The Source Behind Mags’s Memorial Stones

Hearts of Stone 1 (3)

I used to see these stones and wonder what they represented. Were they memories shared by just one person? Did they represent those who had passed on? Or, those cherished times that you and that special someone never wanted to forget?

In my new small-town contemporary book, Hearts of Honeybrooke Cove, Margaret Ellington, affectionately known as Mags, kept similar stone towers. They weren’t just for herself, but for those who needed that little extra something to help them over the hump of despair that comes upon some of even the most courageous.  She made sure those in need invested blood, sweat, tears, and tender memories. Everyone who set their hand to the stone towers recalled the good with the bad, the sour with the sweet, and then the healing more often than not, slowly arrived.

Sadly, by the time Victoria arrived in Honeybroooke Cove, her great-aunt Mags had passed on. But not even death will keep the irrepressible Margaret Ellington down. She still reaches out from the great-beyond and nudges ever so gently those she cares about, to remember and perhaps change their direction. However, in her own caring, slightly meddling way, she may have fiddled just a little bit too much with the lives she’d left behind.

When the tornado hit Honeybrooke Cove, those notes blew up and out across the lakeside community, and settle in some unwelcome places. To Victoria’s dismay, the truth about Mags’s straightforward observations about her neighbors may be too much for the quiet, idyllic lake town. Thankfully, she has Barrett Collins, her new love, to keep her busy and steady her hand as she navigates small-town living.

And that, my friends, is how it all started…and will hopefully continue on.

Available in E-book and Print

 

Cha-cha-changes!

How has your life changed lately?

It’s been nearly ten months since my accident, and in that time I’ve learned to make a few changes. I’m excited to reveal the gorgeous cover for my latest writing endeavor. I can’t wait for the world to meet the wonderful citizens of Honeybrooke Cove!

Cover Reveal!

Welcome to Honeybrooke Cove!
The best darn place in Wisconsin!

Victoria Banning’s perfect California life falls apart when she loses her job and boyfriend, all in the same day. Finished with controlling men and broken hearts, she decides it’s time to rewrite her story. New Chapter. New life. All on her terms. When she learns of her great-aunt Mags’s financial distress, she decides to make a road trip. But she’s not in time, and trouble follows her every step of the way when she moves into her late aunt’s rundown cottage in Honeybrooke Cove. Thank heavens, there’s at least one capable handyman in the small Wisconsin lake town to help her put the house on the market. Too bad, he’s overly bossy for her tastes.

Surgeon, Barrett Collins, should have let someone else take his last case. When everything went wrong, he left the big city and rebuilt his life as a handyman in Honeybrooke Cove. He’s up to his tool belt in repairs on Mags’s house and everyone else who needs him. When Barrett learns Mags left her cottage to him and her headstrong niece, he’s ready to ship Ms. Banning back to California. But there is something to be said for sharing a cottage with a beautiful woman. Especially when she desperately needs his help.

Life in Wisconsin’s North Country can be harsh, and when someone wants Victoria out of Honeybrooke Cove, life is unforgiving. As Barrett helps Victoria navigate the elements, they learn to open their hearts and live again.

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” Albert Einstein

 

The Fall

When a writer takes a tumble, we do our best to chant the mantra ‘tuck-and-roll’ then pop up and figure out a way to replay that scene in our next piece. Or is that just me? I admit that I’m easily distracted by the next task or flitting butterfly, resulting in a few bumps, bruises, scrapes, and stumbles. Until a few weeks ago, five to be exact, that is all they were.

Five weeks ago, I made the fateful decision to water a few ferns that I had recently planted before heading to my office to work on my manuscript, Duncan Graham’s Fallen Angel.

And then, Contact Gardening. Face. Head. Right elbow. On a collision course with the stone steps.

The main results? Concussion. Fractured right orbital shelf. And, per the wisdom of several of the hospital medical staff, they felt the need to advise me that I did a really good job of destroying my elbow. I’ll save the gory details for another day. Two days later, I have a partial elbow replacement.

Five weeks. Five weeks! This post is the first thing I’ve written since The Fall. Is it the concussion or pain meds slowing my brain down, or both?

Five weeks, and we’re thrilled that I bent my thumb. Because, hey, there are nerves, tendons, muscles, skin, and several broken bones that have to heal. My pen is forced to grow silent while I recuperate. Hunting and pecking the keys with my left hand is a slow and tedious job. PT hopefully can start next week. Holding onto a toothbrush or fork has now become a goal.

For now, my latest WIP will have to wait unless I learn how to write from voice to text. Any recommendations on how to get through this hump in the road?

BarkBox Day! Woof!

 

 

BarkBox has done it again and everyone at our house is tail-wagging happy. We are waving our Bark University pennant high!

Bark University

 

It’s official! Our 7-month-old, Lucky Pup, Mr. Levi, is off to college! Over the weekend, we received the letter from Bella Ada Tenderloin, Dean of Admissions. So it must be true. Right? IMG_5347

The whole family will agree that our Mr. Levi is quite the intelligent pup. IMG_5344 (Edited)

 

 

Judging by his advanced skills, he will be a stellar addition to Bark University. He is already participating in Advanced Archaeology and is deep into research to discover what happens to the humans when they leave.

 

We are certain the extra-furricular campus activities are right up Mr. Levi’s alley.

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Unfortunately, Rad Chad had a little too much attention over the weekend and is already looking a little RUFF.

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If only he would use the map to find his way around campus. But that’s provided he doesn’t get too homesick for his family. Looks like he’ll have to hang out with us for a while longer and dream about one-day being the big dog on campus.  #BarkUniversity #BarkBoxDay

Thanks again, BarkBox!

 

The BarkBox has Arrived!

IMG_4813 (Edited)

Treat Time for Levi, Clive, Pepper, and Georgia

It arrived! Woof! This month the theme of the BarkBox was all about CHEWRASSIC BARK. I kid you not!

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All these yummy goodies. Note the paper wrapped around the treats? All keeping with the theme, because they can read. Am I right?IMG_4935IMG_4937

This is our second shipment and the fur babies are loving it.

The Woolly Mammoth is fluffy and squeaks. Airborne Archie is The Pterodactyl. It’s made to make a crinkle sound and also has a squeaker inside.

With four dogs, one who is a puppy, (Levi) we need all the busy toys we can acquire to keep him busy.  Momma needs to write!

Here are some incredible BarkTastic Industry facts:

According to American Pet Products.org, the U.S is spending $BILLIONS every year in the Pet Industry Market!

Pet Industry Market Size & Ownership Statistics 

U.S. Pet Industry Spending Figures & Future Outlook

“The following spending statistics are gathered by APPA from various market research sources and are not included in the organization’s biennial National Pet Owners Survey.

Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

Year                 Billions of dollars

2017                 $69.36 Estimated
2016                 $66.75 Actual

Estimated 2017 Sales within the U.S. Market

For 2017, it estimated that $69.36 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

Estimated Breakdown:
Food                                                               $29.69 billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine                           $14.93 billion
Vet Care                                                        $16.62 billion
Live animal purchases                              $2.01 billion
Other Services                                           $6.11 billion

As you can probably tell from the photos, my family and I are helping to contribute to this figure. How much are you willing to spend on your beloved pets?

 

Hurry! Tickets for 3rd Annual Utah Readers Luncheon are selling fast

 

The Heart of the West, Utah Chapter Romance Writers of America is hosting the 3rd annual Readers Luncheon on October 14, 2017.

2017 Readers Luncheon Flyer (RGB)

I know, you’re asking yourself. “Why is she telling me about this so soon?”

I have to. Please, hear me out on this.

I know, it’s spring and the event takes place in the fall. I know, we all have busy schedules, but it’s also important to do something kind for ourselves. It’s time to be good to you, right? Come to the event! There will be prizes and gifts. Great food. And wonderful speakers, like the amazing Jill Shalvis. And did I mention free books? A LOT of FREE BOOKS!

If you happened to sit at my hosted table last year, you would have received this goody bag. IMG_4785 (Edited)
I added a custom candlIMG_4789e that is linked to my Knights of the Swan series. A mystical blend of rosemary, sage, lavender, and sweetgrass.

Since the series has to do with a secret brotherhood and they use the symbol of the swan, I added a sterling silver necklace created by Kevin N Anna. IMG_4790AIMG_4791nd who doesn’t love coloring in medieval themed books?

And of course, BOOKS!

So raise a glass to honor your loved one, or yourself with a toast for eternal love. Read a book that offers hope and celebrates the power of love. And treat yourself to an afternoon of romance.

And that, my friends, is only the tip of this fun event.

Most of all there will be authors who want to say, “Thank you for reading our stories, loving our characters, and allowing us to carry you away for just a few moments.”

The Davie Conference Center is located in Layton, UT. http://www.davisconferencecenter.com/   If you want to spend the evening you don’t even have to step outside to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/utah/hilton-garden-inn-salt-lake-city-layton-SLCLAGI/index.html

But don’t wait too long. I have to tell you that the tables are filling up. Our readers know this is a great event and they are clamoring to claim their seat. Won’t you join us?

Does WordPress Make You Crazy?

Every time they make a change, I am scrambling to catch up. Posts disappear. And I spend hours trying to recreate what I wrote earlier. It’s enough to make me wonder how medieval people communicated.

So, what else could I do? I went on a little research trip.

At HistoryExtra.com,  author Emma Mason shares in A Brief History of How People Communicated in the Middle Ages  some of the ways this was carried out.

Monk BorderAh yes, the church officials, namely the priests, delivered the news by reading aloud to the masses. They would present the news of a battle well fought and help to raise funds needed to continue the war.

 

According to the author of the article above, the royals had an intricate netwMedieval knights of St. John (Hospitallers)ork of messengers, who rode their horses for weeks on end, carrying messages over the countryside.

What people wore also told a great deal about themselves and the political conditions of the day. The color, material of the clothing, and symbols told of their station.  Their armor, banners, coats of arms and royal standards marked whether they were of noble rank. When in battle, it also marked who was worthy of a ransom. Even those from the guilds wore badges to mark that they were members and could be trusted.

In my Knights of the Swan series, the symbol that the knights in the brotherhood carried was a talisman in the shape of the swan. Sometimes the messenger would present the swan to prove who sent them and that the message could be trusted. Other times it is used as a cry for help.

In Signed-sealed-delivered: How Messages Were Sent in the Middle Ages the cost to hire a messenger would be too exorbitant a price to pay. They relied on word of mouth, what they heard and saw, and that would carry from person to person, from village to village.

Can you imagine the rumor mill grinding away at the truths and half-truths? It makes me wonder how accurately history was maintained. It certainly is understandable that there are many sources who saw the same scene and end up telling a different story.

Remember the game phone tag? Or was it called Grapevine or AKA Telephone or AKA Telegraph? According to Wikipedia.org, the game is also known as Russian scandal,[3] whisper down the lane, broken telephone, operator, grapevine, gossip, don’t drink the milk, secret message, the messenger game, and pass the message. I found the rules for the game, and it brought back memories.

 


This game is intended for a large group, kids and adults 15 or more.  The more the better.  The group sit in a large circle. The kids should be spaced about arms length apart.  The way we did it was to hold hands in a circle and gradually spread out until our arms were stretched.  Now everyone takes a seat.  The “originator”, usually the one who organized the game, or the bossiest, starts a message.  The originator whispers a short message into the ear of the person sitting to the right of them.  The message is whispered once. The new messenger then whispers the message into the ear to the one to their right, and so on and so on.  When the message reaches the person sitting to the left of the originator the message is announced out loud.  Seldom does the message arrive in its original form.  The person to the right gets to be the next originator.

A variation of the game is to start one message to the right then start a message to the left and see what happens.  Tongue twister are really fun messages to send.http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/mental_games/grapevine.

 

 

 

 

C.C. Wiley is Featured on Alli Sinclair’s Behind the Story

Today we have the super talented C.C. Wiley, who lives in Salt Lake City with her high school sweetheart of over 35 years and their four wacky dogs. When given a choice, she prefers a yummy, well-written, historical or contemporary romance that is chock-full of hope, love and a Happy Ever After. She believes there […]

via Behind the Story: C.C. Wiley — Alli Sinclair

Let the Games Begin

This coming year is going to be quite busy. Lots of learning.  And being active on social media.

I’m still getting the hang of changes to my website theme. WordPress.com has evolved in many beautiful ways.  So many buttons and widgets, customization has become easier.

Lots of learning about adding my own artistic touches. I’ve been having some fun with depositphotos.com. So many lovely photos to choose from.

Old books on wooden table

Depositphotos

By using my mouse, I can write my name, but my hand is a bit too shaky.

 

Old books on wooden tableJust when I started to get the hang of it, I found out that I can add more layers by using Canva.

theres-magic-inside-of-every-great-book

Canva

 

Just remember to SAVE it before you change to the next best thing to learn.

And one last thing that I dearly love. Grammarly. It works in the background, especially on social media. It’s like a little fairy, watching over those fat-finger typos that tend to slip by.

Time is of the essence, I must remember to click on save before heading on to the next rabbit to chase.I’ve three books coming out in 2017. I think time management will need to be on my To Do List for 2017. I’ll let you know if I find anything new.