GENEVIEVE GRAHAM AND SOUND OF THE HEART

Readers, today Genevieve Graham is my guest as part of Black Lion Tours. Genevieve Graham graduated from the University of Toronto in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance (playing oboe). While on a ski vacation in Alberta she met a really cute guy in the chairlift line-up and they skied together for two days. After the second day she decided she had to have him ... permanently. The couple (now husband & wife) subsequently moved to Calgary and brought two beautiful and talented daughters into the world. They have recently settled in a small, peaceful town in Nova Scotia and are loving their quiet life.​
Writing became an essential part of Genevieve's life a few years ago, when she began to write her debut novel, UNDER THE SAME SKY. Her second book, SOUND OF THE HEART was released on May 1, 2012.

Genevieve Graham, Author

TOUR GIVEAWAY!

$35 Amazon Gift Card. Readers may leave a blog post comment, but the winner will be chosen from the Rafflecopter, so you’ll need to enter your info. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9d9ae923/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

INTERVIEW WITH GENEVIEVE GRAHAM

Caroline: Meeting your husband sounds romantic, but readers will want to know more. Where did you grow up?

Genevieve: I grew up in Toronto, the elder of two daughters, and the one with the least sense of responsibility. I was kind of an outsider, a kind of overweight, striped-polyester wearing, happy girl who specialized in collecting underdogs and abandoned items. Seriously. Not only did I befriend the newest and least popular kids, but I used to walk home after elementary school and drag home any Christmas trees people were done with. I felt so sorry for them I thought they needed a home. My parents put up with it until I had about fifteen in the front yard. Then I think they were very relieved when the garbage men came to pick them up.

My older daughter, Emily, seems to have inherited that weird kind of thing: for a couple of years when she was about seven or so, she picked up any bits and pieces she could find on the side of the road, like bottle caps, plastic buttons, interesting twigs, and incorporate them into what she called "Cork People", making tiny cork statues that she customized and gave to friends. Cute, but I'm really glad that phase is over! Too many little pieces around!

When we were young, my parents had my sister and me signed up for skiing, tennis, skating, and baseball, but I only ever excelled at skiing and tennis. I liked skiing because it was a solo activity, I think, and I loved going fast. That was before the days of mandatory helmet-wearing and the sensation of speeding down a mountain with wind tearing through my hair was such a rush! And I enjoyed tennis because it gave me a chance to really pound the ball, and my dad always seemed so proud when he could see his daughter was strong. My sister did well at everything: school, friends, cheerleading … but I never really felt envious. I was quite content in my own little world and a lot of that world existed within the pages of books.

I met the man I would eventually marry when I flew to Calgary in March of 1992, wanting to visit a girlfriend who was unhappy at having been transferred out there. She promised me a ski day, but when the day came, she had to work. I went alone, determined to sample the Rockies, and I met the most wonderful guy in one of the chairlift line-ups. We skiied together for two days, I moved to Calgary two months after that, and he and I were married the following February. Coming up on 20 years!

Our daughters are now 12 & 14, so we're into those tough hormonal years now. Our girls are both extremely artistic and outgoing. We're really fortunate because they adore each other and are their own best advocates. Our eldest has a real love for animals, and I hope she eventually follows that love into a career. Our baby can do just about anything. Her plan is to be a surgeon—who eventually cures cancer—while being a dancing, singing star on the side.

Caroline: Your daughters have ambitious, but worthy, dreams. Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Diana Gabaldon is my idol and the reason I began to write in the first place. I love Historical Adventure written with intelligence and passion. I'm open to most genres, but I think I'm done with horror. Stephen King did me in when I was in my teens. Now I'm afraid of most shadows, as long as they're written well! I love the writing of Sara Donati, Penelope Williamson, and Jennifer Roberson, among others.

Caroline: I met Diana Gabaldon several years ago and thought she was the most intelligent author I’d ever met, yet she was so personable. What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?

Genevieve: My family is my escape. I write and edit full-time (I started up an editing business and have been editing an average of two novels per month for the past two years), but when I'm done for the day I kick back with them, either sitting outside or watching movies, a cool glass of Pinot Grigio in my hand.

Caroline: My husband and I just shared a bottle of Pino Grigio. Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Genevieve: Well, I like a ton of quotes, but today this one appeals:
"Be yourself. Everyone else is taken."
- Oscar Wilde

Caroline: One of my favorites. ☺ How long have you been writing?

Genevieve: I didn't start writing until I was 42, and I had no idea I'd eventually become an author. So many people say they have always known that's what they wanted to do with their lives, and though I've always loved reading, I never imagined actually sitting down and putting a book together. That always seemed like something unreachable.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Genevieve: I write on my beloved MacBook Pro, and I need quiet. That means no radio, no telephone, no people. Hard to find that, trust me!

Caroline: Ah, especially with teenagers in the house. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Genevieve: Pantzer … trying really hard to incorporate Plotter mentality into what I do!

Caroline: Plotting really saved me. Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Genevieve: Yes. I love studying history and watching my characters go about their lives in that setting, but for me it really helps to have some kind of a real event to anchor the place in time. My first two novels came from the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The one I recently finished revolves around WW1 and the Halifax Explosion in 1917. I haven't incorporated real people yet, but never say never!

Caroline: Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?

Genevieve: I write every day, but often that is with editing for other people. I dream of a day when writing for myself pays enough bills to make it possible to dedicate myself full-time to writing. As a pantzer, and also as a researcher, I don't set those kinds of goals because I have no idea how far my research will allow me to go on any given day.

Caroline: What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Genevieve: I don't want my writing to bring them anything—I want it to take them away! I want to help them escape every day routines and travel to a time and place they've only ever imagined.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Genevieve: My series books are parallel stories, so they tell different stories happening simultaneously. I would like to finish a fourth book in the series, then maybe complete it with a fifth, which would take place later in the time period, tying all four earlier stories together. I have another series of four I'd like to write (I've written the first but it needs a lot of work!), and I have a few stand-alones both written and planned. It seems I can't stop writing!

Caroline: Readers love series, so that should serve you well. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Genevieve: I've just finished a WW1 romance telling the story of a Nova Scotia lobsterman who not only survives the war, but also lives through the Halifax Explosion. It's a love story, and it's also a look inside what it might have taken to live through such a tumultuous time in such a poor part of this country. I hope to have news to share on that book soon.

As I said, I'm also working on the fourth book in the "Under the Same Sky" series. Just like the first three books, it will be a Historical Adventure, and I see 18th century pirates in my heroine's future …

Caroline: Let me know when that book is out. I’m sure readers would love to see it featured here. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Genevieve: Write for yourself. Write for the love of writing, and don't even think about publishing until you are completely done.

Too many people these days get frustrated at the sheer improbability of being picked up by a major publisher, and because of the ease of self-publishing they end up writing quantity instead of quality. When you have written and rewritten, then edited three more times, then printed it out and marked it in red twice more, find yourself an editor. Make this book the best it can possibly be. Then you'll know that every word matters. That way, whether you end up with a traditional publishing contract or decide to self-publish, you can be proud of your work.

Caroline: Tell us a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you.

Genevieve: We have seven "exotic" chickens, and I absolutely adore them!

Caroline: My neighbor has some exotic chickens and they are gorgeous. What is something about you that would surprise or shock readers?

Genevieve: I have a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance, and yet … speaking in front of an audience scares me silly. You'd think I would have gotten over that.

Caroline: Is your book a series? If so, how long? Family saga, other?

Genevieve: SOUND OF THE HEART is the second book in my (so-far) three book series, and they're all considered "companion novels". The first is UNDER THE SAME SKY, and the third (which will be published in Aug/Sept 2013) is OUT OF THE SHADOWS. The books are connected by family members, but their stories are all independent. That means they can be read in any order. The fourth is in the works.

Caroline: Tell us something you learned researching your book that surprised/interested you.

Genevieve: While researching for SOUND OF THE HEART, I learned about the existence of White Slavery, a subject most history books seem to want to avoid. Beginning in the 1600s, hundreds of thousands of white slaves were transported from Great Britain and Europe to the colonies, and I'm not even talking about the many indentured servants who were also sent across to serve others. White slaves were treated as badly as their black counterparts—and often worse—and they were cheaper to buy (in most cases) because they were more disposable. The slaves were mostly put to work in the plantation fields, and while the African slaves were used to the heat, the ones from across the Atlantic couldn't handle it, and often died from the exposure.

I don't shy away from those ugly facts in my books. If they happened, we should know about them, I think. It's yet another horrible black mark in our history, but it would be wrong for us not to acknowledge it.

Caroline: I’m glad you are bringing up the subject of those white slaves. Not many people know about them. Can you give readers a blurb about your book?

SOUND OF THE HEART SYNOPSIS 

From Genevieve Graham, author of UNDER THE SAME SKY, comes a sweeping romantic historical novel of one man’s strange gift and dangerous battles…

      Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold. Devastated by the loss of his family during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies. There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.

Caroline: Beautiful and romantic cover. Makes me want to step into the scene. How about an excerpt?

Genevieve: Certainly:

SOUND OF THE HEART EXCERPT

Dougal’s cheek still lay in the mud when he woke. He kept his eyes closed, wanting to cry, but lacking the strength. He was tired, always tired these days, but Dougal had never been a man to admit to that. He was frozen and half-starved, as they all were. That weakness had contributed to a lot of the killings today.
Before they'd even stepped onto the frozen marshes of Culloden Moor, Dougal had known the Scots would suffer. He hadn’t needed one of his damn dreams to tell him this battle would not go well. He and the other Highlanders had marched and practically starved for the past two months, and their plaids had been poor protection from the miserable late winter. None of the crofters they had passed on their travels had food to share. The whole of the Highlands was suffering. The men had gone down to London, up to Culloden, back and forth in the miserable winter and spring months, completely at the whim of their chiefs and Prince Charles himself.
Damn Prince Charles. Dougal had pride in his people, sure. But to throw thousands of them away just so one man could settle his well-dressed arse on a throne? Useless. Unforgivable. And if Dougal ever saw Charles, he'd tell him so to his bonny wee face.
“Hey,” he heard from his right side a few feet away. “Help me, man.”
Dougal consulted the stabbing pain in his neck before twisting to see the source of the voice. The man lay nearby and looked to be about the same age as he, with a dark complexion and straggling brown hair pasted to his face. Dougal didn't remember having seen him before, but there had been so many of them it wasn't too much of a surprise. What was one man out of thousands?
“Aye, sir. How do ye fare?” Dougal asked.
“Och, I've the most terrible itch on my nose. Ye dinna think ye could help me a wee bit wi' that, could ye?”
Dougal stared at the man, whose expression was dead serious. For a moment, Dougal was speechless, then he burst into laughter, feeling his lip split with the effort and his head pound in renewed agony. His laughter was an unexpected sound, and a few others glanced over to see what was up.
Still laughing, Dougal said, “We're the lot of us trussed like turkeys, probably set to be hangit, an' ye're fashed about a wee itch on yer nose?”
“Aye, I am,” the man replied indignantly. “I canna reach it.”
“No, I dinna suppose ye can,” Dougal said, trying to stem his laughter. “An' how am I to manage it then?”
“I've no idea. But 'twould be a blessin' if ye'd figure it out.”
Dougal snorted, then, with a flick of one black eyebrow, agreed to try. He rolled to his right side and used his heels to shove his own body, bit by bit, closer to the man. When he was a foot away, he spoke again.
“Ye'll have to do the rest, man. Bring yer damn neb here,” he said. “I canna reach farther.” He wiggled his swollen fingers in illustration. They tingled with strangled circulation from within their rough bindings.
He heard the shuffling of a body behind his, then felt the strange pressure of the man's nose moving against his fingers. Dougal couldn't help himself. He started to giggle. The man behind him moaned with relief.
“Ye're a godsend, man,” he said. “That was killin' me.”
“That was killin' ye? Well, if that's all, then ye're better than most of us. That is one of the strangest things I've ever been asked to do,” Dougal said, still smiling. “All done?”
“Aye, I am. Thanks very much.”
The men rolled onto their stomachs, though Dougal would have greatly preferred to lie on his back. If only their hands had been tied in front. The man beside Dougal gave him a friendly smile and what would have to suffice for a nod.
“John Wallace,” he said. “Yer servant, sir.”
Dougal returned the smile. “Dougal MacDonnell. Good to meet ye as well.”

Caroline: Oh, that brings back the eerie feeling I had when I visited Culloden Moor. Where can readers find your books?

BUY LINKS

Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Heart-Genevieve-Graham/dp/0425247341/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347975008&sr=8-1&keywords=sound+of+the+heart

Amazon.ca:  http://www.amazon.ca/Sound-Heart-Genevieve-Graham/dp/0425247341/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347975361&sr=8-1

Amazon.co.uk:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Heart-Genevieve-Graham/dp/0425247341/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347975394&sr=8-2

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sound-of-the-heart-genevieve-graham/1104879013?ean=9780425247341

Chapters http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Sound-of-the-Heart-Genevieve-Graham/9780425247341-item.html?ikwid=sound+of+the+heart&ikwsec=Home

Also available in e-books

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

MORE ABOUT GENEVIEVE

Genevieve: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenevieveGrahamAuthor
Website: www.GenevieveGraham.com
Blog: www.GenevieveGraham.com/Whats-Going-On.html
Twitter: GenGrahamAuthor

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

NEWSLETTERS!

Genevieve: Please sign up for my monthly e-newsletters at www.GenevieveGraham.com

Caroline: And for mine, too! To sign up for mine, click on the white square on the sidebar, the one with many of my covers in a circle. That will take you to a form, which you fill out and submit. Then you’ll recive a verification email. Click and you’re signed up for prizes, contests, and to learn of new releases.

REST OF GENEVIEVE'S TOUR

Dec 11 - Bunny's Reviews/review and interview

Dec 13 - Bookworm Lisa/review and guest post

Dec 18 - Promiscuous Diva/guest post

​Dec 18 (2nd stop) - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit/interview

Dec 18 (3rd stop)- Journey with Books/review

Dec 21 - Black Lion Tour Blog/wrap-up

Thanks for stopping by!

MORGAN K. WYATT SHARES UNDERCOVER REBEL

Please welcome Morgan K. Wyatt to A Writer's Life today.

Morgan K. Wyatt

Morgan as a child had to suffer through movies with clueless heroines rescued by smart men. Her mother dutifully read her stories where princesses waited for princes to jumpstart their lives. There were no proactive female role models in the media at that time, with the exception of Wonder Woman. It is for this reason, and that it is fun, Morgan writes about strong women going after what they want.

​​
Learn more about Morgan at: http://www.morgankwyatt.com
​Twitter: morgankawyatt@morgankwyatt 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Morgan-K-Wyatt/160636730670958?ref=hl

TOP TEN LISTS

Morgan has shared two of her Top Tens Lists with us. Morgan, let's begin with your Top Ten Favorite Authors:


Arthur Conan Doyle
Edgar Allan Poe
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Ray Bradbury
Nora Roberts
Mark Twain
Jane Austen
Rosamunde Pilcher
Harper Lee


Excellent choices, and most are my favorites, too. What are your Top Ten Favorite Books?

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN
THE BIOLOGY OF BELIEF
THE BLACK STALLION
BLACK BEAUTY
GONE WITH THE WIND
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
THE HOBBIT
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
CHARLOTTE'S WEB
MARTIAN CHRONICLES

Introducing Morgan K. Wyatt’s UNDERCOVER REBEL, Rebel Hearts, Book One, and . . .

Tour Giveaway! 

One book and one $5 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter at each tour stop. Be sure to leave your email address to be included in the giveaway.

UNDERCOVER REBEL Synopsis

Emily Sewell couldn't remember when she fell in love with her neighbor, Gray Masterson. He unfortunately didn't really notice her as a woman until the eve of his leaving to fight in the Civil War. A magical evening ensued with him asking her to wait for him. News that he's been killed on the battlefield propels her into action. She knows he is alive - she just has to find him. The only thing between her and her true love is miles of swampland, a major war, and her own doubts. Emily wrestles with Gray's possible death, imprisonment, or that he's unwilling to return to her.

Can a sheltered Southern Belle navigate the horrors of war to retrieve her fiancé? Emily is willing to try.

UNDERCOVER REBEL Excerpt

“All the Sewells are good looking. It’s commonplace to hear your family mentioned as one of the most comely of the county.”

Emily’s heart took a nosedive like a crow spying a piece of corn. Sure, she heard they were a comely family, but never thought much of it. Comely could mean there were no hunchbacks or cross-eyed cousins. She’d thought perhaps he only commented on her, especially wearing the green satin. No, such praise was too much to hope for.

“Hey there, sugah, what’s with the long face?” Gray raised his hand to place two fingers under her chin, tilting it upwards toward his gaze.

His unexpected action caused her fingers to loosen on her fan and it slipped from her hand. He called her sugar. Mother would hate it and call it common, inappropriate at any time. If only she could grab the word, the look in his eyes, and the feeling inside her, and wrap it, all in cotton batting to store away like a precious keepsake. If only this moment, wait, his lips moved, could it get any better?

You’ve always been a delightful sprite following your brother and me around. Townsend called you a nuisance, but I never minded. Your high spirits, your curiosity, your courage always impressed me.” Gray ended with a wink.

“It did?” Emily squeaked. She didn’t sound like the belle of the ball. More like her nine-year-old cousin than a femme fatale.

Maybe Eileen could get her money back on the potion. Still, Gray called her beautiful, winked at her, and touched her. So far, he brought to life almost every one of her romantic daydreams, except one. His face grew larger. Oh my, he was going to kiss her. Her heart beat double time, making it hard to breathe. Inadvertently, she squeezed her eyes shut, but opened them again, not wanting to miss a second.

Voices getting closer broke through Emily’s rapt contemplation of Gray’s lips. Whirling, tugging on his arm, she urged him down the gravel path. “Let’s check out the gazebo down by the river,” she commented, hoping Gray could read her unspoken message. The gazebo stood isolated at the edge of the property.

As they walked, greeting people casually, Emily worried Gray wouldn’t kiss her at all. Her skirt bumped against an azalea bush, scattering the deep pink blossoms and releasing their fragrance into the air. Maybe he wasn’t going to kiss her. Maybe she imagined it all. What would she say to Gray? How could she extract herself from this embarrassing situation?

A woman they passed teased Gray about how handsome he looked in his uniform. Shaking off her internal monologue, Emily spotted the offender, Elizabeth Anne, and bestowed upon her one of Eileen’s specialties - the gimlet glare with the smug smile.

Elizabeth stumbled back a step, obviously interpreting the message correctly. The potion just kicked in, people thinned out, and they managed a few more steps without any interruptions. The gazebo with its fresh coat of white paint gleamed like a beacon. Gray walked by her side in a companionable silence. What was he thinking? Looking up at him, furrowing her brow, Gray laughed and dropped a kiss on her brow.

Without thinking, she said, “You kissed me.”

“No, not a kiss. I was just trying to smooth out those worry lines in your forehead. Would you like for me to kiss you?” Waiting for her response, his eyes twinkled.

“Oh yes,” Emily sighed the words, giving voice to her most ardent wish. Gray swept her into his arms, causing her to stumble backwards. He only held her tighter. His lips swooped down on hers. My goodness his lips were soft, yet firm. He smelled so good. The sandalwood aroma wrapped around her along with his arms. The length of his muscular body pressed up against hers, causing her hoop skirt to bell out behind her.

The kiss ended too soon. Staring into Gray’s darkened eyes; the thought of another kiss drew her up on her toes closer to his lips when voices rounding the path corner caused them both to move apart.

Emily murmured under her breath. “Damn people.”

It must have been loud enough for Gray to hear because he laughed and attempted to cover it with a cough. Angling his head in her direction, away from the approaching people, he winked, mouthing words she couldn’t quite make out. He turned to greet the group of people.

Joseph Calhoun stepped forward in his Confederacy uniform and began pontificating about the strength of the Southern States. Emily caught the eye of Virginia Hammer, who looked supremely bored with her beau’s choice of topic. She’d probably heard Joseph’s impassioned speech more than a few times already.

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Undercover-Rebel-ebook/dp/B009AYSA22/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354670753&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=Morgan+K+Wyatt+Undercover+Rebel

The Remaining Tour

Dec 7 - A Bookish Libraria-The Bookish Dame Reviews/guest post
Dec 11 - Chanting of Muses/Top Ten's List
Dec 14 - Black Lion Tour Blog/wrap-up

Also Available from Morgan on Amazon:

REBEL BRIDE, Rebel Hearts book two

Eileen Sewell sparks plenty of gossip by spiteful matrons and their horse-faced daughters that she’d find herself alone due to her picky ways. Of course, she didn’t believe them. Then again, she also didn’t expect to be a mail order bride either. It wasn’t easy snagging a husband who hadn’t heard about her willful nature. Eileen finally gave up hope of finding love, and decided to settle for whatever she’d find out west. If that wasn’t lowering enough, she’d just witnessed the first train robbery. Unfortunately, the outlaws saw her too. Enter Marshal Colt Sheppard, who excels at extracting information from reticent witnesses. His crooked smile and broad shoulders won’t charm her. She’d played this game before, only she never had a worthy adversary. Talk about bad timing.

To be included in the giveaway, remember to leave your email address with your comment.

To be included in the drawing for my KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY on December 14th, sign up for my newsletter by clicking the white square on the sidebar and filling in your name and email. Then click the link you'll receive by return email, and you're all set.

Thanks for stopping by!

MY NEXT BIG THING (I HOPE), BLUEBONNET BRIDE

Authors love to talk about what we are writing, what we have written, and what we plan to write. We long to share these character cramming our heads. When I was tagged multiple times for THE NEXT BIG THING, which is a blog post about the author’s work in progress that the author hopes will BE his or her NEXT BIG THING, I was pleased. Yay! Any excuse to talk about what I'm writing!

Susan Macatee at http://susanmacatee.wordpress.com and Kevin R. Tipple, Kevin’s Corner, at http://kevinrtipple.blogspot.com tagged me, and Anna Kathryn Lanier, Chatting With Anna Kathryn Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats, at http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com also tried. In turn, I’m tagging 3 of my friends whose links are at the end of this post.

So, what’s my NEXT BIG THING? Here are my answers.

What is the working title of your book?

BLUEBONNET BRIDE

BLUEBONNET BRIDE cover
Man on horse from iStock Photos, Background photo by Nelda Liles

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea came as a trilogy about three brothers, the Men of Stone Mountain Trilogy. BLUEBONNET BRIDE is the third of the series and is about the eldest brother, Sheriff Joel Stone.

What genre does your book fall under?

Western romance historical with a lot of mystery thrown in.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

This is really hard because my characters appear in my head and they don’t look like anyone but themselves. The closest I could get would be a young Tom Selleck, maybe as he appeared in “Quigley Down Under,” and Nicole Kidman as she appeared in “Australia.” Choosing someone for the cover was difficult because none of the available models looks like my mental picture of Joel Stone. I chose the closest from an iStock photo and then used a background shot of bluebonnets taken by my friend Nelda Liles of Plano, Texas. Nelda took the photo last April while driving along the Ennis (Texas) Bluebonnet Trail.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

He is a by-the-rules lawman and she has escaped from jail and a murder charge.

Heroine Rosalyn

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

BLUEBONNET BRIDE will be self-published in e-book and print. I hope it will be available by the end of the year.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Still writing. If life would leave me alone and quit interfering, I’d have the book finished by now. Usually, writing a book takes me three to four months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Books by Jacquie Rogers, Peggy Henderson, Celia Yeary, Paty Jager, Jodi Thomas, Caroline Fyffe, Linda Broday, Joan Johnston, Linda Lael Miller, and Linda LaRoque. Also I compare BLUEBONNET BRIDE to several of my other books: BRAZOS BRIDE, HIGH STAKES BRIDE are the first two Men of Stone Mountain books; THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is the first of the McClintocks; THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, and THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND are the first two of the Kincaid series.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired by a trip to the pioneer Belding-Gibson Ranch a county or two west from where I live. Not only is the ranch beautiful, but the owners preserved the original cabin their ancestor found deserted when he arrived in 1859. They have incorporated it into their home as a bathroom. There are many things about this ranch that set my heart pounding, many things lovingly preserved. Fortunately for me, I bought Barbara Belding Gibson’s book PAINTED POLE, which is about the ranch’s history, to keep details fresh in my memory.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Anyone who loves westerns, romance, mysteries, and American-Victorian novels. And hunky heroes who collide with beautiful feisty heroines. Books that include kids and dogs. Books that end with a happily-ever-after.

Lucy and her dog

BLURB ABOUT BLUEBONNET BRIDE

When a tornado provides Rosalyn with the opportunity to escape the gallows, she collects her young daughter and flees. They travel far enough West that Rosalyn believes she’s gone to the ends of the earth. She hopes she and Lucy will be safe in the remote North Texas town of Radford Springs, and she establishes herself as a seamstress. If only she could avoid contact with people, especially the sheriff. He pops up every time she turns around. She fears either she or her formerly-quiet-but-now-chatterbox daughter might slip and reveal too much.

Joel Stone has been content with his life, even if it’s not the one he’d dreamed. He’s proud of his two younger brothers, who are married and living nearby. He's grateful his aunts, his only other living relatives, have moved to Radford Springs. He takes pleasure in knowing he is respected for a job well done. When he meets the new widow in town, his instant attraction staggers him. She appears uninterested, but he is determined to win her hand in marriage. He’s even starting to think of Lucy as his daughter.

But life doesn’t turn out the way either Rosalyn or Joel planned. Can Joel save Rosalyn from the gallows?

EXCERPT FROM BLUEBONNET BRIDE 

The set up is that Rosalyn is to be hanged on the gallows outside her cell window the following morning for a murder she did not commit.

Rosalyn looked at Lucy’s drawing. Her daughter’s simplistic art showed a woman and little girl holding hands in a garden. How many times had she and Lucy walked among her plants, admiring the blooms and the butterflies attracted to the flowers? Rosalyn sank to her cot and sobbed not caring if the sheriff heard.

The wind picked up and a gust fluttered the paper in her hands. Lightning flashed and rain blew through the open window. Rosalyn moved to the other cot across the narrow cell. At least the rain didn’t hit her there.

The sky grew darker and clouds developed a greenish cast. Fine hairs on Rosalyn’s arms prickled and raised. A peculiar sulphurous odor surrounded her.

“Sheriff, the sky looks ominous, like a tornado is coming.”  

Sheriff Boudreau glanced up but didn’t rise from his chair. “Naw, too early in the year for a cyclone.” He went back to reading his newspaper, which is what he did most of the time as far as Rosalyn could tell. Either the man memorized the stories or he was the slowest reader ever born.

Dust and debris blew through the window and swirled around the cell. A horrific sound reached Rosalyn’s ears, like a freight train roaring toward town. She’d never been in a tornado, but she recognized the vibration from descriptions she’d heard. Instead of just dust and paper, now debris flew from between the bars. A tin can hit her forehead with such force she fell back against the wall.

“Take cover,” yelled the sheriff and he hit the floor in an attempt to crawl into his desk’s kneehole.

Her cot was bolted to the concrete floor, so she crawled underneath. The rumble grew louder, shaking everything. Rosalyn clung to the cot’s legs with white knuckles. Air whooshed from her lungs and she fought to breathe.

Winds sucked at her skirt so hard she thought her clothes would be ripped from her body. Holding on to the metal bed legs required all her strength. Swirling debris pummeled her and she closed her eyes against the sting. With a powerful crash, the roof flew away and the wooden jail walls collapsed inward. The noise nearly deafened her and her ears popped. At last, the only sound was thunder.

Cautiously, Rosalyn clawed her way out from her hiding place. Clouds of dust rose through the rain and she coughed. Her mouth tasted like mud. Only rubble surrounded her. In addition to jail’s cell bars, the storm had deposited debris from who knew where. No telling where her shawl was. A roof beam lay across her bed.

If not for the sturdy metal frame, she surely would have been crushed or blown away. Rain drenched the town and she heard cries as people called for loved ones and friends. Darkness hung heavy, broken only by flashes of lightning. She inched her way across the littered floor in a crouch, climbing cautiously over obstacles.

Lucy! She had to make certain Lucy was all right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These three authors below will name from three to five people to whom they’ll pass THE NEXT BIG THING about 12/10/12:

Linda Banche, And Her Historical Hilarity http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/

Linda Broday www.PetticoatsandPistols.com

Autumn Jordon, AJ’s Notes http://autumnjordonsnotes.blogspot.com/

Kindle Fire Giveaway

7" LCD Display, Wi-Fi, 8GB

Thanks to readers who have purchased my books and kept at least one of my titles in Amazon's top 100 western romances. You are my heroes! That's why I'm giving away a KINDLE FIRE on December 14th to one lucky subscriber to my newsletter. If you haven't already subscribed, you can sign up for my newsletter at the right to be entered in the December 14th drawing for a KINDLE FIRE. After that, my occasional newsletters will include frequent other contests, giveaways, and news of my future releases.

Thanks for stopping by!

THE SALACIOUS MARNY OTTWILER BY BRIDGET STRAUB

After several years of living life in the fast lane, bestselling novelist Marny Ottwiler vows to take control of the chaos that has invaded her everyday existence. This proves to be easier said than done. Over the next year she rides a roller coaster of experiences that are chronicled in hilarious detail. Follow along as she navigates through fame, family, friendships, and the writing of her next blockbuster series of books. Oh yeah, and the choice she has to make between two loves.

TOUR GIVEAWAY!

One copy of the book and a $5 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.

INTERVIEW WITH BRIDGET STRAUB 

Caroline: Where did you grow up?

Bridget:  I grew up in the Berkeley side of Oakland Calif., the 4th of 5 kids born in 6 years! Although I was never a super jock, I was a bit of a tomboy, trying to keep up with my brother who was only a year older. He was the only boy and stuck right in the middle of all us girls.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Bridget: This is strange for a writer, but I am not an avid reader. I was, and still am of course, dyslexic and letters have a tendency to move around when I read. It takes extraordinary concentration, so a book really has to interest me to keep me reading. That said, I really enjoyed “Mr. Maybe” by Jane Green and have read several of her other books. I also really enjoyed Ann Rice’s “The Witching Hour”, but more often than not I read autobiographies.

Caroline: Everyone in my husband’s family, including our daughters, has dyslexia. I guess they’ve learned to compensate, because they read avidly. My husband’s uncles didn’t read much, though.  What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

Bridget: The best is snuggling with my girls, watching a sitcom. I also like to draw, but really when I think about it, just getting to write something as fun as Marny Ottwiler is incredibly recharging.

Caroline: Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Bridget: The one that always comes to mind is, “Isn’t fun the best thing to have?” as said by Dudley Moore in the original Arthur movie.

Caroline: My youngest daughter and I frequently quote the “Oh, you’re only a hedge” when we trip or bump into something. Loved the movie. How long have you been writing?

Bridget: My earliest real memory is of being eight years old and writing antiwar poems. While my mom was concerned that I was depressed, I was just thrilled that I had gotten across a feeling of despair.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Bridget: I’m usually sitting on my bed, pecking away on my laptop. I love music and have it playing almost all of the time, but I am not one of those people who can ignore conversations, so I could never write in a coffee shop etc.

Caroline: Me, either. I’d be listening in case a choice piece of dialogue or character study was nearby. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Bridget: Total panzer and I love it. I never know what is going to happen next but I can’t wait to find out.

Caroline: Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Bridget: Not usually, but in a future release, “IF BY CHANCE”, the opening scene is based on a Christmas spent with my sister and her husband, so they became the inspiration for the aunt and uncle in the book.

Caroline: Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?

Bridget: I get really cranky if I don’t get to write every day. It doesn’t have to be a set number of words, but unless I am in a serious crisis I will be writing.

Caroline: Life just doesn’t feel quite right unless we can write, does it? What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Bridget: Entertainment, an occasional laugh (or many more with this book) and characters that are real and relatable.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Bridget: I have tons of plans! I have written a musical with the very talented Laura Hall (best known for her piano skills on “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?”), and I want to see it produced and enjoyed by the masses. I have several more novels both completed and in the works and I would love to see my books turned into films. Lastly, I have several ideas for TV series.

Caroline: A musical? I’m impressed. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Bridget: All of the above!

Caroline: What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Bridget: If you have a book that you know is good and ready to be published, then just go for it. Traditional publishing takes years, and for some people that’s fine, but I don’t have the patience for it.

Caroline: My sentiments exactly. What’s a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you?

Bridget: I’m left-handed and proud of it!

Caroline: Oh, my, left-handed and dyslexic. What’s something about you that would surprise or shock readers?

Bridget: I don’t drive. It goes back to that whole dyslexia thing.

Caroline: In Texas where everything is spread out and public transportation is iffy, one has to drive or stay home. So, I drive hundreds of miles a month. Is your book a series? Family saga, other?

Bridget: All of my books have a strong emphasis on family. The only series I have is IF BY CHANCE. I have completed the first book, am almost done with the second and I’m certain there will be a third.

Caroline: Tell us something you learned researching your book that surprised/interested you.

Bridget: This will confuse you until you read the book but I learned where the saying “have a field day” came from. It’ dates all the way back to the 1700s.

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

Bridget: Only that I hope they enjoy Marny as much as I do!

AN EXCERPT

“Salacious novelist Marny Ottwiler has checked herself into the spectacular Meadow House Retreat, best known for its celebrity clientele and exclusive acreage in the mountains above the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California. Sources close to the beautiful, yet flighty Ms. Ottwiler insist she is simply researching her next book and does not suffer the chemical dependency that has been rumored, nor has she had a breakdown due to her recent affair with up-and-comer Kyle MacDonald, which appears to have ended her short-lived marriage to the ruggedly good looking action hero, Andrew Morris. As you may recall, she has also been linked to numerous other heartthrobs, most notably British rock star Malcolm. No word yet as to when we can expect her next bestseller, but it promises to be a doozy!”

Malcolm put down the paper and looked at me, raising his brow while trying to conceal his amusement. He was dressed in torn jeans and a t-shirt he must have outgrown by the time he was twelve. His hair was its usual carefully disheveled mess, falling dangerously close to his eyes and over his collar. He was tan from his recent vacation on his private island in the Caribbean, and his green eyes were piercingly clear.

 I shrugged. “I have a good publicist.”

“Who, not that hideous little gnat of a Nazi, Karla with a “K?”

“Exactly,” I smiled.

He moved closer, dropping the paper next to me on the unmade bed, where I was sitting in little more than a tissue thin t-shirt and my most comfortable, although admittedly disgusting, sweats. It wasn’t just that they were old and spaghetti stained, but also I had been wearing them every day for the past three weeks. My normally honey-colored and highlighted hair hung limply around my face, roots exposed, and I had been crying before his arrival, so no doubt my lids were rimmed in puffy redness. Still, as he sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder, he had the courtesy to tell me I looked beautiful as always.

“You are such a liar,” I smiled.

“Well, yes, clearly. In all honesty you look perfectly wretched, but one can only handle so much truth when in as delicate a state as you are.”

“Thanks for sheltering me.”

“My pleasure.”

“Is it?”

“Who wouldn’t want to spend their day comforting a damsel in distress, housed in some luxury mental institution for the wealthy and spoiled? Especially when the aforementioned damsel is as lovely as you. Would it be out of the question that you might one day soon burn this ensemble?” he asked, motioning towards my clothes.

“I’m trying to blend in with the other depressed, drug addicted, self -mutilating, over indulged inhabitants. It’s all a part of my research.”

“One does have to admire your dedication,” he smirked.

It was at that moment that my roommate, Deany, entered the room, and upon seeing Malcolm, immediately began hyperventilating.

“You’ve met before?” I teased, getting up to close the door before she alerted the powers-that-be to the fact that I had a boy in my room, as that was a big ‘no-no’ here.

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,” Malcolm smiled, offering his hand.

Deany waved her hands and let out a little shriek as I handed her a brown paper bag, and suggested she breathe into it. She did so, never taking her eyes off the rock star in the room. The rock star who returned his attention to me, asking how long I’d be here “researching”.

“I’m hopeful that I can finish up quickly,” I told him.

“Do you need anything while you’re here?” he asked.

“Some vodka would be nice.”

“Ahh, yes, I remember you have a fondness for that, don’t you?”

I wanted to ask him why he was here, but I knew he wouldn’t be capable of giving an honest answer. A common thread I was coming to learn, among all of the men in my life. Instead, he stood up and said he should be going. He walked over to the window, pushed it open, blew me a kiss, and then jumped down to the grass below. Deany passed out.

In an effort to give full disclosure, I must admit that it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that I may have developed a slight dependency to certain inebriants. A breakdown over the likes of either Kyle McDonald, or one Andrew Morris however, is sheer madness, and grounds for a lawsuit. Kyle is a nineteen year old pretty boy, who couldn’t act his way out of a bag, and Andrew, well, the jury is still out. Suffice to say, I never would have spent more than ten minutes with Kyle, had Andrew not been so gaga over his leading lady in “Rescue at Midnight”.

My thought process at the moment is like this. All of that is in the past, and what I must deal with now is a book that is long overdue. Tabitha, my editor, is calling me hourly requesting new pages. Pages I have led her to believe I have, but which, in fact, are all blank. Merely a white lie, right? I have the paper. Here’s the thing, though, the book is half - finished, and yet I’ve somehow managed to delete it. Now of course Tabitha has the first eight chapters, but do I want to admit that not only have I lost it, but I can’t remember any of it because I was less than sober when I wrote it? No, I do not. Do I wish to start the whole thing over again? No, I do not. Do I have a clue as to what I am going to do next? I’m thinking about a nap. “When in doubt, run away”. That has become my new motto. I learned it from Malcolm. You might recall he’s just jumped out a window. Not the first time, nor will it be the last time that he does so.


THE SALACIOUS MARNY OTTWILER is available in Print and E-book here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bridget-Straub/e/B006KEG0KE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Bridget Straub

Bridget Straub is an author, artist and mom who has been writing for as long as she can remember. When she’s not blogging at http://bridgetstraub.com she is painting or spending time with her family.THE SALACIOUS MARNY OTTWILER is Ms. Straub’s third novel. Also available, ON A HOT AUGUST AFTERNOON and SEARCHING FOR MY WAND.

Find out more about Bridget Straub here:

Website Link:  http://bridgetstraub.com  

Twitter: @bridgetstraub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridget.straub?ref=ts&fref=ts 

TOUR STOPS

Nov 19 - Black Lion Tour Blog/Introduction
Nov 21 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit/interview
Nov 23 - Laurie''s Non-Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews/Interview
Nov 26 - Melissa's Midnight Musings/Guest Post
Nov 29 - MK McClintock Blog/Guest Post
Nov 30 - Caroline Clemmons Blog/Interview
Dec 5 - Romance Meets Life/ Top Ten List
Dec 9  - A Novel Idea Live/Live Interview Airs 1:00 PM MST
Dec 10 - A Novel Idea Live/Guest Post
Dec 11 - The Bunny's Review/Top Ten List
Dec 13 - My Devotional Thoughts/Guest Post and Review
Dec 14 - Black Lion Tour Blog/Wrap Up

SNEAKING IN A THEME FOR READERS

Me, very embarrassed

I am supposed to have a blog today on "The Next Big Thing," but I must postpone. Most sincere apologies to my friend, author Susan Macatee, who tagged me with this opportunity.

Once again, life interfered in a big way. I’ll share "The Next Big Thing" on December 3rd.

In the meantime, you can find Susan at her excellent blog, http://susanmacatee.blogspot.com.

THEMES AND UNIVERSAL TRUTHS

Writers use universal truths to create stories that entertain. True, most of our stories hold moral lessons. We champion the good in men and women, and punish the shallow and senseless.  Not that the lessons can be obvious. Nope, we hope to sneak them in when readers are concentrating on the plot. ☺

While I try to vary plots with each book, my books tend to have several common themes: redemption, good defeats evil, love overcomes obstacles, and characters achieve personal fulfillment. But I don’t want readers to dwell on them, other than to sigh with relief when love conquers all, the broken heart is healed, the hardened heart cracks and welcomes love, characters achieve fulfillment, and those obstacles blocking characters’ happiness have been defeated. What I desire is that readers fall in love with my characters and think of them as real people, as they are in my mind, and want to read my next book. Nothing makes an author happier.

One of my most popular books, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE, dealt with good triumphing over evil. Often evil doers believe themselves above the law and unconquerable. In my books, those people are always caught...eventually. I wish that were always true in life, but it sometimes happens. Let’s go with that, shall we?

THE IDEA SOURCE

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. The idea for the book came from a tiny kernel in the form of a story my grandmother once told me about a girl in her hometown who quit school because of all the rumors and teasing she was forced to endure. Although my grandmother didn’t know what happened to the girl, I wanted the poor girl’s story to end well. Each of us deserves happily ever after, right?

If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you know there are no secrets. Sometimes a person with evil in his heart forgets that fact and does terrible things to conceal a fact everyone already knows.

Texas Rancher Drake Kincaid
back from his cattle drive

BLURB FROM THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every paper in the country, he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is fine with him. His parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday to retain his Texas ranch, not that he marry well. He vows that on his trip east to buy horses, he will find the most unsuitable woman possible, marry her, and leave her in town with his grandfather. And no one--including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous provision--could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. He's angry when he sees how beautiful she is without her shabby disguise. And then he realizes a generous soul shines from her startling eyes.

Pearl Parker

Pearl Parker has raised her two half-siblings, Sarah and Storm. She conceals her beauty with a drab disguise as she sells her baked goods in town and uses her herbal healing skills to call on the ailing. Until recently, Pearl was able to protect and care for her family. Now vandalism and rumor threaten and have her eager to escape from their tiny Tennessee village and she's not certain how long the declining sheriff can protect her family. When Drake Kincaid proposes and agrees to take her siblings with them to Texas, she accepts. She falls in love with the handsome rancher, but refuses to let anyone push her around or aside.

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love--with a breathtaking dose of passion--will make their marriage a true romance.

EXCERPT FROM THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE

Set up: Drake and Storm have returned from a cattle drive where they sold Drake's cattle as well as the herds of several elderly ranchers. When he arrives at the home of his grandfather, her learns that Pearl isn't there and that she moved to the ranch. He didn't stop to hear the rest of his aunt's explanation before he bolted for his ranch:

On the road, he slowed his horse and tried to think. Storm had been right, Pearl apparently got fed up with Lily. Why hadn't he seen it?

Maybe he should have made different arrangements for her before the cattle drive. Damn, it looked like a man could depend on his wife waiting for him. All she had to do was just bide her time. How hard could that be?

When the ranch house came into view, he slowed even more. It looked different.

Storm saw it too. "Things been fixed up some."

Drake noted the gate now hung straight, bright flowers bordered the walk and porch. A bushy fern stood on the porch near the rocker he liked to use of a summer evening. He dropped the reins over the hitching post and bounded up the steps. The door opened before he could reach it.

"Señor Drake, how wonderful you are home.” Maria beamed her cheerful smile at him. "Señora Pearl will be so happy."

Inside the front door, Drake stopped in his tracks. Three people sat on a bench in the foyer, a bench that hadn't been there when he left. As he entered, they stood and nodded their heads in respect.

The eldest, a man he recognized as Vicente's father, spoke. "Welcome home, Señor Jefe, Chief. Your trip went well?"

"Yes, very well. Vicente brings our remuda and men back. He and the rest of the men will be home soon.” Feeling as if he overlooked an important factor here, he asked, "Is there something I can do for you?"

The three shook their heads in unison. "No, Señor Jefe. We wait for La Curandera."

Maria hastened forward. "Señora Pearl has helped so many with her medicines. People come from all over the county to see her. She lets them wait here until she can see them."

Storm said, "She likes to help people. Pearl's real good with her healing."

Close to snapping, Drake spoke slowly and clearly, "Maria, where is my wife?"

Surprise showed on the housekeeper's face. "Why, she is still in town at her restaurant, of course."

Hoping he hid his own surprise, he said, "I see.” But he certainly did not see. Not at all. What restaurant?

Still beaming at him, Maria continued, "At this time she's serving lunch to her customers. You can find her there, but she usually comes home about four with Señorita Sarah. Shall I find lunch for you and Señor Storm?"

"Yes, please.” Storm said.

"No.” Gesturing to his brother-in-law, he said, "You go ahead, Storm."

"Señor Storm, my Carlotta will find food for you if you will go into the kitchen. Or, you could come with us to see the changes in your home. Come, let me show you the many things Señora Pearl has done for you.”

Maria tugged at his arm, leading him on a tour of his own home with Storm trailing along. "You see how she has used the pieces stored by your family to make this place welcome you. She has worked very hard.”

He took in the rugs on the floor, the additions to the furnishings. He noticed little things like the placement of serving pieces on the buffet that used to sit in his mother's dining room--until she hired that fancy decorator.
Drake had always liked that old furniture better than the ornate stuff the decorator ordered from all over the world. He wandered through the house taking in the changes as Maria chattered on and on reciting Pearl's virtues.

In the door way of his study, he stopped dead in his tracks. The old rocking chair made from cattle horns stood waiting beside his desk. Though wood comprised the rockers and supported the thickly padded seat and back, a craftsman had used matched pairs of horns to form the legs, arms, splats, and a decorative fan across the top.

Maria smiled and patted his arm. "Ah, I knew that would please you."

"I thought Mother had it burned.” Although he and his father loved that chair and laughed about the eccentricity of it, his mother had called it an abomination and refused to have it in her house.

Maria adopted her inscrutable mask. "It is possible Miguel misunderstood her. He stored it in a barn with other old furniture and covered it with heavy cloth to protect it." She shook her head. "Then, it seems, he forgot about it. But Señora Pearl found it. Oh, she laughed and laughed when she saw it."

"She--she laughed?"

"Oh, sí, yes. She said it was perfect for a rancher's home. I told her how you used to sit in it when your feet were barely long enough to touch the floor, how you would laugh at your longhorn chair.”

Damn. Who would have figured her laughing? Just like he and his father had. Who could understand the woman?

Storm sat in the chair and gave a push to start it rocking. The boy had a silly grin on his face. With a shake of his head to clear his brain, Drake turned and left the room.

BUY LINKS

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is Book One of the Kincaids, and is available in Print or e-book from Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/MOST-UNSUITABLE-WIFE-Kincaids-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338514599&sr=1-7

Smashwords in e-book at
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/37683?ref=CarolineClemmons.

Nook at
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/most-unsuitable-wife-caroline-clemmons/1101709833?ean=2940011212437

Thanks for stopping by!

YOUNG ADULT PARANORMAL - WISTERIA

Title: Wisteria

Author: Bisi Leyton

Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Date of Publication:  Aug 2012

Number of pages: 275

Cover Artist: Olivia Smith

Wisteria by Bisi Leyton:

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

Praise for Wisteria:

“I love the buildup of this story, getting to know the characters and watching their connection grow. I had no idea which way the story was headed and I was kept in suspense right up to the very end! It has plenty of action and a fascinating plot and I can’t wait to see what Bisi Leyton has for us next!!” 

~ Naomi Hop 

“There are a lot of great things in this book, so much more than zombies and a struggle for survival. At it’s base core it is about star-crossed lovers, literally and the supporting characters roles… Ms. Leyton brings to Wisteria a mixture of science fiction, fantasy, dystopic world with a twist to the paranormal romance angle!”

~ Cabin Goddess

“The book was full of nonstop action from the beginning until the end, and I did not put it down until I had finished it. I loved the book.” 

~Author Monique Morgan

Purchase:

Lulu * Amazon * Smashwords

Excerpt:

As she walked back to the ridge of the roof, Bach’s heart went with her. Someone had tried to hurt her. Tried to damage what belonged to him, and who he belonged to.

He started to feel dizzy from the volumes of strangle weed planted in the front of her house.

“Thank you so much for coming and for the guitar. It’s perfect.” She gave it back to him.

“No, it is yours, Wisteria.” He refused to take it. “Do you not like it?”

“No, I love it. It’s so beautiful.”

“Then keep it.” He kissed her neck. Knowing—hoping—his touch would soothe her pain, but he hadn’t come here to comfort her.

“Bach.” She used her instrument as a shield as she moved away from him. “It’s a bad idea. You won’t understand.”

“You are right. I do not get why you would refuse something you apparently love,” he whispered while rubbing her forearms and taking in her scent.

“If I accept your kindness, then I’ll have to face the consequences. I don’t know if I can face those.”

“You cannot face accepting my kindness, or is it accepting me that you cannot face?”

“Um…?”

“Tell me that you do not feel the same,” he whispered. “That the moment you first saw me that I did not get inside your head. Tell me that you do not think about me all of the time when we are not together?”

The dark-eyed girl did not answer.

Wishing he could will her to speak, he pressed her against his chest. Briefly, he noticed a black spot at the base of her neck, where he had kissed her, and then it was gone. “Okay, Wisteria. Then tell me that you want me to leave, and that you do not care if you never ever see me again.” He felt like someone else was speaking for him, once again. The questions became pointless as he found himself still planting kisses along her neck and the sides of her face.

“I can’t tell you that, Bach,” she replied softly, her voice breaking. “Because it’s not true.” She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly.

Desperately wanting to kiss her luscious-looking lips, he leaned into her.

Wisteria reached up to him, tugging his head down as she stood on the very tips of her toes, seemingly just as eager to taste his lips.

“Wisteria, I cannot.” He broke away before it happened. “I do not want this.”

* * * * *

Wrapping her arms around herself, she moved away from him. Once again, humiliated and feeling foolish. “Goodnight, Bach!” She strode angrily to the side of the roof in order to climb down.

He grabbed her and held her back

The guy came here just to tease her, yet again! Didn’t he know he was hurting her? Didn’t he care? “I’m tired of all this nonsense. I’m actually tired and need some sleep. I’m done with this. All of this!” She should’ve left the roof when she saw him appear. “Let go, so I can go.”

“Wisteria, it is not that.” Exhaling heavily, he released her. “My people could kill you if they knew I wanted you.”

This wasn’t at all what she’d expected him to say. “What?”

“I am in love with you. I do not know why, but I am. And it is selfish, because I just want you for myself.” Sadness filled his eyes as he spoke.

“Why would they do that to me?”

“Because you are human and because we see humans as Terran, or dirt people.”

“And you believe that too? So why are you here, living among us, if we’re so disgusting?”

“You are not disgusting. You are beautiful.” Rubbing his temples, he seemed troubled and bewildered. “I came to Terra as a rite of passage. To be considered a man, to take a journey and experience the wild.”

“The wild?”

“I chose Terra, or Earth, because I came here as a child. Your people treated me so badly in the past. When I learned about the Nero disease, I wanted to see your world.” He paused. “You were right when you said there was something wrong with me.”

“Bach, it cannot be that bad.” Stepping up to him, she stroked her fingers along his biceps.

The sweet motion made him smile at her, but he still looked distressed.

“Like about Garfield, you let him live with you. And now you’re here with me.”

“You are not like the rest.”

“Neither are you. You’re not so cold and cruel like Enric or patronizing like Felip. They think they’re better than us. You just hate people because you’re a jerk, Bach.”

“Ha.” Bach laughed. “A jerk?”

“You’re a big jerk.” As the final word rolled from her lips, he kissed her.

She was stunned for a second. His lips tasted like a strange, tantalizing spice.

He squeezed her against his larger frame and rested his right hand on the small of her back.

She fidgeted, unsure about what to do with her hands. She tried to kiss him back, but she struggled because she was so short.

FIRST GIVEAWAY: $100 Amazon Gift Card through December 5th

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SECOND GIVEAWAY For a Kindle Fire on Bisi's blog until November 30th

http://bisileyton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/new-kindle-fire-giveaway.html

Kindle Fire Giveaway Details:
Bisi is currently running a Kindle Fire giveaway on her blog until November 30, 2012
To enter - Visit Bisi's Blog

Author Bisi Leyton:

Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.

She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.