat down and stared ahead at the front of the room where the teacher was getting the day’s lecture ready. Kent Ashton was better than I thought he’d be. The teacher stood up to speak, so I turned to my books and got my things ready for the day.
March 13, 2013
Mitch’s Win is Available on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble!
I had a little issue with the formatting so I didn’t post this right away. The formatting looks like it’s been worked out (and I went through every page to make sure), so I feel comfortable posting the links now. I decided to go through PubIt, so it’s up on Barnes and Noble, too. I see that this book has been approved for premium distribution in Smashwords, so I expect it to be up on Kobo, Sony, Apple, and Diesel within a month.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mitchs-Win-eboo...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mitch...
If you signed up to be on my email list and didn’t receive the email I sent out earlier today to notify everyone on my list about this book’s availability, please fill out the form below and I’ll add you to the list. Two email addresses came back to me with a “couldn’t send this out so had to return it” message. (The reason I use a form is to protect your email. I try to keep all emails private.)
Only fill out this form if you signed up for my email list to be notified of new releases and didn’t get my email when I sent it out this afternoon.
[contact-form]
March 12, 2013
Announcing the Winners of the “Smell the Roses” Giveaway
Congratulations to the three winners!
First place: Nayda Torres
Second place: Sandie W.
Third place: Kesia Saenz
I just sent an email to the winners, so if you’re reading this and your name is on the list, check your inbox. :-)
***
The next giveaway I’ll run will be with Melanie Nilles, and we’ll be giving away contemporary romances featuring a beach. More information will be coming next month.
March 10, 2013
Update on What I’m Doing
I know it’s Sunday, and I usually post a sample from one of my books. But today I’ve been spending most of my time in Runaway Bride. So I thought instead of posting a story sample, I’d do a post updating everyone on what I’m doing.
Mitch’s Win
Mitch’s Win is back quicker than I expected from the people I sent it to, and I’m working on the final stage of the process to get it ready for publication. At this rate, I expect to have an earlier release date than the 25th date I planned. I’m hoping to have it up within a week to 10 days. I’ll send out an email to everyone on my “new release” list and announce when it’s available on this blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
Runaway Bride
Runaway Bride is almost done. There’s a good chance I could finish the first draft this week. My focus will be taking care of Mitch’s Win and completing the first draft of this book for this week. (This is why I’m not going to bother with the sample or a “inspiration for the book” post tomorrow.) I hope to publish this book mid-to-late April. *fingers crossed*
His Abducted Bride
I haven’t touched this book since I completed the first draft of Mitch’s Win. My hope is to get back to this and dive right in where I left off. I figure I have almost 1/3 of this book done. I’d like to complete the Across the Stars series before this summer, so I’m planning to focus my attention on this. I was thinking of doing 600 words a day, but I’ll give it a chance and try doing more than that to see if I can finish the first draft sooner.
Other Books I’m Planning to Write In the Near Future
I’ve been getting a ton of requests for Perry (Lord Clement)’s book. For those of you who are new to this blog, Perry was Nate’s best friend in The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife. I do plan to write his book, The Earl’s Scandalous Wife, this year. My current plan is to get to it sometime in April.
I’m not sure if I’ll work on Blackmailing the Countess (which used to be titled His Reluctant Lady) around the same time as I work on The Earl’s Scandalous Wife. I’d like to, but sometimes I have to go with inspiration. I think I know how this book will play out. I stopped at 9,000 words into it because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next.
Kent Ashton’s Backstory
I haven’t forgotten about this. I’m just going to write each scene as it comes to me.
***
I also have Boaz’s Wager and Patty’s Gamble, but I probably won’t spend much time on them until I can get Runaway Bride published. I can only do so much at a time. :-)
***
Don’t forget. Janet Syas Nitsick and I will announce the winners of our giveaway this Tuesday (March 12). After we get the winners’ addresses, we’ll get to work on sending out the gifts. :D
March 8, 2013
Interview with Boaz Grady (Brother of the Hero in Mitch’s Win)
Well, word got to Boaz about the interview I had with my husband, and as I suspected, Boaz wants to give his side of the story.
Ruth: Hey, Boaz! Welcome to my blog.
Boaz: I wasn’t sure if I should come on today. I mean, I’m not even the main character in Mitch’s Win. I’m just his brother.
Ruth: That doesn’t matter. As long as you’re willing to talk, I’m happy to have you on. It gives everyone a nice break from my posts where I just give updates on what I’m doing. It’s good to mix it up a bit with different types of posts. So, in your email to me, you said you had something you wanted to tell my husband?
Boaz Grady, Mitch’s brother in Mitch’s Win
Boaz: Yes, you’re right. I do have something to say. I understand I make him uneasy in Mitch’s Win because I did a lot of crying, but life isn’t always pretty. There are some unpleasant things that happen in this world. Just because they aren’t pleasant, does that mean we should shove it under the rug and pretend like it never happened? I lost my wife during childbirth, and the worst part of the experience was that she kept begging me to save her and I couldn’t. So not only did she die, but I kept thinking there must have been something I could have done but didn’t. It took a long time before I came to grips with the fact that I did all I could and the rest was out of my control.
Ruth: I got to tell you, after hearing that, I think this is going to be a serious post. I haven’t done an interview that wasn’t funny before.
Boaz: So? You just said you like to mix things up and do different types of posts. Well, this can be the time you write an interview that isn’t funny.
Ruth: Point taken.
Boaz: But it’s not all gloom and doom. I mean, you plan to write my book.
Ruth: Yes, and I’m not going to call it “Boaz Weeps Again”. I’m calling it “Boaz’s Wager”. That’s where you’ll have your romance. But in order to appreciate how things will be for you in that book, I thought it was important to show where you were in Mitch’s Win. I like to show characters who start out in a bad situation and change things for the better.
Boaz: Because where you’ve been isn’t as important as where you’re going.
Ruth: Exactly.
Boaz: But this whole thing about me and my role in the book isn’t fair to Mitch and Heather. It’s their book, not mine.
Ruth: Don’t sell yourself short. You have a pivotal role in the book. There’s a reason you were my favorite character. Anyway, so while I have you here, what’s your favorite scene in Mitch’s Win?
Boaz: The part where Mitch marries Heather.
Ruth: Really?
Boaz: Yeah. After all Mitch has done for me, it was nice to see him happy. Things didn’t always go his way.
Ruth: It sounds like you and Mitch have a good relationship.
Boaz: Growing up, yes, and at the end of the book we do. But I have to tell you there was the time in between that was iffy. Now, that doesn’t mean we didn’t get along. It’s just that after Hannah decided to marry me instead of Mitch, thing were strained a bit. But you know, Mitch is the type who doesn’t let the past get in the way of things, so we were always on speaking terms. It was just strained for a while, that’s all. Then Hannah died, and that’s when everything went downhill for me. When it went downhill, it went downhill fast. One night of drinking to numb the pain turned into a second night and then a third. I don’t even remember how I ended up drinking all the time. But even then Mitch was there to help me. Mitch is the type who gives to others without a thought to himself. There were many times when I wished I was like him.
Ruth: You don’t need to be Mitch to be the hero, Boaz. When we get to your book, I think you’ll find that the best person you can be is Boaz, not Mitch. Mitch has his strengths, and so do you. The thing is, your strengths are different, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Boaz: It’d be nice to do things right for a change.
Ruth: You will. Like I said, it’s not where we’ve been. It’s where we’re going.
Boaz: Would you do me one favor before we end this post?
Ruth: What’s that?
Boaz: Can I see who the heroine in Boaz’s Wager is going to be?
Eva Connealy, heroine in Boaz’s Wager
Ruth: Sure. She’s Eva Connealy. She is the youngest child born to Joseph and Margaret Connealy (the couple featured in “A Husband for Margaret”). She had a small role in Isaac’s Decision. She’s the school teacher who had a crush on Isaac Larson, but Isaac ended up with Emily Craftsman instead.
Boaz: Doesn’t she belong in the Nebraska Romance Collection?
Ruth: After much debate, I decided to put her in the Montana Romance Collection. I was going to originally put you in the Nebraska collection, but it turns out it’s easier to keep you in Montana and to have her come up there.
Boaz: What is she doing in that picture?
Ruth: Oh, she’s getting ready for the book. She insisted on creating her own wardrobe. Apparently, the clothes I selected weren’t up to her standards, whatever that means. Something about lacking historical authenticity, blah blah blah. I just let it go in one ear and out the other.
Boaz: She’s not going to think she’s too good for me, is she?
Ruth: Honestly, I have no idea what her initial impression of you will be. It’s obvious she’s somewhat of a snob from her role in Isaac’s Decision, but that might have been a cover for insecurity. *shrugs* Until I start writing her point of view in your book, I won’t know how things will go. All I know is that you two will be happy in the end.
Boaz: Oh. Well, as long as I know the end is going to be a good ending, I guess I can handle whatever will come my way. When will you start my book?
Ruth: Tonight. But I’m going to start off slow because I still have Mitch’s Win to polish up and Runaway Bride to finish before the month is up.
Boaz: So when is my book going to be out?
Ruth: Well, that depends on how easy you and Eva are to work with. If everything goes smoothly, I expect this fall to be the publishing time frame. But if you two don’t tell me what to write next, then it’ll take longer. It all depends on what you guys do. Mitch’s Win took me a year and a half because no one could figure out what to do next. It was annoying.
Boaz: I’ll try to be an easy character to work with.
Ruth: Let’s end this post so I can get started. :)
***
Picture credits:
image used for Boaz: © Megdypro4im | Dreamstime.com
image used for Eva: © Candybox Images | Dreamstime.com
March 7, 2013
Interview with My Husband (Debating Whether Or Not It’s Okay for a Man to Cry)
For the first time ever, my husband is going to make an appearance on this blog! Ready to meet him? Here he is…
My husband who refuses to show his face. Could it be because he’s crying and doesn’t want anyone to know?
Ruth: Don’t be shy. Take off your hood and show everyone how good looking you are, sweetie.
Husband: I’m not shy. I’m embarrassed.
Ruth: Why?
Husband: Because of what I read in Mitch’s Win.
Ruth: But I thought you said the story had some good lessons.
Husband: Yeah. Lessons in how not to be a real man. By the way, I am NOT crying. I am ashamed my wife’s favorite character in Mitch’s Win is a big sissy.
Ruth: A big sissy?
Husband: Yeah. Mitch’s brother, Boaz. He’s super annoying because all he did was cry. I keep telling you, men don’t cry.
Ruth: Nonsense. Men do cry.
Husband: I’m a man. I know how men are. And they don’t cry. Ever.
Ruth: Sure, they do. They can feel sad just like women do.
Boaz cries again and again and again…
Husband: *sighs* You know nothing about men. There’s a code among us. Even if we have feel sad, we know better than to show it. Boaz took it to the extreme. I mean, just about every single scene had him sobbing like a little girl. The book – Mitch’s Win – itself was okay. All you need to do it get rid of Boaz. I liked Mitch. I liked Greg. I even like the scummy Abe. Abe might have been a bad guy, but at least he didn’t cry all the time. I swear, after a while, I was hoping one of the other characters was going to off Boaz just to put him out of his misery…and mine. It was painful to read how wimpy he was.
Ruth: First of all, Boaz doesn’t even look like that. Second, Boaz watched his wife die in childbirth. He turned to alcohol to dull the pain. Then he became an alcoholic.
Husband: Even if he was an alcoholic, I don’t see why he needs to cry.
Ruth: Different personality types will respond to loss and alcohol dependence in different ways.
Husband: I hate it when you put on your Psychology hat.
Ruth: It’s the truth. People react to situations differently. Boaz happens to be more sensitive to things than Mitch is.
Husband: I like Mitch. He was a real man.
Ruth: *groans* Mitch also didn’t lose a wife.
Husband: But this book begins two years after she died. Two years!
Ruth: Some people stay in pain longer than others. And quite frankly, alcohol would delay any healing.
How my husband envisions Boaz’s book.
Husband: Good grief. I wish you never got your Psychology degree. All you ever do is examine people and why they say or do the things they do. Sometimes you just got to call a spade a spade. Boaz is a crybaby. His book shouldn’t be called “Boaz’s Wager”. It should be called “Boaz Weeps Again” because we all know this guy is going to see a butterfly flutter across the prairie and cry about it.
Ruth: Oh come on. He is happy at the end of Mitch’s Win. He’s no longer drinking and has worked through the past.
Husband: I refuse to believe it. The guy will cry buckets of tears in his own book. *shudders*
Ruth: I noticed you entered the giveaway Janet Syas Nitsick and I are running.
Husband: Yes, I did. I want some flowers or the bath set. Mother’s Day is coming up in May and I don’t feel like shopping to get you a gift. Oh wait. Did I just say that last part aloud?
Ruth: Yes, you did. And just wait. I’ll give you something to cry about when we’re done with this interview, pal.
Husband: See what I put up with as Ruth’s husband?
Ruth: Anyway, you can’t win the giveaway because you’re my husband. It’d be a conflict of interest.
Husband: Conflict of interest….or discrimination?
Ruth: *laughs* Discrimination?
Husband: You have something against men who don’t cry.
Ruth: *rolls eyes* Anyway, I wanted to share your answers with everyone.
Husband: And you wonder why I’m wearing the hood to conceal my identity?
Ruth: *ignores husband* The first question asked in the giveaway is “In Lockets and Lanterns, Red is keeping a secret from his wife. What do you think the secret is?” Your answer: “Boaz taught Red that it’s okay for a man to cry, and Red is too ashamed to admit this to his wife.”
Husband: I’d be ashamed, too, if I was Red. I hope that secret never gets out. I’d hate for other men to end up like Boaz.
Ruth: And the second question is, “Of all the books you’ve read by Ruth Ann Nordin, which heroine would you be and why?” Your answer: “I wouldn’t be any of them. I’m a dude.”
Husband: Well, it’s true.
Ruth: Is there anything else you wish to say before we end this interview?
Husband. Yes, there is. Someone please tell Boaz to stop crying. It’s embarrassing to men everywhere.
Ruth: That’s it for this interview. I have a feeling Boaz will want to come on to give his rebuttal soon. ;)
Husband: If he does, I hope he brings a handkerchief. He’ll be sobbing through the whole thing.
Oldest son steps in to say: I didn’t laugh through this entire interview. I didn’t cry either. Men who cry are babies.
***
Credits for pictures used in this post:
image used for Husband: © Alexey Kovalchuk | Dreamstime.com
image used for a crying Boaz: © Ninamalyna | Dreamstime.com
image used for mock cover of “Boaz Weeps Again”: © Corolanty | Dreamstime.com
March 5, 2013
“Smell the Roses” Giveaway by Yours Truly and Janet Syas Nitsick
For our giveaway, Janet and I decided to do something a little special. We want to giveaway some books and a couple of special gifts. More information can be found out about the books below by going to Janet’s website for Lockets and Lanterns and Ruth Ann’s website for Eye of the Beholder, Bid for a Bride, and The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife.
Please note: Janet Syas Nitsick’s book is rated G and my books are rated R.
What we’re giving away:
Grand Prize
Six roses delivered to your door by a florist and four books – Lockets and Lanterns, Eye of the Beholder, Bid for a Bride, The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife – mailed in a separate package
Second Prize
Rose Garden Bath and Body Purse Gift Basket + Lockets and Lanterns + Eye of the Beholder, Bid for a Bride, The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife
Third Prize
Lockets and Lanters + Eye of the Beholder, Bid for a Bride + The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife
How to enter this giveaway:
Fill out the form below…and have fun answering the questions. :)
How we’ll choose the winners:
We’ll put everyone who enters into a list at random.org. The first one random.org picks on the list wins the first prize, the second one wins the second prize, and the third one wins the third prize.
When and how we’ll announce the winners:
We’ll announce the winners on Tuesday, March 12. We’ll post the winners on this blog and over at Janet Syas Nitsick’s blog. Then we’ll link the blog posts to Twitter and Facebook.
So if you want to enter, fill out the form below and click the submit button. :)
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March 3, 2013
It’s Read an Ebook Week at Smashwords! (Good From March 3 – March 9)
Hey, everyone! I’ve been busy all week editing Mitch’s Win. Now I’m done and have handed off the book to my editing and proofreading team to look it over. This puts me right on track to publish Mitch’s Win around March 25th. :)
Since I was editing this week, I didn’t have time to prepare anything for my usual story sample. But…
The good news is that today starts Read an Ebook Week at Smashwords, and I have listed some of my books in this promotion.
Please note: this sale is only good from March 3 – March 9.
Here they are and the sales that go with them:
Free Ebooks (Use Coupon RW100 When Checking Out)
This is the book that started me on romantic comedies and still one of my favorites. Jake Mitchell and Sue Lewis need to get married, and though they aren’t particularly fond of each other, they agree after six months, they’ll annul the marriage and go their separate ways. Too bad their family and friends are determined to keep them together. ;)
Mary Peters despairs she’ll never find a husband, so she answers a mail-order bride ad and goes to Omaha, Nebraska to marry him. But the man she comes for takes one look at her and rejects her because of her homely appearance. Dave Larson, however, watches the way she handles herself and decides she’ll make an ideal wife. Mary accepts Dave’s offer of marriage but knows their union will never bear the fruit of love. Love, after all, is for beautiful women. Isn’t it?
Falling In Love With Her Husband
For those of you searching for Todd’s Bride or Ann’s Groom, this is the book you want to read. This book combines both Todd’s Bride and Ann’s Groom into one novel. I did do some light revisions when I put them together, but those revisions made the book better.
Falling In Love With Her Husbands starts in Virginia where Ann Stateman’s courtship with Kent Ashton ended in disaster. Deciding that her choice in men is horrible (since she chose Kent and her parents didn’t like him), she decides to marry the man her parents want to see her with–Todd Brothers.
Todd has loved Ann for the longest time, so when she asks him to take her to North Dakota with him, he agrees. But he can’t help but wonder if he’s made a mistake. And that fear only gets worse when Kent shows up.
Special note: I am currently writing Kent Ashton’s Backstory which tells Kent’s point of view of everything that happens in this book. (I am posting Kent Ashton’s Backstory on this blog as I get around to writing them, and when I’m done, I will put them into an ebook and publish it.) There was more to his story than what Ann or Todd or ever knew. So this book complements Kent’s story. I plan to write Kent’s romance later this year in Lassoing Her Groom. So if you want the whole “story” on Kent, then Falling In Love With Her Husband will complement Kent Asthon’s Backstory and Lassoing Her Groom.
As soon as Sally Larson meets Rick Johnson, she knows he’s the one for her. The catch? He’s interested in her friend, Ethel Mae. But Sally has a plan. With Ethel Mae’s help, she convinces Rick that the only way he’ll get Ethel Mae is to make her jealous. He agrees, but he has a trick or two up his sleeve. Sally just might find that the one playing cat is really the mouse.
When Ted and Megan board the Amtrak, the last thing they expect is to be thrown back into the past. As if that isn’t bad enough, the people insist that they marry at once! But Ted and Megan don’t even know each other, and despite their protests, the preacher announces them man and wife. This romantic comedy takes a light-hearted look at time travel and the joy of finding unexpected love.
Disclaimer: Substitute Bride used to be under my pen name Kate Page.
Kevin Edwards stands to inherit one million dollars. The catch? He must get married by Valentine’s Day. And he chooses Tammy who is all wrong for him. Can his best friend, Alexandra (Alex) Dixon, convince him that things will be much better if they become more than friends or will he say “I do” to the wrong woman?
Special Note: I am currently writing Just Good Friends which will feature Tyler Jackson, who is Nathan’s best friend in What Nathan Wants). So if you want a little background on Tyler and would like to get to know Nathan who’ll show up in Just Good Friends, this book is worth reading ahead of time. Just Good Friends is projected to come out around November since it’s a holiday romance. :)
Here’s the plot for What Nathan Wants:
What could a man who already has everything possibly want? How about a baby? Nathan Rudolph interviews all the single women in his company. They think they might get a job promotion, but he comes with a marriage license instead. And the winner isn’t happy. But he’s dealt with difficult people before and is certain that, in no time at all, he can win his new wife over.
Books at 50% Off (Use Coupon REW50 When Checking Out)
Ethan Silverton, the Lord of Edon, prides himself on his notorious reputation as a rake because it frees him from having to get married. But one little lie and a meddlesome mother forces him into a situation where he has to marry the most boring lady he can imagine, Lady Catherine.
Special note: Lady Catherine and Lord Edon made brief appearances in The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife, which you can find on Smashwords free if you’d like to read a little bit about Lady Catherine and Lord Edon’s past.
Julia Milton said good-bye to two men in her life. Ernest who was a part of her safe and familiar world. Then there was Chogan who stirred her passion but came from the Mandan tribe-a man who lived a life foreign to her own. Will she choose the safe and familiar path or embrace her passions?
Special Note: This is book 2 in the Native American Romance Series. Book 1 is Restoring Hope which is free on Smashwords already at this link. You can read the story of how Julia and Chogan met in Restoring Hope.
Special Note: This is book 3 in the Native American Romance Series. Book 1 is Restoring Hope which is free on Smashwords already at this link. You can get some background into Onawa and Citlali in Restoring Hope (book 1) and Brave Beginnings (book 2).
The day Onawa eagerly anticipated has finally come. She is to be Citlali’s wife. But what she doesn’t realize is that his ambitions to be the next chief could be more powerful than his feelings for her. Will she ever find a prominent place in his life, or will she end up taking second place to the tribe?
The Duchess of Watkins’ husband just died, and her unscrupulous brother-in-law is ready to step in as the Duke of Watkins. In desperation, the duchess enlists the help of the butler, and the two agree to quietly bury her husband and pretend he’s still alive. It will be a secret they will take to their graves.
After burying him in a forest, they come across a gentleman who has been beaten and left for dead. And this gentleman happens to look exactly like her husband. Seeing this as the answer to their prayers, they take him home in hopes he’ll agree to be the new Duke of Watkins. There’s only one problem. When he wakes up, he doesn’t remember who he is.
Dare they replace her husband with a counterfeit? And if they do, what consequences will come as a result of their lie?
April Edwards, a young widow, is content to manage a farm with her fourteen-year-old brother and a one-year-old daughter. Nothing, after all, could be worse than being married to her deceased husband. Nothing, that is, until her unscrupulous brother-in-law decides to marry her. With no other recourse, April and her brother concoct a plan–one that involves the unsuspecting doctor’s assistant, Joel Larson.
Joel Larson doesn’t want to be married. In fact, he’s perfectly happy with things the way they are, but when he’s sent to check on April’s sick child, things take an unexpected turn for the worse. In one instant, he finds a gun and a mandate to marry April staring him in the face. Can a marriage that begins with a shotgun be just the thing Joel needs or has April just confined herself to another miserable marriage?
To See A Complete List of My Books On Smashwords, Click Here
