Christmas came early

The Christmas anthology, An American Rose Christmas, is available NOW at Amazon.com. Filled with stories set during the Revolutionary and Civil War, Redcoats and Sleigh Bells is one of several stories that will fill your holiday with just the right amount of spice.

Blurb from Redcoats and Sleigh Bells

It took more than a bullet wound to stop Holly Masters from completing her intelligence mission. Generals, patrols, and experienced scouts had been her sport, until she met Dr. Nicholas Clayton. Severely injured and now his patient, in order to complete her assignment, she must decide if she can kill the man who saved her life.

Nicholas has healed wounded men for both the Patriots and the Crown, but he never expected to find a wounded woman, dressed in a British military uniform, on the edge of his property. Tucked into her coat sleeve, she holds many secrets that will change the course of the war. As an officer, he has a duty to prevent her from leaving his custody. As a doctor, he has the means to prevent her from revealing what she knows. Trained for every action, nothing has prepared him for what he knows he must do.


Excerpt

The sleigh bells jingled as he bridled the horse. “There isn't time to remove the strap. Grab that cloth over there and wrap them. We can at least muffle the noise. With the information destroyed, there's no proof that you know anything. Promise me, you will keep your mouth closed.”

She didn't know if she should be insulted or proud. “Nicholas, why do you want me to leave now?”

He continued without a proper answer. “Even if you get to the General in time, which you won't, it will be too late.”

“Nicholas, answer me.”

He stopped and looked across the horse's back. “Surely you realize that a soldier will never give accurate information in front of a civilian, even when ordered to do so by his superior. The information the sergeant gave in the barn was incorrect.”

“Are you certain?”

“Quite.” He bent over to tighten the girth. “When he returned, the paper he gave me had the correct information.”

Holly's stomach dropped to her knees and her hands shook. “Nicholas, what did you write in response?”

He refused to acknowledge her and strapped an extra blanket to the back of her saddle.

“Nicholas!”

He didn't need words. His expression spoke for him. Holly held a fist to her stomach and backed away. Her throat closed preventing her from swallowing. She had to sit soon or fall over.

He rushed to her side but she held up her hand, staying him. “Why?” The word, barely audible, was all she could manage.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAY

I don't know how much this person wants the news to spread, but I would be very remiss if I didn't acknowledge a huge accomplishment. A friend of mine just signed with a TOP rated agent. I knew it would happen the moment I beta read for her. Just wait until her book is in stores. Oh, yeah, I'll be shouting about that when it happens. So...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! *confetti*

Focus

I've managed to patch myself up enough to get past the initial shock of cutting a huge chunk from my wip. Since doing that, the creative juices are flowing. I had one moment when my imagination started to jut off in another direction. I reined it in, pointed to my original idea, and said, focus. I should have done this earlier.

Painful, so painful

I have struggled for so long with The Night Lamp. I finally took a good look, not like I haven't before, but this time I accepted what I saw. Too many characters. Too much subplot. It had to go. I cut 15000 words in one fell swoop. Ouuuuch! I won't tell you how many characters were laid low. Frightening. I know as soon as I heal up over this, I will have a book that is lean and ready to make a promising debut.

What can you do

This is hilarious. After reading Cost of Freedom, someone contacted me and told me how much they loved the story. I was so flattered. As we talked, they mentioned different, memorable scenes. They loved the hero and heroine. They wanted to violently hurt the mean and nasty characters. Then they paused. Taking a breath, they said, but I was hoping that one character in particular would die at the end of the book.

I had to laugh. I told them, I completely agree and this character did die in the original draft. It was changed due to the immense support this character received from early readers. This latest reader assured me that she still loved the book even with that flaw.

I think back to the day when I received all of those emails from critique partners telling me that no one would accept the original ending. I'm glad to hear that at least one person saw my vision.

In the mail

The contract for For Mercy's Sake has been signed and shipped. Not that I have a favorite, but I really like this book. Maybe it is due to the limited amount of research that went into the story. While For Mercy's Sake is set in the 1700s, the characters do not live out historical events. This is a basic, character-driven story. I enjoy those.

Redcoats & Sleigh Bells galleys

Redcoats & Sleigh Bells galleys are back with my editor. I am thrilled to be part of such a talented group of authors. I can't wait to read their stories. Hmm, now that my galleys are finished, there's no reason I can't get lost in their worlds.

As soon as I have a release date, I'll let you know when you will be able to enjoy this fabulous collection.

Why I did it

Several years ago, some friends and I watched a movie about a family who was taken to a concentration camp. The father, through very creative methods, protected his child from the reality of their life. Although they faced certain death, the father made each day an adventure.

When the movie credits rolled, some viewers commented on how wonderful this father was. I agree. He was courageous and caring beyond measure. But at the same time, I was bothered by the message the viewer came away with. It wasn't reality. Don't get me wrong. I'm so glad the boy was spared the horrifying reality he faced, but years after the occurrence, would he question everyone's memories? Even today, there are people who deny the holocaust's existence. I often wonder how this is possible when the evidence is overwhelming.

This made me think of my writing. I love the 1700s. It was a time of bravery, chivalry, and romance. But it was also a time of war in the United States. It was gruesome and barbaric. Nice, upstanding citizens did horrific things. It is impossible to have a "civil" rebellion.

Some people have read Cost of Freedom and, very nicely, asked if all scenes were necessary. When writing the book, I asked myself that very question. I didn't want to include anything merely for shock value. At the same time, although the book is fiction, it is based on actual occurrences. In my opinion, to omit harsh realities would be a means of minimizing the sacrifices paid. War, and the events leading up to it, are not pretty, but individual character is.

While some scenes might leave readers feeling a tad squeamish, think about the person who endured the reality of the event. How would you have handled the situation? One thing that most readers say after reading Cost of Freedom, be it good or bad, is that they were affected and have been left with a new outlook of this particular event. Interestingly enough, readers who have seen war firsthand don't have any concerns about the contents. One lady, God love her, is on her fifth read.

Although I am no closer to resolving my initial quandary, I hope readers will understand my motives.