by Sarah | Apr 3, 2013 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Books, Bucket List, Changing Tracks, I'm A Writer
There were so many things I could have done for C.
Cystic Fibrosis, Colors, Cannonball, Canada…
But I chose [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link].
Of course I’m a little biased. Changing Tracks is my first published novel. It’s the first in a series, and the characters just make me giddy with happiness on a regular basis.
It was another check off the bucket list when this one came out on February 8th.
I’ve been blessed to have friends read it (and communicate back to me their thoughts WHILE reading, which was hilariously fun)…and strangers alike.
In several months the next book in the series will be out, and I’ll get to keep telling Jane Doe’s story…all while continuing to find new characters and stories to write in the background.
I’ve got a great job…and Changing Tracks helped make it officially a job. 🙂
Blurb:
There’s nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He keeps his women at a distance, unwilling to relive a past he worked hard to forget.
Until the night Jane Doe falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief someone tried to kill her. In the strange world of amnesia she manages to find solace in Cole’s arms and he finds home in hers.
While they work together to solve the mystery of her appearance, their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – build a barrier between them.
To make matters worse, Jane’s past isn’t willing to let her go. A stranger proves he’ll kill to keep his secrets safe. With those she loves in danger, Jane’s errant memory is all that stands between them and death. Cole can only do so much to protect her, will it be enough?
Buy Links:
Secret Cravings Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand
*~*~*
The A-Z Challenge has over 1900 participants, all blogging from A to Z this month. Check them out and see if you can’t find a few new favorites!!
by Sarah | Apr 2, 2013 | 45 before 45, All About Indiana, All About Me, All of Us, Bucket List, Indianapolis Zoo
Two years ago when I first made my 45X45 list, I added a little something that I thought would be easily accomplished. Something that I’d always wanted to do, but hadn’t because I always came up with an excuse.
Seeing the butterflies at the Indianapolis Zoo. It was a special display they had annually with all of these butterflies. I’d heard such beautiful things about it. I wanted to take my camera and nestle in and stay forever.
So, to keep myself from using the “It’s too expensive to take us all” excuse, I bought our first zoo membership.
That was the year the butterflies went away. I was sad, but we still put that zoo pass to very good use, and have not hesitated to renew our membership every year since.
This year? The butterflies have returned! A couple of weeks ago I got to go to a special event before it opened, take my camera, and wipe that sucker right off the bucket list. And I have the pictures to prove it. (although when I go BACK this week, I’ll make sure to take my zoom lens that I forgot last time, so I can really get those close up and personal shots. ~ahem~)
[flickr id=”8611487179″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8611487497″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8611488857″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8611489209″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8611489471″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8611490207″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8611491521″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”8612598466″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
*~*
by Sarah | Sep 22, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Get Fit - Or Kill Myself - Whatever Comes First
[flickr id=”8011911337″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]When I made up my 45X45 list I put a few things on there that I didn’t think I’d ever accomplish. Swimming with whale sharks, paying off the mortgage – seemingly impossible but you have to have lofty goals mixed in with the more attainable dreams.
Among the “probably never gonna happen” goals was “Run a 5k”.
I’m just not a runner.
Never have been.
Even when I had stamina and did regular cardio through dance.
So this was a pipe dream, but I felt like I had to have it on there.
[flickr id=”8011917340″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]Today I crossed that finish line. I achieved one of the goals I swore would never happen.
There are a LOT of the negative Nellie thoughts in the back of my head. The “I finished…but” phrases.
BUT.
I’m ignoring them today.
Today I completed a 5k.
Not only did I complete it but I raked in an approximate 11.5 minute mile. I came in second in my age division (not far behind the first place finisher for my age division).
I did it.
I really did it.
Cross another one off that list.
Next year I’m setting my sites on one of the color runs…and probably this one again.
I’m still not a runner – but I know I can do this now.
And I want to do it again.
by Sarah | Sep 19, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Family, All About Me, Changing Tracks, Writing, writing tips
[flickr id=”7809492264″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]We all have dreams.
Some dreams are big – bigger than what our logical minds tell us we can accomplish.
Some dreams are more practical – but still mean something to us.
Growing up I had many dreams. I wanted to be a dance teacher. I wanted to perform on stage in musicals. I wanted to be a vet. I wanted to be a mom.
I was blessed to accomplish some dreams early. At 10 my dance studio let me become an ‘assistant’. Me and my co-advanced-class dancers would help the teachers with the young ones. By 11 we were teaching the classes ourselves for the most part. By 13 we were allowed to choreograph.
When I was in my 20’s I was able to take some courses and training and became a vet assistant. For about six months I worked in a vets office and still think of that time with fond memories.
I became a mom at 21, and again at 29 & 30.
Right after I got married I performed in a series of musicals over the course of the year. On stage. Singing and dancing under the lights.
Then I got wrapped up in real life. I had a husband, kids, bills, work and a home. Dreams went by the wayside as our girls were born and their development took up every spare second of breath and thought in my head. In the moments of quiet when everyone went to bed and I could unleash the stresses, I chose to do them with words.
Writing.
It had never been a dream, but as worlds formed under my fingertips, stories unfolded on the page, and characters breathed life into my soul a new dream formed.
Wrapped up in the realities of life I’d forgotten about me. About how important even the smallest dreams could be.
They give you life, hope, something to look forward to and achieve.
Dreams are life.
Since then I have created a 45X45 list and begun to tackle things on it. Some are small, others seem impossible.
Still, every time I cross something off of that list I feel a sense of elation, I smile for days. I have accomplished something.
It’s not just good for me. It’s not selfish.
My children need to see it. See me achieving goals and dreams. The little ones, and the big ones.
Within 6 months I’ll have proof of one of my biggest dreams on my Nook (and Kindle). Within a year I’ll have physical proof sitting on my bookshelf. Published.
It wasn’t a dream I had growing up. It’s new. Formed just 7 years ago. When I thought it was unattainable, outlandish and crazy.
I’ll never stop having dreams. Achieving this one I’ve formed new ones.
New ones will follow behind.
Never let go of dreams. Always have two – one practical & achievable, and another completely outlandish.
Never give up hope.
Let your children see the hope, and the accomplishment. It’s a prize that lasts for a very long time – and it helps them set their sights on the biggest dreams.
by Sarah | Aug 28, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Get Fit - Or Kill Myself - Whatever Comes First
[flickr id=”7267389774″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Some time ago I made a pledge. I signed up for a 5k and determined that I would make it through the c25k program with time to spare. I’m not a runner, but I wanted to get healthy again, in shape.
Then the drought hit.
The insatiable, undying, intense heat.
Every day over 90*, starting in the 70’s.
So blasted hot.
Too hot to run without passing out.
Finally we had a break. Cool mornings.
So for the past 3 weeks I’ve been back at it.
I still can’t sustain a run for a long time and I’m sort of speed-bumping my way through that c25k thing. My muscles are weeping, my body is tired – but I can see that finish line now.
In 25 days come hell or high water – I’ll be running a 5k.
I just hope I come out the other end. 😉
by Sarah | Aug 7, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Books, Changing Tracks, Publishing Credits, Writing
My contract has been signed, my cover art questionnaire has been filled out, my blurb has been hacked down to size and all my ducks are in a row. I’ve been bursting with this news for well over a week now and I’m so glad to be able to finally share it!
Seven years ago I set out to get published – back before ebooks were in and before I knew what an adverb whore was or how to stop myself from being one.
Three years ago I abandoned my first novel and started on this one, on this series. Changing Tracks and its main characters, Jane & Cole have come to mean so much to me. All I have wanted for them is to give them the story they deserve and to see it published in print.
I have just signed with Secret Cravings Publishing to make that dream a reality. Even better they are using the cover art I made for the book three years ago.
In February 2013* Changing Tracks will be published in ebook format. Six months later, in August of 2013* it will go to print.
Now I’m setting out on the crazy ride of getting the book into print and I’m bringing you all along with me. For now, I’ll leave you with the (long version) of my back cover blurb.
*~*
There is nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He makes time with his women, makes a killing gambling, and exerts his power how he pleases. One thing he never does is let anyone in.
Until the day she falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. He saves her from the pine box, and finds he can’t walk away. The problem is, if he lets her get close he could relive his past – and he worked too hard to forget it.
She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief that someone wanted her dead. With no name she keeps ‘Jane Doe’ and tries to carve out a life. She finds herself drawn to Cole, and they start a fiery relationship that sets the whole town talking. Their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – keep them from admitting the depth of their feelings, but they find they only trust each other.
Through the chaos of renegade Indian raids, an abandoned husband and her recurring nightmares they fight to find the truth of what happened to her. She soon learns that sometimes the truth is the last thing you want to learn, and she starts to think it may be best to leave the past where it is.
That past isn’t that willing to let go. A stranger proves that he’s willing to kill to keep his secrets safe. If Jane doesn’t remember soon, everyone she loves will be in danger.
*~*
*Publishing dates are estimates and subject to change. Once I receive more exact dates I’ll share that news.
There were so many things I could have done for C.