Thanks for stopping by! For this leg of the blog hop I'll be introducing you to The Parting Gift. My first publishing venture, co-written with Rachel Van Dyken and originally published by Astraea Press (now CleanReads.com).

Here's the blurb:

Blaine Graham lost his mother when he was the tender age of eleven. Grief over the loss drove a wedge between him and his father, and soon proved too difficult for him to deal with. At the age of sixteen, he falsified his papers and made the trip across the border into Canada with his best friend to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and enter the war in Europe as a pilot. Ten years later Captain Graham finds himself flying commercial jets in Boston – his estranged father and his past life all but forgotten, until the day he receives a telegram from his dying father asking him to come home.

The persistent Mara Crawford, a live-in nurse, has experienced her fair share of loss as well. Her attachment to Blaine’s father drives her desire to bring reconciliation between the two men before time runs out for her patient. But her best laid plans didn’t include falling in love again.

Check it out at: Amazon         Barnes&Noble

Enter the giveaway in the margin. Have a wonderful day!
Please check out the next link in the blog hop.

A to Z: Books

All-Time Favorites:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.

But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go.

A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.


Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.

Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Ender's Game is the winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

The Seduction of Sebastian St. James by Rachel Van Dyken

When the angelic Duke of Tempest, Sebastian St. James, appeared unexpectedly at his boyhood friend’s home, he had but one goal: Find a suitable wife as soon as possible. However, his impeccable reputation made him a prime target for ambitious mothers of debutante daughters. He needed a plan.

Help came in the form of an unlikely alliance with Miss Emma Gates, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy viscount, who has deemed herself on the shelf, and only wants to marry in order to appease her parents. Together they could sort through the mire of would-be mates to find their perfect matches. That is, if they could keep their hands off each other long enough to pursue likely candidates.

When a man from Emma’s past makes a play for her hand, the truth about her life threatens to destroy Sebastian’s reputation, a reputation he has carefully guarded since his youth. In the end, the Angel Duke has to make a choice that will end up changing his reputation forever.


Back to the A to Z Challenge List

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

FROM THE COVER:

When a call for paws goes out, five friends bring their collies without question to a friend’s house. They learn the collies are needed to help seven children with the grief of losing a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan. Now, with seven friends, four collie yearlings and their mother, they set out to help the children.

Not far away, a mother hopefully leads her seven puppies to safety from a man intent on selling them for illicit purposes.

By a miracle of fate, the two mother collies find each other right before the man sells the puppies.

That Christmas morning will be one the children will remember all their lives as they are united with the puppies.

*****

Wanna be in the drawing for this book? Just leave a comment below with a way to get a hold of you. I'll draw a winner at midnight and post the result on tomorrow's giveaway. Be sure to come back again tomorrow for another 12 days giveaway!

Twelve Days of Christmas

I love the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Every year the school I work in does a door decorating contest based on a theme. The year this song was the theme, my class's door took first prize! We did a bunch of research on the meaning of each gift and took pictures of the kids representing each thing. It was awesome.

Ever wonder about the traditions the song was based on? I do. Anyway, I decided to look it up.

Traditionally, the twelve days of Christmas began on Christmas day and ran to Twelfth Night (January 5th). Apparently, the different orthodox churches developed their own versions of how to celebrate the twelve days. So some of them end it on the 5th of January, and others end it on the 6th with the Epiphany. A lot of people tend to think it ends on Christmas Day, because that is the end of the American Christmas commercial season.

If you're interested in finding more information, I got mine from Wikipedia and Holy Trinity.

I have never celebrated the twelve days of Christmas before. But is seems like one tradition I should be incorporating. I know my kids would love getting a present a day twelve days in a row! Wouldn't you?

To that end, I am planning twelve days of gifts here on my blog. Every day between December 25th and January 5th I'll post about a different book and offer it free to a reader, chosen by a random drawing each day. To be eligible just leave me a comment with an email contact (I won't save the info. Just need it to let you know if your name is drawn). But be sure to come back each day to enter again. Should be a wild ride!

Be Sure to Check It Out

Goodreads Book Giveaway

All We See or Seem

by Leah Sanders

Giveaway ends September 29, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Spotlight: J. Andersen

J. Andersen

author of At What Cost

It is my pleasure to host J. Andersen today. I've been reading her recently released book, At What Cost, and started to think I'd like to know a little more about the author and her inspiration for the story. For those of you who haven't read it yet, I'm a little ways into it and am loving it. J. Andersen is a talented writer, and she graciously consented to answer a few of my questions.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Abortion has always been an issue on my heart, so when I started praying about a topic for a book I felt compelled to write, abortion came to mind. At first, I resisted. I didn’t think I was qualified enough to write something of that nature, but I was given a lot of resources along the way.

As for writing a book itself, I was reading a ton of what my students were reading. I fell in love with YA and kept thinking that I could write something like what I was reading…so I did. J

One of the fringe benefits of being a secondary English teacher! Love it!

How did you come up with the title?
I didn’t.  I’m great with chapter titles, but I couldn’t think of a title to save my life. It had a bunch of different names, none of which worked until one of my former students, Rachael, gave me “At What Cost.” The funny thing is, she doesn’t remember this. J

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

That there’s always another option. I think people tend to jump into decisions based on which one would cause the less pain or which one would be the easiest in the long run, but that’s not always the best choice. Sometimes, going through the hard stuff makes us better people.

That is a very important lesson to learn. Your character had to make a grown up decision but only had the experience of her youth. But I totally agree with you, adversity builds character.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I always think so when I’m not looking at the manuscript, but every time I was given the chance to change stuff during the editing process, I’d look at it, expecting to change all sorts of stuff, but I’d end up not changing a thing. Maybe some wording here or there, but I think the story is really where I want it to be.

That's a great feeling as a writer. And what you ended up with is amazing!

What are your current projects?

I’m working on one called THE UNVIABLES. Actually, I’m working on the second in a series of THE UNVIABLES, but the second doesn’t have a title yet. It’s a YA dystopian. In the first story, Kate—who’s studying to be a creation specialist—discovers that The Institute where she lives and works is breeding humans with unapproved DNA, which means the biological parents have no idea they have children. If something doesn’t go quite right, the fetuses are disposed of. Add in a sexy lab partner and a bunch of rebels from the hidden community trying to take down The Institute and you have the ingredients for chaos.

These sound awesome. So much could happen in a plot like that.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Plotting the rough draft. I’m working on a book right now and I find myself procrastinating all the time. When I do write, I’ll write a sentence or a paragraph before I’m distracted. Once I have my rough draft, I’m golden. I excel at tweaking, editing and revising.

You sound a lot like me. Maybe it's another fringe benefit of being an English teacher. We do tend to spend a lot of time tweaking and editing and revising... occupational hazard. ;)

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I think Laurie Halse Anderson would be among my favorites. Her work is so real and she doesn’t shy away from tough topics. She presents them in a way that is approachable for the average teenager and gives those who’ve been through similar experiences something/someone to identify with.

Thanks for hanging out with me today, J. Andersen! I enjoyed getting to know more about the author behind the book. Want to find out more? You can check out J. Andersen's website, like her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

Now here's a little more about At What Cost:

During her junior year, sixteen-year-old Maggie Reynolds expected to shop for prom dresses not maternity clothes. Now, instead of studying for the SATs, she’s reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Maggie’s ‘Mother Dearest’ lives in fear that Maggie will somehow taint the family name, so Maggie can’t turn to her for help. Meanwhile, her father is oblivious to anything but his 9-9 job. And her boyfriend, Justin?  She’s pretty sure he’ll stay by her side.

While Maggie wrestles with her options, Justin offers a solution: abortion. It would solve all her problems quickly, easily, and effectively. And her parents would never know, which means they won’t throw her out and cut her off like they’d always threatened if she got herself knocked up. But an easy decision becomes difficult when Maggie’s aunt discovers her secret and sets out on a mission to stop the abortion, putting a kink in Maggie’s plan. Now Maggie must decide which choice she can live with: abortion or teenage motherhood. Either way, it’ll be a tough road to travel.

Interested? You can pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or Astraea Press for only $2.99. Check it out!

As another special treat, here is an extended excerpt from the book (Thanks, J. Andersen!):

“You’re pregnant?” It was a harsh half statement, half question punctuated with clenched teeth.

“Wha—?” Maggie was too shocked to realize what had happened, but when she looked back to where she stood, she spotted a sheepish looking Lauren mouthing the words, “I’m sorry.”

“Ugh.”

“Well, are you?” His grip on her tightened.

“Justin, you’re hurting my arm.”

He let go and motioned for her to sit with a quick thrust of his hand toward the table, but his eyes revealed his anger. He was furious, but then she saw a hint of fear hidden behind his golden irises. In those moments, she was five years old again, the day she’d broken her mother’s favorite vase. Her mother had loomed over her, drilling her for information. Pointed and yelled. This time, it was Justin.

“Are you, or aren’t you?” His eyes crinkled, his brow furrowed, and a deep crease appeared on his forehead. Trying to control his reactions proved to be impossible, and soon, his leg bounced under the table, and he wiped the nervous sweat on his palms off on his jeans.

This still wasn’t the place to talk. The cement walls of the school were beginning to feel like a jail cell; anywhere she went, Maggie felt trapped.

“Can we talk about this after school?” Maggie said, trying to be assertive.

His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists. “No, we can’t. If you’re pregnant, I need to know.”

This wasn’t how she had pictured it. She was supposed to plan the conversation and the place. Definitely not in the corner of the cafeteria with people walking by who might hear her secret, a secret she hadn’t decided how to handle. Thank you so much, Lauren!

Justin grabbed her wrists from across the table. “Maggie, it’s a simple yes or no question. Are. You. Pregnant?”

She could feel the rage rolling off him in waves, and she knew stalling was not an option.

“Yes.”

The silence grew louder, and Justin didn’t move. He stared at her, his eyes shifting across her eyes in a quick staccato. She didn’t know she could feel so uncomfortable, so she tried to ease that discomfort by looking away. When she met his gaze again, he glared at her, not saying a word. He never spoke. Not when he let go of her wrists, not when he got up from the seat across from her, not when he left the room.

Not a single word.

Friday Favorites: In the Classroom

In honor of a new school year beginning (hmm... that's an ironic statement), I am going to give a couple of recommendations from the pile of books I have taught during my illustrious career.

Part of the deal with teaching is you have to teach some books whether you like it or not. Core curriculum requirements and all that. Luckily, once in awhile you do like it. A couple of my all-time favorite books to teach and read again and again (and make no mistake, when you teach it, you do have to read it over and over and over) are Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury -- the movie does not do it justice -- and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

COVER BLURB:

Ray Bradbury’s internationally acclaimed novel Fahrenheit 451 is a masterwork of twentieth-century literature set in a bleak, dystopian future.

Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden.

Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But then he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television.

When Mildred attempts suicide and Clarisse suddenly disappears, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known. He starts hiding books in his home, and when his pilfering is discovered, the fireman has to run for his life.

COVER BLURB:

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel—a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice—but the weight of history will only tolerate so much.

One of the best-loved classics of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many dis-tinctions since its original publication in 1960. It has won the Pulitzer Prize, been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie. It was also named the best novel of the twentieth century by librarians across the country (Library Journal). HarperCollins is proud to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the book's publication with this special hardcover edition.

Both of these books are rife with meaning, drama, and a look at the human condition. Loads of stuff to dig through in both of these. That's probably why they make such amazing fodder for English class.

Friday Favorites: A Lot Like a Lady

Probably one of my favorite Regency romance books is A Lot Like a Lady by Kim Bowman and Kay Springsteen. It's a relatively new release (March 2012). They do such a good job with their characters and developing the relationship between them. The research that went into the story is evident too. Funny situations and humorous secondary characters. Love this one! Not gonna lie, I've read it more than once. Can't wait for the sequel to release!

COVER BLURB:

Ladies’ maid, Juliet Baines has gotten herself into a pickle by agreeing to go to London and taking the place of her mistress and best friend, Annabella Price, stepsister to the Duke of Wyndham. After all, what does a servant know about being a lady? But Juliet soon finds that pretending to be a lady isn’t nearly as hard as guarding her heart against the folly of wanting a man who’s completely out of reach.

Graeme "Grey" Roland Dominick Markwythe, Sixth Duke of Wyndham, approaches his duties as a nobleman with great dedication and meticulous care. And he’s a man who is not easily fooled...except when he tries to convince himself he's not utterly and madly in love with the beautiful imposter who has turned his life upside down. Will society and his responsibilities to his noble status keep him from opening his heart to the woman he loves?

Friday Favorites: River of Time

One of my new favorite series: River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren. I've had these books sitting on my TBR pile for several weeks and just got around to them a few days ago. Gotta say, I read one a day. Couldn't stop. Seriously. They're that good.

BLURBS:

Waterfall (Book 1)

While most American teens would kill for an Italian vacation, the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. And they’re not happy to be back. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds…until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century. Gabi emerges in the middle of a dream–or nightmare?–with hot Italian knights in a fierce battle. And so begins her quest to return home…while wondering if she wants to at all.

Cascade (Book 2)

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Fiorentini will go to great lengths to see them dead. But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

Torrent (Book 3)

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.   But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In this suspenseful installment of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

There are two companion novellas that go along with the series (Bourne and Tributary). They are waiting on my Kindle as we speak, up next! Can't wait! :)

Summer Reads

Thanks for stopping by! The giveaway for Summer Reads is All We See or Seem, a sci-fi romantic suspense and a $15 Amazon or Barnes&Noble gift card. See below to take your chance.

COVER BLURB:

Gryff’s orders lay unopened on the table.

The silent tension caused Gem to bite her lip. She tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear and shifted uneasily in the chair. Wide-eyed, Gryff sat stiffly beside her, regarding the envelope. He was like a statue—hands on his knees—staring interminably at the table.

Finally, Gem cleared her throat. Gryff jolted as if in a daze and turned to look at her. A look of uncertainty hung in his eyes. She swallowed the dry, sticky taste in her mouth and reached for his hand. It felt cold…clammy. Gem could feel the faint tremor of his fear radiating through his fingers. She took Gryff's hand between her own and squeezed, trying to infuse heat and reassurance at the same time.

"Sometimes they come back," Gem's voice was barely a whisper. It was a feeble attempt, but she was grasping at straws here.

Everyone knows.

They don't come back. Never whole, anyway.

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Back to the linky list.

Sweet Saturday: The Deal

“If I do not take you back—there is only one alternative,” Elias choked out. He glanced at Jaime’s expression. She knew. And she had done it on purpose. He cursed under his breath and looked out the window.

“What is your alternative, monsieur?” she prodded. Oh, she was good. Jaime had not exaggerated her ability to get her way. He should have been furious with her gall, her presumptive nerve—but he could only smile. Jaime Pepiot had clearly orchestrated the entire situation.

When Elias didn’t answer right away, he felt her move from the other side of the carriage to the seat next to him. The warmth of her body radiated against him, making him fully aware of her nearness. “Monsieur?” she asked again, putting a small gloved hand on his arm. He glanced down at her hand, the white glove against his dark traveling suit. Then his eyes traced up the line of her arm to her face until his gaze met her eyes. But she was staring at his lips.

“We shall have to marry, mademoiselle.” He watched her eyes for sign of distress, but her gaze was unwavering. “Today,” he added, still waiting for her reaction.

“Then that is what we shall do, monsieur,” she whispered.

“Does it not bother you that I am nothing more than a servant of the sultan’s brother?”

“No.” Jaime’s eyes met his, a gaze which seemed to bore into his very soul. “It wouldn’t matter if you were the slave of a servant.”

She slowly raised her hand to his face and caressed his cheek. Elias closed his eyes and opened them again slowly, fixing his eyes on hers. Taking her hand in his, he kissed her fingertips lightly, then released her hand and clutched her shoulders, pulling her to him. Her hands slid up his arms to the back of his neck.

When their lips met Elias knew. He knew that this is the way it was meant to be… from the beginning of time.

Favorite Recent Reads

Just a look at three of my favorite recent reads:


The first is The Redemption of Lord Rawlings by Rachel Van Dyken. The hero in this story was a villain in the first two in the series, and the way the author made him not only salvageable, but also a hero you could really admire and root for, is amazing. Not too many authors can pull that off.

COVER BLURB:

Phillip Crawford, the eighth Earl of Rawlings and notorious rake of the ton, has come to the end of his rope. Out of money, out of favor, and out of luck, he wanders the streets of London in the rain, hoping to be hit by inspiration...or a runaway carriage. Something has to give. It is his father's final cruel trick to hold his inheritance just out of reach, requiring him to marry by his next birthday in order to claim his full rights as earl. His step-mother refuses to offer him any more support. With no money, no prospects and no other place to turn, he has only two options:

Marriage or debtor's prison.

The better choice seems clear enough, but with his name and reputation being attacked daily in the society papers, there's not a proper lady in all of London desperate enough to accept him. It isn't going to be easy, even if the reports of his exploits and rakish lifestyle are greatly exaggerated.

On the other hand, debtor's prison does start to look much more appealing when the only friends he has left decide to help him in his search for the perfect bride. Matters become much more complicated when the only woman who shows an interest in him just happens to be the young sister-in-law of the Duke of Tempest; the same man who, just months ago, had been tempted to kill him.

One thing is for certain, as the Season draws to an end, Lord Rawlings will have to decide once and for all, if his wicked ways are enough to bring him contentment in life, or if a leopard really can change his spots. Or in Phillip's case—can a devil truly be redeemed?

BUY LINKS: Amazon       Barnes&Noble     Astraea Press

The Fairy Godmother Files: Cinderella Complex by Rebekah L. Purdy became an instant favorite. Incredible voice. Great dialogue. Fun characters. Can't wait for the next installment!

COVER BLURB:

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Winters can’t think of anything more exciting than junior year. There’s her first prom to look forward to, she can drive, and most important Connor Prince has finally noticed her. But unfortunately so has the school snob, Katrina Melville, who goes out of her way to make Maggie’s life a living hell. If that’s not enough, Maggie’s grandma has decided to retire, which doesn’t seem like such a big deal. That is until she finds out her grandma is a Fairy Godmother, and not just any Fairy Godmother. The Fairy Godmother, as in Cinderella, pumpkins, and mice. And she has informed Maggie that she’s next in line to become the new Fairy Godmother.

At first Maggie is excited, the whole getting wings, flying (or rather trying not to crash), and a wand that lets her grant wishes. It’s like being a superhero, without all the action, explosions, and spandex. Then she gets her first assignment, Katrina Melville, her nemesis. And if that doesn’t make her want to poof herself into oblivion, she finds out that part of Katrina’s happily-ever-after is Connor Prince. Life is so unfair. Even worse, she can’t tell her two best friends about any of it and they’re getting sick of her disappearing acts. Then there are the dangerous creatures, called Grimms who will stop at nothing to keep the happy endings from being fulfilled, even if it means destroying the Fairy Godmother responsible. With time running out, Maggie has to make this wish come true or it will ruin the fates of everyone involved, and open the world to darkness beyond imagination. Maggie will soon find out what it truly means to be a Fairy Godmother—and it isn’t all about princes, gowns, and wings, but something much more.

BUY LINKS:    Amazon     Barnes&Noble     Astraea Press

The third is Saphyre Snow by Marcia Lynn McClure. Love the way the friendships develop between Saphyre Snow and each of the men of the keep.

COVER BLURB:

Descended of a legendary line of strength and beauty, Saphyre Snow had once known happiness as princess of the Kingdom of Graces. Once a valiant king had ruled in wisdom--once a loving mother had spoken soft words of truth to her daughter. Yet, a strange madness had poisoned great minds--a strange fever inviting Lord Death to linger. Soon it was even Lord Death sought to claim Saphyre Snow for his own--and all Saphyre loved seemed lost.

Thus, Saphyre fled--forced to leave all familiars for necessity of preserving her life. Alone, and without provision, Saphyre knew Lord Death might yet claim her--for how could a princess hope to best the Reaper himself?

Still, fate often provides rescue by extraordinary venues, and Saphyre was not delivered into the hands of Death--but into the hands of those hiding dark secrets in the depths of bruised and bloodied souls. Saphyre knew a measure of hope and asylum in the company of these battered vagabonds. Even she knew love--a secreted love--a forbidden love. Yet it was love itself--even held secret--that would again summon Lord Death to hunt the princess, Saphyre Snow.

BUY LINKS:        Amazon      Distractions Ink     Barnes&Noble

Sweet Saturday: Treacherous Conditions

The heart in Elias’s chest dropped into his stomach, instantly nauseating him. What treachery was this?

His first thought was to stop the driver and have him turn back directly. Perhaps the baron had not noticed his daughter’s absence yet. It was still early, after all. Chances are he hasn’t yet discovered Elias was gone. Sitting up abruptly, he reached to pound on the front wall to demand the driver’s attention.

A piteous plea stopped him in mid-air. “Wait!” He could hear her struggling to free herself from her entanglements under the seat. In one fluid movement, Elias relocated to the other side of the coach and reached for her hand to help her up. Breathlessly, she begged again as she pulled herself onto the seat, “Please, monsieur.” Her eyes were wide and frantically shifting around the coach.

Elias could do nothing but stare at her in evident horror. His mind raced with the ensuing consequences. Surely, the lady knew what her deceit would mean for them. Her father would assume he had taken her. There would be nothing he could say to prove his innocence. Unless he returned her before her absence was noted, all was lost. He opened his mouth to insist on going back, but Jaime’s whispered appeal cut him off.

“Monsieur Talb, please don’t take me back. I cannot marry Seigneur Dubois. I promise I will take my own life if I am forced into such a marriage. Take me to Paris—I’ll find a ship to take me to England or America.” Tears were already streaming down her face. The sight of them turned his resolve to mush.

“Once again, mademoiselle, your impetuous behavior has endangered us both. Do you realize what will happen to us if we are found together?”

Her eyes flashed at him, and in spite of her tears, Elias thought he saw the light of willful strategy, as if she knew exactly what she was doing. But she was a woman, how could she devise such a scheme? Her gaze held his as she spoke. “It could not be worse than what would happen if I had stayed behind.”

Elias sat in silence, processing her words. Her behavior was so forward, so unexpected. First, sneaking to his room in the still of the night, and now stowing away in his carriage to escape to Paris in the company of a man she hardly knew. His initial impression of her intelligence seemed off base. Unless—she had intimated to him her ability to make her father believe certain decisions were his own.

“How did you know I would leave this morning?”

“I saw it in your eyes last night. You are an honorable man as I said. I knew if you were telling me the truth about how I affect you, you would not consent to escorting me—in order to flee from temptation.”

“And so you believed the best course of action would be to hide in the carriage of a man who admittedly cannot guarantee the safety of your virtue with him?”

“I am depending on this man’s honor.”

“Mademoiselle, this man’s honor requires—my honor will not allow me to travel alone with you under these conditions.”

“Conditions, monsieur?”

“We will be traveling for several days.”

“Is it the days which are bothering you, monsieur?” She tilted her head and blinked her long eyelashes slowly, directing her gaze back at him. “Or is it the nights?”

Three Favorites

I have always loved reading, but I am far from voracious. For one thing, I am kinda slow at reading. I'm told it's because I read every single word. I can't help it. If I skip something, it bothers me and I have to go back to make sure I didn't miss anything.

I know. OCD much? We'll just put that on the resume' as attention to detail. ;)

Anyway, I like a variety of genres. It comes in handy when teaching middle school kids, when I have to suggest books to people with a variety of tastes. Here are some of my favorites:

Ender's Game (this is a series, and each subsequent book is better than the last) by Orson Scott Card. This is the first science fiction book I ever read. My English professor when I was a junior in college suggested it to me. I love the way the author builds the future world in need of  a hero, a hero who is only six years old.

Here's the blurb:

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.

But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway almost as long. Ender's two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. While Peter was too uncontrollably violent, Valentine very nearly lacks the capability for violence altogether. Neither was found suitable for the military's purpose. But they are driven by their jealousy of Ender, and by their inbred drive for power. Peter seeks to control the political process, to become a ruler. Valentine's abilities turn more toward the subtle control of the beliefs of commoner and elite alike, through powerfully convincing essays. Hiding their youth and identities behind the anonymity of the computer networks, these two begin working together to shape the destiny of Earth-an Earth that has no future at all if their brother Ender fails.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is another of my favorite books. An Old West rendition of the Book of Hosea in the Bible, this love story has meanings on multiple levels. Francine Rivers is an amazing writer.

Here's the blurb: 

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. 

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. 

Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw. 

But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go.

Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley is one of the books I have read recently that I just fell in love with (and while I'm on the subject, the second one in the Angeleon Circle series is amazing as well). Henley's storytelling, characters, and the development of the setting create a thing of beauty. Love this!

Here's the blurb: 

The stranger’s cloak had fallen back, and with it, a long, white, blood-stained wing.

When Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of a stranger in the temple courtyard, age-old legends recited in song suddenly come to life. She discovers wings on the stranger, and the murderer takes the shape of both a hawk and a man.

Angels. Shape-shifters. Myths and stories—until now.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without settling an ancient debt—the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.

Thanks for letting me share some of my favorites with you! I would love to know about your favorite reads. Anything you recommend as can't miss?

Fairy Tale Hop

Who doesn't get a little thrill when they hear the words "Once upon a time..." The four little words that set the stage for the "Happily Ever After" we all know is coming. And that's really the whole reason you start reading a book. Especially a book about a fairy tale. We look forward to that ending that makes everything better. The ending that sees the evil stepmother, the big bad wolf and the wicked witch get what they deserve. The ending that sees the hero ride in on his white horse just in time to save the damsel in distress. We want good to triumph, and we just can't get enough of it!

But what would the fairy tale be if not for the villain? After all, it is the trials of life that make the princess into the sweet, prudent, deserving person she is. If she never experienced any hardship, but was given all the privileges of royalty, she would become a spoiled prima donna and no one would like her.

So my top three most evil fairy tale villains?

3) Maleficent of "Sleeping Beauty". Her reasons for mistreating Princess Aurora have nothing to do with the princess herself. In fact, she is just feeling left out (can you say P.M.S.?), so she puts a curse on a newborn infant. I mean, WHO DOES THAT!? And talk about carrying a grudge...SIXTEEN years? Chick has issues.

2) Cinderella's Evil Stepmother. This woman probably does the most psychological damage, since she inflicts a whole childhood of verbal and emotional abuse on the poor orphaned Cinderella. And when it appears that Cinderella may be able to escape her life of servitude and find some joy in her adult life (forget the fact that she's going to be in therapy for years to come), the bitter old woman has to strip her of that too by locking her in her room. I realize a lot of parents fantasize about locking their teenage daughters in their rooms, but somehow I don't think the woman was just trying to protect her virtue.

1) The Evil Queen/Witch in Snow White. Motivated by envy alone, her plan is to murder an innocent girl simply because an enchanted mirror (hear voices much?) told her the girl might end up being prettier than her. And she doesn't stop with the first attempt. Nope. And with each consecutive try, she gets more and more creative. Someone should tell this lady that outer beauty fades with age, but that attitude is a perpetual turn-off. It happens. Accept it. Certainly ain't worth killing someone over. Well, at least she left a little loophole to offer a sporting chance. That true love's kiss sure is a life saver!

For the giveaway on this portion of the hop, I have a book with a new twist on the traditional fairy tale. The Fairy Godmother has to create a happily ever after for the villain. Check out the back cover blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Winters can’t think of anything more exciting than junior year. There’s her first prom to look forward to, she can drive, and most important—Connor Prince has finally noticed her. But unfortunately so has the school snob, Katrina Melville, who goes out of her way to make Maggie’s life a living hell. If that’s not enough, Maggie’s grandma has decided to retire, which doesn’t seem like such a big deal. That is until she finds out her grandma is a Fairy Godmother, and not just any Fairy Godmother. The Fairy Godmother—as in Cinderella, pumpkins, and mice. And she has informed Maggie that she’s next in line to become the new Fairy Godmother.

At first Maggie is excited, the whole getting wings, flying (or rather trying not to crash), and a wand that lets her grant wishes. It’s like being a superhero, without all the action, explosions, and spandex. Then she gets her first assignment, Katrina Melville, her nemesis. And if that doesn’t make her want to poof herself into oblivion, she finds out that part of Katrina’s happily-ever-after is Connor Prince. Life is so unfair. Even worse, she can’t tell her two best friends about any of it and they’re getting sick of her disappearing acts. Then there are the dangerous creatures, called Grimms who will stop at nothing to keep the happy endings from being fulfilled, even if it means destroying the Fairy Godmother responsible. With time running out, Maggie has to make this wish come true or it will ruin the fates of everyone involved, and open the world to darkness beyond imagination. Maggie will soon find out what it truly means to be a Fairy Godmother—and it isn’t all about princes, gowns, and wings, but something much more.

To qualify for the random drawing, leave a comment below and let me know which fairy tale villain you think is the worst. I'll notify the winner on May 2nd.

As long as we're on the topic of fairy tales...I'm looking forward to the release of Rachel Van Dyken's London Fairy Tale Series, kicking off with a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty called Upon a Midnight Dream. Release date coming sometime in May. Check out Rachel's blog for excerpts and updates!

Back Cover Blurb:

Rosalind Hartwell is dying, plagued by a sleeping sickness which could strike her at any moment. Even in the middle of a ball as she meets her betrothed for the first time. But it isn't any wonder. Her family has fallen under a curse, and until she marries the barbaric duke, her family will have to pay the fatal consequences.

But Stefan Hudson, the Marquess of Whitmore and future Duke of Montmouth, has spent far too much time on a deserted island and has forgotten the proper way to woo a woman. Between his wicked good looks and his sinful manners, Rosalind doesn't know if marrying him would be any better than living a life under the terrible curse.

The threat of impending death has a way of making one see things in another light, however. So the real question is will Stefan and Rosalind come to an understanding in time to save her and her family from a dreadful fate?

Sweet Saturday: Trial and Error

Already Bridget was relieved her aunt had taken ill that afternoon. Since she was unable to accompany her to the dinner party, Bridget had come with her dear friend Gemma Reynolds. The freedom from her aunt’s heavy-handed scrutiny of Bridget’s every move, as well as the lack of formal dancing, gave Bridget liberty to avoid hiding in corners from unwelcome attempts at forcing her to participate.

She sat chatting with Gemma and her brother, waiting for the entertainments to begin. Gemma was slated to play the piano forte later this evening after dinner, a talent that escaped Bridget, but she did enjoy listening to her friend’s mastery of the instrument.

Bridget had known Gemma for many years. Many times they had been mistaken for sisters, because their hair was the same brilliant shade of crimson—though Bridget had often wished she could trade her wild insubordinate curls for a satin smooth mane like Gemma’s.

Ever since her mother’s death and Bridget had come to live with her father’s family in London—though the man himself had abandoned both Bridget and her mother when she was but a child—Gemma and Bridget had been in constant company and loved one another like sisters. But Gemma’s aspirations were toward marriage nowadays, so her subjects of choice in conversation held little interest for Bridget.

Therefore it was little wonder that Bridget was only half-listening to the discussion of the announced betrothal between Count Belvedere and Miss Violet Jasper, when her friend stopped talking mid-sentence and anchored her gaze on the archway behind Bridget.

“Sweet heavens…Sin just walked through the door,” Gemma whispered in ironic reverence.

As Bridget twisted in her chair to see what was affecting her friend so, Gemma rested a hand on Bridget’s to stay her, stopping her from turning wholly around.

And something in Gemma’s urgency caused Bridget to stiffen in purest dread, when her friend added, “Oh! I may swoon! He's approaching us!”

“The devil you say!”

“He comes at this very moment!”

If the sudden chill prickling along her spine was any indication, Bridget was certain that the Sin her friend was rendered paralyzed by at this moment was none other than Viscount Maddox, and he stood directly behind her, a beautiful smile spread across his smug face. How did he know she would be here? Well, she was not going to gift him the satisfaction of knowing she could sense his presence. That would be just what he wanted.

“Holy Moses, no man should have a smile like that,” Gemma said just under her breath.

Bridget rolled her eyes, but had to grudgingly agree. His smile could melt the ice off a polar bear’s tail.

"Lady Bridget, a word?"

Gemma’s mouth gaped, betraying her shock.

Bridget stood before turning around, giving herself time to steel her nerves against the onslaught of his overwhelming male ego. At least he came by it honestly. The viscount truly was carved like a Greek god. But she had no intention of allowing it to affect her. She has other interests—other pursuits, and—

“My buttons, they make a handsome couple,” Gemma’s brother said loud enough for all to hear. Gemma jabbed him in the ribs with a deep frown.

How does one unring a bell?

“Ah, Lord Maddox. Speak of the devil and he appears—what an unlikely surprise.”

“You were speaking of me?” His beguiling smile stretched wider across his marble features.

“Hmm…if I recall correctly, we spoke of sin, and yes, I believe the devil was mentioned.” His smile waned to its usual irritating level. The golden corona of his brilliant green eyes seemed to catch the candlelight and sparkle at her. No. Bridget wouldn’t let him convince her. She was no trophy to be won. Why wouldn’t he just leave her alone?

Leprechaun Luck

LEPRECHAUN LUCK:

ROMANCE DWELLS WITHIN A HEART OF GOLD

Blog Hop Tour

March 23-25

 

 

I have always loved rainbows. They are probably the most colorful things found in nature.Whenever one crops up around here, I grab my camera and run out to capture the phenomenon. And of course, if you're lucky enough to capture a double rainbow...well, that's a good day.


Rainbows are the subject of old wives' tales, myths, legends and beliefs. There is the ever-popular pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow, the path Iris (the messenger of the gods) takes when travelling between Mt. Olympus and earth, and of course, the symbol of the promise that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood.


That's what I want to discuss. The rainbow as a promise. A promise of new beginnings. There's nothing quite as promising as a beginning.


The beginning of the school year for me means a new group of students to get to know. And with that the promise that this will be the best year yet. One year on the first day of school, I had the pleasure of waking up to a double rainbow hanging in the horizon. It was an optimistic omen.



A wedding holds a promise of wonderful beginning of a life with the one you love.


The dawn each morning brings promise of a new day. And I am reminded of Anne Shirley's (from L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables) assessment of a new day, "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"


Another wonderful new beginning is the start of a book. There are so many possibilities when you sit down to read that first line. 


I love the first lines of some books. They set the stage for what is to happen. A promise of an amazing adventure the author will lead you on.


Consider some of the most famous first lines of Western literature:


It was a pleasure to burn. ~ Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. ~ The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Call me Ishmael. ~ Moby Dick by Herman Melville

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a good wife. ~ Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... ~ A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. ~ 1984 by George Orwell

The first lines in books are the rainbows of good reading. Here are the first lines from my books.

Sacred Ring: “Your Holiness, there has been a development at the Saint Hippolytus catacomb site.”

The Parting Gift: David Graham stood over his wife’s grave while the minister prayed.

Waltzing with the Wallflower: “Do you think it best to fight your brother so deep in your cups?” Wilde asked a foxed Ambrose.

All We See or Seem (w.i.p.): His orders lay unopened on the table.

What are your favorite first lines?

Leave a comment for me with your contact information for your chance to win a $10 gift card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble and a copy of your choice of Sacred Ring or The Parting Gift.

The winner will be chosen at random, notified, and posted on March 26th.

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Friday, March 23rd, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

THIS TOUR ENDS: Sunday, March 25th, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

Winners will be drawn and posted Monday, March 26th!

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR & BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

***Authors & Book Pages have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

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