Brenda Whiteside's Blog, page 88

Four Directions; Much of the Same

  Tortuga Thursday  In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.
No real edition of Tortuga Thursday today. Our week since last Thursday was filled with much of the same as the week before.

Today we're each going our different directions. Lance is getting in his last days of bow hunting. Christie is minding the farm and Sadi. Frank is headed to the lake. He'll man the Prescott Farmers' Market solo on Saturday. I am out the door to Phoenix for the Chocolate Affaire which is actually in Glendale. One of my author groups will have a booth, and we'll be signing books.

The Chocolate Affaire is normally an event close to Valentine's Day for all things chocolate and romantic. With the Super Bowl in Glendale this year, the city moved the event to the two days before the Super Bowl game. I think they're trying to capitalize on the expected crowds in the city. Rain is forecast for both days. Hmmm...hope the out-of-towners are not as skittish about rain as Phoenicians. Wish me luck.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFLICT by Mary Gillgannon

MUSE MONDAY Please welcome Mary Gillgannon to Muse Monday. Read on!
Years ago, a romance editor told me what she looked for in a synopsis:  “Tell me what she wants, what he wants, and why they can’t get it.” I was trying to figure out how to condense my ten-page synopsis down to the two pages she’d requested, and at first her advice puzzled me. What about the development of the romance? What about character growth? I eventually came to realize that what she was talking about was conflict. Because something is keeping the characters from getting what they want, there is conflict. And conflict is the engine that drives the story. It is what builds suspense. If the characters get everything they want, the reader isn’t going to care about them, or keep reading to find out what happens. Without conflict, you don’t have a strong plot.  In a romance, the conflict often starts between the hero and heroine. Sometimes it’s overt and they are actual enemies. In one of my books, she’s a Saxon and he’s the Norman knight who takes control of her home. Their first response upon meeting is wariness on his part, and outright hatred on hers. There is a big conflict between them and it takes a long time to work out. In a contemporary romance conflict may be more subtle. They may be on opposite sides of a political issue or work for competing businesses. Or they may just rub each other the wrong way. She’s a free spirit and he likes things by-the-book. She may be fiercely independent and he’s a take-charge kind of guy. Whatever it is, they clash from the beginning. Sometimes in big ways. Sometimes in little ones. The tension of their conflict is part of what draws them together. It makes them think and behave in different ways. By its very nature it changes them. And the reader follows along, wanting to see what happens. Then there is the conflict that takes place inside them. They may be very clear in their goals at the beginning of the book, but by the end, they have often completely changed direction. What they think they want turns out to be unimportant, and something they didn’t think they cared about turns out to be crucial to their happiness. We enjoy this process of the characters growing and changing as they work out the conflicts happening inside them. Very often the conflict that drives the story changes over the course of the book. The internal conflicts at the beginning are resolved as the hero and heroine fall in love. Meanwhile, outside forces threaten to destroy everything. The villain who has been lurking in the background takes center stage. But the hero and heroine, who have learned to trust each other and work together, now take on the threat together. The conflict has shifted from the dynamic between them to something outside them. Depending on the story, the threat may be psychological or very real. But either way, the struggle with this opposing force will take them to nearly the end of the book. As they—together—triumph over the obstacle to their happiness, the reader experiences the satisfaction of their success and a sense that all is right with the world. The happily-ever-after is the payoff. But it would not be nearly so sweet without the conflict that made the story come to life.
Tell us a little about your latest book, Mary, and something about you...
In the ninth-century, Irish warrior Connar fell hopelessly in love with Aisling, one of the Nine Sisters, a group of priestesses skilled in healing. When Aisling came to a tragic end, he used magic to travel to the future to reunite with her. But someone has followed Connar from the past, and they are determined to keep Allison and Connar apart. As Allison struggles with terrifying visions, she must learn to trust in a love that transcends even death.
Buy links:  AMAZON    B & N    KOBO    THE WILD ROSE PRESS

Mary Gillgannon writes historical romance and fantasy, often with Celtic influences. She’s married and has two grown children. She now indulges her nurturing tendencies on four very spoiled cats and a moderately spoiled dog. When not working or writing, she enjoys gardening, traveling and reading, of course!
Blog: http://marygillgannon.blogspot.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mary.gillgannonTwitter:  https://twitter.com/MaryGillgannon

Mountains, Lakes, and Misleading Road Signs

  Tortuga Thursday  In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.
Mazatlan Mountains to our west in Tonto Basin Every winter seems to be colder than the last. I looked through the archives and read my blogs from last January to confirm that. Nope. I complained of the freeze killing greenhouse plants last year, too. I guess time does dim some memories.
As the winter farmers’ market vendors, well, mostly Frank, we’ve Sierra Ancha & Tonto Creek to the eastdecided to do them every other week only. Since we’re staying in Tonto Basin for most of the winter season, it’s too long a trek to make every week. We have to stay two nights at least. Even if we didn’t do the farmers’ market we’d have to go for a stay every couple of weeks – I miss the fam, you know.
I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the Tonto Basin area. There is a rich Indian history here that I’ve yet to delve into but want to as soon as I get caught up with the two books I’m writing. Both the Hohokom and the Apache inhabited this area. Roosevelt LakeWe headed up the mountain to Payson yesterday then back down into the basin and beyond to Roosevelt Lake.
Payson isn’t the little cowboy town I remember from the early 80’s. Too bad. It's still small, but the cowboy bars are mostly gone replaced by chain restaurants and Walmart. It’s still a gorgeous area but the highway across the rim bypasses some of my memories.
I’m awed by the dam and Roosevelt Lake. It’s unbelievably low and a The highway to the lake from our parktestament to Arizona’s water problems. I got a big laugh out of a road sign. The Apache Trail is a road (using the term loosely) that connects the dam area to Apache Junction (outskirts of Mesa which is on the way to Phoenix). It’s the only way to get to Apache Lake. If an unsuspecting tourist saw this sign and thought “wow, a short cut to the valley” …boy would they be The dam from the Roosevelt sidein for a shock. It quickly turns into a dirt road that is not much more than a car wide and a sheer drop off to death. In fact, you can spot vehicles that met that fate along the way. Boaters must really want to go to Apache Lake to brave the road. The road is aptly named a The damn from the Apache sidetrail.
The day was beautiful and a mixed weather event. Hope you enjoy the photos!
Don't follow that Apache Jct arrow!
Around the corner the pavement ends and it hugs the cliff As you enter the Apache Trail

Stormee Waters by Lynda Coker

Please welcome Lynda Coker to a special edition of Discover Yourself. Lynda is launching her newest book Stormee Waters . She also has a special giveaway going on here: Click Here for Details

Before we learn more about Stormee Waters , let's find out a little about Lynda.



What does your writing space look like?I have one room in the house that doubles as a writing and art studio. My author area occupies one side and my artsy stuff occupies the other. They don't seem to mind sharing the same space. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?I love fabric and I enjoy designing original art pieces for my home.            What books might we find on your bedside table?At the moment, you'd find 18 books of varied genres and lengths. Since I enjoy doing book reviews for my blog, I read a diverse range of stories, including nonfiction. 
Stormee Waters released on January 14th.

Dirk Savage never fails to acquire what he wants until he encounters Stormee Waters and a backwash of trouble...Stormee Waters knows about hard times. Needing to care for her aging grandmother and teenage brother, she moves to Houston, Texas and takes a writing job for a popular magazine. Her first assignment is to interview a successful business man for a series of articles entitled, Make My Man Texas-Sized. Her target, Dirk Savage, appears to have the right criteria. He's adventurous with the air of a conqueror. Admired by his peers and coveted by beauty queens and debutantes, he's just the type of man that Stormee needs to make her first article sizzle and sell. But can she handle the heat when she catches his attention?Dirk Savage is used to acquiring what he wants, except in the illusive quest for the one woman who can fill his heart. The shock of discovering her in the naive young woman assigned to interview him sets his jaded emotions on high alert. Can he convince her that his pursuit is genuine?
ExcerptShe came back to reality and placed the box on the foyer table, picked up her purse, and stepped through the door. The evening light cast a deep shadow across the man at her side, giving the illusion that he became one with the darkness, and something more she couldn’t define. When he escorted her to a sleek, black sports car of indefinable origin, something more took on solid proportions in her imagination. Every tingling cell in her body warned her against the power of his striking personality. That feeling barely registered before another followed. Dirk Savage didn’t play by anyone’s rules but his own. She nibbled her lower lip and stole a glance at him as he helped her to fasten the seat belt.“Don’t look so dismayed. I’m not going to ravish you, at least, not before we’ve had our dinner.”Still leaning over her, with nothing but a thought between their lips, his low chuckle reached to the very bottom of her toes. Embarrassed by his scrutiny, she turned her head...
Buy Links:The Wild Rose Press Amazon
Lynda is an author of contemporary romance that lingers in a reader’s mind long after they’ve closed the book. She lives in Northeast Texas with her husband of fifty years. They enjoy traveling, trying new foods, spending time with family and friends, and doing community service work together. When she feels the need to take a break from writing, she enjoys creating fabric art.  She offers an open invitation to view both her writing and fabric art on her blog.Blog:  http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/lyndacoker Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lyndacoker Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/lyndacoker/
   

Who CAN'T Use a Gift Certificate?

MUSE MONDAY
Bet you didn't know Monday fell on Tuesday this week. What can I say? It's been one of those months. I might still have the holiday hangover. So, I'm playing catchup.

I'm headed out on the blog post circuit beginning January 26th for Southwest of Love and Murder , book two in the Love and Murder Series. Technically, it's a promo tour since I don't have to actually write any posts. Each stop on the tour will include a review and a chance for readers to win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

This is my favorite kind of tour. It's a win-win for everyone: I get exposure and reviews while the readers get to learn about a new book and a chance at a gift certificate. It's only a little scary because there's always the possibility of a bad review. But I have high hopes for this book. One of the reviews is up early and you can see why I have high hopes:


"WOW!!!! Never have read anything from Brenda Whiteside until now and let me say, I can't wait for more from her! This book takes you on a ride you sure as heck don't see coming! A plot that will give you turns that will blindside and twists that will leave you asking, "what the...." This book is that dang good! Hard to put down once you start and had you on the edge of your seat needing more!"
From Undercover Book Reviews

The tour will run for four weeks. I hope each and every one of you will visit each stop. And I would love it if you'd spread the word!

January 26
Unabridged Andra’s

Feb 2
Harp’s Romance Book Reviews

Feb 9
Undercover Book Reviews

Feb 16
Jane Reads

 

The Story Behind Whatever It Takes by JM Stewart

MUSE MONDAY Hi Brenda! Thanks so much for having me! Since I have a new release out, I thought I’d share a bit about how the book came to be. WHATEVER IT TAKES is book 2 in my Morgan Family Romance series. And it took a while to come into being. At one point, I didn’t think I’d finish it. Becca and Jackson’s story began over eleven years ago now. I met Becca while writing book one, Risking It All. In the original writing of RIA, Becca loathed her ex-husband, but there was an undercurrent of love there too she was trying not to feel. It intrigued me. I had to know…could I make their relationship work again? In other words, this book began as a challenge to myself. ;)In truth, I got about five chapters into the book (then titled…dun dun dun…Second Chances) and quit writing. I stopped writing altogether for a period of about six years. So the book sat, unfinished, on my hard drive. It was a bunch of little things that all heaped on top of me at the same time. Something had to give.About that time, I’d submitted Risking It All (under a different title) to Harlequin. It earned me a revision request, but ultimately got turned down. For whatever reason, this particular rejection hit me really hard.I also hit a snag in my personal life. Something cropped up (which is a story in and of itself but one I won’t talk about, because it still has the power to sink me—I’m also not sure you’d believe me *wink*) that triggered my PTSD, and I spiraled into what I now call flashback hell. This is kind of an aside here, but I’ve been writing a war veteran lately and I’m reminded I’m not the only one who suffers from this disorder. One thing all those websites about PTSD don’t (and can’t) really tell you is that PTSD takes your reality…and skews how you view it. Flashbacks aren’t always straightforward. Imagine your worst fear. Now imagine that fear has a voice and it’s screaming in your face. Despite knowing it’s not real, when it hits you, you still feel the pain.What it amounts to, though, is my writing had to take a back seat for a while. I missed it though. In fact, part of my motivation to get better…was to get well enough that I wanted to write again. When I did, the first book I picked up was Risking It All (b/c it was already written).Whatever It Takes didn’t actually get completed until I’d gotten the rights back on Kyle and Ceci’s story. Like RIA, I decided one day to see if I could make something of the story. I’m glad I did, though, because I fell in love with Jackson in the process.The story did get a little help from my editor at Berkley during the revision process. That scene in chapter 3 or 4, where Becca goes back to her burned out house, was born out of a note my editor made.


She’s been dying to hear the words… Walking away from her husband was the hardest thing Becca Morgan has ever done, even if it was the only way to save her heart from being broken by a loveless marriage. Still, when a terrible accident forces her to stay at her ex’s house, emotions she thought she’d buried for Jackson Kade long ago start coming to the surface—and, to her surprise, seem to be reciprocated…
…he just doesn’t know how to say.Jackson Kade has never known love like he knew with Becca, but his cold upbringing left him unable to show her how deeply he feels. When Becca winds up under his roof once more, he knows it’s his only opportunity to prove his devotion—and passion. But old habits die hard, and even one mistake could shatter their last chance at love…

Penguin: http://ow.ly/CZii4Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFFSZDE
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FFFSZDE
B&N: http://ow.ly/CZijniTunes: http://ow.ly/CZikoKobo: http://ow.ly/CZipW


About the author: JM writes passionate, heartfelt contemporary romance. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession. Find Joanne here:Web site Blog Twitter Facebook 

Love! Murder!

Today is worldwide release day for Southwest of Love and Murder, the second book in my Love and Murder series. Although I'm excited on release days, and don't get me wrong today is no exception, I haven't had time to be properly excited. We're only a week into the New Year and two weeks past Christmas. It's my favorite time of year, and I've been extremely busy with family and friends...which is what I most love about the season.

But that means I didn't get to do the proper buildup or promotion for the book.

The release happens whether I'm ready or not. A much wiser than I am writer friend reminded me that the release of a book is not a sprint. It's a marathon. This one day is not the only day the book will be out there. I spent the month before the release of the first book in the series, The Art of Love and Murder, on organizing promotion. This time, I'll spend the month after.

It's a marathon, after all.



Writing murder mysteries is all in a day's work until an obsessed fan brings Phoebe's stories to life. BUY LINKS:AMAZON 
THE WILD ROSE PRESS 
ARe 

Retiring (sort of) On the Cheap

Sadi and her doggies rompWinter has definitely come to Tortuga Flats Farm. We're all hibernating, doing odd jobs that get put off when the fields are alive and growing. We do have life with the garlic, but it's below ground and hidden.

We still intend to vend at the Prescott Farmers' Market on Saturdays, weather permitting. As Frank says "we're pirates, not Eskimos!"

Now is the time of year that I might not post weekly unless something noteworthy happens. Just a heads up.

Welcome to the Lazy JROther news in the land of Tortuga is Frank and I have moved the RV to Tonto Basin. We're at the Lazy JR Ranch which is an over 55 park set in the trees on the edge of Tonto National Forest. It's a short walk down to Tonto Creek. We're in a beautiful basin surrounded by tall mountains and a short drive to the rim country of Arizona. Some of the
Down our roadresidents are year round while others are winter visitors. We're on a small site that still accommodates the RV, boat, both cars, outdoor table and barbecue. We have our name on a waiting list for a bigger site that will cost another $5 a month. But as I understand it, we might have to wait for someone to die before a spot opens up. I've written a few murders in my books. Hmm...

As promised, I'll share the details for living on a dime. It took some research on Frank's part to find this place. There are some other sites in the Tonto Basin area but they charge a little more and aren't nearly as scenic. This place has a rustic feel to it. But they have a nice laundromat, an outdoor barbecue
The Laundromatgathering area and a nice clubhouse. Most of all, the people are friendly. The owners live on-site too. Our site is $180 a month. It cost us that for a week in Laughlin. Retiring on a shoestring, if you don't mind RV living, is possible. We're 35 minutes out of Payson - a great little cowboy town for those not familiar. We're under 2 hours to the valley and major shopping. And what is great for Frank is the proximity to three lakes. For a fisherman, this is like the best spot in all of AZ. I'm throwing myself into my writing cave while he fishes. And for retiring without much moola, it's great.


Across the street and... We're 3 hours from the farm through some of the most gorgeous
...all around uscountry in Arizona so I don't mind the drive which we've been making once a week for the Farmers Market. It's about 10 degrees warmer here than Paulden. Yesterday we had snow all around us, literally minutes away. As the winter progresses, I'll share more about this style of RVing.

Solstice and Squash Soup (recipe!)

Tortuga Thursday  In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.
Playing with ribbon can be tricky
Christmas Day. Of course I wrote this in advance since we’ll be in Phoenix at my mom’s celebrating the holiday with family. Most of us have multiple stops today. Frank and I don’t so we’ll hang out at Mom’s and visit as the rest of the family wanders in and out.
Four days ago, we had our Solstice celebration on the farm. It was The Solstice Fireeven more meaningful, and certainly more fun, with nearly two-year-old Sadi. We didn’t get through the entire fire ceremony since by that time she was overwhelmed with all the day’s activities. No problem. The day had tired all of us.
Sadi's first roasted marshmallowPart of our Solstice celebration is to have as much of the food we grow ourselves as possible. By December, the choices are fewer. So in addition to a great Irish lamb stew that Frank cooked, Christie made butternut squash (from our fields) soup. The recipe is below. It’s excellent!
Lance is getting some veggies growing in the greenhouse again after the Still working on itearly hard freeze practically wiped us out. So far we have chard, onions, collard onions and the carrots are still hanging on. It’s not very pretty right now, but it’s a work in progress.
The crows disruptionThe garlic has started sprouting, and the crows are a menace. Apparently, they have yanked some of the tiny sprouts from the ground. Whether they are doing it as they dive for bugs or purposely going for garlic, we aren’t totally sure, but two rows are a bit torn up. We invested in a bb/pellet gun. When they come around early morning, Lance pops one with a bb and it clears them out for that day.
We’ve moved the RV to our home away from farm in Tonto Basin. I’ll save that story until next week. I have some good tips if you want to retire on limited funds that you might find interesting.
Butternut Squash Christie’s Butternut Squash Soup (this fed four adults, one child, and we had leftovers-our butternut are large)

Ingredients: Two large butternut squash, cut in half and seeds scooped out ½ large onion, diced (note here: If you want to include some other veggies you may. Christie added a small amount of fresh spinach) Rice milk (or any milk product you prefer) as needed for a soup consistency 5-6 slices of bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled Spices to your taste: Salt Curry powder Cinnamon Black pepper
Bake squash at 400 degrees for one hour and fifteen minutes. Baste with butter occasionally. In a pan, cook the onion and any other veggie you might like in a couple of tbs of butter. Puree cooked butternut in a blender adding the milk of your choice to the consistency desired. Pour into a pan, add seasoning and bacon. Heat for at least ½ hour to blend the spices. Enjoy!  Some Santa's in the RV

Snap, Crackle, Pop

 Tortuga Thursday
In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.  We've been trying to move the RV to Tonto Basin for a few weeks but it's been one thing after another. First the garlic took longer to get in. Then came the three day rain. The area we pull out and turn around in is next to the garlic crop and all dirt. Or mud when it rains. It's still pretty wet but Frank thought he could make it. The trailer jackknifed a bit too much and broke the rear window out of the truck. Loud pop! The soonest we could get it fixed was the next day. Then it had to set for a day. Thanks goodness for auto glass coverage. No cost to us.

We might actually get away today. We'll barely get it set up, and I'll have to go to Phoenix tomorrow for three days of book signings while Frank will head back to the farm for the Farmers' Market on Saturday. Never a dull moment.

So here's to having glass coverage. I'm not sure what it costs us on the policy because Frank is the insurance man but it can't be much or he wouldn't have added it. But it's worth it. That's my money saving tip for you today. In the long run, you'll save a bunch.

The green house plants were hit hard with the freeze. Lance cleaned it out yesterday and will plant some varieties for the winter. More to come on that progress.

We're a bit concerned about the garlic. Since we're new at planting on such a large scale with ten varieties, we're not sure how the wet ground will affect the seeds. And it appears we already have weeds or at least grass. It's not easy to tell. Some of it could be garlic shoots. The hay we used as mulch could've had various grass seeds in it. If that's the case, we're going to have to do more research on hay next year and possibly have to go further for our supply. This first year will be a learning process - something we do a lot of on Tortuga Flats Farm. Lance the farmer will figure it out. He always does.