by Sarah | Jan 25, 2014 | Books, Changing Tracks, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m still keeping you all intrigued with the beginning of the series [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks (The Dominion Falls Series book 1)[/amazon_link]. You know, my amnesiac with the eidetic memory, Jane Doe…and the brothel-owner, anti-hero…Cole Mitchell.
Skipping ahead again. Jane/Clara was not the person killed last week…but I’m afraid I can’t tell you who. Jane has actually managed to rescue the boys and ended up under the dubious protection of Clara’s husband (Jane’s soon-to-be-ex-husband), David…who has to re-set Jane’s broken ankle thanks to her rescue attempts:
The hum of David’s voice lacked solid form. Whatever he said swam through her head without making sense. She caved to the pain moments later, slipping into welcome black. Another sharp spike of pain brought her back.
Colors danced before her eyes when she blinked them open and a quiet groan escaped. “That hurts.”
“Really? I thought it tickled.”
*For once, no creative punctuation was used. Can’t guarantee as much for future installments 😉
*~*
Did you like this sample, too? You can pick up the whole series now!!
*~*
*~*
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Jan 24, 2014 | All About Denver, The Teenager
As a teenager, Denver refuses to get his picture taken…So this post is a nearly identical repeat of the last two years and chock full of embarrassing baby photos in hopes he’ll let me get some NEW pictures to use. Happy birthday, brat. 😉
Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail; but man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly.
~Ivan Turgeney
Sixteen years ago this minute, as I was in labor, I still thought he was a girl. The ultrasound said girl. Everyone said girl.
My dreams said boy.
My morning walk to induce labor I stopped not at the girls clothes rack, but at the tiny little suits, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the teensy little ties.
After three false labors I was forced to sit in the hotel room my Mom had reserved until I “Finally” stopped screwing around and gave birth already. (For the record, Denver was only 1.5 hours “early” for his due date.) When my contractions were finally 3 minutes apart, my mom called my OB, who then demanded to know why we waited. She, in her dry and sarcastic glory informed him that she wasn’t about to take me in if I wasn’t going to actually have the baby.
And so Denver made me a parent. With his perfectly round head and surprise appendage that made him decidedly NOT a girl, & made me wonder how in hell I was going to raise a boy.
But he was perfect.
The gorgeous blue of his eyes made me fall in love in an instant.
Everything on time. Every milestone reached at JUST the right moment. Every clothing size changing right at it’s declared time (0-3 months? Gone at three months. 3-6? Gone at six…it was eerie).
He was happy. Smart. Playful. Loving.
He was my world.
He was my mom and dad’s world.
The first born grandchild. The first born great-grandchild.
The star.
Our family grew. It changed.
Not always in the best, most fair ways for him. In truth, sometimes he was forgotten, because he was so ‘perfect’. So easy in comparison. (I hate myself for it, but it is true).
It never made him less loved.
In many ways, being the parent of a teen is infinitely harder than raising the young ones. He isn’t satisfied with easy answers. He sees the world around him in such a different light. He sees things that a younger child wouldn’t. He understands and absorbs everything. Things that I sometimes haven’t the slightest idea how to explain to him, to clarify.
Right now he is struggling, battling against an internal battle I can’t resolve for him. Fighting against the common, and always unique and personal pain of being a teenager.
But in his heart – he is a good kid. He is smart. He is still loving.
He is annoyed with his parents. Embarrassed that his mother has a tattoo and plans more. He hates failure. He strives to do his best and no one is harder on him when he fails than himself. Interested in photography. Science. Math. Writing. Cross Country.
He dreams big dreams. Of being a doctor at Riley so he can help other kids like him.
He achieves big things. Advancements in Boy Scouts, Junior Honor Society.
He struggles to fit in.
He is 16.
In so many ways.
He is my baby.
In so many ways – he always will be.
Happy birthday to my oldest, my first born.
16 is a big number. But you’re just getting started.
by Sarah | Jan 22, 2014 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Thursday Tell All, Writing
What is your story?
I was forced into a betrothal with my enemy—a Viking. It did not matter to me his handsome face or piercing blue eyes, he is a heathen.
Do you embrace conflict?
Depends on the type of conflict. I can use my dagger or bow just fine. But Bram’s kisses and how he makes my mind muddled, I would rather run away then deal with falling for him.
How do you see yourself?
As a confident and independent woman.
How do your enemies see you?
As a spoiled, pampered brat.
How does the author see you?
She sees me as needing to mature, which I did during the novel, and come to appreciate not only what others do for me, but love.
What, if anything, haunts you?
That I was so vile to Bram. The only excuse I can give is that I was scared of falling in love with him. Not too long before I met him, all Vikings were our enemy. We Irish fought among other clansmen, but Vikings were our common adversary. It was hard to ignore my prejudices.
Who is your true love?
Bram, my Viking. I fought my passion for him, but he won me with kisses, patience, and a little magic from a friend.
What is your most prized possession? Why?
The sword Bram had the blacksmith make for me. It has runes spelling out our names upon the blade. It is also light enough, being shorter, than other swords so I have no trouble using it.
What don’t you like about yourself?
I don’t like that I’m quick to judge and stubborn. If I had not been, Bram and I would have gotten together sooner, and perhaps avoided the traitor.
Do you currently have a lover? What is their name, and what is your relationship like? What are they like? Why are you attracted to them?
Bram is my lover and husband. Our relationship still has teasing, though I am quick to respond back in like manner now rather than with venom as I did before. I am attracted to Bram because he is loyal, patient, and a warrior when he needs to be. Of course, he is pleasing to stare at as well – being a handsome, cocky Viking.
*~*~*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00DV0XJ9U” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | BN | iTunes |
Viking Fire is a Kindle Daily Deal until February 2nd! Only $.99!!!
Viking Fire Blurb:
In 856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.
Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?
Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?
With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.
*~*
Viking Fire Excerpt: (condensed)
“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown.
“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.”
“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.
Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor.
“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.
Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”
Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight.
Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.
“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.
“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”
“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”
Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”
“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.
“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.
*~*
Andrea’s Bio: Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn’t until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.
She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.
Viking Fire Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/m1bPZ3nUyzs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreaRCooper.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaRCooper
Author Website: www.AndreaRCooper.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6934877.Andrea_R_Cooper
Blog: http://andrearcooperauthorblog.wordpress.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/andrearcooper/
by Sarah | Jan 22, 2014 | All About Kennedy, Cystic Fibrosis, Special Needs
One of those “perfect” dreams I had when I was pregnant, especially when I heard it was a girl, was doing their hair.
I couldn’t wait to braid and ponytail and twist and bun. I’m not kidding when I called it a dream – because I did actually dream of doing these things.
Several years ago I tried. As you can see in the picture, while I managed to make some complex hair styles, Kennedy had thin, thin, thin, hair with a few bald patches in the mix. In this picture, K is 4 years old.
Another problem she had is how insanely brittle her hair is. I have pictures of the back of her head where it looks like a hellish rats nest – freshly brushed. It is so brittle and harsh, it’s hard to believe.
Today my little beauty is nearly 8.
And her hair is, if possible, worse. After a brief period where her hair seemed to thicken, it’s once again thin, exceptionally brittle, and she has resumed the issues of bald patches. Currently, her hair is kind of really long – or at least part of it is. There’s been so much breakage, that it gets sort of thin at the end, and dead.
I’d love to attribute this to genetics, but neither Erik nor I ever had an issue like this. My hair gets brittle now because I’m such a ginormous fan of colorizing…but mostly mine’s very thick and healthy, and so is Erik’s.
So…we think it’s the CF.
We’re going to step up her vitamin regimen a little, and this weekend we’re taking her for a cute bob-style cut…but what else can we do?
I’d still love to be able to achieve the dream of doing her hair while she’s still young enough to want me to.
Or at least let her have the chance when she gets older.
Any tips, tricks, or natural remedies for thin/brittle hair?
(For reference, we have used the BioSilk product on her…yes, I know it’s not natural, but it’s AMAZING when we have time to do it…I use it on myself, too. Love that stuff, but it only helps with the dead ends and softening. I wouldn’t mind some equally amazing natural remedy!!)
by Sarah | Jan 20, 2014 | All About Molly
Christmas of 2012 Santa brought Molly a new toy.
A stuffed unicorn in a purse that said “Sparkle”. Of course, Sparkle became her name.
Sparkle spent all of 2013 well-loved and adored. She was so much Molly’s favorite toy that by October she was looking pretty tired.
Her sparkly horn no longer sparkled, the gold of her hooves was stripping away & one hoof needed full replacement.
The bright white fur had become dingy, and the flowers on her side faded.
Sparkle had seen better days.
So a letter was written.
A letter to Santa.
Asking if Sparkle might be repaired.
With the silly addendum that maybe he could make her colorful.
For two months Molly waited.
Once in a while you’d hear mention of how Santa would be returning Sparkle.
Just before Christmas, a few snags erupted, and Santa alerted me the “repairs” were in jeopardy.
But, at the last minute, he pulled through.
And for the second year in a row the best toy ever was Sparkle.
The favorite gift of the year, and continuing daily, was an ‘old’ new toy.
Sparkle is sparkling again…and so is Molly.
I’m still keeping you all intrigued with the beginning of the series [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks (The Dominion Falls Series book 1)[/amazon_link]. You know, my amnesiac with the eidetic memory, Jane Doe…and the brothel-owner, anti-hero…Cole Mitchell.
