Wednesday Writers—Why I Write Regencies by Vonnie Hughes

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Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, novella Entanglement, Regency history, Regency Romance, Vonnie Hughes

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Regency author Vonnie Hughes, who will be sharing about her Regency romance Entanglement and her fascination with the Regency era. Welcome, Vonnie.

WHY I WRITE REGENCIES
By Vonnie Hughes

If you check the ‘historical background’ page of my website you’ll get a glimpse of my fascination with the Regency period.

It was such a short time in Britain’s history, but has given rise to many things such as the development of canals as trade with their partners hotted up after the imprisonment of Napoleon, freeing up trade routes, and resulting in large numbers of goods that needed to be transported all over England. The Royal Astronomical Society was founded, along with the early prototype of the bicycle, the development of the railway system, and the Act of Union with Ireland in 1801 etc. All this is from the British point of view. In the USA Whitney came up with the principle of manufacturing interchangeable parts as pertaining to firearms. The statue of the Venus de Milo was discovered in Greece (1820) and so it goes on.

And this is one of the prime reasons I enjoy writing Regencies. In spite of many Regencies persuading you that it was all about Almacks and dukes, the Regency era was actually a time on the cusp of great changes, not just in Britain but all over the world. Minds were opening up, no longer relying on the dogma of the past.

In 1814 The Times adopted steam printing. By this method it could print 1,100 sheets every hour, not 200 as before—a fivefold increase in production capability and demand. This development brought about the rise of the wildly popular fashionable novels.

I appreciate how the Regency era is also noted for its achievements in the fine arts and architecture (Nash springs to mind), and remember the striped wallpaper still known as ‘Regency?’ Those years encompassed a time of great social, political, and economic changes that shaped and altered the societal structure of Britain. Remember that in London alone, the population increased from just under one million in 1801 to 1.25 million by 1820.

One of the reasons that the arts flourished during this era was because of the patronage of ‘Prinny,’ the fact and at times ridiculous Prince of Wales. We might laugh at him, but it’s thanks to him that the development of British architecture flourished, even if his schemes often left the common people paying for his overblown designs.

The Regency era opened up the market for many authors including Sir Walter Scott, Maria Edgeworth, Mary Shelley (who incorporated the general mistrust of science during the earlier part of the Regency era), John Keats, and William Blake. Then there were the playwrights and artists…the list goes on and on to confirm how minds began to open to new possibilities during that time.

And that, friends, is why I love to set some of my books during the Regencies. There are so many possibilities! Oh yes, there was a lot more to the Regency period than those autocratic dukes and the patronesses at Almacks.

Here’s a brief look at my Regency novella. I hope you enjoy it.

Entanglement

by Vonnie Hughes

When Alexandra Tallis discovers that her witless sister has imprisoned their father’s nemesis, Theo Crombie, in their attic, she quickly frees him, fighting an unladylike impulse to keep him as her own special captive. Despite the brutal beating she receives from her father for her actions, Alexandra continues to yearn for the delicious Mr. Crombie even though she knows that nothing will ever come of her dreams.

Injured and shackled in a stranger’s attic, Theo unexpectedly discovers the woman of his dreams. But how can he pursue those dreams when her bizarre family’s complex relationships threaten the very foundation of his existence? Somehow Theo must find a way through this maze to claim his lady.

BUY LINKS

Amazon – Smashwords

 

About the Author:

Vonnie Hughes is a multi-published author in both Regency books and contemporary suspense. She loves the intricacies of the social rules of the Regency period and the far-ranging consequences of the Napoleonic Code. And with suspense she has free rein to explore forensic matters and the strong convolutions of the human mind. Like many writers, some days she hates the whole process, but somehow she just cannot let it go.

Vonnie was born in New Zealand, but she and her husband now live happily in Australia. If you visit Hamilton Gardens in New Zealand be sure to stroll through the Japanese Garden. These is a bronze plaque engraved with a haiku describing the peacefulness of that environment. The poem was written by Vonnie.

All of Vonnie’s books are available on The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.

Learn more about Vonnie Hughes on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Goodreads.

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Wednesday Writers–Forever Lately by Linore Rose Burkhard

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Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, clean romance, excerpt of Forever Lately, Forever Lately, Linore Rose Burkhard, Regency Romance, Sweet romance

Today’s Wednesday Writer guest blogger is Linore Rose Burkhard. She’ll be talking about her multi-award-winning, sweet and clean Historical Romance/Time Travel Forever Lately. Welcome Linore!

Thanks, Catherine.

I wanted to write a Regency time travel for years. When I saw the movie “Kate and Leopold” with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman I thought, Oh no! Someone used my idea! But I needn’t have worried. Leopold was a Victorian gentleman, not from the Regency, first of all, and secondly, though I enjoyed the flick, I kept thinking it missed so many opportunities for humor. (Having written a screenplay since then, I realize now why it missed so many; tight scripts just don’t have room for all the scenes that could be fun.) When I wrote my story, however, not only was it fundamentally different and unique, but I was able to include the humorous scenes that had been floating in my head for eons. This makes the book a lot of fun–particularly when the Regency hero shows up in the present day. On a side note, I started the book years ago and then dropped it, mostly because I wanted to write it as a Christian romance like my other Regencies. But I kept running into roadblocks. And Christian publishers weren’t interested in time travel. Finally I realized I had to let God out of MY box and write the story He was giving me, not the one I thought He should give me. After that, it came together remarkably easily, and I think in a very fun way. Due to reader interest in a sequel, I’m now brainstorming that book.

BOOK BLURB:

“A writer of historical fiction travels back in time—and into the world of her characters. An enjoyable and dramatic era-spanning love story.”
Kirkus

1816, England
Julian St. John needs a wife. An oath to a deceased guardian must be kept. Miss Clarissa Andrews, a vexatious beauty, has dangled after him all season but he has no intention of choosing such a she-devil.

Maine, Present Day
Author Claire Channing is desperate to write a bestseller to save her failing career.  She thinks she’s writing St. Johnʼs story. But when she discovers an old prayer shawl and finds herself in his Regency world, she falls in love with him, a man she thought she invented! But Miss Andrews is also real—and she’d rather see Julian dead than in another womanʼs arms!
Claire must beat the clock to prevent a deadly tragedy, but can love beat the limits of time itself?

SHORT EXCERPT:

“Allow me to congratulate you, Julian, on the excellent handling of your horse,” Clarissa purred. “I am infinitely relieved you have kept yourself in one piece, you must know. I should have been utterly cast down had you been harmed.”

He wished he could tell her to go to the devil, to plague him with her incessant fooleries, but he was too much a gentleman—by God, he would be a gentleman. So he said only, “You could have got someone killed.”

“Yes, you,” she agreed calmly, ignoring the steely blue glint of his eyes. “But here you are, as handsome and alive as ever.” She gave him a sweet smile, reminding him of what he found so vexatious in her. She had an innocent smile, delectable lips, but behind it all a black heart.

“Oh, come, Julian, you give me too much credit. No one was anything near being killed. You know it was naught but a lark, only a lark!”

“Only a lark?” His voice dripped ice. “Your coach came directly at me, and if I had been any less a rider, I’d have broken my neck. My horse might have died as well.”

She was thoughtful a moment. “We were not supposed to drive quite so close to you, I own. And why do you insist upon riding such an immense animal? We should have fared the worst, not you; only it did not work out the way I planned.” She spoke with barely a moment’s stopping. “And I warrant you would have come to rescue me in a moment if Margaret had not spoilt everything.” She pouted at him from within the reaches of a richly beribboned bonnet. “I was perfectly prepared to swoon for your benefit. You would have come to my aid, would you not?” She looked at him hopefully, but he made no answer. He directed his next words to the opposite wall of the coach.

“Are you all right, Miss Margaret?” He couldn’t see Miss Andrews’s younger sister, but a sniffle came from the darkness.

“I—I think so. Thank you, sir.”

“Margaret’s perfectly well!” Miss Andrews cried, moving forward so her ample bosom, half revealed in the formal dress of evening wear, was not only plainly in sight, but she blocked any possible view behind her. St. John looked away, refusing to admire her.

Other men did admire her, for she could have made any wall in the kingdom proud with her portrait. She had dark, lustrous hair, an ovaline face with a well-delineated nose, and dark, long-lashed eyes. She also had slim ankles and small feet, which he knew from attending many a ball or rout in town. But St. John could not admire Miss Andrews’s face or slim ankles, for her brazen impudence gave him a disgust of her.

In the past he would have taken advantage of her, welcomed her when she teased him with her alluring countenance and everything beneath it. At times he wanted nothing more than to take hold of her and…He forced his mind to concentrate only on her irksome behaviour. Tonight’s escapade, what she called a ‘mere lark,’ was the latest in a string of vexatious attempts by her to gain his attention. And it was merely a hoax, another of her tricks, to put him in her path.

©2020 Linore Rose Burkard

 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Purchase link: ebook:

Purchase link: Print:

B&N purchase link:

 

About the Author

Linore Rose Burkard is a serious watcher of period films, a Janeite, and hopeless romantic. An award winning author best known for Inspirational Regency Romance, Forever, Lately is her first Regency time travel novel. Linore has a magna cum laude English Lit. degree from CUNY which she earned while taking herself far too seriously. She now resides in Ohio with her husband and family, where she turns her youthful angst into character or humor-driven plots.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: Linore’s Reader’s Club

Facebook Main Profile

Website

Wednesday Writers–A Halloween Party by Tina Ruiz

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A Halloween Party, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Children's books, Halloween book, Tina Ruiz

Wednesday Writers welcomes Tina Ruiz and her delightful children’s book A Halloween Party to the blog today. This is definitely a treat. Tina Ruiz’s new children’s book is out just in time for Halloween! The amazing illustrations are done by Ishika Sharma. I had to tap into my inner child to hear the double meanings in the character names. Once I figured it out I got a great big giggle .

The pictures are bright and the story is fun. It was written not only to entertain kids, but also to challenge their minds.

Every character has a name with a double meaning. Such as: Mr. Noah Lott, Mrs. Faye Ding, Mrs. Frieda Livery, Upton O’Goode, Adam Zapel, and Ella Vader, to name but a few.

Here’s a hint to help you solve the puzzle, Ed Zortails is his name really heads or is it tails? You’ll have to buy the book to find out.

Solving the double meaning of the words will be delightful for children and adults alike. On the off chance someone can’t unravel a name, Tina supplied a cheat sheet at the back of the book.

As with all of her children’s stories, there’s a moral at the end.

BUY LINK

About the Author

Tina Ruiz was born in Germany, but her family moved to Canada when she was in grammar school. She began writing children’s stories when her own were little. Through the years Ruiz wrote twenty-seven books. Most of those stories went into readers for the Canada Board of Education. Two did not. Mayor Shadoe Markley is a story about a ten-year-old girl who becomes Mayor for a Day through a contest at school.

Little did Ruiz know that story would “change the world.” The book came out at early January 1988. By the end of that same month, everyone was calling the mayor’s office at City Hall, trying to get the forms to fill out so their children could participate in the contest. Thirty years later that same contest is still runs at full speed. And not only in Calgary, but all across Canada. The Mayor’s Youth Council is now in charge of the celebrated contest and invites Ruiz to attend and meet the lucky winner. It’s usually followed by a hand-written thank you card from the mayor himself. Recently Ruiz was invited to be part of the Grand Opening of Calgary’s New Library where the mayor shook her hand and introduced her to the attendees.

Tina has worked in television and radio as well as being a professional clown at the Children’s Hospital. She lives in Calgary with her husband who encourages her to write her passion be it high-quality children’s books or intriguing romance.

Stay connected with Tina Ruiz on her Facebook group Tina Speaks Out.

Wednesday Writers–A Life Without Water by Marci Bolden

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A life without Water, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Marci Bolden, women's fiction

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Marci Bolden talking about her new emotional-to-write women’s fiction release, A Life Without Water.

Welcome, Marci

Thanks, Catherine.

For authors, our books are like our children and we aren’t supposed to pick favorites. Apparently I’m a terrible book mama because I absolutely have a favorite, and it was released August 13. I don’t even feel ashamed saying that.

A Life Without Water is easily the most emotional book I’ve ever written. Despite all the re-reads, re-writes, and rounds of editing, I still cry reading this heartfelt story. This is women’s fiction, a break from my usual genre of romance, and I poured my entire heart and soul into the journey these characters take.

We all have ghosts in our past that we have to face eventually. Whether we face them on our own or stare down that one person who we feel betrayed us, we have to deal with past pain in order to truly forgive and move forward.

That reckoning of the past is what this book is about and it is definitely a roller coaster ride.

Carol Denman divorced her husband over twenty years ago and has never looked back. But on the day before their daughter’s thirtieth birthday, John barges back into Carol’s life with a request that threatens the fragile stability she has built.

John Bowman is sick. Very sick. While he still can, he has some amends to make and some promises to fulfill. But to do that, he not only needs his ex-wife’s agreement…he needs her.

With the past hovering between them like a ghost, Carol and John embark on a decades-overdue road trip. Together they plunge back into a life without water…but which may ultimately set them free.

EXCERPT
Carol Denman blinked. The long and slow kind that gave the brain a moment to process unexpected information. When she lifted her lids, her assistant still stood on the other side of her desk. Tiana’s near-black eyes filled with a million questions. The rich umber skin above her nose crinkled as she drew her brows together.

The words she’d spoken lingered in the air between them.

There was a man standing outside Carol’s office asking to see her. Not just any man. Her ex-husband.

“You were married before Tobias?”

Tiana’s voice was low enough that no one outside the office could possibly hear, but to Carol’s ears, the words sounded as if they had been announced through a bullhorn. The question spun her tightly held emotions out of control. The skin above her brow prickled with the first signs of nervous sweat. Clenching her fists, digging white acrylic tips into her palm, she took a breath to calm herself before the telltale sign of anxiety—bright red creeping up her pale neck until it settled over her face—could start.

She blinked again. This time the rapid, mind-clearing kind. She dislodged the knot in her throat before finding her voice. “Yes. A long time ago.” A lifetime ago. “Did he say what he wants?”

“No.” Confusion faded to what appeared to be concern. “He looks nervous. Should I tell him to leave or…I can call security.”

Security was a seventy-three-year-old overweight retired police officer who was far more invested in completing the Houston Chronicle’s crossword puzzle than he ever was in doing his job. Carol suspected even if she did need help, old Charlie Turner would call 911 and offer crowd control long before he’d intervene with some kind of physical altercation in her office. Not that she was worried about what her ex would do to her.

Just the opposite.

She was more concerned she’d grab the sterling silver scissors from her desk drawer and shove them repeatedly into his chest.

Outside her window, early summer sunlight reflected in a blinding starburst off the man-made pond where geese liked to gather as they migrated. This time of year the water was smooth. Still. Deceptively calm. As she stared at the water, memories of her life with John flashed through her mind like an old 8-mm film on a loop.

Laughter, singing, playing.

Screaming. Crying. Begging.

Tiana’s quiet voice cut into Carol’s thoughts. “Should I tell him to leave?”

“Um… No.” God, I’m going to regret this. “It’s fine. Show him in.”

Read all of Chapter One here.

Purchase A Life Without Water here.

Netgalley Reviews
This story will push your emotions to the limit, make you realize how much damage you do to yourself by holding onto anger and refusing to let go and help you to walk through the process of learning who you really are and what life has done to make you that person. – cindy r.

This book was everything. It made me FEEL so much. I cried so very much at times. Beautifully and realistically written. Life is fickle and here and gone in a minute. Learn to forgive and remember to live! –Dineen M.

This book – A Life Without Water – basically ripped my heart out – smashed it into a million pieces and put it back together again. – Beth S.

About the Author:

As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading romance novels. She never left.

Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”

Learn more about Marci Bolden on her website. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

Wednesday Writers—Trapped by Lillian Duncan

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Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Christian Romantic Suspense, giveaway, Lillian Duncan, Trapped

 

 

Wednesday Writers welcomes Lillian Duncan back to the blog with a post about her latest romantic suspense novel, Trapped,  and a giveaway. Welcome, Lillian!

 

BABY STEPS

 

TRAPPED is my latest romantic suspense novel—heavy on the suspense but enough romance to add to the enjoyment. Being a Christian Fiction novel, there’s always a spiritual message hidden in the pages of the story as well, and this one is no exception.

Angela Matthews had the perfect life until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a mad man. Even though she’s rescued, she remains trapped by the memories she can’t forget.

That’s true for so many of us. Even after the “bad situation” whatever that may be is resolved, we get stuck and can’t seem to move forward with our lives. Instead, we’re angry and bitter or maybe sad and fearful or most likely a combination of all of those negative emotions.

In the story, her rescuer discovers that Angela is indeed still trapped by her horrible experience. He’s had his own share of horrible as a Chicago policeman. Because of that, he reaches out to help Angela.

One of the mantras in the story is “baby steps.” So often we think we have to go from a sitting position to a full-out run or we are a failure. This story reminds us that’s not reality. Each baby step we take toward our goal is a win. Every win brings us closer to our ultimate victory!

But TRAPPED isn’t a self-help book, it’s a suspense novel. That means there’s lots of action, not to mention twists and turns that will keep you guessing who the bad guy is until the very end!

 

Giveaway:

Two is always better than one, especially when it comes to giveaways. So, to celebrate the release of TRAPPED, I’m having two different giveaways! One lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card as well as a choice of one of my books (e-book only). Click Here to enter. Five more lucky winners on my website will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, go to http://www.lillian-duncan.com/ and leave a comment under the TRAPPED Giveaway Post.

 

Trapped

By Lillian Duncan

Angelina Matthews has everything—riches, fame, and beauty—until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman, wearing only a stained t-shirt. The dirt is his—the blood is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God.

Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman.

When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in the memories she can’t escape. Nate knows all about being trapped, and getting un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop he’s had his own demons to wrestle, but his faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid delusions have her trapped still.

But are they delusions after all?

 

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives—especially God’s Word.

She loves to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us. To learn more about her, visit http://www.lillian-duncan.com/ as well as her devotional blog at http://www.powerupwithgod.com/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–Christmas Hope by Caroline Warfield

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Caroline Warfield, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Christmas Hope, Christmas romance, historical romance, WWI romance

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is award-winning historical author Caroline Warfield. She’s talking about her Historical Romance: 20^th Century-World War I book Christmas Hope. There’s an excerpt and a chance to pre order the book at a discount. Welcome, Caroline!

 

Thanks, Catherine.

 

Stories just come to us sometimes. This one surprised me. It grew in part from a visit to Amiens ten years ago.

 

I was, as always, looking deep into history, viewing the town my ancestors left in the 17th century, and admiring the great medieval cathedral. The tributes to the soldiers of 20^th century wars on the walls of that cathedral took me off guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeds planted by those tributes surfaced in the form of a novella four years ago, the story of a soldier mired in the trenches along the Somme who finds hope among the floating islands (les hortillonnages) of Amiens. Those islands, laced with rivulets and canals, have been used for centuries as gardens, supplying vegetables to Amiens, just as the heroine of my book does. A boat tour though them helped inspire that bit.

The original novella ended with Harry and Rosemarie Happy-For-Now, but readers wanted more and so did I. What would the rest of the war do to them? How would he survive, heart and soul, the horrors of that awful war?

I was deep into the writing when I realized that a great deal of what I described came to me from my father. He haunts the book. Dad was born the year the book ends, but he fought in two great wars later in the century. Many of his sayings and ideas crept into the story. He was called Sarge to the end of his life; the book is dedicated to him.

The 19^th century is my usual playground. My previous stories take place between 1812 and 1840. This is different. It took me by surprise, but in some ways it may be my favorite. It is a story in four parts; each part ends on Christmas 1916, 17, 18, and 19.

Christmas Hope

by Caroline Warfield

After two years at the mercy of the Canadian Expeditionary force and the German war machine, Harry ran out of metaphors for death, synonyms for brown, and images of darkness. When he encounters color among the floating islands of Amiens and life in the form a widow and her little son, hope ensnares him. Through three more long years of war and its aftermath, the hope she brings keeps Harry alive.

Rosemarie Legrand’s husband left her a tiny son, no money, and a savaged reputation when he died. She struggles to simply feed the boy and has little to offer a lonely soldier, but Harry’s devotion lifts her up. The war demands all her strength and resilience, but the hope of peace and the promise of Harry’s love keep her going.

When the Great War is over, will their love be enough?

 

Excerpt:

“Clergy can be narrow minded,” she said. More than this man can possibly know. With the exception of Abbé Desjardin, the clergy of Amiens had been quick to judge her, quick to believe Raoul’s accusations. Hypocritical fools!

“Your priest seemed more humane,” he said as if he read her mind.

“He has known me since I was a child. He is wise and kind. Not all of them are.”

“He said…” the corporal broke off, coloring brightly.

Rosemarie stood abruptly and busied herself making tea. She didn’t think she wanted to know what the abbé told this man, but she may as well get it out. At least he wasn’t talking to Sabine.

“What exactly did Abbé Desjardin tell you?” she asked over her shoulder, the words sour in her mouth.

“That you’ve been unfairly judged. That you chose charity over self-regard and have paid for it dearly.”

Her shoulders relaxed, the sensation of comfort rolling up her neck and down her back. “He’s a good man,” she murmured.

“How did you find the German?” he asked.

His interest sounded genuine, but she breathed deeply before answering. “I was fishing in the Somme. Early mornings are best, and I was alone with Marcel. When I started for home, I found him caught in the weeds, just where I found your Bible. Things catch there often. This time, it was a human being. I pulled him out.”

“Why didn’t you take him into Amiens?”

“I struggled to manage a wounded man and Marcel both, and I needed to dock quickly. Home was closer. I would have stopped at another cabin, but none looked occupied, and most of them would have let the boy die.” She sank back into her chair. “He died anyway. My so-called generosity was for nothing and brought me the undying contempt of my neighbors.”

“So the abbé said. He also said you are hurting yourself by hiding away.”

“He wants me at Sunday Mass. Typical priest.”

“He thinks the ladies of Amiens need to witness what a good mother you are. For your protection.”

She snorted, an unladylike sound she didn’t regret. “Those hags believe Sabine. Why should I have to put on a show for them?”

The corporal watched her intently, his blue eyes lit with curiosity, until she began to squirm in her seat. She wondered if he found her attractive. Raoul’s eyes had taken on a predatory gleam whenever desire drove him. This man’s eyes had a different sort of warmth.

“The abbé also thinks you would do well to visit the Christmas market with Marcel.”

She shook her head to deny it. “I won’t put Marcel in that position.”

“He thinks it would be better if you were on the arm of—his words—a ‘brave allied soldier.’” He grinned ruefully.

Rosemarie choked on her tea so badly the corporal jumped to his feet to pat her back until she regained control.

“The old reprobate!” she growled when she could.

Preorder for discount pricing. You can find links to various retailers here:

https://www.carolinewarfield.com/bookshelf/christmas-hope/

WARNING TO READERS OF SWEET/CLEAN ROMANCE:

This book is mildly sensual, but no open door sex and may contain some swear words.

About the Author:

Award-winning author Caroline Warfield has been many things: traveler, librarian, poet, raiser of children, bird watcher, Internet and Web services manager, conference speaker, indexer, tech writer, genealogist—even a nun. She reckons she is on at least her third act, happily working in an office surrounded by windows where she lets her characters lead her to adventures in England and the far-flung corners of the British Empire. She nudges them to explore the riskiest territory of all, the human heart.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Facebook   BookBub    GoodReads

Wednesday Writers–Romantic Dinners to Dine al Fresco by Sloane Taylor

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Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, cookbook, Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco, Sloane Taylor

Today’s Wednesday Writers is a bit different than usual. I’m sharing a cookbook written by Sloane Taylor. I had the privilege to test some recipes from the first book in this series, Meals to Make Together.   I liked them so much that I decided to share Sloane’s newest cookbook with you, Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco.

Here’s the info on the book and some reviews by Sloane’s culinary fans.

As they say in the restaurant business–ENJOY!

JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER
New from Toque & Dagger Publishing an exciting cookbook filled with recipes perfect for your grill and stove. Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco, Book 2 in the Meals to Make Together series, is now available in e-book and paperback

Starry summer nights are ripe for romance and dining al fresco. Enhance the mood with Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco, candles, wine, and your favorite music. Fire up your grill and share a romantic dinner with your someone special. Then let the night take you away.

Create 45 delicious and complete meals for two that can be cooked on your grill or stove. No exotic or expensive ingredients needed to prepare these 103 recipes. They use everyday products already in your kitchen cabinets. Increasing the dinners is a snap for those fun nights friends or family join you.

Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco, Book 2 in the Meals to Make Together series, is an ideal gift for a hostess, bridal shower, anniversary, or the couple who craves a fresh flavor in their lives.

What People are Saying About Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco

In our fast food world, it’s nice to have a cookbook designed for you and your significant other to open a bottle of wine and enjoy each other’s company. You can turn to any page in this simple yet elegant book of tasty recipes and not be disappointed!
–Paul Kutka, Private Executive Fine Dining Chef

Packed with mouth-watering recipes, easy-to-follow instructions, and helpful suggestions, Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco is perfect for any cook who loves to serve succulent dishes on their secluded patio or candlelit living room. Perfect for busy couples wanting to spice up their relationships, this fabulous cookbook screams, “Bring on Summer!”
–Sharon Ledwith, YA Paranormal Fantasy and Time Travel Author

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced chef, Sloane Taylor takes you on a gourmet journey adding flavour and panache to your meals. This collection is inventive with clear, easy-to-follow instructions. These recipes will become your favourites – I’d happily cook them every night!
–Joy Wood, Award-winning Romance and Women’s Fiction Author

Sloane Taylor hits the nail on the culinary head with Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco, dishes, as she points out, to be made together. I especially like the International fare, because food should also be about adventure. Start cooking with someone special and make your meals memorable. Taylor shows you the way.
–Anne Montgomery, Award-winning Women’s Fiction and Young Adult Author

Delicious food prepared from elegant recipes to impress anyone! Romantic Meals to Dine al Fresco is my new favorite collection of no-miss recipes. And I love the cooking tips section in the back!
–Suzanne G. Rogers, Victorian Romance Author

Amazon Black & White Paperback 

Amazon Color Paperback – Amazon E-book

 

Barnes & Noble E-book – Smashwords E-book 

Kobo E-book

 

Sloane Taylor is an Award-Winning author with a second passion in her life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.

Taylor’s first solo venture into non-fiction was a Couples Cookbook with eighty of her favorite recipes, DATE NIGHT DINNERS, Meals to Make Together for a Romantic Evening. Connect with Taylor on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Wednesday Writers–The Mennonite Queen by Patrick E. Craig

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Amish fiction, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, excerpt from The Mennonite Queen, Patrick E. Craig, The Mennonite Queen

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Patrick E. Craig, a man who writes in a very interesting genre for a guy. I’ll let him tell you all about it. Welcome, Patrick!

Hello Readers! I’m Patrick E. Craig, one of six men who write Amish fiction. If you have followed my stories you know that all six of my books are about the same family, the Hershbergers of Apple Creek, Ohio. The main character or narrator of all of them is Jenny Hershberger, the historian of her family.

Throughout Apple Creek Dreams and The Paradise Chronicles I used a literary device where Jenny was the “author” of all six books, but because of church restrictions she “gave” me the manuscripts to rewrite. This device was a total fiction, but to a large degree, it worked. To my readers, Jenny has assumed a life of her own, and her story will continue in my upcoming cozy mystery series, “The Porch Swing Mysteries.”

In the first four books, A Quilt For Jenna, The Road Home, Jenny’s Choice and The Amish Heiress, Jenny tells the stories of her mother Jerusha, her own life, her marriage to Jonathan Hershberger and her daughter Rachel. Then in The Amish Princess and The Mennonite Queen, Jenny tells the story of two important women in her family’s history, White Deer, the Delaware Indian Princess who is her husband’s Great-Great-Grandmother, and Isabella, Princess of Poland who is the matriarch of the Hershberger family.

In The Mennonite Queen, set in the 1500’s in Europe, I use Isabella Jagiellon who is an actual historical figure, as the central figure of a fictional account. Franz von Waldeck, the Bishop of Münster, Germany, and Jan Bockelson, the self-proclaimed king who led the Anabaptist rebels into a terrible defeat at Münster, also play a central part, but only as support to the story, which is simply the product of my imagination. I also use Isabella to help show the development of the Mennonite faith, through a fictional relationship with Menno Simons, the founder of the church.

I love placing historical figures in the midst of a narration that is simply the product of my imagination. On the other hand, in Jenny’s world, the events in The Mennonite Queen may have happened as written… but you will have to ask Jenny—she is the only one who knows.

P.S. In the fall I will be publishing a box set, The Journals of Jenny Hershberger, which will contain all six books and tell the whole story of the Hershbergers in one collection. Until then you can find them on Amazon, B&N, Apple, Google and any of the many online distributors.

 

The Mennonite Queen

By Patrick E. Craig

 

Isabella, Princess of Poland, is raised to a life of great wealth and leisure in the Polish Royal Court, destined to marry a king. But fate or divine providence intervenes when she meets Johan Hirschberg, a young Anabaptist who works in her father’s stable. This chance meeting leads the young couple into a forbidden love. Together they flee Poland and embark on a dangerous journey that brings them, after great peril, to the small parish of a troubled priest named Menno Simons. Catholic Bishop, Franz von Waldek, paid by King Sigismund, Isabella’s father to find the princess at all costs, pursues them across Europe. Isabella does not know it, but if von Waldek captures her, she will have to make a choice that will change the course of European history forever.

Excerpt:

 

1559

Sic Fata Volunt, the Will of Fate

Isabella tossed on her bed, in the grip of a dream. Shouts and screams reverberated off the burning buildings that surrounded her. She was running, running from the heat, running from the chaos, terrified of the soldiers, who were everywhere. The gates of the city rose in front of her but before she could get out they swung open, and a fat man in the robes of a Catholic priest rode in, mounted on a white horse. She screamed…

And then Johan was with her. His powerful arms wrapped around her, infusing her with his strength.

“Come, my love,” he murmured. “This way.”

Together they ran. Isabella was holding a small child whose tiny arms clung to her, and then she saw a small, unguarded door in the wall.

“Through here, my dearest,” he whispered.

His strong hands guided her through the gate. Behind them, a hoarse voice shouted, “Find them, find them now! Kill him and bring her to me, alive.”

Together they hurried along toward the river. Johan’s powerful hands guided her, kept her on her feet and strengthened her, but she could not see the path.

“This way, Isabella. Lift your feet, run like the wind. I am with you, I am always with you…”

Isabella awoke, sobbing and curled in a fetal position, like every time she dreamed of Johan.

***

Propped with pillows, Isabella lay in her bed, her breathing shallow, her body wracked with pain. Her dark hair was spread around her head like a halo. Beside the bed, her grim-faced doctor stood watching. Angyalka sat in a small chair next to the bed, weeping.

Isabella’s eyes fluttered open. “Ah, my friends… here to bid me farewell?”

She heard Angyalka burst into a fresh paroxysm of weeping.

The doctor leaned down and placed a damp cloth on her forehead.

Isabella reached up and took the doctor’s hand. “Has my son, John, returned?”

“A messenger came this morning.” He gently returned her hand to her side. “John is hastening home. He is sorry for the delay, but Suleiman…”

“Yes, yes. Suleiman…” She closed her eyes. “I will wait for John.”

***

The next time Isabella awakened, a beloved face was bending over her, the eyes sad, the mouth knit in a frown. “Ah, my son.” She smiled. “Away so long.”

“Only a month, mother. You know how Suleiman is. We must attend to his wishes first. But without him, Ferdinand and the Hapsburgs would take Hungary.”

“Sit, John, and listen.” Isabella took her son’s hand. “I have something important to tell you before I depart this earth.”

“You are not going anywhere, mother. You will live and get well.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “We never lie to each other, John.”

“No, Mother.”

“Let’s not begin now. I am dying. That is a truth we both know. But before I go, I must tell you the one thing I have held from you.” She motioned to him. “Sit here by me.”

John sat. “What is it, Mother?”

Isabella pushed higher on the pillows. “John Sigismund Zápolya, son of the king of Hungary and protector of Transylvania, you are my only heir.” She closed her eyes and then slowly opened them. “But you are not my only son.”

“Not your only son?” John’s eyes widened. “But, Mother, how can that be?”

“My first son, your older brother, is named Abel. I have not seen him since I was a seventeen-year-old. He was the son of my first husband, Johan Hirschberg.”

John stared at his mother, mouth agape. “But, how… when?”

Isabella smiled. “If you will bear it, I will tell you the story…” She stopped for a moment, smiling at the sweet memory. “Long ago, when I was a young girl living at Wawel Castle in Poland…”

Want to read more? You can find Patrick’s books at Amazon

 

About the Author:

 Patrick E. Craig is a traditionally published/independent author. In 2013, Harvest House Publishers published his Apple Creek Dreams series, which included A Quilt For Jenna, The Road Home and Jenny’s Choice. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and the first book, The Amish Heiress was published in 2015. It remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list for seven months. The Amish Princess was released in 2017 and was followed by The Mennonite Queen in April 2019. In 2017 Harlequin purchased the print rights for The Amish Heiress for their Walmart Amish series. That book went into Walmart stores on April 2 2019. Just recently Patrick signed with Elk Lake Publishers to publish his kids’ mystery series, The Adventures of Punkin and Boo. Patrick and his wife, Judy, make their home in Idaho. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Where can readers purchase my books?

http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg Amazon

 Where can readers find Patrick online?

Webpage:   http://www.patrickecraig.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig

 

Wednesday Writers–The Heart Collector by Barbara Russell

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Barbara Russell, book excerpt from The Heart Collector Auckland Steampunk #1, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, The Heart Collector Auckland Steampunk #1, YA fiction

 

 

Today author Barbara Russell is on Wednesday Writers talking about what the characters of her Steampunk/romantic suspense The Heart Collector—Auckland Steampunk#1 have to say. There’s also an excerpt, a video and a book sale. So, read on and enjoy.

 

What the characters have to say

by Barbara Russell

 

Auckland, New Zealand, 1884

Lady Ermintrude

 

You don’t mind if I whisper, do you? Hastings Manor is full of ears, and people’s best pastime is gossip. Thank goodness I’m not that type of lady. But I have to speak my mind.

My niece Isabel, the current Duchess of Sussex, has gone mad. She’s accommodating, here in Hastings Manor, street urchins. Street urchins! From Auckland’s rookery!

Good gracious, I need a sherry. These street urchins don’t even have decent names and the youngest one, called Trigger—ptf!—spat on his teaspoon to clean it. The older, the one called Murk, I think he’s a thief or a murderer. Apparently, he can turn himself invisible. Invisible! So inappropriate.

Those dark eyes mean trouble, mark my word, but Isabel thinks he’s charming. Poppycock, I say. I’m sure she’d like to dirty-puzzle with him. Oh, the horror. But does she listen to me? No one is listening to me anymore. A bunch of rebels they are. Now, where’s my sherry?

The Heart Collector—Auckland Steampunk#1

 

By Barbara Russell

Auckland, 1884. The Supernaturals are frightened. Despite being able to do extraordinary things like teleporting or lighting a fire with a stare, a serial killer, the Heart Collector, is slaughtering them. He rips their chests open and removes their hearts.

While other aristocratic, nineteen-year-old girls spend time dancing, Isabel trains hard to become an MI7 agent—Military Intelligence Seventh Division, a crime squad run by Supernaturals. The Heart Collector murdered her best friend, and enrolling at MI7 is the best way to help catch the killer.

Isabel senses other people’s feelings as if they were her owns. But MI7’s leader is too worried about Isabel’s safety to let her join the team.

Eager to prove that her power is valuable, Isabel volunteers to meet Murk, a dangerous Supernatural man who can turn himself invisible. MI7 desperately tried to recruit him and failed.

She believes that her power is enough to convince Murk to become an MI7’s agent and help apprehend the Heart Collector. If he wants to attack her, his feelings will broadcast his intention, and she’ll be ready.

What Isabel isn’t ready for is to fall in love with the man who will collect her heart.

 

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Auckland, 1884

ONE OF THE PERKS of being a duchess and the lady of Hastings Manor was that I could make my own decisions.

Most of the time.

I bunched a corner of my long brocade skirt and climbed the sweeping stairs toward Victor’s office. The bustle, heavy with satin ribbons, bounced lightly, tapping on the small of my back.

On the landing, one of the little cleaning machines that roamed the house trotted around, buzzing as its brushes dusted the white marble floor. A puff of steam trailed behind it while its wheels and pistons whirred. I strode on, the star-bright tiles sparkling under my velvet slippers.

The butler bowed stiffly, carrying a tray with tea and cakes that smelled of cinnamon. “Your Grace.” He stepped aside to let me pass.

“Hollom.” My heels’ click-clacking noise died down on the blue rug covering the entrance in front of Victor’s office.

I raised my fist to knock but stopped inches away from the gleaming, polished oak wood, needing a moment to collect myself. Victor had to see reason. Convincing him that my role in the investigation was vital wouldn’t be easy, but I was nineteen and properly trained in combat. More or less. The point was, I could face danger.

My resolve wavered, and I bit the inside of my cheek. On light feet, I turned and slid inside my late father’s personal library. Victor’s supernatural hearing wouldn’t catch me in the room protected by thick walls, and the old leather-bound volumes calmed my nerves.

I cleared my throat before rehashing my speech. “Victor, you’re the leader of Military Intelligence Seven, but as Duchess of Sussex, I have the right to . . .” I shook my head. This sounded patronizing. I took a deep breath to slow my pounding heart, glad that I wasn’t wearing a corset. Another perk of being a duchess.

I squared my shoulders. A wrong word and Victor would dismiss me. “Victor, I kindly request… would you… I would appreciate if you assign me to the ongoing investigation on the Heart Collector, since I believe my skills can be an asset.” There. Simple, polite, and to the point.

To find The Heart Collector go to Amazon.    Warning to readers of sweet romance: this book may contain steamy romance scenes.

If The Heart Collector—Auckland Steampunk#1 has piqued your curiosity, you might want to get in on Barbara’s sale of the short romantic prequel to The Heart Collector The Three Kisses Challenge—Auckland Steampunk#0.5 is available for $.99 at Amazon

Three Kisses Challenge—Auckland Steampunk#0.5

By Barbara Russell

Auckland, 1882.

Just graduated from medical school, Effie is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man in her life. No sir. She’s fine as she is now . . . except that, Lord Victor Cleath-Steward is too gorgeous to be ignored.

This prequel is suitable for readers of sweet romance

 

About the Author:

I’m an entomologist and a soil biologist, which is a fancy way to say that I dig in the dirt, looking for bugs. I was a kid when I read The Lord Of The Rings and fell in love with fantasy novels.

When I discovered cosy mystery, I fell in love with Hercules Poirot and Sherlock Holmes. Then I grew up and . . . Nah, I’m joking. Don’t grow up, folks! It’s a trap.

Connect with Barbara on her Amazon Page

 

Wednesday Writers–Forget the Mess–It’s Time for a Story with Donna DeLoretta Brennan

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book excerpt, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Donna DeLoretta Brennan, short stories Forget the Mess It's Time for a Story, women's fiction

 

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Donna DeLoretto Brennan. She’ll be talking about one of my biggest issues and the jumping off point for her contemporary women’s fiction book Forget the Mess—It’s time for a Story! There’s also an excerpt. Welcome, Donna!

 

Confessions of a Procrastinator

By Donna DeLoretto Brennan

I often get overwhelmed with all the things I have to do as a wife, mother, author, and procrastinator.

It’s like a speeding merry-go-round that I can’t step off of. When I’m overwhelmed it’s easier to procrastinate; when I procrastinate for long periods, the other stuff piles up and becomes even more overwhelming.

For example, the lunch dishes need to be washed and I have to edit the next chapter of my novel; but I’m hitting a slump. So I take a break to do something a little more enjoyable—but it has to be something I can convince myself has a beneficial purpose. Facebook, I reason, is just such a thing. It helps me reconnect with old friends and maintain contact with new friends.

But Facebook can be like a black hole. You go on it for twenty minutes and when you look at the clock four hours have gone by. And now it’s time to make dinner, but first I have to empty the sink and I forgot to defrost the roast I wanted to cook, so I need to find something else fast. And that next chapter of my novel goes unedited today.

My solution is to “procrastinate in bursts”. Alexia is my friend in this endeavor. When I go on Facebook, I say, “Alexia, set a timer for thirty minutes.” Then, when thirty minutes have passed, she chimes at me. And, hopefully, I log off Facebook and start being productive again.

Reading a good book is another type of break I’ll allow myself. Usually, at the beginning of a book I can put it down after a chapter or two and get back on task. (Returning to it later, of course.) But sometimes, especially near the end, the book is hard to put down. All those hooks at the end of each chapter and the tension and pacing—I love the book and the world it transports me to, but the stuff in the real world that I have to do keeps mounting up while I’m away.

One solution is to read short stories or articles in magazines. It doesn’t take as long, and it’s easy to put down (for now) and finish later. And the short break does help me to relax from the overwhelm and get back on track.

That’s the idea behind my collection of short stories. Each story is intended to take you away from your current stress and worries, but they’re short, so you aren’t gone that long. You can either read another story right away, or put it down and pick it up later when you need another break.

Forget the Mess—It’s time for a Story!

Genre: Women’s contemporary fiction

When life starts to fill with mindless chores and endless to-do lists, take a mini-break to relax and reenergize. This book contains six stories to help you forget about the dishes that need to be washed or the laundry that needs to be put away. Forget the mess for now, and enjoy a story. The mess will still be there, waiting for you, when the story is finished.

• My Good Son – The son she remembers is missing; and who is this man calling her “Ma”?
• Pretense – Sister-relationships can be complicated, especially if you’re afraid to tell the truth.
• Another Day – Clara looks for a way—and a reason—to keep going.
• Spectator – When watching other people’s lives is more interesting than living your own, maybe you need to take some action.
• Taking Care of His Wife – Brad promised to take care of Megan forever—but he never said exactly how he would do that.
• Love Your Frenimies – When Jesus said to love your neighbor, he couldn’t have meant Gina’s neighbor, Anna.

 

Excerpt from Love your Frenemies, the last short story in the collection:

Finally, after almost an hour of fussing and whimpering, Ella is sound asleep and I can lie her down in the playpen for her nap. I take a moment to wonder at her small figure lying there so peacefully and content, her tiny lips curved into a soft smile that melts my mommy-heart and makes me forget the screaming fusspot she was less than thirty minutes ago.

I glance at the clock. Oh, no! It’s three-fifteen.

I rush to the side door to bring Fritz in before the neighbor kid, Peter Jacob, starts tormenting my dog into a frenzy. Just as I reach for the doorknob I hear that little Yorkie barking his head off outside. Before I have the door fully open, Ella’s screams cause my shoulders to tense and my temper to flare. I see little Peter Jacob scurrying away from the chain-link fence. He glances over his shoulder and we make eye contact. I am certain that’s a smirk on the little bugger’s face.

“Peter Jacob, what did I tell you about agitating Fritz?”

He doesn’t respond. He just hurries his chubby little legs up his driveway to his front door. He pulls open the screen and hollers, “Hey, Mom! I’m Home.”

The door slams behind him.

Fritz is still yapping away, and Ella is exercising her lungs at full volume. Just another day in the neighborhood.

Want to read more? Forget the Mess—It’s Time for a Story is available in paperback form at Amazon. A kindle version will be available soon.

 

About the Author:

Donna DeLoretto Brennan was a technical writer for over ten years before becoming a computer programmer. Since leaving the corporate world after her twins were born, she’s had short stories, interviews, and nonfiction articles published online and in print magazines. She’s speaks at writing conferences and other events.

She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG). She’s served in various capacities on the GLVWG board, including several terms as Conference Chair. She’s always looking for opportunities to encourage others and to share what she’s learned.

Donna’s website is http://www.degunkinglife.com/.