Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 54
October 27, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Thursday 27 October 2022 –BOOK LAUNCH EVENT – CHAT THURSDAY – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
One of my favorite posts during a launch blitz is the character interviews! Even I discover little nuggets I didn’t already know—and I reckon I know my characters better than anyone. #winkwink
Today I’m interviewing our main characters, Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott.
FAST FAVESCake or Cookies:
BETHY: Mere’s C5 – caramel coconut chocolate chip cookies
MEREDITH: B’s lemon pound cake
rem: I love how both of you chose your sister’s specialty.
Call or Text:
BETHY: Depends on the situation
MEREDITH: Yeah, I guess it depends on the situation but I usually like a call better
Dogs or Cats:
BETHY: Cats
MEREDITH: Both
Eggs or Pancakes:
BETHY: Eggs – I love a good omelet
MEREDITH: Gimme my pancakes any day
Facebook or Twitter:
BETHY: Twitter for work, otherwise Facebook
MEREDITH: Facebook
Paperback or Kindle:
BETHY: Paperback but I keep my Kindle with me
MEREDITH: Kindle I guess
Thornton or Darcy:
BETHY: Darcy
MEREDITH: ehm… Thornton?
rem: First burning question our readers will want to know—is this your natural hair color?
BETHY: Only her hairdresser knows for sure. Bethy winks
MEREDITH: Eh?
BETHY: It’s an old TV commercial, Mere.
MEREDITH: Uh, OK.
BETHY: But to answer your question…
MEREDITH: … yes, this is absolutely our real hair color.
BETHY: Although…
MEREDITH: … we’ve both dyed our hair a few times.
BETHY: Usually blond or brunette.
MEREDITH: Something close to the real color.
BETHY: But sometimes…
MEREDITH: … we totally changed it up…
BETHY: … and dyed it purple or yellow—not blond-yellow.
MEREDITH: There was one Halloween we dyed it jet black.
BETHY: Daddy was not happy with that.
rem: It’s a gorgeous color. And I gotta confess, I’m a tad bit jealous. Next question: What was your first prank? How old were you when you figured out you could switch places.
MEREDITH: Oh gosh, we’ve practically always known that.
BETHY: Aunt Liz—
MEREDITH: —our mother’s sister.
BETHY: Right.
MEREDITH: She still can’t tell us apart.
BETHY: We grew up hearing about how nobody could tell us apart.
MEREDITH: It kinda imprinted on our brain.
BETHY: Brains, Mere. We each have one.
MEREDITH: Well, yeah
BETHY: At least I do.
Meredith mock slugs Bethy in the arm.
MEREDITH: But the first switch we did on purpose was in kindergarten. We switched seats and no one could tell. Not even our teacher, Mrs. Greer.
BETHY: Well, nobody except Rai.
MEREDITH: Not everybody’s a genius.
rem: I understand Rai literally is a true genius. What’s the funniest switch you’ve ever pulled?
MEREDITH: There was this girl in our third-grade class—
BETHY: Her name was Ashley.
MEREDITH: She was an only child.
BETHY: And they had just moved to Covington…
MEREDITH: ..so she didn’t know us.
BETHY: But she seemed to think she did…
MEREDITH: … she thought she knew everything.
BETHY: She couldn’t tell us apart like anyone else…
MEREDITH: … and called us both…
BETHY: Bethidith.
MEREDITH: It was horrible.
BETHY: So we started sitting next to her at lunch…
MEREDITH: … one of us on either side of her.
BETHY: We talked to each other in our twin language.
MEREDITH: Of course it wasn’t real twin speak.
BETHY: That faded when were about two.
MEREDITH: Or we both talked to her at the same time.
BETHY: Or I’d say something…
MEREDITH: … and then I’d say the exact same thing to her.
BETHY: If we saw her in the hall or on the playground…
MEREDITH: … we’d act like she was the twin…
BETHY: … and talk in our twin language, of course.
MEREDITH: Oh! and the nickname we gave her!
Meredith snort-laughs, and clutches her side.
BETHY: We called her Shlashley.
MEREDITH: She hated it.
BETHY: Lucky for us, she didn’t live in Covington very long.
MEREDITH: Yeah. She started at Pine Lake after school started…
BETHY: … and they moved away before Christmas.
rem: I don’t get why people think they’re better than everyone else. What’s the worst switch you’ve ever done?
MEREDITH: Oh geez…
BETHY: That’s gotta be when Mere got a ticket.
rem: A ticket? Meredith!
MEREDITH: Welll…
BETHY: Well. What had happened was…
MEREDITH: …I wasn’t supposed to driving and I was. There. End of story.
BETHY: Not half!
MEREDITH: Okay….
BETHY: We were sixteen, had only been driving—
MEREDITH: Correction—we had only just got our license. We had been driving a while.
BETHY: Clarification—we used to drive when we went to the lake. It’s all woods and stuff, no traffic or anything.
MEREDITH: ANYwayyy… B didn’t like to drive—
BETHY: You sure did though.
MEREDITH: You want to tell this?
BETHY: Go ahead.
MEREDITH: As I was saying… We were going to the mall with Jody and Rai. Mom said B had to drive but she was messing with her hair and it was gonna make us late. So I took B’s license—
BETHY: Which I did not know.
MEREDITH: —and went to pick up Jo and Rai.
BETHY: And got a ticket.
MEREDITH: I was three whole miles over the speed limit. I tried to tell the cop I’d slow down and please not to give me a ticket. But he kept asking to see my license and registration—
BETHY: …which of course was MINE.
MEREDITH: I didn’t think about it.
BETHY: You did when I got in trouble for it.
MEREDITH: At least I confessed.
BETHY: Turned out the police officer was one of Daddy’s friends and he never really issued a ticket. Just let her believe he did.
MEREDITH: He called Dad to let him know that his daughter was on the way home.
BETHY: I was in so much trouble.
MEREDITH: I didn’t mean for you to.
BETHY: It’s a long time ago.
rem: Yikes! So not always fun-n-games. What’s the most embarrassing switch you’ve ever done?
Bethy and Meredith exchange glances.
MEREDITH: It was so bad…
BETHY: …we were in sixth grade…
MEREDITH: … before I got my braces…
BETHY: … and I got my glasses.
MEREDITH: We had both just got our periods…
BETHY: … which were not regular yet at all.
MEREDITH: Mine never were.
BETHY: Anyway, I was cramping so bad I asked Mere to go to P.E. for me…
MEREDITH: … which I was more than happy to do…
BETHY: … except, of course, she got her period, too…
MEREDITH: … only I didn’t have a pad…
BETHY: She bled through her gym shorts—
MEREDITH: Oh, and they were GRAY, too!
BETHY: UnFORtunately…
MEREDITH: …it was Donovan Kelley—
BETHY: her big crush
MEREDITH: —who told me.
BETHY: Which meant that the whole baseball team knew about it.
rem: How. Awful. Let’s switch it up a bit. Tell us about your work.
MEREDITH: Oh, gosh, we always loved hanging out with Dad when he was in his shop. I loved looking at his drawings.
BETHY: She even helped him plenty of times.
MEREDITH: B was more interested in the details and stuff. Like which wood he used, and which hardware looked best.
BETHY: I loved going with him to clients’ homes. I could visualize how the new cabinets would look.
MEREDITH: ‘Course he made furniture and other stuff, too.
BETHY: When we were older he let us use the power tools.
MEREDITH: But not before strict instructions and lessons on safety.
BETHY: We made a bunch of decent pieces, too.
rem: I can see how that led to your career choices. I love that you get to work with your dad and your brother.
MEREDITH: It is a pretty sweet deal.
rem: Your family spends a lot of time together. What was that like growing up?
MEREDITH: Oh gosh. We never didn’t have cousins around.
BETHY: Mama has one sister…
MEREDITH: … Aunt Liz…
BETHY: …who married a guy named—
MEREDITH: Toby Everett!
BETHY: Our dad, Todd Elliott…
MEREDITH: … and our uncle, Toby Everett!
BETHY: How cool is that!
MEREDITH: Oh! and Moe!
BETHY: That’s his initials—M. O. E.
MEREDITH: Mason Owens Elliott.
BETHY: And our cousin, Pie—
MEREDITH: —Patrick Isaac Everett—
BETHY: —have the same birthday!
rem: That’s crazy.
MEREDITH: AND, Pie has two sisters…
BETHY: … Allison and April.
MEREDITH: They’re not twins, but Alli’s our age.
BETHY: April’s two years younger.
MEREDITH: We have two cousins named April by the way.
BETHY: Granmother and Granddaddy Elliott have a lake house in north Georgia.
MEREDITH: We used to go there every summer for two weeks.
BETHY: They always invited Aunt Liz and Uncle Toby to come, too.
MEREDITH: Mom and Aunt Liz’s mom was…
BETHY: … is Gigi.
MEREDITH: She’s kinda a hippie.
BETHY: Totally cool.
MEREDITH: All us cousins had a blast together…
BETHY: … swimming in the lake, tubing on the river.
MEREDITH: Kayaking, canoeing.
BETHY: Then every week there was a cookout or family dinner at somebody’s house.
MEREDITH: Not that everybody went every week.
BETHY: But our families are all real close.
MEREDITH: And that’s just the first cousins!
rem: I love that for you guys. It shows in your story, too. Time to wrap it up, ladies. What’s your favorite quote?
BETHY: Oh that’s easy, “Do the next thing.” Elisabeth Elliot.
MEREDITH: The name bit is totally coincidental. Mine would be… “There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky. And you ask, What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” Erin Hanson. She’s an amazing artist—me and Jere have one of her paintings in our house.
rem: One more and then we’ll close. Do you have a life Scripture?
MEREDITH: You bet I do. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.
BETHY: Mine is, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2.
rem: Those are some great Scriptures. Both so important. Ladies, I’ve so enjoyed chatting with you. Thank you for visiting us at my little nest today.
BLOGWORDS – Thursday 27 October 2022 –BOOK RELEASE EVENT – OCTOBER COUNTDOWN – DAY TWENTY-SEVEN – ONE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO by ROBIN E. MASON
I’m so EXCITED and I hope y’all will CELEBRATE with me! Finally, after four long years, I have a new book finished. One for the Price of Two, is the first book in the series, FourSquare. Release date is TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER. To celebrate, I’ve a whole series of LAUNCH EVENTS lined up…
LAUNCH EVENTSMonday 24 October
Guest post with Author Maria Henriksen and #GIVEAWAY
Tuesday 25 October
Excerpt – You Got Glatheth and Regina Harbison
Wednesday 26 October
Excerpt – Stratton Stables – and special guest feature with Author Monique Bucheger and #GIVEAWAY
Thursday 27 October
Character interview with Bethy and Meredith
Friday 28 October
Guest post with Author Pat Nichols and #GIVEAWAY
Saturday 29 October
Cut scene and Excerpt – Care Bear Birthmark and Baby Duane
Sunday 30 October
Devotion and Excerpt – Forgiving God
Monday 31 October
Meet the Author (that’s me) and Excerpt – Bethy is Abducted
TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER
Meet the Characters
THE LAUNCHTUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER
I will be hosting a party on Facebook, including fabulous guest hosts, a giveaway, excerpts, and cut scenes.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1709867059388685/
How identical is too identical?
Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.
Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.
Elizabeth and Meredith walked in each other’s shadow; it’s what they did. Filling in for one another, switching places to prank their friends and to cover for one another in a pinch.
But when heartbreak befalls one of them—while the other’s heart and arms are fulfilled—will it drive a wedge between them?
NOTE: This story deals with issues—miscarriage and infertility—that might be difficult for some readers.
BOOK ONE in the FOURSQUARE SERIESFour stories of four couples who also happen to be four sets of twins.
“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”
My characters struggle in some way for their identity. Their stories are their journey to know who God created them to be.
There is also a strong element of friends, family, and faith in all my stories, and the difference it makes to have such a support system.
I am a Christian and write from a Christian world view, but some of my characters are not believers and therefore do not abide by the Bible and the guidelines for life that we take for granted. My books contain some mild swear language in a few places—and demonstrate the difference when the grace of God prevails.
PAST SERIESunsavory heritage series—seven generations, from Cissy to Connie, each with their own secrets, one of which is ugly and unsavory, and begins the curse they all bearSeasons series—four friends, each one struggling to know the truth of just what happened when one of them plunged into the depths of the black waters of the Edisto Riverhttps://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Robin.E.Mason/
https://twitter.com/RobinEMason1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason
BLOGWORDS – Thursday 27 October 2022 – DAILY SCRIPTURE – MATTHEW 6:33-34
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV) Matthew 6:33-34
IRISH / GAEILGEAch iarraigí ar dtús ríocht Dé agus a fhíréantacht, agus cuirfear na nithe seo go léir libh. Dá bhrí sin ná bíodh imní ort faoi amárach, óir beidh imní ort amárach faoina nithe féin. Is leor le haghaidh an lae a dtrioblóid féin. (NKJV) Matha 6:33-34
SWAHILI / KISWAHILIBali utafuteni kwanza ufalme wake, na haki yake, na hayo yote mtazidishiwa. Kwa hiyo msiwe na wasiwasi juu ya kesho, kwa maana kesho itajishughulisha na mambo yake yenyewe. Yatosha kwa siku shida yake yenyewe. (NKJV) Mathayo 6:33-34
RUSSIAN / РУССКИЙНо ищите прежде Царства Божия и правды Его, и все это приложится вам. Поэтому не беспокойтесь о завтрашнем дне, потому что завтра будет заботиться о своем. Хватит на день своих хлопот. (NKJV) Матфея 6:33-34
GERMAN / DEUTSCHTrachtet vielmehr zuerst nach dem Reich Gottes und nach seiner Gerechtigkeit[a], so wird euch dies alles hinzugefügt werden! Darum sollt ihr euch nicht sorgen um den morgigen Tag; denn der morgige Tag wird für das Seine sorgen. Jedem Tag genügt seine eigene Plage. (SCH 2000) Matthäus 6:33-34
FRENCH / FRANÇAISECherchez premièrement le royaume et la justice de Dieu; et toutes ces choses vous seront données par-dessus. Ne vous inquiétez donc pas du lendemain; car le lendemain aura soin de lui-même. A chaque jour suffit sa peine. (NEG 1979) Matthieu 6:33-34
SPANISH / ESPAÑOLBusquen el reino de Dios por encima de todo lo demás y lleven una vida justa, y él les dará todo lo que necesiten. »Así que no se preocupen por el mañana, porque el día de mañana traerá sus propias preocupaciones. Los problemas del día de hoy son suficientes por hoy. (NTV) Mateo 6:33-34
* German, French, and Spanish Scripture translations are taken from my Bible Gateway app. Irish, Swahili, and Russian, however, are translated from NKJV via Google Translate app.
#Blogwords, Daily Scripture, #DS, God’s Word, Daily Bread, Matthew 6:33-34October 26, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 26 October 2022 –BOOK RELEASE EVENT – OCTOBER COUNTDOWN – DAY TWENTY-SIX – ONE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO by ROBIN E. MASON
I’m so EXCITED and I hope y’all will CELEBRATE with me! Finally, after four long years, I have a new book finished. One for the Price of Two, is the first book in the series, FourSquare. Release date is TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER. To celebrate, I’ve a whole series of LAUNCH EVENTS lined up…
LAUNCH EVENTSMonday 24 October
Guest post with Author Maria Henriksen
Tuesday 25 October
Excerpt – You Got Glatheth and Regina Harbison
Wednesday 26 October
Excerpt – Stratton Stables – and special guest feature with Author Monique Bucheger and #GIVEAWAY
Thursday 27 October
Character interview with Bethy and Meredith
Friday 28 October
Guest post with Author Pat Nichols and #GIVEAWAY
Saturday 29 October
Cut scene and Excerpt – Care Bear Birthmark and Baby Duane
Sunday 30 October
Devotion and Excerpt – Forgiving God
Monday 31 October
Meet the Author (that’s me) and Excerpt – Bethy is Abducted
THE LAUNCHTUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER
I will be hosting a party on Facebook, including fabulous guest hosts, a giveaway, excerpts, and cut scenes.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1709867059388685/
How identical is too identical?
Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.
Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.
Elizabeth and Meredith walked in each other’s shadow; it’s what they did. Filling in for one another, switching places to prank their friends and to cover for one another in a pinch.
But when heartbreak befalls one of them—while the other’s heart and arms are fulfilled—will it drive a wedge between them?
NOTE: This story deals with issues—miscarriage and infertility—that might be difficult for some readers.
BOOK ONE in the FOURSQUARE SERIESFour stories of four couples who also happen to be four sets of twins.
“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”
My characters struggle in some way for their identity. Their stories are their journey to know who God created them to be.
There is also a strong element of friends, family, and faith in all my stories, and the difference it makes to have such a support system.
I am a Christian and write from a Christian world view, but some of my characters are not believers and therefore do not abide by the Bible and the guidelines for life that we take for granted. My books contain some mild swear language in a few places—and demonstrate the difference when the grace of God prevails.
PAST SERIESunsavory heritage series—seven generations, from Cissy to Connie, each with their own secrets, one of which is ugly and unsavory, and begins the curse they all bearSeasons series—four friends, each one struggling to know the truth of just what happened when one of them plunged into the depths of the black waters of the Edisto Riverhttps://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Robin.E.Mason/
https://twitter.com/RobinEMason1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason
BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 26 October 2022 – DAILY SCRIPTURE – MATTHEW 22:37-40
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (NKJV) Matthew 22:37-40
IRISH / GAEILGEDúirt Íosa leis: ‘‘Gráóidh tú an Tiarna do Dhia le d’uile chroí, le d’uile anam, agus le d’uile intinn.’ Seo an chéad aithne agus an mhór-aithne. Agus is cosúil leis an dara ceann: ‘Gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin.’ Ar an dá ordú seo croch an Dlí agus na Fáithe go léir. (NKJV) Matha 22:37-40
SWAHILI / KISWAHILIYesu akamwambia, “‘Mpende Bwana Mungu wako kwa moyo wako wote, kwa roho yako yote, na kwa akili yako yote.’ Hii ndiyo amri kuu na ya kwanza. Na ya pili inafanana nayo: ‘Mpende jirani yako kama nafsi yako.’ Katika amri hizi mbili hutegemea Sheria yote na Manabii.” (NKJV) Mathayo 22:37-40
RUSSIAN / РУССКИЙИисус сказал ему: «Возлюби Господа, Бога твоего, всем сердцем твоим, всею душею твоею и всем разумением твоим». Это первая и великая заповедь. И вторая такая же: «Возлюби ближнего твоего, как самого себя». На этих двух заповедях держится весь Закон и пророки». (NKJV) Матфея 22:37-40
GERMAN / DEUTSCHUnd Jesus sprach zu ihm: »Du sollst den Herrn, deinen Gott, lieben mit deinem ganzen Herzen und mit deiner ganzen Seele und mit deinem ganzen Denken«. Das ist das erste und größte Gebot. Und das zweite ist ihm vergleichbar: »Du sollst deinen Nächsten lieben wie dich selbst«. An diesen zwei Geboten hängen das ganze Gesetz und die Propheten. (SCH 2000) Matthäus 22:37-40
FRENCH / FRANÇAISEJésus lui répondit: Tu aimeras le Seigneur, ton Dieu, de tout ton cœur, de toute ton âme, et de toute ta pensée. C’est le premier et le plus grand commandement. Et voici le second, qui lui est semblable: Tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-même. De ces deux commandements dépendent toute la loi et les prophètes. (NEG 1979) Matthieu 22:37-40
SPANISH / ESPAÑOLJesús contestó:
—“Ama al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente.” Este es el primer mandamiento y el más importante. Hay un segundo mandamiento que es igualmente importante: “Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.” Toda la ley y las exigencias de los profetas se basan en estos dos mandamientos. (NTV) Mateo 22:37-40
* German, French, and Spanish Scripture translations are taken from my Bible Gateway app. Irish, Swahili, and Russian, however, are translated from NKJV via Google Translate app.
#Blogwords, Daily Scripture, #DS, God’s Word, Daily Bread, Matthew 22:37-40October 25, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 26 October 2022 –BOOK LAUNCH EVENT – EXCERPT with MONIQUE BUCHEGER
Today I’m super excited to have my friend and fellow author, Monique Bucheger, on the blog. I have read her delightful Ginnie West stories and loved them. I even bought them for my granddaughter for Christmas.
I am intrigued by the idea of story mash-ups—with characters from one story or series making an appearance in another series. I’ve seen authors do this with their own books, between different series. But I’ve not seen it between two different authors.
Ms. Bucheger and I give you that today. I can’t recall if I already knew the critical role horses would play in my story, or if reading Ginnie’s stories sparked the idea. But when I realized that Ms. Bucheger used South Carolina for a setting in her series, I latched onto the idea of using it in my story. Stratton Stables is just a bit south of Covington, the fictional city where my story takes place.
NOTE: While this excerpt demonstrates Mere’s terror of horses, it does not completely give away what happened, or why it was so devastating to her.
EXCERPT – STRATTON STABLES* first person in Meredith’s voice
Leave it to my sister to find another horse farm. And of course my husband jumped on the information she gave him.
We now stood in front of the most amazing plantation house I’d ever seen. And I’d seen plenty. Worked on a couple even, namely The Ivy Rose Inn.
This place had to go back for generations. The house was snugged between two chimneys of brick that had seen at least 200 years; like the arms of a football goal, they held the house tight and secure. Double-paned windows framed in what looked like wood, but to my trained eye were clearly vinyl. Black shutters contrasted against the white siding.
White columns soared from the first floor—not the ground floor, by the way—to the eaves above the wide porch of the second floor. Dormer windows that held generations of secrets reached out from the third floor.
As we followed the gray sandy dirt under ancient oaks the double front doors swung open and the most elegant cowgirl walked out and down the eight wide wooden steps.
“Hi, I’m Veronica Stratton Brooks.” She extended her hand and I returned the shake. “You must be Meredith and Jeremy Jernigan.”
“Nice to meet you.” It wasn’t entirely untrue; she seemed extremely friendly.
She positioned herself to my left, with Jere on my right, and indicated we follow her inside, giving us a brief history of Stratton Stables.
I was half listening, half taking in the décor of the house; Jere nudged me to keep up.
She led us down a corridor toward her office. The walls were lined with glossy photos of horse-riding champions and beauty queen shots.
“You’ve been in pageants, too.” It was an observation more than a question.
“Oh yes, my sister and I used to compete all the time.”
“These are all pics of you. Do you have any of her?”
She laughed. “Most of these are her.” Then cut me a look.
“But…”
“We’re twins.”
Jeremy laughed so hard I thought he’d fall down.
“But you’re…”
“Identical, yes.”
Still laughing, Jere fished out his wallet and showed her a pic of me and Bethy. It was the day we wore our blue sheath dresses on our first double date. We had the guys totally confused until we realized neither of them knew whose hand to reach for; I put my hat on so they could tell us apart. It was Jere’s favorite pic of us.
“Oh my gosh!” Eyes wide as saucers, Mrs. Brooks stared at the picture. Without a word, she stepped to a shelf and reached for a silver framed photo. Different hair, different pose, but the same as the one of me and Bethy—the two of them wearing identical aqua sundresses, standing back-to-back, and smirking at the camera.
“What’s your sister’s name?” I suddenly warmed right up to this Mrs. Brooks, and her sister.
“She was born Ginnie but Daddy and I called her Widget and her husband renamed her Queenie because of all her beauty pageant wins. That, and he said she was ‘the queen of his heart’. Corny, yes, but sweet.”
“Where’s your sister now?”
Mrs. Brooks paused. “She passed away.”
“Oh, Mrs. Brooks, I’m so sorry.” Way to go Meredith. Stick your foot right in your fat mouth.
“Thank you. It’s been a long time but it’s something you never get used to.” She took a deep breath. “And please call me Roni.”
Thankfully voices in the corridor broke the awkwardness.
“Daddy, come in her a minute.”
Two men stepped into the room.
“Meredith, this is my father, Cabot Stratton.” Roni stepped closer to a tall, dark-haired gentleman. “And this handsome guy is my husband, Sterling Brooks.” She gave him an adoring smile.
“This is Meredith and Jeremy Jernigan. They’re here so Meredith can learn to ride.” I appreciated how she didn’t mention the reason I needed to learn.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You’re British.” Duh. Geez, sometimes I said the dumbest things. At least I didn’t ask if he was from England.
“What part of England are you from?” It was like Jere could read my mind.
“Mostly from Sussex, but have family scattered about.”
Mr. Stratton was clearly a powerful man, I could see the affection for his daughter in his eyes, but he stood tall and commanded respect.
“We have a meeting to attend.” He shook Jere’s hand and tipped his hat to me. “Nice to meet y’all.”
“And that’s my dad.”
Roni offered us some sweet tea before taking us out to tour the property.
“Your sister explained a little of what happened to you, Meredith.” Roni talked as we walked. “Why don’t you tell me in your words.”
How did I tell her that? That these beasts that she loved so much had crippled me in the worst possible way? I considered showing her the scar but figured that would be over the top.
“Your sister said you visited Shiloh last week?”
“Yeah.”
“And did that help? Seeing where it happened?”
She seemed to understand more than I thought. “It did. I wasn’t sure what to expect but once Jere convinced me to go it felt right. I was terrified even though I wasn’t on a horse—they only have senior horses now. No one rides them anymore.”
Roni smiled and nodded.
Once I started the words just fell out of my brain and I couldn’t stop. I told her how much fun me and B had had that summer, riding and swimming and riding our bikes all over Kerry Hills.
I told her about the fake snake and how Petal had reared and how I fell. How—
“Mere?” Jere rushed to me, eased me down to a hay bale to sit. “You’re white as a sheet.”
“Rand, bring some water please.” I sensed more than saw Roni kneel in front of me. “Breathe. In. Out. Head between your knees. Breathe. In. Out. In. Out.” She looked up. “Thanks, Rand.” She turned back to me. “Drink this.”
I sipped at the water. It wasn’t cold but I could feel it in my veins, kick-starting my brain, my emotions.
“Babe.” Jere knelt next to me now. “What happened?”
“Petal…” Tears welled, then trickled. “She was trying to protect me.”
“Oh my gosh…” Roni sank onto the hay next to me, her eyes glassy and her hand over her mouth.
I stumbled from my stupor. “Roni, what’s the matter?”
“That’s what happened to my sister.”
“What do you mean? What happened to her? A snake scared her horse, too?”
“What?” She looked up, wiped her tears on her sleeve, and stood back up fully composed. “Wild dogs. She was riding her horse, Eternal Love, and encountered a pack of wild dogs. Love reared, throwing her and my niece. Widget didn’t make it.” She paused, drew a breath. “We couldn’t prevent her death but we decided to make something good come of it—we started a foundation for riders and horses that had been hurt in accidents. Helping other people makes her loss more bearable. And it is healing for me.” She drew a deep breath. “If we can prevent even one other person from getting injured or… Well, then we’ve honored her death.”
We exited the barn and I wondered what life would be like without Bethy; I couldn’t imagine.
Roni’s boots crunched on the gravel path. “Oh, and by the way, when Widget and her husband—his name is Todd. When they had their first baby, well babies—she had twins.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Let me guess, more identicals?”
“I should hope not.” Roni chuckled. “A boy and a girl.”
We entered a second barn and I looked around. Twelve stalls with horses in four of them.
“I thought there would be more horses.”
“Oh, honey.” Roni put on a deep Southern drawl. “They’s a whole lot more’n just these ‘uns.”
My mouth formed an “O” and I nodded.
“The others are out for exercise in the paddock, and Lilly, Fancy, Sugar, and Tucker are out with new riders.” She stopped outside one of the stalls and unlatched it. “This is Bella. She’s a gentle horse, wonderful for new—or traumatized—riders. She’s young and really sweet. Kind of like Petal.”
Roni led Bella to the tack room, brushed and saddled her, then placed a stool for mounting. “Ready?” she asked.
I froze.
Jere massaged my shoulders, releasing a fraction of the tension.
“I know it can be scary because my sister died,” Roni continued. “But I also know how damaging it can be to live with that kind of fear.” She held out the stirrup. “Up you go.”
Jere nudged me and my foot moved, my boot touching the metal. You can do this, Meredith. I squeezed my eyes shut, and half-swung my leg and half-crawled onto her back. But I was sitting in the saddle. Sitting on a horse. I WAS ON A FREAKING HORSE!
“That’s it, Meredith.” Roni’s voice was calm and soothing. “You’re doing great.”
“You good?” Jere winked at me from his saddle on Aslan, the golden Arabian he was riding.
“I think so.” I was fighting not to hyperventilate.
“Deep breaths.” He took my hand in his and patted the young Andalusian’s withers—he had given me lessons in horse breeds and basic anatomy.
“Okay.” Following Roni, I nudged Bella’s sides with my boots—Jere had bought me cowboy boots just for today’s ride—and the gentle black beast moved at a slow walk, easing into an easy trot. “Ohhh…” My face relaxed a little and I actually smiled. “This is nice.”
“I knew you’d love it.”
“Just no snakes.”
“Bella knows what to do.”
“No. Snakes.”
“Ready to go a little faster?” Roni prompted after several minutes.
“Maybe?”
As Jeremy nudged his horse, Aslan, to a canter, Bella met his pace, and soon we were galloping along the trail.
And now, please welcome, Roni Stratton herself.
Why hello, y’all. It’s been busier than a stick of butter in a kitchen full of frying pans here at Stratton Stables. I was so happy that Meredith and Jeremy Jernigan stopped by today. So grateful Meredith was able to overcome her fear of horses and take a little ride on our sweet Bella. The fact that Meredith is also an identical twin made my heart beat in a way only another identical twin would know.
I also thought it was fun that Meredith and her husband’s names rhymed: Mere and Jere. My twin sister, Ginnie, and I were called Widget and Gidget growing up. She hated it more than I did, but even she admitted that the matching names were cool at times.
Finding out that Mere’s fear of horses came about because she was thrown as a girl was heart-wrenching in a multitude of ways. Ginnie passed when her horse reared, trying to save her and my three-year-old niece from feral dogs. I’m glad Mere’s story had a happier ending.
I love that she has become a foster-adoptive mom. She and Jere are certainly the answer to some very lucky children’s prayers. Motherhood is a blessing, no matter how it comes about.
What’s not to love about kids? Most are sweeter than a little red wagon full of speckled pups. Mere and Jere seem to be big-hearted types at the ready when a hug is needed or a tear needs to be wiped. Though fitting their large family on a Harley might be a bit more ambitious than hiring a one-armed wallpaper hanger.
A WORD FROM MONIQUEHello Folks! It’s been fun to read about Mere and Jere’s visit to Stratton Stables. I’m so glad Roni was able to help Mere overcome her reluctance to riding a horse and was able to help her replace her terrifying experience with a more positive memory. I’ve enjoyed reading Meredith and Jeremy’s story and glad Robin reached out to share their little corner of the south. Roni’s niece (half-orphaned when her mom was thrown from her horse) is the main character in my Ginnie West series. Roni has recently reunited with her sister’s children and helps Ginnie in particular heal from the loss of her mother.
THE (GUEST) AUTHOR
When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.
Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children and 3 in-law kids, eleven granddarlings, 5 cats, and many real and imaginary friends.
She is the author of five published books (and several unpublished ones) and is in two anthologies. You can find more about Monique and her works at: www.moniquebucheger.blogspot.com
GIVEAWAY
Ms. Bucheger is giving away one (1) copy of Simply West of Heaven, winner’s choice of an ebook or a signed print copy. Enter by clicking on the link below.
RAFFLECOPTER
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 25 October 2022 –BOOK RELEASE EVENT – OCTOBER COUNTDOWN – DAY TWENTY-FIVE – ONE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO by ROBIN E. MASON
I’m so EXCITED and I hope y’all will CELEBRATE with me! Finally, after four long years, I have a new book finished. One for the Price of Two, is the first book in the series, FourSquare. Release date is TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER. To celebrate, I’ve a whole series of LAUNCH EVENTS lined up…
LAUNCH EVENTSMonday 24 October
Guest post with Author Maria Henriksen
Tuesday 25 October
Excerpt – You Got Glatheth and Regina Harbison
Wednesday 26 October
Excerpt – Stratton Stables – and special guest feature with Author Monique Bucheger and #GIVEAWAY
Thursday 27 October
Character interview with Bethy and Meredith
Friday 28 October
Guest post with Author Pat Nichols and #GIVEAWAY
Saturday 29 October
Cut scene and Excerpt – Care Bear Birthmark and Baby Duane
Sunday 30 October
Devotion and Excerpt – Forgiving God
Monday 31 October
Meet the Author (that’s me) and Excerpt – Bethy is Abducted
THE LAUNCHTUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER
I will be hosting a party on Facebook, including fabulous guest hosts, a giveaway, excerpts, and cut scenes.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1709867059388685/
How identical is too identical?
Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.
Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.
Elizabeth and Meredith walked in each other’s shadow; it’s what they did. Filling in for one another, switching places to prank their friends and to cover for one another in a pinch.
But when heartbreak befalls one of them—while the other’s heart and arms are fulfilled—will it drive a wedge between them?
NOTE: This story deals with issues—miscarriage and infertility—that might be difficult for some readers.
BOOK ONE in the FOURSQUARE SERIESFour stories of four couples who also happen to be four sets of twins.
“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”
My characters struggle in some way for their identity. Their stories are their journey to know who God created them to be.
There is also a strong element of friends, family, and faith in all my stories, and the difference it makes to have such a support system.
I am a Christian and write from a Christian world view, but some of my characters are not believers and therefore do not abide by the Bible and the guidelines for life that we take for granted. My books contain some mild swear language in a few places—and demonstrate the difference when the grace of God prevails.
PAST SERIESunsavory heritage series—seven generations, from Cissy to Connie, each with their own secrets, one of which is ugly and unsavory, and begins the curse they all bearSeasons series—four friends, each one struggling to know the truth of just what happened when one of them plunged into the depths of the black waters of the Edisto Riverhttps://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Robin.E.Mason/
https://twitter.com/RobinEMason1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 25 October 2022 – DAILY SCRIPTURE – JOEL 2:25
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you. (NKJV) Joel 2:25
IRISH / GAEILGEMar sin tabharfaidh mé ar ais chugaibh na blianta a d’ith an lócas snámh, an lócas sníomh, an lócas ídithe, agus an lócas coganta, m’arm mór a chuir mé in bhur measc. (NKJV) Joel 2:25
SWAHILI / KISWAHILIHivyo nitawarudishia hiyo miaka iliyoliwa na nzige, na nzige, na parare, na tunutu, jeshi langu kubwa nililotuma kati yenu. (NKJV) Yoeli 2:25
RUSSIAN / РУССКИЙИ возвращу вам годы, которые пожирала саранча, ползучая саранча, пожирающая саранча и жующая саранча, великое войско Мое, которое Я послал к вам. (NKJV) Джоэл 2:25
GERMAN / DEUTSCHUnd ich werde euch die Jahre zurückerstatten, welche die Heuschrecke, der Fresser, der Verwüster und der Nager verzehrt haben — mein großes Kriegsheer, das ich gegen euch gesandt habe. (SCH 2000) Joel 2:25
FRENCH / FRANÇAISEJe vous remplacerai les années qu’ont dévorées la sauterelle, le jélek, le hasil et le gazam, ma grande armée que j’avais envoyée contre vous. (NEG 1979) Joël 2:25
SPANISH / ESPAÑOLEl Señor dice: «Les devolveré lo que perdieron a causa del pulgón, el saltamontes, la langosta y la oruga. Fui yo quien envió ese gran ejército destructor en contra de ustedes. (NTV) Joel 2:25
* German, French, and Spanish Scripture translations are taken from my Bible Gateway app. Irish, Swahili, and Russian, however, are translated from NKJV via Google Translate app.
#Blogwords, Daily Scripture, #DS, God’s Word, Daily Bread, Joel 2:25October 24, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 25 October 2022 –BOOK LAUNCH EVENT – EXCERPT
A shortie but goodie, one of my favorite scenes takes us back to the girls’ childhood. They have been switching places since they were old enough to realize they could. Mostly for fun, sometimes at school…
EXCERPT – YOU GOT GLATHETH“You got glatheth!” Mere’s words were still tangled over the new hardware in her mouth.
“Well you got braces.” Bethy retorted and tapped the unfamiliar frames up the bridge of her nose.
“It’th not like I wanted them.” The offence of it—and the discomfort—was fresh in Mere’s mind, and in her mouth.
“At least I can take my glatheth off.” Bethy squinted as she proved her point. “Can’t do that with braces!” And she stuck her tongue out at her sister.
“It’th not my fault!”
“Girls!” Their mother scolded. “Maybe your dad and I can tell you apart for a change,” she snarked over her shoulder as her tennis shoes squeaked on the polished tile floor.
“What are we going to do?” Mere whithpered when they had climbed in the far back of the mini-van. “And don’t thay thuck it up buttercup.” She huffed. Then moaned. “I’m going to flunk my hithtory tetht tomorrow.”
“Well I have a math test on Friday!” Bethy hissed. “And you were supposed to take it for me.”
Mere snugged her arms across her chest and glared out the window.
“I’ll help you study,” Bethy whispered. “But you have to show me this stupid math, too.”
“Hmpth.” Mere’s whisper dribbled down her chin.
And since that one’s so short, I give you Regina Harbison:
EXCERPT – REGINA HARBISON
Covington issued parking passes for pregnant women and for those with small children. Always before when I brought Ragan and Tristan to the park, I had borrowed B’s CSC—Covington’s Smallest Citizens—decal, but now I had my own and had proudly placed it in the rear window.
The passes, the CSC and CFC—Covington Future Citizen—allowed vehicles bearing the decal to park in designated spaces; like handicap parking, CSC and CFC spaces were closer to the gate or entrance and were oversized for loading and unloading children and equipment such as strollers.
“Elizabeth Elliott!”
I turned at what could only be the grating voice of Regina Harbison. I didn’t bother to correct the common identity error—she deserved it. Toting the unmistakable shopping bag from Cassiopeia Jeweler’s—black with faux diamond studs in the ‘W’ formation of the constellation of the same name—it was obvious where Regina had been. And it was equally obvious she had parked in CSC-CFC reserved parking.
“Hi Gina.” I turned back to unbuckling car seats.
“Oh, aren’t they just the most precious things.” Regina pinched Ragan’s cheek, which elicited an immediate screech.
“I’d really rather you didn’t do that.”
“Oh my goodness. Don’t be such a stuffed nut.” Regina huffed. “I didn’t hurt her.”
“And I don’t like people touching my kids.”
Regina let out a very loud huff and rolled her eyes.
I got both kids tucked into the stroller with the picnic hamper tucked underneath. I was so ready to enjoy our picnic and leave our unwanted intruder behind.
“Well, they are adorable.” But Regina turned from her Mercedes and followed me, her heels clacking along the paved walkway. “You’re looking fabulous, B.” No one called my sister that but me. “I heard you were pregnant again. I just couldn’t imagine. Two little ones and having another so soon.” Never mind Regina’s three kids, all boys, were all a year apart. “You certainly got your figure back pretty fast. I was back in my size four’s when Evan was just two weeks old.”
I would have called her on her egregious lies but that would only prolong the dissonant chatter. And that was the last thing I wanted with Regina Harbison.
“Awful business about your sister, though. Can you imagine? Not having kids at all. I mean isn’t that what marriage and family is all about? Why would that Jerry guy ever marry her if she couldn’t have kids, ya know? I mean, he was already a loser to begin with. And then to adopt some China kid like they’re so needy. Why wouldn’t she want to adopt a normal kid, ya know? At least it would look like it was hers—”
“Ya know what, Reggie?” I had had enough! I also knew the woman hated being called Reggie. Even more than she hated being called Gina. “I think it’s great she adopted a foreign baby. Did you know there’s actually two? Twins. Yeah. You missed that in your gossip fest apparently.”
Regina stared at me like I had two heads.
“And no, that is NOT what marriage and family is all about. Marriage and family is about loving each other and being there for each other no matter what. I love Jeremy and he loves me, and he is NOT a loser and never has been. I love him forever and a day whether we EVER have a baby together or not. And if we don’t, then we’ll love Ruby and Willow like our own because they ARE our own. Even if they don’t look like me!”
Applause broke out as I paused to catch my breath. I hadn’t realized how loud my voice had gotten and glanced around to see that a small crowd had gathered.
“Well.” Regina didn’t even have the grace to sputter, let alone apologize. “If you and your sister would quit playing your ridiculous games, trying to fool everyone, then people would know who you are. It’s just immature.” She spun around and caught the clunky heel of her Salvatore Ferragamo shoes on a pebble in the path. Flailing to maintain her balance if not her composure, she stormed off toward her fancy schmancy car.
I didn’t even bother trying to defend myself. I didn’t mention that she was the one who had assumed who I was. Didn’t mention how I was spending a couple of hours with my niece and nephew, or that I was babysitting while my sister was on bedrest.
And I especially didn’t mention that me and B would continue to switch places when we felt like it. We always had, and we always would.
BLOGWORDS – Monday 24 October 2022 –BOOK RELEASE EVENT – OCTOBER COUNTDOWN – DAY TWENTY-FOUR – ONE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO by ROBIN E. MASON
I’m so EXCITED and I hope y’all will CELEBRATE with me! Finally, after four long years, I have a new book finished. One for the Price of Two, is the first book in the series, FourSquare. Release date is TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER. To celebrate, I’ve a whole series of LAUNCH EVENTS lined up…
LAUNCH EVENTSMonday 24 October
Guest post with Author Maria Henriksen and #GIVEAWAY
Tuesday 25 October
Excerpt – You Got Glatheth and Regina Harbison
Wednesday 26 October
Excerpt – Stratton Stables – and special guest feature with Author Monique Bucheger and #GIVEAWAY
Thursday 27 October
Character interview with Bethy and Meredith
Friday 28 October
Guest post with Author Pat Nichols and #GIVEAWAY
Saturday 29 October
Cut scene and Excerpt – Care Bear Birthmark and Baby Duane
Sunday 30 October
Devotion and Excerpt – Forgiving God
Monday 31 October
Author trivia and Excerpt – Bethy is Abducted
THE LAUNCHTUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER
I will be hosting a party on Facebook, including fabulous guest hosts, a giveaway, excerpts, and cut scenes.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1709867059388685/
How identical is too identical?
Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.
Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.
Elizabeth and Meredith walked in each other’s shadow; it’s what they did. Filling in for one another, switching places to prank their friends and to cover for one another in a pinch.
But when heartbreak befalls one of them—while the other’s heart and arms are fulfilled—will it drive a wedge between them?
NOTE: This story deals with issues—miscarriage and infertility—that might be difficult for some readers.
BOOK ONE in the FOURSQUARE SERIESFour stories of four couples who also happen to be four sets of twins.
“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”
My characters struggle in some way for their identity. Their stories are their journey to know who God created them to be.
There is also a strong element of friends, family, and faith in all my stories, and the difference it makes to have such a support system.
I am a Christian and write from a Christian world view, but some of my characters are not believers and therefore do not abide by the Bible and the guidelines for life that we take for granted. My books contain some mild swear language in a few places—and demonstrate the difference when the grace of God prevails.
PAST SERIESunsavory heritage series—seven generations, from Cissy to Connie, each with their own secrets, one of which is ugly and unsavory, and begins the curse they all bearSeasons series—four friends, each one struggling to know the truth of just what happened when one of them plunged into the depths of the black waters of the Edisto Riverhttps://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Robin.E.Mason/
https://twitter.com/RobinEMason1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason
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