A Gift for You!

To show my appreciation of all the support you've given me this year, I'm giving away two short stories.  Enjoy my friends!!!

Christmas with Hope - A Companion piece to my WOUNDED HEROES series:
Hope Erickson, a Blackhawk pilot, and Nick Cunningham, an army ranger, renew their acquaintance on the battlefields of Iraq. Will they risk their hearts to one another or does fate have other plans in store for them?

Download link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-239/Wounded-Heroes-Christmas-with/Detail.bok
 

 
Dangerous Deception - Journalist Gwen Jacobs thrived on dangerous assignments. That is until her ambition led to the massacre of an entire African village. Now, a year later, she’s been offered a chance at redemption and the opportunity to expose the men behind the slaughter.

Unaware of the secrets she carries, or the danger they could bring if exposed, philanthropist Jack Peterson and his small group of humanitarians welcome Gwen on their journey of hope with the understanding she will tell the world of the atrocities taking place amidst a civil war.

But when Gwen’s deception is uncovered and a rebel commander learns who she is, not only is Gwen’s life on the line, the whole group may die.

Download links: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109846
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-deception-anne-patrick/1107956203?ean=2940032895541

Christina Freeburn's Writing Process

Over the years, my process has changed. I used to be a solely seat-of-the-pants writer, which meant I sat at the computer knowing the heroines and hero, the basic plot, and an idea of who did it and told myself 'Start'. I did get books completed that way but spent a lot of time reworking them. I always had to go back to begin and do a total rewrite because the beginning never went with the editing as the whole plot shifted and twisted away from me.

I'm trying to 'write smarter' as I have a couple of books a year I need to get done so have started outlining. Now, not the high school kind of outline because ... well ... that seems like 'work' to my brain and then the creative portion doesn't want to cooperate. A few years ago, I started using a software program called The Snowflake Pro. I love it. It gives me a wonderful balance to the seat-of-the-pants style that encourages my creativity and an outline which helps me to focus.

When I find myself stuck at a point in my manuscript, I've learned it means there's something I got wrong. If I go back a few chapters, I'll find the problem and once fixed can move forward. Usually it's the fact that I had the hero or heroine behave in contrary to what I've established and need to either change the action or dialogue, or make the motivation clear.

The biggest help for me in taking writing seriously was how I talked about writing a book. Instead of saying "I dream of writing a book", I started saying "My goal is to write a book". It's funny, but once I used goal instead of dream, I found myself spending more time writing and working toward it. For the most part, dreams happen to us while goals are what we actively work to achieve.

Deciding to write a novel can seem daunting so break up the steps needed to complete your dream into mini-goals. When I was having trouble getting started on a recent book, I went back to this method and found the process easier and more doable. Even after writing a few books, I still at times wonder if I'm able to do it again. The first thing I do is decide what type of book I'm writing. Okay, that's easy right now as I'm writing romantic suspense.

Next, is the theme ... or heart ... of the book. What will be biggest struggle for my characters? Usually once I figure out the 'heart' pains (the romance conflict) the hero and heroine are either working through or clutching for dear life, the suspense part of the plot naturally comes from or weaves into the romance. After that comes the title, as I'm a 'title' girl and need to have one in order to start the book. The title sets the theme and mood for the story so I'll go through a couple before a find the right one. By the time I type Chapter One, I've already completed four steps and find those small 'victories' to give me a boost to go on to the next part.

Turning each chapter into its own separate goal also helps when I'm struggling. Even with an outline, it can seem like an endless task to get to the end of the novel but taking on each chapter as it comes makes the process easier and more doable. I know I can finish the chapter even if I doubt if I can finish the book.

I hope in the New Year everyone who has the dream of writing a book or a short story starts down their path to completing their goal. I can't wait to read your story!

Interview with Sadie & Sophie Cuffee

[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Sadie] “Take Wing” By: Jean Little We had to write to an author in the fifth grade and I chose her. She lived on Woolwich Street and I went to Woolwich Central School. We were a country apart but had a connection. I learned from her the power of humility and kindness in always taking a genuine interest in your readers. I kept her letter (somewhere, I think) and the poem from the front of that novel is still one of my all-time favorites.

[Sophie] "A Wrinkle in Time" - Same fifth grade teacher, same assignment, but I didn't write to Madeleine L'Engle. (Sadie's always been an over-achiever!)

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Sadie] Robert P. Tristram Coffin.

[Sophie] Madeline Brent

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind?

[Sadie] "Ashes in the Wind" by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I read it decades ago but I have a thing for the Civil War Era.

[Sophie] "The Golden Urchin" by Madeline Brent (It appears I'm hooked on authors named Madeline!)

Anne] If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Sadie] The heroine disguises herself as a spitfire confederate boy and hitches a ride with a Union soldier who turns out to be the hero and doesn’t have a clue. She rubs soot and grease on her face and hair but is drop-dead gorgeous (of course) when she washes it off. You know what would happen to me if I did that!

[Sophie] The heroine is a red-headed white girl raised among aborigines. One of the customs for the tribe is to knock out one of their front teeth, but because she was different, she wasn't allowed to knock hers out. How convenient is that!

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Sadie] New Zealand (future favorite, I hope)

[Sophie] Ireland (future favorite after I visit New Zealand with Sadie)

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Sadie] Kitchen, way more fun. My closets are junk fests and a customized organized junkfest breaks the disgusting closet rule I’ve lived by my entire life.

[Sophie] Definitely kitchen!

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing?

[Sadie] Fuzzy socks, old jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt and a ratty green hooded sweatshirt. Not pretty, but comfy. And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Sophie] old jeans, old socks, my big brother's flannel shirt over a turtleneck, topped with a fleece vest. I like to swim in my clothes, and I agree, you must have clothes on, especially since it never got above 30 degrees today!

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Sadie] Homemade hot cinnamon raisin pretzels.

[Sophie] Homemade Shredded Wheat Bread.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Sadie] Hiking, camping, snowshoeing, farming, sewing, singing with my sisters, reading, road trips,…

[Sophie] everything Sadie said plus music, cooking, knitting, cross-country skiing, playing with the grandkids.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Sadie] A truck, either red 4 wheel drive with black interior, or a mint restored 1950’s powder blue pick up.

[Sophie] A peacock blue 4-wheel drive extended cab pickup. You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl!

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show?

[Sadie] old - Remington Steele Current - Burn Notice.

[Sophie] Castle (and I love the reviews by Melanie Atkins and Lee Lofland!

[Anne] Favorite movie?

[Sadie] White Christmas (sisters!)

[Sophie] While You Were Sleeping

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Sadie] Singing “Holding out for a Hero” with the sisters (without the tamborine or any other musical instruments in MY hand, or we would’ve gotten the hook.)

[Sophie] I've actually played my accordion in a talent show that landed me on TV at the age of 10 YOUTH CAVELCADE. According to the promo we received yummy milkshakes after the show. The reality was yucky chocolate milk, but it was fun.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Sadie] Fly. I’d like to cruise over the mountains and the islands, wind in my face, able to swoop down the cliff and back up again, riding the wind currents without moving a feather. Soaring without the thudding would be nice.

[Sophie] I love to fly and to have that ability within myself would be the greatest! We have eagles floating around in the skies from time to time and it would be so cool to hang out with them!

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Sadie] People can misinterpret what you write and be incredibly and brutally frank. Critics mostly shoot from the lip, and you have to take what they say to the page but not to heart. Not all comments may be good, but they can be used for good, even if it’s in the negative lesson of "don’t do unto others what they have done unto you."

[Sophie] What you write initially can change tremendously by the time you type the final THE END.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Sadie] Once I asked a prisoner to give me the real scoop on how they use mirrors and notes to pass messages to each other on the inside. Creepy (The inside info, not the prisoner, thank goodness) but I think the most interesting research comes from real people in real situations. It may not always be Wikipedia approved, but it has an edge of humanity, grit and unique oddity so when you use it, it makes the characters in your book have... well, character.

[Sophie] Exchanging Maine lingo for western lingo. An Iowa farm gave us the line, "slicker than cow snot on a doorknob." We countered with "deafer than a haddock." I love local lingo!

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Sadie] For a walk with Henry, our mostly-Australian shepherd dog, in the woods behind our house.

[Sophie] Seriously, Sadie's always inspired. Whenever we come into the house from chores, or shopping, or bringing in the firewood, she always has to run to her desk and write down notes. I usually go to the sewing machine.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Sadie] Not really, but I scribble notes to myself on old envelopes, ads, letters -- whatever’s on hand. I write upside down, around corners and draw arrows, which drives my writing partner nuts.

[Sophie] This is so true, and while transcribing some of our father's sermon notes, we discovered he did the same thing. I think it's catching, as I find myself jotting things down on napkins, even on my hand when no paper's available. It's great, unless I wash my hands before I write down what's on it!

[Anne]What do you think makes a good story?

[Sadie] Characters with heart that touch my heart. Also I like rural intergenerational characters that reflect real life emotional connections.

[Sophie] I like stories where the hero/heroine are just ordinary people with a sarcastic sense of humor; the kind of people you'd like to hang out with if they were real.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Sadie] "Warrior’s Journey," the second book in the Blood Brothers in Christ Series from DBP. I need to finish this week or I’m dead meat. (This is why I don’t write poetry.)

[Sophie] "Warrior's Journey," Sadie's doing the final tweak before I do the final edit. Teamwork!

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Sadie] An older reader and fan came to my house right before the holidays. I was vacuuming in preparation for family when he knocked on the door. He said I was nothing like he imagined. (And I’m sure I wasn’t – red faced, hair falling down, ratty clothes, etc.) He thought I’d be overweight, older, and live in a decrepit old farmhouse. He asked if he could come in. I said, "no." Can you say "penname" from that day forward?

[Sophie] A friend bought "Arrow That Flies" and said she thought Stellar's Ford (the town) was a car dealership. Now I try to out-think readers and hope I've covered all the bases when naming characters or towns. (Although Sadie DOES have a thing for town names with lots of s's.)

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it...

[Sadie] he was standing at my door whining about our breakup. I tried to ignore the drip on the welcome mat, but it's hard when all those messy emotions were puddling around his sandals and dribbling on my toes.

[Sophie] he pulled me into his arms and turned my back to the street. He searched the throng of people as he embraced me and whispered in my ear, "Please don't give me away."

http://www.cuffesisters.com/

Our latest release:

The purple splotched birthmark on her cheek brands Alice Wainwright a spinster. When a gentleman courts her, Alice jumps into a loveless engagement to Joshua, a braggart in desperate need of cash.

His groom, Hawk, knows Joshua's dirty secrets but, as a blind war veteran, he has few choices. His employer's threats make it clear he'll be on the street if he breathes a word of the truth to Alice.

But when Joshua bullies Alice at their engagement party, Hawk steps out of the dark and becomes her champion. Torn between honor and need, Hawk comes to work for the Wainwright family. Alice and Hawk share the same vulnerability and pride. When friendship quickly turns to love, each is blinded by a dark secret. Joshua's interference plays on their insecurities and threatens their future together. Can they face the truth about themselves and each other before they're torn apart?

Purchase links for FAITH IN THE SHADOWS:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-225/The-Wainright-Trilogy-Book/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Wainright-Trilogy-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0067D6N6E/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321791291&sr=1-2

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wainright-trilogy-book-one-sadie-cuffe/1107396596?ean=2940013446342&itm=2&usri=faith%252bin%252bthe%252bshadows

purchase links for ARROW THAT FLIES:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-191/S-%26-S-Cuffe/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Brothers-Christ-Book-ebook/dp/B005FGA8S8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317290772&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-brothers-in-christ-book-one-sadie-sophie-cuffe/1104578312?ean=2940013155657&itm=1&usri=sophie+cuffe



Hey, Anne, Thanks for letting us share the spotlight - it was wicked fun!

Christina's Journey to Publication

Every path is different to publication so it's best not to judge yours by others. It's easy to get demoralized and question your ability when comparing accomplishments. The times when I sit and stack where I'm at with my writing career against another, I always come away feeling a down and wondering why I am bothering. But I do know why I bother. I can't. There's something inside of me compelling me to write. There are stories in my head that want out and won't quiet until I get them onto the computer.

I have had some ups and downs along the way to publication: a publisher going out of business, two maybes where I spent many months editing a book only to be told no at the end, trying to change my voice and style to please others. I finally found that 'open door' again when I wrote the story I wanted to tell and sent that story to the publisher rather than the other way around.

The advice I wish I had taken to heart a lot sooner than I did was to be true to yourself. Be true to your writer's voice and the story you need to tell. That is when the words come out the most pure and will touch those that read them.

This Weeks COTT Winner

Guest post by Delia Latham



The Amish are known for their quiet, unassuming manner. Their love of all things peaceful…and shunning of competitive pastimes.

Well. I'm afraid that all flew out the window in the COTT Clash featuring Amish fiction. It was a fight to the finish.... a nose-to-nose race...a no-holds-barred dash to the finish line!

Contestants were:

Suzanne Woods Fisher

(Click on the cover to read Suzanne's Excerpt A)

and

Laura V. Hilton

(Click on the cover to read Laura's Excerpt B)

Both authors hit the ground running with sizzling teasers that presented a definite challenge to our readers. Both were super-fantastic! Both offered a tantalizing glimpse into an amazing read.

But only one of these fabulous excerpts could take the win.
When at last the dust died down…the crowd silenced in expectation…and the winner stood revealed…

LAURA V. HILTON

held the finish line ribbon firmly in hand!

CONGRATULATIONS, LAURA!

The choice was not an easy one, as our readers made perfectly clear in their comments:

"Both of these excerpts are immediately engaging—I think I'd like to read both books!"

"Both excerpts are winners. Can't wait to read them."

"I enjoy the Clash of the Titles!! Each author is fantastic!! And such a great place to hear of new authors that perhaps you haven't read before. Good luck!"

"I love to read stories of the Amish. Thank you for your hard work."
"The authors who write Amish fiction are doing a great job keeping true to the Amish ways while holding the reader's interest with wonderful story lines over and over again."

Heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to both Suzanne and Laura. I wish we could call it a tie and put both in the winner's slot, because both authors truly are winners.

New Release, New Reviews & an Interview

It's been a busy & exciting week for me.  Kill Shot, Wounded Heroes:Book One released Tuesday.  I'll add a blurb and excerpt below.  I was interviewed at Night Owl Reviews today.  Here's the link if you want to read it: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Interviews/Tamazon-interviews-Anne-Patrick-on-Nov-17-2011.aspx  Also, I received three great reviews this week. I'll temp you with some snippets :).  In case I succeeded there are buy links on my book page.

LASR review of Renegade Hearts: "In Renegade Hearts, author Anne Patrick takes a bunch of strong and delightful characters and presents a charming, gentle story of family love, family differences, of loss and the courage to go forward. And as is her way, Ms Patrick chucks in some suspense and weaves it through the book, not revealing the outcome until the end of the story...Whether writing on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery and suspense, or gentle family life with suspense entwined, Anne Patrick is an author worthy of your Keeper shelf."

Martha's Bookshelf review of Renegade Hearts: "This is a truly lovely, sweet read that will leave you with a nice “ahhh” felling when it is done."  *Note - I'm giving away a copy at Martha's so be sure to get your name in the hat.

Diane Craver's review of No Greater Love: NO GREATER LOVE is a page-turner filled with inspiration and hope. I knew it would be a great read but it exceeded my high expectations. The characters are well-developed, and each could have a book written about them. They are that interesting. I highly recommend this absorbing and beautifully written book, NO GREATER LOVE.

Thank you ladies for the wonderful reviews!!!!  Okay, now here is the blurb and excerpt for my new release.  I hope you enjoy it.
Have a great weekend everyone!
 

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister's killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Excerpt:
 
The steel door creaked as she pushed it open, the sound echoing throughout the metal building. "Mr. Urlik?" She waited for her eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before stepping all the way inside. A wide stream of light from the door spread out in front of her. "Mr. Urlik. Are you in here?"

Kory heard a sound a few yards in front of her. She quickly scanned the area. Three rows of huge metal shelves lined the interior. She inched forward, peering around the corner of the second row. Mr. Urlik lay on his side, facing her, clutching his chest. His eyes were opened and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. A heart attack? She ran to him, knelt down on the cement floor, and took his hand. It was wet, slimy. She looked down and saw his hand covered in blood. Her eyes shifted to his chest. A large crimson stain spread across the width of his white shirt from a small hole near the center. He was breathing erratically. Experience told her a bullet had pierced at least one lung and he didn't have much time. She immediately pressed the heel of her right hand against the wound.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Where's your cell phone?" Hers was in her backpack but she didn't want to waste valuable time digging it out.

"No time. Get out."

"Who did this, Mr. Urlik?"

He grabbed her right hand and squeezed it tightly. "You were right -- no accident."

His hand went limp.

Kory felt something in the palm of her hand, looked down and saw it was a key. She shoved it into her jeans pocket. A whizzing sound buzzed past her, followed by the unmistakable clink of a bullet ricocheting off metal. She instinctively threw herself over his body as another bullet struck metal. Kory felt for a pulse. There was none. She lowered her hand to his chest and felt under both arms and along his waist. I thought all PIs carried guns. Just my luck this one didn't.

She scrambled to her feet, as more shots ricocheted around her, and dove through an opening on the first row of shelves. A piercing pain sliced through her upper arm as she took cover behind some boxes. They wouldn't shield her from the gunfire but they would conceal her presence while she figured out how she was going to get out of there. She paused long enough to grab her cell phone from her backpack, wishing she hadn't when another bullet tore through a box beside her. She ducked lower to the floor.

Kory ignored the throbbing in her arm and slithered along the floor toward the back of the building. As a child, she and her sister, Callie, had often accompanied her grandfather to the warehouse where he worked on boats as a hobby. She remembered a back exit that led to the side parking lot and nearby woods. If she could reach the door, she had a chance of getting out of this alive. She looked down at the tear in her shirt, drenched with blood.

This isn't good!

Christina Freeburn - Why Mystery/Suspense?

I was always drawn to mysteries and suspense books growing up and even now those are what I prefer to read along with romance. For me, there's something intriguing and humbling about those that willingly serve others even if costs them. I like to explore these types of personalities and figure out where -- if there is -- a line they will draw for themselves. With so much heartache and heartbreak in the world, I wanted to create stories where the wrongs are righted and suspense allows me to do that. I feel drawn to show characters struggling to overcome and fight against the world and the people set to destroy them. There is a hope and a promise for everyone and suspense allows me to show people reaching that place in life after going through their dark times.

Learn more about Christina at her website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/

Be sure to comment on any or all of Christina's posts for a chance to win Lost Then Found.

Kill Shot Excerpt

Kill Shot Releases Nov 15th!

Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister's killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?

Excerpt:

Sean stared at the door that stood ajar. He heard a noise come from inside. "Stay out here, Mr. Chandler." He drew his gun and quietly pushed back the door.

Another sound came from further inside the apartment. His heart pounded in his chest as he checked around each corner and behind each piece of furniture. In one of the bedrooms, he found the intruder going through dresser drawers. Judging from the small frame, blue jeans, purple hoodie and tennis shoes, it was just a kid. One that was about to get the lesson of a lifetime.

"Police... don't move!"

The intruder almost jumped straight up in the air. A figurine fell and shattered on the floor.

"Put your hands up and slowly turn around."

"This isn't what it looks like, Officer."

Sean lowered his gun in recognition of the intruder's voice. Kory Wagner. He should have known.

Kory's eyes widened when she saw him, her cheeks quickly turning crimson. "Are you following me?"

"No I'm not following you." He put his gun back in its holster. "You know I find it hard to believe you were in the army for twelve years because you sure don't take orders very well."

She lowered her hands to her hips. "You're not my superior. You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do."

"You were a witness to a murder in my county. I have every right."

She seemed on the verge of a comeback when the landlord joined them. "Is everything okay in here? Oh Kory. I didn't realize you were back."

"Hi, Mr. Chandler. Yes, everything is fine. Super cop was just on his way out."

"I'm not going anywhere without you. And if you resist I have a nice pair of bracelets here to persuade you."

Mr. Chandler considered them both, before his eyes settled on Kory. "Before you leave, there is something I need to talk to you about."

"Sure." She looked at Sean. "Do you mind?"

"Just don't go far," he answered.



Click here to learn more about my Wounded Heroes Series.
You can purchase Kill Shot Tuesday, November 15th at my publisher, or at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and most online bookstores.

Christina Freeburn's Lost Then Found

Lost Then Found, is the first book in the New Beginnings Series, which features a skip-tracing business that specializes in relocating abused and stalked women.

Blurb:

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.


Excerpt:

Renee locked the apartment up tight and took the stairs. Gripping the rail, she plodded down the steps, each step draining energy. The eventual battle with Jonas weighed down her spirit. She didn't want to relive the painful moments of her life.

She stepped onto the ground floor, tugged open the door leading to the back parking lot and walked outside. A cold breeze played along her skin, drifting against her unprotected neck. The impulsive summer haircut she chose that winter over the hairdresser's recommendations no longer symbolized independence to her but teenage rebellion.

She tugged up the small collar of her leather coat. "Showed him, didn't I."

Hands clapped. Renee halted under the dim lights of the outside doors. Her heart rate accelerated as she looked around the darkening area. Parked in the lot were three cars and a van. She swallowed hard and stared at the windows of the van, trying to make out any figures. Placing her hand into her front pocket, she pressed her thumb onto the keypad of her cell phone. She sent out a heads-up message to her brother.

Jonas stepped into the light, a sarcastic smile stretching across his face. Better to face a known enemy than an unknown one. She typed another message to her brother. False read. Lord, let that work to keep Alex at home rather than charging to the rescue.

"Your skills at deception have gotten better." Jonas loomed over her.

"I learned from the best." Regret tugged at her conscience as the words left her mouth. She pushed it away. If she allowed Jonas to get the upper hand, then she offered an opportunity for his words to steal away her confidence.

She tilted her head back and locked onto his storm-cloud gray eyes, standing in place even though her neck muscles ached. She promised herself not to ever allow a man to make her feel powerless. The streetlights allowed her to see her reflection in his eyes. As he studied her face, his gaze softened. He reached out, fingers lingering by her cheek.

The air between them crackled. A shiver raced through Renee and she fought the instinct to lean those few inches toward his touch. They were divorced. They no longer meant anything to each other. She drew back but not before awareness crept into his gaze. He knew. He sensed it.

Time to end the silent duel, and leave. Now. She held in a frustrated sigh as she asked the question Jonas silently demanded. "What do you want?"

"Gina Howard's location."



Find out more about Christina at her website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/
Be sure to leave a comment on any of Christina's post's this month for the chance to win a copy of Lost Then Found!

E.A. West Blog Tour & Giveway

To celebrate the release of The Key to Charlotte, I’m giving a copy to two lucky commenters on this blog tour. The rules are simple. Between October 28 and November 6, leave a comment on any of my blog tour stops (including this post) with your name and email address letting me know you want to be entered into the drawing. You can find a complete list of the blog tour stops on my blog http://thewestcorner.wordpress.com. I will draw two names at random from all of the entries and announce the winners on November 7 (winners will also be contacted by email). The two winners will each receive a free PDF of The Key to Charlotte. Good luck to you all!

[Anne] What is your favorite part of writing?

[E.A.] I love the creative process of creating new characters and plots. I don’t write outlines, so every story unfolds as I write it. It is so much fun to learn about the characters as I work my way through the story. I rarely know exactly where the story is going when I first start writing it, so I get to watch the story unfold the same way a reader will, although I do usually have a little more insight into what happens next.

[Anne] Have you always wanted to be a writer?

[E.A.] Although I’ve always been a voracious reader, I haven’t always dreamed of being an author. Believe it or not, I went through most of my school career hating writing and doing everything I could to avoid it. It wasn’t until high school that I fell in love with writing and knew that was what I wanted to do with my life. It’s been a crazy journey since then, but I have no doubt I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do by writing.

[Anne] Where do you get ideas for stories?

[E.A.] I find ideas and inspiration everywhere. From a snatch of conversation to a photograph to a newspaper article, the world is filled with ideas waiting to be found. I once heard that everything is fodder for a writer. The longer I write, the more I learn the truth of that statement. Everything I observe, everyone I meet, goes into what I fondly refer to as the blender of my mind. All of that information gets blended together and is poured out into countless stories and characters, many of which have little or no basis on true events or people.

[Anne] Who is your biggest supporter?

[E.A.] I would have to say my mom, although my little sister is a close second. No matter how many rejections I receive, how many times I write myself into a corner or get stuck on a manuscript, they encourage me to keep going. They believe in me even during those rare times when I doubt myself. My mom and sister are like my own little cheerleading section.

[Anne] Where can readers find you and your books?

[E.A.] You can learn more about me and my books on my website http://eawest.mcphitty.com and my blog http://thewestcorner.wordpress.com. If you’re on Facebook, please “like” my author page for periodic updates and thoughts from my writing life http://www.facebook.com/pages/EA-West/34280264617. I’m also on Twitter http://twitter.com/eawest and ShoutLife http://www.shoutlife.com/eawest.

My inspirational romances The Key to Charlotte, Healing in Haven Falls, and Dreams Do Come True are all available from White Rose Publishing (http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec). Riley’s Mission is available from The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com). Copies of my books can also be purchased through Amazon.com’s Kindle Store.

BLURB & EXCERPT

Charlotte Harris can't speak due to a quirk in her autistic brain, but that doesn't stop her from communicating with others. Unfortunately, it prevents her from achieving two of her dreams--to praise God through singing and to carry on a simple conversation with her own voice.

Zakaria Rush is the new Director of Children's Ministries at Charlotte's church, and he can't keep his thoughts off the partially mute blonde with a love for guitar music. Her innocence and love of the simple things in life intrigue him and make him long to give her what she wants more than anything: her voice.

Can Zakaria help Charlotte find the key to unlocking her ability to speak, or will his attempt to help her only lock away their chance for love?

Excerpt:

Charlotte switched off the vacuum and breathed a sigh of relief. The silence in the small church was pure bliss. She pulled the plug from the wall and coiled the cord around the top of the vacuum, then returned it to the janitorial closet in the basement. Turning around, she pulled out her cell phone and checked for reminders.

Take the rag bucket home.

Yes, she needed to wash the rags and kitchen towels. She returned the phone to her pocket and grabbed the bucket handle. As she headed upstairs, she heard the sound of a guitar coming from the sanctuary. Was someone playing a CD? It sounded like live music, but she’d never heard anyone in the church play a guitar.

Drawn by the soothing strains of the strings, she turned right at the top of the stairs.

No one ever came in the church while she was cleaning. The entire congregation knew her schedule—Tuesday and Saturday afternoons—and they always made sure to come at a different time. Charlotte had never been sure if it was because they didn’t want to get in her way or if her parents had talked to them about the importance of routine for her. When she was little, she’d gotten upset by people showing up unannounced, but now that she was twenty‐three, she liked to think she could handle surprises a little better.

She peered through the open doorway and saw a man sitting on the edge of the platform by the plain wooden altar playing a battered acoustic guitar.

Her breath caught in her throat and her heart raced as she studied him. Not only was he a talented musician, he was gorgeous, more gorgeous than anyone she’d ever seen in this small Indiana town. His black hair was a little shaggy but stylish; his straight nose, high cheekbones, and tan complexion made her think of Native Americans and Italians; his lean build clothed in faded blue jeans, an olive green T‐shirt, and worn‐in sneakers made him look laid back. Peace filled his face as he strummed his guitar. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, making Charlotte wonder if the sound of a guitar brought him as much joy as it did her.

Suddenly, he stopped playing and looked up at her. She tightened her grasp on the bucket handle.

He studied her with the most beautiful, warm brown eyes she’d ever seen. His smile caused her heart to flutter. “Hi there. Are you Charlotte?”

She nodded.

He didn’t seem to mind that she shifted her weight back and forth. Just as well. If she didn’t rock to release it, the nervous energy building under his gaze would make her cry.

“Pastor Ed told me I might run into you if I came this afternoon. I’m Zakaria Rush, the new director of children’s ministries.” He laid his guitar across his knees and chuckled, a deep, rich sound that warmed Charlotte clear through. “It’s a fancy title for a guy who didn’t want to grow up and found a way to turn it into a career.”


E.A.'s BIO: E.A. West, author of sweet and inspirational romance, is a lifelong lover of books and storytelling. In high school, she discovered the wonders of sharing her stories with others through writing. She picked up her pen in a creative writing class and hasn’t laid it down yet. Her love of writing encompasses not only the romance genre but also a variety fiction and non-fiction styles.

Born and raised in Indiana, she still resides there today with her family and a small zoo of pets that includes the typical dogs and cats, and the more unusual African water frogs and a ribbon snake. Her interests are as varied as her critters. She has been known to carry on conversations about everything from politics and current events to gardening and theology. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her working on her latest knitting or crochet project.