Departing the nest...

It's been such great fun chirping and chattering with all of you! You've been wonderful company.

However, I've decided it's time to depart the nest. I need to focus more on writing and less on "extra" things that take me away from that. So, I'm winging my way to new adventures. Perhaps someday I'll return to this nest. Perhaps not. Whatever God wills.

Keep chirping your joy of the Lord. Keep chattering in love to one another. Keep loving God and each other.

God bless you all!

Guest Author: Boo Riley (aka Dave Arp)

Dave Arp (aka Boo Riley) in Alaska

Welcome to Chirp 'N Chatter, Boo! (Love the moniker!) Also love the photo...but it sure looks cold. Brrr! 

Congratulations on the release of ME AND JAKE. It sounds like an interesting, touching story with bursts of fun lying in wait here and there. Let's chat a little, shall we?

I'm always curious about the story behind the story. What inspired you to write Me and Jake?

Actually, Jake did, a Black and Tan Coonhound, he and the little boy, now a man, who called Jake his friend. I met Anthony Turner on a drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana in 2004. He told me about the childhood he and his brother lived and escaped from, and I decided to document it, as it happened. I soon discovered that no one wants to read about a man abusing his children. I rewrote it in a present/past/present/past format so readers could see the redemption from the beginning—with the same result, no takers. Me and Jake is the fiction tale, a hint at abuse and survival that never seems to get told. It took me fourteen years to finally sell just a small portion of my friend’s story.

Persistence pays off yet again! Perhaps it'll take hold and readers will be raring for more of Jake and his friends. Speaking of readers...what book are you currently reading?

Presently I’m reading two books: the Bible (for the nth time) and Josephus The Complete Works by Flavius Josephus and translated by William Whiston A.M. I’m four months into what I can only call a side-by-side comparison of Biblical History. Josephus’s works is twenty-seven hundred pages. I’m on page five hundred eighty. It’s a journey.

A journey indeed...both of your current reading choices! Do you usually insert a spiritual theme into your books? If so, do you have a favorite?

I do insert a spiritual theme, but not always as per a set plan or outline. I’m a by-the-seat-of-my-britches writer who likes to wait until my characters stop to ask for directions before I decide which way they’re going to go. I can’t say that I have a favorite theme. Though, the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers is special to me. Me and Jake leans that direction.

I hear you. I write by the seat of my pants too, most of the time -- although I'm learning that it's necessary to at least lay out a simple plot, because those editors just think they need to know what a book's about before they'll buy it. Imagine that! :) 

Joseph's story is one of the most beloved, most inspiring stories in the Bible. I love it too. 

Thank you for stopping by to chat for a moment, Boo. Best of luck to you and Jake!

  

About Me and Jake:

Ty told his twin brother, Cameron, that he felt like something was going to happen to change their lives. Little did he know how prophetic that statement would be, or how soon it would come to pass. What seems like a series of coincidences are anything but, and what’s more amazing, Ty’s coon dog, Jake, might not be a dog at all.

Ohhh...that pulls at the whiskers of curiosity, doesn't it? If Jake isn't a dog, what might he be? I know what I'm thinking...what about you?

Grab your copy of Me and Jake and journey along with the
uhm..dog?...and his friends.

Fall in Love: Five Sweet Tales of Autumn Romance

Look what's available for pre-order...with release on Aug. 8th!

FALL IN LOVE: FIVE SWEET TALES OF AUTUMN ROMANCE

is a collection of FIVE romance novellas, by FIVE award-winning authors. Each heartwarming story takes place during the beautiful autumn season. You're guaranteed to find something that makes your heart "go pitty-patter." And what a way to anticipate the fall...cooler temps, gorgeous colors, and love in the air!

Here's a blurb from each of the five stories:

BE SWEPT AWAY IN FIVE HEARTWARMING ROMANCES WITH AN AUTUMN FLAIR...

CAPTIVE AT SEA

by Mary Manners

Claire Mulvaney’s benevolent spirit has her biting off more than she can chew when she spearheads a charity fishing event to raise funds for Winding Ridge’s overcrowded animal shelter and is forced to call on fishing expert Sean Maguire.

Sean blames himself for his brother’s death. He spends his days in mourning and when Claire turns to him for help, he chases her off with gruff words meant to fortify his distance from the pain that has taken hold of his soul. But the enchanting woman with emerald eyes captivates, and Sean soon finds himself drawn to her warm-hearted enthusiasm. 

NEVER THE TWAIN

by Delia Latham

Hollywood agent Cass Townsend makes a more-than-satisfactory living helping talented “wannabe” actors become stars.

Thanks to a younger brother who made it big in Hollywood and then estranged himself from his family, rugged Texas horse rancher Ryder Hayes sports oversized chips on both very broad shoulders toward celebrities. He’s not convinced any good at all can come out of Hollywood.

She’s prim and proper to a fault. He’s fun-loving, with a streak of pure mischief. Ryder’s a good man, but not a Christian—not by a Texas mile. Cass can’t remember missing a single Sunday service since childhood. They’re the epitome of polar opposites and never the twain shall meet…or so the saying goes.

FULLY COMMITTED

by Dora Hiers

Receiving a Dear Rand email while serving his country didn’t douse the fire in Rand Tenneson’s heart for his high school sweetheart. Fully committed, nothing quenched that love, not even news that Bryanna married. Back home now, Rand enjoys a busy life, firefighting and clowning around with patients at the children’s hospital. But a chance run-in with his ex-girlfriend, now a widow, rekindles that spark. God put her back in his life for a reason, and he vows to be there for her.

Ten years ago, Bryanna Fenwick shattered two hearts, hers and Rand’s. But the Navy SEAL, deployed across the world, couldn’t rescue her from the real fear she faced at home. She made a choice and lived the lie for a decade. When Rand discovers the truth, she fears she’s hurt the handsome firefighter yet again and destroyed her relationship with her daughter. Can God’s grace overcome such a ginormous lie? Has He brought them back together for a second chance at love or only to reveal the truth?

WITHOUT A SONG

by LoRee Peery

Still reeling from the loss of her husband, young widow Roni Marsden resolves to be strong for her precocious daughter. Invited to stay on the cleansing hills of her friend’s Nebraska ranch, she tries to figure out the next step. Should she leave Norfolk? Could she find work?

Songwriter Dawson Bennett returns home to his brother’s ranch when the production company for his first album goes bust. He searches his heart for new songs he's unable to write. Even as he seeks direction for his career, he attempts to mend the past with his elderly father. 

Back in high school, Dawson had crushed on the lovely Roni when she dated his brother. Those emotions are reawakened when he discovers Roni and her daughter at the ranch. Protective feelings for the child, as well as for a stray pup that arrives on the scene, work together to soften his bitterness. Will these connections enable him to write lyrics that honor God?

AUTUMN LOVES

by Tanya Stowe

Two years after her husband’s tragic death, middle-aged widow Rylie Thornton struggles to raise her three sons while keeping the family business in the black. As the lush colors of her favorite season display, she finds herself struggling. 

Heart surgeon Micah Haden, on a rare break from his demanding profession, finds his sister’s friend a lovely mystery. He’s happy to help Rylie and her boys prepare for an upcoming autumn event. Why can’t she accept his offer with a little more grace? Is there a chance he could become one of Rylie's treasured Autumn Loves?

Pre-order your copy now,

to be delivered to your device on AUGUST 7, 2018!

Happy Reading!

Three Strand Cord by Tracy Krauss

All Good Things Come In Threes

Good things come in threes. Three act plays, primary colours, most fairy tale structures (three pigs, three bears, three mice), the three musketeers, and of course God Himself – Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

In my own childhood, this was certainly the case. I had two ‘best’ friends growing up and we literally spent every day with each other. We talked, we played, we told secrets – it didn’t matter as long as we were together. One friend moved away, but I soon gravitated to another set of ‘best’ friends during my teen years. The three of us were initiated into adulthood as we navigated those tempestuous waters, tasting the ‘forbidden fruit’ and all that other jazz that teens are ‘supposed’ to do. (My shortened version so as not to shock you, dear readers!) Even after we went on to college, we kept in touch. One introduced me to my husband, and these two were bridesmaids at my wedding.

Lasting friendship is one of the themes of my new novel, Three Strand Cord. The three friends, Tempest, Stella, and Cherise, have been through a lot together, but in this story their loyalty is tested to the limits as a simple ‘fib’ leads to a web of deceit that lands one of them in serious trouble.

I’m not sure how many readers will catch the hidden acrostic in the title. Three Strand Cord contains the first letters of each character’s name – Tempest, Stella and Cherise. It wasn’t originally that way.  I had the title down quite early in the project – not something that always happens – but I knew it fit perfectly with the theme of friendship as well as the theme that God is the truest friend anyone can have.  Originally, Stella was named Myriah, but somewhere I had an epiphany that if I changed her name to something with an ‘S’, it would mirror the title. I spent some time scouring baby name books and finally settled on Stella.

There are two more books in the series – Blood Ties and Tempest Tossed. In the end, the real theme of the series is that God is the best friend of all. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. I hope those that read it find encouragement to let Jesus be that kind of friend.

Pre-order

Facebook Event   
(May 25, 4 to 9 pm Pacific time)

Tempest. Stella. Cherise. Fate brought them together, but can their friendship survive the tangled web of danger and deception that threatens their very lives? 

Tempest Ross dreams about moving back to California some day – both the place of her birth and her parents’ tragic death. When she agrees to pretend to be her friend Cherise for an afternoon, a tangled web of lies develops from which she can’t escape. Complicated by the unwelcome advances of Cherise’s playboy brother and her own attraction to a mysterious man, Tempest’s faith in God is tested to the limits.

Stella Crayton has high ideals about saving the planet and plans to start with her father’s ranch. Then she finds out her father has been keeping a dangerous secret. At the same time, her own errant emotions take over as she falls in love with two brothers at the same time. Add to this her best friend’s disappearance, and questions about God set this no-nonsense Texas girl in a tailspin.

Cherise Hillyer just wants to have fun, which in her books means having a good looking man in tow. The typical rich girl, she usually gets what she wants, even if she has to lie to get it. Desperate for her latest flame who has left for Rome, Cherise convinces her friends to cover for her while she takes off after her Italian lover. She doesn’t know she’ll soon become embroiled in an international conspiracy of lies and deceit that will threaten her life.

Three Strand Cord is a story of intrigue and romance told from three different points of view, all coming together to prove that when it comes to true friendship, ‘a three strand cord is not easily broken’.

10 Fun Facts About Tracy Krauss

1. I’ve moved more than 30 times
2. I’ve lived in several locations north of the 60^th parallel
3. I homeschooled for nine years
4. I’m a peanut butter-a-holic
5. I’m also a playwright and my stage plays have been performed across N.A.
6. I was once stampeded by a herd of wild buffalo
7. I’ve been inches away from a polar bear in the wild on more than one occasion (with something like a car window in between, of course!)
8. I’m a Sci-fi nerd and used to be a ‘Trekkie’. (Maybe I still am… )
9. In my ‘spare’ time when not writing, I like to paint
10. I majored in Intaglio printmaking at University (Fine Art Department)

Author Bio

Tracy Krauss is a multi-published novelist, playwright, and artist with several award winning and best selling novels, stage plays, devotionals and children’s books in print. Her work strikes a chord with those looking for thought provoking faith based fiction laced with romance, suspense and humor – no sugar added. She holds a B.Ed from the U of S and has lived in many remote and interesting places in Canada’s far north. She and her husband currently reside in beautiful BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests.  http://tracykrauss.com “Fiction on the edge – without crossing the line”


Tweet it:

Friends since childhood, Tempest, Stella and Cherise have drifted apart – until danger calls THREE STRAND CORD http://bit.ly/2ozJOaU

Don't Miss the Fun, Come With Me to Deadwood!

Looking for Legendary Events?We've got them at 

Wild Deadwood Reads 2018!

Prairie Berry Winery

You are officially invited and welcomed to attend Wild Deadwood Reads Book Signing and Legendary Events in Deadwood, South Dakota. You'll find so many things to do, including fun and adventurous outings planned just for us that weekend. Register right away so you won't miss out on any of the excitement! Everything starts Thursday evening, June 7, with a Meet-and-Greet Cocktail Hour on the patio overlooking Deadwood. Check out the view!

View of Deadwood from the Deadwood Mountain Grand

Wild Deadwood Reads has grown since year one. In June 2017, we had just under 50 authors, and since we've already registered more than 80 authors for 2018, we're projecting we'll double our author roster to around 100 for next June! To accommodate this bigger and more Legendary event, we're taking over the entire, amenity-packed Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel, and we've negotiated a fabulous rate for guest rooms for you from Wednesday through Sunday night, so you can come in early, stay an extra day, or do both!

Our Hotel - the new and upscale Deadwood Mountain Grand

Get ready to jump onto a luxury motorcoach with 54 of your new friends-to-be on Friday morning for an all-inclusive sightseeing tour including three amazing destinations around the Black Hills.

 

Big Thunder Gold Mine

 

Crazy Horse Monument

Saturday morning you'll enjoy a hot, delicious Breakfast With the Authors right in our hotel, in the Deadwood Mountain Grand's Event Center on the second floor above the Non-Smoking casino. At one end of the Event Center we'll relax over a scrumptious hot buffet breakfast, and at the other end are the ready-to-rock tables for the Author Book Signing!

The book signing begins Saturday morning at 10:00 am in the Event Center which is accessible by escalator, elevator, and stairs, and there’s lots of room for us at this lovely venue! We'll even have vendor tables where local small businesses will tempt you with everything from hair pretties to chocolate!

 

Aaron Bunce and his #1 Helper

During the Book Signing, you'll have the chance to win something fabulous at the Basket Raffle, which will support a local non-profit organization. Authors, cover models, sponsors, and vendors are all very busy dreaming up the perfect goodies to place into a basket to catch your attention! Check out the basket examples on our website!

Saturday afternoon, we have The Rodeo! Right in town, it's a gasp-provoking Professional Bull Riders Rodeo with the rankest bulls in the territory. We're lucky to have an exclusive VIP Package, Behind the Chutes, where we'll watch PBR Bullriders and stock contractors show us how they load the bulls into the chutes, and how the cowboys get themselves settled onto the bulls - for at least 8 seconds! We'll enjoy VIP reserved seating for the rodeo, bus transportation both to and from the rodeo grounds, a special dinner after the rodeo at the No. 10 Saloon's upstairs restaurant (in close walking distance of our hotel) featuring an entertaining show created just for us by our Rodeo hosts! Afterward, head downstairs for a live band at the official after-hours hangout for the Bullriders and all the rodeo staff. Get your cameras ready - they love to show off their belt buckles!

 

2017 PBR Deadwood Rodeo

If you're not in a Rodeo mood, we have the perfect event for you! Hosted at a downtown hot spot, Wild Bill Bar in walking distance of our hotel, join authors and readers for Wild Book Readings at Wild Bill Bar - with DESSERT! This sweet event takes us on a trip back in time as we head to their private, upstairs room which has been lovingly refurbished to look like a Victorian theater with bistro seating. A cash bar, an author-sponsored dessert bar of delicacies, and authors reading you their favorite scenes from their own books. Mix, mingle, and indulge! This event will be Legendary.

There's so much to do and see in Deadwood and all around the area, you'll have a must-see list that'll keep you busy all weekend. And we give you plenty of time to explore on your own! Walking the streets of historic downtown Deadwood, you can easily imagine Wild Bill Hickok tipping his hat as he passes you on the sidewalk. Or Calamity Jane causing a ruckus at a noisy saloon. Or Seth Bullock facing down a gunslinger and sending him on his way to Mount Moriah Cemetery, just up the hill from town. And, well, you don't have to imagine any of this. Deadwood stages free shootouts right on Main Street!

Wild Deadwood Reads Reader Registration is only $10 which includes a handy neck wallet and two more wonderful gifts which are listed for you on the website. Besides being the perfect spot for your phone and other essentials, the neck wallet holds your name tag which allows you to sign up for all the great weekend events listed above, some of which are FREE! Check out our website http://wilddeadwoodreads.com/ and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wilddeadwoodreads/ to see everything that you can experience! 

I am thrilled to be going to Deadwood in June, and I want to make sure you don't let this awesome opportunity slip your mind or slide off your calendar. Come with me! Register today and you'll be all set to have one of the best, Wildest, and most Legendary times you'll ever experience!

Here's your invitation...please come!

Hi, all! I've been a little absent of late, and I apologize. The flu doesn't want to let go this year. I've had two recurrences, back to back, and let me tell you -- it's draining and frustrating.

But enough about me. Let's talk about my new book!

I'm sharing an excerpt from Hummingbird Kisses today on Shannon Taylor Vannatter's blog. I hope you'll drop by and say hello. Shannon will be drawing a name from the commenters to win a copy of the collection in which this book was born: COOKING UP KISSES: Five Sweetly Scrumptious Romantic Novellas.

Here's your roadmap to the party. Or copy and paste the link below into your URL field, and you'll be on your way:

http://shannontaylorvannatter.com/delia-latham-romantic-excerpt-part-1-of-1/

Join my street team -- The Messengers!

Do you love to read? Do you enjoy Christian and/or sweet romance? How about angels? Miracles? Second chance and redemption stories? So do I...and those are the things I write about. 

I wonder if you'd be interested in joining my street team, The Messengers? Let's talk about it...

What's a street team? 

An author's street team members help spread the word about upcoming releases and events. When I have a new release coming up, you'll help me get a little buzz going about it by posting memes, tweets, etc., and talking up the book to your reader friends. One of the really important things a street team member does is to write short reviews and post them to various websites where books are sold, reviewed, discussed, or otherwise brought into the eye of the public -- sites like Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, my publisher's website, etc.

What's in it for you?

• You'll get free electronic copies of the book, either shortly before or immediately after it's released. I will, now and then, run some kind of contest in which you might win a signed, print copy, as well.

• You’ll also get free bookmarks, postcards, and from time to time, other swag that I might happen to order.
• You'll have the opportunity to offer feedback on future stories. Sometimes I'll take a Messenger poll about a character's name, the title of a book, what each person would do in a given situation, etc. This is fun!
• When a Messenger goes above and beyond, I might even dedicate a book to that special angel, or mention him/her in the acknowledgements of an upcoming book.
• You’ll have access to a secret Facebook group  where I’ll post news about upcoming releases, and info for you to share on your social media networks. Also, that's where we can chat about books, romance, angels, the ridiculous stuff we see online...whatever comes up, as long as its clean and edifying.
• If you have a Facebook group or blog, and would like to give away one of my eBooks, give me a holler. Chances are, I'll be able to accommodate.

Sound like fun? Want to give it a try? Here's what I'll need from you:

• A commitment to funnel your enthusiasm into sharing my new releases and event information with friends through social media.
• A commitment to post at least (2) two photos of book covers when you receive them.
• A commitment to post a book review on Amazon (fair and honest reviews, of course), within a reasonable time frame of receiving the book. Reviews posted elsewhere are awesome and appreciated, as well.
• A solemn promise NOT to share your free copies of my eBooks. They are meant for you and you alone. I appreciate your dedication to respecting the work I put into writing by not making it free to the general public.

​Still in? Wonderful! Fill out the application and let's get started. 

Naturally there are only so many free books in this world, so not every reader can join. I’ll only be accepting applications for a limited time, and while I appreciate your interest, please understand that requests to join The Messengers are considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Give Me My Wings!