Heather Huffman's Blog, page 23

Where’s a video camera when you need one?

Just like his namesake, friend and author Jesse James Freeman, this bird has a wicked sense of humor.

So I have this rooster named Jesse. Sometimes he’s a real pain in my backside. Like today, for instance, when he got into the backyard, where I keep my bantam cochin rooster Juggernaut.

Of course, being a rooster, the second he realized he was able to get at the smaller rooster, he went for it.

Juggernaut, who is my baby, gave him a deer in headlights look before puffing up like he was going to fight back. He’s half Jesse’s size, if he’s lucky. That’s about the time I looked out the window and realized one of the roosters was in the wrong spot. (Thank you, puppies, for wiggling through the gate and leaving a gap for the rooster, by the way.)

This is my baby. He follows me around the yard and chatters at me. I’m crazy about this silly rooster.

Not about to let my sweet little cochin get his butt kicked by the bigger roo, I took off out the door waving my hands like a crazy person and yelling at the rooster for all I was worth. Chickens scattered, squawking indignantly.

The sun is out just enough to melt the solid sheet of ice that’s been covering my backyard for the past several days. Of course, the resulting mud is every bit as slick. So as I’m shouting and waving my arms, I’m also mud skating through the yard trying not to land on chickens or my rump.

My husband, much to his credit, didn’t even laugh at me as he came out to open the gate for me to shoo the rooster out. Only by this time, Jesse was freaked out enough that he couldn’t figure out how to get through the gate. He kept flinging himself against the fence when the gate stood open not two feet from him. (I wouldn’t accuse this rooster of being overly bright on a good day.)

And, of course, he’d periodically get sidetracked from running away from me when he’d catch a glimpse of Juggernaut out of the corner of his eye. Then he’d swing wide around me and go try to pick a fight again.

Mind you, I’m still calling this bird names I don’t want my kids to hear and slipping all over the yard. The arm-flapping was partially to corral him, partially to maintain my balance.

A good five minutes after the chase began, Jesse was back where he belonged. Thirty minutes later, he’s still out there saying bad things about me in chicken.

Tweet

 

Reading Order

The same question has come up several times over the past several weeks: Is there a particular order I should read the books in?

The short answer is not really. The longer answer is that there are several books that tend to go together more closely and some that mean more if you’ve read another beforehand, so here’s my personal recommendation.

Throwaway, Tumbleweed, Suddenly a Spy, Jailbird, Ties That Bind, Ring of Fire, Devil in Disguise

Yes, Tumbleweed comes chronologically before Throwaway, but for some reason, I always send people to Throwaway First.  The point of the books was to have them intertwine but in a way that any reader could pick up any book and it stand alone. Still, I like revisiting characters from previous. It’s like reminiscing with old friends.

I hope that helps! I am working on a character map to show some of the crossovers, but it might take a bit because I’m struggling to lay it out well…

Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway. Hearing your goals for the year has inspired me with my own. Thank you for sharing!

I have a winner for the giveaway: Congratulations to Chandra Huston! You’ll be getting an email from me shortly to give you details on claiming your prizes.

Have a wonderful day!

Chasing Dreams, Fiery Hearts, and a Giveaway

It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then I’m rendered speechless.  While I knew the Springfield News-Leader intended to run a story on me this week, I had no idea it would be on the front page, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for how articulately the writer would capture my quest to not only make a difference in the world, but to chase my own dreams.

Ozarks writer finds her purpose: Being a voice for victims

The other big happening this week is the release of my Fiery Hearts Collection, which is a compilation of three novels with three of my favorite heroines in them: Jailbird, Suddenly a Spy and Devil in Disguise. When Booktrope asked me which three books I wanted to put together for the first collection, I knew instantly these three should be first. The heroines may come from different walks of life, but they are all courageous women with, well, fiery hearts who refuse to give up no matter what life throws at them. When they found themselves on the wrong path, they simply headed in a new direction. I love that about them! For a limited time, the Fiery Hearts Collection is being offered at the incredibly low price of $2.99. Please help me spread the word!

Between the article and the release of the collection, it’s got me thinking a lot about chasing dreams and forging new paths. And that got me to wondering about you, my readers, and what dreams you plan to chase this year. Tell me for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card along with a pre-release e-copy of my upcoming novel, Roses in Ecuador!

It really is just that easy. Tweet, FB or comment to let me know what dream (or passion or personal goal) you plan to pursue in 2013.  Be sure to check off your entries on the rafflecopter widget below and be sure to include the link to this post in Twitter and Facebook entries!

The contest runs today through Sunday night and you can enter once daily!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tweet

Happy New Year!

Let me preface by saying that I’m writing this post with a baby goat on my lap, evidence that 2012 has been a year of good change for me. It came on the heels of 2011, the scariest and most tumultuous year of my life.

This year started scarily enough. Because of the changes that hit during 2011, we started 2012 facing the grim reality that we could no longer afford our home. Our dreams of moving to a farm had died. We were putting one foot in front of the other and clinging to faith.

Now here I sit, with the cutest goat in the planet on my lap, and I struggle to comprehend how far we’ve come. The house sold against all odds. We rented the farm of our dreams in the best little town in Missouri. My children are warm, happy and healthy. Cuteness abounds in my life. I have the farm I’ve always dreamed of, the books are doing well, and I’m honored to work with some amazing organizations to fight human trafficking.

If 2011 is going in the record books as being a year of scary change, 2012 is going in them as being a year of wonderful change.

As it is for most families right now, there are some things looming large in 2013 for my family that have the potential to make me a little nervous. But if the past two years have taught me anything, it’s to keep putting one foot in front of the other and clinging to my faith when they hit.

To each of you, I hope 2013 is a year of wondrous blessing. Have an amazing New Year!

Personally, I can’t think of a better way to end my last post of 2012 than with pictures of my animals enjoying their first snow because, like I said, cuteness abounds on my farm.

 

Kali and Shoeshine playing in the snow

My young Speckled Sussex, trying to decide if she wants to venture into the snow.

My dogs playing in the snow. For three of the four, this was their first snow!

Goatsy, our baby Nigerian Dwarf goat, and Charlie Bear

Two of my chickens headed back into the coop after deciding it was too cold out!

Casper and Dixie waiting for breakfast

Kali and Po playing. For some reason, Po kept hanging out in the ducks’ kiddie pool today.

Like I said, cutest goat on the planet. Pictures just don’t do her justice.

Casper and Dixie heard a rumor breakfast was on its way…

The chickens that opted to stay warm and dry instead of venturing out…

 

 

 

 

It’s Coming…

Mark your calendars for February 1, 2013! That’s the official e-release day for Roses in Ecuador, my eighth novel.

Here’s the official description:

Unknown to each other, they each escaped to the heart of Ecuador to make the world a better place, having sworn off the possibility of love… but disaster pulls them together.

Jane Russell is certain she’s had enough heartbreak for one lifetime, and love is the last thing on her mind when she arrives in Ecuador. Focused and determined, she settles in to write a book on the local jaguar preservation.

Devon McAllister, the wealthy and handsome son of a corporate mogul in the U.S., has broken his share of hearts despite his best intentions. He moved to Ecuador to escape his father’s destructive greed and pursue his passion to do good in the world, opening a fair trade rose plantation.

When the jaguar preservation comes under attack by what appears to be a group of angry locals, Devon jumps in to help Jane fight for the animals they love.  As the danger grows, the motives of the attackers are revealed to be much more sinister than either could have ever imagined.

Unsure of whether they’re more frightened by the prospect of love or the danger to the jaguars, they must decide whether they can open their minds–and their hearts–to trust again.

The unofficial description? I love this couple and I had a lot of fun creating their world. Since Devon first appeared in Suddenly a Spy, I’ve been eagerly looking forward to telling his story. After Ring of Fire, I knew he would go down as one of my favorite leading men.

You’ll catch a look at how Alex and Daniel are doing in this book, and you’ll meet some new characters, ones who will be pivotal in book nine. (Which I’m editing as soon as Roses is out the door!)

I’m still fiddling with the end of Roses, trying to get it just right. I’ll have updated copies out to my ARC bloggers in the next week.

Watch my Facebook page for details, I’ll be posting information about an early reader group there that will be open to readers sometime over the next week or two. (With the holidays, you never know…)

And if you don’t hear from me beforehand, Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate the holiday! I know there’s a countdown happening at my house.

Tweet

It isn’t Over Yet

I saw a conversation between two friends on Twitter that has followed me through my morning. One commented that sometimes darkness wins, to which the other replied they couldn’t let themselves believe that. The first rejoined with an example that, unfortunately, illustrated her point all too well.

I tend to be of the mindset of the second friend. I refuse to believe that darkness gets to win. That’s why I can’t stand movies or books that don’t have a happy ending, or that allow the darkness of the world to set the tone.

It’s why I write books that talk about horrific subjects like human trafficking, but I’d describe the books themselves as warm and funny more than dark. I acknowledge the darkness because it’s there and it needs to be fought. To ignore it won’t make it go away.

But in my world, and my books, if it look like the darkness is winning, then the fight isn’t over yet.

My Favorite Tradition

Yesterday, I mentioned that life has been a little crazy lately. It hit me this week that I haven’t even got the Christmas decorations down from the attic and I haven’t even started shopping.  That realization caused a momentary panic, I have to admit. The truth is, all of this craziness made it a little too easy for me to forget about what’s really important this Christmas. I’ve been so focused on simply surviving the next two or three weeks of my life, I haven’t taken any time for any of the things that make this season my favorite.

I was in a meeting yesterday when the World Vision gift catalog came up. We chatted a bit about what it was, I told him about my family’s tradition of picking a gift from it each Christmas, and even how I got to write an article for World Vision on our tradition. The funny thing was, even talking about the catalog brightened my day. Suddenly I was less worried about schedules and deadlines and I was smiling, wondering what my kids would choose to give this year.

Cliche as it sounds, giving brings joy.

When I logged in to World Vision to check out this year’s catalog, I found out they’ve started a program where you can not only donate but create a page encouraging others to do the same. So I did.

Please check out my World Vision Gift Page and consider adding one more tradition to your family’s holiday season this year. It’s worth it!

Besides, who wouldn’t want a chicken for Christmas?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avalanche

Sometimes, it feels like life is winning. This is one of those weeks. If it could go wrong, it is. I’m pretty sure life is conspiring to keep me from meeting my ARC deadline for Roses in Ecuador. (And I really want to meet my deadline because I’m stupidly excited about this book!)

My editor assures me that from the outside looking in, my reasons for being behind schedule are quite amusing. I’ll have to take her word for it.

From the dog getting a bone stuck on her teeth and having to be sedated to get it off, to farm animal drama, to fights breaking out between parents at wrestling matches, you name it, it’s happened. (And I was only peripherally involved in the fight at the wrestling match, I promise.)

I have a stockpile of partially finished blog posts I’ve been meaning to get out – there’s lots going on with the books, around the farm, and on the charitable front. Please bear with me as I attempt to get past this bottle neck.

Look for more updates to come on all three fronts over the next couple of weeks!

And, God willing, I won’t make the news for brawling at my son’s wrestling tournament this weekend.

Thanksgiving: I Survived

I have to admit, the success of my first Thanksgiving meal was largely due to my parents. It was evident they were pros, and I was all-too-happy to let them take the lead on the big day.

The food was good, the weather was amazing, and my nephew even surprised us all by driving in from Colorado. It was one of those rare, beautiful days where we all got along, we acted silly together, and we were family.

By Friday evening, the togetherness got to be a bit much and things turned south, but I’m going to just focus on the memories from Thursday. The rest will blow over by the time we all see each other again.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day. Of course, all but one are centered on the football game in my front yard. The rest of the day I was too busy with the meal!

I hope all of my readers who celebrate Thanksgiving had a wonderful holiday with plenty to eat and you were able to make some good memories with family and friends.

[image error]

It takes three of the younger cousins to fell my nephew Joe.

[image error]

Most of the adults even got in on the action – I was the photographer and cook, so that was my excuse to sit it out!

[image error]

Everyone was excited to see Joe pull in the drive. He surprised us by coming all the way from Colorado! Still, I think his sisters and his cousin Olivia were the happiest of all to see him.

[image error]

My son Dylan had fun playing football with his cousins, although he says they get mad at him for trying to make everyone adhere to at least some of the rules of the game.

[image error]

What you can’t see in the picture is that they’re both about to crash into the columns that hold the roof up over my front porch. Dylan might have been advocating for football rules, but I had one rule: Don’t break my house.

[image error]

The cows watched the entire game. I swear their expression said “What are those crazy humans doing now?”

[image error]

If you knew my oldest sister, Angie, you’d find it as amusing as I do that she’s the one who created the “Girl Cheer” that consisted of them jumping up and down while shouting a high pitched “Woo, woo, woo” that I’m sure the neighbor’s loved. It looked like such fun that my younger sons defected and joined the girl team.