Thursday, August 28, 2014

Raquel Byrnes' Secrets Out!

Meet Raquel Byrnes and her SECRETS

This week the second book in Raquel's Noble Island Mystery series debuted! Set on the same mysterious Noble Island as her first novel, this one delves into the strange and secretive ways of the island's Romany people. Secrets at Crescent Point is a Gothic Romance with intrigue and thrills, I know you'll love Raven and Siyah's adventure!

Here is an official blurb...

Leaving Noble Island amid scandal and accusation, Raven vows never to return, but when her sister's fiancé goes missing, Raven has no choice. Shunned by the island, if she is to unravel the mystery of Niklos's disappearance, she must rely on the only man she's ever loved, Siyah Cavaler.

Siyah was devastated when Raven left Noble Island, but as the clan's heir apparent, he has a responsibility to keep the families from falling into ruin and crime. To preserve the island's future, he agrees to a bride from a rival family, but Raven's return stirs his heart and jeopardizes his position in the council. Giving in to his love for Raven would mean turning his back on all he's ever known.

When Raven’s investigation uncovers a grisly discovery, a darkness is unleashed that threatens them both.


Bizarre accidents, unexplained deaths, and strange apparitions shroud the island. Raven and Siyah struggle to save the families and their love as they race to stop another death and unveil the Secrets at Crescent Point.

Be sure to check out Raquel's new novel! Blessings! 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Levi Shares Bitty Beck's Letter


The third of the Hearts Stolen Prequelettes - sharing letters back and forth between Levi and his sister-cousin Rebecca. If you've not read the first two (each is very short), here are the links: 1st Letter from Rebecca    2nd Letter also from Rebecca


Wallace whacked him on the knee. "Come on, finish it. She's been writing on it a month."

June 22, 1836
Daddy said we were going to town tomorrow, so I’m going to write one more little bit before I post this letter then.
COME HOME!
He finally hired a carpenter and his son to help get the new big front of the house dried in. That’s what they called it, and I suppose it means to where it’ll keep the rain out. It’s ace high to be sure. Mama and I still had to help because you were gone. Come home now.
That thing I wanted to talk to you about? Well, I figured it out myself with Sassy and Sophia Belle, because you were not home. Mama bought me a new dress with an empire waist and puffy sleeves at the top, but they’re more a fit elbow to wrist. It’s a beautiful green. Boss, and I love it.

Rebecca dipped her quill in the ink, tapped it twice on her blotter, and left herself a moment to picture her new beau. She hated it that Mama and Daddy caught her staring at him instead of working, but well, she was coming fourteen. Already marrying age by some accounts. She tapped the quill again then returned to her missive.

Yes, sir, you will not recognize the place when you finally come home. Have I mentioned I want you here and not running all over the Republic?
Jean Paul has been working hard on getting more land ready for spring planting. He and daddy have been talking a lot about busting out more bottom land. He’s got that thirty acre block west of the smoke house laid by, says he’ll need to run it again before he plants, but it sure looks good.
Bless the good Lord we don’t live there anymore. At the time, I didn’t mind it at all, but we didn’t know any better. Just wait until you see the new front of the house. I mean before it was nice, but now… Well, come home like a good brother should, and you’ll see for your own self. I hate you not being here, please be safe and careful and don’t go and do something stupid.
I love you, brother. We’re all praying for you, Levi. Mama says you’ll be fine, and I agree, but I’d like it a whole lot better if you were here.
It’s getting late. Mama says I’ve got to turn the lamp off, so I’ll start another letter when I have something new to write about. Write back and post it as quick as you can.
                                                                                    Love as always,
                                                                                   Your Bitty Beck

Levi folded the three pages and slid them back into the envelope she’d mailed it in then placed it in his wallet. That he tucked inside his saddle bags, then retrieved the piece of paper and pencil he’d been carrying for better than a month. He’d already read the thing three times to Wallace, and now that they were almost back to Austin, he needed to get something down to send back.
“How old is your sister, Levi?”
He looked to his friend. “Fourteen.”
Wallace tossed another branch on the fire. “Be sure to mention me when you write her back. Maybe tell her about those yaps that ambushed us last month.”
Levi laughed. “No, I am not writing about that. And you need to stop bragging on me like you’ve been doing everywhere we go.”
“God’s own truth. You got three of them.” He laughed. “I loved it when you took that last one’s Arkansas toothpick away from him and slit his throat.” He dragged his finger across his own neck.
Levi couldn’t argue with the truth, but Wallace Rusk had made him out to be some kind of hero. “True, and you bagged the other two. But still, trust me, my friend. Girls don’t want to hear about us killing Comanche.”
“Well how about that lady you met in San Antonio? Now she’s worth writing home about.”
“Wallace, I’m not interested in that girl. She wasn’t much older than Rebecca, and not half as pretty.”
His friend laughed. “She sure was smitten with the great Levi Baylor, famous Texas Ranger.”
“Will you stop that? I’m not great or famous. Really, you’ve got to stop bragging on me.”
“Hey. It ain’t brag if it’s true.”
Levi waved him off. “Don’t you have the first watch?”
“Nope, me and Nick traded.”
He nodded. “Well shut your trap. I got to figure out something to write. We should make Austin tomorrow.”
“How about that band of Kiowa?”
“No, now hush.”

October 13, 1836

Dearest Rebecca, Aunt Sue and Uncle Henry, and my little sisters Mary Rachel, Gwendolyn, and Baby Cecilia.
Hope this missive finds you all well and happy. I’m good. Wallace Rusk, Nick Ward, and I are about back to Austin, so I thought I’d get this written to mail while we’re there. The Major said maybe some leave was in order if the Comanche didn’t start something. If he lets me loose, I may hightail it home for a visit.
Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but we’ve been down south, and I didn’t figure a letter would have much chance of getting to you.
Sure do miss everyone. Is the baby walking yet? How’s the house building coming along? Sounds great that Jean Paul’s going to plant more cotton, not that I care much for hoeing or picking or having anything to do with lint—you can vouch for that Auntie—but I know what a money maker it is.
Uncle, I’m sending a full head right I traded for. Use it however you see fit, or save if for that little valley we found along the Llano, either way I trust your judgment.
Auntie, sure miss your cooking and hearing you nag me about any and every thing. Wallace’s grammar sure needs help, I’m sure everyone will like him if you ever get to meet him.

A low two note whistle drew his attention. He set the paper down and pulled out his pistol. Wallace nodded toward the south. Levi agreed then eased north.  

From Huckleberry Hill all the way to Texas!

 I'm part of a HOP this week! My friend Jennifer Beckstrand, author of the Huckleberry Hill novels - wonderful Amish romances full of fun since she enjoys making her readers laugh and fall in love! - You'll find her answers on her Facebook page. So, I'm supposed to answer the following same four questions then send my readers on to Holly Michael's Facebook Page where she'll answer the questions next!

1) What am I working on?
I'm working on book four of my Texas Romances, 1800s series SINS OF THE MOTHERS. It follows VOW UNBROKEN (1832 - Simon and Schuster's Howard Books debuted in March 2014), book two HEARTS STOLEN (1839-1844, debuts September 2014), and book three HOPE REBORN (1850 -- 1851, planned January 2015 debut). My work-in-progress is the first of the series where the majority of the story takes place outside Texas when young Mary Buckmeyer marries and flees with her new husband to California.
          Though born in Long Beach, California, I was in Texas for my first birthday and have always considered myself a Texan! Still, when the Beach Boys sang 'I Wish They All Could be California Girls' when I was but a teen, I proudly declared my birth state!  



Book One Debuted March 4th, 2014
Book Two debuts September 5th
AVAILABLE SOON!


2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?  It's seems difficult to compare my stories to others in my genre. I guess the setting being Tejas, then the Republic of Texas, then the State of Texas makes it different from many historical romances. My characters don't all have it so easy, they work long and hard and test their unction against nemesis that aren't always men, but nature and the time period when living in Texas hurled troubles most different from the Eastern Seaboard of America and across the ocean in England and the European countries.
          I hope my characters will become friends of my readers and keep them interested enough to read all in the series, as well as encourage them to read other novels and novellas I've written to make new friends!
          I believe most all Christian authors desire to honor the Lord and advance His Kingdom with their stories, but if they don't, then that would be a difference, too. I try never to be preachy or judgmental, but tell life the way it is and work in--through the faith of my characters--scriptural principals that the Holy Spirit will use to convict readers and draw them into a closer relationship with the Father through His Son.

3) Why do I write what I do?
I believe most all Christian authors desire to honor the Lord and advance His Kingdom with their stories. In my writing, I try never to be preachy or judgmental, but tell life the way it is. I've been called bold and am not ashamed of my God or His Good News. I try to work in--through the faith of my characters--scriptural principals that the Holy Spirit will use to convict readers and draw them into a closer relationship with the Father through His Son. I write what I do because I believe it is God's will for my life.

4) How does my writing process work?
I've come to know my characters, and so just write to tell their stories, their life experiences, the tragedies and ecstasies. I usually spend most my early moring hours on the computer and then my late night hours back at the computer again.
That would be when the boys are off to school, and after
they retire for the night! O'Pa and I have had four grandsons for eleven years. This year, our household lost the two oldest--one to graduation, Matthew's off to college, and the other to his maternal grandparents. That granddad fell and broke his hip and Gregory asked if he could go to live with them to be a help. So we still have Christian, a fourteen-year-old and eleven-year-old Benjamen.
          Since my husband is also a writer, he makes sure my heroes are strong and manly. I'm so blessed that God made me in my mother's womb to be his wife. He is, to me, the epitome of Christ on earth and shows me daily the example of God's love for His bride. The fact that he writes, too, means he understands the time I spend at the computer -- not only writing, but on marketing, too. That's a huge part of a writers' 'job' if they are to be successful. God always opens doors and blesses me beyond comprehension.

From here, I will introduce you to the next hop on this BlogHop who would be a dear friend of mine, Holly Michael. I met her just last year at ACFW but believe our coming together was in God's divine plan. Holly is published in various magazines, newspapers, and in Guideposts books, and CROOKED LINES, a 2012 ABNA quarterfinalist, is her debut novel, August 2014. She has her second novel, a 2014 Genesis semifinalist, I'LL BE SEEING YOU coming soon, and also is co-authoring a devotional with her NFL tight end son, Jake. She and her husband, Anglican Bishop Leo Michael, regularly travel from their home in Kansas City to India, and she loves watching her sons play football--Jake (NFL) and Nick (Rajin' Cajuns)--and visits from her daughter, Betsy. 



About CROOKED LINES:
On the shores of Lake Michigan, Rebecca Meyer seeks escape. Guilt-ridden over her little sister's death, she sets her sights on India, a symbol of peace.
Across the ocean in South India, Sagai Raj leaves his tranquil hill station home and impoverished family to answer a higher calling. Pushing through diverse and challenging cultural and religious milieus, he presses toward his goals, while wrong turns and bad choices block Rebecca from hers.
On similar paths midst twists and turns, and bridged across oceans through a kindly priest, the two desire peace and God's perfect will. But vows and blind obedience at all costs must be weighed...and buried memories, unearthed.
A review: Crooked Lines, a beautifully crafted debut novel, threads the lives of two determined souls from different continents and cultures. Compelling characters struggle with spirituality through despair and deceptions in search of truth
                      GET YOUR COPY NOW!



Friday, August 22, 2014

A Music Loving Heroine ~ My Kind of Story!

“The Hesitant Heiress” by Dawn Crandall


    With the rare ability to play the piano by ear, Amaryllis Brigham wants nothing more than to someday found a music school. However, someone keeps undermining her hopes and dreams at every turn. 
    Despite her own misgivings, she soon finds herself quickly falling in love with the most unlikely of men—the son of the very man she suspects has been bent on ruining her life. However, Nathan Everstone turns out to be much more than he seems… and everything she never knew she wanted. But can she trust an Everstone man?

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Dawn Crandall writes long inspirational historical romantic suspense. She has a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University and lives in northeast Indiana with her ever-supportive husband and their newest addition, a little baby boy. Learn more about Dawn and The Hesitant Heiress from the August 2014 blog tour: http://www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-hesitant-heiress-blog-tour.html

Friday, August 15, 2014

Maranatha BookFest / Kansas City ~ First Annual Christian Event!


"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."     John 21:25 

Highlighting CHRISTIAN AUTHORS for CHRISTIAN READERS! Bringing together Christian Literature to advance the Kingdom!

Every thirty minutes, an author will present or read from their book. Then be available for Q&A! A wonderful opportunity to get to know the Christian authors you love to read!

Please go to the Event Page for all the details: Maranatha BookFest Event

Christian Authors and Readers: Please go to this site and forward and tweet to your friends. Especially if you know you have frineds in the Kansas City area. It's in Missouri, but close to Western Kansas and semi-close to North Arkansas! 

Authors: If you can’t attend, consider donating books for our Review Table. Book there will be sold at half price and/or given away as door prizes in trade for a review.  

Readers: Please check out the site and tweet and share on Facebook.  It’ll be a great event!

Planning a Children's Corner, so it'll be a family event!