Barbara Edwards's Blog, page 20

Picky, picky picky by Barbara Edwards

Edits are time-consuming, frustrating and ultimately satisfying. I finished the first edit round for Ancient Curse yesterday and sent it back to my editor Amanda Barnett with a prayer.

This is the third book in my Rhodes End series for the Wild Rose Press. I should be a little more confident that they like my work. Especially since my holiday romance Journey of the Magi was a bestseller.

Any writer will agree the next manuscript is a difficult to write as the first. I remember picking away at every detail of my first. I wanted it perfect. I still want this one perfect, but I’ve learned to be easier on myself. I use spell-check when I question my memory. I depend on my editor to pick up any glaring flaws. Its not easy.

My books are my babies. And my human kids will tell you I’m still picky even though they’ve grown up and moved out. I await my first critique with both fear and hope. Then when I have the most wonderful reviews, I cry for days. If you don’t believe me, check Journey of the Magi http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

Journey of the Magi by Barbara Edwards

So much credit goes to my editor Kinan for making sure I did my best. she is the good kind of picky.

So I learned more about the right kind of picky: build the romance, weave the plot, make strong characters, use effective description.

Whew. That’s work.

Well, did you expect writing to be easy? I think I did. Now I’ve learned it takes daily work. Hours and hours of writing followed by hours and hours of picky, picky, picky edits.

Please follow, friend or like me. I love to hear from my readers.

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Filed under: My Books Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, edits, Journey of the Magi, writing

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Published on January 14, 2014 06:59

Thanks for the Gift by Barbara Edwards

Home for the Holidays

Thank you. There, I said it.

You all made this year so great.

I didn’t fulfill my dream of making the New York Times bestseller list, but I did become a bestseller on Amazon with my holiday romance.

I wrote a Christmas story called Journey of the Magi that the Wild Rose Press published. In the process I met a group of helpful, nice editors for the Sweetheart line as well as working with Amanda Barnett my Black Rose editor. (We’re editing book three in the Rhodes End series)

With their help I stretched into a whole new area. In the process of organizing for the free days I had so much help from friends and colleagues all over the internet.

I was overwhelmed with the professional, yet friendly way that authors offered to host me on their blogs. Tweets went out over the internet from so many, I lost count. FaceBook shares helped, too.

Thanks to those who downloaded my book.

And reviews. OMG, the reviews from so many who enjoyed my book surprised me so much. I cried more with happiness more than I’ve cried before. I hope you take the time to read them and smile with me. http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

With a lot of help I learned about hootsuite, free sites that listed my book, and street teams. You know who you are. Thanks.

I’m wishing that every one of you has the Happiest Christmas, Hanukah, or your holiday of choice.

Last but not least. Hugs and kisses to my son, William who is webmaster for my website, and thanks to my daughters-in-law for being my street team. I love you all.

God bless you, one and all.

Love Barbara

Journey of the Magi

She promised her kids a home for Christmas, but a junker car, a Minnesota blizzard and no money has her finding the man of her dreams. Can she keep her promise? A Christmas love story to warm your heart. Journey of the Magi http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

Filed under: writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, bestseller, holiday romance, Journey of the Magi

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Published on December 23, 2013 08:32

I miss Dixie by Barbara Edwards

Bill and Dixie enjoying the surf

I miss Dixie. I’ve been shy about sharing my feelings since I cry every time I think about my loyal friend. Dixie was a Belgian Malinois, a beautiful breed with a lively spirit.

Dixie was diagnosed with cancer two months ago. She got worse very quickly and when I couldn’t stand seeing her in pain, we took her to the vet. I had my hand on her head, telling her I would take her home, when she passed. My heart hurts.

Dixie was a good traveler. She’d sit in the back seat and look out the window for hours then sleep. My joke was she pooped in all the states we visited. Maybe the joke was I got to use a bag to pick it up. She went to Yellowstone, Arcadia, Key West and was always a lady. In the years she lived with us we visited 42 states.

Dixie loved re-enacting and the soldiers loved her. She learned to slurp beer from a bottle and would sneak a lick of bourbon if my husband put his glass on the ground. She ignored the cannon fire but hated canes. Go figure.

Dixie loved the snow and the sun. She loved to be at my side . I loved having her company. I really miss Dixie. 2006-12-09 13.23.28 2007-01-28 10.40.50

Dixie in the yard

Filed under: family and friends Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, Belgian Malinois, Dixie, my dog

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Published on November 29, 2013 10:59

Why didn’t my connection work? by Barbara Edwards

Last week I planned to attend a wedding and made my plans. I put most of my loops on digests and sent out the blog I owed.
I have an internet air card and figured it would take me a few minutes a day to check my email. post on Triberr and the promo tweets I do daily.

Hah! What happened? First I couldn’t sign in to Juno. I have no idea why and I still don’t. Then I couldn’t sign in to yahoo. Also no reason. I didn’t change my password. I finally signed in using google– and changed my password in case it was hacked. Now it won’t recognize to new password and I’m stuck signing in through google until I can figure out the problem.

What is happening with all the changes to systems that worked fine for us common people?

Filed under: writing Tagged: bad, internet

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Published on November 13, 2013 06:28

Four funerals in four weeks by Barbara Edwards

Sound like the title of a novel, doesn’t it? Its what been happening in my life and messing with my mind.

Going to the funeral for a ninety six-year old grandmother was sad. She was a sweet woman who delighted in hugging everyone and whispering “I love you” in your ear. Her children and grandchildren will miss her. She enjoyed her great -grandchildren and they loved her. It was sad, sweet and somehow right.

Another elderly lady was someone we never met. She was an in-law’s grandmother who lived out of state but wanted to be buried here next to her husband. I watched people who were unhappy, but not overwhelmed. After all, she’d lived to her 101st birthday the week before.

Did I tell you I don’t like funerals? I’ve lived through my mother, sister and daughter all dying young, then my father at 86. I learned all the trappings of flowers, music and hugging don’t give much comfort.

The terrible grief drains me even though its not mine. Pity and sorrow make me cry.

Today we had to attend the funeral for a 23 year old man. Everyone said he was sweet and caring. How much he’ll be missed by his baby boy. I cried when they sang “Amazing Grace.”

People handle grief in so many different ways. All I know is it takes time to get to the other side where your life goes on.

I did say four. We had a very private burial for my best friend, Dixie. My dog died of cancer after only a few weeks after the diagnosis. Sometimes its worse to lose a pet, especially such a wonderful one. Dixie was the best dog I ever had.

Filed under: family and friends Tagged: children and grandchildren, Dixie, funeral, grief

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Published on November 04, 2013 12:57

Welcome my guest Brenda Whiteside

Author Brenda Whiteside

Welcome Brenda and tell us more about Amanda in the Summer. It’s #FREE today on Amazon. I hope everyone will download a free copy of this touching story. http://tinyurl.com/mb5cwly

In this age of instant communication – text, email, Skype and cell phones – the art of writing a heartfelt letter is pretty much dead. Not so many years ago, waiting for the postman was a delicious anticipation if you were waiting for a response from someone in the form of a letter.

Amanda in the Summer is told through a series of letters, spanning fifty-seven years, between three generations of Amandas and their family friend, Tilly.

Three generations of women…and the secret that strengthens their love.

A line of women, all named Amanda, stretches back for generations. Each with her hopes, her joys, her pain—each pouring out her heart in correspondence with a dear family friend who shares their lives, understands their loves, and joins in their sorrows.

But within the correspondence lies a secret. And as the youngest of the Amandas retraces the journey through the years—beginning in post-war America and following through to modern day—the letters reveal, layer by layer, the Amandas who came before her. Soon, the truths and lies hidden in the letters lead her down a path of self-discovery that forges a bond between her past and future.

Amanda in Summer

Amanda in the Summer is FREE today on Amazon. I hope everyone will download a free copy of this touching story. http://tinyurl.com/mb5cwly

Excerpt:

August 24, 1968

Dear Tilly,

A few days of bliss with no one to talk to but the seagulls. I have you to thank for this. I’m so glad you popped back after Amanda, Robert, and Mother left. The strain I put on all of us while you were here would’ve dragged on for who knows how long if you hadn’t returned. Once again, Tilly, you read the tea leaves and righted things.

My moods have been so ragged of late. Jealousy of all things. Jealous that you could talk to my daughter, get along so lovely with her, which I’ve had difficulty doing these last few months. Jealous of your longer running friendship with Robert than with me. I’m not sure if I was jealous of him or you. You’re both mine. And angry that the two of you are uncomfortable around each other after so many years and not making sense of that. When Robert left, I tried to give him the blue swimsuit you had left behind and asked him to drop in on you to return it. He said no, I could do it when I got back. This was so unlike him and did more to unsettle me…

Thank you for having me today, Barbara. And one more reminder – Amanda in the Summer is free on Amazon today!

http://tinyurl.com/mb5cwly

A little about Brenda:

Although I didn’t start out to write romance, I’ve found all good stories have to involve complicated human relationships. I’ve also learned, no matter a person’s age, a new discovery is right around every corner. Whether humorous or serious, straight contemporary or mystery, all my books revolve around those two facts.

Visit Brenda at www.brendawhiteside.com.

Or on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/brendawhitesid2

She blogs on the 9th and 24th of every month at http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com

She blogs about prairie life and writing at http://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

Filed under: My Favorite Books, writing Tagged: Amada In Summer, Brenda Whiteside, romance

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Published on October 22, 2013 22:16

What’s up with my guest, Mac?

Welcome my guest MacKenzie Crowne who is so busy I am dizzy following her. ape

Cara O’Shea’s Return

Hiya Barbara.

I know how busy you are and appreciate you having me stop by to do a bit of happy dancing over my new release on Monday 10/28. Squee! Cara O’Shea’s Return is the latest of my lighthearted contemporary romances, but has been in my heart for years. It’s also the prequel to The Billionaire’s Con, for those of you who have read Meggy’s story.

A Song for Sophie

It seems as if I’ve been waiting years to see Cara and Finn’s story told and to celebrate, I’ll be giving away a PDF copy to one lucky commenter. Yay! Oh, and here’s a bonus. Another of my titles, A Song for Sophie (Honky Tonk Hearts) is FREE today on Kindle. Click here to download your copy and feel free to share the link with your friends.

Now, back to Cara… Enjoy! ;-)

Blurb:

After eight years of self-imposed exile, shy bombshell Cara O’Shea returns to her hometown to create her art in peace. Big city living has left her craving the quiet only a small town can offer. Bitter over the wreckage of her father’s infidelity, she risks town gossip and her heart, when she enlists the town’s football hero to help renovate her studio and mend a decade-old rift.

A career ending injury and failed marriage leave Michael “Finn” Finnegan questioning his worth and avoiding anything smacking of permanence. A playboy lifestyle soothes his battered ego, but lately, the pretense has lost its appeal. However, one look at Cara, with her expressive green eyes and bunny-of-the-month body, and he’s hell-bent on proving his worth with the shy artist—and himself.

As old truths are revealed, will Cara and Finn overcome the mistakes of the past, trust their hearts at last, and take a chance on love?

Excerpt:

“Finn.” Maive bumped his thigh with an elbow. “Have you met Mary O’Shea’s middle daughter, Cara?”

Cobalt blue beams shifted to Cara, and she nearly cringed at the palpable memory shining in them. His smile easy, he spoke in a subtle rumble.

“We’ve had the pleasure. Hello, Cara.”

“Hello.” Fighting the flush of remembered humiliation heating her cheeks, she returned the greeting stiffly. She slid her gaze back to Maive, and relative safety. The old lady came to her rescue, craning her neck to aim a sly smile up at Finn.

“I just sold her the old book store.”

Finn’s head whipped around.

“You sold it?” He popped up from his slouched position, his back going poker straight. “I tried to buy it from you not two months ago. You said it wasn’t for sale.”

“It wasn’t, then.”

“But it is now?” Icy intenseness replaced his charming smile. “How much do you want for it?”

Maive cackled a laugh. “You’ll have to ask the O’Shea girl. She owns it now.”

Calculation hardened his features when he turned to study Cara.

She was at a complete loss. Technically, she hadn’t bought the place. She didn’t even know what she’d have to pay for it. Yet for some reason, known only to Maive Cataldo, the old lady was having the time of her life, denying Finn the property.

Far be it from her to contradict the dragon lady. A burst of satisfied excitement cooled the heated flush on Cara’s cheeks. The bookstore was hers and she’d be keeping it. She informed him of that fact before he could open his mouth. “It’s not for sale.”

Mac’s Links:

Filed under: family and friends, My Favorite Books, writing Tagged: Cara O'Shea's Return, Mackenzie Crowne, romance

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Published on October 18, 2013 22:15

That was weird, by Barbara Edwards

My apologies go out to all my followers and friends. I had the weirdest thing happen here on my blog. Tweets that I posted got put here as individual blog posts. I’m sure you saw them or even forwarded them.

Not that the info was bad, but doing a short one sentence blog is not my style. Again, my apologies. Gosh, another short post. I’ll do better tomorrow.

Barbara