by Sarah | May 5, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week was Laughter.
Oh, sorry. I hope you weren’t coming for another episode of Hybrid. I’m afraid it’s been set aside so I can work with it the way I wanted to. This week’s prompt inspired me to start the prequel to my novel, Changing Tracks. Back before Jane was Jane…she was Clara. A young school teacher in Heber City, Utah (about 1864)…
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
Clara wound her way through the empty desks. One by one she set clean slates at each seat, and under each she left a note.
The scavenger hunt she had planned would take the whole class down by the creek, to the bottom of the crag hidden in the foothills. There she hoped they would make the same discoveries she had, if they followed her clues properly.
Outside trips like this were the reason she had so many students, not just in her district, but from the surrounding districts. The children learned a lot, and very few parents complained, however the school superintendent did.
She shuddered at the thought of him and the ‘compromise’ he’d agreed to. One she despised more with each and every visit. If Tommy ever got wind of it and what she went through, the superintendent would face a fate worse than death—and she’d be out of a job again, just like in New York.
Thankfully the war, and Tommy’s duty to the President, kept him away most of the time. Having a Pinkerton brother didn’t have many perks, but his near-constant absence was one of them.
Laughter shook her out of her reverie, the children’s rambunctious approach pulled her out of the thought process. She rushed to get the rest of the notes and slates in their places and back to the front of the room before the door opened.
While most of the children played outside until she rang the bell, a few came in early to finish work if they had it, or sometimes just to chat. She hoped none of them ventured a look under their slates before everyone could come in for the surprise.
“Good morning, Miss Young.” Annalee skipped in and set her books under her desk. The peppy little eight year old with a shock of bright red hair set her hands on her hips and scowled. “Christopher says we ain’t going to—”
“Aren’t going to.”
“Aren’t going to do our trips no more. Said the new superintendent don’t want them. Is he right?”
The chalk in Clara’s hands clattered to the floor, shattering into several pieces. She blinked and spun around. “New superintendent?”
“Yuh-huh. Papa says he’s coming today. Something about Mr. Clayton being transferred suddenly.”
Clara clenched her jaw and tilted her head. “Oh, he was, was he? Where to?”
“Somewhere far.” Annalee shrugged. “But is it true?”
“Well, we can certainly hope not. I hope our new Superintendent is just as—forgiving—of my teaching methods as Mr. Clayton was.” Clara swallowed down the bile rising in her throat and forced a smile. “Why don’t you go outside and play? We have a few minutes left before I ring the bell.”
Once Annalee raced outside, Clara sighed and leaned back against the blackboard. The whole thing reeked of Tommy and his manipulations. How had he known? She’d been very careful on his last visit to leave no clues of the ‘arrangement’ or her displeasure with it. That brother of hers could smell a lie from miles away.
If he’d done this, he’d better have found her a far more easy-going Superintendent to deal with her unique teaching style or all of his sneaky, slimy, dirty tricks would have been for naught.
Well, if the new superintendent was visiting today, she’d best get to work. No better way to meet him than teaching the children her way.
For she’d have it no other way.
No matter what she had to do to keep her school how it worked best.
She’d already proven that once, and she was prepared to prove it again if need be.
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | May 2, 2013 | Blog Hops, Books, Changing Tracks, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
GIVEAWAY CLOSED – WINNER(S) CHOSEN & EMAILED
For me, there is just something about the lawman that toes the line between good and bad.
He has to be tough enough to put away the ‘bad guys’…but good enough to know right from wrong. In other words, somewhere deep inside he has to have a conscious, even if it’s well masked.
Sometimes it’s an outlaw that makes a good lawman.
I’ve had a couple favorite sheriff’s in my TV western watching.
The Outlaw Lawman:
On Dr. Quinn…
~waits for the groans to end~
Yes. Dr. Quinn. The gunslinger Kid Cole became sheriff for an episode. Even for just one episode, he turned out to be the best Sheriff the town had (sorry, Matthew and Daniel fans…and even I, a Hank-lover have to admit he would have made a horrible sheriff). I guess Kid Cole won the race because he knew the mind of an outlaw, but he had the temperance of years and the desire to just sit down in a quiet place and watch the roses grow.
The Lawman Outlaw:
Now my other favorite Lawman was Seth Bullock of Deadwood.
Not an outlaw, unless you count a politician as an outlaw ~cough~
Seth was a good man that settled into Deadwood after a bad turn as Sheriff in Helena, Montana. Through a turn of circumstance, he ended up as sheriff of Deadwood.
Seth toed the line because of his willingness to sometimes overlook the wrong-doings of Al Swearengen for the eventual betterment of the town.
Far and above, though, his ability to overlook some wrong-doings, was Bullock’s temper. He sure didn’t like being taken advantage of, and he certainly didn’t like being threatened or bribed. It led to some all out brawls, and him removing his sheriff star once or twice. He wanted to do good for the town, but sometimes he got in his own way.
*~*
In [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks (Dominion Falls Series book 1)[/amazon_link], there are a couple of sheriffs. Outlaws and cowboys alike, they make their own impact on the town. Are one of them my favorite kind of sheriff? Well, you’d have to read it to find out.
And so, for the Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop, I’m Giving Away a copy of [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks (Dominion Falls Series Book 1)[/amazon_link].
To enter, just leave a comment and tell me what your favorite sort of lawman is in your westerns? Do you like the Outlaw Lawman, or the Lawman Outlaw?
***YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT TO QUALIFY FOR THE GRAND PRIZE***
There are nearly 50 authors joining in this hop – each sharing why we love Cowboys and Lawmen. You want a chance to win more than Changing Tracks? Head on over to Cowboy Charm and follow the linky list! As you enjoy some awesome blogs and find fantastic books, for every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some amazing prizes.
Grand Prize: At least a $75 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble, your choice. The winner will be chosen at random from comments containing email addresses, and will be announced on May 7. This is open to both US and international readers.
Cowboy Charm Blog Hops now has a companion FaceBook Group. If you’d like to join to receive blog hop and prize announcements here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/453991144693516/
by Sarah | Apr 30, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Writing
GIVEAWAY CLOSED – WINNER SELECTED.
Another Hump Day Hook! This week ALL participants are having a giveaway of some kind! So head on over to the Hump Day Hook site when you’re done here and follow the links for many more giveaways!!
Since just last week I gave away a copy of Masked Hearts. I thought this week I’d return to an old favorite and give away a copy of [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks (Dominion Falls Series Book 1)[/amazon_link].
And to ease the sting of 2 paragraphs over 1…I’m going to giveaway a copy to one lucky commenter!!
Jane has just awoken from a restless night of sleep. One with a particularly vivid dream:
When his lips touched hers, the aching need took over. She opened up to him in desperation. Her tongue responded to his, searching the familiar depths of his mouth. When he’d pulled back, still convinced it was a dream, she’d breathed out the words she’d never dare say aloud.
“I love you.”
And as in every other dream he’d been gone. She reached for him again, but in the whisper of a breeze from her window he was gone.
*~*~*
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 – http://bit.ly/14XQPTl
Amazon – http://amzn.to/11DDgcG
Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/XcTs0R
All Romance Ebooks – http://bit.ly/WJxSiA
Bookstrand – http://bit.ly/12dl2PB
*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
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 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook!
So [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link] has been out almost two months and Masked Hearts, is due out any time now (this month!!).
In the background I’ve been working on some other things. I have a holiday WIP that’s maybe 1/3 done (or more, since I don’t know the length, I’m not sure. lol)…I have a couple of horror shorts that I’m working out the details for.
But beyond that I’ve been doing work on the sequel to Changing Tracks, which is called Derailed. While it’s not due out until July, I have turned in my manuscript to my editor (who also worked on CT, and I love her 🙂 )…and shockingly enough, I managed to design, submit, and get approval for the cover art. I can’t tell you how squealingly happy I am that my art got approved again and I’m SUPER excited to show it off…but for once in my life i’m practicing patience. I’m going to do a slow reveal once the Masked Hearts publishing push is over. 😀 There may just be a prize involved in it.
~deep breath~ So after all of that, are you still with me? Today I’m going to go back to Changing Tracks and give you another snippet…as I’m still waiting on my galley of MH and I’m not sure I’m ready to show of my WIP yet…
In this hook, Jane is going head to head with the town’s richest man. She pissed him off recently at a horse auction, and he retaliated with a dastardly deed. This is her response to his affront:
“Sorry? Is this a real apology?”
“Of course. I am deeply sorry you haven’t got the sense of humor God gave much simpler men. That you take more pleasure in the size of your home than your heart. That you haven’t the faintest idea how to keep a friend, much less a woman. I may have the reputation of a jezebel, but I will never die as alone as you.”
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
by Sarah | Mar 12, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook! Changing Tracks has taken me on a whirlwind of joy this week. It showed up on Secret Cravings Bestseller list (#1 on the Historical Bestseller list still)…and got a Silver Star at All Romance Ebooks, indicating another best seller. I just got my first review & rating from someone unknown to me (and it was [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]4 stars[/amazon_link]!). So it’s been a bang-up week.
So as a treat I’m going to give another little hook from Derailed (Dominion Falls Series #2). One you might kill me for…because it’s from a little later in the scene that I posted two weeks ago – but it’s just another tease:
She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. The tight grip his hand had on hers transferred his old panic and fear right to her heart. A soft gasp whispered through the room and she wiped at a tear, “You had no choice.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just was trying to get the knife.”
A small splash of salty sorrow landed on his stomach and curved along the lines to the bed beneath. “Cole.”
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
The prompt this week was Laughter.