The Dreams Convention update...

If you want to participate, this is the year and here's why, straight from the Coordinators:

Our idea is to skip 2016, and return with guns blazing for The Dreams Convention in 2017.

What does that mean to you?

First of all, if you or any of your ​friends were thinking about waiting until 2016 to attend, now is the time to rethink that! (On my calendar, for the fourth time. Is it on yours?)

Secondly, every attendee at Buildin' theDream or Arizona Dreamin' is invited to join the Multi-AuthorBooksigning on Wednesday, May 27th! ​Please email Kris@KrisTualla.com ​if you would like to participate.

And third:

Buildin' the Dream ($79) still includes:
·         27 Author-Focused Workshops ~ Choose 8 from Craft, Publishing, or Business Tracks. (I'm presenting a workshop on the writer's environment.)
·        Your LUNCH
·         Author Resource Trade Show
·         Author Resource Directory
·         FREE Vendor Raffle Prizes
·         1st Annual Dream Awards
·         Event Bookstore (On the Craft of Writing)
·         Publishers Accepting Pitches
·         Bestselling Authors Critiquing Your Work
·         FREE Goody Bag

Arizona Dreamin' ($89) still includes:
* Friday night All-Author SPEED-MEET
* Professional Comedian Brian Kohatsu
* ​8 "BOOK CLUBS" per reader - 10 readers with 1 author
* LUNCH with individual authors
* DINNER with the author of your choice
* FREE "Dreamin' Dollars" auction
* "MAN OF OUR DREAMS" cover model competition
* RAFFLE BASKETS (100% of the proceeds go to charity)
* Discounted Bookstore Pricing
* Free GOODY BAGS
* PLUS: Hotel conference rates are just $99 for a SUITE, and include a cooked-to-order breakfast for everyone. Overall, The Dreams Convention is clearly the best deal around.

We hope you are as excited as we are about the possibilities, and we look forward to seeing you in May!

The Dreams Convention Coordinators:
Buildin the Dream ~ Morgan Kearns & Rhonda Plumhoff
Arizona Dreamin' ~ Kris Tualla & Deena Remiel

http://thedreamsconvention.com/

But wait, there's more! (I've always wanted to say that.) Those lucky few who purchase my tickets will receive an additional gift from me to you. Simply let them know you're signing up with me when you purchase your ticket.

The second book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series...

Mark's Grace

The Manager

In 1983 California, Grace Williams loves her new job as the manager of 'A Blink in Time,' the art gallery Angelinos are raving about. Burying herself in work means she doesn't need to face the past or how she feels about the gallery's gorgeous curator.

The Curator

From the moment he met her, Mark Callaghan, knew beautiful Grace belonged in his life, but she maintained a frustrating distance between them. Pursuing her is his other full-time job. Though the relationship produces a satisfying friendship, he desires a forever love.

The Partnership

An old flame hunts Grace down, and Mark fears his own decade-old 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 hoped to share?

Saturday fluff...

I read several excellent blogs. I'm sorry; I completely forgot to add the links here, and I no longer remember which ones. It's that kind of week. Sunrise a few weeks ago...

Wordless

Vintage series The Silver Locket Sisterhood...

The first book of the series, was published in 2012.

Luck in Love 

Step Forward

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.

Into the Darkness

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

God Lights the Way

A fresh start doesn't guarantee the past stays in the past. The fragility and carpeciousness 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 inspiration and the precious gift of choice, for those willing to risk the leap of faith.

Available wherever ebooks are sold and at Amazon in paperback.

Links to share...

The Tenement Museum, an article with pictures shared at the Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2886995/Immigrant-lives-frozen-time-Never-seen-photos-inside-Manhattan-s-Tenement-Museum-shed-light-Lower-East-s-notorious-turn-century-slum.html

Writers In The Storm shared good reminders on writing, in a fun way. Who knew you could learn so much from a baby seahorse?
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2015/01/writing-lessons-from-a-baby-seahorse/
WITS, namely Jenny Hansen, shared her writing process. It's similar to mine, but I'm not nearly as aware. I'm going to give her methods a spin and see if it improves my own habits.
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2015/01/writing-process-throwdown-jennys-story-quilting/

May your day be blessed.

Odd Bits...

I'm in the process of preparing for paperback Holiday, USA Anthology 2014. This book will contain all 4 novellas published last year. I prefer books in paperback. The anthology won't be published in eformat as the novellas are available individually.

I've figured out the footers, numbering pages where numbers are needed and leaving blank the pages that need to be left blank. Woohoo!

Yesterday, I planned to work on the headers. I thought I'd fiddle with the chapters as a brief distraction, making it so there weren't any extra blank pages. It ended up taking all day.

Today's plan is to work on the headers, the author name on one side and the title on the other. I may scrap it altogether, depending on what I'm able to work out.

I'm a tactile learner, so I actually have to do it. I can read about it all I want, but it won't make much sense to me. Curiously, once I've figured it out, I'm able to go back and read the directions and they make perfect sense.

Featured author at Arizona Dreamin'

Yes, me!

It's the 5th annual Arizona Dreamin' on May 29-31, 2015!

I've been a reader at the event the last 3 years and had a lovely time. I'm looking forward to being a featured author this year. My first time! I've been planning for months. I want to make this event as wonderful for my readers as the other authors have made it for me.

This reader-focused weekend is always a blast -and it's CHEAP! Look what you get for ONLY $89:

*SPEED-MEET ​​27 authors of VARIOUS GENRES of romance​!
​*Attend 8 "BOOK CLUBS" - 10 readers with 1 author in 30-minute sessions​!​
*LUNCH ​with individual authors​!​
*DINNER ​with the author​ of your choice!​
*FREE ​"​​Dreamin' Dollars" auction​!
*Professional Comedian Brian Kohatsu!
*Discounted Bookstore Pricing!
*"MAN OF OUR DREAMS" cover model competition​!
*RAFFLE BASKETS ​- 100% of the proceeds go to charity​!​
*FREE GOODY BAGS​!​
*More FUN than can be described. True story​​.​

Hotel rates are just $95 for a SUITE, and include a ​FULL breakfast​ for everyone!​ Hands down, the best deal around.

​Go here to buy your Arizona Dreamin' ticket before this fantastic event sells out​. Space is limited. It's part of the reason I like this event. I've met amazing people and been blessed to widen my circle of friends. Be sure to tell them I sent you! http://thedreamsconvention.com/

Wordless

One more day...

...and Tarnished Knight will be here.

The Distressed Damsel

In 1817 England, Abigail Stewart is not the appointed estate manager. Her father, who was, is dead. The position should have been hers if not for the fact she's a woman. She's willing to go to any lengths to protect all she loves, including incur the wrath of the owner.

The Tarnished Knight

Jack Roper knows espionage and intrigue. Protecting King and country is his life, until a woman he's never met sets about demolishing everything he's worked to build for the purpose of attaining her own ends, regardless of what happens to him.

The Roper Estate

Without the baron present, Castle Sugan, the surrounding land, and the people living on it struggle to survive. All is not lost. God turns evil for good and changes hearts, but will Abigail and Jack choose to be a part of it...

Available wherever ebooks are sold. Next month, available in paperback at Amazon.

The last of the Thorn siblings...

Grace's Possibilities ~ June 2014 Benjamin Thorn and Hannah Budge

Hannah Budge married one of her dearest friends to protect her honor and her other best friend, the man she loves. The death of her husband leaves her vulnerable to the advances of a man she loathes, the father of the man she loves.

Benjamin Thorn always planned to marry Hannah, until his two best friends betrayed him. They made their choices, and he made his. With his dreams dead, he throws himself into other pursuits, until he must save Hannah from his own father.

Hurt and suspicion will tear them apart forever, unless they learn to trust God and each other...

A prequel to the Endless Possibilities series...

 Impossibilities

George Budge is a military man. He's survived the army for over seven years. The night before the battle at Waterloo, he endeavors to impart to his protégé what matters most.

Taken under George's wing when he joins the army, fifteen-year-old drummer Leo stands on the brink, more man than boy, facing the fight of his young life.

Life's unexpected twists demand uncommon fortitude, dogged determination, and unfailing courage. From time to time, God sends a pair of unlikely angels.

Will Leo accept the vagaries of war and choose death or allow God to reveal another way and step through the door with the boldness for which his mentor nicknamed him?

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/endless-possibilities-prelude-impossibilities-pdf/

A short story free read.

Jack, from the upcoming Tarnished Knight, makes an official appearance in this story. You don't need to read it in order to read Tarnished Knight. It simply adds a bit more.

Links to Share...

The Writer's Refuge shared eight excellent bits of advice on writing:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/12/27/eight-things-charles-dickens-ebenezer-scrooge-remind-us-about-writing-every-christmas/

A bit of much needed inspiration from the blog of Beth Trissel:
https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/when-the-wind-goes-out-of-your-sails/

Author Richard Paul Evans shares a poignant letter to Anonymous:
http://www.richardpaulevans.com/woman-church-sent-anonymous-letter/

Sherry Thomas, over at Writers In The Storm, shared a post on breaking the rules, writing rules:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/

May your day be blessed.

Happy New Year

Regency series...

Endless Possibilities series first follows the Thorn siblings...

Unexpected Possibilities ~ October 2013 James Thorn and Lily Milton

One Directive

In 1816 England, James Thorn, by his father's command, must marry a titled lady in exchange for his inheritance. He is granted one Season in London to accomplish the task or lose everything.

Two Stumbling Blocks

James suspects his inheritance is not as lucrative as intimated. The young lady for whom he must sacrifice his soul in order to inherit may not be worth the price.

And an Unexpected Distraction

Lily Milton, housemaid, earns the unenviable role of conspirator in her mistress' plan to hoodwink the young lady's suitor, none other than Lily's own knight in shining armor. Darker schemes lurk, with twisted intentions bent on destruction, but God never abandons His own.

Final edits are in...

Tarnished Knight and Wings to Fly are in. The first will be released on January 21, 2015. The second will be released on February 21, 2015. The paperbacks will be out a month later.

I'm sad to see the end of The Silver Locket Sisterhood series.

It's time to rethink my Holiday, USA series. I still want to write them, but clearly I need to create a better schedule.

Merry Christmas

The gifts of Christmas started with a Child born in a manger, the Son of God, Jesus. This was followed by an offer of calm: Fear not. Then came singing. A star was given, heavenly guidance. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The value of the first is still understood the world over. However, the value of the other two has largely been lost over the years. I use the essential oil frankincense as a healing herb. I use a mix of the essential oils frankincense and myrrh on the tip of my nose to help me sleep at night. The scent is relaxing to me.

I bought Chris several years ago as one of my ways to Celebrate the Season:

All kinds of analogies pop into my head regarding Chris.

“Bloom where you are planted.”

Chris thrived, for a while, several years. This past year, Chris… fell apart. Really. Sections would fall off. I felt so badly for Chris, but didn’t know what to do. I suspect Chris needed to be repotted, but anything bigger won’t fit in my window. I’d toss the bits and hope Chris would recover. He didn’t. Two multisegments broke off. Only two leaves were left on Chris, and they looked dried and withered. I couldn’t bear losing Chris. He’d brought me so much beauty over the years. I decided to stick the segments left in dirt and see what happens.

I like single serving fruit cups. Works in my little food storage supply. I saved a couple plastic cups, filled them with dirt, and stuck the segments into the dirt. A quick watering, set on the windowsill, and wait and hope.

Months later, they were growing. They needed growing room. I transferred them to new pots, last week. Yes, I’m very proud.

You might not be able to change your location, but that doesn’t mean you can’t thrive.

Meet Chris’ offspring:

It's important I bend my will to God's rather than demand He bend His will to me. His plan is always better anyway. Here's to learning to better align my will with God in the coming year.

May your day be blessed.

Endless Possibilities is available...

...in paperback at Amazon and eformat wherever books are sold.

Hidden Possibilities ~ March 2013 Matthew Thorn and Caitlin Roper

In England, 1816, Caitlin Roper's history forced her to choose to never marry. Her contented solitary retreat at her uncle's Felliford estate ceased the moment a handsome gentleman tumbled into her life, bringing with him hopeless dreams she thought long buried...

Fynn, a name Caitlin chose for him, survived coming off his horse but without his memory fully intact. How often did God offer a man the opportunity to choose who he wanted to become without the hindrances of previous mistakes?

Torn between the possibilities hidden in the future and the secrets of the past, they both must choose...before time runs out and the past catches up, deciding the future for them.

Wordless

A bit of research fun...

I'm currently working on the edits for Tarnished Knight. Most of the book takes place at Castle Sugan, a place in my imagination. However, Jack Roper, Lord Roper, sails into Berwick-upon-Tweed from the Continent.

Every story I write includes research of one sort or another. I confess: I often become lost reading about the places I'm writing about.

I've visited the Berwick website and explored the town, even though only short visits are made to the town in my book. Reading about it, looking at the pictures shared on the site, gives me a sense of being there, combined with my own trip to England and Scotland years ago.

The history caught my attention as I double checked information.

http://www.bridgeviewberwick.com/berwick-history.html