Great Summer Reads Countdown Blitz Day 8

Melanie is an author, designer, photographer, and flight attendant all rolled into one. She has told stories all her life and finds her passion in sharing the plots that spin through her head. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her two dachshund-chihuahua dogs. She loves the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that feeds her imagination.

When no one is listening, Melanie loves to belt Broadway songs in her living room and car. Someday she hopes to be on a flight where someone is reading her book.

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To escape capture by Imperial soldiers, 16-year-old Eridale Storm leaves the only home she’s ever known and drags her younger sister into the wilds of Mericon—the Empire that formed when America collapsed. Hoping to find safety with their mother who disappeared when Eridale was three, the girls follow clues that lead them across the country, but the empire hounds their every step.

The journey draws Eridale deeper into the conflict between the Empire and the rebel Freedom Fighters, producing questions about Eridale’s heritage, questions no one wants to answer.

Caught between the threads of deception, rebellion, and betrayal, Eridale struggles to find out who she is. The answers she finds could lead the country back to freedom or shackle them under the imperial throne forever.

This is book 1 of a 4 book series and not a stand-alone book.

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Snippet:

The villagers won’t help us. Survival is up to me.

            I take a deep breath, calming the jitters that twist my stomach. My fists tighten and release. “Leah, bring me Papa’s bow.”

            Her eyes widen. “You’ll be considered an outcast if you hunt.” Her gaze darts to the door and windows.

            “I’ve never been accepted in this village. I’m different from everyone, honey. Just look at me.” I motion to my reflection in the mirror, still broken from when the Opprimere took my step-father.

            My dark, coppery red hair cascades in a mass of curls from my ponytail down to my waist, and my steely violet eyes reflect the pain of my situation. No one in the village looks like me. 

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Grandma's Wedding Quilts Day 12: Tad's Treasure by Shanna Hatfield

I've been fascinated with the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as well as the Old West as long as I can remember.

    Growing up on a farm in Eastern Oregon where only the most determined and resolute individuals dare toil the soil that spent centuries covered in sagebrush, rock, and the random juniper tree, I never gave a thought to my great fortune in having a rural foundation on which to build my future.

   All the crazy exploits I had as a girlie-girl being raised as a tomboy came in handy when I began writing western romances. You'd be surprised how many of the wild adventures in my stories are based on things I either experienced or witnessed during my formative years.

   I joyfully bear the burden of being a hopeless romantic, with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. I've always been a sappy-hearted girl who loves a happy ending. I also love the western and rural way of life and that's why I began writing sweet and clean western romances.

   Everything you never wanted to know about me is posted with frequency on my blog. There you'll discover I'm completely and entirely smitten with my husband, lovingly referred to as Captain Cavedweller. You'll also find that I eat too much chocolate, have a thing for roses, like to play with my camera, and enjoy researching the towns and eras for my romances set in the old west.

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Tad Palmer makes a promise to his dying friend to watch over the man’s wife and child. Years later, he continues to keep an eye on Posey Jacobs and her precocious little boy. The only problem is that he’s not sure his heart can withstand the vow he made when he falls in love with the widow and her son.
Posey Jacobs misses her beloved husband, but her wrenching grief has given way to hope for the future as she finds herself falling deeper and deeper in love with Tad Palmer. However, the infuriating man doesn’t seem to notice her interest and treats her as he would his sister.

Throw in a goat who thinks she’s a dog, a town full of quirky characters, and this widow has her work cut out for her if she wants one handsome cowboy to give her his heart.

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Snippet

Mortified by her wayward thoughts, she straightened in her chair while Tad smirked at her. “Just what, exactly, are you thinking?”

“Never mind,” she said, handing him the bowl of corn just to have something to do.

Tad shook his head as he took the bowl from her and added a scoop of corn to his plate. “You were thinking something that made you look as guilty as all get out, Posey Jo. You better fess up.”

A warm, molten feeling began in the pit of her stomach. It worked its way out to every extremity at his use of the name only he called her. Even John had never called her Posey Jo.

Something about the way Tad said it, the way his voice seemed to caress it, always left her languid and delighted. That name and the way it rolled off his tongue gave her hope that he might care for her more than she knew.

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Grandma's Wedding Quilts Day 11: Gloria's Song by Kathryn Albright

Kathryn Albright grew up in southern California where she sets many of her sweet western romances. A Golden Heart finalist and recipient of the HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, she writes historical romance that celebrates courage and hope against all odds with a dash of adventure.

Her enjoyment of historical romantic fiction began as a teenager when she was given the novel Ramona ~ set in southern California after the Mexican-American War. A few thousand books later, she still enjoys reading romance set in the past. (She also loves fairy tales and all things Disney.)

Kathryn's past includes careers as a nurse and an obstetrical sonographer where daily she witnessed many "happy ever afters" and miracles.

Kathryn's latest western historical romances for Harlequin are "sweet" although her earlier stories were not. Please check her website if you are wondering what brought on the change ~ Why Sweet?

Along with her writing, Kathryn also judges for the Romance Writers of America Rita contest for published writers and the Wisconsin Romance Writers FabFive contest for unpublished writers.

To hear about the release of future books, contests, and more, sign up for Kathryn's newsletter. She loves to hear from her readers. Please contact her through one of these sites:

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Gloria Palmer has always done the proper thing expected of her as the daughter of a shipping tycoon. The approval of her family and friends mean everything. And yet, when the perfect suitor offers for her… she hesitates.

Colin McDougal has little use for those living on the fancy side of the trolley tracks. He is too busy managing the family pub and, in his spare time, writing down the lively tunes in his head. So, when Miss Palmer asks for his help to prepare for a music audition, he is flummoxed. What does he know of highbrow music?

But with each practice session, their feelings for each other grow. When it comes time for Gloria to make a choice between what is proper and what she desires, will she realize that if music can cross class lines, it might also be able to harmonize two hearts.

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Snippet:

“Gloria!”

George’s voice penetrated her thoughts.

His dark eyes held a glint of amusement. “You dropped your reticule. Was it on purpose?” he chided as though talking to a child. He picked up her property, brushed off a trace of mud from the snow and soot tracked in on the plank flooring, and then handed it back to her. “Are you testing me?”

She looped the drawstrings of the bag over her wrist and refrained from answering. He was only teasing her. It hadn’t been on purpose at all. And not a test. Of course, George would pick it up. She had no doubt as to his attentiveness or chivalry toward her. He never dropped things, never faltered. He made her feel at once treasured like a princess and wanting like a child in the same moment. 

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Grandma's Wedding Quilts 10: Chase's Story by P.A. Estelle

Penny Estelle was born, long ago, in Iowa City, Iowa.  Her family up and moved to Mesa, AZ, when she was a toddler, and has remained in Arizona since.

She started writing for children right before retiring, claiming after working so long with children of all ages, she has plenty of material to work with. “I was never a reader as a child or teen and I missed out on so many adventures.  I think it's very important in today's world to get kids reading and keep them reading.”

Her books for the younger group include two children’s picture books, Have You seen My Tail? and The Red-Eyed Mr. Glumb, a couple books of magic and fantasy, Hike Up Devil’s Mountain and The Bearded Dude in the Puzzle, plus a series of time travel adventures for ages 9 – 13, The Wickware Sagas.

Penny decided to try her hand at writing for the older crowd.  She now has a family drama about desertion and addiction, four contemporary romances, a paranormal romance and five historical western romances under her belt.  She and her husband also wrote a non fiction short story on their experience living with solar.

Penny Estelle was a school secretary for twenty-one years.  After retiring, she and her husband moved to their fifty-four acre ranch in NW Arizona where they live off the grid.  Solar and wind is the only source of electricity.  “A real adjustment for a city girl, but I love it.  At night, the sky is an explosion of stars.  It is breathtaking!”

If Penny is not working on stories, she enjoys four-wheeling on unexplored roads, visiting with family (especially her seven grandchildren), and enjoys the occasional visits to the casinos.  She also admits her weakness is ice cream, anytime, anywhere!

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Chase wanted no part of going to college or following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a Doctor.  His dream involved cattle and horses and he follows that dream to the Arizona Territory.

 One cold, rainy day his life takes a turn when he finds himself looking down the muzzle of a Colt Walker barely being held up by a woman who has been badly beaten along with her three-year old son.  Will she be someone Chase could let into his heart or someone who could destroy his life?

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Snippet

“You better hobble them lips boy!” Another fit of coughing took July’s words. When he was done, he squinted at Chase. “You ever been to the Arizona Territory?” Chase shook his head. “In the summer it’s hotter than blue blazes. Damn near sweated the life right out of me the one and only time I was there in them months. That’s why I come back here every spring. Guess the cool and cold suit me better.”

     “What’s happening with your brother’s place?”

     “Foreman’s name is Ed Durbin. He’s watching it. Good man who’s been there a few years. Guess I need to find me some fool idiot that wants to live in Hell and sell it.”

     Chase sat up quickly. “I might be that idiot, July. I’ve dang near put away every cent I’ve been paid while working here. What are you looking to get for it?”

     July laid against his saddle and blew smoke rings in the air. He was the most easy-going man Chase had ever met. “I still got Ma and Pa’s place here in Missouri. Small cabin atwix a few trees. I go check on it every once in a while to make sure there ain’t no squatters.” July drew out a tin flask from his jacket and took a hardy swig. “Truth is, I got the long face from the doc not too long ago. Told me to give up my drinking and cigars.” Hard coughing took hold of him. “I’m dying anyway, why give up the only two things I like?”

     “July, I’m sorry. You should be resting, not out here in the cold night air.”

     “That’s a fact.” The old man looked at the stars. “When we get back, you and me’ll sit down and do some figuring. The only money I’ll be needed is enough to keep me in my two favorite things for a few more months. I’ll make my mark on the papers my bother give me and you’ll be a ranch owner your own self.”

     Chase stared at the old cuss of a man. He didn’t know what to say.

     “Shall we shake on it?” July asked, leaning on his elbow, holding out his hand.

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Grandma's Wedding Quilts 9: Josie's Dream by Angela Raines

Angela Raines is the pen name of Doris McCraw.  Doris is an actor, historian, poet, photographer, and (of course) writer. After she retired Doris decided to pursue her other dreams. She performs as Helen (Hunt) Jackson, Katharine Lee Bates, as stand alone historic characters. She researched and wrote on Karol W Smith, Colorado's first film commissioner, and currently is researching the early women doctors of Colorado prior to 1900. She writes and post haiku with her photographs, five days a week on her fivesevenfive page.  

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Josephine, Josie, Forrester FOLLOWS her DREAM and heads to the Eastern Plains of Colorado to be the doctor for the new town of Kiowa Wells. She faces the challenges of not only being a woman doctor, but earning the trust of the people in and near the town. Her life is complicated when William Murphy, a lawman, becomes her patient after being shot and losing his memory. Can these two find the love and happiness they deserve, despite a threat from the past? Can they get past their own beliefs about life and love and societies expectations to find the love and happiness they both deserve?

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Snippet  1.  

Passing the alley, Josie heard a soft meow. She stopped, listened, but hearing nothing, she continued on.

Entering the lobby, she was greeted with a smile. As she started to sign in, the smile quickly turned to a frown, then a sneeze. That sneeze was quickly followed by another three.

“Pardon,” the clerk said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his nose. “How may I help you?” He wheezed, another sneeze taking hold of him.

“I would like a room,” Josie replied, putting her medical bag on the counter. “Perhaps I can help you. How long have you been sneezing? Do you feel congested?”

“I’m not sick,” the man smiled as he sneezed again, “just allergic to cats.”

Looking around, Josie saw nothing and was preparing to say as much when a soft “meow” sounded from under her skirt.

Pulling up the hem, Josie bent down to see a pair of gold eyes look at her from a coat of dark gray. “How did you get there?” Josie asked. Lifting the small creature up, she moved to the door. The kitten clung to her shoulder, headbutting her chin, loud purrs sounding in her ear.

“Well I’ll be,” the clerk exclaimed, followed by a series of sneezes. “Sure is a cute one,” he continued when the sneezes abated once again. “No one’s been able to get that close to it.”

“You know this because...?” Josie asked.

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