*** FREE E-Book - Magnolia Tree ***

This is a story of family dynamics and secrets, with kidnapping, murder, and redemption. Sydney Grey must rely on her instincts to solve the mystery of her past and that of her mother’s disappearance twenty years previous.

THEY SAY YOU CAN NEVER GO HOME AGAIN, BUT IT SEEMS THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT SYDNEY GREY MUST DO TO FIND RESOLUTION.

Available FREE until January 12th. Get your copy here.

SHOULD WRITER'S HAVE A 'BRAND'?

Last month my publisher, Fountain Blue Publishing put on a one-day writers' workshop online. Whenever I participate in these workshops, I always learn something new about writing and marketing. One of the topics we covered that day was 'Branding'. 

This is a term I am well familiar with, having worked in municipal government. We had a series of meetings regarding the branding of our village to not only increase tourism, but to attract people to move to our small town.

Branding is used for businesses as well to market their products.

But for writers?

What I learned from my workshop was that when I market my books, I'm not only selling products (my books), I'm also selling myself. Therefore, I need a brand. Something my readers will come to recognize as me. Something that says I follow this author and let's see what new books she has released.

The Georgia Series books have a recurring character in them--a raven called Feathers. He plays a role in the lives of my characters. In section breaks in the books, my publisher uses the raven to separate them. The Raven is important to indigenous people and to my story. He represents intelligence, is a creator and a healer. All of these qualities are found in my heroine, Georgia Charles. These are the qualities of an empowered woman.

A lot of thought and playing around in Print Shop went into the creation of a raven as my logo. Today, I have released the final logo that represents my books and my brand. Visually, I love that the Raven is looking through a portal from the mortal world into the spiritual realm. This logo says all I want it to say and I am proud to embrace it as my brand. 

Please feel free to leave your comments.

Keep on keep on writing!

Visit me HERE on my Facebook Author Page.

WINTER'S CAPTIVE EXCERPT

Happy Friday, everyone.

Here we are on the eve of our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and I believe it's a holiday weekend in the States as well. I thought I would leave you with an excerpt of Winter's Captive to introduce the story to you, just in case anyone is looking for a good read over the holiday.

***

     Bobby and Gary were yelling at each other, probably about me. I knew it would be Gary who would come. And if he caught me, I wouldn’t make it back with him.

     Pounding feet sounded behind me. I glanced over my shoulder, almost tripping, but saw no one. My lungs gasped for air. Gary gained ground, the sounds of his obscenities getting closer. Get off the trail, now. My eyes searched for a place to hide. The pathway rose up a small incline. I flew over the top and down the other side, where the path veered off to the right. To the left, an old game trail barely visible meandered through the trees.

     I slowed and glanced around me. The near darkness provided deep shadows in the trees. A tangle of fallen trees and branches on my left looked like a good spot to hide in. Branches scratched my face and caught in my hair as I pulled myself over the decaying trunks. I tumbled face first into a hollow under a log, filling my mouth with dirt and leaves. The smell of musty, rotting debris turned my stomach.

***

Winter's Captive is available in paperback and e-book format. Here the links:

Amazon

Smashwords

Fountain Blue Publishing

Wishing everyone a great holiday weekend!

WINTER'S CAPTIVE, Book 1 of the Gerogia Series - NOW RELEASED!

On Friday, October 3rd, my book was released through Fountain Blue Publishing of Los Angeles. I held my first ever Release Party, and it was a success. Lots of people came and prizes were handed out. It was a little exhausting, moving back and forth between additional added posts to make sure I didn't miss any comments left by my guests. But I enjoyed the process immensely.

I'd like to thank all my guests for coming. I hope I didn't miss acknowledging anyone.  Know that I will reciprocate-just ask.

A little about the second release of Winter's Captive. My new editor and I had an extensive chat about Book 1, once he provided me with a Creative Edit Report. Because the story for all books in the series takes place in part in the north western area of British Columbia, which is Tahltan Indigenous Lands, we chose to change the character of Kaela, the angel to Kaela the native spirit, and her indeginous name Nonnock. It made sense since their is more native spirituality in Chasing Georgia, Book 2, to be released soon.

I added about 10,000 more words to the story, which includes more angst for Georgia at the cabin and more history of the Tahltan people.

I'm very excited at the re-release of this book and hope you all enjoy the new book.

Here are the links for purchasing in paperback or e-book format:

Amazon.com 

Amazon.ca

Smashwords

Fountain Blue Publishing

To all my writer friends, never give up the dream, keep on keeping on writing.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!

January 01, 2014

One year later, another year young. 

2013 was quite a year, full of many changes and decisions.  First off, I retired August 1st and I haven't looked back. Secondly, we sold our home, but are here for the winter at least before we set out on a new adventure on Vancouver Island. 

We love the ranchlands and the spirited people of the Cariboo and it will be hard to leave. However, we will have lots of great memories to take with us and facebook to keep us in touch. I'm looking forward to breaking new ground, making new friends and finding new fuel for future books.

My retirement gave me time to finish my sequel, Chasing Georgia. Yes...I said finish. I'm in the editing and rewrite stage and will be finished this month. I will keep you updated on the publishing date.

As for family, my dear mother at 91 years of age is still going strong. Although her Alzheimers is becoming more apparent, she still knows us all which is a blessing. One of my sisters had a major health crisis this year but is recovering and growing stronger each day. Two of my grandchildren are out of school, a fact I find so hard to believe.

Life is good and I try to live a day at a time, cherishing the fact that I am so lucky to live in a free society, in a country free from war, in a province full of natural beauty, in a home I can call my own with all the comforts and necessities I need.

My resolutions for 2014 include living a healthy lifestyle foremost, publishing my sequel, and writing book number three. 

My wish for everyone out there is for health, laughter, and love.

My challenge to all my writer friends, today is day one of a 365 page book. One page a day is all you need to write to complete that novel this year. 

Keep on keeping on writing!

Visit me HERE on facebook and "like" me!