by Sarah | Apr 4, 2018 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Books, Changing Tracks, Escaping Humanity, General, Holiday, I'm A Writer, Masked Hearts, Publishing Credits, Redefining Perfect, Secret Cravings Publishing, The Tribe, Wordy Wednesday, Writing
On February 8, 2013 my very first novel was published.
At the time I was contracted with the fabulous small publishing company, Secret Cravings Publishing. Very excited, and a very unseasoned author.
Thankfully, through SCP I had some great mentors, supporters, and fellow authors braving the waters.
The past 5 years have been a whirlwind of ups and downs. I spent time writing thousands upon thousands of words, and spent months upon months unable to write a word. I’ve had months with sales beyond belief and months where I didn’t sell a single book. I branched out into self-publishing with a few small gambits, but then my publisher closed their doors and I had to dive in full-force.
Some days it’s truly hard to believe that it’s been five years. How much my life has changed. How much my goals have changed. How much I’ve first lost, and then re-found my love for this world.
These days I’m keeping crazy-busy in my personal life, but also in writing. I pulled all 6 of my original Dominion Falls Series books, the first books I published, last year. I’ve revised, revamped, and added words to the books. Now I’m re-publishing them. Getting back to my roots, and sending these books back out into the world, with a new little novella added on for good measure.
The next book in The Tribe series, which will be book 5 “The Child” is written and with the editor, due for release in July.
My best friend & co-author, Mary Terrani, and I finally released our book to the world, Escaping Humanity (The Exceptionals 1). We are in the middle of book 2, looking forward to a release at the end of the year, first of next. We’re also working with a fabulous artist to turn the book into a graphic novel.
I’m working to try to create a new cover for Masked Hearts so that I can re-release it in September.
I have notebooks with plans for new books, new series, more books in my existing series.
I went to my first conference as a signing author recently, and did well, and had so much fun.
I’m excited to continue doing what I love, and bring more stories into the world. I’ve had to revamp my views on my publishing career, what I want to do, and where I want to go with it. I’d become too sensitive to the numbers and to the “you should” and “you shouldn’t” voices and lost my way.
I feel good coming home to my characters again. I hope you’ll come on in and pull up an armchair, grab a book and join me. Get lost in one of my worlds for a while. They are fun, dangerous, mysterious, romantic, sweet, and spicy. You’ll be able to find something for your personal taste with me.
by Sarah | Nov 22, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
Sorry for my long absence, but not sorry. My family and I had a wonderful vacation, and I’m just now back in working order again. I never wanted to return, but real life beckoned and we couldn’t ignore it.
So now I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts. I will most likely only be doing another week or two with this book. I have to leave you wanting more and I have a bunch more books to cover.
The group has set up camp and Minnie is trying to return to life as normal as she can knowing that soon her life will drastically change…worse, she worries she made a mistake by lying with Roy before it happened, because she already misses him. When the Cheyenne go hunting, Roy hangs around, and Minnie lashes out at him:
She grabbed a carrot and started to chop with far more ferocity than the poor vegetable deserved. “I don’t fib, Mr. Ornum, I don’t need the meat to prepare the vegetables. Why don’t you go help the old man hunt for pretty plants? Maybe you’ll find a poisonous one to choke on.”
He clasped a hand over his heart and pouted. “You wound me. But that’s exactly why Max won’t let me go. Since Rawlins is asleep and I’ve had no company but the Cheyenne, I really enjoy the sound of your female shrieking tones.”
*Tiny bit of creative editing was used to get the 8
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Nov 1, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
Jumping again. Only a few more weeks on this one, for sure. I do need to leave you wanting more, after all 😉
This is a few days after Minnie and Roy’s night together. After a few days at Rawlins homestead they are travelling again. Minnie ended her liaison with Roy as soon as it had started…but try though she might, she can’t forget it happened. Travelling means she has little to do until they make camp, which means…:
The jolts and creaks of the old wagons quickly replaced the pleasant aches that lingered from her night with Roy. Knowing this would be her last journey away from that home, the last leg of her life in these wagons, robbed what little joy she used to glean from traveling.
To make matters worse her mind kept wandering, always to Roy. The warmth and strength of his calloused hands. The soft touch of his lips to every part of her body. The heat of his eyes before he’d removed the last barrier of fabric between them. How he’d eased her embarrassment with a simple touch, a kiss, a…
“You all right, Minnie?”
*Tiny bit of creative editing was used to get the 8
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Oct 25, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
Once again, I’m right on the heels of last week. Roy just admitted to Minnie he is in love with her:
This time she didn’t try to stop the tears, and closed her eyes when he leaned in to kiss them away. “Then let me decide one part of my life. Just this once.” She leaned her forehead into Roy’s chest, “I want to say the same, but I barely remember love. I only know that you are the only one I’ve trusted in many years.”
“That’s enough,” he whispered in her ear. “I just want you to be sure.”
“I am.”
*Tiny bit of creative editing was used to get the 8
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Oct 18, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
Minnie has led Roy to her room, wanting a moment of joy that is her own choice before she is sold to a whorehouse. He’s asked if she is sure this is what she wants:
“I saw my mother’s torture,” she whispered. “Would you ask me to live a life remembering only that type of pain? I would prefer some happiness first. The question is, are you willing to face the likely consequences? I’m not sure what he will do to you.”
“I don’t care what he does to me–unlike the Cheyenne or you, I have no qualms about leaving. I can disappear better than an Indian. I’m worried about what he’ll do to you,” He brushed his fingers along her cheek, “I’m in love with you.”
*Tiny bit of creative editing was used to get the 8
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Oct 11, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts.
Continuing right after last weeks snippet. Minnie has told Roy she doesn’t play him for the role he was forced to play in her past:
His eyes tightened and he pulled her fingers away. “Minnie.”
“The last memory my mother had was of a rape, to protect her children. To let as many survive as they could.” She got to her feet and tugged on his hand. Once he rose to his feet she led him back toward her bedroom.
“Hewechee,” his voice grew hoarse as she drew him to a stop outside her door. “As much as I want to—are you sure?”
*No creative editing was used to get the 8
*~*
If you want more of these wonderfully damaged pair…pick up a copy!
| Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |
Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start.
Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again.
As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found.
*~*
Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
On February 8, 2013 my very first novel was published.