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Dear
Readers,
It's December, and it's
almost Christmas. And almost a new year.
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I can't say I'm sad to see
2008 end, and I'm looking forward to a new year. A better
year. Early in 2008 my
mother was diagnosed with cancer - one with a 6% 5 year survival
rate. She underwent an aggressive treatment schedule, which
included 3 days of chemo, with 18 days off before the next
round, for 5 months, and then several rounds of radiation on the
cancer site (sometimes on the same days as her chemo
treatments), and ultimately 10 days straight of whole brain
radiation. I'm glad to
report that the cancer is finally gone, and now we wait with
baited breath, praying it doesn't return (it often does but I
believe in miracles). She's been through a lot, and has been
courageous and strong, and she is an inspiration. Gradually
she's regaining her strength and we celebrate Christmas thankful
we are able to celebrate it with my mom.
My aunt was diagnosed shortly after
my mother with the same type of cancer. Though she was stronger
physically when the diagnosis was made, hers wasn't caught as
early, and so far they have not been able to kill the cancer. We
pray for her every day, that she will find her miracle, too.
Then in November, my uncle died very
suddenly of a heart attack, very much like my father (his
brother) died in 1992.
My son, Jared, is a US
Marine, and he's spending his second Christmas away from
home in Iraq. Yeah, I'm
looking forward to 2009 very much:) My son will come home, and
hopefully, it will be a much better year for my family. And I
hope to get back to my writing.
I wanted to take a moment to
thank everyone who has read THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE.
The emails and snail mail letters I've received are very
much appreciated, because it lets me know that all the work
that went into writing this book was worth it.
The hardcover version of THE
BRIAR AND THE ROSE is out of print, but may be available
as a paperback soon. You can also order a limited edition
e-book (the purchase link is on the
excerpt page).
The Briar and the Rose, set in
late Regency Era England and
Ireland, is based on
the old and tragic ballad Barbara Allen.
I invite you to read the
reviews
and a
two chapter excerpt from the
book.
Here's some fun I put up on the
website for readers:
Listen to
excerpts of BARBARA ALLEN, the
ballad THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE is based on!
Read the
Lyrics
WMA: Windows Media
Player RM: Real Player
If you would like to purchase a CD copy of the
ballad
THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE is based on (from Amazon),
click here.
As for future books, THE
LOCKET is in the final rewrite stages, and should be
completed soon.
This story begins in the slums of
London, during the coldest winter most have ever known. Mare, an
orphan girl, near death, is found in the alley by Aidan, a young
naval officer. He plays the good Samaritan by taking her to a
boarding house, where he summons a physician, and then bargains
with the proprietor to care for her in return for a monthly
payment brought to her by his solicitor. Believing he's gone
above and beyond the call of duty, and that she's well cared
for, Aidan doesn't give the girl another thought. Little does he
know the hell the Mare endures for the next seven years, and
when a turn of events forces her to flee London, fate steps in
and reunites Mare and Aidan. He's now a captain of his own ship,
and she's no longer a twelve year old child, but a breath taking
beauty.
Aidan and Mare's story takes them
from a battle with assassins on the high seas, to the ballrooms
of London. But a secret from the past threatens to steal any
hope they may have of a future together.
After THE LOCKET is
finished, next in line to be written is either A ROGUE'S
SEDUCTION or LORD RAKE'S BRIDE.
Happy reading!
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"The emotional
pull of The Briar and the Rose
is astounding... One of the best historical
romances that I've read in a while...
definitely not to be missed.
~ Sharyn
McGinty, In the Library Reviews |
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PRESS |
Order |
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Burning Country
published a feature on The
Briar and the Rose and
its basis on the
ballad "Barbara Allen" |
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This book is now out of print and sold out at online
booksellers.
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