Anne Patrick's Blog, page 6

Healing Notes by Maggie Jaimeson

Maggie will award one autographed cover flat to a randomly drawn commenter at each blog stop. In addition, she will award a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice) as a grand prize to one randomly selected commenter on this tour, and a $25 gift certificate to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice) to a randomly drawn host. You must leave an email address to be entered into any of the drawings.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better you chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-book-blast-healing-notes-by.html

BLURB:

Forgiving yourself is the first step, but helping others forgive may be just too hard.

Rachel Cullen grew up in Scotland with a fiddle in her hand from the age of four. She couldn't imagine life as anything but a musician. When her husband brought her to America she was immediately embraced by the Celtic and Bluegrass communities. But after her divorce, Rachel's life is a mess.

A year of trying to prove to herself that she's woman enough for any man, and then a vicious rape while on tour with the band, leaves Rachel reeling. When she meets Noel Kershaw, an English teacher who is poetry in motion, she is definitely attracted. But he has a young child and he's suffering from his own divorce. The last thing Rachel needs in life is more baggage.

First, Rachel must reconcile who she is, what she wants, and how to get there. Maybe then she'll know how to be a part of the family she's always wanted.


EXCERPT:

Claire crawled onto a stool on the other side of the island and smiled. Neither of them talked for several minutes as they listened to the water in the pot heat.

“When I grow up, I’m going to play with Sweetwater Canyon all the time.”

“Are you sure you want to hang out with all us old folks?”

"You’re not all old. Well maybe a little old. But Kat isn’t old.”

Rachel smiled. “That’s true. She’s only seventeen.” And going on twenty-five it seemed sometimes.

“Oh, seventeen? That is old.” Claire put a finger to her lips and furrowed her brow. “How old do I have to be to play in the band all the time?”

“Probably at least eighteen.”

“But, you just said Kat—”

“Kat is different, because her mother plays in the band and can watch her all the time.”

“Well, you can watch me all the time. You can be my mother.”

Rachel gulped.

“Well, can’t you?”

“Can’t she what?” Noel walked in the room and lifted Claire off the chair in a big hug, swinging her around the room. “Can’t she what? She can do anything she wants.”

“See,” Claire leaned forward and looked at Rachel over Noel’s shoulder. “See, even Daddy thinks you can be my mother.”

“Whoa.” Noel set Claire back on the stool. “I’m not sure what I walked in on here.” He sent an accusing glance to Rachel. “You already have a mother, Claire.”

“I know. Not my real mother. My second mother. You know, like my friend, Megan. Her mommy and daddy got divorced and her daddy married a new mommy. So, Megan has two mommies now. See? Rachel can be my second mommy. Okay?”


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Maggie Jaimeson writes romantic women’s fiction and romantic suspense with a near future twist. She describes herself as a wife, a step-mother, a sister, a daughter, a teacher and an IT administrator. By day she is “geek girl” – helping colleges to keep up with 21st century technology and provide distance learning options for students in rural areas. By night Maggie turns her thoughts to worlds she can control – worlds where bad guys get their comeuppance, women triumph over tragedy, and love can conquer all.

HEALING NOTES is the second book in the Sweetwater Canyon Series of four books. The final two books will be available in 2013.

Website: http://maggiejaimeson.com

Blog: http://maggiemeandering.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggie-Jaimeson/118916694787820

Twitter: @maggiejaimeson

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

For this hop I'm giving away a PDF of my romantic suspense Ties That Bind. To enter all you have to do is become a follower of my blog and leave a comment with your contact information. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Blurb

Sheriff Austin Garrett enlists the help of FBI profiler, Jo McDaniels, to help him solve a string of murders plaguing his community.  Unlike most profilers Jo has an unusual gift that allows her to get to know the victims better than anyone else.  She not only feels their emotions; she feels their pain.  But the last time she relied on her physic ability it almost cost her career as well as her sanity.  As the case progresses and the body count rises they soon realize that Jo’s sanity isn’t all that is at risk.  She has become the killer’s ultimate kill. 

Excerpt
Jo McDaniels listened attentively as Sheriff Austin Garrett explained the reason for his call. “In the last two weeks three women have been found nude and decapitated here in Claremont, Oregon. They were found in wooded areas, frequented by hunters and hikers, with a piece of string connecting the large toes of both feet.”
She glanced up from her note pad, looked at Special Agent in Charge Isaac Washington, and then to the intercom on his desk. Uneasiness settled in the pit of her stomach. “Did you say Claremont, Oregon?” She hoped like crazy that he hadn’t.
“Yeah, we’re an hour’s drive from Portland.”
“I know where it is.” It was her hometown and she hadn’t been back there in ten years. She shifted her gaze back to her supervisor and shook her head, suspecting he’d known this before he even brought the case to her attention. “Have the victims been identified?”
“Fingerprints were run but their identities remain unknown. A basic description of the Jane Does have been sent out to area and state law enforcement agencies, but so far, no hits. Due to the lack of blood and trace evidence found at the scenes, it appears they were killed elsewhere and their bodies brought to the wooded areas then placed against a tree in an upright position.”
Jo added the details to her notes then swiped her sweaty palms against her slacks. This can’t be happening!
“We’ll need all your case notes and photos of the victims and dumpsites,” Agent Washington advised.
If he thinks I’m going back there, he’s nuts.
“I FedEx’d them yesterday, you should be getting them sometime today.”
Jo gave a heavy sigh. It was the type of case she loved to crack. She couldn’t go back there though. They were just going to have to send someone else. Closing her notepad she glanced over just as Agent Washington hung up.
“I know that you don’t want to do this, but you’re my best profiler, Jo,” he said, with the quirky smile he always used when trying to persuade her to do something she didn’t want to do. “Besides, what would the town folk think of their pride and joy if she refused to come to their aid?”
“I didn’t much care what they thought of me when I left, why should I now?”
“You can’t tell me you’re not at least intrigued.”
His words raised a smile. It frightened her sometimes how well he knew her. “The victims haven’t even been identified yet.” And knowing them, their habits and personalities would be instrumental in developing a working profile of the killer.
“Which is why I need you and your gift.”
Gift. It was more like a curse, bringing her closer to the killer than the victims themselves in many cases. It was the reason she’d left Claremont in the first place to join the FBI, and why she had become the top in her field.
“I know you Jo, its cases like this one, where there’s little to go on, that you live for.”
“I haven’t been back to Claremont in…”
“I know. And I know it won’t be easy for you. Time is of the essence, here, though. This person has already killed three women.”
Great. He was pulling out the guilt card, knowing she’d cave in if he did.
“Maybe it’s time you buried the past. You could kill two birds with one stone.”
She gave a dry chuckle. “That’s easier said than done.”
“Have a look at the case file when it comes in, you can decide then.”
Available at Amazon, Smashwords, Lulu, and coming soon to B & N, Apple, Sony, etc.
Be sure to visit other blogs on this hop for chances to win other great prizes! http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/08/spooktacular-giveaway-hop-sign-ups.html

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Women of Strength Blog Tour

Thank you Anne for having me here on the 2nd day of my Women of Strength Blog Tour.

For me, a woman of strength is one who inspires others to face life's adversities with their heads held high. I have launched my series with three previously published stories; Juliana - Rosa - Shani

Today we will look into Juliana's story. This is the first story I ever had published back in 2006 with a publisher that is no longer in business. 





Blurb:

Juliana spent the entire duration of her marriage a prisoner in her own home. Subject to unspeakable abuse, her escape came in the form of her husbands' sudden death. She must now step into a world, she had almost forgotten existed....

Join Juliana on her healing journey where she learns. Love IS Good.



I'm sure you've either known or read about a woman in an abusive relationship. Juliana is one of thousands of women who find themselves in this situation. For those who find the courage to get out of an abusive situation, I consider you a Woman of Strength. If Juliana's story inspires even one woman to get out, what a blessing that would be.



Here is a short excerpt from Juliana.





Enough of this lollygagging.

If dinner was late, she deserved whatever he dished out. Over the next hour, Juliana took the cold supper from the table and reheated it at least a dozen times. At this rate, supper would be ruined and she’d end up wearing it. Finally, a knock came to the door, and she smoothed back her hair before scurrying over to answer it.

To her surprise, it wasn't Gary she looked up at. The expression on the officer’s face erased any doubt whatsoever her husband was gone for good.

“Juliana Anderson? I’m Officer O’Leary. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was a little concerned when you didn't reply to my phone call.” 

Juliana stood behind the door, only her face revealed to him. Her body trembled uncontrollably as she took the small bag from him. Gary’s badly charred watch, along with his wedding band—the only clear indicator the officer spoke the truth.

The officer touched her shoulder, and she flinched. She knew he merely intended to comfort her, but it didn't stop the reaction. He gave her his card.

“Call me if I can help in any way.”

Juliana closed the door without speaking and shuffled across the room to sit at the table. Quite some time later, she stood and walked from room to room, reveling in her new found freedom. Outside of his office, she froze in place.

Do I dare go in? Laughter bubbled up and spilled out. She gasped at the foreign sound. When was the last time I laughed? Juliana couldn't remember. Cautiously, she turned the handle, careful not to make a sound.

Juliana let out a rush of air and laughed yet again, flinging the door open. During the seven years she’d lived here with Gary, she’d never set foot inside this room. The door had never been locked; she could have walked in any time she wanted. Fear was a bigger deterrent than any lock.

The room was cold, as cold as the man who had sat behind the simple wooden desk. Steel-grey eyes from a picture of Gary above the desk followed her around the room. At one time she thought he’d been so handsome with his premature salt-and-pepper hair. A shiver ran up her spine, and she darted from the room, mindfully shutting the door behind her. Like a mouse being stalked by a big old alley cat, Juliana shifted her gaze in every direction.

He can’t hurt me anymore. What am I supposed to do now? Maybe I should call someone like the officer suggested…but who?


At the next stop of my Blog Tour we will look into Rosa's story.







 Please leave a comment and I will randomly pick one winner to receive  this calendar magnet for 2013 and this lovely steampunk pewter symbol for woman charm. All names will go in a draw to win your choice of one of these three stories.
Please feel free to visit me on the next stop of my blog tour. You will find the schedule HERE

Website

Woman of Strength - Links to purchase as wells as Info on Contest

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Book Proposal Tips by Stephenia H. McGee

I have been doing evaluations for a literary agent for the last sixteen months. It's my job to send the agent a short evaluation of the author's proposal and whether or not I think the book will catch a publisher's attention. During this time I've noticed a few things that make some proposals pop, and others fizzle.

The first thing I look for should really go without saying. Did the author follow the agent's instructions on what he wants in the proposal? You'd be surprised how much this actually means. The agent wants specific things included for a reason. Following directions automatically puts you in a good light.

Next, I look at the word count. Most publishers will toss out a proposal before they even read it if the word count isn't in their specified parameters. If an author states the book is a novella and then shows me a 60,000 word count, I know they haven't done their homework.

Genre is another snag a lot of authors hit. Really try to do some research into genres and make sure you have the correct one for your story. I once got a proposal where the author presented a romance, but then gave me a happily married couple in their mid-fifties starting up their own private eye firm. Knowing your genre means knowing your market, your audience and what agents and publishers are a fit for you. If you're sending a great book to the wrong agent, you're still going to get a rejection letter.

The next portion of a proposal is usually a summary of the book. Don't be afraid to tell everything that happens, including the ending. While it is impossible to include every sub plot in a summary, the agent wants to see the major themes, plots and conflicts. This is not a reader pitch where you want them to be interested enough to read more. This is a brief overview of the entire book that will show the agent if you have written a complete storyline with a satisfying ending.

The last portion I evaluate is the author's sample chapters. First and foremost, have someone else proofread your sample chapters for typos and misused words. Too many mistakes are sloppy and unprofessional.

When I am evaluating an author's sample chapters, I look for something that grabs my attention, has engaging characters and an interesting premise. I ask myself: Does the story flow, is there good dialogue and beats, and is there some kind of conflict occurring? Does the book fit the author's specified target audience and type of publisher they are seeking?

And finally, I look for what I call "clean" writing. Here are a few brief tips for common mistakes I see: 1) Show, don't tell. Let me see a conversation; don't tell me what the characters talked about. 2) Don't give a huge section of backstory. Avoid the urge to tell the reader the character's past and motivations all at once. Weaving these details throughout the story feels like a natural way to get to know the character and gives the reader a sense of mystery. 3) Don't head-hop. It is very frustrating to be reading a paragraph inside one character's point of view and thoughts, then jump inside another character's in the next paragraph. It is confusing to the reader and breaks the spell of bringing them inside the story. And 4) Choose your point of view carefully. First person works best with only one character, not several. Third person and deep third-person work well for multiple characters and for plot driven novels.

Don't stress so much over your proposal being perfect that you never send it in. I have seen several proposals where the story needed a little work, but the agent was willing to represent the author if they made the corrections. Having a great story that is well-presented and being open to suggestions will always makes your proposal pop and help you to land that perfect agent.

Stephenia's Bio:Stephenia McGee wrote her first story from a first-grade spelling list. Many more have followed, but A Legacy of Lies is her first novel. She is a member of the Christian Writer's Guild and continues to work with other writers to hone her craft.

In addition to writing, Stephenia also enjoys painting and working with horses. She has a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in animal science and has worked and trained for several equestrian farms. She is the Chairman at Spirit Horse Ministries, and continues to use these skills in the youth programs.

She is a lifetime member of the AQHA and a member of the Fort Rosalie chapter of the DAR.

Stephenia is married to her best friend and greatest blessing, Jason, and they currently live in Mississippi with their two sons.

Stephenia’s new book –
A Life Built on a Legacy – A Legacy Built on Lies

Sarah Sanders was always the reasonable sort, until she kissed a cowboy against her better judgment. Feeling strangely drawn to this mysterious ranch hand with a dark past, she finds herself swept up in an adventure that will force her to question everything she believes.

Jim Anderson’s cowboy gig is going pretty well. Except for one thing – he thinks he's going insane. Night terrors, hallucinations, and now a girl he has no business falling for. It’s better to keep his distance. But when Sarah is nearly killed, he will risk it all to save her.

When tragedy brings him back to the home he tried to escape, Jim will have to face the truth behind his strange circumstances and hope that Sarah will believe him. Digging up the answers to questions long buried, does he have the strength to face the dark family secrets that threaten to destroy them both?

Available at Desert Breeze Publishing , Amazon ,  Christianbook.com .

Tracy Krauss' Wind Over Marshdale Book Launch!

Tracy Krauss is launching her book WIND OVER MARSHDALE today for only $2.99! Full of intrigue, romance, and plenty of surprises, see what’s hiding just beneath the surface in this seemingly peaceful town. You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY – and receive all kinds of cool free gifts while you’re at it!


Here’s how:

1. Go to the Landing Page on Tracy’s Website

2. Buy the book at amazon.

3. Go back to the Landing Page and fill in the form with your name, email and purchase number.

It’s that easy! You’ll be directed to your free gifts and all you have to do is choose which ones you want.


About the book:

Marshdale. Just a small farming community where nothing special happens. A perfect place to start over… or get lost. There is definitely more to this prairie town than meets the eye. Once the meeting place of aboriginal tribes for miles around, some say the land itself was cursed because of the people’s sin. But its history goes farther back than even indigenous oral history can trace and there is still a direct descendant who has been handed the truth, like it or not. Exactly what ties does the land have to the medicine of the ancients? Is it cursed, or is it all superstition?

Wind Over Marshdale is the story of the struggles within a small prairie town when hidden evil and ancient medicine resurface. Caught in the crossfire, new teacher Rachel Bosworth finds herself in love with two men at once. First, there is Thomas Lone Wolf, a Cree man whose blood lines run back to the days of ancient medicine but who has chosen to live as a Christian and faces prejudice from every side as he tries to expose the truth. Then there is Con McKinley, local farmer who has to face some demons of his own. Add to the mix a wayward minister seeking anonymity in the obscurity of the town; eccentric twin sisters – one heavily involved in the occult and the other a fundamentalist zealot; and a host of other ‘characters’ whose lives weave together unexpectedly for the final climax. This suspenseful story is one of human frailty - prejudice, cowardice, jealousy, and greed – magnified by powerful spiritual forces that have remained hidden for centuries, only to be broken in triumph by grace.

Purchase links:

Publisher : Astraea press http://astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=12328252

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Over-Marshdale-ebook/dp/B008ARYQPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339803471&sr=8-1&keywords=wind+over+marshdale

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wind-over-marshdale-tracy-krauss/1111512160?ean=2940014767682


What others are saying about the book:

Tracy Krauss has a deep talent. I am looking forward to more from her.  - Tom Blubaugh, Author of Night of the Cossack

Tracy Krauss typifies all that is good in modern Christian authorship. She is consistently there for her readers and elevates her every effort. - Joyce Godwin Grubbs, Author From the Grassroots

Tracy’s characters are raw and real; her plots edgy and electric. - Lisa Lickel, award winning author of Meander Scar, A Summer in Oakville, The Map Quilt and other inspirational novels.

There is plenty of intrigue and mystery to keep any reader's attention, but for lovers of romance, this one will make your heart pound. - Michelle Sutton, reviewer and author of more than a dozen inspirational novels


Tracy's Bio:

Tracy Krauss is an author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher. Originally from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She has lived in many places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They currently live in Tumbler Ridge, BC.

Published works include four romantic suspense novels: AND THE BEAT GOES ON, where archeological evidence for creation comes at a heavy cost; MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, the story of a ‘cougar’ who takes on more than she bargained for; PLAY IT AGAIN, about an unlikely match during the 1980s rock n’ roll scene; and WIND OVER MARSHDALE, where strong spiritual forces rock a seemingly peaceful prairie town. She also has several stage plays in print. Visit her website for more details. http://www.tracykrauss.com

Happily Ever After Giveaway Hop

For this hop I'm giving away a PDF of my sweet romance Renegade Hearts.  To enter all you have to do is become a follower of my blog and leave a comment with your contact information. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.
Jenny needs another skilled cowboy around, but Gil is more than she bargained for.
Single mother Jenny Holloway has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room.  So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around.

Gil was used to taking orders, even from women.  What he wasn’t prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him.  Jenny is a lot like the bronco she’s rescued and is now trying to break.  The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again.  Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn’t going anywhere. 

Excerpt:
Gil helped distribute and light all the candles. By the time they were done it was almost as bright as if the lights had never gone out. 
"Thanks, guys," Jenny said.

Gil looked over at her. She looked miserable. "How's the pain?"

"It's okay."

It was the answer he had expected. Gil picked up a stack of magazines from a nearby table and moved to one of the chairs. He sorted through the titles of mostly ranching magazines until he found one on sports. The minutes crept by and every now and then they could hear a loud crash. As much as he hated being stuck somewhere where he couldn't see what was going on, he dreaded the moment when they would walk out of the basement. He'd seen on TV the amount of destruction a tornado could produce in the matter of seconds.

"Can I ask you something, Gil?" Jenny asked.

He glanced up from his magazine. "Sure."

"Earlier when we were leaving the barn and the lightning struck, what happened to you?"

He hesitated a moment, not quite sure how to answer her without leaving the impression that he was mentally unstable.

"Did you have some sort of a flashback?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "Loud noises and flashes of light sometime trigger's a memory. But it doesn't happen very often... I mean there's nothing to worry about."

"I wasn't worried, Gil. I was just curious. I'm sorry I brought it up."

He smiled. "Don't be. I didn't mean to sound so defensive. It's just some people, after learning that I was in the war, get a little nervous around me."

"I'm sorry people treat you that way. They shouldn't."

"No. What people don't understand is that when a soldier is in battle they don't have time to think about it, to process it correctly in their minds. So when they get home those memories that have been suppressed sometimes occur when we least expect them."

"That makes sense."

"The trick is to pretend that you're not shaken by them."

"I barely noticed."

"You're not a very good liar."

"No, I don't suppose I am. What happened is perfectly understandable though."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now will you stop hogging all the magazines and hand me one of them?"
Buy Links:http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-206/Anne-Patrick-Renegade-Heart/Detail.bok
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=21201EB&item_code=WW&netp_id=953832&event=ESRCG&view=details
http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Hearts-ebook/dp/B005MZ8GJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316053113&sr=1-1
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/renegade-hearts-anne-patrick/1105618725
Follow the blog hop -http://www.murphyslibrary.com/http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/

Author June Bryan Belfie

June's Biography At this time of my life, I'm enjoying living in a small town in Pennsylvania with my husband Jim. While he handles our rental units and attends his wonderful gardens, I take care of our antique shop and write away. I've produced eight novels in five years, but only now am confident enough to work on marketing and sharing my stories with others. After raising five children, we enjoy the eight grandchildren, who span in age from five to twenty-three. I moved many times through my lifetime and painted, owned a thirty-eight room inn in the Pocono Mountains where I cooked for the guests and ran art workshops. At various times in my life, I also worked in a bank, played the piano, directed a choir, and went to decorating school in NYC. Everything I've experienced, including a difficult divorce, has led me to this point in my life. God has been my fortress throughout my valleys and my mountaintops. I've been truly blessed.
June's Books
Moving On (Christian Romance) Rating: Sweet Laura Barron, a Christian woman, recently divorced resides with Kim, her teen-age daughter, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Philadelphia. Her best friend introduces her to a cousin, Len Vickers, a widower living on the main line, who wants to maintain a relationship as a friend. Laura’s feelings become stronger but she is aware of Len’s difficulty in letting go of his feelings for his deceased wife.

Dave, her ex-husband is a doctor and helps Laura when her father becomes ill. Could he ever be part of her life again?

Laura’s daughter discovers her friend Lisa, whose father pastors their church, is in trouble. Kim involves her mother in finding a solution. Throughout this crisis, Len is there to give strength to the family. Laura needs to let go of her feelings for Len or he needs to release his guilt over his growing affection for Laura. Events transpire which determine the outcome. 
The Landlord (Christian Romance) Rating: Sweet When a young woman is confronted with her feelings for her handsome new landlord, she realizes he may not be available. He keeps reappearing, but then two other interesting men enter her life to further confuse her and she is ready to give up all men and settle for life with her double-toed cat, Spud. Has God brought one of these men into her life to be her future husband, and if so -- which one?

Kristen, a lovely young college graduate, struggles to find employment and deal with her feelings of loneliness and rejection after her boyfriend drops her without explanation. Along comes a new landlord -- a handsome and successful realtor named Dave, who starts off on the wrong footing by restricting all pets from the premises. She will not give up her cat -- her faithful companion. A leaking toilet, a squeaking door, and a trip to the gym, all act as collision courses for the two who become good friends - or are they? Kristen soon finds herself facing a new crisis. Does she take back her old boyfriend, who has re-appeared, date a young lawyer who finds her fascinating, or wait for the man who appears to have other interests?

This is a fast, fun read. Romantic and a page-turner. 
A Special Belling for Sara (Inspirational) Rating: Warm Sara Wilson lives alone with her cat in a small town in central Pennsylvania. She counsels women from a Christian perspective, but her own life is in turmoil. Sara is still suffering from a broken relationship as she begins dating a fellow counselor and teacher by the name of Ken.

Then a new youth pastor, who she assists at her church, makes it obvious he is interested in her. A third man shows up from her past. Her sisters tease her about her suitors, but only one will win her heart.

Sara becomes close to one of her clients, a young woman named Fran, who has had addiction problems. Sara helps her to lean on God and return to her family.

A medical emergency and a disclosed secret turn Sara's life upside down. Who will be the one she will share her life with? 
A Long Way to Go (Historical) Rating: WarmWhen her pastor arrives at her doorstep with David Harper, a stranger looking for work, the young widow, Rachel Miller, agrees to provide room and board in exchange for help on her farm. As David prepares to travel with the 1843 wagon train across the Oregon Trail, he proposes marriage to Rachel. Her decision is based on her need for a husband for herself and a father for her three young children. The hardships of the journey west can either bring the couple together or destroy hopes of ever having a marriage based on love. The story of six families bonding throughout the trip creates an authentic view of the early settlers and their ordeals in expanding this nation in the nineteenth century. 

Reading Clean Giveaway Hop

For this hop I'm giving away a PDF of my award-winning and best-selling Fire and Ash.  To enter all you have to do is become a follower of my blog and leave a comment with your contact information. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.



Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor is called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance the fire looks like the girl was just careless. What Sadie and the handsome new police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and put Sadie's life on the line.


Excerpt:

"Excuse me, sir. Are you supposed to be in here?"

The fireman turned. Quinn's eyes widened. Even with soot covering a good portion of the face, he could tell it was a woman from the brilliant smile she tossed at him. "It's miss, and I reckon I am if you wanna know the cause of this fire."

"You're with the State Fire Marshal's Office?" he guessed. Emerald Point's Fire Chief had told Quinn earlier that he suspected arson.

She stuck her clipboard underneath her arm, reached for the badge pinned to her turnout coat and flipped it around for him to view. "Sadie McGregor, Fire Investigator."

Interesting. She shared the same last name as the Fire Chief. That couldn't be a coincidence. "I had an officer posted here. Do you know where he went?"

"I sent him on an errand. Hope you don't mind." She stepped forward. Underneath her helmet, short strands of caramel colored hair framed a pretty face with freckles marching across both her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Haunting emerald eyes held his gaze as she offered her hand.

"Guess not." He shook the small latex covered hand, surprised by the strength of her grip. "Sorry for mistaking you for a guy."

She chuckled, turned, and walked into a room off to the right.

He followed. "I thought you were awfully small for a firefighter. I'm Police Chief Quinn Harrington by the way."

"I gathered that from your badge," she said with a smile. "Joe said you were on the scene during suppression, did anyone videotape it by chance? Or take pictures?"

"There were reporters on the scene so footage is probably available. Are you kin to Joe?"

"I'm his niece." She knelt along the baseboard. It was several seconds before she moved anything other than her head, which tilted from side to side as if in deep concentration. A few minutes later she balanced the clipboard on one knee, reached down and picked up what looked to be a framed photograph. "Must be her parents," she said, holding the frame up for his viewing.

"Mike and Donna Ingram. Larissa was their only child."

"Too bad. What do we know about her?"

"She was a senior over at the college, good kid, has never been in any trouble that I know of. The parents are away on vacation, so we think she was house sitting for them."

"Did you know her?"

"Not well. I've only been on the job a few months."

She laid the photograph on the buffet table, scribbled something on her clipboard and continued her examination of the room.

"I believe the point of origin is her bedroom, upstairs, first door on your right," Quinn volunteered.

"I've already been there," she said before exiting the room.

He followed her down the hall, into the kitchen. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn."

Just about the time he'd gone home to get a couple hours of much needed sleep.

Sadie pried opened the door of the soot-covered refrigerator and surveyed the contents. "Looks like our girl had herself a party."

"What makes you think that?"

"The refrigerator is almost empty and there are two barrels on the back porch with enough beer cans to pay for both our lunches."

"Preliminary findings of the coroner suggest she died from smoke inhalation."

"She also had a skull fracture."

"You've seen the body?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Well she could have received the head injury when she woke up disoriented. She was found next to the bed. She could have tripped and struck her head on the corner post."

"That's one possibility."

Linda Weaver Clarke's New Release & Giveaway!

Linda will give away one download of her book at the end of the above mentioned hop ending Sept 12th. To enter her drawing just leave a comment with your contact information.  Good luck!

Title: Desert Intrigue: The Adventures of John and Julia Evans (2012)

Author: Linda Weaver Clarke

Website: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com

Synopsis: Mystery…Adventure...Romance...Humor...Intrigue! When Julia’s brother announces that his dude ranch is haunted, she believes that someone is trying to sabotage his place and force him to sell. The mysterious happenings have to do with Superstition Mountain, the lost Dutchman’s goldmine, and the great Thunder God. Is it possible that the legend of the Thunder God is actually true? After a terrible thunderstorm, everyone begins to wonder. John and Julia quickly head to Mesa, Arizona and discover a few mysterious events. Will they find out who is behind these disasters before Uncle Kelly’s dude ranch is ruined?

Reviews: Romance, Mystery, and Regional History Collaborate to Create a Satisfying, Intriguing Story! It was difficult to put this one down. I cared about the characters, I cared about their ranch, and I was brainstorming right along with this delightful family, figuring out how to either remove the curse or solve the mystery that threatened to destroy their way of life. There are children flirting with romance, relational complexities, and a wedding in the works that just won’t seem to come together. The writing is clear and lively, never calling attention to itself or getting in the way of the story. The touches of humor and inclusion of regional history tie it all together to make a satisfying story all the more fascinating. Highly recommended! –Steve Miller, Author

This book can be read safely by anyone, and the romance scenes are absolutely delectable! The mystery in the book is probably the best I have seen from Linda Weaver Clarke. She gave subtle details, but even I did not have it all figured out by the end. –My Devotional Thoughts

I loved the first three books in this series, but I actually loved this one even more. I didn’t think that was possible. The characters are so well written and I absolutely adore each member of the Evans family. They grab at your heartstrings and won’t let go. As for the story, talk about a fast-paced story. Desert Intrigue is that and more! It’s a book that will leave you with that “warm fuzzy” feeling. Linda Weaver Clarke has outdone herself with this book! I'm sure it comes as no surprise that it's getting my Socrates' Great Book Alert. –Socrates Book Reviews

Desert Intrigue is an entertaining and joyful book, my favorite in this mystery series by Linda Weaver Clarke. I love the sparks of romance in this adventure--they spice things up and add much interest to the story. The book has a handful of surprises that I did not anticipate, and the mystery fuels much of the action. –Suko’s Notebook

As a guy, it was really great to see a man, check that men, being shown as strong not only physically, but emotionally as well. I've read a lot of books where the guy in the book isn't shown as being connected to his wife/girlfriend through anything other than surface thoughts. With John and his brother-in-law Kelly, though, I saw them as "men's men", and ones that also were invested in the life of the women around them. The story moved quick enough, there were plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing, right down to the ending of the book. –Rick Estep, Reviews From A Man's Perspective

Linda Weaver Clark's New Release

Title: Desert Intrigue: The Adventures of John and Julia Evans (2012)

Author: Linda Weaver Clarke

Website: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com

Synopsis: Mystery…Adventure...Romance...Humor...Intrigue! When Julia’s brother announces that his dude ranch is haunted, she believes that someone is trying to sabotage his place and force him to sell. The mysterious happenings have to do with Superstition Mountain, the lost Dutchman’s goldmine, and the great Thunder God. Is it possible that the legend of the Thunder God is actually true? After a terrible thunderstorm, everyone begins to wonder. John and Julia quickly head to Mesa, Arizona and discover a few mysterious events. Will they find out who is behind these disasters before Uncle Kelly’s dude ranch is ruined?

Reviews: Romance, Mystery, and Regional History Collaborate to Create a Satisfying, Intriguing Story! It was difficult to put this one down. I cared about the characters, I cared about their ranch, and I was brainstorming right along with this delightful family, figuring out how to either remove the curse or solve the mystery that threatened to destroy their way of life. There are children flirting with romance, relational complexities, and a wedding in the works that just won’t seem to come together. The writing is clear and lively, never calling attention to itself or getting in the way of the story. The touches of humor and inclusion of regional history tie it all together to make a satisfying story all the more fascinating. Highly recommended! –Steve Miller, Author

This book can be read safely by anyone, and the romance scenes are absolutely delectable! The mystery in the book is probably the best I have seen from Linda Weaver Clarke. She gave subtle details, but even I did not have it all figured out by the end. –My Devotional Thoughts

I loved the first three books in this series, but I actually loved this one even more. I didn’t think that was possible. The characters are so well written and I absolutely adore each member of the Evans family. They grab at your heartstrings and won’t let go. As for the story, talk about a fast-paced story. Desert Intrigue is that and more! It’s a book that will leave you with that “warm fuzzy” feeling. Linda Weaver Clarke has outdone herself with this book! I'm sure it comes as no surprise that it's getting my Socrates' Great Book Alert. –Socrates Book Reviews

Desert Intrigue is an entertaining and joyful book, my favorite in this mystery series by Linda Weaver Clarke. I love the sparks of romance in this adventure--they spice things up and add much interest to the story. The book has a handful of surprises that I did not anticipate, and the mystery fuels much of the action. –Suko’s Notebook

As a guy, it was really great to see a man, check that men, being shown as strong not only physically, but emotionally as well. I've read a lot of books where the guy in the book isn't shown as being connected to his wife/girlfriend through anything other than surface thoughts. With John and his brother-in-law Kelly, though, I saw them as "men's men", and ones that also were invested in the life of the women around them. The story moved quick enough, there were plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing, right down to the ending of the book. –Rick Estep, Reviews From A Man's Perspective