Wednesday Writers–The Soul Searcher by Erin R. Howard

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book excerpt from The Soul Searchers, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Erin R. Howard, Naming your characters, The Kalila Chronicles, The Soul Searcher, Urban Fantasy

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Erin R. Howard, author of the urban fantasy series The Kalila Chronicles. Erin will be talking about names and their importance to your book characters. She also sharing an excerpt from book 2 of the series, The Soul Searcher. Welcome, Erin.

 

 

 

Thanks, Catherine.

With my first two children, it wasn’t hard to decide on their names. We both agreed on the names before we even went in to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl. When we got pregnant with our third child, my husband and I couldn’t agree on a girl’s name. We had the boy’s name ready, but nothing seemed to feel right for a girl’s name. The ones that did, we already knew little girls with that name. I remember feeling out of sorts the day of the ultrasound because if we were having a girl, we had no clue what to name her. At the ultrasound, we were told that the baby was a boy, and somehow deep down, maybe I knew, and that’s why I couldn’t settle on a girl name.

When I got serious about writing and began plotting my book, I didn’t think naming my characters would be harder than it was to name my children. But it was! Every name that I liked was either a name from another book that I loved, someone we knew, or it wasn’t the right fit for the character’s personality. I would sit and stare at the blank page, then switch to searching through baby name websites. My husband suggested that I put any name in for the moment and change it later, but that didn’t work for me. I had to have the perfect name.

If you’re not familiar with urban fantasy, it has all the elements of fantasy, but instead of a fictional world, it’s set in our world. In my debut novel, The Seer, I have three main characters. Viktor, Matthias, and Thea. Viktor is a demon, and his mission is to destroy Thea, who is the last of the seers’ bloodline.

I love old fashioned names and ones that are spelled differently. Since Viktor is a demon and tasked with the job of destroying Thea, I wanted to find a name that had that type of theme. When I saw that Viktor means, “conqueror” I switched the “c” to “k,” and now I can’t imagine his name being anything else.

There are a few more hidden meanings scattered throughout the series. The Kalila, an ancient society that trains humans who have supernatural gifts, means “my beloved” and Bethesda, the sanctuary city they are trying to escape to, means “house of mercy.”

In the second book of the series, The Soul Searcher, one of the new main characters name is Elnora. She is named after my Nanny, who passed away while I was writing the first book. She even has my Nanny’s red hair and sometimes fiery temper. I know that she would have been excited to see that I have a character named after her.

What is one book that you’ve read and loved the name of the character? Or what about one that you didn’t like? Did it stop you from finishing the story? Tell me in the comment section, I would love to know!

 

The Soul Searcher

by Erin R. Howard

 

Elnora’s parents gave her one rule:

Stay hidden away at all costs.

Elnora Scott is used to her survival depending on the decisions of others. Locked away in her safe house, it is easy to follow her parents’ dying wishes until an angel, demon, and seer show up on her doorstep. Now, waking up in a dirty cell, she wishes she would have gone with them when she had the chance, because the very ones who unknowingly ushered the kidnapper to her location may be the only ones who can save her.

 

When Thea learns that Elnora may be in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to go find her. Thea thought stepping through the portal would be her greatest obstacle, but it only reveals a more sinister threat.

 

Excerpt from The Soul Searcher:

“A red blinking light from the safe room door caught her attention as she placed her toothbrush in the holder and left the bathroom. Purple, silk pajamas slipped through her fingers and landed at her feet. The smooth fabric tickled her toes as she tried to get her legs to cooperate and move towards the door, but she couldn’t move.

This was not a drill.

Someone was in her house.

She was such a fool. She shouldn’t have let hope come in and take root, because it came in and caught her with her guard down. This hope turned her whole world upside down. Forcing her feet to move this time, she took a step closer to the door, hoping it was an accident, that Markus made a mistake and triggered the alarm without meaning to. This hope kept her taking another step, and another, even though her heart knew what her mind didn’t want to accept yet. Markus didn’t make those kinds of mistakes. The silent, blinking red light taunted her, beckoned her to come to the door and see for herself. To come and see if this was all a mistake.” -Elnora,

Want to read more? Click Pre-Order/Purchase Link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Searcher-Kalila-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07MLXTYJT

 

About the Author:

Erin R. Howard is a developmental editor, fantasy author of The Kalila Chronicles, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, fueling her craft addictions, and teaching writing workshops. Erin is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the KenTen Writers Group. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.

Social Media:  Website: Facebook: Instagram:

 

 

 

 

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Wednesday Writers–Devotion by Olivia Rae

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Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, devotion, Inpsirational Historical Romance, Olivia Rae, stone effigies, Templars, The Sword and the Cross Chronicles, The Temple Church

 

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Olivia Rae who will be talking about her Inspirational Historical Romance, Devotion and giving us some background on the book’s setting and how it came to be. Welcome, Olivia!

 

A Setting Can Lead to a Series

By Olivia Rae

            I love to read about the past. If something is written over 50 years ago, I’ll pick it up to read. Once I read a story about a golden knight that saved the Cross of Solomon from the Muslims. I don’t know if the story was true or not, but it got me thinking. So I began to write Revelation, which is the second story in The Sword and The Cross Chronicles (Yes, the second story came before the first.).

            However, the story did not have the depth that it needed until I went to London with my daughter and we went to the Temple Church. The Templars started building this church, which was their headquarters, in the 12^th century. Walking into the church, it didn’t take me long to realize just how powerful the Templars were back then. At one time, the Templars were even in control of the royal treasury. This might be the kernel of truth that started so many Templar rumors and myths you hear about today.  

            As fascinating as all those stories might be, it was the stone effigies that are found in the floor of the church that really had an impact on me. Now I had a clear visual of what a Templar knight probably looked like. Granted my series takes place before the oldest effigy (William Marshall 1146-1219) was ever put into the floor. Yet, I couldn’t get their images out of my head. These knightly effigies gave testament to a very tumultuous time in history. The Templars originally were a warrior monk order whose main goal was to offer protection to pilgrims going to the Holy Land. Many of these early pilgrims were the infirmed and ill looking for healing in the water of Bethesda, and in some cases, the Sea of Galilee. As more and more Europeans came to the area cultures began to clash. More importantly, who was going to control the trade routes from the East? Like now, back then, power was everything. There were saints and sinners on both sides during the Crusades and which may explain why some were immortalized in effigies.  

            My book, Devotion doesn’t have an effigy, but it does tell the story of a knight who was severely wounded and disfigured (check out book five in the series) and a woman whose heart is hard and locked away in a stone, kind of like an effigy to her miserable life. But that is nothing a little faith and love can’t remedy. I do so hope you will check out Devotion. I really did save the best for last.

 

About the Author:

Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world. Olivia is the winner of the New England Readers’ Choice Award, the Golden Quill Award and the American Fiction Award. She has also been a finalist in many other writing contests, including the National Readers’ Choice Awards and the National Excellence in Romance.

Connect with Olivia at Website : Facebook: Twitter :

You can find Olivia’s book at  Amazon:  B&N:   Apple:  Kobo:

 

 

Wednesday Writers–On Angels’ Wings by Ginger Solomon

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Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christmas romance, excerpt from On Angels' Wings, Ginger Solomon, Inspirational romance, On Angels' Wings, The Heart of Christmas Collenction

 

 

Today’s Wednesday writers’ guest is Ginger Solomon. Ginger’s been a guest before and today she’ll be sharing about her Christmas story On Angels’ Wings, which is part of the Christmas Collection The Heart of Christmas. Welcome, Ginger!

 

The First Holiday Season Without a Loved One

By Ginger Solomon

 

It’s always the hardest. You keep thinking that your loved one—whether a parent, sibling, or a spouse—would enjoy hearing about _________ (fill in the blank). You may even pick up the phone to call. And then the grief fills you all over again.

I’ve been there—a couple times. Both of my parents and one of my siblings have passed. Sadly, I wasn’t close to either of them, so my grief was not as great as it could have been, but I still felt their loss. I still missed their presence.

As does my character in my latest release, On Angels’ Wings. Jenna lost her twin sister and both of her parents in a freak car accident and will spend her first holiday season alone. Or so she thinks.

But her former neighbor—a woman who was like a second mother to her as she grew up—invites her to Thanksgiving dinner and won’t take no for an answer. She even sends her son, Thomas, to make sure Jenna comes.

Jenna isn’t sure she wants to spend so much time in Thomas’s presence. After all, the crush she had on him when she was a teen never quite went away, which she realizes the moment he walks into her bakery.

Thomas makes it his goal to give Jenna something else to think about besides missing her family. He doesn’t want her to forget her grief; he wants to help her through and to make her smile. And maybe a little more. With him.

Grief feels less burdensome when shared. Words are meaningless when a person grieves. Action, even just sitting with someone, means so much more. When my mother died, my sixth child was four days old. Friends and family congregated around me. They loved on me. Sometimes all they did was hold my baby while I cried. And that was enough.

Thomas came alongside Jenna, helped her decorate for Christmas, made her relax outside of her work, and took her mind off her problems by sharing his own.

As Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”(ESV)

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On Angels’ Wings

by Ginger Solomon

Bakery owner, Jenna Wing prepares to spend Thanksgiving alone—her first without her family. When her former neighbor, Thomas Hayes, invites her to dinner, she finds that she can’t say no. Their previous friendship turns to something more, but Thomas’s family issues threatens their new-found relationship.

The Heart of Christmas Collection

Announcing five new stories filled with faith, hope, forgiveness, and of course happily-ever-afters. Each story focuses on an element of the Nativity, from the angels to the wise men. Be swept up in the love of the season and the promise of forever that the Christ child, the true Heart of Christmas, brings.

 

Excerpt: from On Angels’ Wings

(scene with Jenna and Thomas)

He sat at the table across from her—the only other seat available in her small kitchen. “Tell me what you were thinking in the cafe.”

Jenna inhaled the steam from her tea cup and then took a sip. “I miss them. Mostly I miss Keira.”

“Understandable. I’ve heard twins have an uncanny connection to each other.”

“We did, but more than that, she was my best friend. We were so excited to …” Fresh tears cascaded down her face. “She couldn’t wait to marry Titus. It made me happy to see her so happy. And seeing Titus today … it was hard. I’m sure the reverse is also true. He doesn’t seem to be doing well.”

“He’s not. He gets up and goes to work, and then comes home and watches TV or plays video games. His church attendance is nil. He’s angry with God for taking Keira from him.”

A small smile crossed her lips. “Yeah. I wanted to blame God, too, but God didn’t take my family. A truckload of poorly strapped logs did. Could God have stopped it? Yeah. Could He have made it so they weren’t in that space at that time? Yeah, He could have. I may never understand why things happened the way they did, but my job is not to understand His ways. My job is to trust Him even when I don’t. But it’s so hard.”

“Wow. I feel humbled. I’ve taken a few minutes of my time to rant at God about how unfair life is. You put me to shame.”

She rested her hand on his for a millisecond before blushing and pulling it back. “Don’t feel bad. I’ve had my moments. Just a few minutes ago, actually. I didn’t rant, but I did ask why. A simple heartfelt question that will probably not get answered. But something Mom taught us from a young age has helped. Life isn’t fair. No one ever said it would be. God has promised that we will go through trials, but He also promised to always be with us. I’m not going to stop trusting Him just because my life isn’t going exactly as I planned. The Psalms are full of David’s anger and questions, but God still called him a man after His own heart. Why? Because David admonished himself to remember who God is, and then he turned his anger into praise. God can and will give me ‘joyous blessing instead of mourning’ and ‘festive praise instead of despair.’ And in the meantime, I’m praising Him for the time I had with my family.”

“I came here to comfort you. Instead, I am comforted by your faith. I’m … words fail me.”

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Want to read more? You can find Ginger’s book here

About the Author

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre, and if she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, books are on her mind. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.

Social Media:  Website  Facebook Author Page  Twitter @GingerS219

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–When the Geese Fly North by Tracey L. Dragon

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Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, dual-time romance, excerpt from When the Geese Fly North, Return to the Homefront series, Tracey L. Dragon, When the Geese Fly North

Today’s Wednesday Writers’ guest is Tracey L. Dragon. Tracey will be sharing her dual-time romance When The Geese Fly North – Book 2 of her Return to the Home Front Series. She’s also sharing an excerpt, so be sure to read to bottom of the post. Welcome, Tracey!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Catherine,

When the Geese Fly North is Book 2 of my Return to the Home Front Series. Like my novel Cherished Wings – Book 1 (Fran’s story), When the Geese Fly North is a dual time romance that begins in the present but weaves in and out of the past. When the Geese Fly North returns you to the town of Albion, NY during the late 1940’s where you will once again meet the characters from Cherished Wings. This time it’s is Amy’s story being told.

After I finished writing my novel Cherished Wings which was inspired by my own mother’s story and the pair of Navy wings she’d kept hidden in her dresser drawer, I discovered that I liked Amy Lake, a secondary character in the book so well that I thought she deserved a story of her own, and thus, When The Geese Fly North was created.

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When The Geese Fly North

By Tracey L. Dragon

Callie Baldwin, former Army nurse suffering with PTSD from her tour in Afghanistan, takes on a safe, low-key, nursing job caring for Will and Amy Henderson, an elderly couple who are long-time friends of the family. The only fly in the ointment is their annoying grandson, Dr. Michael Henderson, who manages to get under her skin during his weekly visits.

In an attempt to help Callie come to terms with her war experience, Will and Amy share their poignant love story that began in 1948 when Will, an emotionally and physically scarred Marine, takes on the job of farmhand for a newly divorced and bitter Amy. As the story unfolds, its beauty and richness transforms Callie as she learns the healing power of love.

 

Excerpt:

March 1948

Now that Amy could see Mr. Henderson in the broad daylight, she trembled inwardly at his visage, not in fright but more with curious fascination. Beside the fact he stood a good foot taller than her, and outweighed her by a hundred pounds, there was something in the depth of his eyes—a deeply held pain maybe, but she wasn’t sure. His lids briefly shuttered and when he opened them again the dark emotion was gone, and an amiable expression spread across his face.

“How’s the head this morning?”

Amy felt her cheeks flush with heat. She tucked her head, embarrassed. “Not good and I have you to thank for it.”

Will chuckled. “Sorry little lady, don’t think I should shoulder the brunt of the blame. All I did was pay for what you ordered.”

“And that’s the point.” She jabbed her finger at him. “If you hadn’t been buying, I wouldn’t have drunk quite as much. I couldn’t have afforded to.” She bit down on her tongue, wishing she’d kept that tidbit to herself. She had some pride after all. Irked that she’d admitted her precarious financial position to a mere stranger, she proceeded to cram the rest of her foot in her mouth. “If you hadn’t been plying me with drinks all evening, I wouldn’t have needed a ride home, and hence, I wouldn’t be forced to drive you back to Albion this morning, now would I?”

Will’s steady gaze locked with hers then shifted back toward the road. His lips pursed as if he were pondering her choice of words then he gave her a curt nod and limped off the porch.

Amy stepped back into the house and slammed the door behind her. Fine, she thought with a pout. He could go sit in the truck until she was ready to leave. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, horrified at her own rudeness to a man who’d been nothing but kind, an injured Marine to boot. Geez, what next? Kick a puppy while it’s down. She couldn’t have been any ruder if she tried. Her mother would be ashamed. What on earth had come over her? Just because she was bitter about Rob, didn’t mean she needed to take it out on the rest of mankind.

She glanced at the clock. If she didn’t hurry she’d be late for work two days in a row. She only had fifteen minutes to spare before she needed to leave. The dang man would have to wait a little longer.

 

Want to read more? You can find Tracey’s book at Amazon. Warning to readers of sweet, clean romance: this novel contains some mild language.

 

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About the Author:

Tracey L. Dragon is a relocated New Yorker, former Navy wife, and retired educator who now lives in Florida with her husband. After seven military moves, raising two Navy brats, and twenty years teaching troubled youth, she is now able to put her full attention to publishing the children’s stories and romance novels she’s written over the years. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Florida Writers Association.

Look for Tracey on social media at http://traceyldragon.com/  and  https://facebook.com/traceyldragon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Wedding Tales–Restoring Love at Christmastime by Bonnie Engstrom

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Bonnie Engstrom, Catherine Castle's Tuesday Wedding Tales blog series, clean romance, excerpt from Restoring Love at Christmastime, Holiday romance, Restoring Love at Christmastime, Sweet romance

Welcome to Tuesday Wedding Tales blog series,

where wedding-themed stories are the fare.

Bonnie Engstrom is today’s guest,

and she’ll be sharing about her story Restoring Love at Christmastime

The Story Within the Story of Restoring Love at Christmastime

 

The old hotel in Restoring Love at Christmastime is, or rather was, real. The inn was filled with childhood memories for me that were fun to recreate and bring up to date. The day before I was scheduled to send the story to my publisher I decided to revisit a few facts online. I was shocked to learn the historic inn had burned to the ground three days before. I was devastated and indecisive. Should I publish the story that featured the hotel as the background for love? I decided to go ahead. It would be a tribute to the rickety old building that had housed guests for over one hundred years.

My many summer visits to Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania had special memories of trail rides on handsome Traveler. Yes, the Traveler in the story is a tribute to a gorgeous chestnut-colored steed, the first horse I’d ever ridden. Jenni stands on the impressive wraparound veranda and borrows books from the hotel’s library – both authentic memories. That’s as far as genuine memory went. I had never seen snow there, but I do have a vague memory of ancient bathroom fixtures, old even fifty years ago.

My publisher retitled the book to add at Christmastime when we both latently remembered the story takes place during the holiday. A colorful new cover adorns it. Just before the new title was revealed the book won a 5 Star Readers Favorite Award. It was a fun story to write, especially the teasing banter between Jenni and Jake and how their old friendship grows. I almost forgot . . . readers will meet a skunk, an owl and a preying hawk. Trail rides can be interesting.

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Restoring Love at Christmastime

By Bonnie Engstrom

Why was Jenni taking this journey back in time during the Christmas holidays? Surely, Jenni didn’t expect to see Jake the stable boy. She had moved on from sneaking kisses in the barn after trail rides. He must have, too. Who on earth would stay in the tiny town of Cambridge Springs?

She planned for a respite from teaching, time to read, take quiet walks and indulge in delicious hotel meals. At least no one knew where to find her, none of her friends, and not even her family.

The internet site for Pleasant Springs Hotel highlighted an annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol that guests sometimes played parts in. That sounded like fun, maybe a minor way to fulfil a fanciful dream, if only for a few minutes. Hopefully some handsome guest would play Scrooge.

Odd the name of the historic hotel had changed. Who would have done that? Maybe new owners. She hoped the rooms were still filled with antique furniture. She wanted to soak up memories, alone. Unless by a Christmas miracle Jake was still there to share them.

Can romance still flourish after fifteen years? Will a teacher and a former stable boy remember their first kiss?

 

Excerpt:

They raised their heads, and their eyes met – brown and blue. Both sets of lips grinned and they dug in. Jenni was glad the kitchen had included a large spoon for her to twirl her pasta on. Her Italian friend Corentina had taught her that when she was growing up. It seemed more civilized than sucking the strands into one’s mouth.

Jake watched her with curiosity. “You always eat spaghetti that way?”

“Yes. It’s the proper way to eat long pasta. You don’t?”

“Naw. I just chop it up.” He proceeded to do so, almost mashing it. He shoved a big forkful in his mouth.

“But, that takes the fun out of it. And, it’s easy to twirl.” She demonstrated. “See!”

“Oh, boy! You gonna make an issue of how I eat?” He put his fork down and glared at her. “If there is any future for our relationship, we shouldn’t squabble over eating habits.”

Squabble? Future? What was he insinuating?

Want to read more? Restoring Love at Christmastime is available in eBook and print at https://amzn.to/2OtSRoW.

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About the Author:

Bonnie Engstrom is a multi-published author who mostly writes romances. She has published fourteen books and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and Christian Writers of the West.

She and her Ph.D. psychologist husband, Dave, reside in Arizona near four of their six grandchildren. The other two live in Costa Rica on the beach with their father who surfs every day and has taught the boys to surf and skateboard since they were toddlers. Pura Vida!

Bonnie spends a lot of her time, when not writing, helping with the four Arizona grandkids. Dave is a full-time faculty member and faculty advisor at the University of Phoenix, as well as a psychologist at Honor Health Medical Center, Scottsdale, Arizona.

They have been a team for fifty-three years.

Please visit Bonnie at her website to see the grandchildren and figure out who the surfing ones are. Fun fact: The little red-head imp recently got baptized with her.

Follow her on Twitter at @BonnieEngstrom1 and on Facebook

Email her at bengstrom@hotmail.com. Please put BOOK in the subject line so your post doesn’t fly off into cyberspace.

She loves to hear from her readers, and reviews are a special way to say you liked her books.

Wednesday Writers–The Hidden Truth by Janeen Swart

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Book excerpt from The Hidden Truth, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Janeen Swart, The Hidden Truth, Writing Research, YA fiction

 

 

Wednesday Writers welcomes Janeen Swart to the blog today with an excerpt of her YA novel, The Hidden Truth, and a warning about the research she had to do. Welcome, Janeen!

Don’t Try This at Home

by Janeen Swart

While doing research for my book, THE HIDDEN TRUTH, I needed a way for the teens to break into a building so I searched online for ‘how to make a bomb’. Later, my husband was checking our computer history and asked, “Why are you wanting to make a bomb?” with a rather perturbed look on his face. I assured him I only needed the information for my book and he kidded, “You know someone, like the police could misinterpret this information.” Well, not so likely, since we don’t attract that kind of attention. Anyway, this is what I learned: First things first: they do not under any circumstances recommend that you build your own electromagnetic weapon. But if you’re hell-bent on adding to the mayhem, cheaply and without too much studying, you might try a high-energy radio frequency, or HERF, gun. As described by an engineering student, you can make one from a microwave oven. Before you begin, though, wait until everyone else has left the house. (That right there should discourage anyone.) Take apart the microwave oven and connect several other gadgets and voila, you have an e-bomb. There’s even a schematic available. It seemed a little scary to me that this was so easily available online for would-be bomb makers, but I’m glad the information was available to solve my problem of getting the teens into the building in my book.

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THE HIDDEN TRUTH

by Janeen Swart

After being struck by lightning while jogging, Clara’s dreams cause her to question the issues of DNA changes, cloning, and genetically modifying food. In her dreams she visits an environmentally perfect world where an angel-like being tells her to watch for a sign. While Clara searches for answers, her boyfriend, Brian, becomes active in demonstrations against a local biophysics company, named aptly, New Nature. Clara convinces her Science Club to begin a project to confront this company to make them more accountable. She and John, a new friend, vow to do their part, using peaceful strategies. Brian’s jealousy results in several uncomfortable incidents between the three teens. Things go awry when a few of the Science Club members go beyond simple investigation by breaking into the company, then later sabotaging the company’s biosphere. What’s even more troublesome is the fact that Clara suspects her ex may be the one behind the crimes. Relationships and beliefs are tested as Clara searches out the truth. In the end, her questions are answered, but at a cost, she hadn’t anticipated.

Excerpt:

Brian jumped in and turned the key. The ignition ground, but started. As soon as Doug left, Melanie scrambled into the passenger side and said, “Let’s go. Doug can find his own way back. We don’t need him anymore.

“No, we’re not leaving him. He’s the one who got us in there like you wanted.”

“Me? What happened to ‘We’ve got to do something about this company’? You were just as much in favor of this. You’ve gotten soft because you’re afraid Clara will find out,” said Melanie.

“You’re wrong. I was hoping we could find something, so we could get it out to the public.”

“Oh, right. Then Clara would look at you again with those adoring eyes.” Melanie grunted. Brian leaned back against the headrest, waiting. She was right.

Doug’s image materialized in the rearview mirror. He was running toward the car, arms waving. Twenty feet behind him, two other figures sprinted their way. “Open the back door,” Brian yelled at Melanie. She leaned over the front seat and pushed the door open just as Doug reached the car.

Brian put the car in gear with his foot on the brake, ready to take off. Doug fell in, slammed the door behind him and Brian tromped on the gas. Tires squealed and a faint smell of burnt rubber entered the car’s open window. One of the guards grabbed at the door handle but had to relinquish the chase as the car sped away. Please God, don’t let them see the license number or shoot.

“Good thing I covered the license plate with foil,” said Melanie.

Brian just stared ahead, saying a thank you prayer. Melanie watched behind. “No one’s following. You can slow down.”

They drove several more blocks and Brian asked, “Did you get the power inverter?”

“No. When I went inside, I heard the guards coming and I had to make a run for it,” said Doug.

⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈

Want to read more? You can find The Hidden Truth at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

SMALL TOWN GIRL

Growing up in a small town in Indiana may have been the best experience or the worst depending on your viewpoint. For me, it was the best. My two sisters and I were raised with strict traditional values and rules for the life of a Christian. Once I left for college my horizons expanded, giving me the chance to see many different viewpoints. I wanted to travel the world. Instead, I met the love of my life in college and we married. After retiring from teaching at age fifty-five, it was time to move forward with my dream of writing. After many rejection letters, A DOG AND HIS BOY, was published through a small Christian publisher. I self-published my other five children’s books. During this same time my young adult novel, THE HIDDEN TRUTH, became a reality, thanks to Soul Mate Publishers. When I received my contract to publish it as an e-book, I was ecstatic. New writers often ask for advice from published authors. Here’s mine: be true to yourself, and then, have fun with your writing. Maybe, just maybe, you will become one of those best-selling authors we see featured in the bookstores.

 

Connect with Janeen at: FB: twitter: @JaneenSwart2: and her web page

 

Tuesday Wedding Tales–Magnolia Mistletoe by Lindsey P. Brackett

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excerpt from Magnolia Mistletoe, Lindsey P. Brackett, Magnolia Mistletoe, Tuesday Wedding Tales, wedding romances

Welcome to Tuesday Wedding Tales blog series,

where wedding-themed stories are the fare.

 

Today’s guest is Lindsey P. Brackett. Lindsey will be telling us about her newest novella, Magnolia Mistletoe. She also has an excerpt from the book and a surprise for readers.

And, of course, there’s a wedding!

 

 

“Take it from the expert in this industry, Cor.

You’re destined for happily ever after.”

 

In my debut novel, Still Waters, Cora Anne Halloway has a history degree—and a plan for avoiding her own past. But after a little matchmaking from her beloved grandmother, and a little scheming from her wedding planner cousin, she learns to live with both the past and her future in mind.

Ever since Still Waters released in September 2017, readers have written and asked me if Tennessee and Cora Anne will get a wedding. Because I write women’s fiction, not romance primarily, I closed Still Waters at the end of Cora Anne’s emotional journey toward forgiveness.

But you readers are persistent with your wants.

Next summer, my stand-alone sequel, The Bridge Between releases. It’s a love story—of marriage and separation, of divide and reconciliation. I wanted to explore the small things we let wash away the bridges built between us and the ones we love.

Spoiler alert: there’s a wedding.

But before I could cross the bridge of that story, I had to explore another first. Cora Anne’s cousin, wedding industry expert and curator of happily ever after is Hannah Calhoun. She’s a southern wedding planner, a girl who knows her way around in high heels, and a woman who’s more than a little bit concerned with image.

Hannah knows what she wants, but before she can become a full-fledged partner in her mother’s business, she has to first prove she can handle her own shortcomings. Benjamin Townsend is an entrepreneur always looking out for the next big thing—and if hosting weddings on Edisto is it, he’s all in. Even if that does mean a lot of time with Hannah, whose world is full of way more happily ever after than his.

Magnolia Mistletoe is a bridge itself—a novella that spans the time between where Still Waters ends and the sequel begins. The best part is, if you sign up for my newsletter, Magnolia Mistletoe will arrive free in your inbox before Thanksgiving!

I had so much fun writing this little story and interviewing my sister, who plans weddings and events at the swanky Atlanta Athletic Club. She’s full of anecdotes about collapsing cakes, missing groomsmen, and why an outdoor ceremony in July is never a good idea.

But most Saturday nights she fills our group chat with pictures of fairy tales—of dreams come true and a happily ever after well on its way. Like Hannah, she always errs on the side of hope and the belief: love conquers all.

 

Excerpt from Magnolia Mistletoe:

 

She strode toward the gazebo housing the band. Cutting across the lawn, she wouldn’t have to sidestep guests along the path that, conveniently for them, would keep their shoes dry. But just as she reached her destination, the heel of her favorite black pumps sank into the soft mud and seemed determined to stay there.

Disaster. Of course.

“Need a hand?” A familiar voice, laughter underscoring its tone, came out of the garden shadows. Benjamin Townsend, roguishly handsome as ever in a sport coat and tie, emerged from an arbor.

Surely the day’s stress had caused her to hallucinate. She’d memorized the guest list, and he wasn’t on it.

He slipped a hand under her elbow. “How are you, Hannah?”

She smoothed her dress and forced a smile, still subtly wiggling her trapped heel. “I’m wonderful, Ben. How are you?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you so wonderful you want me to leave you stuck right here?”

She sighed. “If you’ll just—”

He lifted her by the waist and twirled her back onto the path. Balancing on one foot—and fighting her quivering stomach—Hannah waited for him to retrieve her shoe. When he did, he bent and slipped it onto her foot. “Now you can be wonderful again.”

“Thank you.” She ducked her head to adjust the heel—and hide her flushed cheeks.

“So this is one of your shindigs, huh?” He waved to indicate the festivities. Twinkling lights, magnolia garlands, and poinsettia centerpieces set the Christmas wedding ambiance.

She straightened her spine. “Shindig, no. A Carolina Calhoun wedding is a well-oiled machine.”

“Point taken.”

Between him and the rain and her mother’s tight smiles, Hannah wanted to explode. But she forced a smile, as if glad to see him. Which she didn’t want to be.

 

About the Author:

Lindsey P. Brackett writes southern fiction infused with her rural Georgia upbringing and Lowcountry roots. Her debut novel, Still Waters, inspired by family summers at Edisto Beach, released in 2017. Called “a brilliant debut” with “exquisite writing,” Still Waters received 4-stars from Romantic Times, shortlisted for the INSPY Award, and was named 2018 Selah Book of the Year. Connect with Lindsey and get her free newsletter at lindseypbrackett.com or on Instagram and Facebook: @lindseypbrackett.

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–From My Balcony by Patricia Bond

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book research, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, contemporary romance, Contemporary Women's fiction, Excerpt of From My Balcony, France, From My Balcony, Patricia Bond

Today Wednesday Writers welcomes Patricia Bond to the blog. Patricia will be talking about France, unexpected research, and her women’s fiction contemporary romance From My Balcony. Welcome, Patricia.

What comes first – the story or the research?

 

Sounds like a silly question, doesn’t it?

I can hear you. “Research, of course!”

But then, what if the research isn’t research at all? What if it’s simply a vacation? Or a trip you’re taking for some other reason entirely, and it turns into a story?

That’s what happened to me with “From My Balcony.” I never started out thinking about a story set in France. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the country. When I studied French in high school, it came easily. Maybe it was my Latin background (thank you, Sister Mary Eligia). Or maybe because, as my best friend said, I’d lived a past life there.

However it happened, I’ve always been a Francophile.

When my husband announced he had a short military deployment there many, many years ago, and I found out he was headed to the south of France, I knew I was going, if only for a week.

He had to work almost the entire time I was there, which was a mixed blessing. While I missed his company on my sightseeing, I had the freedom to go where I wanted, for however long I wanted. So long as I was back in time for dinner. And like my character, Diana, I had the pleasure of choosing a different city or town to visit every day, like “picking candies from a dish.” I was charmed by so many places. Arles, Nimes, Salon, Aix. But when I chanced upon Cassis, it took hold of my heart and my soul and never let go.

Fast forward – okay, slow forward – ten years. I was still dreaming about Cassis. About how lovely it looked, how I would love to live there on the shores of the Mediterranean. A story started brewing. “What if?” kept popping into my head. I was writing historical romances then, was on the verge of selling my first one, and in the back of my head, Cassis kept dancing around showing me sunsets over the water, teasing my memories with the scents of water, fish, and lavender.

 

Sometimes it was hard to visualize runaway slaves and the shores of the Chesapeake because I kept seeing flirtatious Frenchmen and calanques instead. But I persevered, and “By Love’s Honor Bound” became reality.

And still, Cassis haunted me. For another ten years and two more historical romances it haunted me. It reared its head in the middle of rural Pennsylvania and tried to give my Civil War Colonel’s dialogue a French accent. It valiantly tried to turn his love, Melanie, into a fifty-ish American divorcee with grown children and shattered confidence. It tried to make a rural farmhouse into a rehabbed monastery owned by an aging film star.

When I started to dream scenes and dialogue runs, I knew I was a goner.

“From My Balcony” HAD to be written. I wove memories together with “What ifs,” and gave birth to my first contemporary romance. Because Cassis still held my heart.

And because I really wanted to sleep.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

From My Balcony

By Patricia Bond

 

Do you want to live your life or hide from it?

Diana knew she lied to her best friend when she said she wanted to live it.

Oh, how desperately she wanted to hide! Hide from her husband’s betrayals, hide from the blame and guilt heaped on her by her younger daughter’s refusal to accept the divorce, hide from the pity, the questions, the snarky innuendos from her “friends.”

Most of all, hide from herself and her failures.

Her family accepted her need to “find herself,” and this apartment in the south of France was perfect with its balcony and view of the sea and town. Low enough to be able to watch life happen below her, high enough to not participate in any of it.

Now if only the gentle people of Cassis would let her do that.

Excerpt of From My Balcony

It was the balcony that drew me first. Three stories up and wrapping around two sides of the building, one side of it faced the sparkling Mediterranean. The other looked down on the town’s main street, lined with a small profusion of shops and cafes so quintessentially French my heart ached with the sweetness of it.

I watched the light glint madly off the waters of the sea, forming iridescent pools that melded into the shadows cast by the massive rock formations called calanques. The behemoths rose from the water like so many Poseidons, framing and protecting the small harbor.

I turned from the balcony back to the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, which gave the small apartment an open, airy feeling. Most of the place was given over to a great room, with a kitchen area so tiny you could bump into yourself if you turned around too quickly. Only an island divided it from the living room and kept it from feeling claustrophobic. Through a door on the right, the bedroom had a view of the street, a pair of double doors giving access to that side of the balcony.

There wasn’t much, but then when you’re not the trophy wife, you don’t need much. And most of what I needed came with the apartment. It was as though it had been made up, ready and waiting for me.

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Want to read more? You can buy From My Balcony here. Warning to readers of sweet romance—this book has mild open door romance scenes.

About the Author:

When not writing, Patricia spends time with her family

and grandchildren. Her greatest goal is to be the partner in crime granny and give her grandchildren LOTS of silly memories.

She also indulges her other passions – traveling when possible, reading voraciously, knitting and embroidery, practicing reiki, and her latest – attempting watercolor.

She lives in Western New York not far from the Honeymoon Capital of the World, so writing romance is pretty much a given.

She plans to continue writing both contemporary and historical romances and give her readers stories that will touch their hearts.

Because, in any time and in any place, love is all that matters.

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.bond.author/

 

Website: https://patricia-bond.com/

Wednesday Writers–Joan Deppa and her Season of Love series

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Autumn Discoveries, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers, exceprt from Whiter than Snow, inspirational romance for all ages, Joan Deppa, Seasons of Love, Summer Dreams, Upper Peninsual of Michigan, Whiter than Snow

Today I’m welcoming Joan Deppa to the blog. Joan will be talking about her Seasons of Love series and has included an excerpt of the first book in the series, Whiter than Snow, for your reading pleasure. Welcome, Joan.

 

Hi, my name is Joan Deppa. I have been a wife, mother and pastor’s wife for many years, but have started a new adventure.  I am now an author.  They say you should write about what you know, so that’s what I have done in my series, “Seasons of Love.”  When I came home from my dad’s funeral, and after a March snow storm that left everything white and clean, Whiter than Snow was born.  It’s based on some of my dad’s past, as well as my husband’s, his salvation experience and how it brought about the release of the pain and bitterness of his past, and then the wonderful results it brought. It takes place in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as that’s where we were living when I began writing it.  Throughout our ministry, we have counseled many people who have been hurt by the pain of divorce, as well as experienced it ourselves when my parents, as well as one of our sons went through a divorce.  It causes a lot of feelings of rejection, insecurities and fears that only Christ can heal, so that is the theme for my second book, Summer Dreams. I am currently writing the third book entitled, Autumn Discoveries. It will deal with the issue of high expectations that we, as well as others, place on us.

My books are for women of all ages, are a fun-read, inspirational and share wonderful sights and activities to enjoy in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

WHITER THAN SNOW

by Joan Deppa

Bonnie Turner has recently moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is enamored by its beauty in the winter time. While enjoying the beauty, Brad Jorgenson “bumps” into her and takes it upon himself to show her the sights and how to enjoy Winter in the Upper Peninsula. But will Bonnie be able to show him how to release the anger and bitterness he’s carried since childhood and introduce him to the Creator of the beauty he enjoys? Can God’s love and forgiveness really make him, “whiter than snow?”

 

 

Excerpt of Whiter than Snow:

The snow was gently falling from the sky, kissing Bonnie’s face as she looked up. The snow covered the branches on the trees like a soft blanket and made a thick white carpet on the ground. It was a beautiful, winter wonderland. Bonnie loved being out in the woods on a day like this, just her, God, and nature.

“Hey, look out!” screamed a voice from behind Bonnie, but too late to stop her from landing on her backside as she tried to get out of the way. She looked around to find the person responsible for the outcry and saw that he also was on the ground with his skis pointing to the sky, ski poles on either side of him and his back toward her. But not for long. As he turned around, she knew he was very angry, and she braced herself to hear about the trouble she had caused.

“What do you think you’re doing, standing in the middle of the ski trail like that?” He reached to take off his skis and stood up.

“I’m sorry,” Bonnie said, as she awkwardly tried to get up. But the snow on the side of the trail was softer, and she was having a hard time in the deep snow.

Then a hand reached down to help her. As she looked up into his face, it looked less angry and more concerned for her welfare. “Here, let me help you up. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No. Thankfully I had the snow to cushion my fall. How about you? Are you all right?”

“Yes, although I’m sure we’ll both have some bruises we didn’t have before. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to walk on the groomed trails? It ruins it for cross-country skiers, and coming down this hill it’s hard to stop. I didn’t see you until I came around that turn. What were you doing here?”

“I was enjoying the beautiful day, just like you…”

 

 

SUMMER DREAMS

April Phillips is a 6^th grade teacher who loves children but feels she should never marry due to the history of divorce in her family. So instead, she pursues her dream to learn to Kayak and buys an older house that she can make into the home of her dreams. However, Aaron Matthews has his own dreams – to marry April and have a family of their own. But first he needs to help her realize that God is able to break her chains of fear and give her a love that paddles through the storms and difficulties of life and thrives. Whose dreams will be realized? Can they both win?

 

 

About the Author:

My husband and I have been in church ministry for over 30 years and have counseled many hurting people. I have always loved to read and now write inspirational fiction, sharing God’s love, forgiveness, wisdom and ability to change lives yielded to Him, in a way that people can relate to. My hope is that my readers will find true joy, guidance and forgiveness in Christ from their past and present challenges in life. We have four adult children, eleven grandchildren and have lived mostly in the Midwest. We enjoy seeing all the beauty of God’s creation wherever we are, and I share some of our favorites in my stories. I am a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Where to Buy My Books:

Books may be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or my website: http://www.joandeppa.com/.

Social Media sites:

Facebook – JoanDeppa

Twitter – @JoanDeppa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpts:

Summer Dreams:

A Writer’s Garden–HL Carpenter shares Green Thumb Moments

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A Writer's Garden, Author Catherine Castle's gardening blog, Green Thumb moments, HL Carpenter, Walled In, young adult novel

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing gardens—aka their books.

Today’s guest is mother and daughter writing team HL Carpenter sharing some of their favorite Green Thumb Moments. Welcome, HL!

 

Green Thumb Moments

by HL Carpenter

 

 

Our gardening friends are scattered like seeds in the wind. North. South. East. West.

 

 

When we get together, the day feels sunnier as we discuss all things gardening and marvel at each other’s glorious flowers.

 

And we exchange gifts.

The gift might be a stick with a leaf and a root attached. Replanted, the little sprig grows into a healthy plant. We call that experience a green thumb moment.

Last fall a relative arrived with four blueberry bushes and a pear tree. This year tasty treats fresh from the garden grace our table, providing more green thumb moments.

 

 

Other gifts are less practical but no less appreciated, like the whimsical solar paneled turtle we recently received. Not for any special occasion. Just a wonderful surprise from a fellow gardener. The cheerful turtle now resides on a sunny spot of ground near an unruly tangle of flame lilies. By day, Mosey the Turtle smiles as we pass by. At night she lights our way. Occasionally, we tell her about our latest book-in-progress and she winks at us.

 

Okay, the winking part might not be true. Sometimes we’re more fanciful than Mosey the Turtle. But whether she winks or not, each time we see her, we think of the friend who sent her.

Yes, gardeners make the day brighter. They also make us realize we can never have too many flowers or too many gardening friends.

And that’s the best green thumb moment of all.

About the writers/gardeners

Mother/daughter author duo HL Carpenter write family-friendly fiction from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories, is unreal but not untrue. When they’re not writing, they enjoy exploring the Land of What-If and practicing the fine art of Curiosity. Visit HLCarpenter.com to enjoy gift reads and excerpts and to find out what’s happening in Carpenter Country.

 Walled In

 A young adult, sweet novel by HL Carpenter.

When her father is accused of fraud, seventeen year old Vandy Spencer discovers her entire life has been built on a heart-shattering deception.

Amazon buy link for Walled In