by Sarah | Jun 20, 2014 | Blog Hops, Books, Masked Hearts, Writing
Welcome to the Secret Cravings Western Romance Blog Hop! This hop is a great way to meet
I’m a sucker for a good Western Romance. Be it historical or contemporary I like a good cowboy.
Then again, I also love a good American Indian. Don’t you? I have written them into many of my stories, but it’s in Masked Hearts that they jump to the forefront. After much research, I wrote a story about a survivor of the Bear River Massacre that was adopted into a less than idea life with a dim future, until the past comes back and ends up saving her.
Today I’m giving you a chance to win an ebook copy of Masked Hearts and a $5 Amazon Gift Card.
Use the rafflecopter options below to enter! Then head back to the Secret Cravings blog to enter more giveaways – including the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
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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.
*~*
Secret Cravings Grand Prize rafflecopter:
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by Sarah | Jun 15, 2014 | Books, The Tribe, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is to be inspired by the word Father.
I’m sticking with the next installment of The Tribe series – The Wolf again this week.
To set up the scene ever so briefly without revealing too much, Velli and Kane have made a plan to find out where her ‘boss’ is…which involves using her as live bait. Kane pretty much hates the idea, but doesn’t have a better plan. His nerves are getting on Velli’s nerves so she goes over the plan again…but the conversation eventually takes a turn:
She let out a growl very much like her Wolf was near the surface. “Let’s go over it again, then. Best way to Sal is through Chicago. The club there is the slimiest of the lot, and the two guys that run it…”
He gritted his teeth at her shudder. “Then it’s not the best way.”
“The darkest path is the best one to get where we want to go. Plus, Larry and Carl are sick, but spineless. One of your brutal protection measures and they’ll spill Sal’s location as they piss their pants.”
“It’s not fool proof.”
“Never said it was.” She drank her beer leisurely. “Anywhere else would be foolish. They’re more organized and careful, like the place you found me at in California.”
The mere mention of California had him grabbing for his beer to cool off. Velli’s moves on stage were as impressive as her moves in battle. Worried as he might be at the upcoming plan, he was still an animal.
“I’ll go in alone. No point in setting off alarms this early in the game. I’ll do what I can to extract the information without trouble.” She polished off her beer and pushed it across the table where the bottle met his in a quiet clink.
“You said Hunters guard the place.”
“Yup. Then there’s Bacey. Best bouncer of the lot spends most of his time there, because he can handle the riff raff. He was good to me.” She narrowed her eyes at the curtains. “He never touched me, though he intimated he wanted to. I think it was a rule set down by the boss.”
“Sal.”
She didn’t answer immediately, and the familiar flicker of confusion creased her features.
“You’re not sure Sal is the boss, are you?”
“He’s boss Sal.” She bent her knees so her feet sat flat against his thigh. Gaze on the tequila, she fidgeted in her seat. “It’s one of those things again. I just have a sensation that I’m talking about someone else when I say the boss. I can’t explain it.”
“Sure you still want to do this?”
“Yes. I always knew he wasn’t the biggest man on campus—but he’s high up enough to know where she is. He was there, in California.” She glanced his way. “Fifteen minutes. Promise me you’ll give me fifteen minutes. You’ve seen me battle, you know I can do this.”
“Not one minute more.”
“If you think this is bad, you’re a pussy.”
“It’s never been my mate before.” He frowned at her attempted lightheartedness. “And as for seeing you battle, I have seen it. I often wondered why you didn’t try to be a Warrior. You sure have the skills for it. There aren’t a lot of female Warriors, but they’re there.”
“I never had the discipline. Skill isn’t all it takes to become a Warrior. I was never good at following proper behavioral rules and all of that.” She smirked when he snorted. “As you’ve seen for yourself.”
“You’re a spoiled brat and content to be so.” He grinned in relief at her chuckle. “I get that, although you probably still would have made it. A few of the Warriors I met on my last visit were not up to the usual strict standards.”
“Our numbers were dwindling. I remember Father and Silver Fox talking in hushed tones about the problem. They were trying to pinpoint when the magic started to falter.”
“They felt it, too.”
“Of course they did. They were two of the most powerful men in the Tribe.” She shuddered and sat forward to wrap her arms around her legs. “The magic must be growing weaker now with Silver Fox gone.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go see Reed?”
“I’m not ready.” At least she didn’t bolt at the suggestion, even though her body tensed. “I’m sorry. It’s selfish.”
“It’s not selfish to worry about your child first.”
“That’s not all I’m worried about. I’m worried about what he’ll think of me.”
“The man couldn’t hate you if he tried. Much as I dislike him—the guy knows you. He hasn’t hated you all these years knowing all about you, he won’t hate you now.”
“I’m the reason his father is dead. The reason he has to return to the reservation.” She’d whispered the words, but he’d heard clear as day. After a minute she rubbed her palms along her cheeks and sniffed. “Let’s get our drink on.”
“You trying to kill me, woman?”
“Healing magic, remember? Alcohol is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.”
He could push the matter of Reed, but he decided to pick his battles. In too few hours he’d be sending her to the wolves, he might as well make the next few hours easier.
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Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
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by Sarah | Jun 14, 2014 | Books, Masked Hearts, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’ve been sharing my contemporary romance for a while, I thought it might be nice to go back in time…to the old west and a travelling wild west show.
Masked Hearts is my oft-neglected stand-alone novel, but every time I bring it up I remember why I enjoyed it.
In this first 8, Minnie is onstage in their wild west show with another native. In life off-stage they take exception to each others behavior:
“You call us a joke?” The fierce warrior brave named Carl snarled in her ear under the speech, taunting her with their familiar argument. He knew onstage was the only time she’d let him close enough for such talk. His foot stomped on her skirt, crushing her bustle and pulling her backward. “At least we don’t act like one of them.”
“You do what you need for your whiskey. I do what I must to survive.” She fought the urge to hit him.
*No creative editing this week.
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If you want more of these wonderful two…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 | Jun 10, 2014 | 500k, Books, Challenge, Changing Tracks, Dark Territory, Derailed, Escaping Humanity, Goals, Holiday, The Tribe, Writing
It’s been a while since I checked in on the 2014 forecast for me and my writing. I meant this as a monthly check-in type of deal and thought maybe I should get back on that. So, months after my last update, let’s see where I am.
So first, the overall goals I’d set – with where I am now.
- I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2014. (258,159 C as of 6/8/14 9:53PM)
- I will finish books 4 & 5 of the Dominion Falls series and submit by February 8th – I did submit on 2/17/14 & both books were accepted/contracted. Releases in August’14 and January’15.
- I will fine-tune and perfect Leap (Hidden Senses #.5) for publication. It goes to my editor on July 1st, then to the proofreader.
- I will build my audience and work harder at promotion. I am not doing enough with this. Need to get out more.
- I will find focus (see below), and figure out how to USE it. I am working on this. Some days I do great, others not so much. Call me a work in progress.
And for my list of projects. Items in RED are done. Items in ORANGE are in progress (or progress notes). Items in BLUE are new. Some of the new items are in blue with the progress I’ve made in orange.
- Runaway Train (Dominion Falls 5) – 113k
- Stalled Independence (Lake Point #3) – 35k
- Katherine’s Story (Dominion Falls Prequel) – 48k – Named finally. Independent Brake
- Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done)
- Witch Way (Lake Point #4) – 30k (1k done)
- A Thorough Thanksgiving (Lake Point #5) – 30k
- The Tribe (The Tribe #1) – 85k
- The Wolf (The Tribe #2) – 85k (24395 done)
- Natural Selection – 40k (6921 done)
- Hybrid – unknown…going to do as “Chapters” not full length novel.
- The Dead Past (Dominion Falls 6-temporary name) – 100k
- The Chief (The Tribe #3) – 85k
- The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 85k
- Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 100k (22k done)
I’m quite certain at this point that I’m forgetting something. I do know that not on the list, but completed is setting an editing schedule with my editor. I’ve also come up with an idea for a new series, but it has to go on hold while I work my way through that crazy list up there.
Overall, I’m happy with my progress. Despite some crazy real life stuff and my typical propensity for distraction, I’ve almost reached the halfway point on my insane 600k goal. I have plenty of stories that are in progress or just need editing. I have ideas ready for next years holidays series, and my brain has not imploded yet. So yay me. 🙂
Seriously, though. I expect items to be added to my list now that I’ve managed to check a few off. First, I need to finish Witch Way, The Wolf, & The Chief before I can seriously contemplate what to add to the list. Once I read the “There’s more red than black/orange” point, I know I have to start thinking toward the future.
So one last goal right now is to adjust and add to all my goals next month, and get The Wolf and Witch Way completed.
(P.S. Having that editing schedule set means a crap ton of books this year, people…seriously, it’s cah-razy).
by Sarah | Jun 8, 2014 | Books, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is to be inspired by this picture. The hardest part about picture prompts is always the 300 word limit. I did have another post all ready to go, but it was 1200 words and that would have gotten me in trouble 😉
This week I return to that historical paranormal I was working on a while back, Natural Selection. In our last segment some months back, Leilyn told Dell he’d better figure out what she meant after she’d berated him for allowing is father to use her as a pawn to draw in her pack–especially when Dell has a way to wipe away her old pack’s claim.
Now we join them again…and let’s see how Dell is coping with this:
Leilyn lay in the field behind Olive’s home. In twelve hours her ‘uncle’ would be there with the pack, no doubt ready for attack. The field around her sat oddly silent, not filled with children playing as it had been in the days since she’d arrived.
In the sky above her the first curling mass of storm clouds began to twist and turn in chaotic, senseless dips and turns. The sensation was oddly similar to her current emotional state.
While her head and perhaps a base instinct told her she was where she belonged, the itching burn on her ankle tugged her in another direction. Plus, she hadn’t been treated poorly all her life, she’d been treated with care and almost esteem. It wasn’t until her uncle tried to force an unnatural mating that she’d run.
Now, there was Dell.
He stirred within her a base instinct. One she’d been kept from acting on. One that drew her to him. One that told her he approached.
She smiled and closed her eyes, wondering what he’d attempt this time. For the past day he’d been attempting to woo her like a school girl. Flowers and treats, small tokens meant to show affection.
“Afternoon, Dell.” She opened her eyes.
He quirked a brow, but said nothing.
“What have you brought me this time?”
“Nothing.” Perhaps he was finally getting the point. Still, though she waited several minutes, he didn’t move an inch.
With a sigh, she propped herself on her elbows and turned her gaze away. Right when she was ready to tease his lack of imagination, he dropped to his knees behind her and grabbed her shoulders.
His nose brushed along her bare neck, and he sighed out a growl. “Duty keeps me from claiming you. Not ineptitude.”
“Duty is overrated.”
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Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
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by Sarah | Jun 7, 2014 | Books, Holiday, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
This will be my last week with Michaela and Tag. I adore them, and clearly you all do as well…but it’s time to share other stories with you…such a shame because we’re just at the meat of the story…but you know what they say – leave ’em wanting more, right?
In this 8, Michaela finally let her new assistant manager run the store for a night. He did really well, and she’d just admitted as much, adding in a hint of praise. This is his reaction:
With every word he’d brightened more, until a beaming smile warmed over half the doubts right out of her cold heart, “So do I get a passing grade?”
She chuckled and shook her head, “This isn’t school.”
“Too bad.”
“What? Why?”
“Because then I could start singing ‘Hot for Teacher’.”
“Oh my God,” She buried her face in her hands, the tingling burn of a blush creeping up from head to toe. “Owen!”
*A little creative editing involved to make the 8.
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If you want more of these wonderful two…pick up a copy! It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to enjoy this May/December romance…It’s plenty hot enough for summer. 😀
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Michaela O’Keefe is in over her head with her restaurant, The Midway. Her ad for an assistant manager brings Owen “Tag” Montague to her doorstep. With an impeccable resume and dozens of letters of recommendation, she has little choice but to give him a chance. Ten years her junior, Tag sets her long-dead libido humming, but she gave up on love and her instincts on men years ago.
Tag has had a crush on his new boss since his youth, but he’s determined to prove he can do the job. Still, he can’t resist the urge to make her blush down to her toes as often as possible. He knows her rough past in life and love makes it hard to trust, and he’s wary of crossing the line he so desperately wants to.
Just when they manage to figure out how to work and play together, Michaela’s ex does all he can to destroy their budding love. When push comes to shove Michaela’s inability to give Tag the benefit of the doubt might destroy everything.
Learning to trust herself again is the hardest lesson Michaela will ever have to learn – and by the time she does, it may be too late for love.
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Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
