Friday, May 31, 2013

Official Release day for "Spirit of the Revolution!"

After months and months of hard work, mixed with some blood, sweat and tears, we've finally arrived! Today, The Wild Rose Press officially releases the "Spirit of the Revolution," (available in the format of your choice, in both ebook, print and audio!)

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank my publisher and my WONDERFUL editor, Sarah Hansen, for the hours spent on my behalf! I am so grateful to you both! I LOVE being a rose in the garden of the Wild Rose Press. They are amazing people to work with!


Cover Art by Angela Anderson
To celebrate the grand event  I decided to share a few pages from the prologue with you today. So without further ado...


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Friday, May 24, 2013

Memorial Day...A Day We Remember Those Who Gave All...

We remember... and give thanks to all our service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice... 

Arlington National Cemetery by Andrew Bossi


Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a holiday in which the American people have set aside to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  

When did it begin? 

In an effort to commemorate the soldiers who gave their lives during the Civil War, both Union and Confederate, this holiday was officially born on May 5, 1868 and first observed on May 30th of that same year. On that day, flowers were placed on each Union and Confederate grave at Arlington National Cemetery, by order of General John A. Logan. Today, we honor all the brave men and women who have fallen, while engaged in military service.

Like most Americans, I have a deep respect and appreciation for all those who serve and have served this country. For those who gave their all in order to make and keep this nation free, and provide us with the liberties we have, I give you my utmost gratitude.

Those who follow my blogs know that many of my ancestors have fought and died while in the service of the United States from her earliest beginnings and forward. As I've collected their histories and documentation of military service, I've wondered over their lives and the families they left behind. They are the reason I chose to use both a Civil War and Revolutionary War soldier as my heroes in "Spirit of the Rebellion" and "Spirit of theRevolution."  In my own way, it's my personal nod to my grandfathers, uncles and cousins who fought in some of America's bloodiest campaigns.

"The March to Valley Forge", by William Trego, 1883
As you can imagine, it thrilled me no end when Wild Rose Press chose to release "Spirit of the Revolution," during the week we celebrate our men in arms. So, to my ancestors who participated in the Revolutionary War...not limited to but including the following ancestral grandfathers:

·         Nicholas Forbes - 
·         William Ferguson -
·         Lewis Ponsler - 
·         John Cartwright
·         John Light
·         Jeremiah Dickenson Jenks

Civil War Ancestors:

.  William Confer - Killed at the battle of Chickamauga
.  David K Newhouase - Killed at the battle of Stones River
.  John A Robison - 
.  Daniel Confer
.  Peter Confer
.  Samuel Confer
.  Hiram Robison
.  David A Robison

World War II Ancestos:

.  William Buskrik
.  Robert Buskirk
.  A.F. Henriksen
.  R.L. Henrksen
.  Dwight Peterson
.  Vernon Peterson

Viet Nam War:

. Michael Ray Mastain

You've made me proud and I salute you!

Today, people celebrate Memorial Day as a day to honor our fallen veterans. The day is celebrated in a variety of ways. Our family has been known to have huge family gatherings, with picnics or barbeques in the mountains or canyons. And of course, for those who live in the vicinity,  family graves are lovingly decorated...


What are your Memorial Day Family traditions?



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Monday, May 20, 2013

Do You Believe in Ghosts...?


As an author of paranormal romance, where vampires and werewolves reign supreme, some of my readers have asked me why I prefer to write about ghosts. In truth...I'm not exactly sure. I can tell you that the ghostly romances written into the television series Dark Shadows probably had something to do with it. So did the movie and T.V. series, Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Perhaps the impossible love between a ghost and a mortal tugged at my youthful heartstrings...

Edward Mulhare and Hope Lange from the television program The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

The thing is, it's not that difficult for a mortal to find happiness with a vampire or werewolf...they're tangible. If a beefy, handsome, werewolf took you into his arms and kissed you senseless, you'd feel it without any difficulty whatsoever. But not so with a ghost—and yet, in the above mentioned series' and movie, I found myself rooting for the ill-fated lovers anyway. I don't know...call me a romantic. If two people love each other there just has to be a way for them to get together. Right? 

No, really...right?

Antihesis Cover Reveal !!!


I'm really excited to take part in the Cover Reveal for author Kacey Vanderkarr's debut novel, Antihesis!  Isn't it gorgeous?

Available from Inkspell Publishing July 21, 2013!



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Murfreesboro and the ghosts of Stones River...


The battle at Stones River, one of the bloodiest campaigns of America's Civil War, took over 23,000 estimated casualties in four days time. This horrific battle began the 31st of December 1862 and finally ended January 2nd, 1863.


Cannon at Stones River National Battlefield  by Hal Jespersen  


With the Union army controlling Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Nashville, they were ready to take command of the Mississippi River and the railroads. In order to achieve this goal,  General William Rosecrans would have to battle General Braxton Bragg  and his Confederate army. Striking first, the Confederates had the Union on the run, driving them back to Nashville Pike. However, the Union forces vastly outnumbered the Confederates and as time went on, the boys in gray grew weary. The tide began to change in favor of the Union.

An interesting thing happened during the Battle of Stones River.  As one might expect during this holiday time of year, the soldiers' thoughts meandered toward family and home.  One evening, most unexpectedly, a song cut through the stillness of the night.  The battle lines were so close that both sides couldn't help but hear the music.  The confederates sang "Dixie," while the Union soldiers volleyed with "Yankee Doodle."  Then, when one of the bands started playing "Home, Sweet, Home," the other side joined in.   While the soldiers sang, they ignored the horror of the battle, and perceived enemies. Amid tears, toasts, and cheers, the spirit of Christmas filled their souls.  The respite didn't last though, for the bloody battle began again at dawn. General Bragg commanded Major General John C. Breckinridge's brigade to attack the Union center. The troops arrived much too late to do any good. On January 1, 1863, no one celebrated the New Year.