Tag: Still Water

When Last I Posted

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens2 Comments

Where has the time gone? As 2022 winds down, I’m catching my breath. But what a year it’s been. I am working on book two of the Home Found series – title to be announced at a later date. I have enjoyed discovering Lisa’s story. Jake has become one of my favorite characters. In book two, his “On the Road” columns are growing in popularity. Which is a good thing, unless you’re trying to blend in.

I know I left my readers hanging at the end of Still Water. It was unfair of me to do that so, I’ve thought of a way to fill the void between the books. Jake sends Lisa post cards. If you’ve read Still Water, you’ll remember who “R” and “LJ” are. If you haven’t read it, or have forgotten who they are, Lisa is “R” and Jake is “LJ.” Can’t tell you more than that without it being a major spoiler for those who haven’t read it yet. 🙂

Here’s a sample of what you can expect in the interim:

Lisa will write journal entries or send letters (via FBI Special Agent Zach Farrow). Here’s a sample of one of Lisa’s journal entries:

By the way, what do you think Jake means by the “AML” in his note? It was 1972–pre-cell phone and pre-text days. I will continue to post these updates at least through Lisa’s Christmas break, because something really special happens (no, it’s not a proposal). I hope you’ll watch for more of these coming soon.

A bit of business news. I have moved my website to a new host. It seems happy here, but some of my followers are telling me they no longer receive email when I post. (To be honest, those posts have been few and far between lately). If you have previously followed this blog and no longer receive email notification of a new post, you may want to refollow.

If you are my friend on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, I’ll share the post there. You can find links to all of my media on my “About” page – Author Media.

Newsletter News! If you’d like to sign up for my newsletter–I love to do surprise giveaways. Click here to sign up.

Coming Soon! I was invited to write a cozy mystery novella, along with six or seven other authors. Those will begin releasing in early 2023. There will be games and clues and giveaways involved with all of the releases. Sounds like fun, huh?

It’s fall, y’all, and we are headed into the last couple of months of the year. Winter is upon us. The holidays are coming. Sometimes we feel weary and overwhelmed. In those times, I love to reread one of my favorite scriptures. I hope it blesses you, too. Thanks for stopping by!

…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

Book Release – Still Water

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens2 Comments

It’s Release Day for Still Water! The book is out and available. You can have it in moments on Kindle for only 99 cents (sale ends at midnight).

I am so grateful to all who have helped with the writing and publication of this book. When I first began writing Still Water–my very first suspense story–I thought it would be easy. It wasn’t.

Worth it? Yes! Here’s the main lesson I learned: I am still learning.

On this release day, I’d like to pause and thank a few special people who have helped me so much over the past year and a half as I labored over this story.

Gail Johnson
Kristy Robinson Horine
Marji Laine Clubine

My critiquers, who have become wonderful friends, Gail Johnson and Kristy Horine. They point out all my missed punctuation, wrongly-used words, and unanswered questions. I love you both – thank you so much for all those hours of reading and rereading my story!

Marji Laine Clubine, editor-in-chief at Write Integrity Press, went above and beyond this time. I literally could not have finished this book without Marji and her daughter, Brittany Deane. Thank you so much.

I have many wonderful friends who have been there for me along this journey. To name them would take far too long, though I know they love seeing their names in print. Many of them are also multi-published authors, so they know how important it is to encourage others.

Ok, naming a few: My local ACFW peeps, Karen Richardson and Crystal Caudill, and the multi-talented, multi-award-winning, Rhonda Dragomir! My online friends, Jennifer Hallmark, Linda Yezak, and the beautifully encouraging Lynn Mosher. I could literally go on and on at this point.

My family here, there, and everywhere. Beautiful cousins and local friends. Again, too many to list. I’d leave someone out and then I’d never hear the end of it. LOL. Where would I be without their constant prayers and encouragement?

Okay, naming a couple–my best friends and co-conspirators in life–

Cherry Brooks and Debbie Holston pray for me and help me remember to breathe.

Robin Pittman, Jill Kemp, June, Deana, Barb, Evon–oh my! It’s a trap! I want to mention everyone, but it would be like those award shows. You know, when you groan over the long acceptance speeches that make the show extend beyond midnight…

There is one more that I must mention. Nike Chillemi, the Crime Fictionista, and member of our small crit group. She kept me laughing and hoping and writing when I was ready to hang it all up and walk away. She left us for Heaven last year. I miss her almost everyday, because that’s how often we talked via the ACFW crit loop. I am blessed to have known her.

Even though writing can be a solitary journey, most of us don’t do it alone.

Alone. That’s where my main character in Still Water, Lisa Oliver, begins her journey. Orphaned and alone. In the beginning, she finds more questions than answers. What she discovers will follow her throughout this series…

A Father of the fatherless defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families…

Psalm 68:5-6 NKJV
Still Water, Home Found Suspense, Book 1

And don’t forget! If you’d like to buy an autographed copy of the book, click the button below for more info.

Still Water Autographed Copy

Home Found Suspense

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens2 Comments

We are days away from the release of the first book in a new series called Home Found Suspense. The book is Still Water. Here’s a brief glimpse at the story:

Crime reporter, Jake Bradley, has stumbled onto a suspicious accident. The clues lead him to Lisa Oliver, the daughter of the victims. Something about her draws Jake Bradley, and he vows to help her at all costs. When the FBI warns him off the case, Jake is more determined than ever to find the truth and keep Lisa safe.

After the sudden death of her parents, Lisa Oliver yearns for a place to call home. When she meets Jake, she wants to trust him, but her father’s mantras of self-sufficiency and independence create a stumbling block. As the wall between them crumbles, the past encroaches, and Lisa fears she will never be free. Is she forever doomed to her parents’ nomadic lifestyle, fleeing unseen enemies?

Now available for preorder at Amazon.com

Want an autographed copy? I’ll be happy to mail you one as soon as it’s available. You can order and pay* here: Order the Print Version

*Please use Option 1 to include shipping.