Author Introduction - Meet Shirley Connelly

STEPH: Welcome to Desert Breeze. Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up?

SHIRLEY: Thank you for the welcome, Stephanie. It’s great to be here at Desert Breeze. As a graduate of Institute of Children’s Literature who started off writing for children, I now wear different hats. On my creative side, I pen fiction romances laced with nuggets of inspiration. When I’m wearing my more logical thinking cap, I write lighthearted nonfiction devotional books. I’m also a teacher, I speak at women’s retreats and luncheons, and at home, I’m an active mom and grandma. I love rearranging furniture, cross-stitching and doing needlework. My evenings are spent watching classical movies on TCM. And last but not least, I adore animals, especially chickens, dogs, cats, ducks, geese, you name it. You can find me often on the Social Networks, over at ACFW, or Hearts Thru History, and also FHL when I’m not at my blog promoting other authors or sharing writing tips. I’ve traveled extensively but grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I seem to have back ended here again.


STEPH: Who were some of your favorite authors growing up?

SHIRLEY: Beverly Cleary was one, and whoever wrote The Hardy Boys, and The Bobbsy Twins, and some ballerina book I read till it fell apart (didn’t concentrate on who authors were back then). When I started reading romances, it was Kathleen E. Woodiwiss all the way. (Since the heroine tried to be good until she was married most of the time, I didn’t have to skip too many pages. smile)

STEPH: What romantic subgenre do you write?

SHIRLEY: Historical-Inspirational a bit on the edgy side. I like stories that are realistic as life itself.

STEPH: You have an upcoming release with Desert Breeze. Tell us about it.

SHIRLEY: Say Goodbye to Yesterday is about an unwed mother who is booted from town when the truth is revealed about her and her daughters. Now without a home, she must take her girls to locate the father and force a forgotten wedding pledge. What she won’t anticipate is how love will beckon her instead to an irresistible man, already quite married.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

SHIRLEY: Yes, I do. I got myself a Kindle last summer. I love it. I’m always telling others to check out this ebook stuff.

STEPH: Do you have any other books that are availabe?

SHIRLEY: I do, Stephanie. I’ve already written two novels, Flame from Within is still available, but my first story, It Happened Near the Cliff Rock is now out of print. I have two lighthearted devotional books available and one coming out any day now. (Great stocking stuffers, by the way.) I See God in the Simple Things, I See God in the Thorns ~n~ Thistles, and I See God on the Narrow Road.

STEPH: Can you tell us about the state you live in?

SHIRLEY: I live in Oregon. I grew up not liking it much except for the greens and the beautiful trees and Crater Lake and going to the coast. Other than that, I’m not too much of a drizzly rain girl. We lived in Washington for a while, up in Seattle. Although it looked similar to Oregon, I have many more fond memories of my five years there. But if I had my preference to living anywhere, even though I know you didn’t ask me, I think it would be back east again. There, I love the history. I love the tradition. I love the seasons, especially fall.

STEPH: What country would you like to visit that you haven't?

SHIRLEY: The rest of the United Kingdom, I think, also Italy.

STEPH: Did you do NaNoWriMo this year?

SHIRLEY: I didn’t do NaNoWriMo this year, but I’m a part of FINISHTHEBOOK which is probably similar if it means finishing a book in a specified time. Tell us about it. Can I tell you it was there I made it the first time through the book now being published at Desert Breeze?

STEPH: Where can we find you on the web?

SHIRLEY: Readers can visit me at Shirley Kiger Connolly ~ Author over at http://shirleykoinonia.tripod.com/ but most of the time I’m at my blog http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/ Would love to see you come by anytime.

Author Spotlight Week - Excerpt from Precious Things

GIVEAWAY:

To qualify for the giveaway, here's what you have to do. Read the excerpt and leave a comment. Winner will be picked on MON 13 DEC. What does the winner get? Your choice copy of: Something Better, Precious Things, Someone to Watch over me, Any Phoenix Rebellion book (I recommend Outcasts!!) or Borealis I. Basicly, any Gail Delaney book.

Smiles
Moderator Steph

Enjoy this excerpt from Precious Things:


A slight touch against her spine made her jump, and she turned into Benjamin as he laid his palm flat on her back. She smiled when he stepped closer and leaned his other arm on the edge of the bar where she stood. Not for the first time that evening, Jewell felt the slow infusion of heat just below the surface of her skin when he turned his devastating gaze on her and one corner of his mouth ticked up in a small grin.

"I was beginning to wonder where you went," she said softly, relieved that she didn't need to speak any louder to be heard over the din. His attention shifted down to her mouth, and it was all she could do not to lick her lips. Her senses had been on overdrive since they arrived. No, since he picked her up at the apartment. He'd told her on the way that he would prefer to keep the signing to a minimum if possible, which she thought odd since she'd understood her purpose at the event was to interpret.
But, if not signing had him standing closer and looking at her the way he did... she was fine with that.

"Drew Kapchik cornered me by the potted ferns," he said with another quick tick of his grin. "He's been trying to get on my team for the last nine months. He wants an excuse to quit Legacy Funds."

"You escaped..." she smiled.

"I told him I had a beautiful woman waiting for me."

Heat bloomed in her cheeks and Benjamin smiled wider. He slid his hand from her back, letting his fingers trace the underside of her arm until he took her hand in his. "Would you like to dance?"

Jewell raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"I am not without my secret talents."

She tilted her head with a smile and let him lead her to the small area cleared in the center of the room where no more than half a dozen other couples danced to the slow waltz. When they reached a clear space, Benjamin raised her hand above her head and she spun, the chocolate silk of her dress swirling around her legs. When she came around to face him again he drew her against him, his bent right arm angling behind her back so her left hand rested on his shoulder. He took her other hand and pressed it to his chest, holding it in place beneath his warm palm.

"What kind of music are they playing?" he asked, looking down at her as they stood still amongst the dancing couples.

"A waltz."
"Waltz... we dance on the three, right?"

Jewell nodded, but couldn't figure out his intention. More than once, Benjamin had surprised her with his capacity for adaptation. His lip reading was near perfect, and his speech -- for someone with total hearing loss -- was not only impressively clear, but expressive and varied. He understood the concept of whispering, of shouting, and of dropping the tone of his voice to a seductive hum that danced over her skin. But dancing?

"Give me the beat." Benjamin shifted his hand over hers and tapped his fingers against hers in a steady rhythm. "Understand?"
Jewell nodded and closed her eyes, listening to the lilting music for a few bars. With the next measure, she tapped the rhythm on his shoulder where her hand rested. One-Two-Three. One-Two-Three. Then Benjamin stepped, and as simply as that they were dancing.

She opened her eyes, and her breath caught at the warm way he watched her. His lips had only the slightest bow as he turned her around the floor. She almost forgot to keep up with the beat, giving him the taps he needed to stay in step.
"Everyone is watching us," he said low, tipping his head toward her. "They're wondering how I got to be so lucky."

Author Spotlight Week - Gail Delaney shares her favorite 80's TV Show

When I think of 80's television, several shows come to mind… Beauty and the Beast, Young Riders, The A-Team, Silver Spoons, Who's the Boss?... I was a religious watcher of Beauty and the Beast and Young Riders (I actually have 2 postcards from the cast of Young Riders with their autographs), but my all time favorite television show of the 80's was… Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

Oh, I sat every Monday night waiting… waiting… for that show! I loved it! I had this friend on the school bus who was also a fan, and every Tuesday morning we'd huddle in our seats together and rehash every moment and every glance.

Especially before Lee and Amanda became a couple. Oh, my goodness! (To accurately quote Amanda King). Season One, they could barely stand each other. Season Two (The season I like to call "What was she thinking with that hair cut?"), the ice was melting, leading into heavy flirting and hand holding in Season Three… and finally, their secret love affair and marriage in Season Four. I mean, come on! What future romance author wouldn’t eat this stuff up with a spoon!

I was in junior high/early high school at the time, and I didn't know the story behind why suddenly -- right after the two of them were married on the show -- that Kate Jackson/Amanda King pretty much disappeared from the screen. And when the show was cancelled, I was heartbroken! I saw at least two more seasons of them sneaking around before they finally got caught and had to fess up! It was until later that I discovered the truth. Right after they filmed the episode in which Lee and Amanda got married, Kate Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer and immediately began intense treatments that left her so tired she completed what little filming they did (they rewrote scripts to accommodate her) usually seated. And they cancelled the show instead of going on without her, or with an abbreviated appearance. She was, after all, Mrs. King.

Twenty or so years later, I made my own resolution. Writing SMK fanfiction was my first endeavor into the long misunderstood genre. ☺ I rewrote their first kiss, because I didn't like it and thought it was lame. I created a whole back story through the third and fourth season, and I wrote a novella length story that was ultimately their 'coming out'… the reason they had to come clean and confess their secret marriage. That was about 10 years ago, and I still get emails today about those stories. ☺

I guess Lee and Amanda were some of my early 'television' romance influences. I always look for the 'ship'. And hello… Bruce Boxleitner was totally hot!

Author Spotlight Week - Gail Delaney talks about her favorite Christmas story

Hands down, without a doubt, not a moment of hesitation… White Christmas.

So much so, that my holiday season doesn't begin until I've watched it and my husband bought it for me for Christmas a few years ago so I didn't have to hunt for it on television each year.

"Sisters! Sisters! There were never such devoted sisters!"

I always get teary eyed when all the past soldiers salute General Waverly. I sing along with "Choreography" and "Mandy… There's a minister handy…So don't you linger! Here's a ring for your finger…" I get a perverse enjoyment at pointing out and finding new editing errors… like someone pouring a cup of coffee with the pot in her hand, only to have the scene cut and have her pick up the coffee pot. ☺

Or the best is when the 4 stars are spontaneously singing in a train car, but only two voices -- Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby -- are heard. Even when Danny Kay's lips are moving, it's Bing Crosby! Wow!

"Snow… snow… snow… snow… SNOW!"

You could make a drinking game out of White Christmas if you were inclined to such things.

"Gee, I wish I was back in the Army!"

But, I also like the love story behind it. Actually, two love stories. The sneaky masterminds who play games to get the other two together, only to fall in love themselves. And the maternal/paternal figures who, despite their callous hearts, fall under the spell of Christmas and snow.

"When I'm worried, and I can't sleep…I count my blessings instead of sheep. And I fall asleep, counting my blessings."

Good thing you didn't ask least favorite... I might get hung. I can't stand It's a Wonderful Life, and it doesn't have any great sing along songs.

*humming*… "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, and children listen, to hear sleigh bells in the snow…."

Author Spotlight Week - Gail Delaney talks about writing contemporary romance

Actually, I haven't considered myself a writer of contemporary romance for many years. If I wanted to categorize myself, I would say I am a writer of speculative fiction that sometimes dabbles in contemporary and suspense.

Mind you, I began in contemporary romance. It was pretty much all I'd read at that point. My cousin used to snag her mother's thick bodice ripper historical romances and we'd read them together, but I didn't get into them as much as she did. Then I read a Sandra Brown book, followed by a Kathleen Eagle book, followed by Catherine Anderson… and not only did I fall in love with contemporary romance but romance in general.

So, when I decided to write my first book for publication, I wrote a contemporary; a bad one that is still sitting on my hard drive waiting to be redone. Then I wrote another (Precious Things being released this month), and another (Dance With Me) and another (Tender Hearts) before I tried my hand at suspense and eventually science fiction. At one time I thought I was 'so over' the contemporary romance thing… until last year, when I wrote Something Better. As much as I thought I was 'done', when the right story hits you, it hits you. Sometimes right between the eyes.

Author Spotlight Week - Q&A with Gail R. Delaney

STEPH: I don't know much about Precious Things. Can you tell me a little about it?

GAIL: Benjamin Prescott Roth has lived his entire life with the goal of escaping his father’s overbearing shadow, and forgetting the look of contempt in his father’s eyes. Born completely deaf, he has lived with the fact that he wasn’t good enough to be loved by his parents. He grew up in wealth, but without affection.

Jewell Kincaid is everything he ever needed, but didn’t know he wanted. She’s beautiful, feisty, intelligent… and she sees him for who he is past his barriers and barbed wire.

When the foundation of his life is ripped out from beneath him, Jewell is there for him in ways he never dared ask of her. She doesn’t frighten easily, and she loves him too much to make him go it alone.

STEPH: I understand this was released previously. How long did it take for you to revise?

GAIL: Oh, months! I’ve been working on it off and on for well over a year, but was in ‘crunch time’ for about two months. I was late passing it in to my editor. * blushes *

It was very difficult for many reasons. The first was that I initially wrote this story years ago, and I’m a different writer than I was then. I’ve learned a great deal (I think), about story arcs and how to add interest without high drama.

The second was deciding what parts of the story worked and needed to stay to keep the book true to its original theme, and what parts needed to go… and of course, what needed to be added.

I’m very happy with the final product, and I hope people won’t be able to tell where I cut and where I added.


STEPH: Where is the story set? How important is the setting to the story?


GAIL: The story is set in Boston, Massachusetts with trips to Manchester, New Hampshire and Hartford, Connecticut. I picked Boston for a couple reasons at the time… first, I lived in that area so I could write what I knew. Two, they work in the financial industry and next to New York City – Boston is a financial hub. Manchester and Hartford serve as contrasts to each other – her simple, quiet and peaceful upbringing in Manchester in comparison to his cold, wealthy and hard childhood in Hartford.

STEPH: What inspired you to write a deaf hero?

GAIL: To be honest, I don’t remember the exact moment when I ‘decided’ Benjamin was deaf. In truth, Benjamin told me he was deaf. A writer understands what I mean. ☺ But, I felt I could take on a deaf character because I’ve had people in my lives that gave me some insight into the aspects of living as a deaf person – though it’s changed in the years since I wrote the book. My mother began losing her hearing when she was in her 20s, and by the time I was old enough to remember, I knew I had to do things like be in front of her and speak ‘at’ her rather than from across the room. She could read lips and peace together words if we did that. Same with my best friend growing up. She lost a lot of her hearing to Reyes Syndrome (Like Jewell’s mom in the book).

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

GAIL: Yes, I do. I have the Nook and I absolutely love it.

STEPH: Do you have any holiday traditions you'd like to share?

GAIL: I like to begin Christmas as close to Thanksgiving as I can, before Thanksgiving if I can get it past my husband. LOL The kids and I usually put the Christmas tree up the day or weekend after Thanksgiving, and we play Christmas music nice and loud as we do it. ☺

STEPH: Are you a plotter or a panster?

GAIL: I am a pantser with mild plotter tendencies. I approach a book with an overall idea of what might happen, and a general timeline. But I do not outline, and I have very few notes I might put down somewhere.

STEPH: Have you ever done NaNoWriMo?

GAIL: No, and while it sounds like a challenge, I don’t think I’m inclined to do it. I’ve done it – meaning, I’ve written 50k words in a month (more actually) – just not within the confines of ‘NaNoWriMo’. I would like to go to some of the events around NaNo, just to make some connections with other writers, but I wouldn’t work for the word count.

STEPH: Who is your favorite? Monet, Renior, Picasso.

GAIL: Well, I can exclude Picasso outright… not much of an abstract art fan. Of the two remaining, I will go with Monet. His paintings are very soothing to me.

Author Introduction - Meet Sadie & Sophie Cuffe!

1. Welcome to Desert Breeze Sadie & Sophie. Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up?

SADIE & SOPHIE: We grew up in mid-coast Maine in a small rural community where everybody knew everybody. For fun we played neighborhood pick-up games, hockey on the back pond, and built secret hideouts in the woods. A blind date matched up our Californian Dad with Maine farm girl Mom, so every few years they’d load up the VW bus, pack the canvas tent along with us and our two brothers, and we’d travel west as gypsies, cementing our love for road trips, camping, hiking, and our brothers. Today we reside in downeast coastal Maine , where we still enjoy doing sister things together (including writing) and look forward (mostly) to whatever surprises today brings.

2. Who were some of your favorite authors growing up?
Sophie: Laura Ingalls Wilder and Madeleine L'Engle, and every Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books she could get her hands on. Oh, and Cherry Ames books.

Sadie: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jean Little, Donald Sobol, Marjorie K. Rawlings, Fred Gipson. .

3. What genre do you write?

SADIE & SOPHIE: What genre don’t we write? Since there are two of us, we make the most of us, writing in all the genres we enjoy -- currently women’s fiction, inspirational suspense, cozy mystery, historical, inspirational mystery, juvenile fiction, nonfiction, scripts, and one screenplay

4. You have an upcoming release with Desert Breeze.

SADIE & SOPHIE: Can you tell us when, the title, and let us know what it's about? Arrow that Flies, release date August 2011, is about Jackie Duncan, a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants investigator for the state forest service, and Rob Adams, a former environmental activist who’s a bit too tightly wound. Jackie comes to Stellar’s Ford to investigate threats against a logging deal that involves state park land and environmental terrorist, Rand Adams, Rob's twin brother. Rob is drawn to the small sawmill town by a kidnapper’s threat against his brother. In a jumble of mistaken identity, clashing personalities, and secret friendships, the beauty of the North woods becomes a hiding place for a killer with a dark agenda. But through the test of fire and blood, Jackie and Rob forge a bond that unites them forever. Move over Joan Wilder!

5. Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

SADIE & SOPHIE: No, we don't, and, to tell the truth, we know nothing about them, so it's rather ironic our first novel is coming out as an ebook, don't you think?

6. Do you have any other books that are available?

SADIE & SOPHIE: Not yet ,but hopefully more to follow soon, if we could just get those agents and publishers to heart us. Sadly, we've had more face-to-face encounters with moose than with publishers or agents. lol.

7. Can you tell us a little about the state you live in?

SADIE & SOPHIE: Maine, the way life should be! The rising sun strikes the USA first on the rocks of Maine . We have more than 3000 miles of coastline, counties with more trees than people, and the end (or the beginning) of the Appalachian trail, with some of the greatest hiking in the east. We have small, close-knit rural communities, family farms, islands with year-round ferry service, and country churches that have old fashioned public bean suppers. A good part of Maine is off the beaten track and considered out of the cultural mainstream, but we have our moments.

8. Just for fun: pick your favorite: Monet, Picasso, or Renoir?

Sadie: If I had to pick one of these guys, I’d pick Picasso, but if I could pick any dead artist, I’d go with Dali and the melting clocks, a metaphor for my life! S

ophie: May I pick Grandma Moses, because when I grow up I want to be like her.

9. Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? Have you done it in the past?

SADIE & SOPHIE: Actually hadn't heard about it until we got this question. Googled it - wow. It could be crazy fun but we don’t have the time this November (see melting clock answer above). Also November is wreath making season in Maine. Instead of 50,000 words by Nov. 30th, it’s 50,000 wreaths and garland!!! Any spare time (laughing hysterically) will be devoted to editing Arrow that Flies. How's that for dedication!

10. Where can we find you on the web?

SADIE &SOPHIE: Our website is currently under construction, but we're on facebook (sscuffe) and always looking for new friends.

Featured December 2010 Release - Touched by Mercy by Tina Pinson

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Angelina!

She wasn’t Samantha’s daughter, but she should have been. Sam mothered her with love like she was her own. The child became heaven in her world.

Now the child was gone. Samantha felt her world slipping away. She had to find Angelina. She prayed. But doubted God would hear her. How could he when she was so dirty? And how could she trust a God who she believed abandoned her? Hopefully this God wouldn’t abandon Angelina.

God uses the gentle hands of another carpenter to strip back the layers of abuse that have tarnished her faith and worth to teach Sam there is mercy instead of shame, and love. And though it seems out of reach, she always had freedom in Christ.


EXCERPT:

"What did you think of the sermon, Samantha?"

Sam thought she'd choke on her cherry pie right there. And practically did.

"Here now." The reverend laughed as he patted her back. "Did we find a pit or was the sermon that bad?"

Visiting with a reverend was bad enough, but a reverend with humor. Sam started to choke all over again. She waved her hand in front of her face to circulate the air and gulped a deep breath. Then if her teary eyes and choking weren't enough, she had to go and snort on her exhale. Not some delicate little snort either -- no, it was a full-bodied thing. She sounded like her stepfather's grand sow. Her skin warmed. Soon she would even be as pink as the pig.

It was a disaster, unavoidable, but a disaster nonetheless. She'd never get another invite. Groaning softly, Sam put her head in her hands until she could breathe again. It'd be easier if the good reverend would quit patting her back, disrupting her heartbeat. But how did one tell a reverend to stop?

"Are you all right?" Ruth asked.

"Yes, yes." Sam surfaced, her face on fire. Reverend Trent's hand lifted from her back. "It went down the wrong pipe," she replied meekly.

"Are you sure you're all right?" the reverend asked. He handed her his napkin. Sam used it as a shield to compose behind. "It hurts something fierce when it does that," he added sympathetically.

Sam dabbed her watery eyes so she wouldn't have to look at him. 'Cause the preacher man's smile was soft, beguiling.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Pinson resides in Grand Junction, Colorado with her husband of twenty-nine years, Danny. They've ran their own business, Omega Avionics, since 2004. The Pinsons have three grown sons, two lovely daughter-in-laws and four grand children.
Tina began her first novel in elementary school. Her love of writing has caused her to seek creative outlets be it writing poetry, songs, or stories. She had four years of journalism, a half a year of college, took a fourteen-month correspondence course through The Writer's Institute. Tina has been involved with American Christian Fiction Writers for seven year.

Tina has completed eleven novels. She was a third finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest in 2003 for her story Trail of the Sandpiper-Rescued.

Beyond writing, Tina enjoys building, gardening, singing, speaking and some biking. She and her husband hope to get out more into God's country and do some camping.

She continues to work on other stories, and hopes that one or more of her stories will be published soon.

****

Touched by Mercy is avail for the Kindle, Nook, Sony Ereader, and Kobo. Desert Breeze Congratulates Tina on her December release.

Featured DEcember 2010 Release - Precious Things by Gail R. Delany

THE BLURB
From a young age, Benjamin Prescott Roth shut himself off from everyone. He was determined to be his own man. But, for the first time in his life, he's letting someone else in.

Jewell Kincaid is absolutely beautiful -- and beyond that she's feisty, intelligent and strong-willed. Benjamin's perfect match whether he wanted it or not. Then his world is shaken at the foundations, and he has to either let Jewell be his support -- or walk away.


AN EXCERPT

He barely glanced at Carol, focusing his fury on April. "Get me an appointment with Rowlings tomorrow. Book a conference room and inform senior management on the incubated Asian fund. Everyone is to attend."

His voice held a softer, somewhat incomplete quality despite its rough huskiness, with a slight rounding of his syllables. Jewell shifted her attention momentarily to his hands, set firm at his hips, and caught the slight twitching of his fingers. He may be speaking, but his hands probably itched to form the signs to match the words.

April nodded and jumped into action at his sharp tone. Mr. Roth turned away and his gaze fell on Jewell. Hard eyes took her in from head to toe in one powerful perusal before focusing on her face. Something about the way he assumed he had the right to look at her that way spurred Jewell into action.

She laid her hand against her chest, palm flat, and moved it in a circular motion. His left brow rose slightly and he scowled.

"Please, what?" he demanded.

"Book a conference room, please," she signed. "Wouldn't that be more polite?" Jewell made sure to face him and pronounced her words clearly, so he could read her lips without a problem.

Mr. Roth's hands sat at his waist and he shifted to an arrogant stance. His eyes widened slightly as he stared back at her. With two long strides, he moved closer to her.

"And you are?" he demanded with a jut of his chin toward her.

Jewell was shocked by the momentary disorientation of her senses when he closed the space between them. His presence was so overpowering, it acted like a force field around his body pushing against her when he neared her. A hint of the masculine scent he wore filled her senses, sandalwood and a subtle oriental spice. Her cheeks warmed.

Not allowing his presence to daunt her, she spoke and signed together, spelling out her name. "Jewell Kincaid."


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gail R. Delaney has been actively writing 'for publication' since 1996. The first novel she ever wrote is still sitting on her computer, waiting for the major rewrite that will make it acceptable. She says she has learned a great deal since writing that book, and it shows when she looks back at that rough draft.

Gail has had several novels published in the genres of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and futuristic romance. Her novels have received several nominations and awards since she was first published in 2005.

Gail and her family recently moved from the cold and blustry east coast to Southern California, and is loving every moment of sunshine she can soak in.

*****

Precious Things is available for the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. Desert Breeze Congrats Gail on her DEC release!

Featured December 2010 Release - Christmas Bride by Marion Kelley Bullock

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sue-Ellen Grayson travels to Fort Clark, Texas, to console Major Ethan Hartley, because her sister, Cassandra, jilted him. She can't bear to see such a wonderful man treated so shabbily. Her trip is fraught with danger. The stagecoach is set upon, she nearly drowns, and she arrives penniless, without even a ticket to return home. She gets a job waitressing at the Brackettville Café.

At first, Ethan can’t stand the sight of Sue-Ellen. In looks, she reminds him of his lost love. Gradually, though, he begins to see her for the fine woman she is and to care about her. Then Cassandra, tired of her fling, arrives and wants Ethan to marry her. Will Ethan fall for her again, or will he see her for the flirt she is and realize that Sue Ellen is the one he loves, the one who has the makings of a career officer’s wife?

AN EXCERPT:

Ethan raised his eyebrows. He got right up in her face. "What are you doing here? Why did you tell them you were my fiancée?"

"I didn't." Goodness. He might as well be breathing fire.

"Yes, you did."

"Now, I'm getting mad. And there is absolutely no reason for you to make me mad. I don't know why you're jumping all over me, just because I was bringing you a message."

A muscle tensed in his jaw and his nostrils flared. "What in the world do you mean, you silly woman, you were bringing me a message?"

Sue-Ellen stepped back. "I am not a silly woman. And don't spit on me."

"I wasn't spitting on you."

"Not for lack of trying." She wiped her sleeve across her face.

"Now you're a silly prima donna."

"Are you going to tell me what's got you all riled up, or are we going to take our toys and go home?"

Ethan held up a hand to silence her. "Now, let's look at this calmly, rationally."

Sue-Ellen nodded. "I'm ready when you are." So far, he hadn't seemed rational at all. She couldn't believe this was the same man she had practically worshipped, the man Cassie had planned to marry. Oh, mercy, she still had not told him what she came to tell him.


********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marion Kelley Bullock attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, and Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and attends their conferences.

Her articles, short stories, essays, and devotionals have appeared in Open Windows, Guideposts, Home Life, Church Administration, Mature Years, The Lookout, the Church Musician, Preserving Christian Homes, Living with Preschoolers, and other publications. She authored The Story of First Baptist Church Past and Present, (Olney, Texas). She also wrote Sunday school curriculum materials for preschool teachers and children, for several years.

She is a Christian and the wife of John W. Bullock, a semi-retired minister of music. They have three grown children and reared a grandson, now twenty-four. Their family is active in church and community, and Marion teaches adults in the Sunday school, is the pianist, and sings in the worship group.

Marion has worked at a variety of jobs, including church secretary, school nurse's assistant, Realtor, nursing home activity director, savings and loan clerk, and supervisor of preschool work in churches.

Aside from writing, Mrs. Bullock enjoys reading, painting, working crossword puzzles, playing musical instruments, and song writing. She and her husband love to travel.


*******

Christmas Bride is available as an ebook on Kindle, Nook, Sony eReader, and Kobo