Brittany Harbor wears loss like a second skin. She once glowed among New York’s sparkling elite, a whispered name in ballrooms and tabloids. Now, she masks behind a face chiseled by numerous surgeries, a shield that hides the pain no blade ever could have touched. Her father’s abrupt death stole her anchor; her husband’s followed, shattering what remained. The paparazzi’s relentless glare and her mother’s cloying control became too much. So, she fled, trading city lights for a Colorado cabin tucked away in the kind of quiet she hadn’t known she needed.
But, that quiet didn’t last. Devon Van Dyke stumbled into her world with a smile too easy and a presence that tugged at something she’d buried deep. Then he brought Shawn Severs into the mix. Shawn’s different. Rough-edged, and steady, he’s a stark contrast to Devon’s polish. Something crackles between them, unspoken and heavy, but Brittany’s walls are high, and Shawn doesn’t seem eager to climb. She’s untangling her own heart when Devon’s mask slips and everything shifts. Betrayal hits hard, pulling her into a spiral where survival isn’t guaranteed. Devon’s not the man she thought. He’s a threat now, one that claws at the fragile life she’s clinging to. Cornered, she leans toward Shawn, the one person who might not let her down. But trust? That’s a jagged pill when your scars still ache. The stakes climb, secrets spill, and Brittany’s left staring down a crossroads: wade into the chaos for a shot at something real, or let fear choke it all out.
Author Diane M. How’s writing is sharp, engaging and cinematic. Her voice and tone have been well-established with complex characters that keep the story moving at a fast-pace. In addition, she is a master at balancing high-stakes and suspenseful twists and turns, with moments of reflection, which gives the book an electric energy and strong emotional core.
Overall, Spark to Flame weaves resilience, romance, and danger into a pulse-quickening ride that doesn’t let go until the end. Highly recommended! – Review by Book Excellence (bookexcellence.com)
I started to create a post about all the sites that offer free items. Where to start! Where to stop!
Instead, I thought I’d share an award-winning author’s review of my new romantic suspense ebook, Spark to Flame, Burning Embers Book One.
“I thoroughly enjoyed Book #1 of this new romantic suspense series. It has a page-turning plot with main characters who are likable and an interesting premise centered around a wild horse sanctuary. There were several twists I didn’t see coming, which made for an entertaining read. This story can be read as a standalone, but I’m looking forward to Book #2!
How can it be August already? What happened to April, May, and June? Did I sleep through them?
No. I did not. When I wasn’t writing, I was weaving. My daughter, Laura, and I just returned from the Missouri Basket Weaving Convention in Independence, Missouri. What a great organization! So many talented instructors, volunteers, and happy weavers all gathered together to create magic.
The top right is called Seashells and was designed by Debbie Elston Hurd. The other three were designed by Mary Price. Top left is Shadow Box. Next is Sea Glass, and the bottom (my favorite) is Nautical Edge.
Five days with these fun-loving fabulous women was a welcomed break from writing. I took my laptop but didn’t take it out of the bag!
While the weeks/months have been slipping by, not much progress has been made by The Dahlonega Sisters, I keep in touch with them regularly and they assure me Skipping Stone Lodge should be completed soon. Actually, they knew I was distracted with another mission so they have been pretty quiet.
So where do the bubbles come in? I’ve got a bottle of champagne chilling in the refrigerator waiting to share some exciting news about my next book adventure.
Burning Embers Book One, Spark to Flame will make its appearance very soon! I’m working with a cover designer for my new romantic suspense series. My editor just returned my manuscript with the first round of edits. As some of you know, this romantic suspense novel which takes place in Colorado near a wild horse sanctuary has been in progress for many years. The bones were too good to bury so I’ve been rebuilding it piece by piece and it will finally be published by fall. I’ll share a sneak peek at the cover very soon. Thanks to all who have encouraged me to see it through.
Last but not least, I’m excited to be part of the Local Books and Brew Book Signing at Third Wheel Brewery in St. Peters, Missouri https://www.thirdwheelbrewing.com/ on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Award-winning authors will be available to answer questions and sign your books. Sarah Angleton, Pat Wahler, J.J. Zerrr, Tammy Lough, myself, and Tara Pedroley. Stop by and sample a cold beer while learning about an exciting new book club focused on local author books.
That’s it for now. Stay tuned for another post soon. Thanks for following my journey!
Some might call it procrastination; others think it’s neglect; perhaps it might be avoidance. I’ve been guilty of all three at times.
Today, I’m choosing to call my seven-month absence from posting on my blog as taciturn. Bartlett’s Roget’s Thesaurus covers my silence quite thoroughly. I refuse to comment on the weather, politics, or religion. My husband would dispute that assertion, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Actually, I’ve been busy doing what writers do. Writing!
I decided to brush the dust off my very first (still unpublished) romantic suspense novel, Burning Embers. It was written during NaNoWriMo. If you aren’t familiar with this supportive writing organization, I encourage you to check it out. https://nanowrimo.org. I’m probably on my tenth round of edits, but I keep plugging away it and hope to see it published by fall of 2022.
Besides weaving stories, I weave baskets. Here are a few I’m getting ready to sell along with my books at a pop-up market at Third Wheel Brewery https://www.thirdwheelbrewing.com/ on May 7. A dozen vendors will display their handmade crafts just in time for Mother’s day. Come check it out and grab a bite to eat while sampling a cold brew. Win, win!
Last but not least, in honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a picture of my Mom and sisters.
I miss her every day and I thank her for teaching me to be responsibe, generous, and unselfish. I will never be as good at it as she was, but I try.
I’m giving away a basket and book package. (sorry, USA only). All you need to do is comment on this post with a note about your mother or a mother figure who influenced your life. I’ll draw a name on May 8th and contact the winner for details.
My husband and I just returned from five remarkable, refreshing days at the Lake of The Ozarks. The drive was spectacular. Brilliant, creamy white dogwoods scattered across the forested Missouri hills, challenging the scarlet-purple redbuds for attention. Fortunately, my husband was driving and I could focus on the brilliant display without running off the road.
Spending time with my family after a year of confinement helped refuel my soul and inspired me to write. While I’ve been working steadily on the third novel of The Dahlonega Sisters series, Golden Adventure, I have devoted little time to blog writing or much of anything else.
My daughter and her fiancé had spent their vacation week working on extending their upper deck. My husband supervised, and I pecked away on my laptop. Okay, that’s not true, but it sounded better when I first wrote it. They didn’t need supervision. In fact, both of them are far more experienced in building things than we ever have been or ever will be. And, in full disclosure, I only wrote when it rained one day, but I was able to critique five chapters of a friend’s manuscript. That should count for something, right?
Hubby and I took turns walking Hammie. He’s got us trained quite well and loves when all four of us are in one place. It makes his job of protecting us much easier. Posing for pictures is not one of his favorite things. My daughter calls him greybeard now. He’s aging, but still has some spunk in him, as long as it involves a treat.
After one of our many walks, I sat outside on the already refinished lower deck that overlooks a nearly dry cove. Staring up at the azure blue sky, my heart was at peace. Scattered clouds slid past towering oaks, taking with them any hint of stress I’d tucked away over winter. Slender branches dappled with lacey green sprouts danced in the gentle breeze and provided resting places for tiny finches as they darted from limb to limb.
I would be content staying right there, suspended in time, sucking in the sweet scents of unidentified flowering bushes, and listening to songbirds sing their praises in thanks of spring’s arrival. No phone, no cable TV, no distractions from God’s creations.
Of course, all good things come to an end. On Tuesday, we returned to our humble home and within an hour, the washing machine was humming, all the mail had been sorted through, and the lawn mower was cranked up. I plugged in the laptop and noticed a message that brought a smile to my face. It was a different type of praise and reminded me of the benefits of today’s advances in technology. I enjoy the solitude of the lake house, but I’ve grown to appreciate the many social media connections to friends, family, and writing enthusiasts.
Here’s a five star review of Veins of Gold by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The Dahlonega Sisters: Veins of Gold is a work in the women’s fiction, interpersonal drama, and family saga sub-genres, and was penned by author Diane M. How. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and tells the tale of the titular sisters: Marge, Rose Ellen, and Mutzi. Following on from The Gold Miner Ring, we find the sisters poised at the start of what may be a terrifying or affirming discovery, as Marge prepares to take a DNA test. Mutzi is fearful that the rumors may be true, and that the sisters are not true sisters after all, whilst Rose Ellen encourages her younger sister to take the plunge.
Author Diane M. How has crafted an utterly charming work of fiction with a fascinating journey into family ties, loyalty, and love to offer its readers. One of the things which I loved the most about this novel was the way that the town itself has a unique personality, and how the history of the Gold Rush is woven into the contemporary storyline. It was also highly refreshing to read a women’s fiction novel which isn’t all about mushy romance, but instead explores the multi-faceted world of family emotions in a realistic way that brings joy, but also plucks at the heartstrings. The dialogue was also very effective, serving to display the unique traits of life in Georgia, whilst moving the plot forward in a natural and entertaining way. Overall, I would highly recommend The Dahlonega Sisters: Veins of Gold to fans of endearing family dramas, well-penned female characters, and Southern fiction enthusiasts everywhere.
Perhaps you need a refreshing getaway to a quaint, friendly place. The Dahlonega Sisters invite you to come join their journey at https://books2read.com/u/mvnnLJ
Till next time, search for the silver lining. It’s there, right behind the cloud.
Are you tired of the “Stay at Home” order? Need to break free and do some traveling? The only magic answer I have is for you to pick up a book and read your way into another world. Check out this book funnel link. The Dahlonega Sisters are there and waiting for you to join them.ON SALE NOW!
Writing Silver Linings 