By Reservation Only, the first book in the Deerbourne Inn Series will be available in Audio for the holidays. It was a learning experience to pick a reader, then listen to each chapter read by someone else. It takes time and I just finished with a relieved sigh. I think it sounds great. Hopefully my readers will agree.Link:http://a.co/d/atQwzPx
By Reservation Only, Book One in the Deerbourne Inn Series, is an ongoing saga about the people who visit or live at the Inn. the stories vary from contemporary romance to historical romance, a ghost story and a mystery. and thats only the start. http://a.co/d/atQwzPx
The second book, Hope’s Dream (Deerbourne Inn) by Peggy Jaeger
By Reservation Only, the first book in the Deerbourne Inn Series will be available in Audio for the holidays. It was a learning experience to pick a reader, then listen to each chapter read by someone else. It takes time and I just finished with a relieved sigh. I think it sounds great. Hopefully my readers will agree.
By Reservation Only, Book One in the Deerbourne Inn Series, is an ongoing saga about the people who visit or live at the Inn. the stories vary from contemporary romance to historical romance, a ghost story and a mystery. and thats only the start. http://a.co/d/atQwzPx
The second book, Hope’s Dream (Deerbourne Inn) by Peggy Jaeger
Hope’s Dream is Book Two in the Deerbourne Inn Series from The Wild Rose Press. Peggy’s brought a lovely story to life as our hero and heroine explore their feelings while visiting the Vermont countryside.
Here’s a little more insight to the developing relationship between Hope and Tyler.
“Enough about me,” she said, shaking her head. She speared an asparagus stalk and pointed it at him. “Tell me about you. Aside from the fact where you’re from, I know nothing about you. Out with the details, New York.”
“What would you like to know?” Tyler immediately wished he’d phrased the question differently. He couldn’t take the chance of her recognizing the name of his firm if she asked where he worked. Not yet.
Despite his plan to tell her tonight who he was and why he was in Willow Springs, he continued to keep his identity a secret, craving a few more precious hours of her company instead. Sitting across from Hope, enchanted with the way the tea light on the table bounced little flickers of light off her face and beautiful hair, listening to the sad story of her parents’ accident, and watching an entire series of emotions play across her guileless face and eyes, Tyler wanted to pretend they were simply a couple, out enjoying one another’s company.
The more Hope opened up to him, the happier he felt. From her mother’s behavior, he got the impression Hope didn’t date much and he liked knowing that, liked the thought she was doing something special with him, giving up some of her precious free time to spend it with him.
As she’d related the details of her father’s dismissal from his family, Tyler could feel the anguish and frustration oozing from her on behalf of the man she loved and adored. He hadn’t been told of the attempted payoff to Casey Kildaire. Sloan had to have known since he’d been the family solicitor for decades, yet he hadn’t mentioned it when he’d given Tyler a brief history of the family before he sent him to Vermont. Nor had he related the extent of Casey’s injuries following the crash and the severe financial problems they were still undergoing. He’d simply ordered Tyler to obtain Hope’s signature, nothing more.
He’d pushed her at dinner to answer his question and from the baffled look on her face knew she thought it an odd one. In her mind there was no way she could go back to school and take care of her mother at the same time. He should have told her right then the reason he was in Willow Springs, the subterfuge he’d used to meet her, and handed her the documents he’d brought with him. Tyler fully believed if she knew how easy her life could be with a simple swipe of her name across a legal document, she’d jump at the chance to make their lives better, pay off all their medical bills once and for all, and allow her to get back to fulfilling her dream instead of sublimating it.
“Well, for starters, what do you do?” she asked.
Best to go with the truth at this point. “I’m a lawyer.”
“Surprise, surprise.” She rolled her eyes and gave him the most delightful smirk. “I’d have bet on that without even a thought.”
“What gave me away?”
“The fact you don’t let a question go is one thing.” Her grin turned lopsided, and he got the distinct impression she was flirting with him. “Your penetrating death stare, like you’re grilling a witness on the stand, is another.”
Okay, maybe she wasn’t flirting because that was in no way a compliment.
“Anything else?”
She bent her elbow on the table and cupped her chin into it as she regarded him. “You already told me you’re not a writer, but your word skills are exceptional, so it makes me think you do write stuff. Like briefs, and whatever else they’re called.” She waved her free hand carelessly. “Plus…”
“Plus?” His breath caught when her cheeks colored.
“Well…” She squinched up her nose, her lips pursed at an angle. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I was imagining what you looked like in a suit and the first thing that popped into my head was like a lawyer.”
This definitely sounded like flirting, but…
“What do you mean, don’t take it the wrong way?”
“I meant about the imagining part.” The red color in her cheeks blossomed and grew to cover her neck. She shook her head and dropped her gaze. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”
What would she have done if he’d told her he’d had a fantasy-filled night thinking about her in nothing at all?
By Reservation Only, Book One by Barbara Edwards, is an ongoing saga about the people who visit or live at the Inn. the stories vary from contemporary romance to historical romance, a ghost story and a mystery. and thats only the start.
It’s the grand opening of The Deerbourne Inn! Award-winning Chef Nathan Harte has worked long and hard to restore this historic property in Willow Spring, Vermont. He’s ready to greet his guests with fine cuisine, comfortable rooms, and maybe even a ghost or two.
He’s escaping the rat-race of the city for a slower more rewarding life, but is he ready to deal with a broken arm, a quirky arsonist, and a long-ago mystery? And what might he find up in the three hundred year old attics?
Victoria Harte, his sister, has claimed the two cottages for her patients: wounded military suffering from PTSD who need the peace and quiet of the Vermont countryside.
The Deerbourne Inn is in Vermont. a small town near all the area attractions. Do you ski? Fish? Hike? Like Fall foliage? Hunt antiques? There is something for everyone.
Check my new book cover! By Reservation Only will be released soon from The Wild Rose Press.
I’m inviting you to visit the Deerbourne Inn, the setting for the series.. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the cool nights, warm days and glorious autumn colors.Get acquainted with the new owner, Nathan Harte, an award-winning chef, escaping the rat-race of the city for a slower more rewarding life. His Red Clover Cafe will feature his diverse menu while the Inn’s breakfast menu sparkles.
Walk through the centuries old building and pick a room on the second or third floor. Old fashioned wallpaper, original antiques and crafted items from local artists made each room individual, yet give it flavor.
Ignore the occasional weeping from an empty room or a snip of female laughter unless you’re curious about who haunts the place.
Victoria Harte, his sister, has claimed the two cottages for her patients: wounded military suffering from PTSD who need the peace and quiet of the Vermont countryside.
The Deerbourne Inn is in Willow Springs, Vermont, a fictional small town near all the area attractions. Do you ski? Fish? Hike? Like Fall foliage? Hunt antiques? There is something for everyone.
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Welcome to my blog, Linda Burson,
Please tell us why you wrote this story.
I love writing. I always have. It’s been my passion since I was a young child. The reason for writing any particular story, for me, is to feel strongly about my characters. The majority of my writing experiences have been attempts at writing nonfiction, but I found I could never finish any of these stories. I wrote a one-act play once when I was a teenager. This was the first story I completed and it was fiction. This should’ve been a sign that fiction was more my forte; however, I continued to try to write nonfiction stories.
A few years ago when I decided to write full-time, I returned to fiction, remembering this was the only work in my life I have completed. My stories, so far, have been character-based. I thought about what I wanted to read. What kind of people I wanted to spend most of my time getting to know…who I wanted to be my friends, to laugh, cry, and talk with every day. After considering different characters, I realized the best way to go was to write about a character with whom I could relate. Thus, a strong, independent, beautiful, but emotionally challenged young woman named Marcy Jenson was born.
The first book I wrote is called Rage. I became so invested in the characters I wrote, I couldn’t stop. I felt strongly about this young, unique woman because she had strengths that I wished I had, but her flaws make her real and I hope relatable. My first attempt at writing fiction, and I had 197,000 words for a first book. Knowing this was way too many words, I had to adjust the story by splitting it into a trilogy. The story wasn’t complete after this, so I continued. Now, over five years later, there are thirteen books in this continuing series. At this point, my continuing story needed a name. Since Marcy was my protagonist and it’s written in first person, the Marcy Series was born. Still, each of the thirteen books has its own individual title.
Author Bio:
Linda Burson, a Connecticut resident for over 27 years, has been writing ever since she was a teenager. She started out writing memoirs and continued writing by attempting several nonfiction pieces.
Marcy Jensen finds she is having nightmares that she can’t control. She is frustrated, angry and confused by this sudden change. Her boyfriend and love of her life, Brad Preston, gives her an ultimatum: seek help, or he’s leaving.
One dark, chilly evening after a terrible, emotional day, Marcy finds herself in the middle of a robbery and a gun to her head. After her stressful day, she snaps. Pushed over the edge, she finds herself attacking the gunman.
The same night after this attempted robbery, Marcy meets Liam with whom she feels an inexplicable connection. After talking to Marcy, because she still having the raw edge of the evening with her, Liam convinces her to join him on his quest to find his family’s murderers.
As they delve into the dark world of revenge, Marcy’s life begins to fall apart. Before she realizes it, she falls in love with this mysterious stranger. The two of them become close and gradually allow light and love to envelop them.
Excerpt:
When we arrive at the commuter lot where my car is parked, I remain seated looking at him. My thoughts return to the moment I realized I was in love with him. Was it always there somewhere in the depths of my soul, or was it at the moment when I saw the real person? My heart skips a beat every time I look in his direction and my emotions take over.
“You must think I cry an awful lot,” I impart as the tears come streaming down my face again.
“No, baby. I know you’re in pain right now. I wish I knew how to make things easier for you—for both of us.” Then he adds,
“Oh that my head were waters
And my eyes a fountain of tears
That I might weep day and night.”
I look at him with my tear-filled eyes. “That’s beautiful.”
“Jeremiah, Chapter 9, Verse 1,” he replies.
“You’re a special man, Evan Liam Brooks. I don’t understand why all this happened, but I have to believe there’s a reason. I have to trust in my faith that everything will be fine and will work out as it’s supposed to.”
I love the Christmas season and find lots of inspiration.
‘Journey of the Magi’ was my first attempt at a Holiday story and I found a really enjoyable
area of writing. My usual genre is paranormal romance and has a dark edge. After awhile it can be heavy. The lighter love story with cute children and a nice hero gave me a lift I hadn’t know I needed. It was fun to plot the fulfillment of a dream.
So in this time of the year I noticed many of my fellow authors put out a sweet story.
My next short for The Wild Rose Press was ‘Late for the Wedding, part of a larger anthology. It was fascinating how a dozen authors took the same idea and wrote such variety. I loved every one of them.
Heather Green will do anything to make her twin’s wedding perfect. Despite an impending nor’easter, she sets out with the wedding dress, cake, favors and cake topper in her car. As the snow piles up, her car is wrecked and she barely misses injury in a major accident.
Nicholas Burnes would rather be ensconced with his latest cuddle than drive a tow truck, but his brother needs his help. He reluctantly agrees to help Heather find a way to the wedding locale, but when the storm closes the roads, he ends up offering her shelter in his penthouse.
Warm and rested at last, Nick and Heather explore their powerful attraction to each other, only to part when he delivers her, on time, to her sister’s wedding. But weddings breed weddings…
Dixie’s Gift
The next was ‘Dixie’s Gift’ a story inspired by the loyalty and love of my beloved pet. This was another story to lift me from a dark place. My furry friend hd cancer and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. I was so sad I took that emotion and wrote a story about how my pet would have reacted. It warmed a cold place in me and I hope if you read it, you’ll find the same joy at the end.
I’m working on another short story. I hope to have it ready for next year. It has a Mom and a child waiting for their military dad to come home.
Ellen Carter deeply grieves for her husband Dan, but at least she still has Dixie, her beloved Malinois. However, soon Dixie leaves her too. But the faithful dog cannot rest easy in heaven while her mistress is unhappy. Dixie pleads with the Archangel Michael to let her send help, and intercedes for Ellen in the only way she can. But will Ellen get the message, and more importantly, will she accept Dixie’s gift?
Sexy newcomer Michael Burke can barely take enough time from his successful restaurant for a decent night’s sleep, let alone romance. Still, he is intrigued by the beautiful widow and can’t resist entering her shop. Sparks fly, and when Ellen has an accident in a snowstorm, he comes to her rescue. Trapped by a blizzard and aided by Dixie’s Gift, Ellen and Michael find more than shelter–they find love.
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
― Will Rogers
Dixie by Barbara Edwards
Dixie’s Gift
Dixie’s Gift, my Christmas novella is based on memories of my Dixie who spent her days keeping me from becoming a hermit. She’d demand a walk. Taking me out of my house to enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise. She’d sleep on my feet, keeping them warm while I wrote.
We got Dixie from a retired teacher who fostered dogs waiting for a forever home. It was a serendipitous happening.
My husband wanted a German Shepherd, but ever time I got bitten it was a shepherd so I said no. I was watching the Westminster Dog show and a beautiful dog called a Belgian Malinois was competing for best of show. They described the breed as being family oriented, energetic and needing an owner who spent time with them. Since the breed looked similar to what my husband wanted, I checked with several breeders who said their females weren’t breed every season.
My husband and I were having coffee and I was flipping through the Penny Saver when I spotted the ad for adopting her. I called despite the fact we weren’t going to be home the following weekend. It was love at first sight. This beautiful dog had been discarded after a bitter divorce. She’d been kept in a dog cage all day every day.
When we got home we didn’t know if she was housebroken and put her in a dog cage. I never heard such a horrible scream from a dog. She vomit and pooped and I let her out promising not to do it again.
We decided to take a chance and took her inside. She was housebroken, but wouldn’t answer to the name they provided. My son came over and started calling her by dog names until he laughingly called Dixie, a reference to our Civil War reenacting. She perked up and went to him so Dixie it was.
Dixie loved re-enacting and went with us to events, she loved riding in the car, sleeping in the tent and watching the horses.
Dixie went with us to Yellowstone.
I didn’t really think about my companion passing away and when she was diagnosed with cancer, it broke my heart. She was in terrible pain, but I didn’t want to let her go. It took me a week but I finally made the wrenching decision to send her over the rainbow bridge.
This story features the ghost of a dog who doesn’t want to leave her mistress alone and writing it helped me through those first lonely months.
I still miss her. Dixie is buried in my flower garden next to our house.
Blurb: Ellen Carter deeply grieves for her husband Dan, but at least she still has Dixie, her beloved Malinois. However, soon Dixie leaves her too. But the faithful dog cannot rest easy in heaven while her mistress is unhappy. Dixie pleads with the Archangel Michael to let her send help, and intercedes for Ellen in the only way she can. But will Ellen get the message, and more importantly, will she accept Dixie’s gift?
Sexy newcomer Michael Burke can barely take enough time from his successful restaurant for a decent night’s sleep, let alone romance. Still, he is intrigued by the beautiful widow and can’t resist entering her shop. Sparks fly, and when Ellen has an accident in a snowstorm, he comes to her rescue. Trapped by a blizzard and aided by Dixie’s Gift, Ellen and Michael find more than shelter–they find love.
Cover artist: Debbie Taylor
Excerpt:
He brushed a wisp of her hair from her cheek. It clung like spider silk to his fingers.
He rubbed the strand and his heart raced. When her lips parted, he bent forward to taste their soft curve.
Sweet, so sweet, he thought as her mouth melded with his. His hands slowly slid from her slender shoulders to her waist. Soft as a feather, she sighed. Her curves fit against his hard chest like matching puzzle pieces.
The lights blinked, dimmed, and then flared back on.
Comments:
Dixie’s Gift tugs at your heart, and though the snow threatens, you can’t help but be warmed by this sweet story. A must read! — Kara O’Neal, Author
“Dog lovers, do not read this book . . . without a box of tissues nearby. A touching story of love and compassion.” – Diane Burton, author of the Outer Rim series.
“Delightful. . .Barbara Edwards weaves a heartwarming holiday tale of rediscovering love after the death of a spouse and the loss of a beloved pet. It’s a refreshing story with a theme of joy and peace and filled with engaging characters. And who can resist a romantic winter setting with lots and lots of snow?” ~ Judy Ann Davis, Author and Educator
Dixie’s Gift by Barbara Edwards is a gift of a read. Sweet, romantic, poignant, and touching, it will bring a lump to your throat and satisfaction to your heart. If you don’t shed a tear, you’re a robot.” ~ Award winning author Alicia Dean
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I’ve mentioned before that my husband and I travel so you won’t be surprised we visited Plymouth Village in Massachusetts. Since I use a Mill in my upcoming Rhodes End novel, I took advantage of the real mill there.
It’s an operational mill that grinds corn and other grains and then sells
mill stone imported from Europe
the results to the public. I learned a lot about how the mill operates and had a chance to see the workings on the lower floor. The current millstone was imported from Europe when the original mill burned.
Plymouth village is a fascinating place to visit if you love history. There are hundreds of things to explore. The day was perfect for walking the many streets and displays. I have to return. I didn’t have enough time.
Plymouth Rock
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I love halloween and all the scary trims and treats. I decorate with carved pumpkins on my porch. We don’t get many trick-or-treaters on my dead-end road. Not like when we lived in a community in Florida. One year I made myself a Black-widow spider costume and sat in a lawn chair near the door. I had eight limbs: two fake dangling between my arm and leg on each side. The kids were so scared they refused to come and get the candy from the bowl on my lap. I wish i’d gotten a few pictures.
Anyway. It was a fine example of the weird twists my mind takes. Like in my Rhodes End Series.
Here are the first three books. I’m working on four and five.
Ancient Awakening
by Barbara Edwards
Link: https://amzn.com/B002TG4NFG
Police Officer ‘Mel’ Petersen is the only one who believes a suspicious death is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her. Her neighbor Stephan Zoriak is a prime suspect. While working for a major pharmaceutical company, he is exposed to a dangerous organism that changed him. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help Mel find the truth when the deaths continue. In the course of their investigation Mel and Steve find more death and continued distrust that make them wonder if love can defy death.
Ancient Blood (Finding Rhodes End Book 2)
Ancient Blood
by Barbara Edwards
Link: https://amzn.com/B0052NUR12
After narrowly escaping a stalker’s vicious attack, Lily Alban is left with the ability to see auras. After moving to tiny Rhodes End, she finally feels safe, and against her better judgment, falls in love. She soon discovers the man she loves is not a man at all. Botanist, werewolf Cole Benedict has dedicated his life to researching a cure for Lycanthropy. He resists his attraction to protect Lily from the beast inside him. When Lily’s stalker returns, he’s determined to keep her safe even if that means embracing the instincts of his wolf. Together they must use extraordinary gifts to catch Lily’s stalker before he attacks again. Will revealing their inner-most secrets to one another destroy their growing love or save them both?
Ancient Curse (Finding Rhodes End Book 3)
Ancient Curse
by Barbara Edwards
Link: https://amzn.com/B00OFB22T2
Evil never dies; and for psychic Rainie Gamble who accepts a job to weed out evil artifacts, this could not be more true. When she arrives at the home of Thomas Broquette, her new boss, she isn’t sure what to expect. But the handsome and intriguing Thomas is only the tip of the paranormal activity she encounters while going through his library.
After several near misses when Rainie is injured by evil forces, she wonders if her new boss is hiding a secret? What does the previous owner Mason have to do with the threads of doom encasing the estate? And why does Thomas bring her father, a well-known art thief, into their midst.
The attraction she feels for Thomas grows, as does the evil winning its battle against the inhabitants of what could be her new home. Rainie wonders if she will find and defeat the inhuman force causing all their problems before she and Thomas are sucked into its evil forever.
Hope’s Dream is Book Two in the Deerbourne Inn Series from The Wild Rose Press. Peggy’s brought a lovely story to life as our hero and heroine explore their feelings while visiting the Vermont countryside.
Author Bio:
Blurb:
a lawn chair near the door. I had eight limbs: two fake dangling between my arm and leg on each side. The kids were so scared they refused to come and get the candy from the bowl on my lap. I wish i’d gotten a few pictures.
Barbara Edwards Comments 