A new favorite author...

Not long ago, I posted about discovering Hallee Bridgeman at this year's Arizona Dreamin', a Readers' Event.

I'm a planner in many things, though writing isn't one of them. In writing, I'm a pantster. Sorry, sidetracked. Yes, I'm also easily sidetracked. Where was I?

Conference. I knew I'd have the opportunity to choose to meet several authors, so I looked over the names. Many of the authors I already knew or they wrote romance novels I wasn't particularly interested in reading. I'm not a huge fan of first person, except in the case of an autobiography. I know, not typical, but I've never claimed to be typical.

The authors I didn't know I investigated. I checked their websites and looked up their books on Amazon. If they had a free download of a short story, I accepted the opportunity.

I read Hallee's novella Greater than Rubies, a follow up to her novel Sapphire Ice. I loved it. I wrote about the wonderful experience in a previous post.

http://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/2014/06/hallee-bridgeman.html

I bought her paperback book The Jewel Anthology in the bookstore provided at the conference. It includes all three of her Jewel novels and the novella. It also includes the study guides and recipes accompanying each book. It made to the top of my To-Be-Read pile this past month. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. It was a delight to have all the stories together. The heroes and heroines are unique and yet share common threads of faith, either well developed faith or stepping onto the path.

They're Christian romances with real characters. People who have made mistakes. Horrible things have happened in their lives. They question their faith and struggle. In each story, I searched my own heart, my own faith, my own journey. I finished feeling uplifted and inspired.

These stories are the kind of romances I like to read. I've added her suspense books to my wish list.

Bits and bobs about writing...

I spend a lot of time researching. It doesn't matter which series I'm working on. There's always something I need to know. Here are a few of things I've looked up lately:

Draft breeds. I needed a pair of dray horses. I looked at several and decided on the Clydesdale. They were bred in Scotland, not long before my story takes place.

Moon phases, in 1817. Yes, timeanddate.com provide the date of the new moon, first quarter, full, and third quarter.

Sunrise and sunset times, comparing winter to summer. I've learned about astronomical twilight, nautical twilight, and civil twilight. Also available at the same site, though I figured this year would be close enough.

I search maps for towns for my stories, and then look up the towns.

In the upcoming Tarnished Knight, Jack sails into Berwick-upon-Tweed. It's a walled port town in northern England, almost to the Scottish border. After visiting their webpage, I want to visit.

The problem with research: It's distracting. The next thing I know hours have passed. However, I've a much clearer picture in my head of the places my characters live.

Sharing Links...

New site with information on PTSD:
http://ptsd-acceptingcopingthriving.com/

A blog devoted to sharing the stories of soldiers:
http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/

From Writers In The Storm blog, I needed this right now:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/five-plus-tips-to-keep-you-writing/

And this one!
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/time-management-for-writers-yes-makes-less/

God bless.

I have an announcement...

I'm going to be 1 of 27 authors featured at Arizona Dreamin', a Romance Readers Event, at the end of May 2015. I'm nervous and excited.

I'll also be attending the Buidlin' the Dream event.

http://thedreamsconvention.com/

I'm going to make Thursdays my information day here.

Take a moment to breathe...

It's been a busy last few months, preparing two books for release. Two more or coming, so I actually can't breath yet. However, I am taking a moment to thank the Good Lord for all the many blessings He has granted.

Friends.

Nature.

Warm fuzzies.

 Laughter.

Prayer.

Original Release Day

In 1986, England, an American woman, her trust in God shaken, searches for new dreams, never anticipating the challenge of a faithful British gentleman. 

Finding Home, Book Four in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series, is here!
 
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American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest for him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Sometimes home isn't a place but a feel when the right person is near, and sometimes finding the right person requires leaving everything familiar behind and exercising new faith and trust...

 

Links to Share...

Patricia Johns shared a post on body image:
http://patriciajohnsromance.com/2014/07/13/dressing-up-the-paintbrush/

The Bookaholic Bookworm shares reviews. After reading this particular review, I added the book to my wish list. It's my kind of cookbook. It isn't available until 2015.
http://bookaholicbookworm.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/hugh-said-you-can-come-into-my-kitchen/

Writers In The Storm shared a great blog on the importance of small edits, including examples:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/small-edits-can-make-a-big-difference/

Jude Urbanski, a Desert Breeze Publishing author, was interviewed over at Genesis 5020:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/07/16/write-to-the-point-with-jude-urbanski/

Melissa Finnegan, from Genesis 5020, shares her writing journey over at Kristena Tunstall's blog:
http://kristenatunstall.com/the-journey-with-melissa-finnegan-acfw/

Lynette Endicott shares a short bit of good writing advice:
http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/when-does-the-characters-know-more-than-the-author

So many amazing people willing to share a bit of their world.

God bless.

Finding Home...

Book Four of The Silver Locket Sisterhood series will be available on Monday the 21st, in eformat. It will be available in paperback, next month.

In 1986, England, an American woman, her trust in God shaken, searches for new dreams, never anticipating the challenge of a faithful British gentleman.

American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest to him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Sometimes home isn't a place but a feeling when the right person is near, and somtimes finding the right person requires leaving everything familiar behind and exercising new faith and trust...

Saving Lisa...

Book Three in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series is available now in eformat and will be available in paperback in August.

Everything Eric Hudson owned burned to the ground. Over a year later, in the late spring of 1985, it's time to gather what few threads remain and see what he can salvage. A job in Thailand offers a fresh start. A relationship is one complication he does not need especially with a woman who believes God solves everything...

A new job is the answer to Lisa Montgomery's prayer. Relationships are out. Travel is the only adventure she wants. The main impediment to her hopes and dreams is fear. In her efforts to conquer it, she embarks on a dangerous journey and discovers a world she didn't know existed, human trafficking. Nothing stands between her and slavery. Faith isn't only about trusting God but trusting self...

The difference between running away and running to is the difference between fear and faith.

Links to share...

Writers In The Storm blog shared some hints for beating writer's block:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/unblocking-yourself-ten-ways-to-beat-writers-block/

Genesis 5020 offered a review and link to a free novella:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/07/08/appalachian-serende-by-sarah-loudin-thomas-free-book/

Over on my author page on FB, I've offered a few sneak peeks to Tarnished Knight.
https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHawkes

God bless.

Wordless

Mark's Grace...

Book Two of The Silver Locket Sisterhood series is available in ebook format and will be available in paperback this August.

1983, California

Grace Williams loves her new job as the manager of Blink in Time, the art gallery Angelinos are raving about. Burying herself in work means she doesn't need to face the past.

Mark Callaghan, the gallery's curator, fell for Grace the first time he met her. Pursuing her is his other full-time job, but so far the relationship produces friendship, not love.

An old flame hunts Grace down. Mark fears his own affection for her may be too little too late.

Will Mark's patience and life-changes win Grace at last, or will her past destroy whatever future they might have shared?

Luck in Love...

Book One in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series is available now, in ebook format, and will be available in paperback this August.

In 1983, housekeeping in the century-old Lake Yellowstone Hotel beckons to Sara Budge's desire to escape her abusive family. The summer break from college offers the time to determine her plans for the rest of her life.

Peace eludes Luck Williams, and the opportunity handed to him to photograph his favorite place on earth is irresistable. Even caught up in the pristine beauty he is unable to escape the haunting nightmares of one horrific day.

A fresh start doesn't guarantee the past stays in the past. The fragility and carpiciousness of life guarantees pain and disappointment.

Choosing perfect serenity and safety over love and trust may spare dips into the valleys, but the awe-inspiring views from the peaks are also forfeit. God provides gentle inspiration and the precious gift of choice, for those willing to risk the leap of faith.

Sharing links Saturday...

Jessica R. Patch shares a delightful post on learning to love reading the Bible.
http://www.jessicarpatch.com/2014/06/but-i-dont-like-bible.html

One of the best posts, ever, over at Writers in the Storm blog, about Spooks:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/truths-of-spycraft-you-dont-see-in-fiction/

God bless.

Happy Indepedence Day!

Sharing a link early...

Genesis 5020 is sharing a giveaway, but it's only good through Independence Day, tomorrow. Then it goes up to 99 cents, which is still a good deal. If you don't own a reader, she's also offering a PDF. Good deal. However, for those who need a little gift without feeling guilty, here you go:

http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/i-have-a-story-published-and-its-free/

Wordless