K.R. Bailey's Blog, page 9

La Plata, Utah - A Utah Ghost Town

Did you know the town of La Plata, Utah only existed for about three years? Oh, I'm sure there were miners still there after most of the town closed up, but according to my research, the little mining town was only a viable place for three short years from 1891 to 1894.

I came across an interesting tidbit about La Plata. There were no houses of ill repute. When most every western mining town during that period had brothels and cribs for prostitutes, La Plata didn't allow them. There's a story that one day a wagon carrying three young prostitutes came into town and tried to set up business. They were ran out of town because most of the miners were family men from religious families.

I remember visiting the old town site years ago when we could still ride our ATVs up into the town and around the old mine shafts. The street was narrow and rather steep. A small river ran down the side of the road. You could see seen the foundations of some old buildings along each side of the road. Have any of you been to the old town site? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

Doesn't La Plata sound like a great place to use as a setting for a western story? Well, it is in my newest book, A Tug At My Heart.

A Tug At My Heart should be released shortly in e-book format and the print book will be available soon after that.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey http://www.KRBailey.com

Believe in Yourself

Always remember
You are braver than you believe
Stronger than you seem and
Smarter than you think!

I came across this thought in a magazine and today I really needed to read it so I thought I'd share it with you.  There are days when it seems nothing goes right and I just want to give up. Do you ever have those thoughts?

So, as I read through the thought I realized that I've always used the motto - you can do what you set your mind to.  I can be brave and strong and smart. I can accomplish what I set out to do by taking things one step at a time.

I remember dreaming about becoming a published author. I never thought I could do something like that. Now, several years later, I have nine stories published. I accomplished one of my dreams, and it feels good.

Just remember how good it feels when you accomplish something. You may have to be a bit brave to take the first step. Stay strong - you can do it!

Have a great day.

K. R. Baileyhttp://www.KRBailey.com

Print or E-Book?

Which do you prefer?

It's obvious e-books are taking over the market by storm. Most of my writing friends find they sell way more e-books than print ones.  Some are deciding not to have their books in print at all.

I know I love my Sony e-reader. Hubby gave it to me for Christmas a few years back. It's compact enough to fit in my purse. I always know I've got several books to read without carrying the weight of print books. As I get older (oh, did I really admit that?) I love being able to increase the font size for easier reading. If something happens to my e-reader, I'll be the first one in line for a new one.

But some say there's nothing like holding a real print book. You can have it autographed for a keepsake. You can save it on a shelf for others to see. It's tangible - one of those things we've come to love over the years.

So I ask you - which do you prefer -- A print book or an E-book?

K. R. Baileyhttp://www.KRBailey.com

Writers Are Unique Characters

It's funny, before I started writing and getting published, I was in awe of authors. They were special, talented people. Now I'm a published author, I'm still in awe of the special, talented people who I've met. I belong to the Romance Writers of America and personally call lots of published authors my friends. They are helpful, supportive people. I'm very lucky to know them.

One thing I'm impressed with is how they find the time to accomplish so much -- complete and publish several books a year, raise children, maintain a happy marriage or relationship, and still find time for social activities.

A friend of mine designed some cute T-shirts that read, "I'm an author. I might be alone, but I'm never alone in my head." It's true. At almost any time, we're developing new characters who become part of our souls, who are close to our hearts until the story we're writing is finished. Then we write 'The End' and have to say goodbye to the characters we've tortured and loved.  But the neat part is we get to start all over and meet new ones, decide what they look like, what their flaws are, and what situations we'll throw them into. A writer's world is constantly changing, but that's a good thing because it means there will always be new stories and books being published and I love that idea.

Where do we get our ideas? I know anything can stir my imagination - a television program, a ride in the mountains, or a thought I read. Ideas are everywhere.

But a word of caution -- you or someone created like you could become a character in a story. but it's okay because romance writers always create stories with happy endings!

Just some food for thought as you pick up your next book --

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey http://KRBailey.com  

Perfect Love

Find someone who will:
     Never get tired of kissing you every day.     Hugs you when you’re jealous     Understandingly keeps silent when you’re mad     Squeeze your hand when you’re not in the mood     Plan and imagine the future with you in it 
And when you find that someone …Never Let Go.
 Don’t you just love this saying? I don’t know where I found it, but I thought it was definitely worth passing on. 

Until you find your “true love” read a good romance novel and enjoy that loving feeling until you do.
Happy Reading!
K. R. Bailey
www.KRBailey.com
 

Pets Make Our World Special

Most of us have pets – dogs, cats, birds, horses, goats, even pigs. They add so much enjoyment to our lives. What an empty world it would be without them, don’t you think?

I grew up around horses. My Morgan horse, Rascal, became my friend and confidant. 
Everything in life seemed better when I crawled on his back and went for a ride. I loved sitting in the hay barn, enjoying the smell of hay. I’d pour out my heart to my Rascal as he ate from the manager. I knew he was listening because his ears would move back and forth as I talked. Every once in awhile he’d lean up and nuzzle me as if tell me everything will be okay.

He was born on our property, and I started breaking him to ride when he was just two. For over 28 years, he was there for me, and I have so many special memories of spending time with him.  I’ll never forget the day my dad called and told me he’d died.  I lost a special friend that day.

I remember the day my son bought our first yellow lab and named him Max. He was a little six-week old puppy, round ball of fur. We had so much fun with him. When my son decided to get married and couldn’t keep him, we inherited him. He was my husband’s companion after he retired. I don't think my husband went anywhere without that little dog.  He was always part of the family. He loved going for rides with us on our ATVs, and I’ll never forget the time we loaded up the 4-wheelers. Max knew something was up and he crawled up on the trailer, onto the 4-wheeler and he spent the night there. He made sure he wasn’t left behind when we went for rides.

Today we have another yellow lab named Shilo.
He’s three and just getting past the puppy stage. He’s my buddy, and its always amazing to me that I can be busy and not play with him for a day or so, but whenever I go out, he’s there, wagging his tail, thrilled to see me.

My most unique pet was a young turkey. His name became Beep Beep because when he was little, every time we went by the box we kept him in, he’d make a chirping sound like Beep Beep. As he got older, we’d call him and he would coming running and follow us around.

Pets become part of our families, adding happiness, and becoming an integral part of our lives. As I write my stories, you’ll notice that my hero and heroines nearly always have animals in them. A story wouldn’t be real if it didn’t have a dog wagging its tail or a horse wanting to have his neck rubbed. Wouldn’t you agree?

Do you have a special pet? I'd love to hear about it.

K. R. Bailey

http://KRBailey.com

Thought for Today

Happiness is not a destination -- It's a way of life.
      ---unknown

Had to share.  Saw this is a magazine and thought how true. Sometimes we just have to make happiness what we want in life -- It's definitely the destination we work toward, but I also think we need to decide to be happy, look positive at things, and life will be good to us. Too often, it's easy to slide into the negative and think badly about people, things, the weather, etc. My goal is to think positive. Smile even when I don't feel like it. I want people to think of me as happy.

What do you think?

K. R. Bailey

Tiffinie Helmer's book, EDGE (the 1st in the Romance...

Tiffinie Helmer's book, EDGE (the 1st in the Romance of the Edge Novels) is on sale starting today April 13th - 15th for only 99 cents. 



 She'd a fantastic author, and you won't be disappointed.  In fact, I think you'll be hooked on her Alaskan series. 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/YJLA66
B&N: http://bit.ly/ZCFxiV

Happy Reading!


K. R. Bailey

Come Meet Alysia S. Knight, Author

I’m thrilled to introduce author, Alysia S. Knight . Thanks for joining us today.   KRB: Hi Alysia. I understand you have a new book out. Can you tell us a little bit about it and when it will be available?  Alysia: Thanks Kathy for hosting me. Temperature Rising is my third book out. It was released in January. It’s a sweet romantic suspense.  Laken Williams is an architect with a fever. On the way home she literally bumps into a man going into the pharmacy who scares her. That night she experiences a fevered vision of murder. When the woman in her dream ends up dead, she goes to the police hoping to help.Detective Spencer ‘Mac’ MacDaniels is faced with the end of his career after being shot. Working his last big case, he’s intrigued with his possible witness until he finds out she dreamed it all. Eventually, he starts to believe Laken but it becomes personal as he falls in love. Things heat up when she becomes the killer’s next target.
KRB: Sounds like a great story. What makes this story unique from others on the market?
Alysia: I write sweet, but give you lots of adventure and romance. 
 KRB: Tell us where you got your inspiration for this story.
Alysia: I have the best dreams. Honestly, most of my books come from dreams. I write the classic hero story, so needless to say my brand is: Heroes for all times.

KRB: Where can people get your book? Will it be available in e-book format as well as print?
Alysia: It will be available on Amazon and with Astraea Press my publisher. I’m so happy with them. They do only sweet but wonderful books. 
KRB: Tell us about your writing routine. Do you use music to inspire you? Do you find yourself being able to get more done in the morning or late evening?
Alysia: I write whenever I get the chance, morning before work, after I get home and again in the evening. Mornings or late at night when the house is quiet is best. I really look forward to my days off to be able to write at least half the day. I do have to break to do housework sometime, unfortunately. 
I am one of those who always have music on when I write. My music depends on the scene. I love the Piano Guys, Mannheim Streamroller and soundtracks; Avatar, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and others by those composers.

KRB: Have you always wanted to be an author?
Alysia: I actually started writing my own Hardy Boys books when I was in high school. I just always thought it was kind of crazy, me wanting to be an author. I was from a small town in Wyoming and not good at English. 

KRB:  It sounds as if you’ve reached a dream.  Who has had the most influence on you as an author?
Alysia: I actually just write what comes to me. So I’m all over. It just has to have an intrigue and a love story. I will write a romantic suspense, then a young adult; a future or fantasy then a western historical. I just like to entertain myself and hopefully readers, too. 

KRB: Where can readers go to find out more about you and your upcoming stories? My next book with Astraea is Kare For Me and will be out in a couple months. I haven’t been given a release date. I’m also in the process of getting Blind Witness ready to self publish. I’m interested to see how that goes. To find out more, go to my website.
 Alysia S. Knight, Heroes for all times. 

KRB: What advice would you give others who want to become authors?
Alysia: Write what you enjoy and have faith in yourself.

 KRB: Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Aysia: Have a great day, and if you happen to read one of my books, I would love to hear from you.  

KRB: This has been fun. Thanks so much for taking time to visit with me today.
Alysia: Thanks so much Kathy. I loved stopping by.
  
If you haven’t had the opportunity to read one of Alysia S. Knight’s books, you’re really missing out.  Try one. You won’t be disappointed.
Happy Reading!
K. R. Baileyhttp://www.KRBailey.com
 
 
 
 

Cherokee Legend of Becoming A Man

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youths' rite of Passage?


His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. [image error]Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come Into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat
stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his
Blindfold. [image error]

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.[image error]
I don't know who wrote this, but I loved it and wanted to share.  I also can't verify this is truly the Cherokee legend, but isn't it a great story? It shows the perfect love of a father trying to teach his son, making him do what is necessary but always being there by his side just in case.
As we go into the new year, may 2014 bring you everything wonderful. May you find that perfect love that will help you along the way but still allow you to grow.
 
K. R. Bailey www.KRBailey.com