Friday, January 11, 2013

New Year Hop

New Year Hop

It's the New Year,  I have many goals I wish to hit this year, one of which is finishing War of Hearts.

I am a bit behind, okay I'm a lot behind. But delving into the past can be tedious. It is a delectable mix of truth and fiction. You want to add enough history to teach but not enough to bore. So I throw in snippets here and there. Like weaving a fine tapestry. 

So I am offering you a sneek peek. Here is Chapter 1 From War of Hearts. It still in draft mode but I love comments! 

Please tell me what part of history you would love to live in.



Chapter 1
Bitterness of Winter

Blood spattered upon her face. Sarah ignored it as she moved to put pressure on the gaping wound; she hoped to diminish the flow in the process. As the doctor began to saw through the bone, a grating sound filled the air. It was made more horrible by the shrieks of the man on the table.

Her arms burned, as she used all her strength to subdue him, so the doctor could work. Soon, the limb was free and the man gasped for breath as the pain subsided. The doctor folded the flesh over the gaping hole and Sarah carried the lifeless limb to the open window, and tossed it outside to the growing pile.
Once upon a time, this would have disturbed her greatly. However, being an Army nurse had hardened her heart to many things. War was hell. And she was in the midst of it.

A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to look into kind eyes. Go rest for a spell. You look exhausted. Her friend Margaret intoned. She glanced around the room at the others needing treatment. There was no rest for them, as they waited for the blade.

Even though it had been months with no fighting, the bitterness of winter was taking its toll. Due to lack of sufficient shelter and clothing many men have been afflicted with frostbite. The blackened appendages had to be removed to give them a chance at life.

The next soldier was in better shape and Sarah’s thoughts wandered as she massaged his feet. Winter had always been her favorite time of year. And living in New Jersey, they could be fierce. The crops had been harvested, food had been stored, and there was not much to do once the snow came. She recalled bundling up to care for the livestock, and admonishing her mother for making her wear a scarf. The rough wool always itched her neck.

Seems to be a fair amount of sickness in camp. The man stated in a gruff voice as he looked around.
No, more than yesterday. Sarah replied, wondering if the man was ignorant or just making conversation.
Would you say about half? He inquired further.

Sarah’s hands stilled. She looked down at his feet noticing not only were they not that damaged from the frost, but thick and hardy as well. An uneasiness came over her, as her glance took in the man’s gently worn clothing. It had been a while since she had seen a man who wasn’t half naked, much less one that was fully clothed with boots and all.  

No, I wouldn’t say half. Your feet are worse than I first thought; wait here while I fetch the doctor.
No need, I feel better already. The man sat up, reaching for his boots. Not taking time to put them on, he grabbed them and ran for the door as Sarah shouted after him.

A scuffle ensued as an injured man blocked his path, and he was soon wrestled to the ground. Ignoring her own safety, Sarah knelt over him and searched his pockets. Finding nothing of value she grabbed his boots, thrusting a hand deep inside she felt an edge of paper and pulled it out. The man had ceased struggling, and silence filled the room as she unfolded it. Her heart beat quickly in her chest as a crude sketch of Valley Forge appeared.

A spy.  The map was plucked from her fingers as the man was dragged off to pay for his sins.

Sarah sat in disbelief as a large hand touched her shoulder. Well done.

She looked up at Dr. Radcliff. What will become of him?

He will be questioned, and punished, if found guilty. What gave him away?

He wasn’t dressed in rags. Sarah mumbled looking around at the weary soldiers. She had agonized over her brother Silas’ death for months. However, she was thankful he never had to experience the torment of these men. Silas has been gone a year but right now, it felt like fifty. Sarah had seen so much suffering, and It wore heavily on her heart. 


My Give Away is a Free Copy of A Christmas Crossing.
The Prequel to War of Hearts. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105853





Saturday, December 1, 2012

Hot Winter Nights Blog Hop Giveaway!

Hot Winter Nights Blog Hop Giveaway



Hello Hoppers!

Thank you all for sharing your Holiday Traditions with me! I have enjoyed reading them all.
Here is a little something to help keep you warm at night.
Reviews are always welcome!

Run into the wind By Lynn Hubbard
Promotional price: $0.00
Coupon Code: PE23K
Expires: December 10, 2012





I am happy to Announce I have finished my Christmas shopping!

This is a new record for me. Now I have 24 days to get everything wrapped. Nothing like drinking hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music to get you in the mood. 

Speaking of getting into the mood, I am giving away an unlimited number of ebook copies of Run into the Wind, my favorite book. 

 
All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite Holiday tradition. 

On Dec. 5th I will post the free download code in the comments. Code will be Valid until the 10th so feel free to share!

GRAND PRIZE!

 $50 Amazon Gift Card - $10 Bookstrand Bucks - eBook prize package including:  11 eBooks 

*You MUST include your email address to be eligible for the grand prize.


Be sure to visit the other bloggers on the list to get more great prizes!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Audiobooks. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

Audiobooks. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?






Update! Desperado Just went live on Audible.com. 

Listen to a free sample!









I have never been a fan of Audible books. Part of the problem is that I already have enough voices in my head and it gets distracting.

I have tried to listen to them while commuting (big mistake) or even doing laundry. I have discovered that I can’t do both at the same time. But some people love audiobooks. And with today’s technology you don’t have to shuffle through a bunch of cd’s or tapes while you're driving.

You just hook up your smart phone, ipad, laptop, ereader, etc, and listen to an mp3. Kind of like a really long song.

I have decided to jump on the Audio band wagon and have my books read by professionals. New implements are in place where once audiobook production would have costs thousands of dollars, costs can now be offset to a more reasonable figure.

And the number of audio listeners are growing. These listeners are much more savvy than myself and many “read” several books a month.

Audiobooks are a whole other beast to publishing. Unlike print books where the Author is acclaimed. In Audio land, it is the Narrator who gets the glory.

Narrators usually come with their own fans, and actually get reviews just on their voices. This talented pool of folks deserve much credit. I couldn’t read for five minutes without my tongue drying up and gasping for breath.  I would much rather leave it for the professionals.

So tell me are you an Audiobook fan?  Why or why not?


Sign up to win a copy of my new audiobooks! They are available soon on itunes, audible and amazon.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Awesome Romance Novels: Run Into The Wind by Lynn Hubbard

Awesome Romance Novels: Run Into The Wind by Lynn Hubbard: A Sizzling Historical Romance Determined to take charge of her own life after her family is slaughtered before her eyes, Sabrina L...

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Healthy or Bust!



Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

I had an awesome meeting this morning with a life coach. I haven’t been writing much lately. I had carpal tunnel surgery this summer and I haven’t been doing much of anything. But that is about to change.
I went for a walk the other day. The fact I could barely make it a block without huffing and puffing alarmed me. I have never been the athletic type, being cursed with Asthma kept me on the sidelines with a book in my face.
And so the excuses started early on, I can’t breathe (which actually is a pretty good one), I don’t have the time, I can’t, I won’t.  Getting older and wider, I have discovered that I have to ignore myself.
No more self-pity.
Just do it! (Sorry Nike!)
So I made an appointment with Susan before I explode!  It is new and scary, but I’m not alone. I have my goal sheet and I am inspired.
I have never been thin, and that is not my goal. I want to be healthy.
You are welcome to follow me along my journey as I traverse the road to health. 


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Kennesaw Taylor-Urgent!


I received a phone call the other day from my friend Kennesaw. I normally talk to him several times a month but was blown away to find out he was in the hospital.

He woke up and headed to his computer to start his daily writing and couldn’t log in or type. He was confused, and after being rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with a mini stroke.

Scary stuff for a writer in their fifties. Scary stuff for anyone of any age.

I met Kennesaw years ago through an online group for writers. We shared ideas, and strategies to take over the world. Books for everyone!

Of course writing isn’t an easy profession. It is hard, and some days are harder than most. However it helps to have a good friend to lift your spirits, encourage you to preserver, and keep writing.

Writing starts with a single letter, then a word, soon enough you’ll have a sentence.

Rest for now, but always follow your dream or I’ll kick you in the pants!

Love ya!
Lynn


Please share this post and leave a comment so his wonderful wife, Mary Carmen, can read them to him!  


www.kennesawtaylor.com



Friday, June 15, 2012

What is that doggy in the window?





A month ago, we adopted Clowie from an animal shelter. Clowie is actually from Louisiana, and was transferred to Atlanta in a shelter share program. She was ill when she arrived and the shelter worked very hard to get her better.

Clowie is an energetic puppy who loves to give kisses. Her shiny black coat is marked with a star trek crest on her chest. Her kennel tag touted a Lab mix. So lab was definitely possible, it was her long giraffe like legs that had us scratching our heads. At the Vet’s for her check up we questioned him about her breed.

He thought her ears were a bit too long to be a lab and suggested we do a DNA test. I had heard about DNA tests for dogs and was anxious to try it.

Arriving home, I looked up the kits online. There were several to choose from, and not all of them cover the same breeds. After reading the reviews I chose a test by wisdom panel. The reviews were wide spread, most of the negative ones didn’t agree with the results. I ordered it online and much to my surprise, I actually received it the next day.

The kit included two pipe cleaner like brushes and a prepaid return envelope with instructions. Taking the sample from a squirming puppy required my son’s help. We popped them in the mail and awaited the results. Wisdom panel has a neat breed test where you enter your dog’s attributes and they offer breed suggestions. This is free and fun to try! Click Here for theLink.

I choose to register my kit online and was able to track the progress. A couple of days later I received an email that they had received the kit and were processing the sample. The results were ready a week later; just under the two week estimate.



And the vet was right. Clowie did not have a smidgen of lab in her. I was surprised to find out her pureblood grandparents were Weimaraner, Boxer, and French poodle. The poodle explains the long legs. The test goes on to share all the attributes of each breed and breaks down components of her mixed breed grandparent. I have attached the results if you want to take a peek click here.

These results will help my vet keep her healthy and decide on the best training methods. We have puppy training scheduled for next week!

Leave a comment and tell me about your pet!