Indie Block Party: Introducing Lynn Hubbard

Hi, this post is a bit different than most of my guest posts. I’m a romance author so I normally discuss my books, but not this time. This time I’m going to tell you about me.

One of the wonderful things about writing is that you can be anyone you want to be. In my case after getting divorced, I didn’t want to use my legal name. Plus, I never really liked my maiden name, way too boring! So I became Lynn Hubbard.

Having a pen name is like being a super hero with a secret identity. Of course it does get rather confusing, I use Lynn so much now when I am asked to verify my real name “Lori”, I have to think about it. Luckily they both start with “L” so I can usually catch myself at book signings and such, and quickly switch to one or the other. If I do make a booboo, I cover it with a little scribbled artwork, such as a train or a butterfly. The readers are tickled by the mini art and have no idea it was a mistake. :-)

I used to draw all the time, I won several awards in High School and had some of my art published. I gave it up once the kids came along, you know how it is. It was not until much later in life that I began to write. I was in my late twenties when I started and it would be ten plus years before I gained enough confidence to share it with others, and get it published.

You would be surprised how difficult it is to get your family, and friends, to read your writing. The few who did told me they were “surprised” how good it was. Not a big ego booster. Most of my encouragement came from online postings. Random fans who read my short stories and wanted more.

I, like most authors, hear voices. When I’m in “the Zone” I can hear the scene in my head, and I dutifully write it down. I do not use an outline. The Story builds as it goes, and its fate is determined by the characters decisions. I don’t know how the story ends, until I write it.

I keep a notebook and pen with me, always, and I write down whatever jumbled thoughts spring into my mind. I wrote most of Run into the Wind on notebook paper, and I would type it up at a later date. I am a very slow typer, I have been clocked at eight words per minute. Probably would be faster if I used more than two fingers. However, I have written five books this way, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I tried the audio narrative “speech to text” program, and it is more frustrating than it’s worth. So I just peck way; One letter at a time.

When I am not writing, I’m taking care of my dogs and spending time with my kids.

I have two boys who are taller than me. They are both having monumental birthdays next month, which makes me feel old. Nicholas is turning 22 and Michael (my baby) will be 17. Nicholas’s passion is photography and video, he is a huge help to me with my covers. Nick was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when he was fourteen, it is an almost daily battle for him; you can read his story if you like. (Nick’s Story)

Michael is my musician, he practices guitar daily, and is working on his own youtube channel. It’s been a sad year. He lost his rat to old age, and his dog Hannah to cancer. He is an animal lover , like me. We have three dogs, two bunnies, and two aquariums. We rescued our newest puppy, Clowie, from an animal shelter. She has an obsessive taste for flesh, can’t wait until she is passed the teething stage. Hermione is our Chihuahua, she is crazy. ‘Nuff said.

I am finishing up my next book. It’s a bit different than the rest, it is set in 1778. I am a huge fan of George Washington, and I have always been fascinated by the revolutionary war. It should be out this fall, I have chosen a beautiful woman for the cover. (Sorry Julian!) Much different than my usual covers, but I’m sure my fans will love it.

Now hop over and find more about my fellow authors below!

1. Fel Wetzig  2. Linda Hamonou  3. Juli D. Revezzo  4. Patty G. Henderson  5. Dawna Raver  6. Stacy Claflin  7. Lynn Hubbard  8. Jolene Dawe  9. J.D. Brown  10. Bianca Sloane  11. Susan Ann Wall  12. Charity Pineiro  13. D. John Watson  14. Elaine Fields Smith  15. Diane Riggins  16. Courtney Young  17. Natasha Larry  18. Roland Clarke  19. L.E. Perez  20. Millie Burns  21. Skye Callahan  22. Maria Staal  23. Sydney Aaliyah Michelle  24. Alex  25. Pepper Winters  26. Sharon Bayliss  27. Thea Gregory  28. Hemanth Gorur  29. Lindsey Gray  30. cathy Brockman (US)  31. Allie Jean  32. Paul Christopher Hoppe  33. Michelle Birbeck  34. Elaine

Crime Novelist, Mitchell Nevin

Mitchell Nevin is visiting to share his new book 

Psychic Reprieve: Deception& Reality

So Mitchell, why don’t we start by learning a bit about yourself.

When did you decide to become a writer?

After serving over three-decades in law enforcement, I had seen and heard many things I felt that I should pass along.  Law enforcement is full of colorful characters—from the cops who work the streets to some of those involved in criminal activity. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Tom Clancy is my favorite writer.  I really enjoy the way he researches material.  He also uses a lot of dialog, as do I.  Fredrick Forsyth’s “The Day of the Jackal,” is one of the first books that I read from cover-to-cover while serving a tour overseas in the military.  Like Clancy, he diligently researched his facts, which is why “Jackal” is a classic novel.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My faith is very important to me.   Like many Americans, sometimes family events, work, and personal matters can take their toll.   I believe that, whether I was a police officer or a father, God gave me the ability to shrug my shoulders and recognize that, like the Biblical figure Job, we are often tested.  I thank the good Lord that I have, for the most part, succeeded.  I am grateful and very content with the life I have lived and thankful for what I have.  

For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books?

It depends.  I really like my Kindle.  I can download so many newspapers and books, even while I’m vacationing in remote areas, such as northern Wisconsin.  On the other hand, on a warm sunny day at the beach, noting beats a traditional book.  I also like passing my dead tree books to others.  I think hardcover books are valuable from the perspective of obtaining an autograph or establishing a family library.  They are very durable and last for generations. 

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

King David would be one.  A young man with so many difficult challenges, who, like so many of our leaders today, succumbed to an extra-marital relationship (with Bathsheba), but prayed for and received forgiveness.  St. Peter, the man who betrayed Christ, but was later crucified himself, is very inspirational.  Nelson Mandela is a leader who, although I disagree with his political philosophy, has Gandhi-like attributes that enabled him to reconcile the past by forgiving those who imprisoned and tortured him.  He is a much bigger man than most, who would have sought vengeance over the good of their nation.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I generally develop a list of ideas and seek to incorporate these concepts into compelling characters.  I also try to provide readers with stories within the plotline itself.  The mini-stories, or sub-plots, feed into the overall plot, but, more importantly, define the characters.

What are the titles & Genres of your books?

“The Cozen Protocol,” my first novel, was an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel of the Year Award nominee.  It is fictional, but incorporates actual offenses into the overall gang/police corruption plot.   In “Psychic Reprieve,” the characters, while all flawed in the face of the justice system, are, at heart, good human beings seeking to thrive and redeem themselves once released from prison.  The genre is fiction, but also makes use of actual offenses, criminal profiling, interrogations, and high-tech government surveillance.

What inspired you to write your first book, The Cozen Protocol?

During my career with the Milwaukee Police Department, I felt that many officers were unjustifiably thrown under the bus for political purposes.  These were rank-and-file officers caught in the midst of political power plays.   But instead of folding their tents and laying low, many of these officers, despite being victims of departmental politics, forged ahead to serve those that they took an oath to protect.  To good officers, police work is a calling.   These are the cops who toil in unbelievable conditions night-after-night and make a difference.

How did you come up with the title?

“Cozen” is a word that means “snake like” and/or deceptive.  The characters who sought to undermine the cops that patrol the street initiated an unofficial “cozen protocol” in attempt to derail the careers of a handful of officers who had the goods on a high-ranking police official who wanted to become the Milwaukee PD’s chief-of-police.

Who is your favorite character from your books and why?

In “The Cozen Protocol” it was, no doubt, Detective Gavin Fitzgerald.  As retired Milwaukee PD Captain Glenn Frankovis noted, Fitzgerald knew how to work around bureaucratic obstacles; he was dedicated but not obsessed; and viewed his profession as a calling.  In “Psychic Reprieve,” I liked all three major characters—an African-American baseball pitcher, a disgraced Chicago PD sergeant, and the Italian-American identity thief—because they understood each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

In “The Cozen Protocol” and “Psychic Reprieve,” the personalities of the main characters are drawn out by their use of humor and/or one-liners.  Granted, sometimes this humor is politically incorrect, as are the beliefs and personalities of many of us.  How Americans perceive societal trends is often times based on geography, race, age, political beliefs and religious perspectives.  These are the hallmarks of living in America that I sought to highlight.

Is there a message in your new novel, Psychic Reprieve, that you want readers to grasp? 

Yes, while there are several things that divide Americans, such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, political beliefs, and geography, when thrown together by circumstances outside one’s control, Americans tend to overcome and appreciate these differences. 
How much of the book is realistic?  

Several of the crimes mentioned in both “The Cozen Protocol” and “Psychic Reprieve” are take offs of actual events.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 

I try to create unique circumstances that keep the characters interesting.   This is always a challenge when evaluating solid character development.  I want to give each character a certain personality.  In “Psychic Reprieve,” the fact that each character, to a certain extent, is a fish out of water gives the plot its uniqueness.  
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? 

I try to travel to many locales in the Midwest to promote my books.  In the future, I would like to visit places in the south and southwest to promote each novel at shows and fairs.   My marketing company is in the process of offering a program where groups can sponsor visits by yours truly to college campus, community group meetings, or book club events. 
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

I learned that writing a book is much more difficult than I ever imagined.  In a sense, it is like aspiring to run a marathon—many people seek to do so but very few ever cross the finish line.  During my life, I have been fortunate to have run a marathon and have written books.  In that sense, God has blessed me.

What are your future projects?  

I have conceptualized at least two potential novels involving organized crime, cops gone bad, and steadfast investigators.  Now I just need to work on the characters and it’s off to the races.
Do you have any advice for other writers? 

Yes. Do not bite off more than you can chew. Recognize your limitations; set reasonable expectations, and realize that, when you are an upstart writer, it is difficult to get recognized.

Thanks Mitchell!

Psychic Reprieve: Deception & Reality

R.C. is a rising star in baseball, until his world comes crashing down. Raised by his grandparents, Raunold Choquet has one dream in life, to play ball. When a hazing incident goes astray, he finds out that justice is not always blind. Reality sets in when he is attacked in prison.

Awakening from a coma with piercing headaches and vivid dreams, he is left to sort out what is real, and what is not. Psychic Reprieve: Deception & Reality introduces us to a group of unlikely friends: a well-liked college baseball player, a disgraced Chicago police sergeant, and a folksy identify thief, as they seek to cash in on one of the trio's clairvoyant abilities. As their plan unfolds, the lines between deception and reality blur as the motivation for financial gain clashes with conscience, patriotism, and personal responsibility.

Purported psychics use their talents - real or perceived - to provide a service and earn an income. In this particular line of work, scammers and snake oil salesmen sometimes move about like thieves in the night. Realists see psychic readings as a pricy form of entertainment. To those in search of inner peace, however, the hopes of bringing a loved one's killer to justice or communicating with a relative on 'the other side' can make them an easy mark for brazen charlatans.

 Mitchell Nevin's latest novel searches the shadowy expanses occupied by serial killers, cold-blooded terrorists, challenged detectives, troubled loved ones, and a gifted young man on a quest to mend his tattered reputation.

The Cozen Protocol

Mitchell Nevin is a master at developing characters readers will empathize with, even the bad guys. Nothing is as it seems-flip the pages to find out, who’s good, who’s bad, who’s dead, and who survives.
The Cozen Protocol is an intricately woven story, perfect for any crime lover. Take a ride in the front seat with Milwaukee’s finest and view the world as you have never seen it before; by walking-a-mile in the shoes of everyday street cops as they carefully balance the ebb-and-flow of justice and politics. 
Faced with inept leadership, outlaw bikers, gangs, and crooked cops, each day is another unique challenge. Down, but not out, the fine men and women of law enforcement combine their talents and work together to “foil” the bad guys and live to fight crime for another day. 

WWW.MITCHELLNEVIN.COM

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp2Fr8K5FPw

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mitchellnevin

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/mitchell-nevin

Love at First Sight, Bonnie & Clyde Style

Interview : Joey Daniel Carr Writer, Director, Producer

Welcome Joey, and thank you for taking time out to speak with us. Joey Daniel Carr is a local from Georgia. He is currently making a short film called “Colt Love” based upon Bonnie & Clyde.

1) Tell us about yourself:

-Thank you so much for taking the time to have me as a guest! I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA starting October 21st, 1991. I'll have a Bachelor's Degree in Film this October, just before we shoot "Colt Love". If I were to encompass myself in 1 word, I would narrow it down to: artist. I love music, writing, film and anything entertainment related. I'm programmed to be a writer and hope to make my living on it, through my novels or writing for television. 

2) Who were Bonnie & Clyde?

-Who were they individually, or as a pair? That's two different answers...

Bonnie was a hometown-type girl who married Roy Thornton at the age of 16. She was 19 and vulnerable from the heartbreak of her husband being locked in prison. Clyde, one of many siblings, had to stop his education to work jobs to support his family. Hard times called for petty crimes that made him popular with the police and impossible for him to keep a job...

Together, they were the example of love-at-first-sight. Apart, they were unable to find their comfort in the world; as a couple, they thrived and became iconic heroes in American organized crime that weren't afraid of the Depression-weakened government.

3) Why create a film about Bonnie & Clyde?

-They are an important part of American history. They helped create the need for the FBI, the first authority force capable of using larger guns and pursue across state borders.

4) Why are we obsessed with criminals?

-I think we're obsessed with criminals because while we wouldn't rob a bank, we wish we could.

5) Do you believe in True Love?

-I believe in true love; passion can make amazing things happen. That can be seen between the real life Bonnie and Clyde, as well as the Cast and Crew that's working to bring them to the screen in "Colt Love".

6) How did you do your research for the movie?

-I've always loved Bonnie and Clyde. I've spent countless nights browsing websites about them, watching documentaries and just learning what I can about that era.

7) How can we get a copy?

-You can get a copy if you go to the Indiegogo link for "Colt Love" within the next 20 days and click on one of the perks along the right hand side of the page. All of them include a DVD of the final project in time for Christmas; other perks include goodies like BTS features, signed scripts and props, and special credits... As for selling the film on DVD, there won't be any of that, at least for a little while. I'd like to take it to film festivals first, maybe get the funds to do a feature film.

8) What inspired you to turn to film?

-I was inspired to do film when I saw my "Iris" novel series in my head. I published the first and wanted to make the series into films, so I studied film. Also, Matthew Reilly's work really inspired me to try my best to write his screenplays... I probably wouldn't mind if someone asked me to direct his "7 Deadly Wonders" series.

9) Do you have any sponsors?

-We are in Association with Jerico Pictures, who has contributed $3,500 to make the film happen. It's also been a pleasure to be introduced to Cindy Smith of Alias, Smith & Owens, a band that performs at the Bonnie and Clyde Festival every year. Her music is wonderful, I'm pumped to use it... We don't currently have any  corporate sponsors, but we're working on a few. They include some transportation companies, hotels, and a media company but it's just talk until it's in ink.

10) Do you have any other projects planned?

-I do plan on relaunching "UnAdopted" once I raise money, my comedy web series about a foster family that has to come together after being apart for years. Also, I'd like to really start getting "Iris" and other screenplays out there... This is pretty much all my focus now though, making "Colt Love".

11) What goes into producing a movie?

-The real answer is long enough to fill several volumes of encyclopedia! Simply put, a lot goes into producing a movie; it's really endless. I'm just doing a short film, so I can't imagine a full feature and what it would take. I can say that there are a lot of sleepless nights and challenges that require more energy than you know you have, sometimes.

12) Any advice for future writers and producers?

-Advice: Keep on keeping on, and fake it til you make it. You have a vision that no one else on earth has, or could have; this is one of the best qualities of collaboration, seeing how your crew brings your vision to life. There aren't a lot of people in the world that are going to automatically care about that vision, you'll have to convince them and sometimes it won't work. Get used to being your own source of energy and confidence, it makes you pleasurable to be around. Finally, people may not notice you when you're there, but they certainly notice you when you're not there; get out and be seen!

Thanks, for stopping in!  I can’t wait to see the finished film. Keep us updated!

Links:

Colt Love Supporters: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/colt-love-bonnie-and-clyde-short-film

Colt Love Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColtLoveFilm

Alias, Smith & Owens: http://www.aliassmithandowens.com/

Alias, Smith & Owens Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliassmithandowens

Summer Splash Blog Hop!

You are in for a treat!

 I am offering a free ebook copy of Run into the Wind 

for everyone who subscribes to my newsletter!

If you prefer not to subscribe, you may leave a comment with your favorite summertime treat for a chance to win a free copy!

Run into the Wind, is one of my favorite books. It is about Sabrina, a young woman who is in hiding so she dresses up as a boy(Will), to conceal her identity. She falls for Brock, the hot new Sheriff in town, who thinks she's a boy. 

Hope you enjoy this excerpt!

Sabrina was having another bad day.  She had gotten a splinter in her hand when she was closing one of the stalls and her cramps were not letting up. She sat on a bucket in the sunlight trying to pick the splinter out with a needle. Suddenly a shadow blocked out the sun.

Irritated, she poked herself and winced. She glared up at her visitor. Brock. Perfect.

“What do you want?”  she asked irritably.

“I was stopping by to see if you could help me but it looks like you need some help,” he said, kneeling next to her to take a look at her hand.

“It’s just a splinter; I don’t need your help. I’m behind on my work here, so you’re just outta luck, Sheriff,” she said emphasizing the last word.

“Will!”  A voice sounded from behind her and she cringed. Jack Swanson came up to them and shook Brock’s hand. Sabrina scowled even more if that was possible.

“You do not talk to the good Sheriff or any of my clients that way. I don’t know what’s come over you lately.  You’ve been as wound up as a rattlesnake.  I just came from the saloon. Mac suggested Sheriff Stafford have you show him available places, and I think that’s a great idea. Go get some fresh air, boy.”

Gnawing on her bleeding hand, she shot Brock a dirty look as she moved very slowly to comply. He just kept popping up like a bad penny and she muttered a string of curses to herself as she saddled Star. He could saddle his own damn horse.

Sabrina set a steady pace as they rode out of town. She was familiar with both places that Mac had suggested and decided to head for the shanty first since it was farther away. It was a warm day and Sabrina was sweating under the layers of clothing she wore to hide her curvy figure.

She refused to acknowledge his attempts at casual conversation as they rode. She was hot and mad and figured it was better to just not talk at all. She heard the running brook before she saw it. She slowed to allow Star to drink from the fresh water.  Taking her canteen from her saddlebag she hopped down to refill it upstream. She swallowed her fill and refilled it with fresh water.  Taking her bandanna off, she dipped it in the water and washed her face and neck before wringing it out and wrapping it around her neck. She felt much better.

She noticed Brock and Troy on the other side and walked over to him in spite of herself.  She took care coming up behind Star; it was never a good idea to startle a horse. Horses had a mean kick.  Even the gentle ones could be spooked.

“In a hurry?”  he asked, referring to the quick pace Sabrina had set.

“I’ve better things to do,” she said tartly.

Brock grinned at her.  For some reason he enjoyed taunting the boy. “Sure is warm; maybe we could go for a swim later. If my information is correct, I was told there was a swimming hole nearby the place.” He took his hat off, wiping his face and neck with his own bandanna.

Sabrina couldn’t help staring at the wet curls clinging to his neck and face. She had an urge to push them back in place and bit her lip as she looked away, chastising her thoughts.

“I don’t swim.” Sabrina mounted Star and nudged her into a trot, using the stream as a guide.

Brock easily caught up to her with Troy’s large stride. She had felt like galloping but didn’t want to labor the horse in the heat.

“I could teach you if you don’t know how,” Brock offered generously as he rode next to her.

Sabrina looked over at him, annoyed to see him smiling at her. “I know how to swim, I just choose not to.”

“Your loss,” Brock replied, ending the conversation for now.  He was surprised a short while later when Will announced they had arrived. 

Built into the countryside, the “shanty” as Mac had called it, was an earth dwelling. Three sides were made out of fallen timber that had been cut and hewn to fit together and the back was packed earth as it was dug out of the hillside. The earthy cover extended out and over the roof. The house blended in perfectly with the landscape of trees.

Brock dismounted and went to inspect the inside. He looked back at Sabrina to see if she was coming and was surprised to see her still on Star. “Coming?”  He asked.

She snorted, “Those places are always crawling with bugs. I’ll wait here, thanks.”

“Ya scared of bugs? Aren’t there bugs in the stables?” Brock asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Of course not! I bet you couldn’t find one spider in my whole stable. I keep it clean.”

Brock grunted something and turned around to enter the house. He moved too quickly and banged his head on the low door frame. He cursed, checking for blood as he held his hand over his forehead. Behind him he could hear laughter.

“Watch out for the low ceilings.”

Gritting his teeth, he disappeared inside. The inside was actually larger than he had expected. It had a small stone fireplace and a wooden floor. It would suit his needs for now but he was thinking of the future. There were cobwebs everywhere with insect carcasses caught inside. He turned around to head back out the door and BAM! He hit his head again on a roofing timber.  Grumbling as he stooped lower, he crossed it off his list.

Sabrina snickered as he came out covered with cobwebs and holding his sore head.

“A bit small,” he mumbled as Sabrina laughed out loud. She leaned down and grasped a piece of cobweb trailing from his hair.  Her hand accidentally brushed his cheek and he looked up at her, catching her eyes for an instant.  He frowned as he watched Will.  The boy seemed embarrassed for some reason. Brock wiped his face again; it was hot.

 Brock spied a glint of light dancing on the surface of a pond partially hidden in the trees.  “Let’s eat before we head off, “ he said. He took Troy’s reins and walked over as Sabrina followed on Star.

“I didn’t pack anything to eat.”

“I had Mac pack enough for two,” Brock said, tying Troy to a nearby tree.

Her eyes narrowed at his response. “So you just assumed I would volunteer to go with you?”

He shrugged “Ordered, Volunteered, what’s the difference?” Brock took his hat off and hung it on his saddle horn. He then started undoing his shirt. Sabrina looked on in horror as his intentions sank in.

“Wh…what are you doing?” she asked, not sure if a real boy would look away or not. Of course, a real boy would not ask someone what he was doing when it was quite obvious what he was doing.  During her moment of indecision, Brock had stripped down naked.  He had thankfully turned his back to her as he removed his pants.

This, of course, gave her a great view of the backside of his body. She stood staring unabashed at his smooth bronze skin stretched taut over his back and buttocks. He was bronze all over just slightly darker on his arms where he was exposed to more sun.  He either skinny dipped a lot or…

“You’re an Indian?” she found herself asking in surprise continuing to stare at his naked form as he waded into the cool water.  She was grateful and dismayed at the same time as Brock ignored her question and dove into the water. He popped up in the middle of the pond a few seconds later.  He tossed his head back to clear the hair out of his eyes as he grinned at her. The water weighed down his curls and they hung straighter and longer just curling a bit at the tips.

 “Sure you don’t wanna take a quick dip?” Brock asked.

“I don’t have time to splash around in the water.  I need to get back to work and so do you.  Banks probably getting robbed as we speak.” She swatted  irritably  at the small annoying insects circling her head. 

The water looked so cool and refreshing, she was sick with envy. She felt a drop of sweat roll down her back to be absorbed in the bundling she wrapped in to cover her breasts and make her waist straight. Defeated, she sank into the grass swatting at the gnats she’d stirred up.

A thought suddenly popped into her head.  She probably stank. That’s why he wanted her to go swimming. She probably smelled of sweat and horses and poo. It was hard for her to sneak off and bathe undetected.  Plus, boys didn’t normally go for bathing very often. It had never bothered her before but all of a sudden, she wanted to bathe, to smell good, to be noticed, and all because of him. Sighing she gave herself a sniff. A bit sweaty but not too bad.  What the heck does one expect in Oklahoma in the middle of summer?

After several minutes of swimming Brock regretfully swam over and climbed out. Sabrina forced herself to look away this time. Brock pulled on his pants and Sabrina took note he didn’t wear any under garments. Leaving his shirt off so he could dry off in the sun, he pulled lunch from his saddlebags.

As he sat down across from her, she tried not to stare at his bare chest and muscular arms as he divided the food.  Mac had packed his specialty: roasted chicken and corn on the cob. Sabrina’s stomach growled as the wonderful aroma was carried to her by the light breeze.

To distract herself, she tore into the food.  She felt she had never been so hungry before. It was as if her body craved food since she wasn’t satisfying its other needs. In addition, she figured with her mouth full she could not say anything stupid, right?

Wrong.

“How can you have curly hair if you’re an Indian?”

Brock raised an eyebrow. “Why do you think I’m an Indian?”

She blushed at this; she couldn’t help it. “Um..well---you’re tan all over. I grew up with Indians; I must have been daft not to notice before.”

“I’m half Comanche.”

“Which half?” Sabrina asked, wondering curiously how he came to be.

Brock laughed at that. “I’ll tell you another time.  What do you mean, you grew up with Indians?”

Sabrina smirked back at him. “I’ll tell you another time.” Finishing her food, she stood up and stretched. Questions were bringing on more questions.

“Why do you pretend to be white?”

“I never said I was white. People see what they want to see.”

She nodded at that; she knew all about people making assumptions. It is what she’d counted on to keep her secret safe for the last couple of years. “You’ll like the McAllister place much better. It’s closer to town and has a barn that’s big enough to house several horses.” She picked up her pace, now eager to show him the place.  Brock stared after her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Wanna read more? Sign up for a free ebook copy!

Now hop on over to some other great sites!

Welcome to the 2013 Summer Splash Blog Hop, brought to you by the writers of Indie Writers Unite.  There's all kinds of swag to be won as well as some amazing grand prizes (see below for grand prize information)

Each writer will be hosting their own giveaway on their blogs and offering their own prizes in addition to the grand prizes.  Click HERE to start hopping the author pages.
...

Want a teaser of some of the items up for grabs on the author pages? Click HERE

 As the for the grand prizes, there are 6.  What are they?

#1 Kindle Fire 8.9 HD

 

#2 $100 Amazon Gift Card

#3 $50 Amazon Gift Card

#4 15 paperbacks personally signed by our authors

#5 38 Ebooks gifted to you from our authors



#6 38 eBooks (yep, we're doing this not once, but twice)!

HOW TO ENTER GRAND PRIZES 1-3

TWEET USING THE HASHTAG  #splashwithus

It's that simple. We'll keep track of all the tweets and then draw for the grand-prize winners at the end of the hop. Winners will be announced on or before July 31st on this site. 

RULES: 
 
Tweets MUST include:
 
1. The hashtag #splashwithus (This is how we track them)
2. A link to the blog hop.

You may tweet as much as you like throughout the hop. 

More Tweets = More Chances to WIN!!!

***As a side note, our authors will be tweeting about the hop as well, but they are not eligible for any of the grand prizes.***

Here are some sample tweets you can cut/paste:

WIN a $300 Kindle Fire, Amazon gift cards & more at the #bloghophttp://ow.ly/nfebP #giveaway #win #freekindle #splashwithus #amreading

WIN FREE SWAG at the author #bloghop http://ow.ly/nfeChprizes include a kindle fire! #freekindle #free #giveaway #win #splashwithus 

ENTER TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE at the author blog hophttp://ow.ly/nfeRZ #kindlefree #free #lovebooks #win #giveaway #splashwithus #win

WIN BIG at the author blog hop. More than 50 prizes including a kindle fire HD! http://ow.ly/nffyV #kindlefire #amwriting #splashwithus

HOW TO ENTER FOR GRAND PRIZES 4-6

To enter to win the free signed paperback books and the free booksfor your kindle, you MUST visit every single author blog hop page and enter whatever contest/giveaway they are running.  Once you've visited them all, send an email HERE, with the subject line: FREE BOOKS. 

***NOW GET HOPPING 
AMAZING AUTHOR GIVEAWAYS AWAIT YOU!!!***