The Love Left Behind

Her only worry was the out-of-control mother-of-the-bride,
until the past slammed head first into the present.

          Marlee Thomas looks at life head-on. No looking back, no second chances on what could have been. Except to thank her great aunt one more time for giving her love, a home, a legacy, and the means to mold an event planning business she loves.

Brian Mason is on his own. Left behind is his family’s law firm legacy and a disastrous marriage born out of family loyalty. He’s starting fresh, away from the big city where his surname is infamous.

Coincidence finds Marlee and Brian face to face for the first time in twenty-seven years. She the event planner, he the divorced father of the bride.

Mixed signals, a secret baby, instant passion ignited years ago, and second chances divide the years. Can either forgive past mistakes to learn to love again?

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome Delsora Lowe and Marlee Thomas as they celebrate the current release of The Love Left Behind, a Hartford Estate Novella. First up is event planner, Marlee.

      Hi, my name is Marlee Thomas. I used to go by Lee back in college, but now that I own a business, I’m back to Marlee. One person insists on still calling me Lee.

Where are you from?  I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, near the New York border. I went to college in Boston and ended up settling on the coast in Rhode Island.

Tell us a bit about The Love Left Behind. I never believed in second chances, but I got lucky. I have to tell you, I felt like luck was against me when I first ran into my one and only love years after we lost touch. And I’d given up on happily-ever-afters, even though I “sold” that concept for a living. I own an elite estate event venue, where we host many weddings. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I had given up on finding “the dream” many years ago. Who knew, love would find me a second time around. But getting to that illusive happily-ever-after took work and overcoming fears from the past. With the help of two loveable but interfering friends, we finally made it down the aisle.

What did you think the first time you saw Brian Mason? That he was an uncoordinated oaf. Okay, so us crashing into each other on our college campus was just as much my fault. We ended up laughing. He gallantly picked up my books, apologized profusely and we exchanged phone numbers. By the time I reached my dorm, he called for a date. The rest is—was—history. Until we lost track of each other for almost twenty-seven years.

What was your second thought? “Oh No – not him.” If I hadn’t been working a wedding, I would have fled the scene. Unfortunately, he was the father of the bride, and I couldn’t sneak away to hide.

Was it love at first sight?  The first time around was in college – and yeah, in about five minutes we fell hard for each other. The second time—nope! Okay, full confession, those same lapis-blue eyes drew me in. And he did fill out that tux in the best possible way. Still, I ran.

What do you like most about Brian? He is focused on a task and bullheaded, but underneath he is a man who loves to the depth of his soul, once he decides to trust you and take a chance.

How would you describe him?  Smart, astute, loyal, compassionate, and passionate. Plus, a great father.

How would Brian describe you? This time around, the plumper, older version of the girl he fell in love with. That, I’m sure was his first impression. Then he realized I was cold, focused on work, and had no heart. In the end, I’m pretty sure he’s changed that opinion, but he had to work hard to get me to open up…again.

What made you choose event planning as a career?  I fell into this as a career. Sure, I did my share of waitressing and customer service jobs as a teen, college student, and young mother. But when my aunt’s husband passed away and left her an estate that was slowly wasting away, with no money to save it, I developed a business plan to use the estate as an event venue. I presented it to my aunt, she took it to her lawyers, and the rest is history. We restored the beautiful building and grounds and opened for business. The rest is history.

What is your biggest fear?  That my secret will be revealed.

How do you relax? Relax? Ha! I work all the time. It’s best that way.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Right now? Thelma and Louise. Sometimes I think I should just take off for an unknown adventure and then drive off that cliff. Then I come to my senses. I would never leave my daughter. She’s my only family. Plus, I am nothing if not practical and reticent about tackling adventures out of my comfort zone. The estate is different. I practically grew up here and I had to save the old place. Now I will do anything (including starting a business) to make sure my legacy is saved.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “Stand tall and know you are worth everything.” My aunt always said that to me. It’s carried me through a lot of struggles at a young age. And now, with my latest challenge of again getting to know my only love.

 Thanks, Marlee. We’ll let you get back to planning the next event while we’ll chat with Delsora.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer?  Recently I took a screenwriter workshop on ZOOM, so I’ve been watching a lot of Hallmark movies and dissecting them as to how the writers set up the scenes, and how they leave each scene with a question or a Segway that moves the story on. In books, the writer has a chance to describe setting and character and that adds to the scene. And they can embellish the dialogue into conversations. In a movie, it has to be crisp and concise dialogue. The camera crew do the rest of the description work. It is a good lesson in less is more to get the point across. Something I need to practice.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel?  Years ago, I went with a friend to visit her aunt who inherited a huge mansion on the water in Narragansett. It looked across the water to Newport, R.I. I always thought I would love to write a story about that area. The last few years, I have attended writing retreats near Newport. It is such a fascinating, old city, full of history. When I started this book, I knew I wanted it to be about a wedding venue and a surprise that happened at a wedding. I was about 1/3 of the way through the book when I realized I wasn’t sure where the book was set, except that I knew it was somewhere in New England. But it suddenly dawned on me from my descriptions so far, that it had to be set on an estate in the Newport area.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? This particular book is independently published.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile?  Right now, I have about fifteen holiday books on my TBR pile—too many to list here. My goal is to read all of them over the next month, so I can write a one or two sentence overview on each for my annual “Romancing the Genres” November blog (11/17/20.) Some are by favorite authors and others are new authors to me. I love finding new authors, especially during the holidays.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?  I am currently editing a book about the holidays in a Vermont Inn. I hope it will be released before Christmas 2021.

Our guests brought an excerpt for us:

The broad-shouldered man dressed in a crisply tailored tux appeared in the entryway as his wife sailed toward the table, waving like a queen. He, too, screamed confidence, as he ambled through the room with shoulders back, chin high. But instead of leaving a wake behind him like his wife, his stride was slow, measured. He glanced around, waved to friends, or stopped to proffer his palm to another.

Marlee couldn’t take her eyes off him.

When he turned her way, his eyes bored into her. The vivid blue lapis like none she’d seen since— Oh. No.

She shook her head so hard she listed and almost lost her balance from atop her bordering on sensible two-inch heels. An arm reached out to cup her elbow.

“You all right?” Darcy asked.

She turned to stare at her manager. “Fine. Fine. I stepped wrong.”

“You weren’t moving. Are you dizzy? You should sit.”

“I’m fine.” Now steady, she pulled her elbow out of Darcy’s strong grip. “Really. As soon as the introductions of the wedding party are made and the bride and groom sit, I’ll check on the kitchen staff to make sure they’re ready to deliver the salads.”

“They’re ready. I just came from there. And…you already checked on them.” Darcy nudged her. “I’ve known you too long for you to fool me. What. Is. Wrong?”

The enunciation was the first clue she couldn’t fool her friend. The squint in Darcy’s eyes told her she had to fess up.

“The bride’s father.” Her insides roiled with the realization she would come face to face with him for the first time in almost twenty-seven years. He looked the same, except for the clothing. And the confident look. No, that was the same. He’d always been confident bordering on cocky. But he’d filled out in all the right places, if the tailored fit of his suit was any indication. No way could anyone pad a suit to mold a physique to look so real.

“Who is he?”

“What?”

“You need to stop gawking, Marlee. Tell me who he is.”

“Brian.”

“Bri— Oh.” Darcy’s eyes widened before she swung her gaze to the front table. “That Brian?”

Marlee turned toward Darcy. “That Brian.”

“How long since—”

“Junior year in college.”

To purchase The Love Left Behind, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

 

Books2Read   books2read.com/u/mglVqK

To learn more about Delsora Lowe and the stories she creates, go to:

Amazon Page

https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Books2Read Page

https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe

BookBub Page

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518

Goodreads Page

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe

FaceBook Page

https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/

Instagram

#delsoralowe

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Rescued by a Highlander

 Wild Women Authors features Susan Payne and Rescued by a Highlander a recent release out of the Wild Rose Press. First up is heroine, Lady Jillian, daughter of the Earl of Crawford.

 Good morning, Jillian. Let’s start with where you are from. “I was born in Scotland though my parents are both English. My mother is related to the King, so my father was given the Scottish title as a wedding present. Actually, the gift was to ensure my mother was kept well away from the English court and disrupting the King’s business.”

What did you think the first time you saw Laird Gawain Macgregor? “I was exhausted from days of traveling and worried over my father’s declining health. We had just settled for the night when this booming voice came out of the darkness. I could only stand and fight."

What was your second thought? “That I was going to fail and the assassins my cousin sent would kill my father. I could only fight.  I didn’t see another way.”

Did you feel it was love at first sight? “The man facing me was my enemy not my savior.  I had no idea who the Laird was at that point.  Love did come, but slowly.  It snuck up on me.  Gawain says he always knew his own mind.”

What do you like most about Laird Macgregor? “He is extremely strong – physically and mentally. He made a plan to save my father and myself along with my father’s legacy within a few minutes.  By the time we reached the castle, he had everything thought out.  Not that becoming the son-in-law to the Earl of Trowbridge wasn’t a smart move for his clan.  It certainly was.  It brought him closer to the king and that is always a prestigious move.  It didn’t take Gawain long to figure out things to his benefit.”

How would you describe Laird Macgregor? “He’s handsome and strong, and intelligent. He has strong family and clan ties. He saw an opportunity and he took it.  He also wanted to help my father keep control of his lands.  I felt I was just a way for him to do so.”

How would Laird Macgregor describe you? “I’m sure Gawain was surprised to find me a female.  When we first began combat, I was giving as good as I got, but my weakened physical condition made me less able to keep a fight going. My cousin thought I was unwomanly.  Gawain finds beauty in my wearing of men’s clothes and my ability to hunt and fight if I have a need to protect myself or my clan – our clan.”

What made you choose to be trained as a knight? “I was my parents’ only child. Protecting an out-lying keep like Crawford Castle isn’t easy.  There won’t be help from England and we were too small to keep a large number of soldiers, let alone knights most of whom want to belong to wealthier landowners or closer to large cities.  They want combat and we were very peaceful up until recently when my cousin came to usurp my father’s title.”

What is your biggest fear? “That our quiet way of life will be disturbed by the unsettled happenings in the south. By the English king.”

How do you relax? “I never learned needlepoint or tapestry, none of the womanly endeavors I should know how to do.  I enjoy swordplay with the younger men training to become knights. Of course, cataloging and drawing artifacts unearthed from the archeological sites keeps me busy as well as raising my son.”

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “To use my smaller stature to my benefit in a fight. I may not have as much strength behind my swings, but I can move quicker than a large man.”

Thank you, Jillian for spending time with us. Now we’d like to chat with Susan.

 What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? “I watched all the old movies when I was a child. I mean movies on television which were in black and white.  I learned about the various sword fights from those, I guess.  My love of a knight, also.”

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? “My interest in anthropological artifacts.  My husband and I would go through abandoned dump sites and collect old bottles.  Interesting to know what people used and bought hundreds of years ago. I don’t have the patience to do actual dig-site work, but I take advantage of other’s work in museums.”

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? “Like most writers, too many.  And every day the list grows. I read mostly historical and read about 10 a month.”

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? “Texas Ranger and the Professor was most recently released.  A Regency Christmas Anthology will be released on November 4^th followed by Three Sisters on November 16^th and Blind Faith on December 9^th. I already have two shorter stories ready for 2021 plus a full novel, so far.

 Susan brought an excerpt for us:

          On the ride back to the fortress, Gawain had not turned around, knowing what the young woman looked like up in the saddle. Her legs splayed to both sides of the animal covered with the tight knit hose most men wore while riding through woods, the chainmail covering her more interesting attributes. The short length of dark blond hair emphasized her chin and jaw line which spelt beauty to his eyes. Her mouth, though most often held in a mutinous frown, appeared kissable.

          In fact, Gawain wanted to kiss it into a soft poutiness, make those green eyes spark with desire not hatred. Even though he may have to sleep with one eye open to prevent the little vixen from piercing him with his own dagger in the night, he would think the experience of bedding her well worth the danger. He knew a smile settled on his features as he imagined her squirming under him once they were in his bed. Such thoughts had made for an uncomfortable ride home.

 To purchase Rescued by a Highlander, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Rescued-Highlander-Susan-Payne/dp/1509233113

To learn more about Susan Payne and the stories she creates, go to:

Website:  http://www.authorsusanpayne.com

 URL:  http://www.amazon.Susan-Payne

 Tweet:  @SUSANREID460

 Email:  authorspayne@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan Leigh Furlong and Steadfast Will I Be

 Wild Women Authors welcomes Susan Leigh Furlong and Steadfast Will I Be, a June 2019 historical release by The Wild Rose Press.

A bit about our feature novel:

As long as she lives, Suannoch will carry half of the shilling she and Robin split when they pledged their devotion to each other. Even after an unwanted betrothal is forced on her, their unwavering love is stronger than anything trying to keep them apart. After Robin’s arrest, Suannoch vows to rescue him, or bring his body back, because where they have chosen, steadfast will they be.

Please tell us a bit about yourself, Suannoch. “First, ye will have to excuse my Scottish accent sprinkled with Gaelic. I dinna (don’t) ken (know) any other way to talk. I was born along the side of the road in the Scottish Highlands to my màthair (mother), Thalassa, as she fled a dangerous stalker. The two of us, rescued by Laird Bretane of Makgullane, lived quietly on the estate, but my mother, a gifted healer was also clear-eyed (a fortune teller), and often shunned by people who feared she could be a clootie (a devil). I grew up lonely until I met Robin, another of Bretane’s adopted strays. I kenned(knew) right away I was in love with Robin, but it took him a bit longer to figure out that he felt the same way about me.”

Tell us a little about Robin. “Robin was born on the English side of the border and was adopted by Bretane after his deranged athair (father) murdered his entire family. Bretane found him sitting in the rain, cold and hungry, by the side of the road when he was fourteen and brought him home to Makgullane. Because he was English, others on the estate often rejected him, which made us soul mates. We split a shilling, each of us taking half, first in friendship and later in love, and pledged our love over the first verse of a Findern poem. “Where I have chosen, steadfast will I be, never to repent in will, thought or deed.”

What kind of a man was Robin? “Robin was tall, dark-haired, very braw (handsome), and strong from years of work on the estate. He had a steady, fair-minded personality, and eventually he became the reeve and manager of Makgullane. All the men respected him, and all the women wanted to sleep with him. I was especially jealous of Glyniss who was bold about what she wanted. Robin refused to give up his English accent, just to spite the ones who had tormented him as a lad.”

When did Robin realize he was in love with you? “Robin appreciated my strong, independent spirit. It’s what made us such great friends, but when I was twenty-two, and Robin still had not spoken for me, I was forced to accept an unwanted betrothal. Robin’s true feelings came to the surface when he realized I would be gone from his life after I married. That was when we renewed our pledge to each other in love.”

We understand life was not always easy in Scotland in the 1500’s. “Thieves and robbers, called reivers, ran unchecked along the border, amassing enormous amounts of money, power, and riches while murdering anyone who got in their way. A smaller band of these outlaws, led by a man with a red stain on his face named Keenan, terrorized Makgullane and neighboring estates. When Robin defied Keenan, they beat him nearly to death. Thinking they had killed him, they attacked Makgullane. Now recovered, Robin and I fought side-by-side to defend our home and save our own lives. During the fight, Robin killed five of them and was later arrested for murder.”

Wasn’t this self-defense? “This happened during the reign of King James V who had been held prisoner by his step-father from the age of seventeen months until age sixteen years when he escaped and attempted to take back his throne. One of his objectives was to gain control of these reivers who acted with impunity, the most powerful of them being Johnnie Armstrong. As part of his campaign to establish his authority, young King James declared that all killings would be considered murder and the perpetrator hanged, so that the reivers couldna (could not) say they acted in self-defense. Robin was arrested on the false testimony of two survivors of Keenan’s gang and taken away to be hanged.”

What did you do then? “With two young lads from the estate, Hugh and Fergus, whom Robin had befriended, we followed the jail wagon for three days to plead with King James for Robin’s release. The young king couldna (could not) release Robin without losing face, so he ordered everyone in the kirkyard (church yard) hanged. This included Robin, Johnnie Armstrong, and twenty-four of his men, all sentenced to hang  without a trial, and ordered buried in a mass grave. The lads and I went home alone, grief-stricken.”

Suannoch, if you could change something in your life what would it be? “I wouldna (would not) change a thing. I loved living at Makgullane, and I wouldna (would not) leave my mother for anything. She taught me to be strong in mind and body, how to defend myself, and how to speak up for what was right. Bretane was like an athair (father) to me. Of course, I wouldna (would not) have missed kenning (knowing) and loving Robin.

Now it’s time for Susan to answer questions.

What influenced you to become a writer of historical romance? “I have always been fascinated by how people lived years ago. They were so busy living their lives, they didn’t know they were living history. If I could have dinner with someone from the past, I would choose an ordinary person, such as a pioneer woman who rode on a wagon train to California, or a runaway slave prior to the Civil War, or the butler for King Henry VIII.  The past must be escapism for me.”

Do your books require a lot of research? “Yes, they do. I love to do the research even though old books and records make me sneeze. People who come to the museum always know if I am working there! I try to be as accurate as I can and build my fictional story around actual events. Steadfast Will I Be is created around the reign of James V. Years ago I read something about James V being held prisoner by his step-father, and it sparked an idea in me that I let percolate until Suannoch and Robin came to life in my mind.”

What things in your real life do you bring to your writing? “Every character I create has a loving support system, be it a biological family or a created one. I may not intentionally set out to build such a family, but one always seems to factor itself in. In Steadfast Will I Be, Bretane adopts Robin, and Robin in turn takes an orphan named Hugh and a fatherless lad called Fergus under his wing. Robin and Suannoch eventually adopt both of them.”

What books are in your TBR pile? “Right now I have twelve books waiting on my Kindle – That’s nothing compared to my sister who has fifty – It must be a family trait! When I see a book online that looks interesting, I download it, and it gets in line. I read in all sorts of genres, but historical books speak to me the loudest. I often choose first books by new authors because I enjoy seeing what others write about. I also have the last two books of the twelve book Poldark series to finish.”

Tell us about your publisher. “A freelance editor recommended I send Steadfast Will I Be to The Wild Rose Press, and it was accepted right away. My editor is Eilidh MacKenzie, who specializes in Scottish novels, and she has been a godsend for getting the accents correct. She encourages me and does an excellent job of getting my book ready for official publication. I also like the support Wild Rose gives in answering any and all questions, no matter how trivial, in offering workshops on a variety of topics, and putting out a quality book.”

Anything on the horizon? “My second book, By Promise Made, due for release on September 23, features a grown up Hugh, the orphaned child from Steadfast. The historical setting of By Promise Made is when four-year-old Queen Mary of Scotland is betrothed to the nine-year-old king of England. That leads to a losing war, so the Scottish government betroths her to the five-year-old Dauphin of France. I inserted Hugh and Katherine, the queen’s royal guardian, into that true story. All this true history falls under the category of ‘You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!’ ”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Texas Ranger and the Professor

                             Happenstance drew them together – love kept them there.

Wild Women Authors welcomes author Susan Payne who celebrates the recent release of The Texas Ranger and the Professor out of the Wild Rose Press. With Susan is Jessie Reeves, PhD, who will go first.

Good morning, Dr. Reeves. Let’s start with a little about your background, starting with where you’re from. “I take pride in the fact I was born in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  My parents were trying to make it back to American shores before I arrived but didn’t quite make it.  I call the world my home and it’s how I found Ranger Edwards.”

What did you think the first time you saw Benjamin Edwards? “I wasn’t very impressed because he seemed to view me as a primping female who should be sitting in the shade and fanning myself, drinking iced tea or something.  He irritated me to no end.”   

What was your second thought? “That I was going to spend the next

Several weeks arguing with him to let me do my job. I had to admit he

was attractive – I mean, he is very attractive. I even find his hoarse sort

of voice attractive.”

Was it love at first sight? “Heavens, no.  I was there to do a job – not find a man.  I don’t have time in my life for a man let alone a husband.”

Now that you know him better, what do you like most about Benjamin? “That he is extremely dedicated.  He took on the Ranger position in respect to his father, but he always wanted to be in law.  He has a good mind for politics and the law.

How would you describe him? “Not a typical Ranger.  He is very well educated, strong family ties, and wants to help the Native American tribes.  Perhaps because his mother had been held captive for years or that he has a half-Comanche brother from that captivity.  It is a very strong family even if they do sometimes find themselves on the opposite sides of a matter.

How would Benjamin describe you? “I’m sure pig-headed would be right up there along with tenacious.  I feel I need to do what I’m doing.  I need to study these various peoples and their way of life before it is gone from us completely. As a nation we haven’t done a very good job of saving animals or tribes for the future.  We want everyone to fall into these tight little categories.  We try to force them to follow our guidelines or perish.  It isn’t good.  There should be room for everyone.”

What made you choose anthropology for a profession? “My parents raised me among various tribes and I learned from them that each had good and bad methods of living.  That doesn’t mean that the white men from Europe have the best way or any others are poor.  We need to meld ourselves just as Americans meld with other countries customs and politics.”

What is your biggest fear? “That the majority will wipe out the minorities without taking into consideration all the good they may be obliterating.  We need to accept people for who they are.”

How do you relax? “I talk with my family.  By that I mean my husband’s parents and his brother, Morgan, and my sister-in-law, Mourning Dove. Of course, spending quiet time with Benjamin and our son.”

Who is your favorite fictional character? “I’m afraid I don’t read much fiction.  I’ve been too busy reading books and journals in my field.”

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “Never give up hope of being rescued.  That the Rangers would keep hunting for me and take me home.”

 Thank you, Dr. Reeves. Now, we’d like to spend some time with Susan.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? “So many since I’ve read everything I could lay my hands on since I was eight years old or so.  Many of them were above my comprehension level but I remember them.  Pearl S Buck was one author I remember clearly.”

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? “My interest in anthropology when I was younger.  I wanted to travel and see how the everyday people live.  When I’m in a foreign country, I go to their stores and compare food prices or what a pair of shoes cost.  You’d be surprised at the differences even in a country such as England.”

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? “I use Wild Rose Press to self-publish a series of 8 stories and then submitted a few to them which they contracted.  It’s been great working with them.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? “Like my characters, too many.  And every day the list grows. I read mostly historical and read about 10 a month.”

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? “Rescued by a Highlander is recently released.  A Regency Christmas Anthology will be released on November 4^th followed by Three Sisters on November 16^th and Blind Faith on December 9^th.

 Susan brought along an excerpt from The Texas Ranger and the Professor for us:

      “Benjamin, Benjamin, please stay with me. Don’t die. We are both going to be all right, don’t leave me.” But the man who stood so stoically for so long didn’t have the strength to open his eyes to acknowledge if he heard her.

A young Ranger came and kneeled down beside her and Edwards. “Is the Captain dead? Did we get here too late?”

He cut her bindings as she spoke. “He’s still breathing, but I don’t know for how much longer. He has multiple injuries and some broken bones as well, probably cracked ribs. Can you take us back to our campsite if I tell you the way?” She tried to find enough material in Edwards’ discarded shirt to cover the bleeding wounds.

“We came past your tent a couple of hours ago. We’ve been following this band of Comanche for the past two days. They got careless after capturing you and left a clean trail right to this camp although Captain Edwards might have had something to do with that. A lot of plants were bent over. Usually the Comanche are careful to have their horses do less damage.”

“They were very excited to have captured us. I think they wanted to kill Ranger Edwards right from the start, but waited till we got here so they could show off for the others. Just the five who were in that raiding party got a chance to do this to him.”

 To purchase The Texas Ranger and the Professor, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Ranger-Professor-Susan-Payne/dp/1509232958

 To learn more about Susan Payne and the stories she creates, go to:

 Website:  http://www.authorsusanpayne.com

URL:  http://www.amazon.Susan-Payne

Tweet:  @SUSANREID460

Email:  authorspayne@gmail.com

 

 

Meet Annabelle Crouse and Colleen L. Donnelly

 . . . My story has been whispered behind doors and hands, always by others. This time it’s Mine to Tell. . .

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back Colleen L. Donnelly and Mine to Tell, a 2013 mainstream historical release out of the Wild Rose Press. Up first is journalist Annabelle Crouse.

Good morning, Ms. Crouse. Tell us a bit about yourself, starting with where you’re from. A rural area outside of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tell us a bit about Mine to Tell. Annabelle Crouse is determined to reopen her great-grandmother’s boarded up house—and her shunned life. Many years earlier, after an unexplained absence, Julianne was relegated to a separate home by a rigidly unforgiving husband, and the Crouse women have suffered the disgrace of her assumed guilt ever since.

     Despite her family’s strong disapproval, Annabelle is driven to pursue her mission through cobwebs and dust, finding the clues and the coded story left behind by her great-grandmother—Why did she go? And why did she return? Annabelle has to know.

Only one person, a man she grew up with but never noticed, stands with Annabelle as she discovers the parallels between her story and her great-grandmother’s—two women, generations apart, experiencing what love truly is.

What did you think the first time you saw Trevor? I saw the perfect hero because I saw what wasn’t there. I took his handsome exterior and transposed it to every part of him, imagining a prince inside and out, one who would stand guard for me and slay the dragons of my past. Instead he shied back, and the farther he went, the more he began to resemble the dragon that slew my great-grandmother.   

     Long after she, Julianne Crouse, was gone, I found and read her story. She had a real hero named John. He truly did wear princely armor, and every choice he made, he made with her in mind…no matter how painful.

What were your second thoughts about Trevor? Things went from bad to worse. My hero became a stranger at my side, never entering my lonely places within where I needed him. He sidled closer to my family instead, agreed with their suspicions of my great-grandmother and that I was just like her—a woman who would forfeit a good man for another. My great-grandfather Isaac first breathed that fiery shame on Julianne and consequently all the women in our family when he accused her of adultery.

What were Julianne’s second thoughts about John? To love the man who loved her. To love him when he came for her, cry for him when her family sent him away, and hold on to what she could of him when her family married her off to the old widower down the road as settlement for a debt.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? I did. My feet didn’t touch the ground until Trevor and I became engaged. But before that, close was never close enough.

     And as for Julianne, most definitely. She wrote of her childhood when she first met John and his quiet attentiveness that won her heart and trust.

What do you like most about him? The Trevor who broke me became broken himself. The Trevor who acted like Isaac in the way he treated me, put his own shattered pieces back together into someone who resembled John. Julianne liked the solid, quiet love of John that let go, yet never did.

How would you describe Trevor? His hair and eyes were dark, his frame tall and slender, his attitude often boyish and always with a grin. The boy disappeared in the new Trevor. He grew into a man who could be someone’s prince. Julianne first described John as kind, patient, and wise as a boy. Then as marvelous, noble, strong, and sensible as a man.

How would he describe you? Initially, Trevor would have described me as the fun girl who would someday become the perfect wife. He made the same mistake I did at first—he saw me as he wanted me to be. Now he sees that girl as a woman in her own right. John described Julianne as a whole person he wouldn’t shatter. He fed the parts of her that craved the arts, recognized her hunger for more of life and satisfied it. He would describe her as unchanging with age, for he saw her through the same heart all his years.

What made you choose journalism for a career? It was in my blood. And it’s in the title of this book “Mine to Tell” meaning the story in all of us. I inherited not only the desire for whole relationships from my great-grandmother, but also the compulsion to bring them to life with words.

What is your biggest fear? What my family feared. They became immobilized by fear of shame. I won’t turn back to that.

How do you relax? The outdoors. My great-grandmother’s house is surrounded by fields and small woods. That’s where I go to be alone with my thoughts.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Hester Thrale, a vivacious woman corralled in a stilted marriage in “Dr. Johnson’s Dear Mistress” by Winifred Carter. My goodness! That’s what happened to my great-grandmother! Me, too, if I hadn’t dared to break the pattern. Hester not only survived, but thrived.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Expect nothing. I know that sounds odd because we are to expect and live full lives. But when expectations become demands, especially on others for that life we want, it’s time to set them and ourselves free. Hope all things, believe all things, but don’t demand anything.

Thank you. Annabelle for taking time away from your busy day to speak with us. Now it’s time to chat with Colleen.  

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? “The Help” impacted “Mine to Tell” more than any other. I saw that movie and read the book just as the desire to write something special was germinating inside. The voice of “The Help” gave that desire legs, and before I knew it, “Mine to Tell” was born.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Adultery. Though I had to face the brutality of it full on, I gave the subject a glancing blow in “Mine to Tell.” I looked at betrayal from several angles—family rejection, fear of unfaithfulness, emotional vs physical betrayal—then showed the long range impacts and the narrow road to healing.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I first encountered The Wild Rose Press at a writers’ conference. The audience seemed favorably familiar with them, and as I listened to their presentation I could see why. However at that time, romance was the only genre they published. I promised myself if they ever opened their doors to other genres, I’d bolt through it. They did; just as I finished “Mine to Tell.” So I fired it off to them immediately, and it was accepted equally immediately. They have since published every book I’ve written.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? That might be easier explained by author rather than title. Though I have a stack of books in line, my eye is open to Laura Strickland and Louise Penny books in particular.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? As I finished edits on my most recent release, “Letters and Lies,” I knew at least one of the other characters in that book had stories to tell. So I’m at work on the tale of the homesteader who jilted my “Letters and Lies” heroine, turning a man who looked like a failure into a hero.

Colleen brought along an excerpt from Mine to Tell

“Mine to tell,” Kyle said suddenly. It was a jolt. I was yanked from my mental tumble into a pit of unredemption. Alex looked up too, a quizzical expression on his face. “Julianne left a story behind,” Kyle continued. “Some of it speculation and rumors by people who don’t know, and the rest of it by her own hand. It was a love story. One that was countered with suffering.”

We were all quiet. I looked at him, my heart melting as I heard his masculine voice speak of love and suffering. I wanted to lean across the table and hug him, but I was too afraid.

Alex leaned back in his chair. “What my father went through didn’t feel like love when we were little.”

“But maybe it was,” Kyle persisted, his tone smooth and even. “Does love always turn out the way we want it to?” Then he looked at me. “Julianne Crouse was a fine woman. We haven’t finished her story, but she suffered, and she was fine indeed.”

Tears came to my eyes. “Thank you,” I squeaked. Kyle stood and walked around the table to me. He helped me stand as he thanked them for their time. He retrieved Julianne’s picture, took my hand, and together we went to the door, Alex and his wife following us.

“I hope you’re right,” Alex said, running his hand through his thin, brittle hair as we stepped outside. “My father had some things to come to terms with, but he was a good man. A better man later in life, when he told us he was sorry. I never knew for what.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

More on Sensory Processing Disorder by Marilyn Barr

 What is a sensory diet and why would a therapist need to build one for someone with sensory processing disorder (SPD)? 

           Happy Sensory Processing Awareness month!  I am honored to share my experiences with sensory processing disorder (SPD) on behalf of the main character, Alison, in my debut novel “Bear with Me”.  We have the same SPD induced behaviors where some of our senses cause us to over-react while others are under-reactive.  While SPD is not recognized as a stand-alone diagnosis by insurance companies, the medical community recognizes it as a disorder not only in the general population but also as common comorbidity to autism spectrum disorder.  Some of the best interventions for the seeking or avoidance behaviors associated with SPD is a sensory diet.

          A sensory diet is not just about eating.  It is a schedule of activity choices to satisfy neurological impulses and regulate the senses.  Sensory diets are a highlight of blogs, instructional videos, and interactive modules all over the internet.  I would highly recommend a licensed therapist, physical or occupational, in the assessment and creation of a sensory diet.  While you know your body (or your child’s body), the therapist will have had training on the specific equipment which can give you the best result and avoid injury.  Just like anyone can download an aerobics video, it doesn’t replace the teaching of a personal trainer.  It is the goal of the SPD community to normalize the creation of sensory diets and to standardize the diagnosis of SPD so insurance will uniformly cover physical and occupational therapy in addition to what is offered in some schools.

          A key component of any sensory diet is the balance of stimulation and quiet space.  This is where the utilization of sensory rooms is crucial.  Being able to take my son to a silent space at a hockey game when the constant blinking lights overstimulated him, gave my family the ability to enjoy the end of the game.  Sometimes under-stimulation is just as damaging as overstimulation when it comes to inappropriate behavior.  When I require vestibular input, I can’t sit still.  I twirl the rings on my fingers, bracelets on my wrists, and kick my feet from my chair. 

Having a sensory swing instead of living room furniture, allows vestibular input to be in my diet several times per day.  I also manage my proprioceptive seeking behaviors with heavy work to balance the times of sitting still.  Extreme gardening and weightlifting are part of my daily routine with duration based on my sensory needs.  When I taught high school, I kept dumbbells in the office behind my classroom to lift between classes on test days.  In “Bear with Me”, Alison explains how she chose her college based on the number of hours she would be allowed to work in their greenhouse.  As an adult, she chose to teach at a garden center to have constant opportunities for movement, heavy work, and escaping fluorescent lighting.

          There are other less extreme components to a sensory diet as well.  Wilbarger brushing is a specific procedure where dry-brushing the skin enhances the sensitivity of the skin over time to increase natural proprioceptive input.  New research into the benefits of aromatherapy is making plant-based scents a part of a sensory diet.  I use scented candles to focus on my narrator in each chapter with an assigned candle scent.  Other adults with SPD will carry slime, playdough, or stress-putty to receive input unobtrusively.  My son requires increased auditory input, so we have instrumental music or therapeutic drumming playing in our house every waking hour. 

With thirty-five different combinations of over-responsive, under-responsive, and seeking requirements, the list of activity options on a sensory diet is vast.  A qualified therapist can help with designing a plan as unique as the individual who uses it.  Some activities require specialized equipment while others are small lifestyle changes but the magnitude of having accommodations is greater than the cost.  Hopefully, someday in the near future, everyone with SPD will have access to the therapists needed to create the best sensory diet for them.