Crafting Moment from Safe and Sound

With March being National Craft Month, I’m featuring some crafting…and love of handmade items…moments from my novels. In Safe and Sound, Hannah is drawn to venture inside a store that sells handmade goods.

Excerpt:

Hannah tugged open the door and stepped inside. A sense of calm filled her as she allowed the love used to make the items wrap around her. She smiled. She could live in the store. Reaching out, she trailed her fingers through the fringe of a cashmere scarf knitted in a mix of red and gold shades.

“Can I help you?”

Hannah gasped and spun around, pressing her gloved hand to her chest.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” The woman looked her up and down then peered out the window. A frown developed on her wide face. “Are you hiding from someone? Do you think you saw the shooter from this morning? I’ll call the sheriff for you.”

Word sure did get around the small town quick. “A little rattled. Walking by your store, I saw all the lovely things and they called out to my heart. I had to come in and look and touch. I’m calmer already.” Hannah shoved her hands into her pocket. “I promise not to ruin anything.”

The woman smiled. “Don’t you worry none. Just noticed a busybody hovering outside and figured she was bugging you. Please take a look around. I’m Beverly, the owner. Are you looking for anything in particular?”

“The quilts and fabric caught my eye. Nothing says love like a beautiful handmade quilt.”

The woman beamed. “I have some made by a local artisan and a few others I picked up at some quilting shows. The quilts are all on the second floor. There’s a latch at the top of the stair gate, pull it up and it’ll open. Don’t forget to close it.”

Beverly started walking her to the staircase when the front bell jingled. A familiar looking young woman with brown hair stepped inside. The owner rolled her eyes. “Let me go see what Miss One-Thousand-Questions wants this time. Just call down to me if you’d like a closer look at any of the pieces hanging.”

“Thank you.”

Grasping the wooden rail, Hannah went up the stairs. When she reached the top, a gasp once again escaped her. Beauty left her awestruck. Slowly, she walked over to the first queen sized quilt hung on a large wooden hanger and drifted her gloved hand over the intricate hand-stitching on the front of the quilt. A precise line of stitches dipped and swirled over the soft pink and bright green shades of material, the fabric a mix of patterns and solid. A cream border surrounded the quilt.

Using her thumb and index finger, Hannah took hold of the edge of the quilt. She moved it forward on the rack. The next one was black and white with a red border in a contemporary style.

Hannah moved on to the next one. She fell in love. Navy blue and soft silvers complimented the winter scene of a cabin at night. The shimmery fabric used for the stars made the picture life-like. The artist used a silver, cotton fabric to create wisps of smoke coming from the chimney. Hannah could almost hear the fire crackling in the hearth. Smell the comfort of smoke wafting up the chimney.

Soft, almost buttery flannel backed the quilt. Yielding to temptation, Hannah raised a corner of the quilt and rubbed it across her cheek. It felt like home. Love. Safety.

The amount written on the price tag made her sigh. Out of her price point though it was worth every penny being asked. She stroked the fabric one more time and went to a rack with lap and crib-sized quilts. Maybe she’d be able to afford a smaller one. A lap quilt with a Christmas tree appliqué caught her eye. She lifted up the quilt and examined the tiny stitches used to puff out the ornaments. Beautiful.

The bell jingled.

Hannah smiled and gently released the quilt. She knew her husband would come after her.

Blurb:

The hope for a future for the broken begins in Mourning.

Four years ago while deployed, Connor’s new bride lost her way in a blizzard and the mountain claimed her. Grief-stricken and injured, Connor returned home to wrestle with guilt and begin life as a widower. When a woman’s body is uncovered, Connor learns his beloved was murdered…and the murderer has his sights on another woman. Connor’s past and present are pulled apart when the woman claims she’s Hannah.

The murderer who sent Hannah Stratford on the run has tracked her down. Now, the only way to stay alive is for Hannah to prove she didn’t die in a blizzard. Connor offers her safety and protection in his home, but keeps his heart guarded from her. Hannah wants more than to save her life. She wants Connor.

To read more of Hannah and Connor’s story, Safe and Sound can be found at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Christianbook

Desert Breeze

This Spring, the New Beginnings series will be available in print.

SRP Heroine Interview: Gwenn Hilliard from the Phoenix Files Trilogy

1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?

I’m a consultant with the FBI. I joined the FBI to fulfill my husband’s dream. He was killed in a car crash, and never made it to Quantico himself. It was a cathartic goal for me to finally gain my creds for his sake. Of course, after my first assignment in the Phoenix office landed me flat on surveillance duty, I was starting to regret it. We were at Monte Vista Hospital in Phoenix when Sam Montoya finally made it in from his under-cover assignment. I don’t know how it happened, but when he said there were kids in danger, and someone needed to go get them, I was on it. It didn’t seem to matter though, because my next assignment was counterfeiting, and all I had was some fake money, and a new partner I was trying not to fall in love with. I guess the rest is history.

2. What made you decide to take on such a risky endeavor?

I didn’t think about it. I just did it. I was just doing my job. Sam said to get the kids, and nobody else was moving fast enough.

3. Did you ever imagine yourself being involved in fighting crime?

Well, not in my younger days, of course. After working as a head nurse in a ped’s hospital though, I did some crime fighting before joining the FBI. Then after I got through my FBI training, I wondered how in the world I would ever be able to take down a perp. I did it though. That was a long time ago, now.

4. Who would you say is the least pleased about your additional career choice of Special Agent in the FBI?

I think that would be me, myself and I. Like I said, I was trying to keep my husband alive by living his dream. When I actually got through it, and realized I now had a job that I had to keep in order to pay bills, well I was feeling the pressure, and kind of missing my nurse’s job. After all that’s happened though, I’m so glad I did it. I never would have met Ranson. I have had such adventures that I never would have dreamed of, so I guess I would have to say that all things work together for good to them that love God.

5.  What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Oh, I second-guess myself all the time. I never know if the decision I make is going to be the right one. Given enough time, I always change my mind. That’s why the best things I have ever done are on the spur of the moment. I guess my only strength is that I’m faithful at whatever I am doing and I finish the job. I try to think about how others feel, you know?

6. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.

If I would define this ‘self-rescue princess’, It would definitely not be me! I don’t feel that I am either strong, or confident. I get the job done, try to do it right, pray that I made the right decision…and most of the time, hope I don’t ever have to do it again. I guess a strong, confident woman would learn from her mistakes though. My aunt once told me I was my own closest enemy. Can’t run from yourself, you know!

7. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?

I guess it would be just that. You can’t run from yourself, so if you don’t like who you are, then take the steps to change. Trusting the Lord to guide you in the right path, is essential!

8. What was one lesson you learned during this challenging time in your life?

I learned that the Lord really knew who I was, where I was, and how I got there. He had never left me. I left him, but he was waiting on me to call on him. It was so he could help me get rid of my bitterness and pain from the past and move on toward a wonderful future. You see the Lord always has good plans for us, if we just follow his guidance.

9.  If your story or life had a theme song, what would it be?

Love Lifted Me

10. Do you plan on getting back into crime-solving?

 Well,  like I said, I do some consulting, but I don’t think I would ever choose to go back to full time work. Sometimes, I help Ranson with surveillance, but he and I both are just about ready for retirement! We are enjoying our children; watching their lives blossom into adulthood. Time has gone so fast. But who knows? I still have my FBI creds, somewhere, in a box. One of these days, when my grand kids find them, I might have to tell them some stories! If they decide to write about their FBI granny, you might just see me again! 

SRP Heroine Interview: Amy Spears Montoya from Classified (The Phoenix Files Trilogy)

I’d like to welcome Amy to the Self-Rescue Princess and thank her from taking time out of her day to answer a few questions about her job and her recent cases.

1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?

I was labeled, pretty correctly by a friend and colleague, as having an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder; OCPD. This meant I could not leave my home without making sure all small appliances were unplugged, and all light switches had to be touched; not just turned off, but touched. It took a good ten minutes to go through and make sure I was in control of every situation that could arise, real or imagined. As time went on, behavior modification therapy was working on the surface, but failure was not an option. If I felt out of control, I counted it as a failure, and therefore, I had to go through a routine to solve it. It was pretty amazing that I had made it through the Air Force Academy, and I was a Special Agent in the FBI, but the things that hindered me were the same things that drove me to excellence. That was my mantra, excellence. Then I met Sam Montoya. And then, I met Jesus Christ. I found true love and happiness, forgiveness for my sin, and peace in my heart. I realized that while there is something to be said for hard work and achievement, there are times when we are out of control, and no amount of routine or repetition is going to fix it – like the time I was kidnapped by that agent-gone-bad! Thank God I got out of that alive! I’m not in the FBI full time now, but looking back over my life, I would say that being in the FBI was the best time of my life – until now.

2.What made you want your story to be told? 

I don’t think I started out wanting my story to be told. I wanted to keep things the way they were. I was safe in my routine, and although I was striving for more and more achievements to put under my belt, I just wanted to be left alone to do it. It didn’t even start out as my story. My Psych prof in grad school assigned this thesis on Religious Fanaticism, and I got teamed up with Ranson Hilliard. He is the one  who started labeling me, and trying to analyze me. True, I stepped into the middle of his life when he didn’t ask me to, but it was only because I couldn’t see someone wallow in self pity.

3. What lead you to make the changes you did in your life?

Well, I guess Ranson did to a certain extent. Until he gave a name to my ‘excellence chasing’, as I called it before it was known as OCPD, I just wanted to do something more. He was the one who said I should do something different. Then, when Sam joined our team in Phoenix, I fell in love. No man had ever caught my attention like Sam, not even Ranson, though I know at one point, he wanted to give it a shot. I never let on like I knew that though, because I had too much to do, and I just wanted a friend. But Sam, he was different. He was happy. He was joyful. He had something I didn’t have, and I wanted it. It was salvation through Jesus Christ! And that is where my life changed once and for all.

4. In your life, what has empowered you?

You know, sometimes we can thank our parents for who we become as adults, and sometimes we can blame them. It turns out that the thing that made me OCPD, also made me productive. I can’t say that I didn’t have a little of the tendency to start with, as my step-father so sweetly pointed out to that guy he wanted me to date. Just a word of advice…never tell your daughter’s date about embarrassing things she did as a child! But, the point is, that if Jeff had never pushed me to excellence, I would not have gotten to where I was when I met the Lord.  I would say that since then, Sam is my greatest encourager, and the Bible is my strength.

5. What are strengths and weaknesses?

I guess one of my greatest strengths is the ability to think about things, analyze them, and find out what others are missing. I spent a lot of time in the FBI as a data analyst, and I was good at it. I still do some consultations, and I love it. My weakness is the OCPD. When I get shaken in my emotions, I tend to revert back to my old ways. Well…maybe two weaknesses; OCPD and chocolate.

6. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.

I would never classify myself as a self-rescue princess. There were times I thought I was strong, but then I learned that strength all by yourself is not really strength. Learning to depend on other people and trust them; that is what makes you a much stronger person. That is why I would not say self-rescue would be the words to describe me. It’s give and take. Ranson showed me that one day. He challenged me to open up to friendships and relationships. Confidence is built by experience. When you are inexperienced, you cannot be confident. Over-confidence when you are inexperienced is dangerous.

7. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?

Always do your best, but never be afraid to fail. Through mistakes and failures, you learn how to do it better next time. Life is not about who finishes first, so finish well even though it might take a little longer.

8. Favorite quote or Bible verse.

That is easy. It’s the verse that kept going over in my mind when I was running from the Lord. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

9.  If your story had a theme song, what would it be?

Amazing Grace

10. Will you be continuing your journey in written form?

As for now, I don’t have another story to tell. I’m too busy! Those twins keep me hopping from sun-up to sun-down! I know enough to say though, that if there is a story with me in it, I’m not afraid to strive for another happy ending!

11. Is there anyone in your life (friend, family member) who will be sharing their life?

Who knows? Most of the people sharing my life during my transformation had their own transformations at the same time. I think about some of the things I went through, and honestly, it’s scary to think that my children will have to take their own journeys one day. If their stories were ever to be told, it would mean they would have to have an adventure worth telling. It is hard to believe that our twins are almost fourteen now, but their main objective is tormenting their brothers and sister. Oh, you haven’t heard about them have you? Hmm, well maybe there is a story in there…somewhere.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day: Romance Scene from Safe and Sound

In continuing the celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’ll be posting a romance scene books three and four of the New Beginning series today. This excerpt is from the third book in the series, Safe and Sound.

Safe and Sound:

Blurb: The hope for a future for the broken begins in Mourning.

Four years ago while deployed, Connor’s new bride lost her way in a blizzard and the mountain claimed her. Grief-stricken and injured, Connor returned home to wrestle with guilt and begin life as a widower. When a woman’s body is uncovered, Connor learns his beloved was murdered…and the murderer has his sights on another woman. Connor’s past and present are pulled apart when the woman claims she’s Hannah.

The murderer who sent Hannah Stratford on the run has tracked her down. Now, the only way to stay alive is for Hannah to prove she didn’t die in a blizzard. Connor offers her safety and protection in his home, but keeps his heart guarded from her. Hannah wants more than to save her life. She wants Connor.

Excerpt:

Hannah opened the car door, braced her hand on the door handle, and turned her waist. Her legs remained frozen. Sweat coated her hand and her lungs burned. The air remained locked tight.

What was happening? She tried exhaling but the air refused to leave. She heard her small, painful gasps.

“Hannah?” Connor was at her side. “What’s wrong?”

She couldn’t talk. All she managed was looking into his eyes. Tears trickled down her face.

“I should’ve known it was too soon.” Connor cupped her cheeks with his hands and wiped away the tears. “Let’s go back home.”

No. She wanted people seeing her. Knowing her. Remembering her. The more people who knew about her, the safer she’d be. David might kill her but at least her death wouldn’t go undiscovered… like Kitty. Not once had Kitty’s family looked for her. They didn’t miss their daughter.

Then again, neither did her parents. The tears raced down her face.

Without a word, Connor gathered her into his arms and caressed her back and hair. “This is too much. Too soon. They’ll be plenty of days to try again.”

Once again it felt like Hannah couldn’t breathe. This time it was desire causing the turmoil in her lungs. She melted into his embrace, seeking not just comfort but warmth. The heat from his body started her pulse racing. She felt his heart beat against her chest. Hannah wound her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer. Heat raced through her and a deep craving for her husband.

One of Connor’s hands roamed down her back, settling on her hip and the other stroked her cheek.

She lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. His hazel eyes smoldered. He read her desire. Her wish. Even better, the same wish shone in his eyes. Hannah stretched her neck, seeking out his lips.

He lowered his head the last few inches and made her simple dream come true. He kissed her, a tender feathering of his lips on hers. Sensations long buried awoke in her body. She trembled and a yearning filled her.

Hannah gripped the front of Connor’s jacket and kissed him back. Harder. Demanding. She wanted her husband’s touch to overpower the bad memories. Sweet and heated moments from their honeymoon filled her mind. Her body reacted. Moaning, she deepened the kiss.

Connor braced his arms on her shoulders and pushed away, breaking their contact.

A whimper escaped from Hannah. She grabbed Connor and tugged him back, not ready for the end of the kiss. She needed more from her husband.

“Don’t,” Connor said.

The simple word felt like a slap. She recoiled. Hannah dipped her head. Shame rushed through her. What had she been thinking? Throwing herself at a man who wasn’t sure she was his wife?

Connor caught her hand, his thumb on her pulse and used his other hand to tip her chin up. Desire shone in his eyes.

“Some acts shouldn’t have an audience.” Connor sounded out of breath.

Happiness danced through Hannah. He wanted her. She hoped with all her heart those words meant he believed her, not just a physical reaction to a woman’s passionate kiss.

*****

If you’d like to read Hannah and Connor’s story, Safe and Sound is available at:

Amazon

Christianbook

Barnes and Noble

Available in print this spring.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day: Romance Scene from Led Astray

In continuation of my Valentine’s Day celebration, here’s a scene from the second book published in the New Beginnings Series.

Led Astray:

The hope of a future for the broken begins in Mourning.

When a mining company promises jobs in exchange for the mountaintop where the church resides, a battle erupts between the sister-towns of Mourning and Haven, West Virginia.

Skip-tracer Danita Ballinger races to Mourning before the lives of New Beginnings clients “vanished” to the off-the-grid town are jeopardized.

Pastor Riley Coole refuses the mining company offers, and the help of the brazen woman forcing her way into his business and his towns.

The murder of a key player in the tug-of-war over the mountain puts plans of retaliation into motion. Danita and Riley must put aside their private battle to protect the people relying on them for safety. Will seeing each other in a new light put them on a path of acceptance and true love, or create a further divide ripping apart the town and their own hearts?

Excerpt:

Iciness gripped Riley’s insides and twisted them. The pain came so hard and quick, he struggled for breath. Wade Peake hired that person. They knew Riley didn’t have the strength to stop him, but Danita did.

Oh, Lord, what have I done? Riley fell to his knees and clasped his hands together. He’d brought Danita here. He’d put her danger. He placed the well-being of the mountain over the well-being of a woman.

He’d change his mind. Tell them they could take whatever they wanted from the mountain as long as they left the people alone. But of course once he told them, they’d have power over him and the town. What demands would come next?

Once he gave in to this request, Peake wouldn’t stop. Men like him never did. How would he explain to the community, to the residents of Mourning, why he chose the safety of one woman over them? Danita wouldn’t stand back and accept the change of plans. She’d continue to fight and become the advocate for the town of Mourning instead of him.

Lord, how do I keep her safe? No answer came. Riley wasn’t surprised. He wasn’t the type of man people ran to for safety — but Clayton was. Would his brother help him keep Danita safe?

Of course he would. Clayton had already stepped in twice to make sure someone didn’t hurt Danita. Clayton had empathy for the beautiful and tough woman. He knew she needed someone to stand up for her, even though she pushed away everyone who tried.

Riley stood and drew in a cleansing breath. There was no shame in asking his brother for help. Since arriving in town, Clayton had kept a close eye on Danita. He wanted to help. Yes, he and Clayton had differences in the past and it was obvious his brother didn’t trust or think very well of him… but how much of the attitude had Riley brought down upon his own shoulders?

Look at how he talked to Danita. His judgment of her was as clear as a sunny, cloudless day.

Riley opened the classroom door and headed for the sanctuary. The silence, deep and thick, made his heart jump against his chest. Sweat broke out across his forehead, and he tried to keep the alarm at bay. This was a church, a place of worship. Silence should be golden as it showcased hearts filled with prayers and praises to the Lord.

Or could it mean Riley was alone? Did someone come into the building and snatch Danita from the safety of the church’s arms? No.

Riley repeated the word over and over again as he walked to the front of the sanctuary, eyes scanning the area for a sign of anyone else being, or having been, inside. Coldness raced through his body. There was no one. She was nowhere to be seen.

Please, Lord, please let her be okay. His sneakers shuffled across the carpet, making a whisking sound with every step.

“Danita.” His voice echoed off the walls and returned to him. No answer. No movement.

He picked up his pace, continuing to pray, and snatched his cell phone clipped to his jeans. He’d call the sheriff. Connor. They’d find Danita. He’d even call Edgar and Clayton and have them comb the area. Whoever took her couldn’t have gotten far.

Riley stopped in tracks, and his breath hitched in his throat. He drank in the beautiful sight.

Danita laid on the pew, knees curled, one hand pillowing her head. Her shoulders rose and fell with her soft breaths. The mass of curls trickled past her shoulder and down her neck, puddling into the nook created by her other arm.

“Thank you, Lord,” Riley whispered.

She looked so vulnerable and breakable. He brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. A light purple bruise marred her skin. Rage swept through him. He clenched his fists. He wanted — needed — to find the man responsible for causing her pain.

Danita sighed and stretched out.

He focused on her slightly parted lips. Her mouth drew him. A beacon begging Riley to drop to his knee and placed a tender kiss on them. Riley drew back, and averted his gaze. Even asleep, the woman was a temptress.

The front door to the church opened. Every muscle in Riley’s body tensed. He moved to Danita, squatting down, readying to snatch her against him if the person intended to harm her.

“Pastor Coole, is everything all right?” Naomi struggled with a large picnic basket and watched him.

*****

If you’d like to read Danita and Riley’s story, Led Astray is available at:

Amazon

Christianbook

Barnes and Noble

Available in print this spring.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day: Romance Scene from Lost Then Found

 

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’ll be posting a romance scene from each of books today and over the weekend. I’m starting with the first book published in the New Beginnings Series.

Lost Then Found:

The hope of a future for the broken begins in Mourning.

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight’s life plan changed upon her sister’s murder. Instead of using her skills to find people, Renee opened New Beginnings a firm specializing in “vanishing” abused women. Now her ex-husband -and former business partner – Jonas Knight reenters her life asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and intends to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client’s reason for finding his niece.

In order to uncover the secret a teenager girl disappeared to keep, and a killer wants silenced, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of teenage girl – and their own.

Excerpt:

Renee threw the door open. Jonas snapped his phone shut and started toward her. She held her hand out, stopping his approach. “I know Alex harassed you into this promise. You go home and get some sleep. I’ll get a car and head out.”

Jonas closed the distance between them. “Don’t be obstinate. You have a car and a driver at your disposal, try being grateful for a change. And for the record, your baby brother asked and I agreed because I wanted to.”

“I don’t need your help.” She glared at him.

“Understand that Alex…” He stressed her brother’s name. “…needs me to help you. The kid couldn’t live with himself if anything happened to you. He’d blame himself.”

Tension and memories thickened the air around them, the unsaid filling the small space between them. Tears blurred her vision. No, she didn’t want Alex to carry around the weight of such a burden. She and Jonas — their marriage — crumbled under the pressure of their shared and individual guilt of what happened to Melody. She wouldn’t force the same consequence onto her brother because of her distrust. With God in her life, she could work with anyone. Including Jonas. She’d figure out a way to help Glory and keep Priscilla off the grid.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Jonas frowned as his gaze scanned the parking lot. Renee tried to step away but he tightened his grip.

“Come closer.” Jonas’ jaw appeared chiseled in granite and even the smallest trace of blue disappeared from his gray eyes. His gaze locked onto an object and watched it, the storm in his eyes deepened as he leaned forward.

Renee shifted backwards to put distance between them. “Not on your life.”

He trailed a finger down her cheek. “Remember our cases together. The diversion plan. Always worked best.”

Heat flicked at her face. She steeled herself from reacting to his familiar touch and the memories threatening to weaken her knees and resolve. The Hello Kiss. The Goodbye Kiss. The We-Found-True-Love Kiss.

“It won’t work,” Renee breathed out.

“We have to try. The guy is here.” He placed one hand behind her back, drawing her to his chest as the other hand stroked her cheek. Tenderness seeped into his gaze. “Forgive me,” he whispered and closed the distance between them.

His lips touched hers, the pressure light and feathering, gentler than Renee remembered. The tender caress on her cheek beckoned her closer, as did his arm cradling her back. The familiar touch sent her senses reeling and pleasant memories drifted into her mind. On their own accord, her lids drifted closed and she melted into his embrace.

The reaction shook her. Jonas was no longer hers. She was no longer his. This wasn’t a real kiss. This was breaking her heart. Tears pooled in her eyes and she placed her hands on his shoulders, planning to push him away. Her arms betrayed her and snaked around the back of his neck, fingers threading into the strands of hair curled at his nape.

The pressure of the kiss increased and Renee welcomed it. She wanted to remember what it had been like to have a claim to this man’s love. The temptation to cave into the longing grew. Pressing closer, she surrendered to the embrace and sought the comforting and enticing beat of his heart. The heat intensified between them.

She had to end the moment. Now. Renee flattened her hands against his shoulders.

Jonas pulled back. “It’s all right. He left.”

She was a fool. The kiss hadn’t affected him at all. Turning, she swiped at the hot tears trickling down her face. “Don’t ever do that again.”

If you’d like to read Renee and Jonas’ story, Lost Then Found is available at:

Amazon

Christianbook.com

Barnes and Noble

Apple

Available in print this spring.

Long Gone, New Beginnings Book 4, Now Out

Long Gone has been the toughest of this series to write as I wanted to fight the book every step of the way. There were two elements of the plot that needed to be in the book but I was uncertain of how readers would react to them … and frankly I was scared to write them as I didn’t know if I could do the issue/situation justice. I am very proud of this book (not that I’m not proud of the others). I know I stretched myself in this book and conquered so my fears and insecurities in doing so. Long Gone, more than the other books I wrote in this series, developed naturally on its own. I had to be willing to pull back from controlling the story and allow it to come as it needed to. This book ended up being what writers term “a book of the heart” when it was completed. I had no idea the impact it would have on me or the emotions it would bring up until I was done writing it.

I went into writing this book “knowing” the story. I knew the hero, heroine, the plot and the main conflict between them … until the story twisted in a way I hadn’t planned on and really hadn’t wanted. But, I did what the story needed and discovered I didn’t  know the real story needing to be told, the heart of this book, until the very end.

Blurb:

Eve Darling won’t allow a repeat of the past. Eight years ago, her boyfriend convinced her to place their baby for adoption with his older brother. Once the adoption was finalized, the ‘love of her life’ abandoned her. When the brother announces his intent to run for governor…and adopt a new child…Eve decides to reveal the man behind the public facade. When no one believes the story, Eve turns to skip-tracer Alexander Stratford to unearth the truth, and stop another woman from being used by the Fallows.

Alex is stunned when Eve Darling shows up and requests help. The woman who once accused him of murder now accuses another man. Alex refuses to be used to damage another person. When Eve is attacked, Alex rushes to her aid– and a quick decision alters lives forever. Can anyone ever truly love him…when he can’t like the man he’s become?

Excerpt:

“You’re a menace.” He lifted up the visor and glared at her.

She shot one right back. “I wanted to talk to you. It wasn’t my fault you were speeding.”

“I wasn’t–” Forget it. If one thing he knew about Eve Darling it was no person on the face of the Earth could talk sense into the woman. She lived in a world where only her goals and herself matter. Heck with everyone else. “Go about your business. I’m fine.”

Alex limped toward his motorcycle. Pain arced up his leg with each step. He should stop but didn’t want to show weakness in front of anyone — especially Eve. The woman had set out to destroy him once and her reappearance in his life meant she was gearing up for round two.

Eve placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure you should?”

“Ignore you? Yes.”

“Move. You look kind of rough.” Eve pointed at his arm then his legs.

A tear ran down the length of the arm of his leather jacket. At least it protected his hide for the most part. Patches of skin were torn off his legs, the left leg bearing the worst injury. Blood ran down his knee, staining his jeans and his running shoes.

“Let me help.”

“You’ve helped enough.” Alex struggled to get the Night Rod righted as pain coursed down his arm.

“Please, I need to talk to you.” Eve sighed and fixed her deep brown eyes on him, sadness mixed with a little excitement lurked in the depths.

Alex wanted no knowledge of the thoughts running through her conniving mind. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

“I need your help, Alex.” She glanced over her shoulder then stepped closer to him. Her lilac perfume weaved around him. The delicate scent was such a strong contrast to the abrasive woman. Alex felt a little tug in his heart. The same twinge he always got when he allowed the protective urge to override common sense. Not this time.

“No way.” Alex stepped away from her and the enticing scent.

“I’m serious. There’s a woman in trouble. A lot of trouble and she needs help.”

“Go to the police.”

“I tried. They don’t believe me.”

After what happened — what she did — when they first met, she expected him to help her? Was Eve Darling out of her mind or think he was a total idiot? Or a glutton for pain and punishment. Okay, he already knew the answer to the first question. The woman expected him to help her after she caused a wreck, and had accused him of being a murderer a little over a year ago. Not a chance. He wasn’t as stupid as she thought.

The Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour — Christina Freeburn

Thank you for joining me on the next stop of The Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour, sponsored by the Grace Awards which has the goal of expanding the tent pegs of Christian literature. This tour features scores of talented Christian fiction writers.

Today, I’m introducing you to my Inspirational Romantic Suspense Series, New Beginnings, which features heroines and heroes who are determined to help women have a new start at life.

The first book, I’d like to talk about is Safe and Sound, the third book in the series, but one that has a Christmas time setting.

 Safe and Sound, the third book in the New Beginning Series, is a contemporary Christian romantic suspense novel. It’s a sweet romance with some blushing moments. There is some mild violence and sophisticated themes.

Four years prior, Hannah Stratford got lost during a blizzard and the mountain claimed her, leaving her husband Connor Stratford grief-stricken and filled with guilt. When a woman’s body was discovered after an explosion, Connor learned her death wasn’t accidental but a probable murder. Now, one of the men responsible  for Hannah’s death is hunting down another woman. To keep the young woman safe and draw the murderer to him, Connor offers her safety and shelter in his home.

When the woman claims to be his wife Hannah, Connor finds his past and present pulled apart. Is this woman who she claims she is…or is she running a scam with the man who murdered his wife?

What makes Safe and Sound perfect for Christmas reading and gifting?

With a Christmas setting and a theme of forgiveness and love, Safe and Sound reflects the spirit of the Christmas season and also the hope of renewal.

Link to Buy: Safe and Sound

Even though Safe and Sound is the third book in the series, it doesn’t need to be read after the first two books in the series. Each book stands alone and features a new couple, one (or two) of the characters introduced in another book. Since some readers do like reading books in order, I’m including information about Lost Then Found and Led Astray below.

Lost Then Found, Book 1 in the New Beginning Series, is a contemporary Christian Romantic Novel. It’s a sweet romance with some blushing moments. There is some mild violence and sophisticated themes.

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight’s life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband — and former business partner — Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most
vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client’s reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl — and their own.

Link to buy: Lost Then Found

Led Astray, the second book in the New Beginning Series, is a contemporary Christian romantic suspense novel. It’s a sweet romance with some mild violence and sophisticated themes.

When a client’s privacy is threatened by a Hatfield and McCoy battle erupting, skip-tracer Danita Ballinger heads to Mourning, WV, hoping to settle the feud before it starts. Danita’s rescuing is seen as interference and improper by Pastor Riley Coole, the target for the mining company’s strong-arm tactics.

Pastor Riley Coole isn’t pleased by the person his uncle hired to ‘help’ the town. The outspoken, brazen young woman isn’t who they need. Riley prefers the calm approach to dealing with the mining company not a fight fire-with-fire plan.

When a murderer targets the key players in the mining war, and retaliation is set into motion, Danita and Riley must put aside their private battle to protect the people relying on them for safety. Will seeing each other in a new light put them on a path of acceptance and true love, or create a further divide ripping apart the town and their own hearts?

Link to buy: Led Astray

Thank you so much for stopping by and ‘visiting’ with me and learning more about these stories which are ‘books of my heart’. These are still I felt compelled to write, as they wouldn’t leave my mind or heart until I got into the computer.

The Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour runs through to December 22nd. Don’t forget to check out all the other authors on the tour. Below is a link telling you who all the authors on the tour are and what dates they will be on their own blog sharing about their novels.

http://graceawardsdotorg.wordpress.com/grace-filled-christmas-blog-tour-2012/

SRP Heroine Interview: Elizabeth from Nurtured in Purple

1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?

Well, my book blurb would say this: One man. One woman (that’s me). Each bent on personal vendettas. Another man. Another woman wanting only to be God’s salt and light.

But I can tell of an amazing thing that has happened in my life in the past six months. For so many years I had been as narcissistic as one could be. The awful thing is I was oblivious to my self-centered behavior. I had been given everything I needed in life to be the spoiled, rich girl. I had a tizzy fit and acted stupid when I couldn’t have the man I wanted and since I couldn’t have him, I made life hard for the woman he wanted, Kate.

2. What made you want your story to be told?

I want others to know that we can change, with God’s grace and love, and I want to tell the of the change which happened to me. I know it’s hard to believe, but Kate is the one who didn’t turn away from me in spite of how I treated her. Her kindness made me see the selfish woman I was and made me want to change. In my case, redemption did shine brighter on a darker canvas.

3. What lead you to make the changes you did in your life?

I thought it was Kate who led me to change, but she pointed out it was really God at work. I hadn’t given God much thought in my life until then. I had seen my husband, Willard, make dramatic changes in his life due to the spiritual influence of Kate’s husband, Seth. Previously, both Willard and I had wanted nothing but bad for Kate and Seth, which shows how misdirected we both were.

4. In your life, what has empowered you?

In my previous life, money and social status and my looks empowered me. Now, I know the power of real love-for my husband and baby, my friends, others. I know about giving and sharing myself with others.

5. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.

It means I have learned the hard way to be my authentic self and not the glamour-minded, artificial and selfish woman I was before. I love who I am now, love that I finally had a longed- for baby, and feel good about my job as a teacher of small children.

6. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?

Life is not all about me, unless I want to miss the best life has to offer. It is about loving and walking in someone else’s shoes.

7. Favorite quote or Bible verse.

It’s hard to pick one and I’m only beginning to learn them, but I do like Isaiah 43:18-19. Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. This one is special because it wipes away my past, my former bad girl behavior.

8. Will you be continuing your journey in written form?

My journey is complete, at this point, but I have a sense some of the younger characters in my story may come off the pages and create lives wanting to be read. We shall see.

If you’d like to read about the heroine’s journey or learn about the author, Jude Urbanski please check out the following links:

FIND ME OR MY BOOK AT:

Desert Breeze http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-305/Chanuke-Chronicles-Book-Two-cln-/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Chanute-Crossing-Book-ebook/dp/B008AE9T7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344987927&sr=1-1&keywords=nurtured+in+purple+by+jude+urbanski

good reads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13063251-the-chronicles-of-chanute-crossing-book-one

LinkedIn  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/judy-martin-urban-pen-name-jude-urbanski/1b/967/130

Face Book  www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1627189130

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/judeurbanski

Web site www.judeurbanski.com     blog http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com

Release Day: Safe and Sound

Today is the release day for Safe and Sound, book 3 in the New Beginning Series. The plot for this book actually came to me midway through book two, Led Astray, and resulted in having to go back and make sure these two storylines blended together. Safe and Sound isn’t a ‘part 2’ to Led Astray, but actions in Led Astray is what ‘started’ the story for Safe and Sound. I like how the plotlines feed off each other. I’m also excited about this book because it’s my Christmas setting story. I always wanted to write one and using a holiday setting worked for this story. It’s not exactly a Christmas story but the holidays gave it the mood I wanted.

Blurb:

Four years prior, Hannah Stratford got lost during a blizzard and the mountain claimed her, leaving her husband Connor Stratford grief-stricken and filled with guilt. When a woman’s body was discovered after an explosion, Connor learned her death wasn’t accidental but a probable murder. Now, one of the men responsible for Hannah’s death is hunting down another woman. To keep the young woman safe and draw the murderer to him, Connor offers her safety and shelter in his home. When the woman claims to be his wife Hannah, Connor finds his past and present pulled apart. Is this woman who she claims she is…or is she running a scam with the man who murdered his wife?

Excerpt:

Katrina fled down the small hallway leading to the back door. She slammed her hand onto the bar and the door shot open. Run. Don’t look back. The pace of the words matched her heartbeat and she sprinted down the sidewalk.

Footfalls sounded behind her.

She pushed past people. Knocked into a young mother.

“What’s your problem, lady?”

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Katrina ran. She couldn’t waste her breaths on words. She had a few precious moments, one last time to outrun the past coming back to claim her. She scanned the area for a place to hide or seek help.

Across the street was an alley leading to the fire station. Safety. Katrina surged forward. A horn blared. Brakes squealed. She pivoted away from the car and leapt onto the sidewalk.

A twinge in her ankle sent her reeling forward. She grasped onto a parking meter and regained her balance. Ignoring the pain in her foot, she pounded down the sidewalk and made it to the opening of the alley.

Darkness surrounded her. She fought the instinct to stop instead of plunging into the damp, musty pathway. She was too close to change plans now. This was her one way to freedom and hope. A hand bit into her shoulder. She screamed and twisted. Her injured foot slid on something slick. The man tightened his grasp. He lifted her and pushed her against the building.

“You made this so easy.” He pressed into her back, his body holding her against the brick.

Katrina stomped on his foot and jabbed her elbow into his stomach. He sucked in a breath but the pressure against her didn’t decrease. A hand inched down her stomach and rested at the waistband of her jeans.

“How should I make this look? An assault? Robbery gone bad.” He twisted her arm behind her back. “Let’s just go with dumping you in the middle of nowhere. Don’t have to worry about anyone looking for you. You’re already dead.”