The Next Biggest Thing

I was tagged by the very successful author, Mona Risk,

and here I am answering a few questions.

What is the title of your book? Rodeo Man, a 100-page novella published by Rebecca J. Vickery.

Where did the idea come from for the book? There's an abandoned town about 70 miles west of my home that one person owned. He put it on eBay to sell--and it did. I thought, suppose a young woman inherited the town, but she had to camp there one week to claim her inheritance? When she arrived, though, a lone man sat on the porch of the dilapidated honky-tonk. Suppose the man was there for a reason, but he was not to let her know?

What genre does your book fall under?  It's a contemporary rodeo story set in Texas--of course.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  I was so afraid you were going to ask that. I'm not a big movie person, and the young characters today elude me. Let's see--the actress would be petite, with curly strawberry blond hair, and someone who loved to laugh and was fun to be with. She would be feisty, but also have a big loving heart. The actor would be tall, slim, a little lanky, slow-moving--until he sensed danger or was on the back of a bull. He, too, would be easy going and love to tease. 
Maybe someone could give me suggestions? 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  Catching a criminal and lasting eight seconds on a bull are easy compared to winning the love of the feisty, strawberry-blonde beauty who wants nothing to do with him.

Where (or when) can we get your book? When? Mid-January--I think. Where? Amazon, B & N.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Probably two months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? If it were a Western Historical, Rodeo Man would read like one of my Dime Novels-quick paced, fun, and have a romance between two very independent people. The Dime Novels are Angel and the Cowboy, Addie and the Gunslinger, Charlotte and the Tenderfoot, and Kat and the U.S. Marshal.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Someone threatens Marla, and that's when Cody moves into action. He has a protective manner about him, and won't allow anyone to get hurt if he can help it. Otherwise, he's an easy-going, ambling sort of guy.

Blurb:

Marla Ellington inherits an abandoned town on ranchland near Arrowhead, Texas. When she arrives to claim her property, and finds Cody Matheson sitting on the porch of the dilapidated honky-tonk, her temper flares. Anger blazing, she draws a line in the sand.

Cody’s only goal for the week is to win the bull-riding event at the Saturday night rodeo. But when Marla receives an anonymous threat that forces her to leave town, Cody finds himself smack-dab in the middle of a mystery. ’Course, catching a criminal and lasting eight seconds on a bull are easy compared to winning the love of the feisty, strawberry-blonde beauty who wants nothing to do with him. Now it's his turn to decide--walk away? Never.

 ***The next stop on The next Biggest Thing (Monday Jan. 7) will be with the talented Stephanie Burkhart at her blog.
 

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary

My Website

My Blog

Sweethearts of the West-Blog

My Facebook Page 

Grab Your Kindle or Your Nook; Sit Right Down and Read a Book!

The time of giving and receiving gifts is over for the Christmas season. Many of us received some kind of electronic gadget, and most probably are digital readers. Me? I received a Kindle Fire HD7, and I do love it. I still have my old Kindle which I use when the other one is charging. Very handy to have two.
Many authors are offering bargains right now, so of course...being a person who never wants to be left out...I, too, will offer a list of stories, priced low for the entire holiday season, or priced low originally. Here are some choices:

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CRYSTAL LAKE REUNION

The main story is about Dana Dawson who accidentally learns a shocking truth about her identity and the actual place of her birth. While in the process of ferreting out the truth, she meets a good-natured young doctor and falls in love.
Full-length novel for 99cents. The cover is an Ariana Awards Finalist
 
AMAZON KINDLE: Full-length novel for 99cents. The cover is an Ariana Awards Finalist.
http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Lake-Reunion-ebook/dp/B0056BC41G/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308922072&sr=1-13

WHISKEY CREEK PRESS:
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=883&zenid=b510de951c68d62fb3a3bfbe779acd47

BARNES AND NOBLE NOOK BOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Celia-Yeary?keyword=Celia+Yeary&store=book  

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LONE STAR DREAMING-A Western Romance Collection

Four romance novellas, originally 99cents each, now in a 4 story collection at just $2.99.  Save 99cents!
Titles:
Angel and the Cowboy-1st release, and still selling*
Addie and the Gunslinger-the runaway biggest seller*
Charlotte and the Tenderfoot-a surprising success*
Kat and the U.S. Marshal-newest release--best feature? Diego Montoya!*

AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Star-Dreaming-Celia-Yeary/dp/1479224804/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348775365&sr=1-12&keywords=celia+yeary 

BARNES AND NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Celia-Yeary?keyword=Celia+Yeary&store=book 

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TEXAS PROMISE-Book I: The Cameron Sisters

Still restless, but no longer idealistic and insecure, he knew he had to go home.

AMAZON: $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Promise-Cameron-Sisters-ebook/dp/B00930ZCOC/ref=sr_1_6_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356558591&sr=1-6&keywords=celia+yeary

BARNES AND NOBLE: $3.99
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/texas-promise-celia-yeary/1113049634?ean=2940044836778

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TEXAS TRUE- Book II: The Cameron Sisters

Instead of running from a marriage built on deception, True Cameron takes charge of her own life. She works to make her husband see her as a partner and that he is worthy of her true  love.

AMAZON: $3.99
http://www.amazon.com/Texas-True-Cameron-Sisters-ebook/dp/B009AHTCR6/ref=sr_1_10_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356558751&sr=1-10&keywords=celia+yeary

BARNES AND NOBLE: $3.99
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/texas-true-celia-yeary/1113045729?ean=2940044964594

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 Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary

My Website

My Blog

Sweethearts of the West-Blog

My Facebook Page 

Celtic Woman-O Holy Night

 

 

Some of my favorite songs for Christmas are:

 

So This is Christmas-John Lennon

Christmastime in Texas-George Strait

O Holy Night--several artists, but

Celtic Woman gives a wonderful, stirring performance.

For you, my friends, Celtic Woman: 

 

 

 

 

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary

My Website

My Blog

Sweethearts of the West-Blog

My Facebook Page 

 

 

Video from UTube-Celtic Woman Christmas Album



FRUITCAKE Gets Bum Rap....

“Fruitcake Gets Bum Rap”-a quirky individual

who gets shuttled off to jail on an imaginary charge.

No, not that kind of fruitcake. I would never use such a politically incorrect term to define someone who might resemble my Great-aunt Lizzie who made pies out of leftover jams and jellies. I’m referring to the type of cake made from candied fruits and nuts that some insist on baking or buying to give as Christmas gifts. You’ve heard Jay Leno make fun of a family tradition of giving this cake, where one recipient says, “Why, thank yew sooo much! I just love fruitcake.” Then that person proceeds to wrap it anew and gives it to someone else. The same cake is passed around for years—and never deteriorates!

 

I, for one, really, really do love fruitcake. Admittedly, some are better than others, but even the cheap ones that come in a decorative tin and sold in your local discount store have something to offer. At Christmas parties, someone always contributes a plate of dark sliced fruitcake, perhaps a little dry, forlorn, skipped over by guests as they select a tidbit here, a morsel there. Me? I’ll take a piece of the cake every time.

 

However, I found this recipe years ago and it has become my favorite. Notice it does not have candied fruits or citron. And don't skip the brandy--that makes it even more perfect.

BRANDY NUT CAKE

3 cups chopped Texas pecans
1 ½ cups halved maraschino cherries
1 cup dark raisins- ½ cup light raisins
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup white sugar
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
3 eggs
2 Tbs. apricot brandy

½ cup apricot brandy and cheesecloth

 Combine nuts and fruits. Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add to nut mixture, tossing to coat well. Beat eggs till frothy; add the 2 Tbs. brandy. Pour egg mixture over fruit mixture; mix well. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 5 x 3 loaf dish or pan. Bake in 300 degree oven 1 hour and 45 minutes. (If you use a dark pan, perhaps lower the temperature a few degrees or test for doneness a few minutes early.)

When the cake cools, wrap in clean cheese-cloth. Dribble apricot Brandy over all sides until soaked. Wrap in aluminum foil. You may add more brandy later, if you wish. Store the cake at least week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

 Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas  
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com
http://www.celiayeary.com

http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971           

A Christmas Scene from "Wish for the Moon."

Greetings--I've often heard authors speak of "the book of their heart," but I never really understood the meaning. When I wrote this story, though, I realized that Wish for the Moon came straight from my heart. Now I know the phrase means it is written with love and the memories I hold dear.

The setting for the story is a small self-sufficient farm in North Texas. The year is 1902, a time when rural Texans lived much as their ancestors did--and as my grandparents did. The farmhouse is my grandparent's home, the area is where I and all my family were born, and the small town is a fictional version of the county seat of Palo Pinto County.

The novel itself contains a sweet love story, but the focus is the coming-of- age of sixteen-year-old Annie McGinnis.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas excerpt from Wish for the Moon.

Celia

~~**~~

Somehow, Annie had to get through December twenty-fifth. All she could think of was her mama, and she knew Grover was grieving during this first Christmas without her. It was important to her, though, to make the holiday as festive as she could for her papa and for old blind Jerral.

Even though she had to coax him, she managed to get Grover to go to the back pasture where juniper trees grew in big areas. She only wanted a small one, because she had little to decorate a tree. They weren’t pines, but they grew in a similar shape, and they smelled like cedars, sort of like a pine tree. He cut it for her and nailed the cut end to a piece of wood so it would stand up.

Since there were only three of them, she placed it on the end of the kitchen table in front of the window. She arranged a white dishtowel around the base. Jerral strung popcorn and red Nandina bush berries to decorate the tree. After Annie demonstrated what to do, he patiently sat and made one string after the other with a needle and thread, while she cooked, baked, and talked to him. Grover stayed outside most of the time during the day.

On Christmas Day, Annie placed her offerings in front of the tree. She sat two candles, one on either side, and lit them.

“Jerral,” she said, “give me your hand, and you can see the tree.” She helped guide his hand, so he could feel each part, and the gifts underneath. Carefully, she guided his hand to feel the candlesticks, and waved his hand over the flames so he would know they burned.

After breakfast, Annie told Grover to stay at the table so he and Jerral could open their presents. Grover, though, took Jerral to the bedroom first, and when they returned, each held a gift, wrapped in white paper with red string.

Jerral loved his suspenders, and exclaimed over them, how he liked the thick, woven texture, and the feel of the smooth metal clasps. She helped fasten them to his pants and adjusted them to the right length on his bony shoulders. “Oh, you look so fine, Jerral. These were just made for you.” He asked if he could kiss Annie’s cheek, and she happily let him.

Grover said little about his new blue-striped shirt, but he held it in his lap and stroked the soft fabric for a long time.

Finally, he told her the other two gifts were for her—one from him and one from Jerral. Jerral gave her the only thing he had—his family Bible.

Jerral said, “I can’t read it, Annie, and I don’t have any kin. You’re as close to a daughter as I’ll ever have. I want you to have it.”

Annie cried and hugged him around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Oh, thank you, Jerral. I’ll treasure it and add it to my bookshelf where I have the other books. And guess what? I’ve baked you a vanilla-raisin meringue cream pie!”

Grover gave her a small box of chocolates from the drugstore. They were in a gold colored box with a fancy seal on the top. The label read, “Golden’s Chocolates, Made in Chicago.” Each one had a different center—vanilla fondue, strawberry and lemon creams, nuts, coconut, and caramel. Tears ran down her face. Never in her life had she received such a grand present.

“Thank you so much, Papa. I will savor each one, and the box will look so pretty on my dresser. If I ever get a necklace, I’ll keep it in the gold box.”

“Annie,” he said gruffly. “I’m sorry I missed your birthday. I just plumb forgot. Helen would have my hide if she knew I didn’t remember our baby’s birthday.”

Annie laughed and cried some more, and soon, all three choked up.

Christmas had come, after all.

~~~**~~~

BLURB:

At the dawn of the Twentieth Century, sixteen-year-old Annie McGinnis wishes for a chance to see more of the world, since all she’s ever known is the family farm in North Texas. A mysterious visitor, Max Landry, arrives who will change not only her life, but her family’s as well. To save him from a bogus charge, she follows Max and the Texas Rangers back to the coal-mining town one county over where a murder occurred. The short journey sets Annie on a path of discovery—new horizons, an inner strength, and quite possibly…love.   

~~**~~

For the Christmas and Holiday Season, the publisher--Willow Moon Press--has discounted the price of the ebook from $6.99 to $1.99.
The ebook is available on the Amazon Kindle, the B&N Nook, and Willow Moon Publishing.

LINKS.

AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/Wish-for-the-Moon-ebook/dp/B004Z8LX5E/ref=sr_1_18_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355611432&sr=1-18&keywords=celia+yeary

BARNES & NOBLE: Note: the reviews on B&N do not belong with this product.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wish-for-the-moon-celia-yeary/1104178133?ean=2940013607255

WILLOW MOON PUBLISHING:

http://willowmoonpublishing.com/cosowiformoc.html

 

Thank you! And Merry Christmas!

Celia