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 28, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week was Yellow.
This week Jy and Jdyne make it to the Assembly finally…
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. :
Movement across the planes as a phoenix traveled always reduced us to ash. I could sense my father’s discomfort with dissolving into ash, but it was required and he was a king so he didn’t complain.
The great hall of the Assembly was magically protected. None could enter but the assembly, and up to two companions they must bring on their own fire. Our entrance would not be on my father’s fire, but my own power.
That alone would shock them.
The downpour of ash in the middle of the circular room wouldn’t hurt with our hope for dramatic impact, either.
I felt my father lose consciousness once we had scattered across the void, and I let my energy gather him close. Just for fun Spark and I let our energy fly around the room, ruffling their crest’s before we zoomed up into the dome.
While the dragons below us eyed the room suspiciously I drew my father’s ashes in with my own and nudged him to consciousness. The first murmurs below let me know it was time to show ourselves.
Our ashes drifted down slow at first, like flakes of dust catching in the light. As they grew thicker, the dragons around us began to take notice. Green, blue, yellow and red eyes turned toward the growing pile of ash.
A whisper of energy separated my father’s ashes from our own and in a whirl of power and my own red fire he came back into human form. His cheeks flushed, eyes still bright silver, he radiated a new sense of strength like he’d been as revitalized by the experience as I always was.
I grinned and let the fire overtake me to stand tall beside him, Spark perched on my shoulder. “Good morrow, my lords.” I bowed down to one knee, my right hand curled before my forehead in a sign of respect. My inability to fully transform into a dragon had led to a compromise since I had no crest lower in respect to my elders.
“Rise, Child. You are not their inferior.” My father spoke with warmth and pride I hadn’t heard in years. “They are yours. I hadn’t quite realized what you’re capable of.”
Pride and a bit of embarrassment probably colored my cheeks, but I did as he commanded. “My lords, I have come in hopes of staying your desire to begin a war again. To tell you the truth of what I am, of what the hybrids are. Our kind cannot afford another war, and the human race does not deserve the wrath of Alatus.”
“The truth of what you are is an abomination.” Gardolden, a particularly old and stuffy dragon with bright yellow eyes signifying his ties to the northern lands bristled. His forefeet curled over the edge of his ledge and he crouched as if to pounce. “You came in without the aid of your father. That shows how dangerous you are.”
“I, and my father’s phoenixes are the only beings capable of breaching your magical protection, because we are the only ones descended of a race older than your precious dying dragon magic.” I smiled, and hoped the malice and intent behind my words had their impact. “If I was a threat you’d already be dead. Did you not feel me ruffle your crest before we showed ourselves?”
“Is that a threat?”
“Not yet. Just a point of fact.” I turned my back on the blustering Gardolden, and scanned the dragons behind me. The twelve men along with my father represented the greatest powers on the Wyvern plane. Thirteen total. It stood to reason they were scared.
“The time for secrets is over.” Jdyne’s voice carried through the room without effort and stilled all protest. “I have attempted to protect the princess, your future queen, mind you, for too long. It’s time you learned the truth.”
“A Terran can never be our queen. We told you that years ago, Jdyne.” Sigda, a green-eyed dragon with opalescent scales called from my left. His eastern lands were vast, and he’d always been kind and indulgent of her in her youth. Good to know allegiances were so weak.
“I am more than Terran. More than Wyvern. Perhaps you are just scared, Sigda. Perhaps you all are. Change has never been welcome to the dragons, after all. It took you millennia to give up the Terran plane and let them be.” I lifted my chin, and turned to face the man that once told me stories alongside his son. A son now dead.
“And look what they’ve done with it.” Sigda refused to look at me.
“Your son, and my best friend, Tamyr was lost in our last war, Sigda. At one time you wanted us mated. Now you question my role in our world?”
Sigda’s crest sank flat to his head and his wings fluttered, a huff of steam curling from his nostrils.
“So many of you know me, and you have known Alatus. Will you truly let the inflammatory words of an ill-tempered and jealous one determine our futures? Will you let us battle and destroy what’s left of our world, and let him destroy another plane and its inhabitants because he is power-hungry?”
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Apr 26, 2013 | Books, Morgana Chronicles, Sweet Saturday Samples, Writing
Another Saturday, another sample.
Sweet Saturday Samples are samples of any story, published, unpublished, whatever you like. Any genre is welcome of any heat level – but the samples themselves are all rated PG-13, so yes, all samples are safe for innocent (or not) eyes.
It’s been quite some time since I brought out Into a Mirror Darkly to show off. It’s a WIP, and to put it into a genre would be difficult as it spans several. Red is one of my favorite characters to date. She truly kicks butt. It is a first draft of a WIP, so excuse any errors.
I hope you enjoy it. And don’t forget to check out Sweet Saturday Samples for more samples!
By now Gran should have the silver weapons cleaned of ogre blood, so Red wouldn’t have to feel unprotected for long. Whether or not Gran had put protection spells on Red’s land meant little. Magic was too scarce these days to be reliable. That’s why the damnable clockwork inventions were everywhere – replacing magic.
With a sigh, Red turned to the wall. In place of a real mirror hung a well-shined metal plate. No matter much the plate shone, the reflection was still warped and muddled, leaving much to be desired.
She twisted her lips and tapped the lid of a small pot on the shelf below the plate. The internal debate dissipated when she heard a familiar masculine laugh outside. Without further hesitation she took the extra step to line her eyes with coal and enhance her lips with rich red.
“It’s so rare that I get to say you remind me so much of your sister.” Gran’s voice comforted her while her words twisted a long buried knife in Red’s belly.
“Except we both know I’m nothing like Snow.” Red reached for the brush, but it was snatched out of the way and running through her hair too fast. With just a few brush strokes and a whisper of a spell, Red’s rich auburn hair fell in gentle waves across her shoulders. “We don’t even look alike. Just because I made my lips red doesn’t mean we have anything in common.”
Gran tsked, straightening the clothes Red had scattered in her search for an outfit. “She’s your sister, Rose. Don’t hold such hatred in your heart for blood.”
“Is she really, Gran? Is she really, truly, my blood?” As usual the question silenced her Gran in ways nothing else would. At eighty six the woman could boast to rarely ever outright lying. With another eighty or so years ahead of her if magic hung around long enough, she’d do her best to keep that record.
“Of course she’s blood,” Gran finally admitted.
“Blood. But is she really my sister? Mother always said we were twins, born minutes apart.” Red wrapped a lock of red hair around her finger, thinking of Snow’s jet black hair and ‘pale as snow’ skin. The opposite of Red’s deep olive skin that turned dark brown in the months the sun shone through the dust clouds. “And besides appearance we certainly have nothing else in common.”
“You did once.” Gran set a hand on her arm, the fierce fire of a woman devoted to her family bursting forth in the depths of her blue eyes. Years of experience lined her features, while the beauty she’d been in youth came out in the high cheekbones and plump lips she still stained daily. “In the Before.”
“Yes, well in the Before there was magic galore to blind us to such things. Amazing how hiding the sun has revealed truths, like how much some people are willing to sacrifice for wealth and position.”
“Do not speak ill of your sister.”
“She sleeps in that woman’s castle. The one that killed her own husband, not to mention her niece.” Red snatched her arm back, “Your cardinal rule is to not ignore company isn’t it, Gran? I should go greet Solange.”
Gran’s strength and ferocity faded with the mention of Misty, and she gave a nod, “You’re right of course. Let’s go join your guest then.”
Red wrapped an arm around Gran’s shoulder and kissed her temple, “Sorry Gran. I don’t like fighting with you. Let’s just try to have a good afternoon. Find out what it is Solange wants so that I can take that head in and collect the bounty.”
“No more ogres for a while, please. I’m running low on supplies. Protecting all of those bags and cleaning your clothes ate most of them up.” The twinkle returned to Gran’s blue eyes, “Much as I know you like a challenge. Sometimes a challenge can be found right at home.”
by Sarah | Apr 26, 2013 | Blog Hops, Books, Contests, Giveaway, Masked Hearts, Writing
Welcome to the Beastly Birthday Blog Hop! Kerrianne Coombes is celebrating the 1st birthday of her demon tales, and a whole lot of us are joining in the fun! There’s more info at the bottom of my post on how to win, and where to go.
For me, true beauty has never been about physical appearance. I mean, sure, we all like to look at the pretty package. The attractive hero with the rock hard abs (say hello to Cole…my hero from [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link]…he’s the one with those abs…~sigh~), the heroine with the flaxen hair, fair eyes.
I like to always go beyond looks. Often in my books you’ll find descriptions of characters sparse. You get Cole and Jane’s hair and eye color (I have a weakness for eyes), you’re told that Jane has a tiny waist, Cole has good musculature and is super tall – but I let most of the rest to your imagination.
I do the same in Masked Hearts – with a small twist.
My heroine is deeply scarred. Physically as well as emotionally.
Right on the cover you see the scars lining her back, set into her flesh in her youth.
When you first meet her, she comes across as harsh, cold. Soon after we get a glimpse to what’s hiding underneath those scars.
Despite her physical appearance, I think Minnie is one of the most beautiful characters I’ve written. Years of pain and protecting herself have built up walls to hide a sense of humor, a deep soul, and a warm heart.
Characters and people often speak for themselves.
Jackson Krenshaw in my Dominion Falls Series ([amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link], mostly), is handsome and wealthy, and one of the ugliest souls you’ll ever meet. One of the only characters that actually sent a shiver of disgust down my spine as I wrote him – and I’ve written some dark stuff.
I like to write all kinds. My characters all have flaws, some of them are deeply flawed and have to grow a lot to win your hearts. Others start out wonderful and reveal darkness within that turn them ugly. I don’t like safe, and I don’t like two dimensional cookie cutter characters. Everyone has layers, even the worst villain, and I hope that I bring you all of those layers.
*~*
Now…I suppose you want to know how to WIN? There are lots of prizes to enter, but first I’ll tell you what mine is!!
Here at Sarah’s Storylines I’m going to give away a copy of Masked Hearts in your chosen format and a $5 GC to your choice of Amazon or B&N!
To win, all you have to do is leave a comment and answer the question: Has a character ever surprised you by not being what they appeared? Which character?
*~*
What about the grand prize? And all of those other prizes at other blogs? Well, that’s simple.
Head on over to Kerrianne Coombes blog. It’s her hop and she is the host. You can learn more about her fabulous prizes, and find links to everyone else.
But WAIT!! Before you go…remember that image over there…——–>
Write it down. Because you”ll need to know it, and the image at every participants blog for a chance to win the grand prize!!
So go on over to Kerrianne‘s and get a move on. There are so many awesome prizes to win!
The prompt this week was Laughter.
