Memorial Day Memories: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Darrington WA cemetery, established 1917 My hometown and Mayberry, North Carolina, home of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), had a lot in common. He, his son Opie, Aunt Bee, and even Barney Fife would have fit right in with the many Tarheels (North Carolinians). Mom and I moved from Darrington in 1970, but my memories liveContinue reading “Memorial Day Memories: A Walk Down Memory Lane”

“Somebody’s Mother

Many wonderful poems have been written about mothers. One of my favorites brings back memories of a special event during World War 2. I was excused from grade school, located across the street from the Darrington, Washington church where the Ladies Aid met, long enough to recite a poem at their Mother’s Day meeting. Somebody’sContinue reading ““Somebody’s Mother”

“Sentence Summaries” Sell Manuscripts

BUY amazon Nutshell Know-How When authors are asked, “What is your book about?” the temptation to give TMI (too much information) should be ignored. Well-chosen “sentence summaries” do the job without giving away too much of the content or overwhelming the questioner. The same applies to short pieces. Many won praise from readers attracted by succinctContinue reading ““Sentence Summaries” Sell Manuscripts”

Lesson from an Inch Worm

Sunday, March 19th  Hello, everyone. It is good to be back after weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation center. At times I feel like an inch worm but–hey, with every tiny movement forward, he/she eventually reaches the desired goal. Me, too, to be ungrammatical. “Colleen Loraine, the looper,” continues to make progress. Milestones include theContinue reading “Lesson from an Inch Worm”

Happiness or Heartbreak?

  I’ve never before had two titles come out within days of each other. Very different stories, and totally different hero and heroine from Candleshine’s High Calling.   Elizabeth’s Bold Escape: Cherished Romance #13 “East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet.” (Rudyard Kipling, 1889)  Spoiled, headstrong Elizabeth Courtland, whoContinue reading “Happiness or Heartbreak?”

Courage Under Fire: A New Author Favorite

Candace “Candleshine” Thatcher dedicates her life to nursing and loses her heart to Lieutenant Jeffrey Fairfax during World War 2. The wounded Marine washes up on an island in the South Pacific where Candleshine and survivors from their sunken ship are stranded. Promises made under threat of invasion must be postponed. Nursing in the jungleContinue reading “Courage Under Fire: A New Author Favorite”

“Heroes, Heroines, and Villains, Oh My!”

The quote, “Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!” from The Wizard of Oz created shivers and excitement in anticipation for what lay ahead. “Heroes, Heroines, and Villains, Oh My!” does the same for characters in novels. I love telling stories and finding settings, but the best part of writing fiction or novels based onContinue reading ““Heroes, Heroines, and Villains, Oh My!””