Category: books

The Visitor Meets Old Hairy

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, books, novella2 Comments

Fay Lamb is a longtime friend and one of my favorite authors. Her “hallmark” is humor, so I was excited to see her name included on the list of contributors for The Visitor novellas. I have read this story and will soon be writing a review. It is a delightful suspense story. Delightful, because it’s funny with plenty of mystery and suspense.

–Betty Thomason Owens
Betty with Fay Lamb

When I was asked by my publisher if I wanted to take part in the writing of a contemporary mystery, light suspense series, of course, I said yes.

However, I must make a confession. The authors of the series gathered online in Zoom meetings, each one with a separate book. We began to plot out the secondary but title character of The Visitor who is the link to all of our stories. The Visitor shaped out to be a put-together professional, who wears her signature color red as a sign of her put-togetherness, with neatly trimmed nails and put-together hair. The job of the authors was to bring out her personality through the point of view of our main characters for each story.

The rebel in me saw Connie—the Visitor—only as the baby sister to my character, and my character is a lawyer turned stay-at-home-mom for eighteen years, whose baby and only child is about to go off to college and leave a hole in her heart. She’d already racked her brains on how to make his last summer before college memorable for her family, and she isn’t letting a put-together, red-wearing little sister take that away from her. Pollyanna Reagan will get her sister out in the woods hunting Bigfoot with her family or she’ll die trying—even if Connie’s signature color might attack other dangerous wildlife.

Never fear. Neither Pollyanna nor Connie meets their demise. But someone else does, and guess who becomes a chief suspect. I’ll give you a hint: his name is in the title.

So why was I so adamant about not letting Connie stay in her routine?

Because as an author, a lot of me goes into my characters, and while I was never the mother of Pollyanna’s caliber, I have two sons that are as different as day and night. My youngest son, Ethan, though, did reach his full potential of being a royal pain, and I loved every moment of it. This story allowed me to relive the playful nature of mother and child. My son’s name is Ethan as well.

Not only was The Visitor Meets Old Hairy a chance for me to live the old give-and-take with my boy, but it gave me a chance to visit one of my favorite places on earth. Shh… I can’t mention that place here or my publisher might hunt me down much the way Bigfoot is hunted, and I might not get away with just a shaky camera aimed in my direction. We’re having a contest, and you’ll have to stay tune for details. We want you to guess the location.

Added to the people and the place of my story, one of my favorite subjects is Bigfoot. I know just about everything there is to know about him. I love the big fella, and if you read the story, you’ll see how much I know through the knowledge of my characters. Did I research? Well, yes, I did, but that research has spanned a lifetime. Do I believe in the likes of a big hairy man-like creature?

I ain’t gonna tell you, but you might find some insight into my way of thinking when you meet Pollyanna, Connie, Ethan, and Marc and traipse through the woods with them in search of Old Hairy.

The Visitor goes camping? Pollyanna Reagan can’t wait to take her always-put-together, ultra-professional sister out into the boonies. But when they encounter what they thought was a mythical creature, they might both become sticks in the mud.

Of course, when they find a body, a stiff in the mud, Connie shifts into deduction mode. Was the deceased somehow scared to death or possibly attacked by what should be imaginary, or are there other, more human and certainly more vicious, intentions at play?

Match wits with The Visitor as she unravels this twisted puzzle and the family drama that surrounds it.

Fay Lamb is the only daughter of a rebel genius father and a hard-working, tow-the-line mom. She is not only a fifth-generation Floridian, she has lived her life in Titusville, where her grandmother was born in 1899.

Since an early age, storytelling has been Fay’s greatest desire. She seeks to create memorable characters that touch her readers’ hearts. She says of her writing, “If I can’t laugh or cry at the words written on the pages of my manuscript, the story is not ready for the reader.” Fay writes in various genres, including romance, romantic suspense, and contemporary fiction.

If you’d like to catch up with Fay, visit her at her website, on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. Also, Fay has become a “novel” gardener, and she shares her adventure in her newsletter, Tales from the Azalea Garden. You can sign up for her newsletter, Tales from the Azalea Garden, here.

You can preorder The Visitor Meets Old Hairy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iLN5Uk

Get a free gift with your purchase!

Simply email your Amazon receipt to

TheVisitorBooks2023@gmail.com.

Put the book title or author’s name in as the subject,

and be sure to give your mailing address in the email!

Write Integrity Press LLC

Read all about it & Join the Expedition: Enter the contest by guessing at the clues given to you as to the location of each book in The Visitor series: https://www.writeintegrity.com/thevisitor

Introducing: Patricia Talbert of The Final Ride

On By Betty OwensIn books, Linda W. Yezak3 Comments

I met Patricia Talbert through a mutual friend, Linda Yezak. You could say Linda made Patricia Talbert what she is today. 🙂 So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you…

Welcome to my blog, Patricia Talbert–one-time high class social coordinator from New York–now a rancher “living the dream” in Texas.

Patricia, when you first arrived on the Circle Bar Ranch, you were a fancy-dressed greenhorn, but you settled in pretty quickly. You were so feminine and ladylike. What on earth made you want to try bull-riding?

CowboyPatricia: At the time, it was the only way I could think of to spend time with Talon. Can you believe that? His ranch work stretched over acres and acres of land, and if I didn’t ask him to teach me to ride, I wouldn’t have seen him from sunup to sundown!

Your background is political. How did you get there and why did you leave?

Patricia: My dad brought me into the outskirts of the political world. He is a US Senator for the State of New York, and when his social coordinator retired, he hired me for the job. It meant hobnobbing with other senators and congressmen, judges, lobbyists, foreign dignitaries—well, you name it, I’ve rubbed elbows with it.

I thought I was happy in that life. Reasonably happy, anyway. I left only because I had to tend to the Texas ranch I inherited from Uncle Jake. After learning more about the faith he and Aunt Loretta had, I wanted it. Then, after learning what real friendship was through the relationships I started developing here, I realized the so-called “friends” back home weren’t friends at all.

But after getting to know Talon and discovering what a Christian man of integrity was like, I knew I’d never find anyone like him in New York or DC. That sealed the deal. I never want to go back, except to visit family.

I can well imagine. What drew you to the oh-so-masculine cowboy, so-not-your-type, Talon Carlson?

Patricia: Let’s start with that oh-so-masculine part and move on from there. One day, I was sitting at my desk in the ranch office, just watching him out the window. He was right across the road, repairing the barn roof in the Texas heat, which meant he had his shirt off. My, oh my . . .

I didn’t realize he was exactly my type until I got to know him. After being married to my late husband, Kent Talbert, I learned not to trust, not to believe, not to take a man’s word on anything. Kent made it difficult for me to love again, so I wasn’t quick to fall for Talon. I watched how others treated him with respect. Saw how deeply his friends loved him, and how his ranch family rallied around him. I experienced for myself his sense of humor, his affection, and, yes, his respect for me.

I admit to taking things slow with Talon, but believe me, I have no doubt where this is going.

Ha ha! Yes, I can well imagine.  Your versatility and strength (Talon called it spunk) brought you through the first installment of the Circle Bar Ranch novels. But your adventurous spirit kind of took a nosedive in the sequel. What caused this turnaround?

Patricia: If you’re talking about my bull riding, believe me, nothing will knock the adventure out of you like waking up with a face full of muck. When Mostro bucked me into the mud and muck of the holding pen, I figured I’d had my fill of riding.

cattle-640985_1280But I still feel adventurous, and I’m totally ready to see what life on the ranch has to offer. And what I have to offer it. Can you imagine, me on a ranch? My best assets are my diplomacy and my Park Avenue wardrobe. If this isn’t adventurous, I don’t know what is!

I think dealing with New York politicians and socialites might be the more difficult of the two. So, other than Talon…who’s your hero, and why?

Patricia: On the ranch, it’s definitely Frank Simmons. He’s like a surrogate father to me. His quiet guidance and gentle humor are invaluable. He assured me of God’s love for me. Of course, I had to prove it to myself, but Frank was right. He usually is.

He’s definitely one of my favorite characters in both books. In Book 2, there are big changes in store for the ranch and its inhabitants. Is there anything you can comment on? Without a spoiler, of course.

Patricia: Oh, you must be referring to Aunt Adele. She’s on a mission to lure me back to New York. You wouldn’t believe the things she’s doing to try to make me homesick. I’d be willing to bet my mother put her up to this. Aunt Adele is my favorite of all my mother’s sisters, but right now, she’s really testing my patience. Not to mention Consuela’s patience. And you know Consuela has a short fuse.  I’m doing all I can to keep the peace around here, but it’s getting more and more challenging.

You don’t want to lose Consuela! Who would do the cooking? 🙂 How do you see yourself in ten years?

cowgirl-419084_1280Patricia: I love dreaming about the future! In ten years, I hope to see my kids and my friend Marie’s kids growing big and strong like their fathers. By then, I hope to know my way around the ranch better—I may even have a school to teach city kids how to ride English and Western saddle, maybe even have a show-jumping school for the kids from the surrounding ranches.

In other words, in ten years, I see myself surrounded by Talon and friends and kids!

That’s a dream I hope you realize, Patricia. Finally, just for fun–what’s in your fridge?

­­­Patricia: Since I’m still learning how to cook, I hope whatever’s in there is something Consuela made—preferably her beef enchiladas or maybe a carne asada. Her culinary skills aren’t limited to Tex-Mex, but that’s definitely my favorite.

Sounds yummy. Perhaps I can visit sometime soon–

13316940_10206565887042896_1503291551972684209_oWith her duties for her best friend’s wedding finally behind her, Patricia Talbert looks forward to discovering what “normal” will look like at her new home in Texas. She owns a ranch now, is in love with its foreman, and is ready to assume her duties. Discovering what those duties entail isn’t an easy feat for a displaced socialite from Manhattan.

But when her aunt Adele arrives on a mission to bring her back to New York by hook or by crook, Patricia’s primary duty is to deflect the bumbling and bullish attempts–until one of Adele’s tricks takes her by surprise.

All of Talon Carlson’s dreams for the Circle Bar Ranch are coming true, along with another dream he never expected to be fulfilled–a chance to love again. Patricia is everything he ever wanted and more, but he made a promise to her not to ride bulls again, a promise he may have to break.

His desire for a better end to his riding career is intensified by vicious rumors about why he quit. If he rides again, he may provide the ammunition Adele needs to make Patricia leave. If he doesn’t, he’ll prove the gossips right.

Patricia or Talon. Which one will take The Final Ride?

A word about Patricia’s creator, Linda W. Yezak:

Linda Yezak

Over twenty-five years ago, after a decade of life as a “single-again,” author Linda W. Yezak rediscovered God’s love and forgiveness when He allowed her a second chance at marital happiness. She is now living her greatest romance with her husband in a forest in East Texas. After such an amazing blessing, she chooses to trumpet God’s gift of second chances in the books she writes. Linda’s novels are heart-warming hallmarks of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

      You’ll find Linda at the following locations:     

Facebook Fan Page:  http://dld.bz/LWYFacebookPage

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lyezak/

Twitter: @LindaYezak

 Amazon Page: http://dld.bz/LWYAmazonPage

Goodreads: http://dld.bz/dSPmg

777 Peppermint Place: http://lindayezak.com

Newsletter: http://dld.bz/CoffeewithLinda

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The Skinny on Some Christmas Traditions, by Nike Chillemi

On By Betty OwensIn Amazon, books, Christian, Christmas, historical, Holidays, Nike Chillemi, suspense5 Comments
http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

I’m so glad you stopped by today. It is with great pleasure I welcome Nike Chillemi as a guest writer. I am so honored to promote her latest release, Goodbye Noel. As you may have guessed, it has a holiday theme. Nike writes historical suspense/crime novels and she’s such a good storyteller! If the reviews (found here) are any indication, this one doesn’t disappoint.  

Nike Chillemi- 

In popular publications we’ve been told umpteen times the first “Christmas” celebrations came from the mid-fourth century during Constantine’s rule in ancient Rome and were adopted and adapted from solar pagan rites. This is not entirely accurate.
There is evidence the Ethiopian Church celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25th in the 2nd century. Other Eastern churches in the second and third centuries determined the birth of Jesus to be January 5th or January 6th. The Eastern Church still celebrates the birth of Jesus on January 6th, while in the Western Church that date is Epiphany. These December 25th calculations came wholly from church history and heritage (much of that oral). This was before and separate from the papacy decision to declare December 25th the birth of Jesus for conversion reasons. The second century Egyptian theologian, Clement of Alexandria, wrote that ancient Egyptian church scholars practically tried to outdo each other with efforts to pinpoint the date of the birth of Jesus. They also came up with April 20th or 21st and May 20th…all of this having nothing to do with Roman paganism. Is December 25th the actual birthday of Jesus? I don’t know. To me every day is Christ’s birthday. 
It’s true worship of the oak and other trees were quite common in pagan Europe. However, the modern Christmas tree originated in Germany where legend has it St. Boniface cut down a great oak under which human sacrifices were made. Supposedly, in its place a tiny pine sapling grew the following spring and Boniface remarked it pointed to the heavens. That autumn he dug up the small tree and brought it into his house to have for Christmas. Many claimed these trees’ triangular shape signified the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The custom of a potted fir tree in the house at Christmas rapidly spread among Germanic Christians. In time they began decorating trees with bits of sugar candy which they gave to children on Christmas day. That tradition soon evolved into candy canes on tree boughs. Soon other gifts such as dried fruit and small bits of jewelry found their way onto trees.
Then in the 17th century, on a walk home from church late one night before Christmas, Martin Luther passed a grove of evergreen trees. When he looked up, it seemed as if the stars adorned the trees. He immediately cut and decorated a tree with lit candles for the Christmas Eve service. Cut and candle-lit trees quickly spread among Germanic Christians. When Germany’s Prince Albert married the love of his life, the young Queen Victoria, he brought to England the practice of decorating the Christmas tree with candles, candies, fancy cakes, small gifts, and toys. German immigrants brought this to Pennsylvania in the 1800s and the custom rapidly spread across America.
Eggnog is entirely American. While it’s true Europeans of wealth enjoyed eggy-milky drinks with fruit. The first true batch of eggnog was mixed up in 1607 at Captain John Smith’s Jamestown settlement. At that time it was called “egg and grog.” I’m sure we can all imagine what the ingredients were, as colonists called any drink with rum grog. It soon became a drink given to carolers at Christmas along with sweet meats and confections.
Stock.Xchng image #1148932
What about ye olde fruit cake? Cakes with fruit have been baked, well…as long as cakes have been baked. What we think of as the fruit cake, made with preserved fruit and nuts goes back to the middle-ages and the Crusades when people took this type of hearty cake on trips to sustain themselves while away from home. The British love affair with fruit cake began in the 1400s when dried fruits first arrived in the misty isles from the Mediterranean. In the mid-1800s cake with candied fruit had become a Victorian tea cake. It also became a cake served at weddings. Naturally in a time before fruit could be flown to markets from orchards and groves in a warm climate, the candied fruit cake made a perfect Christmas cake. In modern times it seems not to be as popular as years gone by, but fruit cake sales are still surprisingly high.
Whether you’re looking for a good holiday read, or the perfect gift, Nike Chillemi’s Goodbye Noel is a good fit. 


Links to order the book:

Amazon – ($2.99)                          Christianbooks – ($2.89)

Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning). She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category and a judge in the 2011 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards, a reader’s choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes monthly book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. Burning Hearts is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series. 

Fruitcake photo from: Stock.Xchng image #1148932