Stephanie Hurt – Romance Author
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As you start the first full week of 2021, make a difference…
Make a difference in your own life… Start each day with a happy thought!
Make a difference in someone else’s life… Give someone a smile and/or kind word!
Make a difference in your family… Show them love, compassion, and Faith!
Wow, the last Wednesday of 2020. That’s crazy. It’s hard to believe this year is almost over. So, what’s my tidbit of wisdom that I’d like to give to you before the year ends.
This one is for writer’s, but you can use it in anything you do. And it’s really simple…
JUST BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!
When writing, always write what makes you happy. If you are trying to please someone else, then your heart won’t be in it. It’s the same in life. If you’re just going about life trying to make someone else happy and never thinking of yourself, then you’re missing out of life.
So, be true to yourself. Write what makes you happy and you’ll see a big difference in your writing. Have fun, enjoy life, and love with all of your heart.
That’s my Wednesday Wisdom…
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
It’s the day before Christmas Eve and all through the house, not a gift was wrapped and all was not well. The house was a mess and the dishes were unwashed. My hair is frazzled and I’m still IRS testing, so here we are…
Anyone else seem a little more off this Christmas season then in the past years? But my writing is going better than before, I just don’t have much time to sit down and get in my word count. My four day weekend starts this afternoon and I’m looking forward to some down time. I plan to undecorate, get my house in order, then write until my fingers can’t go anymore.
Let’s focus on the Reason for the Season and leave all the bustle behind. Sending all of you well wishes and A Merry Christmas Eve Eve….
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
P.S. Wine, Wedding, & A Cowboy is on sale through Christmas for only .99!
I know, the dreaded TAX word. As an Accountant, this is the time to gear up for the new season that is coming in only two weeks. 2020 was a crazy tax season with extended deadlines, call meetings and lots of questions. Let’s hope 2021 goes smoother.
But, as a author, there are many things to think about. If you’ve earned royalties, then you’ll need to file that. I do have some light at the end of that tunnel though, expenses…
Here are some of the expenses that an author can claim:
That’s just a small list. But, hopefully you did great this year and need to claim some expenses.
So, good writing and May God Bless You…
Good Saturday morning! I want to share a little something with all of you. Not long ago I had a fan message me. She went on to tell me that my book had made her day. It helped her through a bad day, making things seem not as bad as it seemed.
Well, that message got me to thinking about the importance of authors in this world we live in. With so much uncertainty and despair, we as authors can spread a little joy. Or at least give someone a way to get lost for a while. As for my way of thinking, I consider authors important to our sanity. We have to continue writing the words that fill the imaginations of people all over the world. It only takes one book to give someone a chance to step out of reality, if only for a moment.
Romance authors have the chance to take someone to another time or place and give them a little romance to warm their heart. We can help someone realize that they are not alone in this world, but that love is all around us.
Mystery authors can add some intrigue to someone’s life. They give them a purpose, such as solving a crime or getting lost in a crime thriller.
Horror writers take us on a roller coaster ride with exhilarating chills. Fear can make the adrenaline flow in a sedentary time.
Self help writers can teach us ways to do things differently. We all need some help from time to time.
Now, there are many other genres to talk about, but for now, this will have to do. I have a deadline and maybe I’ll be able to get lost in a book for a while today.
As always, Good writing and May God Bless You…
How many of you hasn’t heard the old saying, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’? Yep, I thought so. Here in Georgia, apples are all the rave at the moment. Tis the season I always say.
It’s the same with writing. But it would say, ‘Writing every day keeps the writer’s block away’. I do believe this is true. A couple of days lately, I’ve been so busy with other things, that I didn’t get to write. I know, that’s horrible, but true. By the time I went to bed on those days, my head was so filled with writing that I couldn’t sleep, so back to writing every day.
Do you write everyday? Even if it’s just a line or two, it helps to keep your writer brain from becoming over full. As I’ve said before, I have a schedule and if I miss a day, well, it causes a schedule jam. I’m in the middle of that jam right now. When you schedule so many words a day, then miss one, well, you get the picture.
How do you keep your writer brain happy?
As always, good writing and May God Bless You..
Just to give you a snippet of my current wip, here’s a few lines from Wine, Wedding, & The Cowboy…
Abri stood there looking at her best friend. She couldn’t do it, could she? Would she find someone in less than a month? No, she couldn’t. Taking a deep breath, she looked him straight in the eye and straightened her shoulders. “Baron, we have to get married.” There, she’d said it. Although from the look on Baron’s face, she hadn’t handled it very well.
Baron sat forward, his eyes wide with surprise. “This is so sudden. I don’t know what to say.” Then he laughed. “Have you been testing the new wine again?”
“No, I’m serious Baron.” Abri dropped into the chair across from him.
“Ok, what do you mean you’re serious?” Baron saw the look in her eyes and knew she wasn’t joking. But what on earth could have her asking him to marry her.
Abri clasped her hands together as she looked down at her lap. “My father, being the old fashioned man he is, says that I have to be married before my 25th birthday in order to inherit Tuscan Rose Farms.”
“What? When did this come about?” Baron bunched his brows together. He knew that this farm and vineyard was her heart.
“If you’d showed up for Thanksgiving dinner as you were supposed to, then you’d know.” Abri shot him a withering look.
“You know that I don’t like eating at the main house. It’s no secret that your father doesn’t care that much for me. Besides, I ate with the guys down at the mess hall. We had the best fried turkey and the dressing, well, what can I say, it was amazing.” He began to relay all of the menu, knowing that Abri was beginning to fume, but he loved it when she got angry. There was this light that came into her face. She was beautiful, but when she got angry, wow.
“Baron! I don’t need a play by play of what you ate for lunch. All I need is for you to say you’ll marry me and we’ll be good.”
“I can’t marry you. What would people say?” Baron was giving her a hard time and it paid off. The light came into her face and he was awestruck.
“You have to. I don’t have any other takers. You know yourself I haven’t dated anyone in months. And where would I find someone to marry on this short of notice. Oh, and I already told my father and cousin that we were engaged, well, that you’d asked and I had yet to answer.”
“What? Abri!” Baron stood up, running his fingers through his blond hair.
“I know! Just listen. I have a plan.”
Baron rolled his eyes. “Abri, I’ve been a part of your plans before. They never work out as you see them. This will be a disaster and both of us will be homeless when the dust settles.” He held his hands in the air, then growled in response to the thought of the disaster it would be.
“No, wait. We can have a quick wedding, with a fake minister and fake license. Once the deed is done, we can get a divorce later. If I meet someone, then we’ll have a fake divorce.” Abri shrugged her shoulders.
Baron sat back down, the air leaving his lungs in a long sigh. “Abri, do you realize what you’re asking?”
“Yes, I know it’s a huge favor, but I can’t lose my birthright because of an old fashioned man with old world ideas. Please say you’ll marry me, at least for a short time. You’re my best friend, it can’t be that big of a deal. Well, maybe it’s a big deal, but it will be fake.” Abri sat forward in the chair and smiled at him, batting her lashes.
“Abri, I need to think about this.” Baron said, running his hand over his face. He’d die a slow death if he was married to her, fake or real. She was everything to him, but if he married her, it would be the real deal. It would be for love, not for a vineyard.
Preorder today!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DF9JC3V
Good Monday morning! Sorry, I’ve been MIA for the last several weeks. With all of this quarantine stuff and other things related, my accounting office has been crazy busy. We’re considered essential, but we’re not accepting foot traffic. Between stimulus questions and small business loan applications, I’ve been a little overwhelmed, but things are calming down, so I’m back, ready or not!
I’ve been reading some great posts regarding quarantine writing. Most writers, including myself, are introverts, so, we keep to ourselves most of the time anyhow. So, why is it that when we can go out, we don’t want to and when we can’t we’re being tempted at every turn.
For me, I’ve been writing every chance I get. I have managed to publish a new book, which was a miracle in itself as I’ve pushed several projects back some to accommodate the long hours needed in my accounting office. And for those that know me, they know that breaks my heart. I love my writing, but I also have a passion for my accounting. Oh, the choices we make!
So, how is your quarantine writing going? Give us some incite into how you’re doing.
As always, great writing and May God Bless You…
P.S.: Here’s a little tidbit from ‘To Dance With Dragonflies’
Kaity let out a long sigh. “This isn’t going to be my day.” Then she looked up toward the sky. “I know, I know. There’s a reason that I missed the bus and my car wouldn’t crank. So, when are you planning to let me in on this great plan you have for me?” She giggled as a man walking down the sidewalk gave her a crazy look. “And now I look like I’ve lost my mind.”
Just as she turned to start the three mile walk to work, she stumbled, loosing grip on her purse. As the contents spilled onto the sidewalk Kaity cried out, rushing to grab everything. Once she had her stuff back in the purse, she stood up, stumbling again, but a hand grasped her elbow, startling her.
“Are you alright?” The masculine voice came from the most beautiful man she had ever set eyes on.
At first, she couldn’t speak. She only managed to mutter something unintelligible as she gazed into the blue eyes that were looking at her in concern. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. When she regained her senses, she spoke. “I’m fine, just clumsy.” Kaity frowned as he let go of her elbow.
“I saw you running for the bus, do you need a ride somewhere?” The gorgeous man asked as she continued to stare at him.
“Oh… I… well… yes. But I don’t know you.” Kaity responded.
The man stuck out his hand, “I’m Derek Mason. And yourself?”
“Oh, me?” Kaity bit her lower lip, a bought of shyness sweeping over her. “My name is Kaity, Kaity Jordan.”
“Well, Kaity Jordan, it looks like we’re no longer strangers. Now, let me drive you to where you need to go.” Derek said. He had seen her here and there since he’d moved to town. She intrigued him with her shy smile that seemed to light up a room. Then when he’d seen her running up the sidewalk, waving for the bus, he’d stopped to watch her.
Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the world of Kaity and Derek!
Good Monday morning! With tax season officially over, I’m finally getting my head wrapped around my works in progress. As deadlines loomed over my head for taxes, my writing took a hit. My brain wouldn’t focus on the words that wanted to be written. But, I’m back in the saddle and loving the feeling. I’m writing this morning with a fresh head.
As a writer, we need positive response to our writing. This weekend I received one of the most amazing reviews of Highlander’s Heart. The reviewer saw the vision behind the book and the review showed it. She saw what made this book tick for me. To say I was amazed, well, that doesn’t even begin to express my feelings. If you haven’t read the first book in the Cowen Clan series, then maybe this will encourage you to grab a copy.
Here’s the review:
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
Highlander’s Heart is the first novel in the Cowen Clan Series by Stephanie Payne Hurt. Evina McLeod is trying to escape the clutches of the cunning Laird McKinney. Sadly, being a woman, she cannot run far away unless she has a powerful guardian to protect her. That protection appears in the form of the handsome Laird Ewan Cowen. Ewan is enamored by her beauty and he is ready to provide her with protection as long as she agrees to marry him. They weren’t expecting to fall in love with each other and they weren’t expecting to be loved in return. However, the reach of Laird McKinney is strong and long. He has a plan in place and he will not stop until he has what he wants. Ewan and Evina are just pawns in a game that he plans to win. What are these two going to do?
This was an intense story of love, acceptance, and safety. I loved the dynamic between Ewan and Evina; they were perfect for each other in the most satisfying way possible. The author has done a wonderful job creating a plot that is believable, enjoyable and perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction. Ewan is a provider and a protector who thinks he doesn’t need love, but once Evina melts his heart, he realizes how important love is. Evina may seem vulnerable at the beginning of the story, but she blooms and develops to become a protector as well. The flow was amazing, the narrative was beautifully intricate and the plot was fast-paced enough to get you involved in the story. This is brilliant!
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/highlanders-heart
I’ll leave it at that! Didn’t I tell you it was amazing.
Have a great Monday and May God Bless You…
Good morning! I do hope all of you had a great 3 day weekend. As for me, we did. I was able to get some cabinets cleaned out, tossed some old stuff and organized. Ummmm, that’s not what I had planned, yeah, well…
As writers, we often lose focus of what we need to do. For instance, this morning I had planned on getting in my word count, then working on promotions and social media. But, as it is the Monday for the week, my brain wouldn’t function. I lost focus.
So, my plan is this, to regain my focus. I need to finish my manuscripts that are hanging there, waiting for the words ‘The End’, and move forward with the planned releases coming up. But, how do I do that?
For me, the problem is social media addiction. Yes, I said it, addiction. The first thing I do when I grab my coffee is scan through, planning to just make a quick glimpse. Yeah, right! I end up reading posts, looking at more posts, commenting, etc. Then an hour later, I’m sitting here trying to power through my word count before I head to the office.
Today I plan to focus on the task at hand, well after my morning loss of focus. So, how many of you lose focus on priorities?
As always, good writing and May God bless you…
P.S. Don’t forget to focus!!!
Good morning! It’s Wednesday and we’re halfway there.
As I work on the final book of the Women of Magnolia Hill Saga, I feel drained. Why is it so hard to end a series? Characters and places that fill our head also fill our heart. But saying goodbye, well, that isn’t easy.
This series began a long time ago with the first book, Victoria. It was filled with a spirit that engulfed me. As the series progressed, so did the years and the times. It went from Emma Rose to Lily and now in the final chapter, Georgia. But, what will be the fate of the loved Magnolia Hill? Will it still stand or will it fall from time?
Here’s a short, short snippet from Georgia:
Georgia whirled around, anger filling her eyes. “I’m not leaving my home. He wants a fight, well he’s got one. There’s one thing you don’t know about the women of Magnolia Hill. We don’t give up at any cost.”
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
Stephanie Hurt - Romance Author 