Saturday, December 22, 2018

Saturday Snippet: We Might Read the Christmas Story





















The following Snippet is from 
A Christmas Promise



    Annie hid the completed dress and called to the children.
    “’Bout time!” Samuel grumbled as he burst through the door. “Do we get our presents now?”
    “No, not until the mornin’, Samuel,” Annie responded in the calm manner she had cultivated over the years from dealing with her wayward husband and disruptive son. “You know that.”
    “Mrs. Clayton was a-sayin’ they open a gift on Christmas Eve,” Samuel countered. “Reckon we outta, too.”
    “That’s not how our family does it Sam. You know that. If we open our gifts tonight, there won’t be anything for Christmas morning.”
    “Figures,” Samuel snorted. “That’s mighty sorry, Ma.”
    “I’m sorry, Samuel, but that’s how it’s a-goin’ to be. I guess we might read the Christmas story from the New Testament,” Annie said in an attempt to steer her son away from his disappointment. “Reckon it’d be best, what with it being what Christmas is all about, not just a-gettin’ presents.”
    “But we like a-gettin’ presents, Ma,” Arletta piped up.
    “I know, Letta,” Annie remained calm, refusing to allow the frustration she felt worming its way through her insides to erupt in her voice or expression. But we need to remember that it’s because Jesus was born into this world to save us that we celebrate Christmas. And, if you both listen to just a smidgen of the story, I’ve a special treat I’ve saved for you all. But, you gotta wait until we’re done a-readin’. Come around the table, now, and I’ll get the lamp.”
    The three had no sooner settled in their chairs than they heard the sound of boots stomping on the back porch. A knocking on the outside door to the kitchen followed.
    “That Saint Nicholas, Ma?” Arletta asked, her voice full of wonder. Samuel snickered in response. Annie glanced over to Samuel with a warning frown.
    “Too early for him, Letta. Probably one of the hands a-needin’ something from Mr. Clayton. You two wait here while I see who it is.”
    Annie picked up the oil lamp that had been sitting in the middle of the table. She heard the knock again before she could get to the door that separated the kitchen from the partially covered porch that served as a mud room and winter laundry room.
    “Who’s there?” she called through the solid wood.
    “It’s Sgt. Jenkins, ma’am.”

 
 You may read the book description and find the purchase link for A Christmas Promise by CLICKING HERE.


Merry Christmas, 
and may the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ bring you
joy this holiday season.

Painting by Gerard van Honthorst

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Saturday Snippet: THE CONFESSION CAME SLOWLY



This snippet is from my novella, 
Too Old for Christmas

          The confession came slowly. “No. I come here a lot of times after school. But only if you aren’t here so I don’t get in your way. My pa didn’t like me around getting in his way, so I figured you’d think the same. But, I like talking to your mules better than teaching my brother school lessons. A lot of days I come here instead of going straight home because it helps me forget I didn’t eat lunch.” The boy hesitated. “You aren’t going to tell on me with Ma, are you, Mr. Flood?”
          Sean ignored the boy’s question.
          “My mules don’t take well to strangers, boy. ‘Tisn’t safe you being around them.”
          “They like me well enough, Mr. Flood. I call the girl mule Miss and the boy mule Mister. If they’re in their stalls, I give them a little feed so they stand still for me while I brush them.”
          And it explains why the feed be disappearing fast, now doesn’t it?



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Saturday, December 8, 2018

Saturday Snippet: She Refused to Allow Herself Any Hope



The following snippet is from
A Christmas Promise

      Annie knew that Sgt. Jenkins no longer felt he could support how the Army operated. He was ready to get out and go his own way.
     He had shared how he eventually wanted to get his own place where he could raise cattle and train horses. He had some money set aside, but, even with the Homestead Act, he feared he didn’t have enough yet. He hoped to work a few years for someone else’s brand.
     Annie had thought at the time that he was rather old to work as a cowboy or a wrangler. She figured he was at least ten years older than she was. But, although she had listened with interest, she had said nothing and had schooled her facial expression to show only polite interest. She had already learned the hard way not to assume. She had listened as a friend, but refused to allow herself any hope that his plans might include her.
    After all, she might only be twenty-eight, but Annie felt careworn and used up.

 
 You may read the book description and find the purchase link for A Christmas Promise by CLICKING HERE.


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Thursday, December 6, 2018

Christmas Countdown: MISS DASHWOOD'S DILEMMA by Arabella Sheraton



Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.








In this delightful traditional Regency romance, Miss Diana Dashwood accepts an invitation to Lady Prescott's Christmas party at Camden House, in the countryside. But things do not go quite as she imagined. Through an unexpected event, she is forced to spend the night in a woodsman's hut with one of the guests. What a scandal! 
Of course, Sir Gareth Blakely must propose, and he does. Unfortunately, Miss Diana Dashwood has already been engaged to and broken off her engagement from Sir Gareth Blakely after a bitter quarrel. Is it likely she will bow to social pressure and accept his proposal, one made only to save her reputation, and if they marry, does their union stand a chance of survival? 
And what about the pretty heiress, Miss Jemima Plymstock, whom everyone thinks is the lady Sir Gareth had his eye upon? Headstrong and proud, Miss Diana Dashwood is caught in a dreadful dilemma. A must-read for Regency fans!



Top Ten List


10 Fun Facts
1.     Arabella Sheraton is a pseudonym but if I tell anyone who I really am, I’ll have to kill them…
2.     The image I use for Arabella is a portrait my grandmother painted many years ago of her best friend. It seemed a fitting tribute to my wonderful grandmother and her friendship.
3.     I love anything olde worlde, which means that since I write in the genre of Regency romance, perhaps I lived once upon a time in Jane Austen’s era. Who knows? I like to think so.
4.     Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen book and book to series adaptation. I just love Mr. Darcy, even when he is acting like a starched shirt.
5.     I have always loved reading romances set in the Regency era, and I think that has a lot to do with the fact that apart from my mom having all the Austen books, she was also an avid Georgette Heyer fan, and as a result, so am I.
6.     I am never short of ideas for a Regency novel and sometimes a title just pops into my head and from that comes a book.
7.     I wrote my first Regency romance to entertain my aged mom, now passed on, who loved the genre.




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and
Part 2 Official Event page