Sarah Richmond's Blog, page 3
July 10, 2015
One Author's Journey
I recently asked for my rights back to my first book, Lady in Waiting. The book had received four stars from Romantic Times reviewer Gerry Benninger, was a finalist for an EPPIE, and had been voted ‘Favorite Historical Romance’ at sim-gen.com.
What could I do with it?
C.J. Lyons who writes medical romances and Bella Andre who writes contemporary, recently spoke at my Romance Writers of America-San Diego chapter about self-publishing. Both of these authors are successful in self-publishing and encouraged authors to take this path.
Dare I take the plunge?
First of all, you have to put some money into the enterprise. There are fees for a beta-read, proofreading, cover design, cover art and formatting. Armed with a little capital and the belief that I had a good story, I decided to give self-publishing a try.
Happily, there are several free guide books ready to download on your Kindle or I-pad. I read all three.
Smashwords Style GuideSmashwords Marketing GuidePublish on Amazon Kindle
These books are filled with techno-speak and not for the timid, but they do give the reader a feel for what’s involved. Spoiler alert: Writing is creative and surprising and often difficult, requiring the writer to go out of her comfort zone.
So I polished the book and sent it to former teacher and no-nonsense beta reader Karen Lawson at: theproofisinthereading.wordpress.com. Karen gave me her honest impression of the story, pointed out some inconsistencies (the book is a time travel) and kept reminding me when the book strayed from the path of fulfilling the promise to the reader to tell a believable time travel with a satisfying and happy ending.
I addressed Karen’s concerns with a light rewrite and because the book had changed, I named the new, improved book Past Forgetting. Next I found Dreamstime.com and bought artwork for the cover. When my heroine leaves her stately home, she steps out into Edwardian England. I wanted to show that transition on the cover. Once I bought some artwork, I sent it to my web designer Shelley at Web Crafters. Bella Andre makes her own covers but I didn’t have the confidence to go out on that limb alone.
Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, has a list of recommended cover artists and format designers. Here’s the address to request the list: https:www.smashwords.com/list
Formatting the manuscript for publication can be done by the author using the Style Guide. I sent Past Imperfect to one of the names on Mark’s List, John Low at E-Book Launch to format the book which saved me time.
Once you have a formatted manuscript, a cover you love and a blurb, it’s time to fill out the form at Smashwords. They will assign you an ISBN number for booksellers to find the work or you can buy an ISBN number from Bowker.com. Convert your file to HTML and send to Amazon.com.
Pricing is up to the author and changing the pricing is easy using the author’s dashboard. Both Smashwords and Amazon have promotions which they will email you about so you can change your book price if you want.
Where am I now?
Still trekking. There’s plenty of marketing to do. Self-publishing was totally out of my wheelhouse, but quite frankly, I enjoyed creating something new out of something old!
Sarah Richmond
www.Sarahrichmond.com
What could I do with it?
C.J. Lyons who writes medical romances and Bella Andre who writes contemporary, recently spoke at my Romance Writers of America-San Diego chapter about self-publishing. Both of these authors are successful in self-publishing and encouraged authors to take this path.
Dare I take the plunge?
First of all, you have to put some money into the enterprise. There are fees for a beta-read, proofreading, cover design, cover art and formatting. Armed with a little capital and the belief that I had a good story, I decided to give self-publishing a try.
Happily, there are several free guide books ready to download on your Kindle or I-pad. I read all three.
Smashwords Style GuideSmashwords Marketing GuidePublish on Amazon Kindle
These books are filled with techno-speak and not for the timid, but they do give the reader a feel for what’s involved. Spoiler alert: Writing is creative and surprising and often difficult, requiring the writer to go out of her comfort zone.
So I polished the book and sent it to former teacher and no-nonsense beta reader Karen Lawson at: theproofisinthereading.wordpress.com. Karen gave me her honest impression of the story, pointed out some inconsistencies (the book is a time travel) and kept reminding me when the book strayed from the path of fulfilling the promise to the reader to tell a believable time travel with a satisfying and happy ending.
I addressed Karen’s concerns with a light rewrite and because the book had changed, I named the new, improved book Past Forgetting. Next I found Dreamstime.com and bought artwork for the cover. When my heroine leaves her stately home, she steps out into Edwardian England. I wanted to show that transition on the cover. Once I bought some artwork, I sent it to my web designer Shelley at Web Crafters. Bella Andre makes her own covers but I didn’t have the confidence to go out on that limb alone.
Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, has a list of recommended cover artists and format designers. Here’s the address to request the list: https:www.smashwords.com/list
Formatting the manuscript for publication can be done by the author using the Style Guide. I sent Past Imperfect to one of the names on Mark’s List, John Low at E-Book Launch to format the book which saved me time.
Once you have a formatted manuscript, a cover you love and a blurb, it’s time to fill out the form at Smashwords. They will assign you an ISBN number for booksellers to find the work or you can buy an ISBN number from Bowker.com. Convert your file to HTML and send to Amazon.com.
Pricing is up to the author and changing the pricing is easy using the author’s dashboard. Both Smashwords and Amazon have promotions which they will email you about so you can change your book price if you want.
Where am I now?
Still trekking. There’s plenty of marketing to do. Self-publishing was totally out of my wheelhouse, but quite frankly, I enjoyed creating something new out of something old!
Sarah Richmond
www.Sarahrichmond.com
April 24, 2015
Do you like time travel romance? Past Forgetting is ...
Do you like time travel romance? Past Forgetting is available from Amazon.com When Joanna Blake leaves the safety of her house in Bristol, England, she steps into a time slip. She wants more than anything to live in the present. Will Thomas harbors revenge toward the Blakes who swindled his family years ago. He intends to reclaim what is his, including the house called Little Withey Mead. Will must persuade Joanna to take him to the past, but Joanna fears traveling back to time could be too risky. Only an abiding love will change their world, but in ways neither of them could have ever imagined.
http://www.amazon.com/Past-Forgetting-Time-Travel-Romance-ebook/dp/B00IUTHW72/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429918043&sr=1-3&keywords=past+forgetting
Bio: Sarah Richmond lived in Bristol, England for two years and was intrigued that the houses had their own names. The novel Past Forgetting was born in the house she rented but renamed Little Withey Mead. Today she resides in San Diego where the weather is drier but the houses are rather duller.
April 11, 2015
Excerpts from Brides of Serendipity
Here are the excerpts you requested:
BRIDES OF SERENDIPITY COLLECTION
I'm a big fan of American history, and a trip to Fallon, Nevada inspired these books. Along side the highway is a sign designating the town of Ragtown a historical site—now a ghost town. Once a thriving trading post where the wagon trains stopped to rest after an arduous journey across the Forty Mile desert, Ragtown found its place in the history books.
I hope you enjoy these three novellas about three ladies who found love and purpose in a place called Ragtown.
Sarah Richmond
Excerpt from ‘Courtin’ Dory’
Harley leaned closer. He did have amazing eyes that showed kindness. "Would it be all right if I kissed you?"Dory's heart beat wildly and she drew in a quick breath. She'd no experience with the rightness or wrongness of letting him kiss her. She only knew she wanted him to.She closed her eyes and tilted her head upwards. His rough hand rested on her cheek bones."You smell so good," he said. "Sweet, like spring water." She opened one eye. "Are you gonna kiss me or talk?"
Excerpt from ‘Barrett’s Law’
Before he could take off, Lena leaned over and grabbed the bridle of his horse. The mare stepped back but Lena held on firmly. All her life she played the hand she was dealt. But not this time.Henry Barrett was going to listen."I'm not a wrangler and I'm not accustomed to sitting a horse but I'm capable, you said so yourself. I'm a hard worker and did a fair job patching you up. Seems to me out here where the land needs taming and the law's neglectful, a woman like myself would be useful."She let his horse go having said her piece. What she'd told him struck at the core of the matter. He could depend on her."Lena," he said, using her given name for the first time. "You're the peskiest woman I ever did come across."She knew he spoke honestly and from the heart. Her eyes stung with tears. It was the nicest compliment she'd ever received.He smiled, by Lord in Heaven, he did. She was smiling too."I suppose if I don't let you come along," he said, "you'll just follow me anyway.""I'm glad we're beginning to understand each other."His mouth twitched. His blue eyes held her like an embrace. Lena liked what she saw.
Excerpt from ‘Rosy’
"Let me introduce you," Rosamund said. "Matthew Kincaid, this is Aunt Hester Sherry."Hester examined Matthew Kincaid as an interloper but she remembered her manners."Sheriff," Hester said, extending her gloved hand. "Ma'am," he said with rakish charm.Auntie's gaze cut him with razor sharp precision. He hadn't won her over.Sheriff Kincaid looked about as out of place on a veranda as a man could be. He took Aunt Hester's hand and shook it vigorously.Hester retrieved her hand from his grasp."Aunt Hester has traveled all the way from Richmond," Rosamund explained.
His gaze shifted to Rosamund. She saw a hint of a smile."I hope your journey was agreeable," he said with positively touching good manners.Aunt Hester recoiled as if she'd come in contact with a hot iron. "You're a Yankee," she said, responding to his flat Northern accent. "Yes, ma'am."Hester looked at him in horror."Let's go along to my house," Rosamund said, taking Hester's arm before there was a confrontation. Hester could be a formidable in an altercation. "Jason will bring your cases." "Rosamund, how can this be? A Yankee sheriff taking Jake’s place?""I will explain when we are at the house."Their sheriff put two fingers to the brim of his hat. Hester ignored him. "Luckily the house isn't far," Rosamund said, steering her aunt in that direction. "Yes, I could use a proper cup of tea." The fan came out."Make no mistake, that's a handsome woman just arrived on my stage." Aunt Hester stiffened.Rosamund shot a look of disapproval over her shoulder. The stagecoach driver rubbed his grizzled face as he watched them walk away. Matthew looked like he was about to burst out laughing. Instead, he winked at Rosamund.
"And Rosy is pretty too," Matthew said.
BRIDES OF SERENDIPITY COLLECTION
I'm a big fan of American history, and a trip to Fallon, Nevada inspired these books. Along side the highway is a sign designating the town of Ragtown a historical site—now a ghost town. Once a thriving trading post where the wagon trains stopped to rest after an arduous journey across the Forty Mile desert, Ragtown found its place in the history books.
I hope you enjoy these three novellas about three ladies who found love and purpose in a place called Ragtown.
Sarah Richmond
Excerpt from ‘Courtin’ Dory’
Harley leaned closer. He did have amazing eyes that showed kindness. "Would it be all right if I kissed you?"Dory's heart beat wildly and she drew in a quick breath. She'd no experience with the rightness or wrongness of letting him kiss her. She only knew she wanted him to.She closed her eyes and tilted her head upwards. His rough hand rested on her cheek bones."You smell so good," he said. "Sweet, like spring water." She opened one eye. "Are you gonna kiss me or talk?"
Excerpt from ‘Barrett’s Law’
Before he could take off, Lena leaned over and grabbed the bridle of his horse. The mare stepped back but Lena held on firmly. All her life she played the hand she was dealt. But not this time.Henry Barrett was going to listen."I'm not a wrangler and I'm not accustomed to sitting a horse but I'm capable, you said so yourself. I'm a hard worker and did a fair job patching you up. Seems to me out here where the land needs taming and the law's neglectful, a woman like myself would be useful."She let his horse go having said her piece. What she'd told him struck at the core of the matter. He could depend on her."Lena," he said, using her given name for the first time. "You're the peskiest woman I ever did come across."She knew he spoke honestly and from the heart. Her eyes stung with tears. It was the nicest compliment she'd ever received.He smiled, by Lord in Heaven, he did. She was smiling too."I suppose if I don't let you come along," he said, "you'll just follow me anyway.""I'm glad we're beginning to understand each other."His mouth twitched. His blue eyes held her like an embrace. Lena liked what she saw.
Excerpt from ‘Rosy’
"Let me introduce you," Rosamund said. "Matthew Kincaid, this is Aunt Hester Sherry."Hester examined Matthew Kincaid as an interloper but she remembered her manners."Sheriff," Hester said, extending her gloved hand. "Ma'am," he said with rakish charm.Auntie's gaze cut him with razor sharp precision. He hadn't won her over.Sheriff Kincaid looked about as out of place on a veranda as a man could be. He took Aunt Hester's hand and shook it vigorously.Hester retrieved her hand from his grasp."Aunt Hester has traveled all the way from Richmond," Rosamund explained.
His gaze shifted to Rosamund. She saw a hint of a smile."I hope your journey was agreeable," he said with positively touching good manners.Aunt Hester recoiled as if she'd come in contact with a hot iron. "You're a Yankee," she said, responding to his flat Northern accent. "Yes, ma'am."Hester looked at him in horror."Let's go along to my house," Rosamund said, taking Hester's arm before there was a confrontation. Hester could be a formidable in an altercation. "Jason will bring your cases." "Rosamund, how can this be? A Yankee sheriff taking Jake’s place?""I will explain when we are at the house."Their sheriff put two fingers to the brim of his hat. Hester ignored him. "Luckily the house isn't far," Rosamund said, steering her aunt in that direction. "Yes, I could use a proper cup of tea." The fan came out."Make no mistake, that's a handsome woman just arrived on my stage." Aunt Hester stiffened.Rosamund shot a look of disapproval over her shoulder. The stagecoach driver rubbed his grizzled face as he watched them walk away. Matthew looked like he was about to burst out laughing. Instead, he winked at Rosamund.
"And Rosy is pretty too," Matthew said.
April 1, 2015
Courtin' Dory, Barrett's Law and Rosy now available in a ...
Courtin' Dory, Barrett's Law and Rosy now available in a book bundle Three Books in One sold at Amazon.com
March 16, 2015
Book One and Three of the series: Brides of SerendipityTo...
Book One and Three of the series: Brides of SerendipityToday all that's left of Ragtown, Nevada is a historical market #19 by the side of the road on old route 50. In the mid-1800's, the town thrived as a stopping off place for the wagon trains before they crossed into the Sierra-Nevada mountains into California.
Ragtown is only a memory, but the pioneers who ventured west to build a nation are not forgotten.
A delightful romance and courtship between Harly Jacobs, a resident of Ragtown, and Dory, a pioneer heading west. It is a sweet story with the old west and its culture beautifully illustrated.—5 Enchantments rating from Desiree de Cleves at Enchanting Reviews
Ms. Sarah Richmond has done a great job of integrating the people of Ragtown into a collection of sweet, easily-read love stories. The main thing I noticed was that all three of the women were strong and had abilities to think and act effectively. We were not subjected to the concept that women need a man to lead. I appreciate that all three knew what was necessary to do to get the desired outcome.Both the main characters and their subordinate counterparts were believable and interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a love story with heart.—4 Hearts from Brenda Talley for The Romance Studio
While I loved every story in the book, Rosy really captured my heart. Rosy is such a strong woman that I just loved getting to know her and had to laugh at her determination to convince Matt to see things her way. This story was an emotional one and had me angry one minute and on the verge of tears the next.Sarah Richmond has written a memorable book full of wonderful characters, compelling storylines with a ‘taste’ of living and loving in one of the small towns that played such a pivotal role in the development of America. While I knew that this book would involve brides in this small community, I hadn’t anticipated the difficulties the couples would face or just how much I’d come to care about the various members of Ragtown. This is a wonderful book especially if you’re looking for a more traditional historical book.
—4 and one half Blue Ribbons from Chrissy Dionne at Romance Junkies.
Get your copy at: amazon.com
March 13, 2015
Brides of Serendipity Three Book Series: Courtin' Dory, B...
Brides of Serendipity Three Book Series: Courtin' Dory, Barrett's Law, and Rosy
Book Two, Barrett's Law, now available at Amazon.com
Reviews for Brides of Serendipity:
Sarah Richmond takes a bit of history and brings it to life. The plots are entertaining and heartwarming. Fans of romance will enjoy Brides of Serendipity. Five Stars.--ReviewYourBook.com by Anne Boling
A memorable book full of wonderful characters, compelling story lines with a 'taste' of living and loving in one of the small towns that played a pivotal role in the development of America. --Chrissy Dionne for Romance Junkies
A delightful romance and courtship between Harley Jacobs, a resident of Ragtown, and Dory, a pioneer heading west. Brides is a sweet story with the old west and its culture beautifully illustrated. --Desiree de Cleves at Enchanting Reviews
Ms. Sarah Richmond has done a great job integrating the people of Ragtown into a collection of sweet, easily-read love stories. --Brenda Talley for The Romance Studio
I truly enjoyed this trio of Western tales; my only wish would have been to read another one when they were over. --Mickey for Simply Romance Reviews
From the Author
I'm a big fan of American history, and a trip to Fallon, Nevada inspired these stories. Along side the highway is a sign designating the town of Ragtown a historical site-- now a ghost town. Once a thriving trading post where the wagon trains stopped to rest after an arduous journey across the Forty Mile desert, Ragtown found its place in the history books.
Book Two, Barrett's Law, now available at Amazon.com
Reviews for Brides of Serendipity:
Sarah Richmond takes a bit of history and brings it to life. The plots are entertaining and heartwarming. Fans of romance will enjoy Brides of Serendipity. Five Stars.--ReviewYourBook.com by Anne Boling
A memorable book full of wonderful characters, compelling story lines with a 'taste' of living and loving in one of the small towns that played a pivotal role in the development of America. --Chrissy Dionne for Romance Junkies
A delightful romance and courtship between Harley Jacobs, a resident of Ragtown, and Dory, a pioneer heading west. Brides is a sweet story with the old west and its culture beautifully illustrated. --Desiree de Cleves at Enchanting Reviews
Ms. Sarah Richmond has done a great job integrating the people of Ragtown into a collection of sweet, easily-read love stories. --Brenda Talley for The Romance Studio
I truly enjoyed this trio of Western tales; my only wish would have been to read another one when they were over. --Mickey for Simply Romance Reviews
From the Author
I'm a big fan of American history, and a trip to Fallon, Nevada inspired these stories. Along side the highway is a sign designating the town of Ragtown a historical site-- now a ghost town. Once a thriving trading post where the wagon trains stopped to rest after an arduous journey across the Forty Mile desert, Ragtown found its place in the history books.
February 20, 2015
Running on Empty
Dear Readers and Friends:
What do you reckon? I sat down and wrote a modern story and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I tried to put some humor, some relevant issues and a heaping of millennial angst in the story to appeal to readers of contemporary romance.
The result: Running on Empty
RUNNING ON EMPTY
Didn't Shelley at Webcrafters.com do a great job?
RUNNING ON EMPTY
Aspiring off-road racer, Tom Guthrie, is down on his luck when he takes a temporary job as a driver’s ed instructor. Well-heeled New Yorker Elizabeth Claymore arrives in southern California to open a West Coast extension of her successful Manhattan art gallery. The hard-charging business owner discovers Californians do everything in their cars and she hires Tom to teach her how to drive.
Tom decides the only thing Libby can drive is a man crazy. The woman has an opinion on everything, including him. When Libby persuades him to take her to a practice race, Tom gives her the ride she won't soon forget. Convinced she could use a little fun in her life, Libby decides Tom is the man for her.
Tom’s next race is in the Baja, and Libby knows she can help him win. Tom thinks it’s a bad idea having her on the crew. She can’t handle the down and dirty, and the Baja 500 is not race for amateurs.
Libby won’t take no for an answer, and she’d about to turn Tom’s world of off-road racing upside down.
Praise for Running on Empty
With two appealing lead characters, a colorfully descriptive setting and an interesting glimpse of off road racing, RUNNING ON EMPTY is a lively, entertaining romance.The Energizer Bunny has nothing the heroine, Libby Claymore. The spoiled, wealthy Ms. Claymore—who has never taken no for an answer—is a nicely sketched character. Her boundless energy, her optimism, her approach to life makes her character the heart and soul of this story.Down-on-his-luck, go-with-the-flow off road racer Tom Guthrie might be a less dynamic character, but their opposites-attract relationship is an interesting study in contrasts.RUNNING ON EMPTY isn't bogged down with a lot of unnecessary secondary characters. Ms. Richmond wisely chose to concentrate on Libby and Tom. The result is a fast-paced, often humorous romance.
Debbie Jett for Romance Readers at Heart
Thanks, Debbie. I'm so happy you enjoyed Tom and Libby's story.
Amazon
What do you reckon? I sat down and wrote a modern story and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I tried to put some humor, some relevant issues and a heaping of millennial angst in the story to appeal to readers of contemporary romance.
The result: Running on Empty
RUNNING ON EMPTYDidn't Shelley at Webcrafters.com do a great job?
RUNNING ON EMPTY
Aspiring off-road racer, Tom Guthrie, is down on his luck when he takes a temporary job as a driver’s ed instructor. Well-heeled New Yorker Elizabeth Claymore arrives in southern California to open a West Coast extension of her successful Manhattan art gallery. The hard-charging business owner discovers Californians do everything in their cars and she hires Tom to teach her how to drive.
Tom decides the only thing Libby can drive is a man crazy. The woman has an opinion on everything, including him. When Libby persuades him to take her to a practice race, Tom gives her the ride she won't soon forget. Convinced she could use a little fun in her life, Libby decides Tom is the man for her.
Tom’s next race is in the Baja, and Libby knows she can help him win. Tom thinks it’s a bad idea having her on the crew. She can’t handle the down and dirty, and the Baja 500 is not race for amateurs.
Libby won’t take no for an answer, and she’d about to turn Tom’s world of off-road racing upside down.
Praise for Running on Empty
With two appealing lead characters, a colorfully descriptive setting and an interesting glimpse of off road racing, RUNNING ON EMPTY is a lively, entertaining romance.The Energizer Bunny has nothing the heroine, Libby Claymore. The spoiled, wealthy Ms. Claymore—who has never taken no for an answer—is a nicely sketched character. Her boundless energy, her optimism, her approach to life makes her character the heart and soul of this story.Down-on-his-luck, go-with-the-flow off road racer Tom Guthrie might be a less dynamic character, but their opposites-attract relationship is an interesting study in contrasts.RUNNING ON EMPTY isn't bogged down with a lot of unnecessary secondary characters. Ms. Richmond wisely chose to concentrate on Libby and Tom. The result is a fast-paced, often humorous romance.
Debbie Jett for Romance Readers at Heart
Thanks, Debbie. I'm so happy you enjoyed Tom and Libby's story.
Amazon
February 25, 2014
Available at Amazon.comPast ForgettingAn Edwardian Time T...
Available at Amazon.comPast ForgettingAn Edwardian Time Travel Romance
Friends believe Joanna Blake suffers from agoraphobia. Joanna wants to live a normal life but when she steps outside, she finds herself in the past.
When the vicar sends the new doctor around, she is dismayed. Here is another well-meaning person who’ll try to talk her out of her house.
Dr. William Thomas is not who he appears to be. Malcolm Blake, Joanna’s grandfather, cheated his family, condemning them to a life of poverty. According to his family, the Blake’s stately mansion belongs to the descendants of Captain Thomas, his grandfather, who was hung for a murder he didn’t commit. Will finds Joanna suffering from anemia and in need of immediate medical attention. Joanna takes a leap of faith and confides her time travel to Will. He listens to her story and convinces her to take him to the past. Surprisingly, she agrees. She is attracted to his determination and strength and believes he intends to help her find an answer to the curse she lives under.Will thinks Joanna will confront her illness when nothing happens when they go outside. Much to his bewilderment, he also travels in the time slip. They stop to ask the date, and people throw stones at them. Will is injured and he and Joanna run back to the safety of her house.During a visit his parents, Will asks for more information about what happened between the two grandfathers. Will’s father shows him an IOU. The IOU claims the Blake mansion as collateral for a loan to Malcolm Blake from Captain Thomas. Will shows the note to a solicitor who advises him to drop his claim. There is no way to verify the authenticity of the IOU after so many years have passed.Will sees the time travel as a great opportunity to confront Malcolm Blake and claim what rightfully belongs to his family. His growing attraction to the heiress complicates this task. Even though he feels guilty about not telling her why he wants to go back to the past, he knows she will refuse to take him if he tells her the truth. He can’t go back without her.
Caught in a web of lies and deceit, Joanna and Will must solve the mystery of what happened so long ago. Their courage and love forges a bond that transcends all time.
SarahRichmond.com
www.amazon.com
Past Forgetting: Friends believe Joanna Blak...
Past Forgetting
Friends believe Joanna Blake suffers from agoraphobia. Joanna wants to live a normal life but when she steps outside, she finds herself in the past. When the vicar sends the new doctor around, she is dismayed. Here is another well-meaning person who’ll try to talk her out of her house. Dr. William Thomas is bent on revenge. Malcolm Blake, Joanna’s grandfather, cheated his family, condemning them to a life of poverty. According to his family, the Blake’s stately mansion belongs to the descendants of Captain Thomas, his grandfather, who was hung for a murder he didn’t commit. Will finds Joanna suffering from anemia and in need of immediate medical attention. Joanna takes a leap of faith and confides her time travel to Will. He listens to her story and convinces her to take him to the past. Surprisingly, she agrees. She is attracted to his determination and strength and believes he intends to help her find an answer to the curse she lives under.Will thinks Joanna will confront her illness when nothing happens when they go outside. Much to his bewilderment, he also travels in the time slip. They stop to ask the date, and people throw stones at them. Will is injured and he and Joanna run back to the safety of her house.During a visit his parents, Will asks for more information about what happened between the two grandfathers. Will’s father shows him an IOU. The IOU claims the Blake mansion as collateral for a loan to Malcolm Blake from Captain Thomas. Will shows the note to a solicitor who advises him to drop his claim. There is no way to verify the authenticity of the IOU after so many years have passed.Will sees the time travel as a great opportunity to confront Malcolm Blake and claim what rightfully belongs to his family. His growing attraction to the heiress complicates this task. Even though he feels guilty about not telling her why he wants to go back to the past, he knows she will refuse to take him if he tells her the truth. He can’t go back without her.
Caught in a web of lies and deceit, Joanna and Will must solve the mystery of what happened so long ago. Their courage and love forges a bond that transcends all time.
SarahRichmond.com
February 7, 2014
Valentine's Day Release
Isn't this a great cover! I have Shelley at Web Crafters to thank. She's tremendously talented.Here's an excerpt from my new novella, an historical romance set in the Nevada Territory, called Mexican Spur.
Ward watched his once vibrant wife. Kitty was still the beauty he'd married, the delicate girl from a well-to-do family who had favored him by becoming his wife. She wore a pink gingham dress, starched and ironed and looking ready for a garden party. He could fix just about anything but he couldn't mend a broken heart. They mourned their child. Losing the newborn had devastated them. Kitty didn't seem able to overcome her grief. Instead of clinging to each other for support, their loss had driven a wedge between them. Ward could not fathom what would bring her back to him. Sleeping on the divan in the parlor wasn't all that had him worried. Kitty talked more and more about going back to Chicago. She wouldn't give Mexican Spur a chance. She'd given up on just about everything including trying again for another baby. His beautiful wife had become afraid. Ward had wanted so badly to make a life for them here in Mexican Spur. His dream was crumbling. Maybe her pa was right. The territory was no place for a lady.
SarahRichmond.com
