Grandfather Tree And An Old Friend

Sometimes life just brings sadness with it. Joyce Henderson was a friend and a coworker of mine who died at age 55. She was one of the nurses I've worked with for over twenty years. We worked in Coronary Care together back in the '80's and later we worked together in the ER. She had just retired and was going to go to her 10 acre plot of land in Florida where she was going to build a house and enjoy boating and nature. Her dream never happened.

It made those of us who remain, consider what we are doing with our lives. Are we going to live to see our dreams come true? I've wanted to go to Australia all my life. First one thing and then another got in my way, but come my retirement from nursing in April 2009, it's off to Australia I go. I hope my friends can come along, too. I've met many of the goals I had set for myself but I still have some left. I'm going to work on those starting now.

And now, a word about Grandfather Tree. When I bought my house about 15 years ago, I selected it mostly because of the huge white oak that sat vigilantly over it. There was something about that ancient oak tree that gave me good, positive vibes. A year and a half ago, he was struck by lightning. In an attempt to save him, I had an arborist come and cut away the damaged limbs. Half of Grandfather Tree was cut away. He seemed sad somehow. Spring came and all seemed well with the remaining limbs then the draught took hold. Grandfather Tree was too damaged to survive the onslaught of the draught. As time passed, limb by limb, he began to succumb. Last week the last of his limbs died and with his death, I feel the spirit of my house has gone with him.

I mourn Grandfather Tree and the passing of my friend. I can only hope that all spirits continue some how if only in those that remember them. So that's where I shall keep the spirits of Grandfather Tree and Joyce Henderson, here in my heart.

Farewell old friends.

Sarah

I'm A Featured Author At Amira Press

In case you haven't noticed, it's August already. Seven more months before I retire from my day job in the ER. Yeehaw!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm a featured author at Amira Press. So, if you ever wanted to know something about me or my work, there is the place to find out. Yeah. I know. How exciting can that be? LOL Still, I was asked some mighty interesting questions and this may be your only chance to find out the answers.

http:www.amirapresssays.com Along with the other authors at Amira Press, I blog there weekly.

Happy trails for now.

Sarah McNeal

I'm on Book Cover Lovers!

I have a book cover on Book Cover Lovers. Here's the link to it.

http://bookcoverlovers.blogspot.com/2008/07/sarah-j-mcneal_16.html

Raoul The Mechanical Monkey

Come and play with my buddy, Raoul the mechanical monkey, and me at The Romance Room. I am the honorary hostess there for the month of July. If you would like to schedule a chat or an interview this month, contact me and we'll set that up.

Sarah

Celebrating the Fourth of July

(Kathy is in the second row on the left in the camouflage flack jacket)

I'd like to introduce you to my best friend, Kathy Groce. She's been my friend since way back in the '80's when we worked in coronary care at Mercy Hospital back when the nuns still ran it and we cared about the people we were intrusted with. We've gone many different ways since then in our careers but we always stay connected with one another.

Kathy joined the Air Force soon after we became friends. She served in the Gulf War and has been to Iraq twice in the ongoing war. When the disaster from Katrina hit, Kathy and her Air Force group (I don't know what the name is for a group in the service) went to New Orleans to assist in whatever way possible. She told me once that it was more difficult to do what she had to do in New Orleans than it was to go to the War in Iraq. I have never known anyone so courageous, dedicated or caring. I admire the way she takes care of her aging parents, helps people in emotional distress and has never let me down--not ever.

So on this upcoming Fourth of July, as I celebrate my country's freedom, I also celebrate my friendship with Kathy who is part of the brave men and women who continue to keep us from harm and care for us along the way.

Here's to Kathy. Happy Fourth of July.

Sarah

Happy Summer Solstice

Happy Solstice everyone. Right now it's raining with a little summer thunder and lightning. I'm grateful for the rain because we're having a bit of a drought here in North Carolina. It's a great way to start off the summer. Now if I could get to the beach real soon, I'd be perfectly content--waves lapping against the shore, lazy clouds drifting overhead and maybe a sailboat sliding through the water. A happy chill just ran down my spine. LOL Any way, have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beginning of summer.

Sarah McNeal

Happy Father's Day

I wish you all a happy Father's Day, whether you are a dad or you want to celebrate your dad. Unlike my mother whom I miss so desperately on Mother's Day, I miss my dad mostly on our birthday instead of Father's Day.

I know we often write about our own experiences and the influences of others in our stories. I know this is very true of me. Without thinking about it a great deal, I know that I put Pop in many of my stories. I was the only one in my family who called our father "Pop." He called his father Pop as well.

I noticed that my characters almost always refer to their fathers by the name "Pop." My dad comes up in a character in almost every story I've ever written, but none as much as THE VIOLIN. I wrote THE VIOLIN for my dad. It's about his middle brother John. The boy, Jimmy, is a character based on my dad. Pop banned birds as a kid, had a dog named Guess and a red tail hawk whose wing was broken. Pop fixed his wing and, when it was healed, forced himself to let the hawk go free.

Today I think of my dad and the gazillion things he taught me, most of them by his own example, some by explaining to me how the world works. He had a great respect for nature and was a conservationist before it was popular. So, in gratitude, I just want to say to Pop wherever he is in the universe, I love you. Thanks for everything.

Sarah McNeal

Mother's Day Makes Me Sad

To all the mothers and daughters all over the world, I bid you joy and love.
Until I was twenty-seven years old I took Mother's day for granted. I took having a mother for granted. We did, as most most families do on this special day. We gave our mother breakfast in bed, dinners out at her favorite restaurant or had cook-outs in the back yard or down in the orchard. We showered our mother with gifts and we always made her a cake--from scratch.
Mother's Day celebrations for us were intermingled with trips to the hospital, beeping monitors and days when Mom couldn't get out of bed. I was used to these episodes of illness from the time I was five. I never imagined that Mom would go to the hospital one day and never come home again.
That was way back in November 1974. A lot of years have passed since then. But no matter how happy I am on most days of the year, Mother's Day is when I miss my mother the most. It's the one day that makes my heart ache and it doesn't seem to lessen after all these years. So I accept that this one day is probably going to always be the saddest day of the year for me. It's when a mother's unconditional love passed from my life.
So for this one day, I will remember Charlene Hilda McNeal and hold her close to my heart. She meant the world to me.
I love you Mom.
Sarah McNeal

THE VIOLIN Gets Another 4 Star Review

I just got my Romantic Times Book Review Magazine today and was ecstatic when I read the review for THE VIOLIN. It received 4 stars!
"This enchanting story is all about a second chance at love. McNeal exposes such deep emotion in her characters that it will tug at your heartstrings. Her detailed descriptions, a few surprises and a bit of magic keep the pages turning. You'll want to read this romantic tale again and again."
Gail Pruszkowski
This review made my day--heck--it makes my week!

THE VIOLIN wins an Award

I still can't believe it. THE VIOLIN has won a Romance Junkies blue ribbon fvorite book of the month award for February! I am so honored and happy. This book means so much to me on a personal level. It is wonderful that it touched the hearts of others. Here is the original message.

Dear Sarah,

Congratulations! Your book The Violin, has been selected as a Blue Ribbon Favorite for the month of February by the reviewers at Romance Junkies!

Every month, the reviewers at Romance Junkies are invited to nominate the best book they read during the last month for this award. As you can probably guess, our reviewers read a lot of books, and they have chosen yours as one of their favorites.

I’ve included a link to a graphic for you to display on your web site if you’d like.

http://www.romancejunkies.com/blueribbonbanner.jpg

Congratulations once again, and thank you for writing such a wonderful book!

Christina and Lucia
Blue Ribbon Favorite Co-Coordinators
RomanceJunkies.com

Review For The Violin by CoffeeTime Romance

Hey everybody, look. I have a 4 cup review from CoffeeTime Romance. I am so happy!
Sarah Stats




THE VIOLIN SARAH J. MCNEAL ISBN # 978-1-934475-22-5 January 2008 Amira Press, LLC2721 N. Rosedale Street, Baltimore, MD 21216E-Book/Print6.00 E-Book/12.99 Print141 PagesHistorical RomanceRating 4 Cups
Genevieve grew up an orphan, and so she has always been alone, but she longs for a family. She is plagued by strange dreams of a man she has never met. The dreams vary in one she is drowning in another she sees an old violin. She wants to believe that these dreams are nothing more than harmless products of her subconscious but she cannot shake the deep emotions the dreams stir in her.
Genevieve has a long list of fears. She rarely leaves her comfort zone but after she wakes from one of her dreams she sees an advertisement for an auction where an old violin is up for sale. Although, she knows that it cannot be the violin of her dreams she feels inexplicably compelled to buy the violin no matter what it takes.
When Genevieve sees the violin she has no doubt that it is the same one she has been dreaming of. Inside the violin she finds personal items belonging to a man named John Douglas. She is intrigued by him and soon finds herself obsessed with a man who died long before she was born. She sets out on a journey to uncover the mystery surrounding John Douglas that takes her further than she every imagined.
I loved this story so much that I do not want to give anything away. The Violin by Sarah J. McNeal is a sweet and compelling romance. The plot felt very real to me. From the first page I was drawn into the story and I was as intrigued by the mystery of John as Genevieve was. The author does a wonderful job of describing the characters. I identified with Genevieve’s fears and her loneliness. I found myself cheering her on. I highly recommend this novel.
ChrissieReviewer for Coffee Time RomanceReviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Four and a Half Star Review for THE VIOLIN

Just in case you missed it, THE VIOLIN got a 4.5 out of 5 review at Romance Junkies by reviewer Kathleen Rowland. Thank you, Kathleen.
Sarah McNeal


Buy Now!
Former foster child Genevieve longs for warm family ties and fills her apartment with furnishings from yesteryear. She is haunted by dreams about a man who plays the violin beguilingly. When she finds a violin with photos and his 1927 death certificate in an antique shop, she has enough information to research the life of John Douglas. Locating the abandoned Pennsylvania cottage where he once lived, she enters it. Overcome from the shock of its familiarity, she faints to the floor. When she awakens, she is doted upon by the enticing rogue and his entire family.
John’s mother, Matilda, worries over Genevieve, the pretty young woman who somehow wandered into their home. Matilda convinces her to stay by asking for her help with making pies, a cake, and baked beans for the church picnic. As the Douglas family guest, Genevieve learns that John is considered a wild, bad boy and is sometimes with Ruby, a femme fatale. He also has a tender side. Genevieve falls in love. Does Ruby cause him so much anguish that he drowns himself in two feet of water? Can Genevieve save him? Will she have to leave this wonderful man and era?
Author Sarah McNeal writes a sweet romance of a man and woman across time. Tears welled in my eyes when John comforted Genevieve about her past. His family doesn’t always approve of him, but they love him. I adored Genevieve, an appreciative and strong woman who has a positive impact on others. I highly recommend THE VIOLIN to my friends who would like to experience life true to the 1920s, a time gifted author McNeal knows well.
By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Kathleen R

March Is Birthday Month

March is the month that means the most to me. First of all, Saint Patrick's Day is March 17th and, being Scot-Irish, that makes it an important day for me. But even more than that, the day following Saint Patrick's Day, March the 18th, is a day my dad and I shared from the moment I was born until the day my father died. It was our mutual birthday. He was once the rudder of my ship until the day I had to sail it on my own, rough seas or quiet harbor. I miss that I can't call him when I need reassurance or a dose of wisdom any more.
Back when everyone used to have to renew their driver's license every four years, my dad and I happen to renew it on the same year. We used to dress in costumes to have our pictures on our new license. We had a good time thinking of new costumes each time. I remember being a cowgirl once and wearing a lavender Nehru jacket for another one.
For one very special birthday, the first year after my mother died, my dad, who worked as a meteorologists for a TV station, wore a kilt complete with a skindu (little knife). He wore it against the adversity of friends and family and he did it for me. I loved him even more for that. It's a good thing that they didn't have metal detectors and weapon scanners then because Jimmy Carter, who later became president, was on the show that day and Pop had that skindu in the top of his stocking (you know, the knee socks). There was no fuss what-so-ever about the little knife. My how things have changed.
I wrote THE VIOLIN for my dad. His brother, John, died at age 21 in 1927 while he was fly fishing with his friends. Pop talked about him with such love and admiration and so I felt compelled to bring John back to life and give him the life and love he deserved to have but didn't get the chance to have.
To my dad, wherever his spirit may reside, I wish him happy birthday and for the rest of you, a Gaelic blessing: Slan's beannachd! (Health and a blessing!)
Sarah McNeal

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I had a great time at Talking Two Lips today chatting about THE VIOLIN as well as my backlist, The Dark Isle and Lake of Sorrows. I'd like to thank the owners and staff of Twolips for allowing me to be their featured author today.
I would like to announce the WINNER of the contest for THE VIOLIN who will receive a basket of delicious treats and the violin pin: Congratulations, Crystal Broyles. Thank you for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your prize.
I'd like to thank all of you who entered my contest. I appreciate your involvement and I wish I could reward all of you--but I would be broke. LOL
All good things to your corner of the universe.
Sarah

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

There isn't much time left to enter my contest. It ends on Valentine's Day. I'll be announcing the winner during my chat on Talking Twolips on February 14th where I'll be chatting about THE VIOLIN and sharing excerpts and book talk (my favorite subject.) I hope you'll join me for my chat. I'll be giving away some other prizes during the chat as well from my back list.
All good things,
Sarah

CONTEST RULES

To enter the contest for THE VIOLIN simply go to my books section and read the excerpt for the violin. Then go to the contest page and answer the 3 simple questions about the excerpt. Email me your answers and put THE VIOLIN CONTEST in the subject line. You can email me from my site or send to starcriter@yahoo.com. The winner will be chosen on Valentine's Day, February 14. I'm giving away a big basket of goodies worth $50 plus the violin pin in its own little case that is pictured on the contest page. I hope you enter the contest and that you enjoy the excerpt.
All good things,
Sarah

THE VIOLIN RELEASED TODAY !!!

Hey everybody!! THE VIOLIN has been released today at Amira Press. Finally!! I am so happy!! Anyway, I hope you'll get on over there and check it out. It is my greatest wish that you'll love this story as much as I did writing it.
All good things to your corner of the universe.
www.amirapress.com there is the publisher's addy just in case you forgot.
Sarah

Some Thoughts About Music

Music has come up frequently this week and it's made me think about how much it means to me and how much I took it for granted. I read today from another author's blog about her love of music in her youth and how her family, being poor, didn't encourage her musical dreams.

Yesterday I was talking to my friend, Jodie, about her deep desire to play the violin and how her dreams were negated by her family and discouraged. She has a violin now but it sits around collecting dust, forever silent because her great wish was crushed when she was a child. It hurt me to hear her talk about the way her parents refused to allow her this small pleasure and how her flame of hope was extinguished.

I have been allowed every musical whim by my parents. I played the flute from age eight until I switched to violin when I was ten. My dad gave me the violin that his brother John played. It was that very same violin and its owner, John Douglas McNeal, that inspired my book, THE VIOLIN. When I was about thirteen, my dad introduced me to the harmonica and we played tunes together. My favorite was Shenandoah.

As a teenager, I became interested in the guitar. It was the era of folk music and everyone played guitars it seemed. It's a great instrument because, when you play it, it just seems to automatically invite others to join along in song. Maybe it was just the times we lived in then--make love not war.

After I was away from home living on my own, I took bagpipe lessons and, after memorizing the required seven tunes on the practice chanter, my parents bought me my bagpipes. I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but my dad and I shared the same birth date--March 18th. I'll tell you about the kilt episode another time.

I was never denied music. I was never told to only play certain music. Freedom was mine and the encouragement was always there to pursue my musical desires. I never appreciated any of it. But now, after hearing how others were discouraged and denied their love of music, I do.

So I guess I just want to stretch out my arms to the universe with my face toward the stars and say to my parents, wherever their spirits might be at this moment---Thank you, thank you for everything. Thank you for believing in me and allowing me such precious freedom to search for my place on this planet and to enjoy what it had to offer. Thank You!

Happy New Year!

Here it comes--2008. I hope it brings much joy and success to all of you.

I'm looking forward to the release of THE VIOLIN, an almost true story. I wish my dad was here to read it. I would love to think that he would approve of the way I portrayed his beloved broither, John Douglas, and would appreciate the life I created for him including the love of a delightful but timid woman, Genvieve Beaumont. My oldest sister whose nickname is Snooky (I don't know why), read my first draft and was so homesick for Numidia, Pennsylvania and our grandparents that she cried. Okay, later she got happy esecially when she got to the end but I don't want to give that away. LOL

I don't know how the rest of you feel, but I'm happy Christmas is behind me. I'm exhausted! All that shopping, cooking and decorating wore me out. You'd think I would try to prepare a little better like maybe buying presents throughout the year so I don't have to stress over it at the last minute. I'm such a procrastinator. LOL
In any case, I hope all of you will prosper in 2008 and find the new year filled with blessings for you and your families.
All good things to your corner of the universe,
Sarah

Season's Greetings

THE VIOLIN should be released any day now from Amira Press. I'll be announcing my contest then so I hope you'll come back for that because I'm giving away some amazing prizes.
I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season. I, procrastinator that I am, have hardly shopped at all and, though I got my decorations out, they are still in a plastic bag on the study floor. I'll probably be out there at the last minute trying to scrape everything together. LOL
In the meantime, I hope all of you are having a safe and happy holiday.
Sarah