A Guest Author Tomorrow

 

This week-end and maybe next, there will be a treat for readers with a guest post by Susan J. Tweit. I do not mean she'd do two but that I'd leave hers up two because of the value I believe it has for our lives and for nature.

I first met Susan, online, when she was living in Cody, Wyoming, rehoming, as I think she calls it, a ranch house. She bought it, knowing it needed upgrading and a touch to turn it back into the real home, which she saw it could be.

At that time, she also spent time in Yellowstone Park, with permission, to remove invasive weeds. As a botanist, she knows the plants that come into an area and push out the native born plants, those more beneficial to the wildlife and land. 

Since then, I've followed along as she rehomed more homes in the western United States, written more books, removed more invasive weeds, and basically has shared what she knows to hopefully help us live our lives more fully and help this earth on which we live and depend. She speaks with groups as well as writes those books, of which there are now 14, some in collaboration, all nature oriented and about how we live our lives. 

Susan writes in a way that is easy to follow, which isn't always true of trained scientists. She shares, of her life, what she feels will help the world and hence why I wanted her here on this blog. Tomorrow she will share some of that here for readers, as well as links to her work. I hope you'll be sure and be back for that as I believe it will enhance anyone's life, no matter from what country they might come. What is true in our sagebrush west, is true many places. All land has value if we take care of it. As we take care of it, it also nurtures us.

Amelia C. Adams -- guest author

While writing has always been in my life, it wasn't until I brought out my first books as an indie author that I met others who wrote in my genre. It's been one of the bonuses along with my opportunity to bring some of the authors here when they are bringing out a new book. 

Amelia C. Adams is the author of the bestselling Kansas Crossroads series, as well as a contributor to River's End Ranch and Mail Order Mounties. She lives in Idaho, is a wife, a mother, a taco eater, and a taker of naps. She spends her days dreaming up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you might just see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels.

Below is the cover, blurb and link to her next book, the first in a new series, Brody Hotel. Involving itself with an old hotel, renovations and decorating, this contemporary romance sounds like its extras are right my alley for books I enjoy the most.

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079GZBJY1

Generations: Brody Hotel Book One 

by Amelia C. Adams

Andrew Brody, investment banker and self-made millionaire, has just lost his father, but gained an estate. Along with inheriting stocks, bonds, racehorses, and undeveloped land, he learns that he is now the owner of a hotel that has been in the family since 1875 and should probably just be torn down.

Marissa Clark needs a new challenge - staging homes to sell and rearranging pictures on walls isn't what she dreamed of doing when she became an interior designer. When she gets a call asking her to help renovate a historical building, she leaps at the change - what a great way to use both her love of texture and fabric and her love of history.

They believe they're just taking an old building and giving it a second chance at life . . . but they have no idea that they're getting a second chance too.

Amelia C. Adams, author of the bestselling historical Kansas Crossroads series, brings us this romantic spin-off featuring the same location, but 140 years later.  You can learn more about Amelia at www.ameliacadams.com

**

Amelia C. Adams

Author of sweet Western romance

www.ameliacadams.com

Guest Author: Eve Culley

Today's guest author, Eve Culley writes amusing and clever children's books, aimed at ages 7-12 years old. I have to say her covers would have me liking the books without needing to read a single word. 

Her first is Adventures in Barn Town where the residents are friendly and there is mischief and mystery around every corner. The story is written from a feline narrative by a life-long resident, Ol’ Stripe (Deputy of Barn Town) as he shares with the reader the highlights of life in Barn Town – a barn situated on a large farm. 

After trudging through a vicious storm as a kitten and claiming the barn’s territory as his safe haven and his new home, Deputy Stripe is caught off-guard when trying to shoo away a trespasser, Stinky, a skunk who is quite territorial himself. 

When a group of humans finally moves into the Village House, however, and move their many animal companions into Barn Town, the noise, smell and attitudes of the animals take some getting used to. From a coup, led by the rooster, Cogburn, followed by committee meetings to decide Cogburn’s fate, Deputy Stripe does all he can to keep his ears and eyes open in order to maintain peace and order, with a hilarious outcome.

One reviewer said about the book, "Author Eve Culley's Adventures in Barn Town is a delightful story! The author had me laughing at the antics of her characters! Eve has a way of making the animals come to life and will entertain younger readers and listeners. Ol' Stripe's adventures are a fun escape and will keep you smiling!"
 

Further Adventures in Barn Town, the second book in the Barn Town series came out September 11, 2017. It is a clever book of hilarious anecdotes. It is told in a feline narrative by a life-long resident. Ol’ Stripe (Deputy of Barn Town) shares with the reader the highlights of life in Barn Town – a barn situated on a large farm. Deputy Stripe does all he can to keep his eyes and ears open in order to maintain peace and order, with a hilarious outcome.
 

About the author, Eve Culley:

In the middle of the 1970’s and 80’s, my husband and I were missionaries working in the United States. We worked in different church print shops where Bibles, New Testaments, and individual books of the Bible were printed in different languages and shipped to different countries around the world. We traveled across the U.S. to other churches and businesses to raise money for paper, ink and shipping cost for the Bibles. To gather the necessary money needed, a lot of travel was required and as we traveled I would tell stories to our two young sons of adventure, heroes, and villains.

As our sons grew into adulthood the stories to them became less and less until they stopped. When our grandchildren would visit, the stories were requested again until those stories, too, were a thing of the past. But the storytelling refused to die and go away. Instead, a hunger grew in me to put my stories on paper and books grew out of them. I write, of course, adventures for children to read, believe in and take life lessons from them.

Story-telling is as much a part of me as breathing is to my body. I have found that I tell stories, put them on paper to make room for the other stories that are building and will need to be told soon. 

Buy links:

Adventures in Barn Town

Further Adventures in Barn Town

Guest Author: Sheila Hollinghead

One nice feature of cutting back on how many blogs I post has been being able to invite other authors to post here. Some don't write anything like I do, which gives my readers a chance to see the diversity out there among romance authors. I consider that a win/win.

Sheila Hollinghead, an army brat, was born in Nuremberg, Germany. When she was ten, her father was stationed in Toul, France where she discovered a treasure trove of books hiding in the furnace room. The house was rumored to be the former headquarters of the Nazi Party with bullet holes decorating the foyer as evidence. The books she found, sci-fi, mysteries, fantasy, and the classics, opened her mind to the power of story.

Raised on army bases, she lived many places, none “home” until she returned to south Alabama. She lives with her husband, three dogs, and two cats near the farms where her ancestors struggled to scratch a living from the ground.

She agrees with Emily Dickinson who said, "I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it until it begins to shine."

Hollinghead is active in her community, heading up her local food bank with the help of her husband. She also participates in meals-on-wheels and WinGS (Women in God's Service) who visit the sick and shut-ins.

Her newest book, Abby and Joshua, will be out September 30th but is available for preorder now at Amazon.   Special Announcement: On the day of release, Sheila Hollinghead will be giving away six Down to the River swag packs. Items include six paperback copies of all three novellas in one book, Down to the River. Also included will be magnets with pictures of horses, cowboy hat chains, bracelets, and other great prizes. Two of the six winners will also receive coffee mugs. For more details, visit Sheila’s Facebook Author Page on September 30^th.

Amazon Link, Abby and Joshua:

https://www.amazon.com/Abby-Joshua-Romantic-Western-Novella-ebook/dp/B074JH26HN/

Description for Abby and Joshua:  

Sometimes the force of a tornado pulls us from the mire, but other times, the soft breath of a cowboy is all that is required.

 A good-looking, young cowboy keeps showing up at Abby Harrington's door ... even at the most inopportune times. Abby is older than he is, not to mention heavily pregnant and with a brood of children. Besides, she is still legally married and distrustful of men.

Why, then, does she slowly respond to the cowboy's friendship?

The return of her man from her past thrusts Abby into a life-threatening situation. Will she have the strength, knowledge, and faith needed to survive?

The soft breath of a cowboy gives her everything she needs.

Excerpt from Abby and Joshua:

Mrs. Franklin entered her room with a young lady. “I’d brought Miss Williams by to meet you.”

Abby’s heart sank. Miss Williams couldn’t have been more than twenty and had a vibrant beauty. Her aqua-colored eyes contrasted with her dark, glossy hair, mostly pulled sedately back in a bun. Sprigs of curly hair framed her perfect face. Rosy cheeks and naturally pink lips made her a picture of health and vitality. Abby touched her own lips, remembering how pale they’d appeared only a minute before when she’d seen herself in the mirror.

She became aware the two ladies awaited her response. “How do you do, Miss Williams? Please let me know if my children do not attend properly to their lessons.”

“Oh, I’ve met your children! They’ll do fine, I’m sure. And such beautiful children! Your daughter looks so much like you.”

“Thank you,” she said automatically. She wasn’t sure Miss Williams spoke the truth. Susie looked a lot like George as did Tait. Wade favored her the most.

“I’m so sorry you’re confined to bed. I’ll come back to visit when I can,” Miss Williams said.

Abby smiled and nodded. “Your company would be a pleasure.”

“I must hurry back to the children now. We begin our first lesson today. It was so nice to meet you, Mrs. Harrington.” Miss Williams gave a smile, revealing straight white teeth and hurried away.

Mrs. Franklin fetched the breakfast tray and set it across Abby’s knees. “Now, what would you like to talk about?”

“Are you from around here?” Abby asked.

“About ten miles south, as the crow flies. My husband and I had a small place, big enough for the two of us. God never blessed us with children. My husband passed last year, and I moved into town. When I saw this place needed a cook, I knew the Lord truly answers prayer. So, here I am!” She beamed at Abby and without prompting continued. “When I heard children lived here and a baby, with another on the way, my joy could not be contained. I love the wee ones so!”

A nod and smile was all that was needed for Mrs. Franklin to prattle on. Abby ate her breakfast, one of the best meals she’d ever tasted, and thought of Joshua. Miss Williams would be perfect for him. She was beautiful, and young, and most importantly, not encumbered with a bushel of children. Why would Abby even think for a moment he’d be interested in her?

Any attention he’d shown was simple pity. Her husband had run off with the housekeeper, and gossip was rampant on the ranch. He’d merely felt sorry for her and tried to be kind. Obviously, he was a God-fearing man.

Anyway, if she did like him, as she admitted she did, she’d only want his happiness at heart. Miss Williams would make him far happier than she ever could. And once he got a look at her, he’d never give Abby a second glance.

 Sheila Hollinghead Links:

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sheilaodomhollinghead/)

Amazon Author (https://www.amazon.com/Sheila-Hollinghead/e/B006TWV908/)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/SHollinghead)

Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/sheraly/)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5432341.Sheila_Hollinghead)

BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sheila-hollinghead)

Blog (http://www.sheilahollinghead.com/)

Newsletter Sign-up Form (http://www.sheilahollinghead.com/p/contact-me_29.html)

 

Guest Author: Charlene Raddon

Thanks to Rain for hosting me. I’m thrilled to talk about my latest release, Divine Gamble. This book has been a labor of love. Back when I was writing for Kensington Books, I sent a proposal for Divine Gamble to my editor. He rejected it and asked for a story about a widow with a couple of kids and a drifter. That’s how To Have and To Hold came into being. But I loved Divine Gamble, so I dragged it out now and then and worked on it, always laying it aside because something else demanded my attention. Finally, my chance to finish the book came this year, and I’m excited to say it is published and doing well.

DIVINE GAMBLE,  a gritty, sensual American historical western romance.

As a girl, Maisy Macoubrie witnessed the murder of her beloved father. She's been running from the killer for fourteen years. If only she could provide a safe home for her and her son… but she'll never get rich dealing faro in saloons, with a cold-blooded killer on her trail.

The Preacher never meant to become a gunman. Sometimes life deals a man a hard hand. Always alone, always hunted, he dreams of all he’s been denied—peace, family, love.

The moment Maisy and The Preacher meet, their lives change once more. United in battle against a powerful enemy, they fight side by side, but can they beat the odds they face? Is love worth the biggest gamble man has ever known?

Divine Gamble 99¢ sale for today

~~^~~

Excerpt:

The air shifted, and a breeze fanned the back of her neck. Someone had entered the saloon. Seeing Marshal Jake Harker look behind her and frown, she stuffed the bank draft into her pocket. The hair on her neck rose. She turned slowly, expecting to see death staring her in the eye.

A new stranger, built like a freight wagon, stood just inside. Small eyes squinted out from under bushy brows. Dirt and grime smeared his square, pugnacious jaw. He reminded her of Quasimodo, minus the hunchback, but with an ugly scar angled from the corner of his nose, and down across a fat-lipped, down-turned mouth, exposing a jagged tooth. Her father had played Quasimodo once on a beer-soaked stage in Wichita, frightening a five-year-old Maisy near to death. Did he seem familiar to her because he reminded her of that unnerving experience?

The newcomer gave her a bold once-over. He took what looked like a photograph out of his pocket, glanced at it, at Maisy, and, wearing a grisly smile, started toward her. Something behind Maisy caught his attention, and he stopped. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Harker staring at the stranger. The Quasimodo look alike cursed under his breath, spun about and left.

Maisy laid one hand over her heart and pressed the other to her lips as if that would keep her from falling apart. The man had gone but might be waiting for her when she left at quitting time. He must have seen Harker's badge and figured now wasn't the time to grab her. Maisy's heart raced. She closed her eyes and reminded herself of the other times she'd survived Gold's henchmen. She would survive this time, too.

A sudden urge to leave town assailed her. But the stage had left. The ore train from Telluride wouldn't arrive until morning. Why had she ever thought she'd be safe in a dead-end canyon like Pandora occupied? Yes, she had friends here, but she couldn't risk endangering them.

She discreetly closed her bag to hide the card box inside. "Snake eyes! I forgot my card box. Would you keep an eye on things, Jake, while I go back to the boarding house for it?" 

"Let Delilah do it. I'd better go with you. You never know what gun-happy drunk might—"

She forced a laugh. "I'm a big girl, Marshal. I've been walking dark streets, storm or no storm, all by myself for a long time now, and I have my Deringer in my reticule. I don't need anyone holding my hand. Besides, Delilah's busy."

"Still, I think..."

"Don't be silly. I'll take Hock. He won't let anything happen to me."

As if comprehending her words, the dog rose and swiped a wet tongue over the back of her clenched hand.

"All right." Harker bent to pet the dog. "I think he'll make you a good guard dog. He knows you saved him. Get back here soon, though."

"I only need ten minutes, I promise. I'll take the back way, and no one will even see me." Slinging her cloak around her shoulders, she took up the bag and headed for the rear door of the saloon, the dog at her heels. The rest of her faro gear would have to remain here. Replacing it all would be expensive, but, if she took it, Harker would know she didn't plan to return and demand to know why.

Every instinct screamed for her to leave Pandora now. But she had to hang onto her wits, had to make plans. One choice would mean a steep and dangerous trek over a trail that zigzagged up the cliff and over the mountain. No, the train remained her best bet. She could only hope she'd be safe in her room until departure time. At least she had her reticule, the bank draft Harker had given her, and her Derringer. She'd managed before; she could do it again.

She had to.

 ~~^~~

An avid reader, Charlene Raddon never planned to be a writer. A vivid dream changed that. She dragged out a portable typewriter and began to put her dream on paper. Originally published by Kensington Books, Charlene is now an Indie author. All her books have received high accolades, contest wins, and awards. When not writing, she designs historical book covers at her site, http://silversagebookcovers.com where she specializes in westerns.

Charlene’s website: http://charleneraddon.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/CharleneRaddon

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Charlene-Raddon/e/B000APG1P8/