Lynn Hubbard's Blog, page 4

MSH BLOG HOP: What is the hardest thing to write?

Signed up with the Mountain Spring House Blog Hop!

Better late than never right?









The topic this week is: What is the hardest thing to write?






For me it was a scene in Chasethe Moon.








I write historical fiction, so life in general was not easy.
There was a high mortality rate from natural, as well as unnatural means.
Neither option is pleasant.




I do not write by with an outline. Thoughts flow through my
mind and I write them as they happen. I put myself in the characters place and
try to bring you there as well. In Chase,
one of my supporting characters dies. This is a character that I brought to
life first in Run into the Wind.




So I was attached, as well as my readers. The death came as
a great shock to me and I cried as I wrote it. And my readers cried as they
read it. And they cursed me.




But life is hard, and it doesn't always turn out the way you
want or expect it to.




Not only do you have to write the death scene, but you have
to write the other characters reactions to it. Like us, they all handle death
differently. Some were sad, some were accepting, some were pissed at the whole
world. Each and everyone of them was not only touched, but changed by it.




And they carried on, because we cannot control death, but we
cannot stop living either. Death is just another chapter of life. One we will
all write in the end.






So yes, it is hard to write about death. But the fact that
they were touched by my character so much to weep at their passing is the
greatest of compliments. 




At the time of this post: Paperback on sale at Amazon $5.63






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If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Indie Block Party #2 Introduce your WIP (Work in Progress)

Indie Block Party #2 Introduce your WIP 

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Hello! My work in progress is War of Hearts. ALthough I have finished writing, it is currently making it's way  through final edits and I'm working on marketing. Not as much fun as writing. ;-)




Below is an excerpt from War of Hearts

Please sign up for my Newsletter to keep updated!














Here is a sneak peek of War of Hearts. It is set to Release soon. To set the mood, Sarah is sent to NYC to spy. I hope you enjoy!




She could hear the city before she saw it. It was not the grandeur of Philadelphia, that she had expected. It seemed… somewhat darker. Perhaps her feelings were betraying her perception. Thoughts of retreat fluttered through her mind as she spotted the roadblock. With no other choice, she squared her shoulders as she moved forward.

“State your business,” the young soldier demanded, he sounded more bored than anything.

“I have come to stay with my Aunt.” Sarah replied, remembering that less is more.

He barely glanced at her, and not finding her a threat, moved to let her pass.

“Hold up there!” A more seasoned officer called.  Sarah somehow kept her face calm, even though her heart was pounding again. This man was more keen, and his grey eyes seemed to glimmer in anticipation. She supposed he would have been considered handsome, to most, with his brown hair and strong features. Of course, the British Uniform quelled any passionate thoughts on Sarah’s part.

She tensed as his gaze swept over her body. Her eyes met his, and narrowed, as a sneer crossed over his face. “I think we need to check this one a bit more thoroughly.”

He was close to her, too close, she wondered how far she would get if she kicked him in the face and set the mare into a run. Looking down at her feeble companion, she decided not far enough.

The soldier grabbed her horse’s harness and placed his free hand on her ankle as he ran his hand up her leg, and under her skirt. She instinctively drew away from him, and with a shriek, toppled off the horse on the other side. Cursing, she pushed herself to her feet and turned on her offender.







www.lynnhubbard.com

What did you think? 

Please share & Leave a comment below!

Indie Block Party: Introducing Lynn Hubbard

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Hi, this post is a bit different than most of my guest posts. I’m a romance author so I normally discuss my books, but not this time. This time I’m going to tell you about me.

One of the wonderful things about writing is that you can be anyone you want to be. In my case after getting divorced, I didn’t want to use my legal name. Plus, I never really liked my maiden name, way too boring! So I became Lynn Hubbard.






Having a pen name is like being a super hero with a secret identity. Of course it does get rather confusing, I use Lynn so much now when I am asked to verify my real name “Lori”, I have to think about it. Luckily they both start with “L” so I can usually catch myself at book signings and such, and quickly switch to one or the other. If I do make a booboo, I cover it with a little scribbled artwork, such as a train or a butterfly. The readers are tickled by the mini art and have no idea it was a mistake. :-)

I used to draw all the time, I won several awards in High School and had some of my art published. I gave it up once the kids came along, you know how it is. It was not until much later in life that I began to write. I was in my late twenties when I started and it would be ten plus years before I gained enough confidence to share it with others, and get it published.






You would be surprised how difficult it is to get your family, and friends, to read your writing. The few who did told me they were “surprised” how good it was. Not a big ego booster. Most of my encouragement came from online postings. Random fans who read my short stories and wanted more.

I, like most authors, hear voices. When I’m in “the Zone” I can hear the scene in my head, and I dutifully write it down. I do not use an outline. The Story builds as it goes, and its fate is determined by the characters decisions. I don’t know how the story ends, until I write it.

I keep a notebook and pen with me, always, and I write down whatever jumbled thoughts spring into my mind. I wrote most of Run into the Wind on notebook paper, and I would type it up at a later date. I am a very slow typer, I have been clocked at eight words per minute. Probably would be faster if I used more than two fingers. However, I have written five books this way, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I tried the audio narrative “speech to text” program, and it is more frustrating than it’s worth. So I just peck way; One letter at a time.






When I am not writing, I’m taking care of my dogs and spending time with my kids.

I have two boys who are taller than me. They are both having monumental birthdays next month, which makes me feel old. Nicholas is turning 22 and Michael (my baby) will be 17. Nicholas’s passion is photography and video, he is a huge help to me with my covers. Nick was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when he was fourteen, it is an almost daily battle for him; you can read his story if you like. (Nick’s Story)

Michael is my musician, he practices guitar daily, and is working on his own youtube channel. It’s been a sad year. He lost his rat to old age, and his dog Hannah to cancer. He is an animal lover , like me. We have three dogs, two bunnies, and two aquariums. We rescued our newest puppy, Clowie, from an animal shelter. She has an obsessive taste for flesh, can’t wait until she is passed the teething stage. Hermione is our Chihuahua, she is crazy. ‘Nuff said.








I am finishing up my next book. It’s a bit different than the rest, it is set in 1778. I am a huge fan of George Washington, and I have always been fascinated by the revolutionary war. It should be out this fall, I have chosen a beautiful woman for the cover. (Sorry Julian!) Much different than my usual covers, but I’m sure my fans will love it.









Now hop over and find more about my fellow authors below!
















1. Fel Wetzig 






2. Linda Hamonou 






3. Juli D. Revezzo 






4. Patty G. Henderson 






5. Dawna Raver 






6. Stacy Claflin 






7. Lynn Hubbard 






8. Jolene Dawe 






9. J.D. Brown 






10. Bianca Sloane 






11. Susan Ann Wall 






12. Charity Pineiro 






13. D. John Watson 






14. Elaine Fields Smith 






15. Diane Riggins 






16. Courtney Young 






17. Natasha Larry 






18. Roland Clarke 






19. L.E. Perez 






20. Millie Burns 






21. Skye Callahan 






22. Maria Staal 






23. Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 






24. Alex 






25. Pepper Winters 






26. Sharon Bayliss 






27. Thea Gregory 






28. Hemanth Gorur 






29. Lindsey Gray 






30. cathy Brockman (US) 






31. Allie Jean 






32. Paul Christopher Hoppe 






33. Michelle Birbeck 






34. Elaine 




If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Crime Novelist, Mitchell Nevin

Mitchell Nevin is visiting to share his
new book 

Psychic Reprieve: Deception& Reality






So Mitchell, why don’t we start by
learning a bit about yourself.

When did you decide
to become a writer?

After serving over three-decades in law
enforcement, I had seen and heard many things I felt that I should pass
along.  Law enforcement is full of
colorful characters—from the cops who work the streets to some of those
involved in criminal activity. 

If you had to
choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Tom Clancy is my favorite writer.  I really enjoy the way he researches
material.  He also uses a lot of dialog,
as do I.  Fredrick Forsyth’s “The Day of
the Jackal,” is one of the first books that I read from cover-to-cover while
serving a tour overseas in the military. 
Like Clancy, he diligently researched his facts, which is why “Jackal”
is a classic novel.

Name one entity
that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My faith is very important to me.   Like many Americans, sometimes family
events, work, and personal matters can take their toll.   I believe that, whether I was a police
officer or a father, God gave me the ability to shrug my shoulders and
recognize that, like the Biblical figure Job, we are often tested.  I thank the good Lord that I have, for the
most part, succeeded.  I am grateful and
very content with the life I have lived and thankful for what I have.  

For your own reading,
do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books?

It depends.  I really like my Kindle.  I can download so many newspapers and books,
even while I’m vacationing in remote areas, such as northern Wisconsin.  On the other hand, on a warm sunny day at the
beach, noting beats a traditional book. 
I also like passing my dead tree books to others.  I think hardcover books are valuable from the
perspective of obtaining an autograph or establishing a family library.  They are very durable and last for
generations. 

Which famous person,
living or dead would you like to meet and why?

King David would be one.  A young man with so many difficult
challenges, who, like so many of our leaders today, succumbed to an
extra-marital relationship (with Bathsheba), but prayed for and received forgiveness.  St. Peter, the man who betrayed Christ, but was
later crucified himself, is very inspirational.  Nelson Mandela is a leader who, although I disagree
with his political philosophy, has Gandhi-like attributes that enabled him to
reconcile the past by forgiving those who imprisoned and tortured him.  He is a much bigger man than most, who would
have sought vengeance over the good of their nation.

Do you work to an
outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I generally develop a list of ideas and
seek to incorporate these concepts into compelling characters.  I also try to provide readers with stories
within the plotline itself.  The
mini-stories, or sub-plots, feed into the overall plot, but, more importantly,
define the characters.

What are the titles
& Genres of your books?

“The Cozen Protocol,” my first novel, was
an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel of the Year Award nominee.  It is fictional, but incorporates actual
offenses into the overall gang/police corruption plot.   In “Psychic Reprieve,” the characters, while
all flawed in the face of the justice system, are, at heart, good human beings seeking
to thrive and redeem themselves once released from prison.  The genre is fiction, but also makes use of
actual offenses, criminal profiling, interrogations, and high-tech government
surveillance.






What inspired you
to write your first book, The Cozen
Protocol?

During my career with the Milwaukee
Police Department, I felt that many officers were unjustifiably thrown under
the bus for political purposes.  These
were rank-and-file officers caught in the midst of political power plays.   But instead of folding their tents and
laying low, many of these officers, despite being victims of departmental
politics, forged ahead to serve those that they took an oath to protect.  To good officers, police work is a
calling.   These are the cops who toil in
unbelievable conditions night-after-night and make a difference.

How did you come
up with the title?

“Cozen” is a word that means “snake
like” and/or deceptive.  The characters
who sought to undermine the cops that patrol the street initiated an unofficial
“cozen protocol” in attempt to derail the careers of a handful of officers who
had the goods on a high-ranking police official who wanted to become the
Milwaukee PD’s chief-of-police.

Who is your
favorite character from your books and why?

In “The Cozen Protocol” it was, no
doubt, Detective Gavin Fitzgerald.  As
retired Milwaukee PD Captain Glenn Frankovis noted, Fitzgerald knew how to work
around bureaucratic obstacles; he was dedicated but not obsessed; and viewed
his profession as a calling.  In “Psychic
Reprieve,” I liked all three major characters—an African-American baseball
pitcher, a disgraced Chicago PD sergeant, and the Italian-American identity
thief—because they understood each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Give us an
interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

In “The Cozen Protocol” and “Psychic
Reprieve,” the personalities of the main characters are drawn out by their use
of humor and/or one-liners.  Granted,
sometimes this humor is politically incorrect, as are the beliefs and
personalities of many of us.  How
Americans perceive societal trends is often times based on geography, race,
age, political beliefs and religious perspectives.  These are the hallmarks of living in America
that I sought to highlight.









Is there a message
in your new novel, Psychic Reprieve,
that you want readers to grasp? 

Yes, while there are several things that divide Americans,
such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, political beliefs, and geography, when
thrown together by circumstances outside one’s control, Americans tend to
overcome and appreciate these differences. 


How much of the book is realistic?  

Several of the crimes mentioned in both “The Cozen Protocol”
and “Psychic Reprieve” are take offs of actual events.

Is there anything you find particularly
challenging in your writing? 

I try to create unique circumstances that keep the characters
interesting.   This is always a challenge
when evaluating solid character development. 
I want to give each character a certain personality.  In “Psychic Reprieve,” the fact that each
character, to a certain extent, is a fish out of water gives the plot its
uniqueness.  

Do you have to travel much concerning your
book(s)? 

I try to travel to many locales in the Midwest to promote my
books.  In the future, I would like to
visit places in the south and southwest to promote each novel at shows and
fairs.   My marketing company is in the
process of offering a program where groups can sponsor visits by yours truly to
college campus, community group meetings, or book club events. 

Did you learn anything from writing your book
and what was it? 

I learned that writing a book is much more difficult than I
ever imagined.  In a sense, it is like aspiring
to run a marathon—many people seek to do so but very few ever cross the finish
line.  During my life, I have been
fortunate to have run a marathon and have written books.  In that sense, God has blessed me.

What are your
future projects?  

I have conceptualized at least two potential novels involving
organized crime, cops gone bad, and steadfast investigators.  Now I just need to work on the characters and
it’s off to the races.

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

Yes. Do not bite off more than you can chew. Recognize your
limitations; set reasonable expectations, and realize that, when you are an
upstart writer, it is difficult to get recognized.




Thanks Mitchell!




Psychic Reprieve:
Deception & Reality

R.C. is a rising star in baseball,
until his world comes crashing down. Raised by his grandparents, Raunold
Choquet has one dream in life, to play ball. When a hazing incident goes
astray, he finds out that justice is not always blind. Reality sets in when he
is attacked in prison.

Awakening from a coma with piercing
headaches and vivid dreams, he is left to sort out what is real, and what is
not. Psychic Reprieve: Deception & Reality introduces us to a group of
unlikely friends: a well-liked college baseball player, a disgraced Chicago
police sergeant, and a folksy identify thief, as they seek to cash in on one of
the trio's clairvoyant abilities. As their plan unfolds, the lines between
deception and reality blur as the motivation for financial gain clashes with
conscience, patriotism, and personal responsibility.

Purported psychics use their
talents - real or perceived - to provide a service and earn an income. In this
particular line of work, scammers and snake oil salesmen sometimes move about
like thieves in the night. Realists see psychic readings as a pricy form of
entertainment. To those in search of inner peace, however, the hopes of
bringing a loved one's killer to justice or communicating with a relative on
'the other side' can make them an easy mark for brazen charlatans.

 Mitchell Nevin's latest novel searches the
shadowy expanses occupied by serial killers, cold-blooded terrorists,
challenged detectives, troubled loved ones, and a gifted young man on a quest
to mend his tattered reputation.




The Cozen Protocol

Mitchell Nevin is a master at
developing characters readers will empathize with, even the bad guys. Nothing
is as it seems-flip the pages to find out, who’s good, who’s bad, who’s dead,
and who survives.

The Cozen Protocol is an intricately woven story, perfect for any crime lover.
Take a ride in the front seat with Milwaukee’s finest and view the world as you
have never seen it before; by walking-a-mile in the shoes of everyday street
cops as they carefully balance the ebb-and-flow of justice and politics. 

Faced with inept leadership, outlaw bikers, gangs, and crooked cops, each day
is another unique challenge. Down, but not out, the fine men and women of law
enforcement combine their talents and work together to “foil” the bad guys and
live to fight crime for another day. 

WWW.MITCHELLNEVIN.COM

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp2Fr8K5FPw




Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mitchellnevin




Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/mitchell-nevin








If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Love at First Sight, Bonnie & Clyde Style

Interview : Joey Daniel Carr Writer, Director, Producer

Welcome Joey, and thank you for taking time out to speak
with us. Joey Daniel Carr is a local from Georgia. He is currently making a
short film called “Colt
Love” based upon Bonnie & Clyde.




1) Tell us about
yourself:

-Thank you so much for
taking the time to have me as a guest! I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA
starting October 21st, 1991. I'll have a Bachelor's Degree in Film this
October, just before we shoot "Colt Love". If I were to encompass
myself in 1 word, I would narrow it down to: artist. I love music, writing,
film and anything entertainment related. I'm programmed to be a writer and hope
to make my living on it, through my novels or writing for television. 




2) Who were Bonnie
& Clyde?

-Who were they
individually, or as a pair? That's two different answers...

Bonnie was a
hometown-type girl who married Roy Thornton at the age of 16. She was 19 and
vulnerable from the heartbreak of her husband being locked in prison. Clyde,
one of many siblings, had to stop his education to work jobs to support his
family. Hard times called for petty crimes that made him popular with the
police and impossible for him to keep a job...

Together, they were
the example of love-at-first-sight. Apart, they were unable to find their
comfort in the world; as a couple, they thrived and became iconic heroes in
American organized crime that weren't afraid of the Depression-weakened
government.












3) Why create a film
about Bonnie & Clyde?

-They are an important
part of American history. They helped create the need for the FBI, the first
authority force capable of using larger guns and pursue across state borders.




4) Why are we
obsessed with criminals?

-I think we're
obsessed with criminals because while we wouldn't rob a bank, we wish we could.




5) Do you believe in
True Love?

-I believe in true
love; passion can make amazing things happen. That can be seen between the real
life Bonnie and Clyde, as well as the Cast and Crew that's working to bring
them to the screen in "Colt Love".




6) How did you do
your research for the movie?

-I've always loved
Bonnie and Clyde. I've spent countless nights browsing websites about them,
watching documentaries and just learning what I can about that era.







7) How can we get a
copy?

-You can get a copy if
you go to the Indiegogo link for "Colt Love" within the next 20 days
and click on one of the perks along the right hand side of the page. All of
them include a DVD of the final project in time for Christmas; other perks
include goodies like BTS features, signed scripts and props, and special
credits... As for selling the film on DVD, there won't be any of that, at least
for a little while. I'd like to take it to film festivals first, maybe get the
funds to do a feature film.




8) What inspired you
to turn to film?

-I was inspired to do
film when I saw my "Iris" novel series in my head. I published the
first and wanted to make the series into films, so I studied film. Also,
Matthew Reilly's work really inspired me to try my best to write his
screenplays... I probably wouldn't mind if someone asked me to direct his
"7 Deadly Wonders" series.




9) Do you have any
sponsors?

-We are in Association
with Jerico Pictures, who has contributed $3,500 to make the film happen. It's
also been a pleasure to be introduced to Cindy Smith of Alias, Smith & Owens, a band
that performs at the Bonnie and Clyde Festival every year. Her music is
wonderful, I'm pumped to use it... We don't currently have any  corporate sponsors, but we're working on a
few. They include some transportation companies, hotels, and a media company
but it's just talk until it's in ink.












10) Do you have any
other projects planned?

-I do plan on
relaunching "UnAdopted" once I raise money, my comedy web series
about a foster family that has to come together after being apart for years.
Also, I'd like to really start getting "Iris" and other screenplays
out there... This is pretty much all my focus now though, making "Colt
Love".




11) What goes into
producing a movie?

-The real answer is
long enough to fill several volumes of encyclopedia! Simply put, a lot goes
into producing a movie; it's really endless. I'm just doing a short film, so I
can't imagine a full feature and what it would take. I can say that there are a
lot of sleepless nights and challenges that require more energy than you know
you have, sometimes.




12) Any advice for future writers and producers?

-Advice: Keep on
keeping on, and fake it til you make it. You have a vision that no one else on
earth has, or could have; this is one of the best qualities of collaboration,
seeing how your crew brings your vision to life. There aren't a lot of people
in the world that are going to automatically care about that vision, you'll
have to convince them and sometimes it won't work. Get used to being your own
source of energy and confidence, it makes you pleasurable to be around.
Finally, people may not notice you when you're there, but they certainly notice
you when you're not there; get out and be seen!




Thanks, for stopping in! 
I can’t wait to see the finished film. Keep us updated!




Links:

Colt Love Supporters: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/colt-love-bonnie-and-clyde-short-film

Colt Love Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColtLoveFilm

Alias, Smith & Owens: http://www.aliassmithandowens.com/
Alias, Smith & Owens Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliassmithandowens






If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Summer Splash Blog Hop!

You are in for a treat!

 I am offering a free ebook copy of Run into the Wind 

for everyone who subscribes to my newsletter!






If you prefer not to subscribe, you may leave a comment with your favorite summertime treat for a chance to win a free copy!






Run into the Wind, is one of my favorite books. It is about Sabrina, a young woman who is in hiding so she dresses up as a boy(Will), to conceal her identity. She falls for Brock, the hot new Sheriff in town, who thinks she's a boy. 




Hope you enjoy this excerpt!




Sabrina
was having another bad day.  She had
gotten a splinter in her hand when she was closing one of the stalls and her
cramps were not letting up. She sat on a bucket in the sunlight trying to pick
the splinter out with a needle. Suddenly a shadow blocked out the sun.

Irritated,
she poked herself and winced. She glared up at her visitor. Brock. Perfect.

“What
do you want?”  she asked irritably.

“I
was stopping by to see if you could help me but it looks like you need some
help,” he said, kneeling next to her to take a look at her hand.

“It’s
just a splinter; I don’t need your help. I’m behind on my work here, so you’re
just outta luck, Sheriff,” she said
emphasizing the last word.

“Will!”  A voice sounded from behind her and she
cringed. Jack Swanson came up to them and shook Brock’s hand. Sabrina scowled
even more if that was possible.

“You
do not talk to the good Sheriff or any of my clients that way. I don’t know
what’s come over you lately.  You’ve been
as wound up as a rattlesnake.  I just
came from the saloon. Mac suggested Sheriff Stafford have you show him
available places, and I think that’s a great idea. Go get some fresh air, boy.”

Gnawing
on her bleeding hand, she shot Brock a dirty look as she moved very slowly to
comply. He just kept popping up like a bad penny and she muttered a string of
curses to herself as she saddled Star. He could saddle his own damn horse.

Sabrina
set a steady pace as they rode out of town. She was familiar with both places
that Mac had suggested and decided to head for the shanty first since it was
farther away. It was a warm day and Sabrina was sweating under the layers of
clothing she wore to hide her curvy figure.

She
refused to acknowledge his attempts at casual conversation as they rode. She
was hot and mad and figured it was better to just not talk at all. She heard
the running brook before she saw it. She slowed to allow Star to drink from the
fresh water.  Taking her canteen from her
saddlebag she hopped down to refill it upstream. She swallowed her fill and
refilled it with fresh water.  Taking her
bandanna off, she dipped it in the water and washed her face and neck before
wringing it out and wrapping it around her neck. She felt much better.

She
noticed Brock and Troy on the other side and walked over to him in spite of
herself.  She took care coming up behind
Star; it was never a good idea to startle a horse. Horses had a mean kick.  Even the gentle ones could be spooked.

“In
a hurry?”  he asked, referring to the
quick pace Sabrina had set.

“I’ve
better things to do,” she said tartly.

Brock
grinned at her.  For some reason he
enjoyed taunting the boy. “Sure is warm; maybe we could go for a swim later. If
my information is correct, I was told there was a swimming hole nearby the
place.” He took his hat off, wiping his face and neck with his own bandanna.

Sabrina
couldn’t help staring at the wet curls clinging to his neck and face. She had
an urge to push them back in place and bit her lip as she looked away,
chastising her thoughts.

“I
don’t swim.” Sabrina mounted Star and nudged her into a trot, using the stream
as a guide.

Brock
easily caught up to her with Troy’s large stride. She had felt like galloping
but didn’t want to labor the horse in the heat.

“I
could teach you if you don’t know how,” Brock offered generously as he rode
next to her.

Sabrina
looked over at him, annoyed to see him smiling at her. “I know how to swim, I just choose not to.”

“Your
loss,” Brock replied, ending the conversation for now.  He was surprised a short while later when
Will announced they had arrived. 

Built
into the countryside, the “shanty” as Mac had called it, was an earth dwelling.
Three sides were made out of fallen timber that had been cut and hewn to fit
together and the back was packed earth as it was dug out of the hillside. The
earthy cover extended out and over the roof. The house blended in perfectly with
the landscape of trees.

Brock
dismounted and went to inspect the inside. He looked back at Sabrina to see if
she was coming and was surprised to see her still on Star. “Coming?”  He asked.

She
snorted, “Those places are always crawling with bugs. I’ll wait here, thanks.”

“Ya
scared of bugs? Aren’t there bugs in the stables?” Brock asked, raising an
eyebrow. 

“Of
course not! I bet you couldn’t find one spider in my whole stable. I keep it
clean.”

Brock
grunted something and turned around to enter the house. He moved too quickly
and banged his head on the low door frame. He cursed, checking for blood as he
held his hand over his forehead. Behind him he could hear laughter.

“Watch
out for the low ceilings.”

Gritting
his teeth, he disappeared inside. The inside was actually larger than he had
expected. It had a small stone fireplace and a wooden floor. It would suit his
needs for now but he was thinking of the future. There were cobwebs everywhere
with insect carcasses caught inside. He turned around to head back out the door
and BAM! He hit his head again on a roofing timber.  Grumbling as he stooped lower, he crossed it
off his list.

Sabrina
snickered as he came out covered with cobwebs and holding his sore head.

“A
bit small,” he mumbled as Sabrina laughed out loud. She leaned down and grasped
a piece of cobweb trailing from his hair. 
Her hand accidentally brushed his cheek and he looked up at her,
catching her eyes for an instant.  He
frowned as he watched Will.  The boy
seemed embarrassed for some reason. Brock wiped his face again; it was hot.

 Brock spied a glint of light dancing on the
surface of a pond partially hidden in the trees.  “Let’s eat before we head off, “ he said. He
took Troy’s reins and walked over as Sabrina followed on Star.

“I
didn’t pack anything to eat.”

“I
had Mac pack enough for two,” Brock said, tying Troy to a nearby tree.

Her
eyes narrowed at his response. “So you just assumed I would volunteer to go
with you?”

He
shrugged “Ordered, Volunteered, what’s the difference?” Brock took his hat off
and hung it on his saddle horn. He then started undoing his shirt. Sabrina
looked on in horror as his intentions sank in.

“Wh…what
are you doing?” she asked, not sure if a real boy would look away or not. Of
course, a real boy would not ask someone what he was doing when it was quite
obvious what he was doing.  During her
moment of indecision, Brock had stripped down naked.  He had thankfully turned his back to her as
he removed his pants.

This,
of course, gave her a great view of the backside of his body. She stood staring
unabashed at his smooth bronze skin stretched taut over his back and buttocks.
He was bronze all over just slightly darker on his arms where he was exposed to
more sun.  He either skinny dipped a lot
or…

“You’re
an Indian?” she found herself asking in surprise continuing to stare at his
naked form as he waded into the cool water. 
She was grateful and dismayed at the same time as Brock ignored her
question and dove into the water. He popped up in the middle of the pond a few
seconds later.  He tossed his head back
to clear the hair out of his eyes as he grinned at her. The water weighed down
his curls and they hung straighter and longer just curling a bit at the tips.

 “Sure you don’t wanna take a quick dip?” Brock
asked.

“I
don’t have time to splash around in the water. 
I need to get back to work and so do you.  Banks probably getting robbed as we speak.”
She swatted  irritably  at the small annoying insects circling her
head. 

The
water looked so cool and refreshing, she was sick with envy. She felt a drop of
sweat roll down her back to be absorbed in the bundling she wrapped in to cover
her breasts and make her waist straight. Defeated, she sank into the grass
swatting at the gnats she’d stirred up.

A
thought suddenly popped into her head. 
She probably stank. That’s why he wanted her to go swimming. She
probably smelled of sweat and horses and poo. It was hard for her to sneak off
and bathe undetected.  Plus, boys didn’t
normally go for bathing very often. It had never bothered her before but all of
a sudden, she wanted to bathe, to smell good, to be noticed, and all because of
him. Sighing she gave herself a sniff. A bit sweaty but not too bad.  What the heck does one expect in Oklahoma in
the middle of summer?

After
several minutes of swimming Brock regretfully swam over and climbed out.
Sabrina forced herself to look away this time. Brock pulled on his pants and
Sabrina took note he didn’t wear any under garments. Leaving his shirt off so
he could dry off in the sun, he pulled lunch from his saddlebags.

As
he sat down across from her, she tried not to stare at his bare chest and
muscular arms as he divided the food. 
Mac had packed his specialty: roasted chicken and corn on the cob.
Sabrina’s stomach growled as the wonderful aroma was carried to her by the
light breeze.

To
distract herself, she tore into the food. 
She felt she had never been so hungry before. It was as if her body
craved food since she wasn’t satisfying its other needs. In addition, she
figured with her mouth full she could not say anything stupid, right?

Wrong.

“How
can you have curly hair if you’re an Indian?”

Brock
raised an eyebrow. “Why do you think I’m an Indian?”

She
blushed at this; she couldn’t help it. “Um..well---you’re tan all over. I grew
up with Indians; I must have been daft not to notice before.”

“I’m
half Comanche.”

“Which
half?” Sabrina asked, wondering curiously how he came to be.

Brock
laughed at that. “I’ll tell you another time. 
What do you mean, you grew up with Indians?”

Sabrina
smirked back at him. “I’ll tell you another time.” Finishing her food, she
stood up and stretched. Questions were bringing on more questions.

“Why
do you pretend to be white?”

“I
never said I was white. People see what they want to see.”
















































































































She
nodded at that; she knew all about people making assumptions. It is what she’d
counted on to keep her secret safe for the last couple of years. “You’ll like
the McAllister place much better. It’s closer to town and has a barn that’s big
enough to house several horses.” She picked up her pace, now eager to show him
the place.  Brock stared after her, a
thoughtful expression on his face.




Wanna read more? Sign up for a free ebook copy!









Now hop on over to some other great sites!







Welcome to the 2013 Summer Splash Blog Hop, brought to you by the writers of Indie Writers Unite.  There's all kinds of swag to be won as well as some amazing grand prizes (see below for grand prize information)



Each writer will be hosting their own giveaway on their blogs and offering their own prizes in addition to the grand prizes.  Click HERE to start hopping the author pages.
...

Want a teaser of some of the items up for grabs on the author pages? Click HERE



 As the for the grand prizes, there are 6.  What are they?


#1 Kindle Fire 8.9 HD





 




#2 $100 Amazon Gift Card





#3 $50 Amazon Gift Card




#4 15 paperbacks personally signed by our authors

#5 38 Ebooks gifted to you from our authors



#6 38 eBooks (yep, we're doing this not once, but twice)!

HOW TO ENTER GRAND PRIZES 1-3




TWEET USING THE HASHTAG  #splashwithus

It's that simple. We'll keep track of all the tweets and then draw for the grand-prize winners at the end of the hop. Winners will be announced on or before July 31st on this site. 

RULES: 
 
Tweets MUST include:
 
1. The hashtag #splashwithus (This is how we track them)
2. A link to the blog hop.

You may tweet as much as you like throughout the hop. 

More Tweets = More Chances to WIN!!!

***As a side note, our authors will be tweeting about the hop as well, but they are not eligible for any of the grand prizes.***

Here are some sample tweets you can cut/paste:

WIN a $300 Kindle Fire, Amazon gift cards & more at the #bloghophttp://ow.ly/nfebP #giveaway #win #freekindle #splashwithus #amreading

WIN FREE SWAG at the author #bloghop http://ow.ly/nfeChprizes include a kindle fire! #freekindle #free #giveaway #win #splashwithus 

ENTER TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE at the author blog hophttp://ow.ly/nfeRZ #kindlefree #free #lovebooks #win #giveaway #splashwithus #win

WIN BIG at the author blog hop. More than 50 prizes including a kindle fire HD! http://ow.ly/nffyV #kindlefire #amwriting #splashwithus

HOW TO ENTER FOR GRAND PRIZES 4-6

To enter to win the free signed paperback books and the free booksfor your kindle, you MUST visit every single author blog hop page and enter whatever contest/giveaway they are running.  Once you've visited them all, send an email HERE, with the subject line: FREE BOOKS. 

***NOW GET HOPPING 
AMAZING AUTHOR GIVEAWAYS AWAIT YOU!!!***

If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Sizzling Summer Blog Hop July 4th-July 7th

FREE TODAY ONLY JULY 4TH!

THE STAFFORD COLLECTION









What Does the 4th of July Mean to you?





As I grow older the meaning of holidays have changed. Take the Fourth of July for instance. My most vivid memories are of growing up in rural Tennessee. No firework restrictions then! I have dozens of cousins and the fourth meant fireworks and family. They would travel from all over the country and descend upon my grandmother’s house.





I remember setting on the floor next to my grandmother’s rocking chair as we broke beans fresh from the garden. For those of you who have never snapped fresh beans. You have to break the tips off of each end and then pull of the threads of vine that are still attached. I can almost hear the snap and the sweet smell of fresh bean. Every once in a while a brown one would appear, it was wrenched open and the precious green seeds inside were dropped into the woven basket. Nothing was wasted.

While my grandmother headed into the kitchen to start her homemade fried chicken and corn on the cobb, we kids headed out to start the festivities. Even at a young age we were all handed out ‘punks’. Wasn’t much safety concerns back then, the threat of danger just made it more challenging. The yard exploded with the sounds of bottle rockets, fire crackers, and chasers. Of course the ‘chasers’ didn’t travel to well on the gravel driveway. So some of the younger adults would set them up on the road, not much traffic back then.

And life was simple, but good.

However, these days, when I think about the fourth of July, I don’t think about cookouts or fireworks.

I think about the men that risked treason to sit down and draft a document 237 years ago. Brave men willing to stand up to a King and say NO! Men with quiet dignity, men who knew the meaning of self-worth.

And I thank them and all the men and women who have fought for and those that have died for our country.

For our freedom.

I remember, and I will never forget.



What does the 4th of July mean to you? Leave a comment!







You could win......




Grand Prize #1

An iPAD MINI

(US ONLY)

(Alternate prize for international winner)












OR




Grand Prize #2

$50 Amazon/B&N Gift Card

+ Several Surprise Digital Books




OR




Fabulous Swag Pack #1

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)












OR




Fabulous Swag Pack #2

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)















Follow all Hop announcements via

www.theromancetroupe.com

and on Twitter hashtag

#SizzlingHop












Comment on this page and hop to each stop on the list below and comment to win. REMEMBER, you must leave your email addy in your comment for it to be counted as a valid entry. Each blog you visit raises your chances of winning!




If you follow the Romance Troupe Blog by email. TELL US! We will put your name in the hat an extra time!!!




Good Luck and Happy Hopping!





Winners will be chosen using Random.org

A winning blog will be chosen via random.org for each prize and then another number will be drawn to determine the winning commenter. Only comments with email addresses will be considered valid entries for the prizes. This process will be repeated for all prizes. The Romance Troupe will not retain any contributions past the date of the event. All monies collected will be distributed as prizes for the event.









1.

Musings of an Independent Artist



2.

A little bit dark. A whole lotta naughty!



3.

Krystal Shannan



4.

Liberty Ann @ SnifferWalk Books




5.

Lynda Kaye Frazier Romance with Suspense



6.

Daryl Devore



7.

Victoria Adams



8.

Susan Arden - Erotic Dreamscape Fantasies




9.

Suzan Tisdale Romance (Not Live YET)



10.

Charley Descoteaux



11.

Susan B. Anna



12.

Elodie Parkes erotic romance




13.

Beckstar Reviews



14.

Angela Rose Books 



15.

The World of Elle Chardou



16.

Write From the Heart 




17.

Heather Geoffries author Blog



18.

Black Words-White Pages



19.

Shannon Eckrich



20.

Lyncee Shillard




21.

Nina Whyle Saucy Romantic Comedy 



22.

Sapphire Kande - BDSM Author



23.

Anne Lange



24.

From the desk of . . . R. E. Hargrave




25.

LOVE. WITHOUT YOU



26.

Lisa Bilbrey 



27.

Twisting Minds. . .



28.

A. R. Von DreamZ of Dragons




29.

Booked & Loaded



30.

Author Hope Welsh 



31.

JM Stewart--Contemporary Romance Author



32.

Jami Gray's Blog




33.

Rhonda Laurel



34.

Celia Kyle



35.

Lea Bronsen 



36.

Author Jinni James




37.

Rachel Donnelly



38.

Anna Wells



39.

Ramblings of a Writer



40.

Christie Kelley Historical romances




41.

Findling Bliss



42.

Kate's Blog



43.

Kisses, Caresses & Whispers in the Night



44.

Jennifer Garcia, Author




45.

Cait Jarrod



46.

AJ Wiliams Author



47.

Alexandra Anthony-Paranormal Romance. . . with a bite



48.

Victoria Embers, My Vampire Lover series




49.

Comanche Haven by Catherine Wolffe



50.

Everything to do with writing



51.

Renea Mason



52.

Chantel Rhondeau




53.

DC Stone







If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

The Patriot Guard Riders

I was sitting at my computer and checked my email with a
click. My heart feels heavy as I see the PGR request. Another soldier has
fallen and the Patriot Guard Riders are on their way.





Photo by Gary Adams, GA PGR





Who is the PGR? They are a nameless bunch, never asking for
any reprieve or reward. I’m sure you’ve seen them though on TV or at a grave.
They are the ones, standing watch while our flag waves. The Patroit Guard
Riders volunteer their time. They ride shotgun for our soldiers, fireman and
police when they are called from this earth. They dedicate their time
protecting the families from spite. And they are there to show support and
display their quiet might.




There motto is: Standing for those who stood for us. And
they proudly do!

I was lucky enough to meet these giving souls on better
terms than most. We are working on a way to spread the word. A country group
has sung a song to aid in this quest. Alias, Smith & Owens sing so our
soldiers may rest. They may lie in peace, knowing that their loved ones can
grieve without reprieve.




They protect our soldiers honor while they travel on their
way. They may look intimidating with their bikes and leather boots. But let me
tell you, their hearts are filled with gold as they try to spread the truth.

So together we wanted to introduce you to the group. And if
you are interested in riding, or just holding a flag; sign up or donate to help
them on their way.




A little something that popped into my mind,




And So They Came

By Lynn Hubbard




A soldier has fallen, a life was lost. And so they came. One
by one they suited up in black, red, white & blue. Their badges of courage
sewed to their vest gives meaning to it all. Their flags proudly flowing in the
breeze as they rumble down the road. Men and women, road weary and brave to
guide the fallen home. Some live close, some live far but they all hear the
call. Another brother has lost the fight, so come lead the way. They die too
young, some say as tears moisten their eyes. Their dark shades hide the grief
they have buried deep inside. Those that live never forget what they gave for
us to be free. For there always is a price, freedom isn’t free.




Patriot Guard Riders-National http://www.patriotguard.org/

Georgia PGR Website http://www.pgrofga.com/

Alias, Smith & Owens Website http://aliassmithandowens.com/

Get
the song at Amazon, all proceeds will benefit the PGR Missions.







Amazon.com Widgets
If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

New Year Hop

New Year Hop





It's the New Year,  I have many goals I wish to hit this year, one of which is finishing War of Hearts.



I am a bit behind, okay I'm a lot behind. But delving into the past can be tedious. It is a delectable mix of truth and fiction. You want to add enough history to teach but not enough to bore. So I throw in snippets here and there. Like weaving a fine tapestry. 



So I am offering you a sneek peek. Here is Chapter 1 From War of Hearts. It still in draft mode but I love comments! 



Please tell me what part of history you would love to live in.










Chapter 1

Bitterness of Winter




Blood spattered upon her face. Sarah ignored it as
she moved to put pressure on the gaping wound; she hoped to diminish the flow
in the process. As the doctor began to saw through the bone, a grating sound
filled the air. It was made more horrible by the shrieks of the man on the
table.




Her arms burned, as she used all her strength to
subdue him, so the doctor could work. Soon, the limb was free and the man
gasped for breath as the pain subsided. The doctor folded the flesh over the
gaping hole and Sarah carried the lifeless limb to the open window, and tossed
it outside to the growing pile.

Once upon a time, this would have disturbed her
greatly. However, being an Army nurse had hardened her heart to many things.
War was hell. And she was in the midst of it.




A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to look
into kind eyes. “Go rest
for a spell. You look exhausted.”
Her friend Margaret intoned. She glanced around the room at the others needing
treatment. There was no rest for them, as they waited for the blade.




Even though it had been months with no fighting,
the bitterness of winter was taking its toll. Due to lack of sufficient shelter
and clothing many men have been afflicted with frostbite. The blackened
appendages had to be removed to give them a chance at life.




The next soldier was in better shape and Sarah’s
thoughts wandered as she massaged his feet. Winter had always been her favorite
time of year. And living in New Jersey, they could be fierce. The crops had
been harvested, food had been stored, and there was not much to do once the
snow came. She recalled bundling up to care for the livestock, and admonishing
her mother for making her wear a scarf. The rough wool always itched her neck.




“Seems
to be a fair amount of sickness in camp.”
The man stated in a gruff voice as he looked around.

“No,
more than yesterday.”
Sarah replied, wondering if the man was ignorant or just making conversation.

“Would
you say about half?” He
inquired further.




Sarah’s hands stilled. She looked down at his feet
noticing not only were they not that damaged from the frost, but thick and
hardy as well. An uneasiness came over her, as her glance took in the man’s
gently worn clothing. It had been a while since she had seen a man who wasn’t
half naked, much less one that was fully clothed with boots and all.  




“No,
I wouldn’t say half. Your feet are worse than I first thought; wait here while
I fetch the doctor.”

“No
need, I feel better already.”
The man sat up, reaching for his boots. Not taking time to put them on, he
grabbed them and ran for the door as Sarah shouted after him.




A scuffle ensued as an injured man blocked his
path, and he was soon wrestled to the ground. Ignoring her own safety, Sarah
knelt over him and searched his pockets. Finding nothing of value she grabbed
his boots, thrusting a hand deep inside she felt an edge of paper and pulled it
out. The man had ceased struggling, and silence filled the room as she unfolded
it. Her heart beat quickly in her chest as a crude sketch of Valley Forge
appeared.




A spy.  The
map was plucked from her fingers as the man was dragged off to pay for his
sins.




Sarah sat in disbelief as a large hand touched her
shoulder. “Well done.”




She looked up at Dr. Radcliff. “What will become of him?”




“He
will be questioned, and punished, if found guilty. What gave him away?”




“He
wasn’t dressed in rags.”
Sarah mumbled looking around at the weary soldiers. She had agonized over her
brother Silas’ death for months. However, she was thankful he never had to
experience the torment of these men. Silas has been gone a year but right now,
it felt like fifty. Sarah had seen so much suffering, and It wore heavily on
her heart. 







My Give Away is a Free Copy of A Christmas Crossing.

The Prequel to War of Hearts. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105853




Now hop on over to the NY HOP page & discover more great books & prizes!









If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Hot Winter Nights Blog Hop Giveaway!

Hot Winter Nights Blog Hop Giveaway







Hello Hoppers!

I am happy to Announce I have finished my Christmas shopping!


This is a new record for me. Now I have 24 days to get everything wrapped. Nothing like drinking hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music to get you in the mood. 



Speaking of getting into the mood, I am giving away an unlimited number of ebook copies of Run into the Wind, my favorite book. 




 
All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite Holiday tradition. 

On Dec. 5th I will post the free download code in the comments. Code will be Valid until the 10th so feel free to share!


GRAND PRIZE!

 $50 Amazon Gift Card - $10 Bookstrand Bucks - eBook prize package including:  11 eBooks 

*You MUST include your email address to be eligible for the grand prize.




Be sure to visit the other bloggers on the list to get more great prizes!

If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!