Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Learning Welsh by Carol Browne

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An Elf's Lament Upon Leaving, Carole Brown, Elves, essay on Learning Welsh, Fantasy, Musings from a Writer's Brain, paranormal

From Carol Browne

a few weeks ago I made a serious attempt at tackling a life-long goal. I have always wanted to learn Welsh and now that I am semi-retired, I have the time and the inclination to take on new projects. I already have a good grounding in French and a smattering of German but Welsh has been what you might call the Holy Grail for me when wanting to learn another language. There are a number of reasons for this. As a Brit, I believe we in the UK should value and preserve all our languages. It is a shame they aren’t taught in schools. The UK comprises four nations so why should English alone be the national tongue? Welsh is a British language and the Britons were here first!

Apart from the historical and cultural reasons for learning another language, it has been shown to help with cognitive function and to ward off dementia. It opens up neural pathways in the brain and is especially good for the mental development of children. Other languages can stretch our minds with their varied uses of syntax and imagery; it is a different way of looking at the world.

I have another reason for learning Welsh, however. This one will ask many of the people reading this blog to suspend disbelief. I did have another attempt at learning Welsh a long time ago. I was about eight years old and had inherited a bookcase with its contents from my great uncle. In it was a Teach Yourself Welsh book. So I tried. I desperately wanted to learn Welsh because being Welsh was an obsession of mine. Coincidentally, all my family holidays were spent in Wales as we weren’t too far from the Welsh border. Trust me, once you cross that border you feel different. There is something a bit magical about Wales. Druids, castles, dragons, yes! But the whole ethos of that country feels otherworldly. The beaches are gorgeous too and there are stunning waterfalls and lush woodland that seem to be a natural haunt for the faerie folk.

My attempt at learning Welsh on my own at such a young age was a failure. I could write the words but had no idea how to say them. No Internet then. There were no evening classes and no college courses in Welsh, even had I been old enough to attend. I was forced to abandon the attempt. But my obsession with Wales persisted. I didn’t just want to speak Welsh; I wanted to be Welsh. Being English instead actually caused me considerable depression. Bonkers! Why would a child have such outlandish thoughts!

Fast forward twenty years to a morning bus ride on my way to work. I remember it clearly. I was gazing sadly out of the window, thinking that if anyone were to ask me what my biggest regret in life was, I would have to say, “Not being Welsh”. Only one thought cheered me up. That evening there was something to look forward to. A neighbour and I had booked readings with a local clairvoyant medium. Although we both had an interest in spiritual and esoteric matters, we had not been to a medium before and it was a bit of a giggle; but I was not prepared for what I was to hear.

When my turn to sit with the medium came, she told me about my present life and quite a few things that would happen in my future (I dismissed them at the time but they all came to pass!). She said that I could ask her some questions before I left. Something prompted me to say, “Can you see people’s past lives?”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I can see some of yours. In your most recent past life you were Welsh.”

Yep, I almost fell off the chair! How could she know I was obsessed with being Welsh? Nobody knew that!

She went on to tell me I was a woman with a smallholding in Maesteg, South Wales, and I loved animals but didn’t like human society so lived like a recluse. She said, unfortunately, I had brought that vibration with me to this lifetime (I have. My bad, but it wasn’t a conscious decision!). I died of cancer in about 1874.

“One day, you will go back to Maesteg and recognise where you used to live,” she went on.

So far, I haven’t made it to Maesteg, but you never know.

The funny thing is, as soon as she told me I had been Welsh, my obsession with being Welsh evaporated along with the sadness. Something lifted and I was content with my Englishness from that point on. Fortunately, my love for Wales and the language did not go away. Now, thanks to Duolingo, I am learning Welsh and I know how to pronounce it this time, so I have more chance of success.
For all those years before that clairvoyant released me from my past-life enchantment, I endured an inexplicable longing for a place with which I felt a profound but irrational bond. It was nostalgia for a home that no longer existed and a sense of deep sorrow and regret to have lost it. I experienced something for which there is no word in English.

But there is a word that encapsulates all of those feelings. The word is hiraeth. It’s Welsh, of course!

Here’s a brief intro to my latest book. I hope you enjoy it.

An elf laments a passing era,
But truth and beauty will survive,
For they live on in stories and verses,
And in our imaginations thrive.

Nature, nostalgia, mystery and magic,
In twisty tales and poems that rhyme,
Are here, with myth and fantasy blended,
To capture another place and time.

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK

Amazon US

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Once upon a time a little girl wrote a poem about a flower.
Impressed, her teacher pinned it to the wall and, in doing so, showed the child which path to follow.
Over the years poems and stories flowed from her pen like magic from a wizard’s wand.
She is much older now, a little wiser too, and she lives in rural Cambridgeshire, where there are many trees to hug.
But inside her still is that little girl who loved Nature and discovered the magic of words.
She hopes to live happily ever after.

Stay connected with Carol on her website and blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

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A Writer’s Garden—Sweet Memories of Flowers by Carole Brown

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A Writer's Garden, Carole Brown, Catch Me If You Can, Flower Memories, flowers, Garden blog, Suspense fiction

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. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Carole Brown. Carole will be sharing her sweet memories of flowers and those sweet people who’ve given them to her. Welcome, Carole!

Sweet Memories of Flowers

Hubby and I celebrated another anniversary this August, and as usual I received a card and flowers from him. That may seem like a mundane comment, but it’s anything but that. Every year I think the card he gives is the best one yet. Here are a few words from his card:

I hope you already know just how amazing you are to me, but on our anniversary I thought I’d tell you again, because you’re incredibly special—and I love you very much.

Every year, I love the flowers he gives me, but then I love all the flowers he gives me, whether it’s anniversary time, Valentines, or whenever. Today I wanted to share a few pictures of plants and flowers I’ve received through the years and/or some wild ones that we’ve admired together.

I never know what color of roses he’ll choose, but I ahh over them because he loves me and gave them to me. This year, he surprised me with pink roses: 

Here is a picture I took of a milkweed plant near our home. When I spotted it one day, I knew I had to get a picture of it. The butterfly was an extra bonus. Beautiful, isn’t it, in its wildness?

Flowers Hubby helped Grandson pick for me. Mismatched and uneven stems, but gorgeous because of who gave them to me. Flowers have meanings. To me, these spoke of a child’s love for a grandparent and a love of a grandfather who took time to help that grandson share.

Wild flowers are some of my favorites! Here are two different bouquets of wild flowers at two different times. I’m always amazed at the combinations of colors Hubby comes up with.

• 

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While visiting with a friend near the lake, we went to the Butterfly garden. It was a quiet, peaceful period, enjoying some of God’s creations. Here’s a beauty we spotted while there: 

And, last but not least, our beginning where we learned to share, to love the flowers around us. This is my wedding bouquet. White flowers for purity. Yellow for sunshine and happiness.

I really do believe that flowers are some of God’s best earthly gifts to us. What’s your favorite flower?

ABOUT THE WRITER/GARDENER

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

 Connect with Carole on her Personal blog, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, or Bookbub

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

            By Carole Brown

The big cat sat on the oversized rock, ears pointed toward the sky, every muscle taut, every sense at the ready.

“S-s-shut up and f-f-forget it. You’ve s-seen nothing and know nothing. I won’t warn you again. G-g-got it?”

The cat’s head swiveled, his ears twitching as if catching the hint of threat in the whisper. A soft hiss slid from his open mouth and reinforced the overtone of evil pressing in upon the scene. Within hours, lies and dark secrets are slithering all over the campground.

Coaxed into finding the animal killer at Jamieson’s Outfitters, Tara Layne, with her sidekick, Boet, is welcomed by a threatening whisper and the unfriendly eyes of a rugged and devastatingly handsome manager. Wesley Clarke, both interesting and frustrating, holds an attraction for Tara that is both primitive and exasperating.

Intermingled with her search, Tara deals with her own heartbreaking buried secrets. When a strange old Native American probes into the recesses of her heart, he encourages her to face her bitter feelings.

As Tara closes in on her search, she finds herself—and Boet—the target of someone who’s determined to outrun and outsmart her. Someone determined not to get caught.

His theme: 

Fun as fast as you can, you can’t catch me.

The question:

Can Tara run fast enough to catch this real live Gingerbread boy

before he decides to get rid of her and Boet?

Buy Link:   Amazon

Wednesday Writers–Finding The Key Factor By Carole Brown

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book excerpt, Carole Brown, cozy mystery The Golden Touch, The Golden Touch, Wednesday Writers, writing tips

When beginning the story of THE GOLDEN TOUCH, Book Five of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries, I needed a KEY factor. (Not to be confused with a spiritual or romantic element of the story). 

Here’s what I knew:

• the protagonists: Jazzi (Jazmine) Sanderson and Ryle Sadler, their careers and/or past, their personalities, their faith element
• the basic plot: mystery and romance
• the setting
• the first chapter

But I still didn’t have that thing—that emotion—the characters were searching for…until I, unknowingly hit upon it. What Jazzi and Ryle were both seeking, although unknown to either, was a place that felt like HOME. The place that makes a person feel content, relaxed and at peace, even when trouble is brewing, even when you’re still searching for that one person who makes the world go ’round for you.

Where was it? Appleton, West Virginia. The small town where everyone knew everyone and their business, or at least assumed they knew. Where friends were friends for life, even when that small town held secrets, trouble and problems.

Ryle, who was rich, innovative and smart, living in a big town and traveling across the country for work was happy, or thought he was. But when he chanced upon Appleton, West Virginia, small, friendly, clean and sometimes a nosy place, but where friends were loyal and ready to help in any way they could, Ryle realized he’d found that spot that felt like home. Adding that to solving the mystery and finding love, was the answer his heart had craved, even though he didn’t know it.

As for Jazzi, wild, beautiful young lady that she was, felt unloved by her adopted parents, and flew the coop from Appleton as soon as she was of age. What she didn’t realize, that instead of blaming others for her unhappiness, it was of her own making. It wasn’t until she returned to Appleton, more mature now, accepting of her own mistakes, and finding a meaning for her life, that her heart grasped the one place that could ever feel like home. Appleton.

Once that revelation that they’d found the place their hearts had sought for, although through different methods, it was then their hearts could open to accept the love facing them. And it was only then that both were able to relax enough to allow God to lead them in the right path. 

The Golden Touch, Book Five of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries

By Carole Brown

Not again.

Ryle Sadler stared down at the financial statement lying on his desk. His investment firm had just sent him another record of overwhelming success. Time to sell his share in this stock.

Ryle came from the poor side of the tracks, but that had no bearing on his success in life—which he kept hidden from everyone, especially those in Appleton, West Virginia. But when he buys the local, rundown bed and breakfast, mysterious revelations from beneath the site are suddenly threatening to ruin his good standing with the citizens.

Then along comes Jazzi Sanderson. Jazzi has a reputation of being wild, but Ryle sees more than is on the top layer of this woman. Beneath that tough, wild streak lurks a woman who wants to be loved by the right person, a woman who is tender-hearted and who is just finding out that God is real.

Is Ryle and Jazzi’s worlds too far apart or can their differences help them solve the mystery that lies beneath Ryle’s bed and breakfast? Will the evil person behind it all be able to silence them, or can Ryle’s golden touch prevail in this endevor too?

The Golden Touch

Chapter One

Ryle Sadler stared at the unkempt bed and breakfast in front of him. The urge to buy this place was stronger than ever, and he couldn’t understand it. He’d never bought or invested in anything on an urge. He’d prayed about this crazy urge for sure. Many times. No answer came back from God. Only this confusing push to buy it. Now.

He hadn’t amassed his wealth by going on urges. No sirree. Coming from the poor side of town had taught him plenty, and two of those things were listening and learning. Those had gotten him where he was now.

The Golden Touch. That’s what the investors in the world called it, and that’s what he had. Or so they said. It scared him, truth be told, that everything he touched turned to gold. Didn’t matter whether it was stocks or an act of generosity in helping a struggling business person. Everytime—so far—had been successful.

But this, this business that Maisie, the owner, cared little about, was neither of those things. If he bought it, would it change his touch? Would it be the knife to cut the string of wins he’d experienced so far? Would it be his first failure? After all, what did he know about bed and breakfasts?

Nothing.

A young woman exited the place, her purple hair a distraction from her beautiful features. Toby and Amy Sanderson, Jazzi Sanderson’s sister and brother-in-law, had confided that she’d taken a room there to be on her own—in spite of the inn’s rundown condition. She didn’t know her own beauty or worth.

He’d had little to do with women. Too little time, and, frankly, no one so far, who’d garnered his attention long enough.

But this woman. Ryle’s heart gave an unusual ping forcing a frown on his face.

She saw him then, and gave a shy, little wave—a complete contradiction to her reputation—the smile on her face as bright as the sunshine from the heavens.

And then he heard the voice.

Invite Jazmine Ashley Sanderson to help you at the bed and breakfast.

No. That was crazy. What was wrong with him? He’d never done such a thing. Invested in businesses by using his money, yes, to do what he felt was his calling. But asking a woman he barely knew to help him get this place up and running? Would she laugh at him? Would the whole town of Appleton consider him the biggest fool ever to cross their path? Her sister, Amy, had been upset with her when Jazmine had refused the offer of staying with her. Why had she insisted on renting a room here, of all places?

She did have a reputation. And not such a good one.

What if she accepted, thinking it was a lark, an easy way to get some money, with no improvement in her personality? Or worse, be irresponsible? Could he trust her to have the same vision as he?

No, it wasn’t his responsibility what she did. But then, he didn’t think helping someone continue on the broken path they were on was beneficial either. Still, his calling was to help. What they did afterwards was their responsibility.

So, what’s it to be? Will you obey my direction on this?

The dark cloud suddenly covering the sun seemed to be frowning at him.

“I always have.” Ryle couldn’t even hear his own whisper as he mouthed the words.

And as suddenly, as it had been covered seconds ago, the sun popped from behind the cloud, sending its golden beams straight down to shine on the bed and breakfast.

Ryle gave up the struggle. It might be interesting—and a learning process for him—if this adventure was a failure. Time would tell.

The groan that escaped his lips assured him he wasn’t looking forward to it.

Want to read more? You can find The Golden Touch on Amazon

About the Author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Connect with Carole on her   Personal blog: Facebook: Amazon Author Page:  Twitter: 

A Writer’s Garden—A Spring Harbinger Garden by Carole Brown

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A Writer's Garden, books, Carole Brown, garden pictures, romantic mysteries, Spring garden. flowers, The Golden Touch

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. Today’s writer/gardener guest is author Carole Brown, who has loads of spring garden pictures to share with us today! Welcome, Carol!

Let me be honest. I love flowers and gardens. All kinds, all shapes and sizes. They make me happy, infuse peacefulness in our busy lives and encourage me to relax and enjoy the life around me. I have a lot of Spring-type plants, and today I want to share with you a few that are Spring’s harbingers.

But they do take work. Plus we have lots and lots of trees around us, so I have to make sure to find the right spots for the plants. Right now, we’re remodeling several parts of our land and property. Our gardens will get some make-overs, and I plan on adding a few more.

Here are a few of my favorite late, late winter, early spring flowers and trees that never fail to give us a bit of sunshine even though the cold lingers.

The first one is an Irish Lenten Rose. Loves the shade and is always the first to bloom!

The second ones to burst into bloom, as if they can hardly wait, are the Ornamental Pear Trees and the Redbud Trees. Some of my favorites! It’s almost as if they’re promising that better (warmer) days are coming.

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Soon after, the Lily of the Valleys show their stuff, shyly, of course, along with our Bleeding hearts.  They’re such a “hanging back” type of plant that you almost have to search them out amidst all the other more showy plants.

• 

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I’ve babied a rhododendrum that FINALLY bloomed this year. The blossoms are outstanding, and I’m so happy I finally was able to see it bloom so beautifully! I’ve bragged on it quite a bit because I want it to continue to do well, year after year! 🙂 

Finally, I’ll share a couple of pictures of things that give these flowers an extra touch of specialness. One is of an old wishing well that I inherited from my aunt. It sits comfortably among the overgrown Snow on the Mountain vines, never asking for much, but a reminder of how fragile life is and to enjoy every moment. 

Last is a sweet little girl sitting on a bench with her little basket. She’s adorable, and I love glancing at her when I pass by. A reminder that there’s always hope.

• 

• 

As Spring flows into summer, these flowers will be gone, but there’s a promise in them. That there will be another Spring, another year, if all goes well. Hold tight to that promise.

About the writer/gardener:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

 Connect with Carole on her Personal blog, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, or Bookbub

The Golden Touch

By Carole Brown

Not again… Ryle Sadler stared down at the financial statement lying on his desk. His investment firm had just sent him another record of overwhelming success. Time to sell his share in this stock. Ryle came from the poor side of the tracks, but that had no bearing on his success in life—which he keeps hidden from everyone, especially those in Appleton. But when he buys the local, rundown bed and breakfast, mysterious revelations from beneath the site are suddenly threatening to ruin his good standing with the citizens. Then along comes Jazzi Sanderson. Jazzi has a reputation of being wild, but Ryle sees more than is on the top layer of this woman. Beneath that tough, wild streak lurks a woman who wants to be loved by the right person, a woman who is tender-hearted and who is just finding out that God is real. Are Ryle and Jazzi’s worlds too far apart or can their differences help them solve the mystery that lies beneath Ryle’s bed and breakfast? Will the evil person behind it all be able to silence them, or can Ryle’s golden touch prevail in this endeavor too?

Want to read more? You can find’s Carole’ Romantic Mystery The Golden Touch on Amazon

Wednesday Writers–Real Life in Fictional Novels by Carole Brown

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Caleb's Destiny, Carole Brown, clean romance, excerpt from Caleb's Destiny, historical romance, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers, westerns, writing tips

 

 

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today’s guest is Carole Brown who will be talking about using real life in your fiction novels. She also has an excerpt from her newest book, Caleb’s Destiny, a clean, inspirational Historical Western Romantic Suspense.   Welcome, Carole.

 

REAL Life in Fictional Novels by Carole Brown

 

These are some statements authors hear often:

• No way that could be true!
• Listen, I’ve been in the military/police force/medical/law/whatever, and I’m telling you, that didn’t/couldn’t happen.
• Where on earth do you get these crazy ideas?
• Hoping these things don’t happen in real life!

Sorry. They do, and worse.

Writers hear those type of statements all the time. What people/readers sometimes don’t realize:

• we research. Heavily.
• we take our ideas from real life. It’s what creates that sense of being there, of experiencing what our characters are going through.
• we interview people. Which helps us in developing our own characters
• we watch/read the news. This gives us ideas of how to create new situations and tension in our books.

How can we use true life events in our novels?

• I got the idea for With Music in Their Hearts from an older gentlemen who wrote a short story about a man who served as a civilian spy during WWII. It was said the author was the man, but he never admitted to it. Whether true or not (and I lean toward true), it made for a great plot for my first WWII novel.

 

• Take my debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. My husband came up with the plot of an abused woman seeking revenge over the death of a daughter. Lots of men go after revenge, and some women do too. But to stand up in a cult situation? The idea came from a certain cult in a certain state several years ago. Did the idea pan out? I think so, with the book finaling in several contests and becoming an Amazon bestseller in different categories numerous times. Lifelike enough, I’d say.

 

• And then there’s my newest novel: Caleb’s Destiny. Years ago, my family and I worked with the Native Americans in New Mexico and Arizona. One of our excursions included a trip up a mountain with a older man named Jeb so that he could take us gold panning. Now our experience is not the same as the men in Caleb’s Destiny experienced, but it gave me the excitement of looking for gold, the sense of the land, and the feel of what it could have been like in the 1800s.

So, yes, real life is full of extraordinary things that we, as writers can and do use in our books. Never doubt that yes, that could, maybe, probably did happen somewhere to someone.

Where does this leave us? Right at the door that reads: Truth is stranger than fiction. And in a nice spot where we can smile at the skeptics and say, “You never know!”

 

Caleb’s Destiny

by Carole Brown

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold?

Hunter, who is Mr. Michael’s ranch manager, is determined to find the answers and protect the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions.

Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of everyone of his employees?

Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael’s ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now…unless, of course, he’s dead.

 

 

Book Excerpt from Chapter Six

 

After he settled into a seat across from her, he picked up his fork and looked at her. “Dig in.”

She hated it, but her cheeks were heating up again. “Do you mind…?”

“Mind?” His first bite headed toward his mouth. “If you eat?”

Why hadn’t she just said a silent, quick prayer? “Uh, I’d like to say a prayer. I’ve grown used to doing it at sch—uh, home.” And Richard had always insisted on it.

He dropped his fork. “Of course. Go ahead.”

Closing her eyes, she pressed her hands together. “Heavenly Father, we ask for your beautiful—I mean, bountiful blessings on our snack—breakfast, uh, tonight.” Destiny wanted to sink through the floor. She, who was the epitome of gracefulness at school; she who wanted to impress this confident man, was stumbling like a drunken cowboy. Whispering a “Father, forgive me” for butchering what should have been a simple prayer, she hastened to finish it. “Thank you for Mr. Michael’s hospitality, and help us to further our friendship.”

Ugh. He’d think she wanted something more than friendship. Destiny cringed and refused to glance at him. “Amen.”

Had that been a snicker? Surely not. She picked up her fork and shoved a tiny bite of egg in her dry mouth. She chewed and swallowed, but the former delicious-looking omelet refused to go down. She reached for her coffee and felt the food slide down with the coffee.

Ah, reprieved.

“Tell me, Miss McCulloch—it is Miss?”

He was laughing. She could hear it in his voice without even seeing his face. Her appetite vanished just as her temper kicked in. “It is Miss McCulloch to you, Mr. Michael, and I’ll thank you not to laugh at me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” And this time his voice was serious.

 

Want to read more? You can find Caleb’s Destiny at Amazon

 

About the Author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Social Media Links:  Personal blog: FB Fan Page:  Amazon Author Page

Story Sparks Blog Tour–Spies, Flutes and Red-Heads by Carole Brown

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A Flute in the Willows, Carole Brown, ebook giveaway of Flute in the Willows, ebook giveaway of With Music in Thier Hearts, romance, Story Sparks Blog Tour, The Spies of WWII series, With Music in Their Hearts

Welcome to the Story Sparks multi-Author Blog Tour.

Between May 21-26, 2018 readers get a chance to enter and win ebooks from six different authors.

Today Carole Brown is the featured author.

A lucky winner will get her choice of a Kindle copy of

With Music in Their Hearts or A Flute in the Willows.

Today Carole will be talking about these books: The Spies of WWII. Read on to discover what sparks her creativity and to enter the rafflecopter to win one of her heartwarming books.

 

Spies, Flutes, and Red-heads

by Carole Brown

Spies:

Developing my WWII Spies series came from two things:

• Listening to my mother talk about her life during WWII and seeing the pictures she had
• A short story about a “supposed” civilian spy during WWII from an elderly man. Rumors had it that HE was that spy, but he neither confirmed nor denied it.

Because my interest in WWII was sparked through these two avenues, I found it easy to fall in love with the research for the books.

Researching spies was an eye-opening experience. Not only danger is involved, but there are tons of reasons why men—and women—serve in such a capacity. The rewards are vast—money, esteem, the parties and socializing, exotic countries—if all goes as hoped and the spy escapes detection. Caught—prison and death can be the result.

Music:

And since dangers and sacrifices abound in WWII stories—some of which I brought out in these books, I also wanted to create a sense of fun, warmth and love to lighten the suspense. One way I managed to create the feeling was to bring music into the story as a subplot.

The idea to include music in these books was sparked because of my own love of music. The decision as to what or how it was brought into each book was also a fairly easy decision. Music has so many benefits besides lightening up suspense books.

• Encouragement
• Mood enhancers
• Spiritual uplifter
• Healthy

and so much more.

One tidbit before I move on to the sisters. I love most instruments, but the flute was not one of them—until I heard one played by an expert. That changed my ideas about flutes, and from then on, and the idea was sparked! The flute was the perfect instrument to include in athletic Josie’s life.

The Red-headed Sisters:

I’d already planned to feature three red-haired sisters in their own books. It was fun to create their personalities and who the heroes would be. Fortunately, while I wrote book one, the heroes for the other two books appeared and were good matches for sisters two and three.

 

I’ve always loved red hair. It’s so vibrant, rich in color and alluring. Studying and researching the subject I realized how many different shades of red there are and helped spark the choice of shades for each sister to match their personalities.

All in all, the first two books have been a delight to write, and I’m looking forward to the writing the third book soon.

Let me share brief thoughts how the spies, music and sisters all worked together to make this series heartwarming and suspenseful.

With Music in Their Hearts

With my interest piqued and imagination soaring, I settled on the plot for book one where the hero—handsome, smart, a minister and godly—is rejected to serve overseas but recruited to serve as a civilian spy. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between him and the heroine as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.

Emma Jaine Rayner, by her own claims, is a non-professional pianist, who entertains and gives an extra dose of homeyness to the boarding house residents with the nightly musical fests. Her active imagination while playing, increases her longing for a man to love—and Tyrell Walker, the civilian spy, increases the pressure by wooing her with his trained voice.

A Flute in the Willows

In Book Two, the heroine and hero are both rebels in their own way. She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband, an overseas U.S. spy. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? When his wife’s life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie. These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their ownselves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

 

Josephine Rayner Patterson, the second sister, is quite different from her older sister. She’s athletic and training for the Olympics once it’s resumed after the war. But returning to her flute after a drastic alteration in her life, it’s the balm that heals her troubled heart. In spite of resisting, Jerry Patterson through her music and enduring love, finds his heart strangely drawn to what he’s never experienced before.

Sing Until You Die (coming)

The third book in this series has a tentative publishing date of 2019. The youngest sister of the WWII Spies sister overhears a private conversation while singing to the military troops and realizes it’s vital information to the well-being of the United States. When she’s almost discovered, Claire barely escapes. Surrounded by zealous people she can’t and won’t trust, Claire has no options but to trust the one person she most disdains, the one person she ran from: quiet, plugging-along Wills but rumored to be the best spy serving on U.S. soil. In the midst of danger, Wills has the chance of a lifetime: to show the love of his life, his love for her. Will she learn that God is her strength and wisdom and that no matter how well she can sing, how far she travels, how many men she meets, only Wills can fill the void in her heart?

Claire Roseanne Rayner is the princess of the family, the petted and beloved daughter of the Rayner Family who sings like a bird and is determined to fly away like one too. She loves God but staying away from the boy-turned-man she grew up with is never far from her mind. William (Wills) Mason has never wavered in his love for Claire Rayner. In spite of having no talent in either singing or playing, he’s fully behind Claire’s musical ambitions. And loving her just might bring him to the point of facing death.

The Spies of WWII, Book 2

A Flute in the Willows

Chapter One

1943

Jerry Patterson stared out the yawning black hole in the side of the plane. Seconds to go before he dropped. Night time parachuting was always a risky thing, but the pilot was one of the best who’d keep this baby right on target, lessening the chances he’d have to hit water. Trees were another matter, but with any kind of luck, the landing would go smooth.

Then to meet his contact and move into the German military high life. His pulse revved up. It was a dangerous game he was about to play.

Josie’s face flashed in his mind, and Jerry felt his heart soften. How he loved his tomboy wife. She was a beautiful butterfly dancing on ice, but put her in a social setting, and she was like a wild creature let lose in a maiden aunt’s prim parlor.

Three weeks of marital bliss. It’d been heaven on earth for him. One rapturous day—and night—after another. She’d cried the night before he’d left, but had been strength personified when he’d boarded the train the next morning.

If—no, when—he got home, he’d wrap his arms around her and not let her out of his sight.

Jerry stepped into the hole and dropped rapidly, counting. One thousand…One thousand one…One thousand two… With a jerk he pulled, the parachute opened above him, and he drifted earthward toward his assignment.

Question for readers:

What is your favorite musical instrument?

 

Do you want to read more about Carole’s books? Check them out on her Amazon Author Page

Don’t forget to enter to win one of Carole’s books. One lucky winner will receive an ebook of either With Music in Their Hearts or A Flute in the Willows.To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link below.

 

Enter the Rafflecopter

 

Thanks for coming by today. Please come back every day for a chance to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway (link above) and win books from these six authors: Carole Brown, Catherine Castle, Linda Matchett, Amber Schamel, Terri Wangard, and Jodie Wolfe.

About Carole:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

You can connect with Carole at: Personal blog: Facebook: Amazon Author Page: Twitter: BookBub: Pinterest: Goodreads: Linkedin: Google+:  Stitches in Time:

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–A Flute in the Willow by Carole Brown

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A Flute in the Willows, Carole Brown, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Clean Reads Books, The Spies of WWII series, WWII fiction

 

 

Today I’d like to welcome Carole Brown back to Wednesday Writers. Carole loves the WWII era and will be talking today about how she injected romance into her book A Flute in the Willows, Book Two of The Spies of WWII. Take it away, Carole!

 

The Greatest of These is Love

by Carole Brown

 

My love affair with WWII began with my mother’s tales of living through the 1940s and the pictures I saw. The romance, bravery, fashions, vocabulary, the shows and music, so much nostalgia—all of it fostered a love of this period. Research was a fascinating and learning experience.

I don’t write romance novels, but I do include romance into my books. The warmth they give a book, the lightness of spirit that softens mysterious questions and the intense suspenseful drama in my books, and the emotional appeal it brings is a true and worthy incentive for me to add it. Today I want to focus on this romantic side of WWII, and specifically, how I brought that emotion to life within A Flute in the Willows, Book Two of The Spies of WWII.

You wouldn’t think romance would play a part in being a spy, but sometimes it does. Wives, girlfriends, and new friends that tie into a spy’s life—all of these relationships allow romance to blossom…and increase the danger.

Love, at times, carries fear with it. Fear of losing, fear of disappointing, fear of failing.

In this scene, Jerry’s fears for his wife’s safety overcome him and allows him to show his relief and protectiveness for her and the fear of disappointing:

From: A Flute in the Willows

Chapter 11

U.S.

With a jerk, Jerry pulled her tight against his body, his arms wrapped around her. He could feel the tension leaving her body, felt the moment she leaned into him, and tears choked his throat. How he loved this woman.

 Her wild mop of hair tickled his chin as she rubbed her head against his chest, and he almost picked her up to gallop home with her.

And once again, his acute memory sprang to life. He couldn’t. He couldn’t gallop anywhere. And he’d already made that unspoken promise to her to let her go. Give her, her freedom.

Even when writing inspirational books, love can compass passionate love that is pure and right for such books. And forgiveness. Josie’s family forgives them their rash actions. Jerry and Josie’s strong personalities demand strong reactions to each other.

In book one, With Music in Their Hearts, Josie Rayner and Jerry Patterson eloped, to the heartbreak of her family. But being who and what they are, they accepted the situation and drew Jerry into, not only their lives—as he already was—but into their hearts as a son and brother-in-law.

And being—who I created Jerry and Josie as—strong, determined, and a bit on the wild side—they had to be a married couple who loved each other fiercely and passionately.

From: A Flute in the Willows

Chapter 7

Sulky eyes roved over her face. Lips tipped up in a crooked smile, defying her to deny her love for him. Muscular arms spun her away, then drew her back, close to his chest.

His sinewy arms lifted and tossed her like a light-weight, fuzzy dandelion seed, into the air, floating, floating, floating higher and higher until, as she began drifting back to the ice floor, he caught her, setting her on her skates, guiding her to yet another magical dance move…

Love can be stressful under certain circumstances…and foolish.

Injured and suffering from PSTD intensifies Jerry’s feelings when he returns home. He thinks he must let Josie go, yet his love for her, and her love for him, give him second thoughts.

Can love survive such emotional stress as the two endure? Can love surpass the doubts, fears and regrets that remind them of their unworthiness?

From A Flute in the Willows

Chapter 7

Josie searched his gaunt figure, lifted a hand and ran her fingers over cheekbones that seemed barely covered with skin. What on earth had happened to him? “Jerry?”

He wrapped his arms around her then. His shudder shook her, seeming to last forever, and she swayed with him, unable to stop it. And just when she thought he’d never let go, that life was perfect again, his arms dropped.

Love can at times increase the fear of losing something valuable and the fear of failing the person you hold most dear, of failing the person you love best.

From: A Flute in the Willows

Chapter 38

But now, the thought of her dead, without a chance to take back those awful words he’d thrown at her, to tell her he’d never let her go, that he loved her more than anything…

God, don’t let my Josie die. I’ll do anything.

Only with the love and understanding of Josie’s family—and God’s help—can these two damaged, rebellious people learn that leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the right and true way to happiness…and love.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A Flute in the Willows

By Carole Brown

Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other’s love…and keep the German enemy at bay.

She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?

Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life…especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife’s life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.

These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

Want to read more? You can buy A Flute in the Willows at Amazon

About the Author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

You can connect with Carole on her social media sites:

Personal blog: Facebook: Twitter:

 

 

 

 

Carole Brown Talks Mystery at Wednesday Writers

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Carole Brown, cozy Mystery components, Knight in Shining Apron, romantic mysteries, Sabotaged Chrismas, The Appleton, West Virginia Romantic Mysteries--

Today Wednesday Writers has the pleasure of welcoming fellow author Carole Brown back. She’ll be telling us a bit about her West Virginia Romantic Mystery series.

Country road, take me home . . .

Warm, fuzzy feelings. Friendly, nosy neighbors, Friends who are loyal. Families who stick together through thick and thin. Sometimes: gossip, backbiting, jealousy, theft and murder.

An editor described to me a long time ago, that all these things make a cozy mystery.

In this series–The Appleton, West Virginia Romantic Mysteries–I chose West Virginia for several reasons:

• We’ve traveled through and visited within the state multiple times. It’s almost a second home.
• I’ve researched the state online, interviewed WV-ians and traveled specifically for that purpose
• I love the land, the mountains and streams, the country and equally important, the towns, the culture.I created the small town, Appleton, so I could play with the setting as much as I wanted. Appleton has a pompous mayor, a handsome banker, a pastor and youth pastor who are spiritual and encouraging, a café owner who’s just a bit over-the-hill, but who thinks she’s still God’s gift to men, and several others who live in the small town atmosphere.

In Sabotaged Christmas (Book One), Toni DeLuca, owns a construction business she inherited from her father. She also inherits his love for wood, the art of creating structures and individual pieces of furniture. She has a friendly, confident, happy personality with just a bit of the Italian temperament her father gifted her. I brought in a disillusioned, bitter college professor sans author along with his young son to throw some romance into the picture, and some construction sabotage, threatening notes and an inheritance to add mystery into the atmosphere.

Knight in Shining Apron (Book Two), is due out soon! Starli Cameron’s story revolves around her restaurant business that she began with the insurance money from her husband’s death. Still hurting from his abuse, she finds it hard to trust any man, particularly good-looking men who find her attractive. She can’t cook, but that doesn’t mean she’s not a business woman, and even though she wants the best chef available, Sir Joel Peterson-Blair, with his sanguine personality and reputation of one of the best chefs in the world, is not her choice. Throw in a brother-in-law who feels called to shred her confidence with his hassling remarks, a long-time banker friend who wants their relationship to go much farther, a childish employee who insists she deserves more from Starli than she’s getting, and random acts of violence against her beloved security blanket–Apple Blossoms–and the romance and mystery set the stage for hometown action.The setting not only includes the places of business in this series–where many of the scenes take place, but also includes the people and their personalities. Each of these things, in the first two books of the West Virginia Romantic Mystery series has helped set the reader firmly into the novel, giving them the sense of belonging and experiencing both the romance and the mystery.

 

 Knight in Shining Apron:

Starli Cameron gave up her career plans to be a concert pianist to marry the man of her dreams. He turned out to be a nightmare. When he dies in a car accident, Starli takes the insurance money and builds a successful and upscale restaurant: Apple Blossoms in rural West Virginia. Threats from someone determined to ruin her life and the suspicious romantic advances from her new chef force Starli to search her heart and finally turn to God for real healing.

Sir Joel Peterman-Blair, top notch chef from England, is roped by his uncle, into filling in as head Chef at Apple Blossoms. Joel, with his sanguine-personality, has always laughed and flirted his way through life. But now, confronted with and attracted to the most beautiful woman he’s ever met, Joel has to prove his sincerity and depth of character to his icy-cold employer. Can his love for God and for this woman reach out far enough to rescue her from her own mistrust and bitterness? Will he learn that life is not all play?

And can they both work together to find the source of threats that seem to be coming from Starli’s past?

Buy Link:

About the Author: 

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandson

 

Contact Links:

Personal blog: Facebook: Twitter: Pinterest: Goodreads: Linkedin: Google+:  Stitches in Time: Barn Door Book Loft

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Carole Brown

Tags

article about the writing craft, Book Excerpt from With Music in Their Hearts, Carole Brown, Catherine Castle blog, historical fiction, Villiany in Books, Wednesday Writers, With Music in Their Hearts

Today Wednesday Writers is welcoming Carole Brown. Carol will be doing a post today on Villainy in Books and has also provided us with an excerpt from her latest book With Music in Their Hearts.

Welcome, Carol.

 

 

What helps Make a Great Book?

I know few books that don’t have some kind of “bad” guy/gal between its pages. If an author specializes in mystery, suspense, thrillers and sometimes even romance, there’s usually a villain in there somewhere. So the question is: what makes a great villain?

Here’s a few ideas I have:

Characterization. A very important item is deciding what type of personality/temperament your villain will have.

1. Sanguine: Likeable, runs on feelings, friendly which makes him feel important.
2. Choleric: decisive, opinionated, strong-willed, independent
3. Melancholy: analytical, gifted, perfectionist, secretive and emotional
4. Phlegmatic: easy going, hard to get to the point of rage. Cool to the point of coldness, hides emotions and has a sense of appreciation for the arts.

These don’t mean that “normal” people can’t relate. But to a degree, the villain’s personalities go that extra degree beyond normal to create a personality that bends toward wrong.

Vocation. Why would a career make a difference? In my debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, the bad guy wasn’t a minister and didn’t set himself up as one. But he was the leader and expected total obedience by not only the members but the minister too.

1. What kind of vocation makes sense and/or adds flavor to his personality and the story plot?
2. How will it affect him and the reader?
3. Will it make him more secretive? Be a good cover for his activities?
4. Contrast nicely/interestingly with the protagonist’s vocation?

Looks. Should all bad guys/gals be ugly, deformed and/or mean? Of course not. In With Music in Their Hearts, the main bad person is good looking, has a great job and an outwardly pleasant personality. Only by taking a deeper look, do we see the narcissism and self-centeredness in his character. Then there’s also a man who works with him who, although not exactly ugly, is unkempt and slovenly. His pushiness and sneers make him unattractive and hard to like.

Final Notes: There are many avenues and trails to follow as you analyze your character. It’s for you to make sure, as a writer striving for depth, reality and interest in him, to develop these villains in ways that your readers will love to hate. Don’t make them totally loathsome. Again, in my debut novel, Elder Simmons borders so closely to total loathsomeness that the reader will wonder if there can be a redeemable quality. Yes, there is, minute that it is.

He enjoys and cares for roses immensely. Mentioned briefly in the book, but it is there. He also insists that the husbands care for their families materially.

How can studying and writing about the villain’s characterization in your book make it a great book? My opinion is, to have a great protagonist you have to have the contrast and balance of a great (albeit) villain. He provides the necessary problem/trial/test to bring out the best in the protagonist, to prove to the reader that yes, she or he can prevail over the circumstances. Yes, they can grow and improve and repent and love and endure. Their character stretches and grows and expands to greater depths and widths so that we, as a reader, acknowledge that if they can do it, we, in a similar circumstance could do the same. We identify in our own life situations with the characters and while cheering them on are assured the strength we need is there, if we but look.

Write on, author. Enjoy and sympathize, dear reader.

 

Thanks, Carole.

 

 

With Music in Their Hearts

 

Excerpt from Chapter One

. . .

A vehicle’s tires spinning gravel behind him warned him he’d not lost the black car. Slowing. Creeping. Engine purring. Only a few feet separated him from the car and making a sudden decision, he jogged around the corner and hugged the building trying to put distance between it. The car’s tires squealed as the car sped up. The driver took the corner, gravel crunching and spinning into the air.

They must have spotted him for the driver braked, throwing the passenger forward. Tyrell flung himself at the car and grabbed for the door handle.

The window slid down.

Something tugged at his arm.

And the handle tore from his grasp as the car accelerated.

The seemingly belated, reverberating crack of a gun vibrated the air around him.

The car spun around a far corner, and Tyrell reached up to rub his stinging arm. The sticky wetness drew his attention.

Blood. He saw the tear in his coat sleeve, the minute traces of blood oozing.

He’d been shot?

Why would they—whoever they were—want to shoot at him? It was a scratch, and they’d been close enough to kill him if they’d wanted to.

They didn’t want to. What were they after? A scare tactic? To warn him away? From what? Perhaps all this was a coincidence, a figment of his active imagination.

No sign of the car. Satisfied he was rid of them, he entered the hotel. At the reception desk, he filled out the necessary papers, climbed the stairs, and headed down the hallway.

At the far end, a red-haired woman inserted a key into the lock.

Was she the same woman who’d been in the recruitment office? That hat . . . He called out, “Hey, lady.”

She glanced his way, her luxurious hat tilted at just the right angle to hide one side of her face. With a flip of her plaid skirt, she shoved open her door and disappeared inside.

Tyrell hesitated at his own door, next to her’s, but inserted his key and entered. Inside, he switched on a light then as quickly flicked it off. He stepped to the window.

And drew in a breath as if he’d been sucker-punched.

Down below, across from the hotel, the streetlight reflected off a long, black Oldsmobile. Standing beside the car staring up at the hotel, stood Ben Hardy.

His cousin and best friend.

About the Author: Carole Brown not only has her award winning (Laurel Award finalist, Selah finalist; Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, available for purchase now, but also a companion book called West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, filled with tidbits of information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from West Virginia and from Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for the novel.

November, 2013, the first book in her mystery series, Hog Insane, released. It’s a fun, lighthearted novel introducing the characters, Denton and Alex Davies.

Releasing November, 2014, is the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense series: With Music In Their Hearts. Three red-headed sisters. Three spies. Three stories.

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Connect with her here:

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/

 

Interview at Sunnybank Blog today.

Tags

Carole Brown, Interview with Catherine Castle, Nun and the Narc excerpt, Sunnybank blog, The Nun and the Narc, win a free ARC for the Nun and the Narc

I’m being interviewed by Carole Brown today at her Sunnybank blog. I hope you’ll stop by to learn about my writing world, read an excerpt from The Nun and the Narc, and comment for a chance to win a download of The Nun and the Narc ARC (advance reader copy) pdf.