MissAdventure Brides - Coming December 2018

NEW ROMANCE COLLECTION

In Time For Christmas

I'm excited to announce my new book, MissAdventure Brides. My story is entitled Riders of the Painted Star and is one of seven novellas in the MISSAdventure Brides Collection by Barbour Publishing, Inc. The heroines in these stories aren’t held back by the conventions of the day. They step outside of their norms, forging their own paths. If any man gets in the way, they convince them to go along or to move aside. And in the end, they marry them.

In 1936, when my story takes place, the novelist Zane Grey had already romanticized the west earlier in the century with his tales of heroism amidst desert or mountainous backdrops. Then came the movies bringing those stories to the silver screen. Riders of the Painted Star is a nod to both print and film as it takes place at the height of the singing cowboy era. It was a time when Gene Autry and others like him rode their ponies and strummed their guitars while besting the bad guys.

The question my story asks is: What would happen if a woman wants to meet a real cowboy but falls for an actor pretending to be one instead?

My cohorts and I will be doing a blog roll, each of us hosting a specific aspect of our stories on our blogs. These will be on Heroine, Hero, Setting, History, Inspiration, Take Away, and the Antagonist. Ooo, you’ll love to hate my villain. He’s a real snake in the grass. I’ll point you to their blogs when my specific article will be up. Then, I’ll also post them all on here in December in case you missed any. Here are links for future reference:

Blogs/Facebook pages of all authors in collection:

·         Mary Davis – Hosting the Heroines  https://marydavis1.blogspot.com

·         Kathleen Kovach – Hosting Heroes   http://kathleenekovach.blogspot.com/

·         Debby Lee – Hosting the Villains/Antagonists https://www.facebook.com/booksbydebbylee or follow her newsletter: http://booksbydebbylee.com/contact.html#newsletter

·         Cynthia Hickey – Hosting the Settings https://www.facebook.com/Cynthia-Hickey-151333448227549/

·         Kimberley Woodhouse – Hosting the History   http://kimandkaylawoodhouse.com/blog/

·         Donna Schlachter – Hosting the Inspiration www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com

·         Marjorie Vawter -- Hosting the Take-Aways  http://marjorievawter.blogspot.com

You’ll meet Zadie Fitzpatrick, a successful New York artist fascinated with the old west thanks to her penchant for cowboy movies. Also, Royce Rutger, a Hollywood actor working on an Arizona dude ranch to learn how to handle horses so he can be the next singing cowboy sensation. Shh, he’s incognito and longs to tell Zadie, but circumstances dictate he not blow his cover.

But first, watch for the other authors as I host their heroes on this blog.

And of course, there’s a GIVEAWAY! Comment on this blog and enter through Rafflecopter after reading this article and subsequent articles about MISSAdventure Brides and I will give away a book at the end of November and one at the end of December.

To keep up with the fun, I suggest you either subscribe to my blog or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Or all three!

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Kathleen E. Kovach is a Christian romance author published traditionally through Barbour Publishing, Inc. as well as indie. Having grown up in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park was her playground. She lives in northeast Colorado with her husband of over four decades and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. An award-winning author, she presents spiritual truths with a giggle, proving herself as one of God’s peculiar people. Please visit her at http://www.kathleenekovach.com.

New Article on Craft Cinema - LION

I've just posted a new article on my other blog, CraftCinema.blogspot.com. Craft Cinema is dedicated to the discussion of movies as they relate to the craft of fiction. If you're a writer please check it out. Or, if you don't write but are fascinated with the process, this is the place for you. I discover new things, or review things I've already learned on there. Come have fun with me! I'll bring the popcorn! 

I admit, I usually avoid any movie the Oscars or Golden Globes deem as worthy to watch. They are usually artsy films that go over my head or platforms that go against my beliefs. Most of the time they simply aren’t my cup of tea. Lion (2016) won accolades from these organizations as well as many other awards. But somehow, I was intrigued enough to put it on my Netflix list. When it made it to the top, I decided to let it ride. It came into my home via the little red envelope and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. Yes, I’m going to buy it for my library because it’s just that good. (Don’t tell Oscar. I wouldn’t want him snickering at me.) . . . Read more

Periwinkle in the Park--The Villain

Last month, I featured the heroines of my newest book, A Bouquet of Brides, a compilation of several authors. Please scroll down the page to find those articles, or click on "A Bouquet of Brides" in the LABEL section on the right side of this blog.

In addition, the other aspects of my story are featured on the other authors' blogs as we presented a blogroll for our big debut. Here is where you can find those articles:

Heroine 


Hero

Setting


History


Inspiration

Take Away Value

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Margaret Stallworth, the heroine's antagonist. Here is her story:

The Villain

Meet Margaret Stallworth, my heroine’s nemesis in the Barbour collection, Bouquet of Brides. I wouldn’t call her a villain, necessarily. She’s just a self-centered, immature, society woman who believes the world should provide for her comfort.

That’s all.

My heroine, Periwinkle Winfield, is everything that Margaret is not. Margaret has a rich husband and resides in the most prestigious neighborhood in Denver; Peri lives in a small cabin near a river in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Margaret believes in organizing committees to bring her favorite vacation spot up to her standards; Peri wishes she would go home and leave her community in Estes Park, Colorado, alone. Margaret will not rest until she has civilized Peri and marries her off to one of Margaret’s equals; Peri is happiest alone on a hike through the forest with her faithful steed by her side, her mule, Daisy—that is until she meets her hero.

Margaret is the ultimate antagonist as she antagonizes Peri at every turn. But she means no harm. She has a fondness for projects, and Peri meets the criteria.

But Peri is just as strong-willed as Margaret, and in the end, Peri goes her own way, hiking her beloved mountains and loving the rancher by her side. Margaret, no doubt, finds another project to antagonize.

*I took the above photograph at the Estes Park Museum. Imagine my thrill when I turned the corner and there was Margaret and her Stanley Steamer. Truly a God-thing. 

Dilly Douglas - Heroine of "At Home with Daffodils"

Intelligent brown eyes and a smattering of freckles decorate the countenance of Daffodil “Dilly” Grace Douglas, the heroine of At Home with Daffodils, my story in the Bouquet of Brides collection.

I imagine Dilly, dressed in a long black skirt and plain white “shirtwaist,” making change for customers as she runs her mother’s general store in the rolling hills of northeastern Oklahoma, just a few years after statehood. The family store in Rock City also houses the first official post office in the area, so Dilly often serves as the acting postmistress.

When the story opens, Dilly Douglas has finally outgrown her hated nickname, Silly-Dilly. She keeps the books and manages purchasing at her mama’s general store, ever vigilant to prove to the small town of Rock Creek that she is a trustworthy, capable woman. Her mother believes she’s an early bloomer, like her namesake flower that opens to the sun early in spring. She says that from a young age Dilly has been dependable and trustworthy, but Dilly struggles to believe her mother’s words. She still hears the childhood chant ringing in her ears, “Silly Dilly . . . Silly Dilly . . . Silly Dilly . . . ” and often holds back her innate exuberance and joy in her efforts to prove her steadiness. What happens to help Dilly blossom into the fullness of all she is? Of course it will have something to do with the reappearance of her childhood sweetheart, Jace Gruber, but I won’t spoil the story by telling you about that now.

To celebrate the release of A Bouquet of Brides, I’m giving away a copy of the book. Enter the drawing by signing-up for my newsletter or leaving a comment on my blog during the month of January (USA readers only). Check out my website, where I have free resources and information about the Free to Flourish writing and speaking ministry.

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Author, speaker, and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer encourages others to live free to flourish. She shares this message when speaking at women’s events, and it permeates her written work. Paula has published over 300 times in non-fiction markets and has a devotional book series, Soul Scents. Her first published novella, You’re a Charmer Mr. Grinch, was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she now has six published works of fiction. Paula and her husband, Jerry, are adjusting to a sometimes-empty nest in Colorado. They treasure time with their growing family of adult children, spouses, and spouses-to-be. Paula loves peppermint ice cream, going barefoot, and adventuring with friends. Visit her at www.paulamoldenhauer.com

Kathy's tribute to Paula Moldenhauer

I've been writing something about each of the authors in this collection as I post articles on the heroines of their stories. I must be careful here because I could fill a book with this one as we have known each other since the beginning of our writing journeys and have had many adventures together. Paula has been writing about the authors on her blog. Here is a link to the one she wrote about me. She has said everything I want to say about our time together except how I feel about her. Paula is my prayer-partner, writing partner (Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal,) and oftentimes a mother to me, even though she's ten years my junior. She's Lucy to my Ethel, although sometimes we switch. We've been through a lot together, good and bad, happy and sad. Her ministry is based on Grace and mine is based on Giggles. Together we make a well rounded team. I love you forever, PaulaPoo!

Cactus Lil - Heroine of "A Prickly Affair"

When I decided on the heroine for my Bouquet of Brides story, “A Prickly Affair”, I wanted her to be a writer who used a pen name (just like me). Cactus Lil has never experienced love, yet she writes hot and steamy romance stories for a New York City magazine under the pen name Daisy Duncan. I wanted her to be strong and independent, yet still realize there is something missing in her life.

To celebrate the release of A Bouquet of Brides collection and my story, A Prickly Affair, I’m giving away a free print copy (US only) of the book. To enter, subscribe to my newsletter. I’ll be drawing for the book at the end of January.

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under

her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid author who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters In Crime; facilitates a local critique group, and teaches writing classes and courses. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.


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Kathy's tribute to Donna Schlachter
Donna Schlachter is great person to be yoked with when you need to get something done. I've know her since the early years of ACFW North Denver and consider her a good friend. Her humor had us all going during several writing retreats when we played a game where we started a story and we had to write the next line. I was the one who had to read the entire story once it was done, and I've got to admit, hysterics took hold of me and I had turn my back on the group to gain my composure. I'm happy to be working with you again, Donna!