Hope's Watch Release

I'm super happy today.

It's the official launch of Hope's Watch, a Safe Harbors short story, #1.5

Elle Reinhardt loves people and has a gift for turning groups of strangers into friends. When she talks her best friend Lyn into taking a month-long Pacific cruise, Elle is in her element, gathering fellow passengers to her. But things go horribly wrong when a ship excursion ends in death and disaster at the hands of modern-day pirates. 

Filled with her own emotional wounds from the experience, Elle tries desperately to buoy up the grieving loved ones as they wait for news on those lost at sea. Malcolm Armstrong, friend of one of the missing men, arrives to act as family spokesman. Elle knows it’s unreasonable, but she resents his presence. When Mal offers the strength she so desperately needs, will she be able to let go of her animosity and accept his support? 

This ebook-exclusive short story includes special excerpts from both A Change of Plans and Torn Canvas (coming April 2014).

This little offering tells the story of Elle's first days after being kidnapped and during a cruise excursion and then rescued, while the Coast Guard searches for her friend Lyn, who is now lost at sea. It fits nicely between A Change of Plans and Torn Canvas (Jori's tale) which releases in April.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

To celebrate, A Change of Plans is on sale.

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old Colorado high school teacher wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a vacation diversion; what fate provides is Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and its temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. But Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. However, paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped. Lyn’s fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

AMAZON | AUDIBLE | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

And, how cool is this? There's a $50 giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'd like to express special thanks to the awesome Elana Johnson who put this Blog Blitz together. You can check out more about what she offers here.

Cover Reveal--A Change of Plans

I've helped with a lot of cover reveals over the years.
This time, it's mine! *dances a jig*

Following is the trailer with music written and performed (in part) by my youngest son (he's on the guitar) with his band Kinslayer. When they were writing the music, I fell in love with it.

I'd love to have you add A Change of Plans to your Goodreads to-read list if you feel so inclined. It would totally make my day.

The Next Big Thing

Dianne Salerni over at In High Spirits invited me to partake in a little blog hop today--The Next Big Thing. You can stop over at her blog and see what she's got going there.

We're all answering ten question relating to our WIPs. So, here's The Next Best Thing:

What is the working title of your book?

A Change of Plans

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It started as a dream with a guy and girl stranded on an island. There was a treehouse. When I decided to write it, I had to figure out how to get them there and chose a Pacific cruise.

What genre does your book fall under?

Adventure romance, although there are some who call it women's lit.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

You know, my oldest son asked me that same question. I don't even think about this kind of thing.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Really? A one-sentence synopsis of a 92,000 word book? How about a one-line pitch?

Pacific cruise, intriguing guy, and pirates.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

A Change of Plans comes out on June 1, 2013 through Rhemalda Publishing.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Thirty days. I did my own NaNoWriMo, since I'd learned about it too late to participate. Wrote 80,000 words.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'm not much into the comparison thing as it makes me feel presumptuous. It's a story about love and loss and finding out there are different kinds of strength--including some that aren't good for your long-term happiness.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Years ago I started writing my personal history but set it aside. Nearly three years ago I thought it was time to pull it out again, but I decided it might be nice to learn a bit about writing so it wasn't a cure for my descendants' insomnia. I've always had stories running in my mind, but when I was younger I could only do short stories. I had to see if I could write a full-length novel.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

One of the secondary characters wasn't in the first draft. I decided I needed to add another person because of something I wanted to have happen in the book (trying not to spoil here). His character didn't do what I wanted him to do for the book, so I had to consider whether or not to cut him out. 

However, I discovered the little turkey had wheedled his way into my heart. Not only could I not cut him, but I needed to tell his story, too. I'm writing a companion novel with him as the main character. It will be my NaNo project next month. Here's a link to an excerpt where the main character Lyn meets this guy.

All right. You've heard about my book. Now it's time for me to tag five people (yeah, I know there are six names below). They have graciously accepted the tag, and you can click on their links and read about their WIPs--and I encourage you to follow them, too.

Luke Peterson
Rachel Hert
Rachelle Christensen
Kristy Tate
Tamara Heiner
Valerie J. Steimle

Have you read anything good lately?