Meredith Allard's Blog, page 38

Just Three More Hours for Her Loving Husband’s Return!

Hi everyone. Just a quick note saying that Her Loving Husband’s Return is now available from Smashwords for all formats, including Nook and Kindle. When you buy from Smashwords they give you directions on how to download onto your e-readers. It will be available on Amazon in just a few hours. Don’t forget…I’m on Pacific Time here in Vegas and it’s just 6:40 a.m. here!

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For Your Consideration: Book 3 Cover Reveal

Summary

“I need to get home,” James said aloud.

He heard shuffling behind the wooden plank separating his quarters from the rest of the barrack.

“We all need to bloody well go home.”

What would you do to return to the only one you have ever loved?

James Wentworth’s secret is no longer a secret, and now he and his beloved wife, Sarah, have been separated. While suffering his own internment, James is reminded of his time with Japanese-Americans in the Manzanar Relocation Camp during World War II, and he cannot allow the past to repeat itself. With the help of his friends—Chandresh, Jocelyn, Timothy, even the irreverent Geoffrey—James learns what it means to return, and he is determined to return to his Sarah no matter the challenges—or the consequences. In the end, it may be up to Olivia, the most powerful of witches, to grant James’s most fervent wish. Will James and Sarah be reunited once and for all despite the madness surrounding them?

Prologue

In seventy years so little has changed. Then, the gate was taller than the tallest person, electrified, eager to shock to the death. Looming above the fence were eight high-standing towers with armed guards with submachine guns who looked down upon the people as though they could be, should be shot for amusement’s sake. They were at one with the enemy across the Pacific Ocean, many decided. They had to be. They were traitors. They were spies. How else can we separate the good ones from the bad ones? How else can we know the loyal ones from the conspirators? We must round them up like cattle and pen them here where they’re safe from us and us from them.

Looming above the barracks, higher than the gates, beyond the guard towers, were the mountains. Always the mountains. They encompassed everything within their distance—one vast, jagged, granite wall stretching toward the heavens from the deepest valley in the Americas, cascading Vs flecked with icy snow, unmistakable even through the wintry clouds. The mountains were everything everywhere. If the gates, the guard towers, and the armed military police weren’t enough to remind you that you were a prisoner here, the mountains shouted your helplessness. You are here, the mountains said, and we will trap you here forever.

I remember when the bus stopped in Manzanar near the guard station, a lonely shack at the edge of the camp, one window on either side, misshapen rocks slapped together with mortar, a pagoda-style roof. The guards spoke to the bus driver and barked directions as though the people inside were orange-clad prisoners linked by irons, but they were only families—fathers, mothers, children, grandparents. I remember the anxiety in those inside the gate, their quick-scanning eyes wide as they drew as close to the barbed-wire fence as they dared, searching those on the other side for missing family or friends. I remember the fear in those outside as they stepped off the bus and shivered in the bitter desert cold. Their clenched hands grabbed family members while they stared without seeing the nighttime landscape of brush and tumbleweed that promised blinding dust storms, the horizon flat until the mountains. Always the mountains. The bewildered people outside clutched their bundles of luggage, all that was left of their former lives. The people from the buses were herded inside, shouted at, tagged and numbered. Already they were losing themselves. When the gate slammed and locked behind them they looked toward the outside as though they would never be free again.

So, yes, I have been here before. I have walked this arid wilderness. I have heard the sand blow a maddened howl in the night. I have seen the white-glow moonlight reflect the saw-toothed horizon. Through it all, the mountains have remained the same. After all, what is seventy years to a mountain range that has watched millennia pass away? Now, the gates are taller since they guess we can jump anything less. Now, the gates have silver coating, the barbs deemed no longer necessary since they guess the barbs cannot pierce our preternatural skin. Now, the military police carry guns with silver bullets, which we secretly laugh at. Now, I am the one who has been carted away, considered too unpredictable to be out among polite society. Yet the barracks, the mess halls, the natural barrier of the mountains between us and everyone else in the world…so much of it is the same. There are nights when I cannot make the distinction between then, when I was here from compassion, and now, when I am the one encaged. But do not worry for me, my love. Now, with this silver-coated gate and these imposing mountains between us, I am reminded all too strongly how I cannot be without you. Soon, Sarah. I will hold you in my arms soon. Be patient this little longer, my love, and I will return to you. I will.

Filed under: Her Loving Husband's Return, News Tagged: Her Loving Husband's Return, The Loving Husband Trilogy

Book Three Right on Track

Progress for Book Three of the Loving Husband Trilogy is moving along nicely. It needs to be formatted for e-books, and it still needs some sprucing up and proofreading, but all the pieces of the puzzle are there. I’ll be doing a cover reveal next week on Saturday, March 16, on this site as well as on other websites with hosts from Bewitching Book Tours. I’ll also be posting the new prologue which features the new historical period. Here’s a hint: the historical period for Book Three was mentioned in Her Loving Husband’s Curse. I’ve had the cover since October, and it’s been hard to keep it to myself for so long. While I love all three covers, I think the third one is my favorite.

I’ve been a little weepy as I’ve been working through the manuscript these past few weeks. Partly, the weepiness comes from the realization that my journey with James and Sarah is nearly done. Partly, the weepiness comes from my love for the ending. This is the ending I always envisioned for the Wentworths, and I’m so happy that I’ll be able to share it soon with readers.

James and Sarah fans will be pleased to know that all our favorite characters are in Book Three—Jennifer, Chandresh, Timothy, Howard, and Martha are there to help James and Sarah through. Of course baby Grace is there. Olivia plays a particularly important role in Book Three, and Geoffrey shares some information with James that will forever change their relationship. There’s a new character I particularly love for her fortitude, and I hope readers like her as much as I do.

I’m getting excited about the impending release of Book Three. I hope you are too.

Filed under: Her Dear & Loving Husband, Her Loving Husband's Curse, News Tagged: Her Dear & Loving Husband, Her Loving Husband's Curse, Loving Husband Trilogy

Loving Husband Trilogy Update

I’ve received many e-mails from James and Sarah fans asking about Book Three so I thought I would post an update here. I’ve gone quiet lately, mainly because I’ve been hard at work on the conclusion of the Loving Husband Trilogy. When I’m in writing mode I tend to stay focused on my project like a horse with blinders, and I’m definitely in writing mode these days.

I had hoped for an early spring release for Book Three, but then my mother was in the hospital most of December. Unfortunately, sitting in uncomfortable hospital chairs next to your sick mother doesn’t do much for the creative process, at least not mine. My mother is feeing much better now, thank goodness, and she’s back to her feisty gal-from-Brooklyn self, thank goodness. Since January, I’ve been working through the second draft of Book Three, and I can say, finally, I see the end in sight. The pieces have begun to fit together in a way where I can see the story I wanted to tell all along. It will still need fine-tuning when the second draft is done. The way words fit together matters to me, and it takes some carpentry, some sawing and gluing to construct sentences I’m happy with. I’m working on Chapter 15 out of what looks to be 22 chapters in all (including the prologue and the epilogue), so I should have the second draft finished by the middle of February. Another four or six weeks for dusting, sweeping, and other necessary cleaning, and that gets us to April, which makes the tentative publication date for Book Three Friday, April 19, 2013. I bet a number of you have already caught the significance of the date—it’s James’s birthday. If I can get it out sooner, I will, but I don’t want to rush it out to get it out. Book Three is the keeper, the point that makes the whole story worthwhile, and it needs to be the strongest of the three. This is what we’ve been waiting for after all.

I’ve had a number of questions about the title for Book Three. It definitely has a title. It even has a cover. I’m going to do a cover reveal at the beginning of March so everyone can see the amazing cover from Dara England—along with that much-looked-for title. Be warned—the title doesn’t necessarily mean what you’ll think it does. When the cover reveal goes up, so will the new Prologue, which features the new historical period for Book Three. Hopefully, that will give everyone a boost until April and the conclusion of the Loving Husband Trilogy.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to let me know how much they love James and Sarah and the eternal love they share. James and Sarah have touched my heart, and I’m happy to know there are others who feel the same way. Please do keep the messages coming my way. They always make my day.

Filed under: Her Dear & Loving Husband, Her Loving Husband's Curse, News Tagged: Her Dear & Loving Husband, Her Loving Husband's Curse, Loving Husband Trilogy

Gift Card Giveaway Winners

Exactly 444 people entered this contest. I think that’s a record! Thank you to everyone who participated. Here are the winners:

1. Amber L.

2. Lisa V.

I’ll be participating in more giveaways in 2013. Happy Holidays!

 

Filed under: Giveaways Tagged: Giveaways

Gift Card Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Gift Card Giveaway Hop! This hop runs from December 11 to the 17th. Thanks to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Sweeping Me for hosting. I’ll be giving away one $15 gift certificate to either Amazon.com or BN.com (your choice) for two lucky winners.

You must be a follower of this blog to enter. You can gain extra entries with the following:

Following this blog +1

Follow me on Twitter +1

Like The Copperfield Review on Facebook +1

Friend me on Goodreads +1

Friend me on Facebook +1

The extra entry options are available on the right sidebar of this page. Then fill out the form below and you’re entered.

[contact-form]

There are over 100 great websites involved in this hop. Check here to see what other wonderful items you can win.

Filed under: Giveaways Tagged: Gift Card Giveaway, Giveaways, I am a Reader Not a Writer

Gratitude Giveaway Winners

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Gratitude Giveaway. Over 100 people entered. Here are the winners:

E-Books:

1. Sandy Castrain

2. Thomas Spector

Paperback:

1. Trish Y.

Amazon.com Gift Card:

1. Blair Teal

I’ll be back on December 11 for the Gift Card Giveaway. That one should be fun!

Filed under: Giveaways Tagged: Giveaways

Gratitude Giveaway

Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Hop! This hop runs from November 15 to November 25. Thanks to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting.

I’ll be giving away two e-books (either Her Dear & Loving Husband or Her Loving Husband’s Curse–your choice). I also have one paperback copy of either Her Dear & Loving Husband or Her Loving Husband’s Curse to give away.  If you’re not familiar with the stories, check here. There’s also a $10 gift certificate to either Amazon.com or BN.com (your choice) for one lucky winner.

You must be a follower of this blog to enter. You can follow any way you choose (e-mail, Networked Blogs, or WordPress). Fill out the simple form below and you’re entered. That’s it!

[contact-form]

There are over 200 great websites involved in this hop. Check here to see what other wonderful items you can enter to win.

Filed under: Giveaways Tagged: Giveaways, Gratitude Giveaway, I am a Reader Not a Writer

Winners of the Spooktacular Giveaway

There were over 200 entries for the Spooktacular Giveaway. Thanks to everyone for participating! Here are the winners:

E-Books:

1. Amy Layas

2. Jessica W.

3. Timmie Tee

4. Mona O.

5. Macy

Paperbacks:

1. georgiegirl

2. Deanna

3. Mahnma J.

Amazon Gift Card:

1. Lahalia S.

I’ll be back on November 15 for another giveaway. Hope to see you then!

Filed under: Giveaways Tagged: Giveaways, Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! This hop runs from October 24th to October 31. Thanks to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm for hosting.

I’ll be giving away five e-books (either Her Dear & Loving Husband or Her Loving Husband’s Curse–your choice). I also have three paperback copies of either Her Dear & Loving Husband or Her Loving Husband’s Curse to give away.  If you’re not familiar with the stories, check here. There’s also a $10 gift certificate to either Amazon.com or BN.com (your choice) for one lucky winner.

You must be a follower of this blog to enter. You can gain extra entries with the following:

Following this blog +1

Follow me on Twitter +1

Like The Copperfield Review on Facebook +1

Friend me on Goodreads +1

Friend me on Facebook +1

The extra entry options are available on the right sidebar of this page. Then fill out the form below and you’re entered. Don’t forget to let me know if you’d prefer Her Dear & Loving Husband or Her Loving Husband’s Curse.

[contact-form]

There are over 400 great websites involved in this hop. Check here to see what other wonderful items you can win.

Filed under: Giveaways, Her Dear & Loving Husband, Her Loving Husband's Curse Tagged: Giveaways, Her Dear, Her Loving, I am a Reader Not a Writer