Fantasy and Dreams

The Violin (revised edition) received a 5 Star Review

2012-01-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

Manic Readers reviewer, Alberta, gave the revised edition of The Violin a 5 star review. Thank you so much, Alberta, for making my day.
Here is the complete review:
Full Review from Manic readers:

Release Date: 12/04/11

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 215

Publisher: Rebecca J. Vickery
Review:

I love time travel romances, and I loved this one. Genevieve is a product of the foster child system, a repressed, self-conscious, shy, unloved and unlovable teacher with dreams of an unknown man that recur nightly.

When she sees an auction for an old violin, she feels compelled to buy it, behaving totally out of character for her staid self. Inside she finds information about the owner who drowned in 1927. She embarks on a journey to find out more about the man, his family and the violin. She manages to go back in time to 1927, meets and falls in love with John, the owner of the violin.

She is welcomed by family and friends but she knows she must try and save John’s life, before returning to her own time. Their love is doomed to separation by years or death or both.

The Violin is intricately written, and the difference in personality between Genevieve in the present day to Genevieve in 1927 is clearly defined and startling. The whole town seems to know something that she doesn’t, but when she finds out what that is, she can’t or won’t believe it could possibly be true. I loved the characters, both main and secondary, and the conflicts are satisfactorily resolved. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

To view the complete review at Manic Readers, here is the tag:

http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=21322

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T12:38:00.000-08:00

I wish you all a very happy, prosperous, peaceful and love-filled New Year.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2011-12-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing for the holidays, I wish you peace, joy and prosperity and many it continue throughout the year.

Please welcome Stephanie Burkhart

2011-12-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

Pleas welcome Stephanie Burkhart with us, the author of paranormal and extraordinary stories to my blog today. She is offering a give-away today with details at the end of the blog.

STEPH: Thanks for having me here today, Sarah. I was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. At 18 I joined the Army wanting a great adventure. And I got it.  I've been to Germany, France, Denmark, Poland, and Hungary just to name a few countries. I was married in 1991 and left the Army in 1997. Now I work for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. I'm married with two young sons, ages 9 and 5.

You can find me on the web at:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

My recent novels include:

The Budapest Moon Series

Paranormal/werewolf romance

The Hungarian

The Count's Lair

Danube in Candlelight

The Windsor Diaries

Steampunk romance

Victorian Scoundrel

Moldavian Moon Series

Paranormal/werewolf romance

The Wolf's Torment

Twilight Over Moldavia – releases 1 JAN 2012

Releasing 15 DEC 2011:

The Faberge Secret

A contemporary Christmas Romance

My other Christmas stories include:

Christmas in Bayeux and

Feast of Candles in the 2011 Christmas Collection released by Victory Tales Press

A picture of the Danish Royal Castle

SARAH: How do you usually come up with a story idea? Dreams? Writer’s journal? Eavesdropping on conversations? Newspaper?

STEPH: I don't dream so my inspiration for stories don't come through them. I get a germ of an idea and then I research. From the research I get "what if" questions which form a basic plot. Then I flesh out the characters using bios and establishing internal conflict. I call this "preliminary" work and it usually takes 2-3 weeks to really flesh out.

SARAH: Who or what inspires you when your creative mojo is lagging?

STEPH: It never lags. Sounds scary, doesn't it? There is always an idea in my head.

SARAH: Who is your Yoda—your seasoned mentor?

STEPH: Gosh, I'd have to say, if anything, I want to write books like Diana Crosby – really polished in setting, characterization, and plot.

SARAH: What importance do you place on writing workshops? What workshops would you recommend to us?

STEPH: I think writing workshops are great. Unfortunately, my time is very limited with real life commitments. I wish I could attend more workshops than I do.

SARAH: What person would you like to thank for inspiring you in your writing aspirations? How did this person help you?

STEPH: Dina Hickman. She made me believe I could be a writer.

SARAH: Have you ever used songs for inspiration?

STEPH: You bet! "Astronomy" by Blue Oyster Cult is "Stefan's and Caroline's" song. They are my hero and heroine from my upcoming release, "Twilight Over Moldavia."

SARAH: Do you play music when you write? If so, what kind? Or, do you have to have silence or background noise to set your writing muse free?

STEPH: If I do play music, I like to play Kevin MacLeod's music. It's mellow and peaceful and doesn't disturb my train of thought.

SARAH: Do you read in a different genre than you write? If yes, why? If you read in the same genre that you write, do you feel that it influences your writing in any way?

STEPH: I'll read anything, but honestly, I'm picky about reading paranormals. I really enjoy Karen Michelle Nutt's paranormals and Barbara Edwards because they write paranormals with the focus on the man and not the creature he is.

I'm more flexible with my contemporary writing and reading, and I'll read a wider variety of those, but prefer those with an international setting.

SARAH: What is your process from idea to first draft?

STEPH: Research. Researching gives me ideas. I do a lot of sketching with pen and paper.

SARAH: Have you ever given assistance to a struggling new writer? Has another writer ever come to your aide? How?

STEPH: I haven't given any assistance per se, but I am a moderator on Writing.com. I find it's hard to give assistance to new writers only because they aren't really receptive to feedback. I'm willing to give feedback, but I think that receptiveness comes with maturity as you grow as a writer. As far as another writer helping me, I don't mind. Sometimes they see angles I don't see.

SARAH: What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your career so far?

STEPH: Publishing with multiple publishers. It lets me know a variety of publishers are interested in my writing and that means a lot.

SARAH: If you won the big lottery, what would you do with the money? Would give any of it to charity? If so, which one?

STEPH: I think I'd square away my mortgage first, lol!! Yes, I definitely support charities. I think the closest ones to my heart involve hemophilia, a blood disease that can now be managed for those who have it, and any charities or organizations having to do with sensory integration dysfunction. My 5 year old son, Joseph, has sensory issues and it's been a challenge to meet his needs at times. (SID) can present on its own, but it is very commonly associated with Autism because a lot of autistic children have sensory issues. A great book to read is "Raising a Sensory Smart Child." It's helped me a lot identify what my son needs regarding regulating his senses. After that, I'd like to support Autistic awareness and research behind autism.

SARAH: What is the best advice you want to give to a new writer?

STEPH: Be receptive about learning the craft. Learn everything you can. Be open to the advice other writers offer.

SARAH: What characteristics do you like to instill in your heroes? What characteristics do you feel are necessary for a good heroine?

STEPH: I like my heroes to be noble. From nobility comes honor, integrity, and strength. I like heroines to be clever. I don't like the typical heroine in distress. I'd like her to make her own choices and decisions. I'd like her to project an inner strength, but show vulnerability when she's alone.

My release in the 2011 Christmas Collection from Victory Tales Press is called: "Feast of Candles." Here's a blurb & excerpt. Enjoy!

BLURB: Drake de Brettville is going to take the biggest risk of his life – because of a bottle of wine. When Drake's brother returns to their home in Denmark with a bottle of wine from the Marquand Winery, Drake finds himself compelled to discover who the wine maker is. Intrigued to learn that the owner is a young woman named Lily Marquand, Drake travels to Napa Valley, California, to meet her. When Drake finds Lily, the sparks fly. Lily is that rare woman who stimulates him like no other, but to win her love, Drake has to shatter the battlements that guard her heart and prove to her Christmas wishes do come true.

EXCERPT:

Drake walked forward, stopping before her. White string lights sparkled on the tree, sending soft shadows over his cheeks. The room was empty. The doormen were escorting guests to their cars.

"What makes me believe it's Christmas is light." His voice was low and purposefully seductive. His nearness made her senses spin.

"Light? I don't understand."

"In Denmark, the sun rises after eight in the morning and sets before four in the afternoon, so light is important in our Christmas traditions. Candlelight drives away the gloom and creates a warmth and coziness for many families during this cold and dark time of year. This last weekend my family gathered to light our first candle on the Advent wreath."

"Family is important to you?" She had to know.

"Very. And you?"

"My mother passed away when I was a little girl, and my father threw his heart and soul into the winery. I have an uncle, but he lives in New York. I grew up not knowing what a close family was like."

His compelling eyes riveted her to the spot as they hinted of sadness. He reached out and cupped her cheek, gently stroking her jaw with his thumb. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't be alone at Christmas."

"I'm used to the loneliness." She closed her eyes briefly, enjoying his touch far too much.

He drew close, pressing the length of his body against hers. Her pulse quickened even as a sense of caution flooded through her. She opened her eyes and placed her hand over his, while placing her other hand over his chest to stop him from drawing closer. Despite her attraction, she wasn't quite ready to allow a kiss.

He stared into her eyes, keeping his hand on her waist. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She hesitated. "Everything. You…" her voice trailed off. Silence grew between them. God, what had she been thinking? Was it possible to have a future with him?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://www.amazon.com/2011-Christmas-Collection-Sensual-ebook/dp/B005Z8VOVG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323215183&sr=1-1

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/2011-christmas-collection-vtp-anthologies/1107079792?ean=2940032828143&itm=1&usri=2011+christmas+collection+sensual+spicy

SMASHWORDS:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/99059

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Contest: You won't want to miss this!!!!

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite Christmas Carol is. I'll come back on the 14th and announce a winner. The winner receives a decorative cloth Christmas tree, candles and chocolate.

For Love of Banjo the cover

2011-12-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

This is the cover for my soon to be released sequel to Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride, For Love of Banjo. It's a World War I story.
Deceit stands between Banjo Wilding’s love for Maggie O’Leary and his search for the father he never knew.

Blurb:

Banjo Wilding wears a borrowed name and bears the scars and reputation of a lurid past. To earn the right to ask for Margaret O’Leary’s hand, he must find his father and make something of himself.

Margaret O’Leary has loved Banjo since she was ten years old but standing between her and Banjo is pride, Banjo’s mysterious father and the Great War.

Will either of them find happiness?

Please Welcome Ginger Simpson

2011-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to introduce Ginger Simpson to my blog. I hope you enjoy her interview and the excerpt from her book, Shortcomings.

Please give us your website addy, a list of your books and a short bio.

My website address is http://www.gingersimpson.com and there is a short bio and all my books are listed there. I don’t think you want me to list them all here since I’ve been doing this for over ten years now and have amassed quite a backlist. I’ll just say I’m an old married woman, living in TN, who dotes on her only grandchild (Spencer), and loves to write.

How do you usually come up with a story idea? Dreams? Writer’s journal? Eavesdropping on conversations? Newpaper?

My inspiration for stories are character driven. I’ve only written one book that wasn’t, and The Locket was the hardest book for me to write, aside from my debut/swan song Erotica which I wrote under a pen name. In The Locket, I didn’t have a character with a road map handy to lead me, so I had to try to plot, which I suck at. I’m a pantser, tried and true.

Who or what inspires you when your creative mojo is lagging?

Until recently, I found no inspiration when my characters took a hiatus from speaking to me, but I recently tossed around a few ideas with some fellow author friends and found an event that got my character involved again. Since this was the first conversation lapse between me and my heroine, I was a tad worried. Thankfully, Hattie’s Hero is back on track, and Hattie, although not the chatterbox she was, is at least telling her story again.

Who is your Yoda—your seasoned mentor?

I’d have to say Laura Ingalls Wilder. Although I’ve drifted back and forth in genres, I always tend to return to my “roots” in the old west. I grew up reading all of Ms. Wilder’s books, and although my adult self drifted to more mature storylines, I still attribute my love for historical novels to my esteemed yoda, LIW.

What importance do you place on writing workshops? What workshops would you recommend to us?

Honestly, I’ve only registered for two, and although I found them interesting and did glean a few helpful tips, as a pantser, I still have to rely on my characters. You can’t teach a non-plotter to plot. It just doesn’t come easy. But… every editing session is like a workshop for me. I’ve not come away from one where I didn’t learn a valuable lesson.

Oh, and the two workshops I did attend were presented by Cheryl St. John, a very talented HQ historical author. I highly recommend her workshops because she presents them in language you can easily understand, provides handouts, and lots of time for question and answers. BTW, I receive no compensation for my endorsement. lol

What person would you like to thank for inspiring you in your writing aspirations? How did this person help you?

Aside from my Yoda, I’d have to say that Maddy Baker and Cassie Edwards have been my inspiration. I believe I’ve read just about every western romance they’ve penned, and I’ll always consider them to be mentors.

Have you ever used songs for inspiration?

No, but I do listen to music while I write. I love R&B. In my opinion, real R&B died with Luther Vandross.

Do you play music when you write? If so, what kind? Or, do you have to have silence or background noise to set your writing muse free?

Gosh, I’m good. I saw this question coming and answered it. Silence is something I never enjoy. I really don’t want to, because that will mean I’m dead. I have a malformed carotid artery on both sides of my head, so I hear the blood rushing to my brain. I always have either the TV or radio going in the background, and at night, I sleep with a white noise machine. The diagnosing doctor told me if he had that noise in his head, he’d shoot himself. It’s not an option for me. I have so much to do and so little time to do it. 

Do you read in a different genre than you write? If yes, why? If you read in the same genre that you write, do you feel that it influences your writing in any way?

Of course, my favorite reads are always going to be western historical romance, but I’ve branched into other genres through reviewing. I’m glad I ventured out because the experience prompted me to try my hand outside my comfort zone. Although I feel I’ve shown my writing versatility, I still prefer good old cowboy and Indian sagas.

What is your process from idea to first draft?

Listen and type. I used to just write, write, write, but my internal editor does catch some of the obvious writing issues along the way. As long as my characters are talking, my fingers are busy.

Have you ever given assistance to a struggling new writer? Has another writer ever come to your aide? How?

I’m a great believer in team playing and I see my peers as my teammates. If we all share what we learn, then we all benefit in the process. My blog and yahoo group have an open door, and I love interacting with other authors. Some of them have inspired me in ways they’ll never know.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your career so far?

That after ten years, I’m still writing and publishing, and even better, garnering new fans.

If you won the big lottery, what would you do with the money? Would give any of it to charity? If so, which one?

If I won the lottery, I’d definitely donate a portion to help Autism research. My nine-year-old grandson, Spencer, was diagnosed at the age of two, and although he’s making progress, I worry about his future. People can be so unkind.

Lottery aside, I wrote a YA based on how we treat one another, and that’s the book I’m promoting here today. Shortcomings’ tag line says it all…our shortcomings don’t define who we are.

What is the best advice you want to give to a new writer?

Listen and learn. Apply what works for you without changing your voice, and above all, believe in yourself.

If you could choose an animal for a mascot, what animal would it be? What do you admire about this animal? Do you feel you have qualities similar to this animal? If so, what are they?

Ohhhh, I am so not an animal lover. Gosh, I can hear the boos from here. I think it stems from loving and losing so many in my life, I’ve found that if I don’t get attached, I don’t have to worry. It’s bad enough to stress over children, and animals become our “kids” if we let them. If you press me to pick one, I suppose I’d pick a gazelle. They’re sleek, fast, elegant, and even their name sounds special. I’m nothing like one, but they possess qualities I wish I had. I’ll probably never survive my father’s first observation of me in high heels… “You look like an elephant on ice picks.”

If money, education and fear factors were set aside, what three careers would you like to attempt other than writing?

I’ve already had a fulfilling career, and a taste of a second one. I spent over 23 years working in higher education, and then spent a year working in the field of corrections. I love what I do right now, but if I was twenty years younger, I’d go back and apply to be a correctional officer again. One shouldn’t wait so long they become a “gun-totin” granny. I loved it.

If money, talent and fear were no object, what big adventure would you like to have?

Sadly, money, talent and fear are objects in the path of almost everything. I always wished I had a stellar singing voice, but although I can carry a tune, I can lug it very far. I’m proud to be an author, so I guess I’ve achieved the biggest adventure I’ll ever attempt. Oh, I did parasail once…does that count?

What characteristics do you like to instill in your heroes? What characteristics do you feel are necessary for a good heroine?

Compassion, understanding, bravery, tenderness…the same traits my true-life hero has. I think we all pattern our characters with the traits we admire most in life.

If you had the power to change two things in the world, what would those two things be?

There are two things I’d eradicate immediately…war and the criminal mind. They sort of go hand-in-hand. I think we all want a kinder, gentler world for our children, but I don’t think even God can make that happen without destroying us and starting all over. We all fight for the greater good, but two steps forward means ten steps back. Although I hoped to deliver a message about bullying in my YA release, there have been bullies for as long as history has been recorded, and there will always be. Someone said it best… “misery loves company.”

If could have a super power for a day, what would it be? Why?

I’d like to be invisible. Why? So I can see what my daughter-in-law does all day instead of housework. Lol

Now, a bit about Ginger Simpson's novel, Shortcomings:

Today, I’m promoting my YA, Shortcomings. All royalties received for the upcoming quarter will be combined with those I received last quarter and presented in a donation to Faces of Hope here in Gallatin, TN. Although bullying has been and will continue to be a fact of life, educating individuals about the differences of others is a starting place to help foster understanding. I think this book carries a powerful message, and, so far, my reviewers seem to agree. Here’s the blurb followed by an excerpt:

Our shortcomings don't define who we are, unless we let them. Cindy Johnson needs to learn that. Born with one leg shorter than the other, she has no self-esteem because of the cruel comments and cold stares she receives from her classmates. When Cory Neil, the football quarterback asks her to Homecoming, she's quite sure he's asked her on a dare and refuses. It takes more than just her mother's assurances that Cindy's beautiful before she realizes she may have made a mistake in turning him down.

Excerpt:

Cindy glanced at the clock above the teacher’s head for the hundredth time since taking a seat. Only ten minutes of class remained. Perspiration dampened her hands at the thought of seeing Cory. She wiped her palms on her skirt then quietly slipped her books into her backpack. What in the world had she been thinking when she agreed to meet him?

The second hand tick, tick, ticked, and with each stroke, her heart beat quickened. Her mind tried to assemble her jumbled thoughts into a proper greeting. Nice to see you! Or, Hey, Cory, glad we could get together. She clenched her teeth. Everything sounded so stupid and rehearsed.

The bell announced the end of the period and startled her from her musing. Hoping she hadn't missed anything important the teacher may have said, she hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder and pushed free from the confines of her desk. The moment was here, and she still hadn't decided if she was filled with dread or just nervous anticipation. Her stomach churned, and the taste of bile rose in her throat. “Oh, God, I should have said no,” she muttered on her way into the hall.

Homecoming banners painted in bright colors hung everywhere. She glanced up and grimaced. She’d never heard of spirit week at her old school; they didn’t even have a football team.

Pausing outside the library, Cindy smoothed her hair into place and took a deep breath. She walked through the doorway and scanned the tables for Cory. He wasn't there yet, thank goodness. At least she didn't have to make her entrance limping over to him. She hurried, found a seat, and rifled through her backpack to find her math book, some paper, and a pen. Poised and ready when he entered, Cindy fixed a smile on her face and tilted her head coquettishly to one side. That seemed to be a pose assumed at least once by her favorite romance heroines. She licked her lips and swallowed, trying to find saliva in a mouth as dry as cotton.

She spied him as soon as he came through the door. Her heart hitched. As he neared, Cindy took a deep breath and prayed whatever she said came out semi-intelligently. She tried to look relaxed, but beneath the table, she pressed on her stomach to quell the flippy thing that happened whenever he was near.

“Hi, Cory.” Her voice held a nervous quiver. Being with a boy was totally new ground.

“Hey, been waiting long?” He plopped his backpack on the table.

She looked up at him, trying to maintain her composure. “Uh, no, I just got here. Are you ready to get started?”

“Yeah, I need all the help I can get.”

“Shhh.” Cindy held a finger to her lips. “We’re in the library, remember?”

He grinned and slid into the chair next to her. “Well, where do we begin?” His voice was so low she barely heard him.

Her fingers trembled as she pulled her math book over and opened it. Cory smelled like he'd just walked out of a shower. His nearness distracted her. “I…I guess we’ll start with what we’re studying in class? How are you with equations?’ She softly cleared her throat to quell the quiver in her voice.

“I suck at them.” His brow creased. “Anything to do with math confuses the heck out of me. If only numbers came as easy as playing football.”

Although she hadn't been to an actual game, visions of him in his uniform flashed through her mind. She’d caught a glimpse of him at a noontime pep rally a few days back and struggled not to stare. A smile tugged at her lips, but she sobered quickly, hoping he hadn’t noticed. She didn't want to act all giddy and stupid despite the fact he was a sight to behold in his shoulder pads and tight pants.

The room grew warmer. She lifted the hair from the back of her neck. “Let’s get started.” She felt a tad breathless, and math offered a welcome distraction.

After an hour, Cindy closed the textbook and leaned closer to him. “Do you think that helped at all? You seemed to be a little clearer than when we started.”

“I’m beginning to understand.” He paused, and with a sheepish shrug adjusted his volume. “But I think I need a few more sessions, if you’re willing?”

His request sounded like music to her ears. A few more sessions? She’d spend a lifetime with him if he asked, but she pushed her girlish thoughts aside and nodded at him. “Not a problem. I don’t really have anything else planned, and this sure beats being at home with a bunch of crazy kids.”

A stray, dark curl hung in the middle of his forehead; Cindy had a sudden urge to reach and brush it back but resisted. His nearness stifled her, made her want to act crazy. She scooted away. “So, tomorrow then?”

Cory stood, but she remained seated. There was no way she wanted to display her uneven gait while walking out with him. “Aren’t you coming?” he asked.

“I still have some homework to do. The library doesn't close for another half hour, so I’m gonna stick around a while longer.”

He picked up his backpack and patted her shoulder. “Okay, so I’ll see you tomorrow. I have practice the day after, but on days I don’t, I really need your help.” He slung his book bag over his shoulder and flashed his trademark smile at her.

Her skin warmed beneath his hand—a feeling she wanted to capture and keep forever. “Sure, I…I’ll meet you here at the same time.” What was it about him that made speaking difficult?

Her gaze remained fixed on him as he walked away. His shoulders were broad even without the pads he wore under his uniform, and his jeans fit just right, not sagging in the backside like some of the boys at school. What she wouldn't give to be the girl he asked to the dance.

You can find this book and many of my works at Muse it Up Publishing (http://www.museituppublishing.com).

Thank you, Sarah, for allowing me time and space on your blog. You definitely asked some great questions.

It was my pleasure to have you on my blog, Ginger. Thank you for the compliment about my questions. I wish you great success.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T15:34:00.000-08:00

Wherever you are, wherever you're going, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family or friends or both.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

I want to thank all the men and women in our armed forces putting their lives on the line for their country. I also want to thank all veterans of foreign wars for their service. I hope in the near future we can all say to the soldiers we see, "Welcome home."

Real Haunted Houses

2011-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

For you Halloween viewing pleasure, here are a few proportedly real haunted houses. I don't know if they're real or not but I wouldn't go in any of them.
So here ya go:

I hope you come to visit again. In the meantime, I'll leave the light on.

The Cover of The Chistmas Anthology

2011-10-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

This is the cover for the Christmas Anthology for Virctory Tales Press. My story is a paranormal titled Gifts From The Afterlife. It will be available on November 1.

New Cover for THE VIOLIN

2011-10-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Now that Publishing by Rebecca Vickery has contracted The Violin for re-issue, Laura Schwin has created a new cover for it. I love this new cover and wanted to share it with you right away.
The Violin is undergoing some referbishing and edits but should be released soon.
I hope you like this cover as much as I do.

BLURB:

Genevieve dreams of him almost every night and has for most of her lonely life. Compelled beyond reason, she buys his violin and finds the remnants of his life and the mystery of his death in 1927 revealed within its case. Intrigued, she makes a decision, one that will change her life forever.

Is there a way to change the past and save this man who haunts her heart?

The Importance of Book Titles

2011-10-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

I hope you'll join me at Sarah's Provocative Ponderings on October 5. I'll be talking about the importance of creating the perfect title for a book.
Here is the tag to get there:

http://pasttheprint.blogspot.com/

Banjo under contract

2011-09-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

Banjo, the sequel to Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride is under contract with Western Trail Blazers. Banjo was the 16 year old kid who saved Lola's life and almost died. He invents all kinds of little contraptions. Banjo's story takes place during WWI known as The Great War in 1917.
I used Urs Beuler, the Swiss tenor from IL Divo as my inspiration for Banjo's character. Here's a picture of Urs. Try not to drool.

For those of you who have never heard IL Divo, you should check them out. They sing classic and opera. Here is a picture from one of their albums.

You can watch them on YouTube, too.
Here is the tagline from Banjo:
Tagline:
Deceit stands between a man’s love and his destiny.
Blurb:

Banjo Wilding wears a borrowed name and bears the scars and reputation of a lurid past. To earn the right to ask for Margaret O’Leary’s hand, he must find his father and make something of himself.

Margaret O’Leary has loved Banjo since she was ten years old but standing between her and Banjo is pride, Banjo’s mysterious father and the Great War.

Will either of them get what they want?

I'll let you know when Banjo becomes available. It hasn't gone into edits yet.

Bookmark

2011-09-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

In Memory of 9/11

2011-09-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

I remember America before 9/11. Incredible to think of the innocence and freedom of those days compared to the way it all changed in only 24 hours.
Even though the brutal hatred of those who brought about the death and destruction to the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and Flight 93, there was also an expression of the bravery and the stalwart spirit of our American family on that day.

When the members of congress stood on the capital steps and sang America The Beautiful, I wept with sorrow and with pride.
So many things have changed since then. We, as Americans, are forever changed. For those who lost someone they loved that day, may the spirit of the universe bless and keep you. For those who saved lives and gave up their own, thank you and bless you.

A Tribute for a Soldier

2011-09-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

I hope you will read the tribute to a soldier by Cheryl Pierson. It really touched my heart to read it. Here is the tag to get there:
http://cherylpiersonbooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/saddest-twenty-miles.html?showComment=1315063913346#c1080373117652351534

Are you into symbolism?

2011-08-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

You may be thinking, what the heck are you talking about? Well, I'm going to be talking about the symbols used in writing. You know, like the big S inside a triangle for Superman but, even more, about those objects placed in a story that represent greater meaning than the object itself. I remember how dull I thought this symbol thing was when I took literature in high school and college. I didn't really believe that a writer would add symbols to their story--not on purpose any way. You may have thought that, too but, I warn you, you may be very surprised at what I have to say. Check out my blog Sarah's Provocative Ponderings on Thursday, September first. Here is the tag to get there: http://pasttheprint.blogspot.com/
I hope you'll join me.

An Invitation To An Interview

2011-08-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

Joanna Aislinn was kind enough to offer me an interview and today it's posted on her web page. I invite you to come on over and see what I have to say. I also have an excerpt from Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride.
Here is the tag:

http://joannaaislinn.wordpress.com/

I hope you'll be kind enough to come by and maybe even leave a little comment for me.

Oh. One more thing--The Violin is now under a new contract with Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery. I'm very happy for that and I can't wait to see its new cover. It may take some time since it hasn't gone through re-edits yet.

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful day. The sun is shining here in spite of congress and Wall Street.

The Last Flight Of Atlantis

2011-07-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

The last landing of Atlantis and the end of the American Space Program.

It's not just the end of an era, it's the end of so much inspiration and the meaning of American Made. I am so sad and disturbed that the USA space program has come to an end. I'd rather scrap the wars we're spending so much of our tax dollars on and killing so many young men and women than to end the space program.

(The crew of Atlantis)
So many innovations have occurred, things that have changed our lives and the way we live because of the space program. Our space endeavors inspired us, gave us reason to hope that one day all nations would work together for common good and led us to wonder about the universe and our place in it. The program gave us real pride in the words, Made In America.
Who will keep the satellites repaired and working? Who will inspire us to look into the stars and make us believe that maybe some day we could go out there?

Here is a huge list of the accomplishments and innovations to our lives that came about because of the United States Space Program:

(This list was taken from the news section of Googled. The address/tag for it are posted at the end of the list in case you want to look it up.)

* CAT scans

* MRIs

* Kidney dialysis machines

* Heart defibrillator technology

* Remote robotic surgery

* Artificial heart pump technology

* Physical therapy machines

* Positron emission tomography

* Microwave receivers used in scans for breast cancer

* Cardiac angiography

* Monitoring neutron activity in the brain

* Cleaning techniques for hospital operating rooms

* Portable x-ray technology for neonatal offices and 3rd world countries

* Freeze-dried food

* Water purification filters

* ATM technology

* Pay at the Pump satellite technology

* Athletic shoe manufacturing technique

* Insulation barriers for autos

* Image-processing software for crash-testing automobiles

* Holographic testing of communications antennas

* Low-noise receivers

* Cordless tools

* A computer language used by businesses such as car repair shops, Kodak, hand-held computers, express mail

* Aerial reconnaissance and Earth resources mapping

* Airport baggage scanners

* Distinction between natural space objects and satellites/warheads/rockets for defense

* Satellite monitors for nuclear detonations

* Hazardous gas sensors

* Precision navigation

* Clock synchronization

* Ballistic missile guidance

* Secure communications

* Study of ozone depletion

* Climate change studies

* Monitoring of Earth-based storms such as hurricanes

* Solar collectors

* Fusion reactors

* Space-age fabrics for divers, swimmers, hazardous material workers, and others

* Teflon-coated fiberglass for roofing material

* Lightweight breathing system used by firefighters

* Atomic oxygen facility for removing unwanted material from 19th century paintings

* FDA-adopted food safety program that has reduced salmonella cases by a factor of 2

* Multispectral imaging methods used to read ancient Roman manuscripts buried by Mt. Vesuvius

You can check this list by going to this address:

http://space-exploration.suite101.com/article.cfm/practical_applications_of_space_technology

Christmas in July

2011-07-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

The fun just never ends. If you would like to come in out of the heat and chill out out we have the perfect place for it--and there are prizes too. How cool is that?

Please join us as we spread some Christmas cheer in July.

There is a list of participating sites, blogs, and authors at my blog along with discounts. All commenters will be entered in a variety of drawings.

http://rebeccajvickery.blogspot.com/

Every visitor receives a free dessert recipe ebook.

Scroll to the end of the article and click on

Christmas Dessert Decadence.

Thank you for your support.

Happy Fourth of July

2011-07-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July everybody. I hope you have a safe and fun-filled day to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I'll be watching the fireworks from my deck and enjoying good eats with the family.

From the home of Howdy Doody, Elvis Presley and the first Moon Walkers, have a wonderful Fourth of July.

Sarah

Father's Day

2011-06-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

So often in these modern times we hear about absentee dads or MIA fathers who are with their families and supporting them but not emotionally present. On the reverse side, there are fathers who give their all to their families and many who raise their children alone. In a time of Monster Moms and Deadbeat Dads it’s good to know there are dedicated and devoted fathers doing their best to raise responsible and loving human beings. There are also those fathers who are in the military fighting in wars that never seem to end who haven’t seen their children for years and some who may never see them.

On Father’s Day, we celebrate those men who fathered the next generation and, whether they are good, bad or spectacular dads, we all hope within our hearts that they teach something of value to their children that will carry on through the ages.

The things I learned and still treasure from my dad were small things in comparison to world peace and the end of disease but they were great things to me. Pop was a meteorologist. I went with him to the airport where he worked in his windowed office just above the landing field. The sound of teletypes humming in the background and the noise of planes landing out on the runway blended into an orchestra of comfort. As far as I could tell, he spent most of his time drawing maps with weird lines on them and symbols. He called them fronts. He taught me about how high and low pressure areas work like molasses pouring onto the Earth from the upper atmosphere as if the Earth were a big pancake. I learned all about clouds, the different kinds and which ones will rain and those that won’t. I learned about the stars from Pop and how their positions changed as the Earth rotated and seasons changed.

Pop took my middle sister and I on sacred walks into the woods. He taught us to respect nature and all living creatures. I wish I had paid more attention to the poison ivy talk. Although my dad wasn’t much on religion, he did honor the Earth and all its living things. From his childhood and into his elder years he banned birds and kept records about them for the Fish and Wildlife Service. My cat sometimes interfered with that process by hanging out at the bird trap and taking advantage of the vulnerable birds there but Pop forgave her indiscretions because he knew she was just doing her cat job.

Wherever your spirit resides in this present moment, Pop, I want you to know I’m thinking about you and that I thank you for always being there and teaching me lessons I will never forget.

Interview With Sarah McNeal

2011-06-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

At KMN Books Blogspot:

Sarah McNeal is the author of memorable characters you're sure to fall in love with. Come on by KMN Books Blogspot and find out about her new release, Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride.
Contest:

Sarah will pick one lucky winner for the drawing. Winner's choice of either her time travel historical (1927), The Violin or her contemporary (the only one she's ever written), Bitter Notes.

Just step on over to http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/ and check it out. Remember to leave your email addy when you comment for a chance to win.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karen Michelle Nutt

KMN Books

KMN Books Blogspot

Come and see what I have to say and enter to win one of my books when you comment. I hope to see you there.
Sarah

Coffeetime Review of Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

2011-06-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

I just received a 4 cup review for Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride from Coffeetime Reviews.
HARMONICA JOE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE

SARAH J. MCNEAL

ISBN# 9781461087731

April 15, 2011

Western Trail Blazer

Westerntrailblazer.yolasite.com/onlinestore.php

E-book

$3.99

184 pages

Western/Historical/Time Travel

Rating: 4 cups

Lola Barton does not scare easily. She has experienced the bad side of life and come through it just fine. Until she climbs the stairs to the attic of the house she inherited from her mean Aunt Callie and leaves her life in the present day behind.

Harmonica Joe Wilding resides in 1910 Hazard, Wyoming. He is a doctor of sorts who has won his bride in a card game. The Queen of Hearts not only got him his bride, she may have also brought him the love of his life.

Lola finds a trunk in her aunt’s attic and begins to rifle through the contents. She tries on the clothing found there, but the playing card takes her on a journey of a lifetime…straight into a wedding…in 1910 Wyoming. Joe has played the card game of his life in order to rescue a woman who he believes is Callie, a cold-hearted woman who has stolen money from a man who is intent on seeing her pay for the crime. Only certain traits begin to make him see that this is not the Callie he knows. Instead, her niece has fallen through a rip in time and right into his heart.

Can you just imagine leaving your life behind and stepping into the shoes of someone who not only resembles you but is despised by most of the town? Lola’s attitude towards Joe made me laugh out loud several times. She has a twenty-first century attitude in an early twentieth century world. I found her easy to relate to. The writing pulls the reader into the story and keeps them glued to their seats until the very end. And the love scenes are steamy and sensual. Ms. McNeal has certainly impressed me with this wonderful tale. Beware though, the publisher’s site for this book does give the warning that this is for adults only.

Kimberly

Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/harmonicajoesreluctantbridebysarahjmcneal.html

Let Us Honor Those Who Gave all

2011-05-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day

To many Americans, Memorial Day means a weekend of fun, hot dogs and hamburgers, and family time at the park or in the backyard. Some people confuse Memorial Day with Veteran’s Day which is a day honoring the men and women who have served in the military both living and dead whereas Memorial Day is to honor those who have given their lives for their country. Though uncertain as to when or where Memorial Day actually began, it was first set aside as an official holiday by General John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868 following on the the heels of the bloodiest and saddest of all American wars, the Civil War. Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Since that time, observance of Memorial Day dwindled. People have forgotten its meaning. Most often the graves of those who gave their all for their country are ignored and no longer are there many parades to honor those who gave their all.

I remember the little graveyard near my Grandfather McNeal’s house when I was a child. In honor of those who died for the sake of their country small American flags were placed upon their graves. My grandfather explained to me what the flags were for and we walked the graveyard silently paying respect to the graves bearing those flags, some from the American Civil War. All these years I have remembered that memorable time with my grandfather and the feeling of respect and tenderness I felt standing before those flag marked graves. It is a feeling that I hope we can all share as we celebrate and honor our fallen service men and women this Memorial Day.
And I also want to honor the families of those who gave their greatesst gift to our country. They have lost someone they loved dearly for the sake of our country and their lives will be forever changed.

My Radio Interview with Desmond Haas

2011-05-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Desmond Haas, author and radio show host interviewed me on his radio show for my new release, Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride. I hope you'll give it a listen. Here is the tag to get there:
http://rrn.me/lR5JPE

What Do You Want In A Guy (Adult language)

2011-05-10T02:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm doing something different on my blog. I've invited my friend and colleague, Tina Donahue, a multipublished, award winning author to blog about her new release, Take Me Away, here on my blog. She is having a contest in which you can win one of her backlist books. You can't go wrong with any book you might choose. Tina is also my partner in crime on the author/reader loop we co-own, Sweet N Sexy Divas. Now I'm going to let Tina take you away for a bit.

What Do You Want In a Guy?

As a romance author, I have the pleasure of creating the best guys on earth. Alpha males who are commanding yet cherishing, good-looking (some seriously handsome, others sexy in a rough/masculine sort of way) and self-sufficient (yep, all of my guys work – some are even rich).

Along with brains and a great personality, my guys have it all.

And yet, there is one element that is more important to me than all the rest. And that’s loyalty. What good is a perfect guy who isn’t there for the woman when she needs him most? Those times when she’s hurt, angry, scared. When her nose is running and her face is red because she’s been sobbing.

Those are the times when all the rest – the looks/brains/wealth/Alpha characteristics – don’t matter. What’s important is a sense of loyalty. That the guy will do the right thing by the woman. That he’ll be there for her in that moment of crisis.

That’s what I chose to address in Take Me Away, my newest erotic romance (released May 6). In it, Lexi’s been let down or taken advantage of by everyone. And then she meets Kyle. Here’s a blurb and an excerpt to show you what I mean:

Blurb:

She’s everything he escaped…and all that he desires

Three years ago, Kyle turned his back on a pro-football career and being the target of tabloids or gold-digging groupies. Craving privacy, he gets it at his roadhouse in Northern California until Lexi Sands invades his life. Indulged and surely phony, she’s exactly what Kyle fled. An actress since childhood, Lexi’s fresh out of an anger management program, court-ordered when she lashed out at a badgering paparazzo. Weary of the press’s harsh scrutiny, she sees Kyle’s secluded cabin as the ideal place to hide out and him as a damn-near perfect alpha male. Deliciously virile. Protective. Principled. She offers him serious cash to let her stay for two weeks, assuring there will be no complications or touching. Yeah, right. Passion flares, along with tenderness. Kyle recognizes how lonely Lexi really is, while she’s falling hard. Through intimate days and impassioned nights, they explore their most shameless needs, until a cruel betrayal exposes their growing love, forcing a choice neither anticipated.

Excerpt:

(In this scene, Lexi’s just finished talking to her younger sister. Their parents want the sister to get into showbiz like Lexi to help support the family. Lexi doesn’t want that for her sister. She just wants her to be happy. During the call, Kyle inadvertently comes in.)

“Please, just listen to me,” Lexi said, her voice thick with tears.

Fuck. Kyle headed down the hall, then pivoted, remembering Buddy Baby, taking him to his doggie bed. “Stay,” he warned the pup, his voice low but harder than it had ever been.

The animal gave him a startled look, then hunkered down to the corduroy cushion, its small body shaking.

Oh hell. “Please,” Kyle added in a nicer tone, patting the poor little thing on its head. With a parting wink, he hurried down the hall, stopping just short of his bedroom door. Head cocked, he listened.

“You have to quit worrying about me,” Lexi insisted, her tone stronger now. “I’m fine. I want you to concentrate on school. That’s your job.”

Okay, so it wasn’t Jacqueline in there with her. Kyle waited through a long pause filled with silence, as though Lexi was listening to someone on the other end of a call. On his phone?

“I know it’s summer vacation,” she said, “but you have a reading list for fall, right? So get on it. Do good. That’s what will make me happy, Autumn.”

The name registered immediately. She was speaking to her kid sister.

“Please,” Lexi said, “don’t let them do this to you. No, no, no, no,” she insisted, clearly interrupting the girl. “Don’t do it out of guilt or for any other reason. I’ll be there for you. I’ll never let you down, no matter what I have to do.”

Kyle wasn’t about to consider what they might be discussing. Feeling awkward for having eavesdropped, intent on returning to the roadhouse and sleeping on his office sofa, he backed up. Straight into Buddy Baby.

Before Kyle could untangle his feet, his shoulder hit the wall. As he spit out a curse the pup yelped, then ran around his legs into the master bedroom.

“Sweetie, I gotta go,” Lexi said, her voice low and breathy. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The phone’s receiver clacked as she dropped the thing into its cradle.

Uncertain what to do, Kyle waited for Lexi to join him in the hall, confronting him about sneaking up on her like countless paparazzos.

She didn’t.

He heard her rough sighs and Buddy Baby’s whimpers. Rubbing the back of his neck, Kyle entered the room. The pup lay near the nightstand, chewing on another of Kyle’s old mocs, its manner tentative as it eyed him then Lexi.

Head down, she sat on the edge of his bed, her hair hiding her face.

Kyle stared at the strawberry blonde color and what he could see of her mouth. Free of the black lipstick, her lips were now the color of a blush. An oversized blue tee, large enough to fit him, hung limply on her narrow shoulders. Her legs and feet were bare, her toes long, the nails unpolished.

A surge of lust battered him, complicating the sympathy beneath. The way Lexi held herself reminded Kyle of how cowed his pup had been when he warned the animal to stay in its bed.

Did she think he was going to bitch at her for using his phone?

On what sounded like a cautious breath, she fisted her fingers into his bedspread, no doubt waiting for the worst.

It broke his inertia. Giving Buddy Baby a stern look to stay where he was, Kyle went to her. “You okay?”

She brushed the tears from her face and looked up, the skin around her eyes puffy and red. “Sure.” Her mouth trembled.

Kyle’s heart made a funny turn in his chest. “Lexi?”

Sucking her lower lip, she shook her head.

At any other time, with any other woman, Kyle would have offered a word of comfort or whatever plausible lie he could think of, then escaped as quickly as possible. After a moment’s hesitation, he sat next to her on the bed, his weight shifting the mattress, causing its springs to squeak. With even less pause than he would have guessed, Kyle took Lexi’s hand.

Her fingers curled around his as Jacqueline’s had in his office. Unlike that moment, Kyle squeezed Lexi’s hand, holding it gently but firmly, letting her know he didn’t want her to pull away. “What happened?”

She cleared her throat. “Nothing.”

He waited.

She sighed. “I was just talking to my kid sister, that’s all. I’m in here because I didn’t want to use my cell phone, I don’t know who’s listening in or intercepting the calls. I’ll pay for the long distance. Forty dollars should cover—”

Gently, Kyle interrupted, “I don’t want your money. Use the phone all you want.” He laced his fingers through hers and rested their hands on his thigh. “What happened? Is she all right?”

Lexi’s head remained tilted to their hands. A moment passed and then another and another. At last, her thumb stroked his.

The tingle it created shot up Kyle’s arm to the back of his throat. Every hair on his body felt as if it were standing at attention.

She nodded, then shook her head.

At a loss as to what she was trying to convey, Kyle was about to ask her when he recalled his question about Autumn. Taking a calming breath, he tried to steady his voice. “What happened with her?”

A faint whimper escaped the back of her throat.

“Lexi?”

She spoke quickly, the words rushing out as though she could no longer stop them. “The paparazzi are starting to gather outside my parent’s house, waiting to see if I’ll show up there. I wanted to protect Autumn from them, but the bastards are beginning to hound her too. Do you know what that’s like for a fifteen-year-old kid? If they take her picture and splash it all over a magazine, making her look bad, do you know what that will do to her self-esteem and confidence?”

After seeing the press’s effect on Lexi, he had a fair idea. Even so, he assured, “They can’t do that. She’s not a public figure like you are.”

“You think they care about that?”

“What about your parents, can’t they call the cops or something?”

Tightening her fingers around his, she spoke in a voice limp with despair. “My mom’s out, probably with her latest lover, and no way would Dad chase them off and risk losing the publicity. He lives for stuff like this. He and Mom always insisted that Autumn be in the business like me. I told them to back off from her. To let her be whatever she wants, that I’d make enough for everyone, but only if they leave her alone.”

Stunned to silence, it took Kyle a moment to find his voice. “And they aren’t doing that?”

She whimpered. “Not since I went into treatment. They’ve been pressuring her to go to The Disney Channel’s stupid cattle call. Disney needs a fresh face for a new series like their Hanna Montana franchise. My parents think Autumn would be perfect for it. She’s even willing to try out for the part and every commercial that’s being made if it means letting me quit the business. I told her I don’t want her doing that. That I’d make back the money Dad lost on his dumb investments.”

Another surprise. “Your father’s a day trader?”

“I don’t know. I guess. He was my financial manager until I fired him. He’s still not talking to me. The last I saw of him was in court when he gave a statement that he knew I was out of control and that I should stay in treatment no matter how long it takes. In other words, until I let him control my money again.”

Kyle’s belly churned. He couldn’t find the words to describe a parent that would do such a thing to their own child.

Lexi’s body trembled with her quiet weeping. She whispered, “I’ve got such a fucked up life. I can’t let that happen to Autumn.”

“It’s okay. Everything will work out.” Lame advice Kyle knew, but he hadn’t a clue what else to say. Wanting to comfort, he wrapped his free arm around Lexi’s shoulders.

They were narrower than he would have guessed, so delicate he couldn’t quite catch his breath. On her own ragged sigh, she released her weight into him, her cheek to his shoulder, her free hand on his torso.

The warmth of her body seeped into his, relaxing his joints, weakening his resolve to simply offer a good hug, to assure her that things would look better in the morning, then let her have his room while he slept in the spare.

At the heat of her breath on his throat, its feathery touch, Kyle’s lids sank. Beneath her palm, his abs jumped. Their other hands remained joined, Lexi’s thumb still stroking his.

Kyle bit back a moan at the intense pleasure such a small movement created. He inhaled deeply, captivated by the fresh scent of her shampoo, a fainter rose than her perfume. Stirred by it, his cock continued to thicken.

She knew. Her hitching breaths quieted, signaling an end to her tears and the start of something else. Kyle felt it in the way her body softened against his, her lack of resistance, the same as when he’d kissed her earlier.

Don’t do it, Kyle’s mind ordered. Let her go.

His arm tightened around her shoulders.

Take Me Away is Available Now!

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9333-take-me-away.aspx

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com

Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

To celebrate the release of Take Me Away, I’m offering a contest today. One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of my following ebooks**:

1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT

2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT

3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award

4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT

5. Sensual Stranger – 2011 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT

** Winner chosen at random.

Mother's Day

2011-05-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Mother's day is my least favorite holiday. Because I don't have children to honor me on this day and I haven't had my mother since I was twenty-seven years old, it's a day I mostly spend alone.
I do remember my mother by writing a little note or making a card and laying it in front of her picture. I light a candle and let it burn until it goes out hoping she'll notice my memorials to her.
It's a sad day for me but it is a delightful holiday for most of you. If you have a mother who is living, I hope you show her your love and respect by spending some time with her. If you are a mother, I hope your children show their love for you and find a special way to honor you.
Happy Mother's Day to each of you.

My First Radio Interview

2011-04-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

Author and Radio Hostess, Rie McGaha asked me to do a radio interview with her yesterday to promote my new release, Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride. I'd never done anything like that before but, like leaping off a building without a parachute, I thought I'd meet the challenge regardless of my fears. If you would like to listen to my interview, and I hope you do, here is the tag to get there:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rie_mcgaha/2011/04/27/reading-with-rie

I will be doing another radio show this Saturday with author and host Desmond Haas.
I hope you enjoy listening to my radio interview.

The winner of the Sweet N Sexy Divas Blog Hop Contest

2011-04-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce the winner of the Sweet N Sexy Divas Blog Hop Contest is Tricia Sales. She wins that basket of chocolate goodies and an Amazon gift certificate. Congratulations Tricia!

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

This would be Mr. Peter Cottontail preparing for tomorrow's Easter festivities. I hope you all have a wonderful, fun filled Easter.

My First Review for Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

2011-04-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

This week I received a review from You Gotta Read Reviews that lifted my spirits into the stratosphere. Here it is:

You Gotta Read Reviews:

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-harmonica-joes-reluctant-bride.html

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Review: Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride by Sarah J. McNeal

Title: Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

Author: Sarah J. McNeal

Publisher: Western Trail Blazer

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewer: Val

Review

I often sit here and think how I would handle living in a different time period. When Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride fell into my hands, I instantly fell in love with the book. I was able to take a trip through time which I will remember for a long time to come. As with any time travel book, I usually always ask myself if something from the past could hinder something in future. I feel as though I need to pay close attention and try to keep up with what is about to happen. This book was the polar opposite for me. I was so engrossed in the book, I didn't have think about what may happen, I simply sat back and let this book sweep me away.

Lola is a feisty woman who is hell bent on proving to herself and others that she will not end up like her mother. As an independent woman living in the 21st century, Lola has goals to become a lawyer so people will look up to her and is finally on her way to making her dreams come true. Joe lives in the 20th century, faces turmoil of his own and feels as though he needs to live a solitary life. Now imagine how you would react to being transported from the 21st to the 20th century without an inkling of how it happened. On top of that, you find yourself in the middle of your own marriage to a man you don't even know. This is exactly what happened to Lola. From the moment Lola and Joe lay eyes on one another the sparks fly in more ways than one. Each is drawn to the other but at the same time are exasperated with one another. Their relationship throughout the book is enchanting, humorous, spicy and genuine. These two really touched my heart.

Solid secondary characters like Banjo (a young man who has been on his own since he was about ten) and Argos (Joe's faithful canine) really brought a strong familial feel to the book. Each played an important part as a protector who would lay down their lives for those they held close.

Ms. McNeal is a new author to me and I found Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride to be a deeply sensual yet very touching read. I instantly fell in love with the writing style and I just have to say Ms. McNeal has a gift of writing with great humor, witty dialogue and superb imagery.

This book has become a new favorite of mine and I know you will fall in love with it as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves time travel, suspense, romance and steamy love scenes. You don't want to miss this book.

You can BUY Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride at the following places:Available at Western Trail Blazer Novels

http://westerntrailblazer.yolasite.com/online-store.php

Also available at amazon.com and will be available in PRINT very soon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=harmonica+joe%27s+reluctant+bride+by+sarah+mcneal&x=14&y=14

Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride Buy Links

2011-04-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

A haunted house, a trunk and a date with destiny.

I thought you might want the BUY links to Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride. Also, just so you know, it will be available in papreback print on May first.
Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53550

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sarahjmcneal

Amazon/Kindle : Coming May First

Lulu:

http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/harmonica-joes-reluctant-bride/15458112

Western Trail Blazer's Lulu Store:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/WTBrebecca

Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

2011-04-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

Sarah J. McNeal

A haunted house, a trunk and a date with destiny.

Joseph Wilding left his prosperous Virginia ranch and his grieving father to live in obscurity and guilt over his brother’s death until he marries Lola instead of Callie McGraw, the woman he abhors but whose life he was attempting to save.

Lola discovers a warp in time in an old trunk when she falls into 1910. She finds herself married to Joe, a stranger shadowed by secrets. Mistaken for Callie McGraw, a thief and a woman of ill repute, Lola finds her life is threatened by a scoundrel who believes she stole his money and only Joe stands between her and death.

With danger threatening all around and secrets keeping them apart, can Joe and Lola find their destiny together or will time and circumstance forever divide them?

EXCERPT

“You ever touch my wife again I’ll cripple you in a place that will make you sing soprano, Weston.” He nudged Lola toward the door and out onto the plank sidewalk. Then he stopped, letting her go abruptly. Peering down into her eyes, his own an intense coffee brown his expression turned stern. “Well, Lola, are you through playing games?” He asked with emphasis on her name as if he doubted its authenticity. “I don’t have time for your shenanigans, so make up your mind. You can either come on home with me where I can protect you or you can go on your way and take your chances on your own.”

What should she do? Without knowing where she might go or how to get there, the choices did not seem that good. “What’s to say you won’t just use and abuse me the same way that disgusting man in there would have? You might be planning on taking me off somewhere to rape me and maybe even murder me.”

Joe laughed. “If I wanted to kill you I’ve had several chances to do that all ready. As much as it might bring me some satisfaction to murder you, I don’t hate you quite that much. As for raping you, I’d sooner roll down a mountain side in a bale of barbed wire than try to get betwixt your legs, lady.”

Coming April 15, 2011 at Western Trail Blazer

http://westerntrailblazer.yolasite.com/online-store.php

Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride will also be available at Barns and Noble and Amazon.com

Spring Contest at Sweet N Sexy Divas!

2011-03-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sweet And Sexy Divas Spring Contest

CONTEST RULES :

PRIZE

CHOCOLATE DECADENCE GOURMET GIFT BASKET

And a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate

RULES:

1. On the participating author list below, click on the first author's name and go to her website to find this contest icon

(Hints are provided after each author name on where the icon is hidden.)

2. Once you find the icon, click on it (or on the link provided near it) and it will bring you to the next author's blog/website.

3. Go from author website/blog to website/blog to find the hidden icon.

4. Keep a list of the links (pages) you found the icon on.

5. Email list to tina@tinadonahue.com by April 24 (contest runs from March 24-April 24. Winner announced April 25)

Winner chosen at random from those contestants that have found ALL icons and have emailed Tina Donahue the list.

If you have trouble with any of the links, please email Sarah at: starcriter@yahoo.com

Good luck!!!

Author List (hints on where to find icon after author name):

Sandy Sullivan: www.romancestorytime.com/Books.html

books page

Aileen Fish - http://aileenfish.com

http://aileenfish.com/regency.html

James Hatch: http://www.myspace.com/author_hatch

http://www.myspace.com/author_hatch/blog/535537177

Rawiya: http://rawiyaserotica.blogspot.com/

home page below pictures

Julia Knight: http://www.juliaknight.co.uk

http://www.juliaknight.co.uk/reviews.html

Kristal McKerrington: www.a-different-life-series.com

links then go to blog

Katalina Leon: http://www.katalinaleon.com/

http://www.katalinaleon.com/coming-soon-nice-package.php

Rita Hestand: http://ritahestand.com

home page

Roxy Jacobs - http://roxyjacobs.blogspot.com

http://roxyjacobs.blogspot.com/p/books.html

Diane Wylie: http://www.dianewylie.com

http://www.dianewylie.com/booktrailers.html

Cheryl Pierson: http://www.cherylpiersonbooks.blogspot.com

Right sidebar above her facebook badge

Fiona McGier: http://www.fionamcgier.com/

http://www.fionamcgier.com/for-adults-only-free-short-story.html

Selena Robins: https://selenarobins.com/

https://selenarobins.com/Excerpts.html (excerpts page)

Taige Crenshaw: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/

http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/books/index.html

Juniper Bell: AuthorJuniperBell.blogspot.com

sidebar of blog

Willa Edwards: www.willaedwards.com

http://www.willaedwards.com/midnight-mirage.html

Delaney Diamond: http://delaneydiamond.com/

http://delaneydiamond.com/contests-promotions/

P.A. Brown: http://pabrown.com

http://www.pabrown.com/Focexcerpt.htm

Victoria Allen: http://writervictoria.wordpress.com

http://writervictoria.wordpress.com/my-work/

Andrew Grey: www.andrewgreybooks.com

http://www.andrewgreybooks.com/Gym%20Series.htm

Renee Vincent: http://www.reneevincent.com/

http://www.reneevincent.com/2010/01/silent-partner.html

Myla Jackson: http://mylajackson.com

contests page

Adele Dubois: http://www.adeledubois.com/

bookshelf page

Olivia Waite: http://www.oliviawaite.com/blog/

http://www.oliviawaite.com/blog/2011/03/an-excerpt-from-generous-fire/

Shelly Munro - http://www.ShelleyMunro.com

http://www.shelleymunro.com/books/

Ari Thatcher - http://arithatcher.com

http://arithatcher.com/books.html

Mahalia Levey: www.mahalialevey.com

http://www.mahalialevey.com/Reviews.html

Stephanie Julian: www.stephaniejulian.com

http://stephaniejulian.com/forgottengoddesses.htm

Dawne Prochilo: http://dawneprochilo.blogspot.com

left side of page under Facebook connections

Kathy Otten: http://www.kathyotten.com

Excerpts/lost hearts

Sarah McNeal: http://sarahmcneal.com/books.html

links page

Tina Donahue: http://www.tinadonahue.com/

reviews page (Tina's icon WILL BE LINKING TO SANDY SULLIVAN’S SITE WHICH IS THE FIRST IN THE LIST and puts you back at the begining and you're done)

Happy Birthday Thoughts

2011-03-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

Pop in his kilt

March 18 is my birthday. Pop and I used to share the same birthday and I always thought how unlucky I was to have to share my special day with my dad. As I gained a little maturity, I began to look forward to birthdays together and having someone to share in the joy of it with me. This picture of Pop in his kilt is one of the last pictures I ever took of him. He died suddenly while on vacation in Wilmington, NC when I was 33 years old. Birthdays haven't been the same for me since he's been gone. I light a candle and play our favorite bagpipe tune in remembrance on our birthday before I celebrate with the family. I miss him some years more than others but I always feel that little part of my birthday is missing, that part where my dad used to be. Wherever you are, Pop, I hope you're having all the cake icing you want. It was your favorite part. I love you.

Saint Patrick's Day

2011-03-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here it comes, good old Saint Patrick's Day. I love that this holiday comes the day before my birthday and that I am a Celt.
Supposedly, the Irish are lucky. I don't know if I believe that so much. I mean there was that potato famine and then the Irish in America weren't exactly welcomed with open arms. But hey, we adjusted. You may be thinking that McNeal is not an Irish name and you would be right...it's Scottish, but our clan started in Ireland with Neal of Nine Stones. Now there's a name for you. That's stones not stoned, by the way. He stole his bride from the Scottish Isle of Barra in the Hebrides, Queen Mave, the "fairy queen." You may have heard of her in Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet.
But I digress.
I like that Saint Patrick's Day comes before my birthday because it makes me feel just a bit special. Besides, I can use it to remember my birthday when my memory starts to fail. I may not remember my age (on purpose) but I'll remember the date.
Whatever your heritage, I hope that Saint Patrick's Day will make you feel special and that some of that magical Irish luck will be yours.

I have a new contract!!

2011-02-25T12:57:00.000-08:00

I am so happy. Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride is now under contract to Victory Tales Press, Western Trail Blazer line. As soon as I get the cover art I'll post it. It's tentatively to be released in about 90 days.
Tagline: A haunted house, a trunk and a date with destiny.

I'd like to share the blurb with you though so you know what it's about.

Here ya go:

Joseph Wilding left his prosperous Virginia ranch and his grieving father to live in obscurity and guilt over his brother’s death until he marries Lola instead of Callie McGraw, the woman he abhors but whose life he was attempting to save.

Lola discovers a warp in time in an old trunk when she falls into 1882. She finds herself married to Joe, a stranger shadowed by secrets. Mistaken for Callie McGraw, a thief and a woman of ill repute, Lola finds her life is threatened by a scoundrel who believes she stole his money and only Joe stands between her and death.

With danger threatening all around and secrets keeping them apart, can Joe and Lola find their destiny together or will time and circumstance forever divide them?

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's to each and everyone of you. Even though I may be a bit of a cynic when it comes to true and lasting love, there are some of you who have, luckily, had that and I hope you know how lucky you are. For those of you who haven't found your true love, don't give up, my grandmother married for the 3rd time when she was 73 years old--having outlived her first two husbands.
For some of you who may be without a spouse or significant other, don't forget your loving family or your sweet, loving pets. And, if all is said and done and you're completely alone, remember to take care of yourself and love yourself. Give yourself a heart shaped box of chocolates or enjoy a luxurious scented bath.
If none of that pleases you, buy some cards and visit some lonely, elderly people in nursing homes and show them your love by volunteering your time to them. To get some love, you might have to give some love.
Have a wonderful day today.

True Love

2011-02-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

Today I'm blogging about True Love at Sarah's Provocative Ponderings over at author, Renee Vincent's place. I hope you'll come and read what a cynic has to say about love.
Here's the tag: http://pasttheprint.blogspot.com/
Whether you believe in true love or not, I hope you have a very happy Valentines's Day, if not with your true love, then with your family or friends who love you.

Happy New Year

2010-12-30T08:25:00.000-08:00

The New Year is coming and I hope it's a better one for you--and me, too. The hardest part for me is letting go of the old year and all that's attached to it--even the sad things. I seem to want to hang on just a little longer as if letting go would vanquish all the memories. The future is so unknown--kind of scary so it's hard to stand on the threshold of a new year and not feel the trepidation of it and want to stay with what I know. I want to believe that something wonderful is waiting just around the corner.

This year circumstances are going to make it possible to have New Year's Eve with my family. That hasn't happened since we were kids. So we're going to have champagne and snacks while we greet the New Year in.

I hope yours is going to be the best ever.

Sarah

Have A Wonderful Christmas

2010-12-24T04:12:00.000-08:00

     Wherever you are, whatever holiday you practice, I hope you keep safe and well. For me, it's the big family Christmas Brunch. I've been cooking since yesterday and look forward to having the time with family to share our time together exchanging stories of past Christmases before we lost anyone from our midst, before Christmas brought with it feelings of loss. We'll evoke memories that make us laugh or give us pause and eat until we burst.
     When everyone has gone their separate way, and the house grows silent once again, I'll think about the New Year and make a wish that it will be a very good year.
     In the meantime, I'll turn on the Christmas lights, nibble on the confections freshly baked and and anticipate with joy and hope for a very merry Christmas. I wish you all a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Joyful Kwanzaa! Be safe. Be happy!
Sarah

My Provocative Ponderings

2010-12-02T05:13:00.000-08:00

I hope you will check out my latest blog on Creating Memories at my Provocative Ponderings. It's about gift giving at Christmas.
Sarah
Just follow this tag.

http://www.pasttheprint.blogspot.com/

In Honor Of American Veterans

2010-11-10T05:03:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Veterans Day and in honor of those who serve our country, I asked two people that I know personally if they would answer a few questions to give us their point of view of what it’s like to serve in the military in a war far from home.

Col. Kathy Groce: actively serving in the United states Air Force. She served in Desert Storm and Iraq as an RN.

1. I would like the American people to know that each war experience is different and each person responds to it differently. Perhaps you can lump generalities together from each war but, no matter what, those who go to war are changed by it in some way. Sometimes the changes are almost undetectable...sometimes they overwhelm. Veterans have faced their own fears and for the most part have put service to our country above their own comfort and safety. For the most part, they have dealt with situations and decisions that the everyday American will never consider. So we come back home from a war and try to fit back in to the times, changes, feelings...and it is hard sometimes.

2. Would I join the service if I had a do over? Yes, I would. The military is a way of life, and though I don't agree with all of it, I like it nonetheless. I learned skills and had experiences that I would never have learned or gotten otherwise.

3. My specific branch of service - Air Force - was pretty good to us. I have no real complaints. They have taken care of me.

4. The most significant thing I learned in the service is that everyone has a responsibility to speak up and to listen up in order to make positive changes. I always thought that those in higher ranks or whoever was in charge knew better ways of doing things than I did...not always true. Some good changes have occurred because someone took the risk of challenging the status quo. The key is learning the proper way to challenge the system.

5. I know that going to war with people makes bonds with them that are hard to break. There is a place in my heart for the folks I deployed with... I know what sacrifices they made and I know how hard we all worked to do our jobs. It is a camaraderie bonus.

Dennis Groce: Served in Viet Vam and is now a private citizen

1. ALL Americans should be very grateful to ALL service members, male and female. Active or retired. For doing their duty for their country! There should be more recognition and less finger pointing, realizing that in order for peace, sacrifices must be made!

2. Age and health permitting, yes I would serve again.

3. Pay for military should be increased and benefits should reflect the difficult training to prepare for a “government" job!

4. I. Learned life survival skills which should be taught to all citizens. Maybe then, the spaces would begin to fill in!

5. My service was mandatory as I was drafted for service in Viet Nam. Every physical exercise was in preparation to either kill or be killed!

It was a Real Change from high school!

A solid mental focus became a natural occurrence when you realize

“I’m not in Kansas anymore“! Overall. I enjoyed the Brotherhood

which developed at all my duty stations. Thanks for your interest in Veterans! God Bless!

I want to thank Kathy Groce and her brother, Dennis for sharing their thoughts and feelings with us about their service to their country. It is such an privilege for me to know both of them.

If just for today, I hope that you will honor the Veterans of our country for the sacrifices they have made for us. If you know someone who is a veteran, I hope you call him or her, tell them you care about them and thank them for putting their life on the line for the rest of us. Not every soldier got to come home. Some soldiers’ lives have been forever altered by physical or emotional wounds. If you have the privilege of seeing a veteran today or any day please honor them, thank them and tell them, “Welcome home.”

Sarah McNeal

I blogged about hope

2010-11-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

Everybody needs a little hope so I blogged about it at Renee Vincent's author blog, Past The Print. I also added an excerpt from my book Bitter Notes. Here is the tag:

http://pasttheprint.blogspot.com/

I hope you'll check it out.

Sarah

Happy Halloween

2010-10-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween. Maybe it's because I can dress up in another identity or maybe it's just the sweet treats and parties that I love.
I've had some fun times on Halloween. When I was five years old, my mother made me a clown outfit. I was so excited about dressing up in a costume that I forgot the car was still moving and fell out the door into the driveway. No worries. I didn't get hurt but it scared the hell out of my parents.
There was the time I took my oldest sister's kids trick or treating in a wagon. We went to this guy's house who was stinking drunk and, on the way to the door with the bag of candy corn he tripped over the yapping dog spilling the candy all over the floor. No problem. He just gathered up the candy from the floor and tossed it in our bags. This was before candy was individually wrapped I might add.

I've dressed up in all kinds of costumes for the occasion: a ghost, a dead foot on a flip flop, a witch, a gypsy fortune teller and many more.
Two of my favorite Halloweens were at parties. Snookie, my oldest sister decided to let us have a Halloween party in the basement of her house. So we decorated it with straw, balloons and hung sheets to hide my oldest nephew Kevin who made agonizing sounds from behind the sheets to scare the neighbor kids. My sister, Mary, brought my nephew Matthew who was about 18 months old and had him dressed like a little red devil. He promptly peed in his diaper and red devil pee ran everywhere. We had games and gave prizes and the snacks were magnificent.
My friend Kathy had one of her yearly Halloween parties and I stood duty as a fortune teller. I must have been good at it because some of the guests believed me and one asked if I hired out for parties.

Three actual haunted houses.

This year kathy is having another Halloween soiree and I'll be palm reading and using my Tarot cards (which by the way, I cannot read) and I'll be handing out eyeball bubble blowing devices.
I look forward to her parties and to the trivial pursuit for prizes game she always has. I've won some very nifty items at that game.
I wish for all of you a wonderful and safe Halloween this year and may you get as big a kick out of it as I do.

Happy Halloween!
Sarah

Remembering 9/11

2010-09-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am sure that most Americans remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the awful news that a plane had struck one of the Twin Towers. The memory is emblazoned in my mind forever.
I was working in the emergency department when a registrar told us that a plane hit one of the Twin Towers. We turned on the radio at the desk to find out what happened. The second plane hit the other tower and this cold feeling came over all of us. We knew it was not an accident.
Patients dwindled to almost nothing as people got the news and stayed at home watching or listening to the news. The place grew quiet--and for an ER, that's very different. Then a plane hit the Pentagon and hysteria broke loose. Everyone started calling their families or their families were calling them. Fear ran rampant.
I didn't learn about the plane in Pennsylvania until I got home. A terrible sadness fell over me when I learned of the heroism of those passengers. I'm not ashamed to say that I broke down and wept when the congress sang America The beautiful on the Capitol steps.
For days I watched the images of the towers falling, of people in the streets covered in ash looking for their loved ones, of emergency workers trying to find anyone alive and finding no one. It was as though the Earth just stopped moving and I stayed in a state of mourning for all those lost for weeks.
That terrible day 9/11/2001 forever changed us, changed our feelings of safety and how we go about our daily lives. It changed everything.

Today, I am remembering that day, all those Americans who lost their lives, all of those who met the horror with bravery and heroism and those of us who will never forget.

The Luna Moth

2010-08-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I found a beautiful Luna Moth under the oak tree in the back yard. It was dying. I couldn't just let it lay there on the rain-soaked ground so I carefully picked it up and laid it in a flower pot filled with mint and orange daisies. I did take some pictures of her and put one of them here.
Early this morning, I saw that it was still there but lying on it's back. It had died during the night. When I went out later to get a closer look, I saw that a bird must have come along and made a meal of it because all that was left were its wings. So is the cycle of life. I gathered up one of the wings and took inside to keep as a remembrance of the lovely, delicate moth. I hope she got a chance to lay her eggs before she lost her life. I am grateful that I had a chance to see her and perhaps make her last hours on the Earth a little easier.
Sarah

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

     I hope everyone is having a safe and happy 4th of July. Independence Day is a big deal to those of us who live in the United States. Except for the Native Americans who were here first, our ancestors came from every where to live together in this country for the sake of freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Today we celebrate and honor the cornerstone of our country's heritage given to us by our forefathers and maintained by the men and woman who serve their country all over the world. I hope some day they can all come home and rejoin their loved ones, safe and sound.
     While we celebrate this historic day, I also want to mention those who volunteer to serve in the Gulf to protect and restore our coast and our wildlife and a debt of thanks to the American Red Cross and their dedication to helping victims of disaster all over the world.
     Have a wonderful holiday, everyone, keep safe and have a great day celebrating being American.
Sarah

Do you believe in love at first sight?

2010-06-27T16:12:00.000-07:00

I am a cynic. I need to put that out there right away. I write about romance and the way I dream of love being but, in truth, I have my doubts about love and especially about love at first sight.

A dear friend was telling several others and me that she believed she had found her true love and that it had happened within a few days. In other words, it was love at first sight. My other friends enthusiastically gave her positive encouragement to open her heart to this suddenly intense relationship. I, on the other hand with my trials and hard knocks in the school of love and relationships, hung back afraid to encourage that which I felt was sure to fail.

So I talked to my writer friends to get their input and expected a wave of negativity on the subject of love at first sight. I expected them to say, “Yeah. I write about love at first sight, but I think it’s a bunch of baloney really.” I could not have been more surprised by their answers than if they had said pigs fly.

All of them believed love could happen in an instant. Some had witnessed it in their friends and acquaintances—love that happened at once and lasted like 24 years and still going strong. Some had stories of their personal love at first sight stories that would lift anyone’s heart. Not one said that it was impossible to fall in love in a single moment and have that spark last forever.

Therefore, I must conclude that love at first sight is not only possible but happens and when it does happen, it is as uplifting to the heart as shooting star.

Sarah

Happy Father's Day Pop!

2010-06-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

For My Dad On Father's Day

Although I most often think of Pop on our mutual birthday, this year with Father’s Day coming up, he is frequently on my mind.

It wasn’t until I was in my late teens that Pop and I began to have a meaningful father-daughter relationship. Before that, we just fought most of the time. He was determined to tell me what to do and I was just determined not to do a thing he said.

The truth is I owe him so much for things I didn’t think were so important at the time such as the things he taught me about the weather—how a halo around the moon means rain in three days, how different cloud formations indicate certain weather changes and how warm and cold fronts can change everything. He taught me about navigating social dilemmas like how to tell when someone is lying, how to know the difference between being a tattle-tale and when it’s important to report something amiss, and he taught me about our history, who our ancestors were and why our clan ended up in America and the things he loved about his father.

Because of the things he shared with me, I can now pass them on to the next generation. He lives through me. So, when I look up into the sky at the clouds and know that rain is coming, well, that’s my inner Pop.

Happy Father’s Day.

Sarah

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T05:59:00.000-07:00

As we all fire up our grills for the hotdogs and hamburgers to celebrate Memorial Day, I hope you'll take a moment to remember and thank those who serve in the armed forces and thank them for the freedoms we enjoy today. I thank and honor all those service men and women past and present in the Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. They not only fight in time of war but rush to disaster scenes to assist and aide victims and bring order out of chaos.
If you meet a returning veteran, remember to welcome them home. Whether you support the war or not, support the men and women who are laying their lives on the line for all of us.
Sarah

CRW Writer's Retreat

2010-05-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

I just spent the weekend at the Carolina Romance Writer's Retreat and thought you might want to know what that was like so here's the scoop.
First of all, I'd just like to say that I've never been to a writers' retreat before so I didn't really know what to expect.
The retreat took place in a huge, beautiful house on Lake Lure near Chimney Rock, NC. The setting was gorgeous, a still lake nestled in the mountains and a house with a wide expanse of windows from which to view the scenic vista.
The first night we played Pictionary with novel titles that really helped to get us all acquainted and have a few laughs. There was no end of food and drinks and I must confess, I slide off my diet. So sue me.
The next afternoon we gathered in groups with our descriptive pieces from our WIPs and magazine pictures. After reading each other's descriptive passages, the other members attempted to match a picture from a magazine with their impression of the scene or character. I was happy that they quickly made a close match to my gypsy character, Pennytook, from The Light of Valmora so I guess I described him fairly well.
We had a huge dinner of pot luck. Gawd, there are some mighty excellent cooks in my group.
After lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon doing cold reads that we brought from the middle of our WIPs. You know those saggy middles might need a bit of tweaking and what better place than a retreat with other writers to get some feedback on that. This part of the program really unnerved me. I confess that I was terrified that my work would receive a lot of criticism. I waited until the very last to read the middle 5 pages of The Light of Valmora. I cannot tell you the great relief I experienced when my peers gave me some positive feedback on my work.
I also enjoyed the drive to and from the retreat with my passenger who regaled me with writing tales and stories along the way.
The information and sharing of ideas was such a help and so encouraging. But the part I liked the best, was the fun I had just being with other writers who understand what a struggle it is to put out good work and find a supportive publisher. Being with like spirits warmed my heart and encouraged me to keep pursuing my heart's delight--writing.
It was worth the four pounds I gained.
Sarah

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day Mom

I love you and remember you always.

Sarah

Happy St Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

To all my Irish sisters and brothers (and those who are Irish in their hearts) I want to send out a little Gaelic greeting to your corner of the universe:
Slan's beannachd! (Health and a Blessing)

Sarah

PROMOTION AND MANNERS

2010-03-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

Every author has to promote his or her work one way or another. We have to introduce readers to our work and then we pray that they will like what we write. Most writers, especially those with eBooks, find it advantageous to join reader groups on line and chat about their books, post excerpts, covers and blurbs to familiarize readers with their work. There are contests and give-aways to encourage readers to buy our books and interviews to give to familiarize readers with us and our body of work. Most authors are grateful to have a place to introduce their work, show respect to their readers and obey the rules of the group.

What I have found, however, are authors who somehow believe that they don’t need to speak to readers or other authors for that matter. They post their excerpts, blurbs and covers and then they disappear without so much as a howdy-do. So, if a reader has a question about something the author wrote, they will never get an answer. What I really don’t understand is when a reader or another author pays the absentee author a compliment that the author doesn’t respond with even a single thank you. We’re all busy. There is always that next book to write but there is no excuse for rudeness. If an author has time to post an excerpt, surely there is time for a polite response to a compliment.

Some authors don’t even find it necessary to follow the rules of the reader loops on which they post. Why is that? Is it that they feel their books are so superior to others that they are above the rules? This blatant abuse of rules is disrespectful. I would not imagine that readers are unaware of an author’s cavalier attitude toward the rules or their haughty, egomaniacal behavior in ignoring readers and authors who comment on their work.

Reader loops are for the benefit of readers and authors to come together and converse about books. Authors get to show off their books and readers get to find out about their favorite authors and discover new ones. However, when authors display such disregard to the readers that they don’t even want to talk to them, well, where’s the chat in that?

BITTER NOTES CONTEST WINNER

2010-02-16T04:33:00.000-08:00

CONTEST WINNER FOR BITTER NOTES

Congratulations to Joy Isley who has won the BITTER NOTES release contest.

Sarah

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T11:44:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Valentine's Day with loved ones. Along with human friends and family, I hope that our special pet love's are a part of our celebrations for love today as well. I am so grateful for my Goden Retriever baby, Lily and my sweet cat, Liberty. Their unconditional love gets me through rough times and they brighten my days.

I just want to say a word about my friends, Kathy, Dottie and Maureen who sent me cards for my recent loss of Acorn, my cat, and to Rev. Renee who made me a memorial bracelet for Acorn. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Your friendship and love is so important to me and your thoughtfulness will be remembered always. On a day celebrating love, I would be remiss if I didn't send out my love for you into the universe today.

May you all have a wonderful and loving day today.

Sarah

Another Contest for BITTER NOTES

2010-02-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

Besides my very own contest for BITTER NOTES, there is also a Valentines contest at Romance Junkies that BITTER NOTES is participating in. Here is the tag to get there:
http://www.RomanceJunkies.com/RJValentinescontest/SarahMcNeal.html

SAYING GOOD BYE TO ACORN

2010-02-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

My wonderful cat, ACORN, has died. After a year of being cancer free, it suddenly returned with a vengence just 2 days ago. The cancer had metasticized everywhere. It was so hard for me to let him go but I could not allow him to suffer. His vet., Dr Pennae, cried, too. It has been a very sad day for me. I am going to miss his antics, his beautiful presence in my life and his loud voice. I will miss and love him always.
Sarah

CONTEST RELEASE OF BITTER NOTES

2010-01-30T07:50:00.000-08:00

BITTER NOTES was just released today and I am starting my release celebration by having a contest. You could win a piano music box, a piano charm necklace, piano shaped pencil sharpner or magnetic calandar with the book cover on it.
HERE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS:

Go to my BOOKSHELF and check out the excerpt for BITTER NOTES. Answer these two questions:
1. What is the weather?
2. Who are the 2 main characters?
Then look under my Works In Progress and tell me the name of the book that is looking for a home.

That's it. email the answers to me using my email address on the contact page. The contest will continue until Valentines's Day (February 14, 2010)

SNOW DAY!

2010-01-29T14:00:00.001-08:00

This is the first snow I've seen this year and I'm happy to see it. I know. Kinda crazy. My dog, Lily, had fun figuring it out since she has never seen snow before. It's fun to watch and neat to sit by the fire and watch it come down.
You may think I'm a nut case getting excited about seeing snow but, here in the South, it's an exciting and noteworthy event.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Sarah

I Begin My Hostess Job at The Romance Room

2010-01-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

GREETINGS EVERYONE!
I cordially invite you to join me on Monday evening, January 11, 2010 for my big extravaganza. I am starting a new job along with author Linday Mooney as hostesses for THE ROMANCE ROOM. To celebrate this ocassion, I'll be posting excerpts from my previous book, THE VIOLIN, my upcoming release, BITTER NOTES and, if there is time, my book HARMONICA JOE'S RELUCTANT BRIDE that is presently looking for a home and my WIP, THE LIGHT OF VALMORA. I will have some truly easy contests and giving away cool stuff like Piano shaped pencil sharpeners, Magnetic calendars, a music bos that's a baby grand piano and a free download of my previous release, THE VIOLIN. I intend to have some fun and welcome anyone who would like to join me there.
Sending good vibes to your corner of the universe.
Sarah McNeal

My New Year's Intentions

2009-12-29T11:04:00.000-08:00

My New Year's Intentions

I have made many New Year's Resolutions over the years and I can say, without a moment's hesitation, that I have never kept a single one--nope not one.

So, this year I'm going to do something different; I'm going to make New Year's Intentions. Just to be clear, the idea of New Year's Intentions is not my original idea. The idea of New Year's Intentions came from the sermon Reverend Christy Snow gave this past Sunday. An Intention is an inside thing, something I can do to improve my spiritual being. It is based on the four principles she outlined in her sermon. So here goes:

1. I want to have humility--not me but God kind of attitude about the blessings I have received and having gratitude for them.

2. I want to rely more on Divine Wisdom, that inner voice that whispers the truth I need to listen to more often.

3. I want to be open to Agape Love--the love of all human beings, creatures and creation that God has created.

4. I want to allow my light to shine, to be who I really am every day, in every situation.

If I can put my best Intentions forward in 2010, I will improve my spiritual being. I won't be perfect. Let's face it, no one is going to be perfect, but I can strive each day to be a better person.

So there it is, my New Year's Intentions. I hope that this year will bring you health and happiness and that you will let your light shine and love each and every day as it comes.

Happy New Year!!

Sarah

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2009-12-18T11:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas is right around the corner and, finally, I am done shopping. I'm getting ready to do some baking for Christmas Brunch in just a bit. My tree is decorated and my presents are wrapped. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to have it all done. Whew!

I feel better now that I made some donations to my favorite charities, The Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society of Charlotte and Defenders of Wildlife. All I have to do is watch Animal Planet when they're doing Animal Cops or see the advertisement featuring abused animals with Sarah McLaughlin singing In The Arms of an Angel and I am driven to do something. It's so heart wrenching to watch. Cesar Millan is right up there with Stephen Hawkings on my hero list.

I want to tell you that BITTER NOTES will be released by Amira Press around the middle of January and I am really excited about it. Yeehaw! It was inspired by an actual event. Day after day I drove by this house that had a baby grand piano sitting out in the front yard. At first, I thought they were having difficulty figuring out how to get the huge thing in their house. But when I saw it sitting out there in the pouring rain, I knew it was left out there on purpose. It was so sad when, eventually, its rotted boards and splintered keyboard sat on the side of the road waiting on the garbage collector. God, why didn't they donate it to charity or to a school where its purpose could have been fulfilled--filling the world with the sounds of beautiful music? It broke my heart and so I wrote a story about it. It's a story of revenge, letting go and hope. Please check out my books section for the blurb and excerpt.

In the meantime, I hope you have a safe and memorable holiday. Merry Christmas!!

Sarah

2009-12-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving. Well, even though it's after the fact, I I hope you had a good one.
Sarah

BITTER NOTES COVER

2009-11-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the cover for my upcoming contemporary book at Amira Press. This cover was created by the multi-talented Anastasia Rabiyah who is not only an artist but a terrific writer as well. Whew! this cover is beautiful.

Sarah

GREAT NEWS!!

2009-11-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

I am positively psyched that my new contemporary, BITTER NOTES, is now contracted to Amira Press.

This story was inspired by a sad event. Every day I passed by this baby grand piano that someone had put out in the front yard. At first I thought they were trying to figure out how to get it into the house, but as days passed with it still out there, I realized with horror that it was intentional. There was no "For Sale" sign on it and I thought how crazy it was that they didn't even donate it to a theater or a school. Baby grands are worth around $3000. Eventually the rain poured down on it and, as time passed, it fell into ruin and ended up set on the curb for the garbage collector. It was the saddest thing I'd seen in years.

So I wrote a story around it and used the story as a catharses of sorts. Hopefully, I can get the edits and the story can be released soon.

In the meantime, I want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving if you live here in the USA and drive safely if you have to be on the road during the holidays.

All good things to your corner of the universe.

Sarah

Having A Great Day

2009-10-26T10:54:00.001-07:00

(Bryan Adams)

October 25,2009 has been a very good day.

It started with a wonderful sermon by Christy Snow called "Mastery" but was really about being who we really are--our authentic selves. I needed to hear that. I sometimes play to an audience just wanting people to like me. I guess we're all a little involved in that.

The music at church is always inspiring and, since I am also a musician, I appreciate the effort that goes into creating a beautiful, harmonic sound. After church, we had a surprise lunch of my favorite food, chili and cornbread with delicious desserts. Loving the desserts, too.

So, filled up with some good spirit, my sister and I went to see Bryan Adams who is doing an acoustic concert. It was just Bryan with his guitar and Gary on piano--no band or loud electronics. I never realized how much his lyrics meant until I heard them sung without the big band behind him.

He was funny and kind, explaining how he came upon certain songs and he managed to good-naturedly put up with some members of the audience who were listening to the football game with the Panthers (who apparently lost.) He encouraged the audience to sing along with him and we did--most enthusiastically.

I like the McGlohon Theater because of it's beautiful stained glass windows with back lights and charming ambiance but it's also an intimate place. The audience and the performer get to have closeness even if you're in the last row at the back. For those of you who don't know the place, it used to be a church in downtown Charlotte many years ago and was converted into a theater for the performing arts.

My day was not marred by a single negative energy or event. The worst thing that happened was that my sister and I didn't get to stay to eat the food we ordered--but they gave us our coffee for free because the service was slow and I felt that that made up for it.

Tomorrow may be crap. The sky might fall or a bill come due, but for now, I had a great day and just wanted to share it with you. I have to treasure perfectly good days because they don't happen that often and must be held in graditude. And so it is.

Sarah

Halloween's Comin'

2009-10-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

Halloween Is Coming

This is a photo of me with my pumpkin cake. I made it for my friend’s Halloween party some years back.

Halloween is just around the corner. It’s my favorite holiday because I can become anyone or anything I want from a witch to a walking hamburger. My most inspirational costume was a dead foot on a flip-flop—a sort of after the accident clean up object. I used a green sheet as the foot making sure to create each of the toes and painted the toenails with red fabric paint. The flip-flop was created from a piece of egg crate foam used on mattresses and a large flat piece of cardboard. I was the foot with the flip-flop hung over my back using a strap wedged between my head (the big toe) and the stuffed stand up toes that ran across my shoulder. It was a pain moving around but worth it.

My friend, Kathy Groce used to give a Halloween party every year and each year had its own theme. So one year, she decided to make it like a carnival. Each guest played a game to win tickets for the other events. Her brother, Dave, who is a tall, handsome schoolteacher, was a tattoo artist. Okay, actually, the tattoos were the kind you apply water to and they come off on your skin. A couple of showers and they’re gone. My “booth” was the fortune-telling booth. I read palms and gave a little gift of a fortune telling fish to each of my “customers.” I found the little fortune telling fish at a magic store up the street. What I loved most was that some people actually believed I had the ability to tell their future and one person wanted to hire me for another party. Were they just gullible, or was I just that convincing in my roll?

Madeline, my 8-year-old niece, is as excited about Halloween as I am and planning her costume as we speak. I think she called it a witch princess outfit. I guess that means it’s Cinderella dressed in black. I’d like to figure out how to make a Pez container costume. How do you get the candy to shoot out of your neck?

I hope your Halloween is fun and safe.
All good things to your corner of the universe.
Sarah

Welcome to my new website

2009-09-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

I hope you all like my new website that Jodie designed for me. Things still need a little tweaking but I think it's looking pretty fine right now.

LIST OF PRIZES FOR TWO LIPS REVIEWS CONTEST

2009-08-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Oh my word, I had no idea how many prizes were being given away for the TwoLips Reviews Scavenger Hunt. Here is the tag to see for yourself what the prizes are. Someone is going to be mighty lucky!!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TalkingTwoLips/files/

Scavenger Hunt

2009-08-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

The TWOLIPS SCAVENGER HUNT is on and I am a participant. Look for their icon here on my website. If you need to know the rules and what you can win, here's how:
www.twolipsreviews. com click on scavenger hunt and you will find the rules! come play with us! and win win win! over 100 prizes to be won come on and play!
So start playing already!
Sarah

RECEIPES!!

2009-07-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

HELLO my darlings. In case you missed these recipes when I posted them during my featured Author Day at The Romance Room, here they are:

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
½ cup butter or margarine 1/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa
2/3 cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk (set aside the egg white) Vanilla Filling (below)
2 tablespoons milk Granulated sugar or
1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup walnuts or pecans finely chopped
1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour 2 dozen Hershey kisses

Cream butter, 2/3 cup sugar, egg yolk, milk and vanilla in small mixer bowl; blend into creamed mixture. Chill dough about an hour or until firm enough to handle. Keep the egg white at room temperature until dough is ready to handle. Then beat the egg white until frothy and place in a small bowl. Roll each ball in either the granulated sugar or the ground nuts and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Make a thumbprint in each cookie.
Place in oven preheated to 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
While the cookies are cooling,
Prepare Vanilla Filling:
Thoroughly combine ½ cup confections’ sugar, I tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoons milk and ¼ teaspoon vanilla
Once the cookies have cooled, place a dollop of vanilla filling in the thumbprint and top with a Hershey Kiss.

VANILLA THUMBPRINT COOKIES
¼ cup butter ¼ cup shortening
¼ cup brown sugar (packed) 1 egg separated
¼ teaspoon vanilla 1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup finely chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Work in flour and salt until dough holds together. Shape dough into 1 inch balls.
Beat the egg white until foamy. Roll each ball in the egg white then roll in chopped nuts and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Press thumb in the center of each ball and pplace in oven for 10 minutes.
After cookies have cooled, place a dollop of vanilla filling (below) in the thumbprint and top with whatever turns your key—candied fruit, Hershey Kiss, Walnut or Pecan half, etc.
Vanilla Filling:
Thoroughly combine ½ cup confectioner’s sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoons milk and ¼ teaspoon vanilla

WACKY COCOA CAKE
3 cups unsifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar 2 cups water
½ cup Hershey Cocoa ¾ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons baking soda 2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla
Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla and beat for 3 minutes at medium speed until thoroughly blended. Pour into a greased and floued 13x9x2 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.
Cool and frost as desired. Personally I like White Mountain icing but some of my family prefers peanut butter icing.
I got this recipe from the Hershey’s Cocoa Cookbook that was free when I bought a can of cocoa many years ago. I have never known it to fail to rise into a beautiful cake that is delicious and always moist. My best friend and I used to make it for birthdays when we worked in coronary care years ago and everyone loved it.

Remembering An American Hero

2009-07-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

I received a message from a friend of mine, Kathy Groce, a veteran from The Gulf War and The Irag War where she helped med-vac soldiers and cared for the injured in an Air Force ground base hospital.
It is amazing to me the things that we Americans choose to honor. There are heroes among us, men and women willing to do whatever it takes to help others, to protect us all and do what needs to be done quietly and persistently—every day ordinary people we seldom hear about because they aren’t entertainers or politicians.
So, I ask you to read about this American hero and let this story sink in deep in your heart and remind you that this is what it means to be an American and a human being.
Subject: Ed Freeman
No matter what your race, creed, color, religion or political preferences, this deserves to be read and honored.
Michael Jackson dies and it's 24/7 news coverage. A real American hero dies and not a mention of it in the news.
Ed Freeman
You're a 19-year-old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-19 65, LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in. You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter and you look up to see an unarmed Huey, but it doesn't seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.
Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.
He's coming anyway.
And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.
Then he flies you up and out, through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses. And he kept coming back, 13 more times, and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.
Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died on Wednesday, June 25th, 2009, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID. May God rest his soul.
Medal of Honor Winner Ed Freeman!
Since the media didn't give him the coverage he deserves, send this to every red-blooded American you know.
THANKS AGAIN, ED, FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY.
RIP

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

2009-07-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, you have found the banner for the Twolips Reviews Scavenger Hunt!!

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. I'll be on my deck at sunset watching my neighbors' fireworks as I sip my cool drink and eat my ice cold watermelon.
Have fun enjoying our Independence Day!
Sarah

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

2009-07-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating our Independence Day. So, bring on the hot dogs, barbeque, watermelon ice cream, drinks and whatever else you're having today, enjoy the day and please keep safe. I'll be watching fireworks from my deck. My neighbor, Carlos's cousin, who is a fairly new citizen of the USA always has a big ol' party with real fireworks. It's going to be a wild and crazy night and I don't even have to leave home. Ha Ha

Happy Birthday America!

Sarah
This is the banner you are looking for to play in the scavenger hunt at Joyfully reviewed
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/Tinatwolips/untitled2-1.jpg?t=1248545107

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

Way back when, my dad took this picture of our family when he and mom had my oldest sister, Marlene. You can't see it but, in Pop's hands, he has the trip wire for the camera. He had so many interests that it was hard to keep up with them all but photography was one. So here they were with their first baby when my dad became a dad for the very first time. I would be his last.
I look at this picture sometimes when I feel like I've lost my way or I need a hug. Just being in my dad's presence often made me feel safe and calm. He was the solid base we all leaned on and the wisdom I frequently called upon.
No one in this picture is living now. I miss them. Sometimes I dream about them. It brings me peace.
So on this Father's Day, I remember Pop with fond memories for the times we shared while he was still on the earth. Happy Father's Day. Pop. I will always love you.
Sarah

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Kathy and her company while they were in Iraq. Shouting out a thanks to you, Kathy, for all the times you served on foreign soil to help the sick and injured get back home.

I hope any of you who have someone in Iraq or Afganistan, that your loved one stays safe and comes home soon. Thanks to all the men and women in the service working to keep us all safe.

Sarah

2009-05-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

FOR MOM

2009-05-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

On this day every year since my mother died, I am filled with the sharp edges of missing her.

Mom was the glue of the family. We all came home for holidays and gathered around the table laden with familiar favorites she made especially for each of us.

When were were growing up, Mom made most of our clothes. I loved how she would invent things when necessity met with her whimsy. Mary and I were growing fast and our favorite skirts became too short. Mom cut them about six inches above the hem, inserted wide lace and sewed it back together--a fabulous new style.

She made Easter baskets for us even after we were grown and married. And she worried over us as only mamas do with unconditional love.

On this day I light a candle beneath her picture and place a note there telling her how much I love her, miss her and then I update her on the news.

I know that even if I just whisper it out into the great universe that she'll hear me when I say, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I will love you always."

Sarah

A Spiritual Experience--At A Bar

2009-05-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

Christy Snow And The Free Spirits

I ran into a spiritual experience quite by accident when I went with a couple friends to The Grape at the North Lake Mall last night. Okay, it is a bar but that just makes my discovery all the more extraordinary.
The entertainment was Christy Snow and the Free Spirits who played songs that ran the gambit from funny tunes about camping trips and a dog to new found hope and confidence in the unfolding of life. A few songs were familiar to me but most of the songs were written by Ms Snow. She played the guitar, harmonica (often together like Tom Petty) and the Native American Flute. There’s something haunting and peaceful in the music of the Native American Flute. Her voice resonated in a rich, smoky tone that reminded me of K. D. Lang.
At break time I got a chance to talk to her and found that she used to work in corporate America making a pretty decent salary and gave it up to go into her musical career full force. I couldn’t help but relate to her on that level since I just retired from nursing to pursue my writing career even in the face of this recession or depression according to how you feel about a drastic drop in the economy worldwide. Her philosophy was that your life unfolds the way it should and you just have to be open to the positive. I asked her to give me her life philosophy in one sentence. Yeah, I put her on the spot but not intentionally. I just wanted to understand how, based on the content of her songs, she could come up smiling with such a great attitude about life. She responded faster than I would have been able to with, “Life is for us.” Sounds simple enough unless, like me, you feel so often that life is against us and spin in a spiral of negative thinking about the if only’s in life. She also said something else that I can relate to. Having worked in the emergency room for many years, I’ve seen the frequent underbelly of life and the way human spirit can deteriorate into self-destruction and self-gratification not to mention abusive behavior. By the time I retired, I’d had about all I could take of the “what’s in it for me” mentality. Ms Snow said, “Whatever you believe, like people are basically good, you have to believe even when times get rough.” Way easier said than done but a thing to hang on to like a raft in a storm.
Turns out Christy Snow is a minister. Wouldn’t you just know it? She delivers sermons and sings her uplifting songs every Sunday at The Center For Positive Living at 6101 Idlewild Rd., #332, Charlotte, NC 28212.
As a writer, I was interested in lyric writing. I can write stories long and short and I can write poetry but lyrics, well, I just don’t seem to have that unique gift. I asked Ms Snow about that, about being born with a gift to write lyrics and she insisted that anyone can do it if they want to. She said an amazing thing in regards to poetry and lyrics. A friend of hers sent her an eloquent poem and told her she could use it to come up with a song. Ms Snow said the poem could be changed into several songs. She “chopped it up” into the lyrics for several songs saying that lyrics are easier to write than poetry. Lyrics still mystify me but I’m going to take her word for it and figure that I must not “want to” enough.
I hope, if you ever get the chance, you go to one of her gigs and hear some spiritually uplifting and sometimes funny songs and her amazing talent on her instruments. Her website has the dates and places where she and the Free Spirits will be playing. www.christysnow.com You’ll come away with an inspired heart.
Sarah

Happy Birthday Snookie

2009-04-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

My oldest sister, Marlene whom we fondly called Snookie, would have celebrated her seventy-first birthday today. I love this old high school picture of her. This is how I remember her the best before life took its toll on her.

She made me laugh and she loved road trips. She was one of the few people I totally trusted in a car. She taught me how to drive but I was not that good a student. She had a lot of courage just taking me on since I stink at driving.

Snookie made the best peanut butter fudge I've ever tasted and she played canasta with me and the parents as my partner. We cheated. We had this whole hand signal thing going on but we rarely won. My parents were like the champs at canasta.

Snookie had five kids and they were more like my siblings than nieces and nephew. We hung out together. I went with her and her five kids to my first rock concert--the Dave Clark Five. You probably don't remember them but it was quite a scream fest and I loved it. My first husband who was my best friend then, went with us.

My big sister died on February 13, the same day my dog Kate died. Years of smoking and not taking very good care of herself took her away. She took a part of my history with her especially my restless, reckless days, that I can never have back again. There is one less person for me to reminisce with about the "old days."

So, here's to you Snookie, wherever you are in the universe. I hope you're having fun, maybe getting in another game of canasta with the parents.

I will always love you.

Happy Easter/Passover

2009-04-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter

Whether you have a wild and crazy Easter, a fun family time dinner or a sweet time for two Easter, just enjoy it and be happy to be on the earth for another unfolding of Spring and renewal.

My family is coming for an Easter luncheon. We are all pitching in with our favorite dishes. Betsy is bringing a bunny cake, ambrosia and asparagus, Matthew made a squash casserole and iced tea, Madeline and I dyed eggs and made party favors and I'm making deviled eggs, salad, baked chicken and potato salad. My sister, Mary, is off the hook because she volunteered to work today. I have to appreciate that she usually has the Sunday dinners.

I'm also going to take a little private time today to remember those that I've lost this year, my friend, Joyce Henderson, my loving dog, Kate and my sister, Marlene, whose birthday would have been April 17. Then I'm going to start planning my vacation to Hilton Head (a retirement gift to me from Mike Hinson) and start looking for a puppy and plant a garden so I can get some happiness back into my life. It's time for me to look forward to something.

Whatever you and your family are doing to celebrate today, I wish you joy.

All good things to your corner of the universe.

Sarah

NEWS FLASH!

2009-04-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

I thought you should know that my books from New Concepts Publishing, DARK ISLE and LAKE OF SORROWS, are no longer available. The contracts have run out on them. I'll continue writing The Valmora series but through another publisher some time in the future. THE LIGHT OF VALMORA is in progress as I speak and I have fallen in love with the main character, Falcon.

Here is the blurb:

THE LIGHT OF VALMORA BLURB

To free his father from the Queen of the Dark Isle, Falcon must find the legendary Light of Valmora which lies hidden in the darkest place on earth. To complicate things further, he is falling in love with Izabelle, his brother’s woman.

Once rejected by Peregrine, Izabelle wants revenge. But when she tries to use Falcon to initiate her plan, everything gets out of control along with her heart.

In the meantime, I'd like to remind you that the Amira Press Egg Hunt is still in progress. To find out the details just go to http://www.amirapress.com/ and click on the egg icon. If you're looking for the egg icon on my website, here's a little hint: scroll way in down the blog and you might get lucky.

Ta Ta For Now

Sarah

OUR BIRTHDAY

2009-03-16T08:26:00.001-07:00

My dad (Jim McNeal) with his dog Guess

All my life I shared my birthday with Pop. Our birthday is on March 18. As a kid I resented sharing the attention with my dad. Being the self involved urchin that I was and most children are, I wanted my own birthday cake. So, for a while, we had two cakes: coconut for Pop and vanilla with bananas between the layers for me. I know my mom was glad when I got over that episode of “it’s all about me” behavior.

As we spent more and more birthdays together, we began to plan our birthday dinner in cooperation each getting a choice on what food we wanted and what kind of cake (only one) we desired. When we went to renew our drivers’ licenses every four years, we started planning what costumes we would wear. I did everything from a Nehru jacket to a cowgirl outfit. It became an event and was special to us.

Pop was quite a liberal thinker. He let my sister, Mary, and I draw pictures and write on our bedroom walls. When notes came home from my teacher that I kept my book bag with me at all the time, even at recess, my dad sent her a note back telling her to let me do it because it was my way of dealing with separation from my mom while I was at school. He laughed when Mary and I burned down the closet and the fire department came to put it out. Okay, that was after he punished us and he had no idea we heard him when he made light of it. Being a meteorologist, he taught me about the weather, how fronts worked and what the different clouds were. We went on nature walks, learned how to make a vegetable garden, what the stars were in the night sky and taught us to always have bird feeders and what the different birds like to eat. I learned how to write a check and balance my checkbook, trust in my fellow humans and how to become self reliant from my dad.

I was thirty-seven when I spent my first birthday without him. The magic and fun was suddenly gone. Some years I don’t really want a fuss made over me on my birthday and other years I’m okay with the special attention. But regardless of how I feel, happy or sad, I always remember to play my dad’s favorite bagpipe tune and light a candle in his memory. Even though we used to scrap a lot with each other and our tempers would flare from time to time over my need for independence, my dad was my protector, my guru of wisdom, my sparring partner and my friend. He believed in me and he stuck up for me and I will hold my memories of him dear to my heart always.

Happy birthday Pop.

Amira Press Easter Egg Hunt

2009-02-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Easter Egg Hunt at Amira Press

Amira Press is going to be starting an egg hunt starting March first. You could just win a bunch of goodies for gathering up the egg icons from the authors. So why don't you get on over there and check it out soon. http://www.amirapress.com/

I'll have more details for you later most likely so stayed tuned.

I'm looking forward to happier times.

Sarah

In Honor of Kate and Marlene

2009-02-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

My dearest friends, Kathy Groce and Maureen Tohill, came over this morning to support me and remember Kate whom they both had great fondness for. While Maureen made us breakfast, Kathy uploaded these most recent pictures of Kate that I would like to share with you. For the time that they spent with me, my day was a little brighter. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

More sad news.

An hour after Kate died, I got a phone call from the nurse in Intensive Care in Minnesota who told me that my big sister, Marlene, had died. Her nickname was Snookie. She taught me how to drive. She was the only one with the patience and courage to do it. The best peanut butter fudge I ever ate was made by my big sister. When I was 15, I would go to her house and watch Johnny Carson late at night. She let me smoke cigarettes and drink Bourbon and gingerale. If someone wanted to go on a road trip, Snookie was the first to get in the car. She was like a travel maniac. So, here's to you, Marlene Jeanette McNeal Stubbs, may your last journey be your best.

For Kate and Marlene I wish you a happy Valentine's Day and God speed on your next big adventures.

Sorrowful News

2009-02-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

Kate is gone. She's out of pain now and able to run on all four legs. I know my dad will take good care of her until I join them. I'm going to miss her so much and right now I feel lost without her. I will hold the memories I have of her close to my heart forever. I will always love you, Kate. You were the best of dogs.

Romance Is Not For Wimps!

2009-01-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

Romance Is Not For Wimps

Often times people will ask me what I write when they first learn that I am a published writer. My gut reaction is a sudden desire to lie and explain in lofty terms that I write alternative fiction. I want to throw out a lot of baloney about time travel, science fiction, adventure, Western or even experimental dabbling into creative fiction. I could duck the entire issue and act like I just saw someone I know across the room and I must be off to greet them. The last thing I want to tell them is that I’m a romance writer.

I know. I know. I’m a coward. But the minute I tell an enthusiastic person that I’m a romance writer, I have to endure their deflated interest and sudden monotone voice depicting low esteem when they respond with, “Oh. That’s nice.” What the heck? It’s as if my IQ just dropped and my efforts to get that POV right and the hours I agonized working the plot into an exciting revelation meant absolutely nothing—because I write romance.

Some people just don’t get it. Writing about the most tender feelings two people can have for one another and making them find ways to overcome impossible obstacles to have that one person their heart yearns for is an amazing amount of work to get it right and make it lift the heart. Is it nobler to write dark tombs with sad endings than those filled with hope and ending in happiness? Apparently. Is it easier somehow to forge a romance than a murder? In the minds of many, yes.

Well, for myself, I delight in reading romance and I have no desire to write anything else. I enjoy happy endings and stories that make me believe in the impossible. My life is filled with the harsh edges of reality and the sting and bite of everyday existence. When I settle down into bed at night, I like to close my day within the pages of a wonderful romance that allows me to believe that the world really can be a better place.

Now for a little update:

My Golden Retriever, Kate, is still hanging in there. I am amazed, as is the veterinarian, that Kate has managed to make it this far with a diagnosis of bone cancer made on Halloween night. She is getting pain meds that seem to work for the most part and she is getting whatever she wants to eat. Naturally she prefers meat products, eggs, puppy food and peanut butter sandwiches or whatever I'm having except for vegetables (not to her liking). She goes in and out of the house using a special ramp I got her to accommodate her three legged way of being. She's like a moving tripod now refusing to use her left hind leg at all.

Thank God for friends. My good friend, Maureen Tohill, comes to spend hours of time with Kate while I'm at work in the ER 12 hours every Saturday and Sunday. She feeds Kate home made goodies and gives her healing touch treatments along with her wonderful company.

The veterinarian told me last week to prepare myself for the inevitable end and, believe me, I really am trying. For the most part, I deal with things on a one day at a time basis attempting to keep in memory every day I get with Kate. Only once in a while it occurs to me that I am going to lose her and nothing, absolutely nothing I do can keep Kate from dying. In those dark moments I just have to believe that Kate will join my dad in the here-after and that Pop will take good care of her there until I can join them.

Any way, I just wanted to let you know what is going on with my wonderful dog,Kate.

As for my two kitties, Liberty and Acorn, they are doing just fine and happy as little larks.

Until next time, here's sending good thoughts to your corner of the universe.

Sarah

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T19:12:00.001-08:00

Wishing You And Yours A Most Merry Christmas And A New Year Filled With Hope, Happiness And Peace.

All good things to your corner of the universe.

Sarah, Kate, Acorn and Liberty

Buy The Violin And Get A Chance To Win An Ebook Reader

2008-12-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the wild and crazy, exhausting preChristmas shopping days. Well, here's a little something-something to gladden and warm your heart--an antiGrinch remedy, if you please. LOL.If you buy my book, THE VIOLIN, from Amira Press you automatically get a chance to win an Ebook Reader from my publisher. In fact, for every book you buy, you get another chance to win and, when you buy 10 books, you get the 11th book free no matter what.

THE VIOLIN

THE VIOLIN by Sarah J. McNeal (Blurb)

Genevieve has dreamed about him all her life, but it isn’t until she buys his violin and finds the remnants of his life and the mystery of his death in 1927 within its case, that she makes a decision that will change her life forever. Is there a way to change the past and save the man who haunts her heart?

Excerpt:THE VIOLIN at Amira Press by Sarah McNeal

The couple was left alone in the living room. John’s hands seemed to burn into Genevieve’s. She wanted him to stay with her like this forever. Her heart ached a little and she wasn’t sure why.

“Are you really okay? She asked.

“Hell no, I’m not okay. I’m never okay around you.” He smiled charmingly. “Now that you’ve turned into a goddess with the help of my mother, I’m not sure I will ever be okay again,” he said and grinned.

Genevieve jerked her hands out of his grasp. “I don’t think your jokes are all that funny. You scared the life out of me,” she said angrily.

He reached around her and pulled his jacket from the back of the couch. “Come on, Genevieve, let’s get going.” He took her hand back in his firm grip and pulled her along behind him out the front door, off the little porch and across the yard to his motorcycle.

Genevieve skidded to a halt. “I’m not going to ride on that thing.” She felt the knot in her stomach form just looking at the motorcycle. What a dangerous piece of machinery it was.

“Yes you are,” John said determinedly.

“No I’m not.” Genevieve was obstinately determined that she was most certainly not going to get on that death machine. “I could get killed on that thing.” She looked at the Indian motorcycle as if it were a dragon seeking its next meal.From the back yard came a miniature explosion. Matilda’s little shriek cut the air followed by the laughter of Will and Jimmy.

John glanced at Genevieve and laughed lightly. “Well, looks like that cannon you bought Jimmy has gone over big.”

She scrunched her face into a frown not listening to a word he said. “I’m not going to ride on that thing, John.”

John turned to her and spoke in a low voice as if explaining something to a child. “Listen, honey, Sunbury is ten miles or more down the road. You couldn’t even walk the first two miles before those blisters would start to hurt again.”He guided her slowly over to the motorcycle. “Now see, I have this wonderful wheeled horse just to take milady conveniently and, without walking on sore feet I might add, to a wonderful restaurant I know in Sunbury.”He turned her around to face him. “Now we can stand here and argue all our time away on how we’re going to get there but, in the end little miss goddess of mine, you are going to get on this motorcycle if I have to drag you on it and tie you to me.” There was absolute resolution in his voice.

Genevieve knew she couldn’t win. John had to be the most stubborn person on the face of the earth. “Okay,” she relented barely audible, “I’ll do it but I want you to know I’m really scared. You better not get us killed.”

John threw a leg over the saddle of the bike and drew her on to the back where she sat with her legs tucked behind his. He laughed a little. “Don’t worry, honey, I’m not going to kill us, not on purpose any way.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring,” Genevieve snapped back sarcastically. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She wasn’t sure which bothered her more, riding on the motorcycle or John’s back pressed against her chest and her legs snugly folded next to his.

John reached back, took her hands, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “All you have to do is hang on tight and lean the way I lean. Got that?”Genevieve was shaking too much to answer so she nodded her head even though she was sure he wasn’t really waiting for her permission. Her stomach clenched with anxiety and fear made her hands tremble.John kicked the starter with his left heel and the engine sputtered into life. It sounded like a chain saw.Genevieve hugged John’s waist in a death grip and laid her face against his back as he drew on his goggles over his eyes. “Genevieve,” he yelled over the roar of the engine, “I have to be able to breathe, honey, not that I don’t love you holding me that tight.” He laughed and the motorcycle lunged forward onto the dirt road.

Genevieve watched as John squeezed the clutch with his left hand and reached down to change the gear with his right hand on the stick gear in front of him.“Aren’t we supposed to have on helmets? There’s a law about that,” Genevieve yelled into his back.

She felt the rumble of his laughter on her cheek.“I don’t think they have a law about that. We’re not going into battle; we’re just taking a ride.” He laughed out loud. “You might want to keep your mouth shut before a bug flies in it,” he shouted and laughed again.The engine whined a few seconds as John changed gears again. The machine hummed as they scattered rocks and dirt in their wake down the country road. The wind blew through his hair and Genevieve’s braid flopped heavily in the wind the bike created.

“I never saw a motorcycle with a stick shift on the body before,” Genevieve called out over the roar of the engine. “Isn’t there some kind of shift thingy on the handlebar?”

“That’s a mighty interesting question seeing how there is no other motorcycle anywhere. Indian is all there is and this is where the gears are.” John was silent a moment than added, “But now that I think about it, it would sure be more convenient if the ‘thingy’ was on the handlebar.”

Genevieve was beginning to loosen her grip a little as she began to grow calm. A little burn of fear still scorched her stomach though. “Does this thing have brakes?” she called out the question.

“You’ll be glad to know there’s two. I got one in my right hand and the other is located here under my right foot. You couldn’t be any safer.” He spoke loudly making his voice rise above the engine noise. “Isn’t this the greatest?” He was obviously enjoying himself.Genevieve wasn’t so sure it was the greatest thing riding wildly down a dirt road on a motorcycle. In her real life, she would never take such a crazy chance. But there was one thing she thought that made this dangerous and impulsive antic worthwhile. She got to hold John close to her until she could hear his heartbeat and the vibration of his voice through his jacket on her cheek. The time she spent with John was worth all the heartache that would come later.

The Violin is available in Print or ebook at the following locations: http://www.amirapress.com/, amazon.com, Fictionwise.com,Bookstrand.com or here on my website. Just click on the buy button which will take you straight to Amira Press.

And here is another cool deal. If you join Amira Press Reader's Group, you get my story, I PROMISE YOU, as a free read. Here is a blurb and excerpt for you.FREE READ Join the Amira Press Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amirapress/join) today and get a free read courtesy of Sarah J. McNeal.

I Promise You

Gideon thought he had the perfect life as a musician with a beautiful model as his girlfriend, until he was diagnosed with breast cancer.Ashamed and afraid he may die, Gideon hits bottom when his girlfriend dumps him for a real man.Hope comes in the form of his father’s ghost and a person he has just met. Can he beat the odds and survive? And if he does, can he ever find happiness again?

I PROMISE YOU Excerpt

By Sarah J. McNeal

Publisher: Amira Press

Available as a FREE READ

In a nonstop run of chatter in the “it’s all about me” world of Sylvia, she handed him the iced tea remembering, at least, to put a straw in the glass affording him the ability to drink. The tea was bitter without any sugar in it. He didn’t bother to ask for sugar, content to drink anything that would slake his thirst. Leaning his head back against the pillows and closing his eyes, he allowed her never-ending stream of words to wash over him. He didn’t feel much like talking any way being more absorbed in his own thoughts about his surgery, his therapy and his hope for survival.

Accustomed to Sylvia’s self-centered and relentless chatter, Gideon knew it wasn’t necessary to comment on anything she said. Sylvia was shallow but she was very entertaining in her own way and, oh, so stunningly beautiful. Gideon pushed the button in his hand that would bring him relief.

Maybe it was the morphine causing him to slip into some kind of hallucination or maybe he was just dreaming—or wishing. The room appeared filled with white fog so thick that nothing was visible beyond the bed where he lay. A fragrance drifted on the fog almost like a memory of forest, pungent cedar, rich, leaf-covered earth and sun warmed water.Gideon knew before the form appeared through the fog to stand at the foot of his bed that his father was near.

He closed his eyes against the visage yearning for it to be real and knowing it couldn’t be. His parents had died two years ago in a car accident. But, when he blinked his eyes open once again, his dad was still there a slim, tall man wearing waders and a fishing hat over his thick, silver hair. A narrow fringe of white mustache graced his upper lip as he smiled that lopsided way that Gideon remembered so well.He seemed so real that Gideon felt a lump of suppressed emotions form in his throat and wanted to cry for joy. All he could manage to say in a whisper was, “Pop? Is that you?”

The figure moved closer, sat gently on the side of the bed and took Gideon’s hand. His hand felt warm and solid in Gideon’s grasp. With a voice barely audible, filled with an aching, bitter need to clutch his father to him, Gideon asked, “Did I die? Am I in heaven now?” A tear slid down his cheek, not from sadness at the passing of his life, but with pure, unmitigated joy that his father was with him again.

His father shook his head. “No son. I heard you were in trouble and needed me.” The old man smiled and squeezed his hand the way he’d done a thousand times before. From scraped knees to his first broken heart, his dad had always been there to comfort, love and guide him.In truth, whether this vision of his dad was real or was brought about by the morphine in his veins, Gideon was glad he was there. Never had he needed his father more than he did right now.

“Pop,” Gideon spoke the one watery word like a prayer filled with despair and hope, “Please help me.”

“We’ll get you through this, Gideon.” His father’s image seemed to fade, blending into the chair where he sat.

To get this free read, join our group and email Dahlia at http://us.mc365.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=VMochaXtasi1029@aol.com.

I'll be chatting with you again soon. Stay tuned.Sarah McNealwww.sarahmcneal.comAuthor of THE VIOLIN (Amira Press)THE DARK ISLE (New Concepts Publishing)LAKE OF SORROWS (New Concepts Publishing)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Every One!!
I'm going to take my dog Kate and spend the day with my sister and my family playing "cut throat" Parcheesi and Chinese Checkers. It's like a family tradition. My personal diet is going to hell for the day but, hey, it's a holiday and calories are free. Ha Ha Ha Well, in my world any way. My sister is making Turkey and Stuffin' Muffins and I'm in charge of mashed potatoes and broccoli. Betsy is bringing rum and coke with snacks and Matthew is bringing desserts and then there is just a raft of other stuff to delve into.
Well, I could blab on and on so I'm going to draw to a halt here and say have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

KATE

2008-11-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Kate is the sweetest dog ever. I got her from the Golden Retriever Rescue Mission when she was nine months old back in 1998. She helped me get through the loss of my Scottie, Mac, not long after her arrival.

Her favorite thing is to greet people at the door with "presents" in her mouth. I don't know why, but Kate likes to stuff her mouth with as many toys as possible. It's like her little game to see how many she can get in there. But she's very willing to share her toys with anyone. Kate is not a scrapper. She's just very loving and friendly. Her day is made when we have company.

I'm used to Kate following me around every where I go. She lays by my chair when I'm watching TV, curls up on her special doggie mattress in the study when I'm writing or reading emails and always lays by my bed every night--and snores.

My girl, Kate, loves to ride in the car with the window down and her head hanging out. I have no idea why that brings her such happiness but there ya go. So, I turn on the heat or the air conditioning depending on the weather for me and let Kate have her window open in the back seat to eat the wind all she wants.

In a year filled with sadness, first my friend, Joyce dying at age 55 and then Grandfather Tree dying after he was hit by lightning--everything pales to the utter devastation of learning yesterday that my beautiful and loving Kate has cancer of the bone.

I thought she had arthritis when she started limping last week and, when my home remedies of glucosamine and baby aspirin didn't work, I took her to the vet yesterday. After X-Rays and blood work, Dr. Heather Myers gave me the awful news that Kate had cancer of the bone and that it may have metastasized to her heart. They could amputate her leg and give her chemo but it won't save Kate's life--only prolong it a few months. I don't see that as an option. The doctor gave me pain pills for Kate and on Monday we'll know if the cancer has spread to her heart.

Kate doesn't know that she has cancer. But she knows that I'm here with her loving her every minute of her day. I plan on spending our last days together the way we've always spent them, going on cars rides, watching TV and loving each other throughout each day. One thing I will change. Kate can eat anything she wants to. She can have all the cheese and hot dogs she wants.

She can spend her last days being as happy and pain free as I can make her and I will bear for her the painful knowledge of her impending death. As humans who love animals it is our duty to see our pets through this life as best we can. They give us so much. Kate has never gotten mad at me. No matter what I do or who I anger, at the end of the day, I come home to the unconditional love of Kate McNeal. I will love her to the very end and even after that.

Dead Foot Walking Costumes

2008-10-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some lovely costumes for Halloween at Amira Press.

Well I've had a lot of fun with the foot costumes. I hope you'll visit me today as I host at Amira Press's reader's loop from 9am to 1pm. I'll be giving away a download of THE VIOLIN to someone at the end.

Until next time...

Don't let the bugs bite--or the vamps--or the things that go bump in the night.

Sarah

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-10-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to join Amira Press and the authors for our cool Spookathon. There are preizes and free reads so come and join us! http://www.amirapress.com/ Click on the pumpkin to get to all the fun.

Upcoming Events

2008-10-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Carolina Romance Writers are haviing a book signing on November 1st. You might want to meet some wonderful romance authors who live right here in the Carolinas. Here are the details:
Time and Place
Date:
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Time:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:
Borders Books and Music - Northlake Mall
Street:
Northlake Mall Dr
City/Town:
Charlotte, NC

View Map
Description
Come meet your local romance writers at the Carolina Romance Writers Group Signing Featuring Leigh Greenwood, Angela Knight, Eliza Gayle, Sabrina Luna and Debut Author Kalayna Price!

And, if you're up for some fun and free prizes, here is another cool happening. Amira Press is having a membership drive. Just for going to Amira Press and signing up for our readers loop, you get to choose a free read. I have one on there called THE AMBER TOMB, a romantic spook story. There is also a Spookathon coming up where you have a chance at winning a couple baskets filled with terrific goodies. You don't want to miss out on the chance to win one of those. Click onto the link I'm posting then click onto the pumpkin on the homepage. It will take you to the cool events. Here's the link: www.amirapress.com
Ain't Halloween great?
Sarah

My Chinese Sign

2008-09-22T14:34:00.001-07:00

Just in case you were searching for the contest icon for Amira Press Christmas Extravaganza, well here it is! Merry Christmas!

Lets101 - Online Dating

My Chinese Sign

2008-09-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

Lets101 - Online Dating

In Remembrance of 9/11

2008-09-11T05:01:00.000-07:00

Remembering September 11, 2001

Sometimes I forget how it was on that clear warm day on September 11, 2001. I was at work in the ER when word came that the towers had been hit by airplanes in New York City, then that the Pentagon had been hit followed by news that a plane had gone down in a field in Pennsylvania. People were dying and families were weeping for their lost loves. The ER went on lock down as we waited for what would come next. We called our loved ones and talked to them just in case we forgot to tell them how much we loved them and might not get the chance again. We wept and we prayed.

In the days that followed, images of the towers collapsing, people searching for their families and friends hoping they were still alive and weeping, so much weeping played out on the news. Day after day, firemen and policemen searched relentlessly hoping to find someone alive and emergency personnel waiting in the emergency rooms for recovered victims that would never come.

I shall never forget the members of congress who gathered on the steps of the Capital Building and spontaneously sang America The Beautiful or the senator who wept unabashed during the memorial service in Washington, D.C.

We hear the stories of bravery that occurred during this tragic episode in American history and we honor them and those that we have lost. Years later, we remember that day and we pray that maybe some day we will feel free and secure from harm and that there's a chance we can find peace once again.