Feeling like Fall…Throwback Thursday!

Good Thursday morning! Here in Georgia it actually feels like fall finally. The temp here is in the high 50’s, so that’s a refreshing way to start the day.

Since it’s Thursday, let’s go back a ways and reacquaint you with one of my first books, Tender Flames. This book was one of the easiest to write out of the 25 I’ve published. It will take you on a journey of love that will leave you wanting more.

Tender Flames revised cover

Here’s a little tidbit from Tender Flames:

They walked hand in hand back to the party, both deep in thought. She was thinking about how her family would react, but mostly how Wes would. Zach knew his family would be happy, well almost his whole family. He knew it was mean of him to want to hurt his brother, but his brother was a fool for not snatching her up long ago.

They arrived back at the party. Randy ran over, “Hey sis, everyone wondered where you two had wondered off to. Judging by the look on your face I know what you were doing.” He grinned as he pulled his sister’s hair. She blushed.

Zach led her to the front of the dance floor. He whistled for the music to stop. Everyone turned to see what Zach had to say. “I have some wonderful news. I have asked Sara to be my wife, and she has accepted. We are to be wed before my leave is up.” There was a stunned silence then everyone whooped and yelled. There were a lot of handshakes and pats on the back for Zach and hugs for Sara. Her parents were stunned at first, then relieved. They had always hoped she would marry one of the Dawson boys. The same went for his parents, they were thrilled. His mother had even cried.

Wes walked up and leaned over Sara. He whispered in her ear. “I hope you know what you are doing?” He then gave her a hug that was tight enough to press the air from her lungs. The look he gave her was full of something she did not recognize. She knew then that he cared more for her than she realized. She was suddenly angry with him. It served him right. He should have let her know a long time ago. She did not plan on waiting on him the rest of her life.

He gave his brother a hug and said in his ear. “Brother, she had better not be pregnant. You had better make her happy.” He gave him a look that dared him to go against what he said. With that, he had left with his girlfriend.

You’ll fall in love with this love triangle…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

https://www.amazon.com/Tender-Flames-Revised-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B0084USOE2

Submit, reject, Submit again…

submit

As a writer, you write… you submit… rejection comes… you continue to write… you submit again… It’s just the way it goes. In some instances, you submit and it is accepted. This is a time to celebrate.

I’ve had many ask me how I take rejection, well, I tend to think of it as a chance to make things better, especially when the rejection includes well-written advice on what needs to be changed. Of course, there are those that simply don’t give advice, they just tell you they’re not in need of your work at this time. What that means could be several things…

My advice to all my fellow writers is to keep pushing forward because one day, your day will come and it will be all worth it. The rejections will have less of a sting if you push forward, never giving up on your dream.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Foggy morning in Georgia…

It’s Monday… That’s enough to say about that! LOL! Monday is Monday, plain and simple.

Tuscany is coming in 12 days… The dream that was born in 2015 is finally becoming a reality. When I sat down to type the first word of this book, it was with a happy and excited heart. This story had pulled at me for years, but nothing fell together, until that morning that I woke with the story fully in my head.

This story fell into place like a well-known puzzle, one that had been put together several times and could be completed with little effort. It was like I was filled with the story from Tuscany. As I researched Tuscany, I could see the scenes playing out in the pictures of the beautiful places that I saw.

But now, that story gets to told over and over as readers eyes scanned the words and fall in love with Tuscany as I did. Each reader will fall in love with Romeo and Lana. They’ll fall in love with Olive Hill and want to go there. With each word they read, I hope they’ll see the love that fills every one of them. Love’s Legacy…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Friday…3 day weekend!

Labor Day Sale

It’s a soggy Friday here in our part of Georgia. The wind and misty rain have arrived from Hurricane Hermine and it looks like that’s the setting for the day. But we need the rain here in Georgia.

Time has been flying by. It’s hard to believe September is already here. Since it’s a 3 day holiday weekend here in the states, I’m offering a sale on my Five Oaks Ranch books. Since Ridge is already free, I’m putting Oakley, Chase, Luke and Maggie at .99 for the long weekend. So if you haven’t introduced yourself to the Cauthen brood, then jump in for the sale!

In writing news, the last of the edits are done on Tuscany and it’s with the proofreader now. So, the clock is ticking and it won’t be long before the release party. I’m really excited for Tuscany to make it’s grand debut.

As you know, a writer can make a 90-degree turn in their writing. I was working on my current work in progress when the extreme need to start a new series overtook me and I had to hold production on everything to start it. Well, in three days I’ve gotten five chapters into the series. Then I saw that one of the editors with Harlequin is desperately wanting Highlander romances, which is what the series is all about. I sent her a tweet and she said to send it to her when it’s completed, so, we’ll see where that goes. Now, on to watching the Outlander, (wink-wink), it’s research for the new series.

Hope all of you have a great Labor Day Weekend and stay safe! Remember to do something special with your family, make memories and have some ‘me’ time too…

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

Throwback Thursday…

Moonbeam & Roses New Cover

Good Thursday morning! It’s almost the weekend, so take a breath, you’ve almost made it. First off today, if you have your print books through CreateSpace, well, start looking for them to show up on Walmart.com. It’s amazing to see my books showing up there. Another one of my writing goals met.

Now, on to my Throwback Thursday! Moonbeam and Roses was one of the first books I published and it made me ugly cry while I was writing it. This is one of the stories that pulled at my heart strings for more than a few reasons. I’ve received so many great responses for this book.

If you haven’t checked out Moonbeam and Roses, then I suggest grabbing a copy for the weekend. Here’s a little tidbit for you to savor:

As Wes came up behind her, she suddenly felt different. Her heart was fluttering wildly. It had to be the beauty of the night sky and the scent of the honeysuckle vines growing along the fence outside the barn. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it affectionately. “What’s on your mind? You have been unusually quiet tonight.” She turned and smiled up at him. “I guess my mind is on this beautiful night. The stars are so bright.” She leaned her head against his chest, thinking how nice it was to be here with him. She looked up into his dark eyes. He was devastatingly handsome, with his dark hair and rugged face, not to mention the black Stetson. He was definitely a cowboy to the bone.

Wes was also studying her face. She was a beautiful young woman. Her blonde hair was just past her shoulders. The moonlight reflected off it like moonbeams. She had hazel eyes so gentle; a man could drown in their depths. For the first time, he was focusing on her like a man for a woman, not just a friend. He looked deep into her eyes. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers and gently kissed her lips, careful not to linger for fear of losing control. When he lifted his head, she was smiling. “That was nice, but what did I do to deserve that?”

He laughed and hugged her close. “That was for being my friend and listening to my problems. I need to talk to you. Let’s walk down to the house, I need a drink.” He took her hand and they walked to his house. What was up with him? Serious was not one of his common emotions. When they were settled on his couch with waters in hand, he turned to face her.

“I have some news.” He paused to take a drink before he continued. “I received a call last night regarding a job in Montana. It is a great opportunity for me. I will be training horses for a large ranch. They will supply me with a house and stables for my horses.” He watched for any emotion on her part. “Sara, I told them I would take the job. I will leave in two days.”

It’s funny how much my writing style has changed in the last four years. But this is still one of my favorites. https://www.amazon.com/Moonbeam-Roses-Stephanie-Hurt-ebook/dp/B008JGSORS

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Friday…almost the weekend!

It’s Friday! Yes, I’m ready for the weekend. It’s been a busy week and I need a little down time to process. Also, I need to do some word count catch-up.

If you’re a writer, have you focused on your work as you should? Hard question? Well, yes it is. Especially if you’re not a full-time writer. If you have another job, it’s hard to stay on your word count, but you push forward. Yes, it’s hard to do, but if you focus on the goal, you’ll achieve the word count.

My suggestion to help with this focus. Start a calendar and figure out how fast you can achieve 1000 words. Maybe you do it in an hour, maybe less, maybe more. Then set aside that time every day or at least a couple of times a week. If you need to complete a 50,000-word manuscript, then you need 50 days of writing. Makeup the days you miss. This is what i do on the weekend, I make up the days I miss and try to get where I should be.

Set goals too. If you do this, you’ll come closer to achieving your word count. Try it and let me know how it works.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Feeling the heat…

26777605083_4323e8fd6d_m

Good Thursday morning! I hope that you’re staying cool in the heat that has moved in. Summer is coming in like a lion. Here in Georgia, it is hot and humid. I call it murky. So, stay inside if you can and ride it out.

Now on to today’s post. Have you ever been working on a manuscript and it just wasn’t coming together? I’m in that spot at the moment. The manuscript is at a dead stop. The strange thing is, I can see the middle and the end just fine, it’s the first part that’s giving me the hiccups. I don’t know why, but it’s making me feel the heat in more ways than one. I have to say that this is the first manuscript that’s baffled me.

You may be saying, maybe it’s time to put it aside, but I can feel this one deep in my heart. It’s driving me crazy. If I couldn’t see the middle and last, then I’d give up for a while, but the characters are pulling at me. This book is totally outlined, but the first say four chapters just don’t sound right. So, today I’m starting work on the middle and end, hoping for some inspiration for the problems plaguing the first part. Let’s hope it helps. I just can’t see dropping it totally.

I wouldn’t call it totally ‘writer’s block’, but maybe ‘partial block’. Has this ever happened to you?

Some of you have been asking about the publishing contract I signed last week. Well, it’s going well. The manuscript is in editing and will be returned to me shortly for my side of the process. I have to tell you, Solstice is on the ball. They’ve already created the cover, which I’ll post as soon as the time draws near. It’s a great cover and I can’t wait to start posting it everywhere. The blurb is in their hands now. All that’s left is my author photo, which will be taken today, and the acknowledgements page along with the dedication page. I’m working on those. It’s been a busy couple of days as I’ve worked on getting everything to them on time. And yes, I’m still smiling broadly.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Reading in bed…

Literature Onboard

It’s finally Friday folks! I can tell you this, thank goodness it’s Friday, but of course, I’ll be working all weekend. At least, it’s a more laid back work situation on the weekend.

How many of you grew up reading in bed? For me, when I was younger, I’d sit in bed and read every night. After my parents told me to turn out the light, I’d pull the covers over my head, with my trusty flashlight, then continue the story that had me spellbound.

I read many different genres back then. Some weeks I’d be hooked on suspense-filled mysteries. Yes, I was a Hardy Boy and Nancy Drew kind of girl. I’d devour them with such a thirst that soon I would be rereading until I could get to the store. It wasn’t like today, I couldn’t just scan and buy on Kindle.

Of course, as I grew older, my nightly reading turned to paranormal, fantasy type books. I’d read books about witches and ghosts. Then I moved to romance, which changed my young life. I would get lost in the romance of the story, the faraway places that the book took me to, it was great.

Everyone gave me books for Christmas, Birthdays, every occasion. I carried a book with me all the time, reading at lunch during school, on the bus, just about everywhere I could. I still have many of the books from my teen years, especially the ones that pulled me in. But they’re yellowing, packed in boxes, ready to be visited again. Often I pull out some of my favorites and read them again, enjoying the thrill of the story and remembering the first time I read it. My collection of Harlequin romances is extensive to say the least.

I still read at night, usually sitting in a warm bath, trying to lose myself for a little while. Some nights when I can’t sleep, I’ll go to the den and curl up in a blanket, then get lost in another story.

The cool thing about my love for books, it fueled the fire to write. I’ve penned books since I was a young teenager and all of this came from reading in my bed at night, usually with a flashlight as the rest of the house slept. Who needed sleep when the heroine was falling in love with the knight in shining armor and needed rescuing?

So, did you read in bed, or maybe you still do…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Spring Evening on the deck…

It’s that wonderful time of year when the evening is just simply gorgeous and it’s not too hot to sit out. The mosquito’s haven’t totally moved in, but they’re trying their best. There’s a light breeze blowing and the birds are chirping. It’s a piece of Heaven tonight.

Of course I’m sitting with my laptop working on Chase. Yep, I said Chase. Oakley is now in the hands of my editor and I’m two chapter into Chase’s story. This one has been pulling at me for some time, but I had to get Oakley’s story finished first. Chase is full of life and humor, but he has a soft side that not many people see. His story will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. I can’t wait to have it ready for my faithful fans.

I’ve been asked by many what my Mother’s Day plans are, well it’s easy. I have Church in the morning then meeting my brother and his family lunch. No way am I cooking tomorrow. Then it’s back home to do anything that hits my fancy. But if you know me and many of you may have already guessed, I’ll be writing. If the weather is nice, I might just sit out here on the deck tomorrow afternoon and write.

Hopefully now that Oakley is finished and Chase is on a good start, I’ll be able to get back to my regular blogging schedule. I’ve missed it so much and the interaction with all my cyber friends.

If I don’t get to it tomorrow, hope all of you have a wonderful and restful Mother’s Day!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

What happens when…

Good Tuesday morning! Well the main tax season is almost over and I’ll be back to my regular blogging schedule. But this week will be majorly busy for me. I’ve been fitting in a little writing here and there, but not enough for my sanity. So here’s today’s thought for the day, What happens when…

What happens when you want to write but you don’t have your computer handy, well you pick up a pen and paper. I started a new manuscript the other night and was too tired to get up and grab my laptop, so I picked up my handy spiral bound notebook and started writing. It felt amazing to put pen to paper again. Of course I know those pages upon pages of handwritten words will have to be put in the laptop, but for now I’m content do it the old fashioned way.

What happens when you have a deadline for one book but have to start another one so the characters will let you sleep. Yep I started a new historical romance two days ago and yes I know Oakley is due out really soon! Sometimes you have to just give in to the loudest voices in your head.

What happens when figure out toward the end of the book that you accidentally renamed a character midway of the book. Yep, guilty as charged. Well, you can either stay with the new name and go back to make changes or you can search all the wrong name entries and correct. But I’m sure glad I’m now using Scrivener so that I have a character list, especially for those that don’t appear many times.

So what do you do when this happens to you?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…