Book Review for Burning Embers, Spark to Flame


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)

We’re Back!


Absence makes the heart grow founder. That’s what I’ve heard. I hope that’s true because I’m eager to reconnect with all of you. It has been quite a while but I did promise not to fill your inbox with too many posts.

So, who are we? Well, me of course, and you’ll have to keep reading to find out who else.

I had some exciting writing news this year when Writers Digest informed me my essay Threads of Life, was awarded Honorable Mention in the Memoirs/Personal Essay category of the 93rd Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. There were 3,571 submissions in this year’s competition, spanning 44 countries! I was pretty pumped.

A few days later, I learned my last novel, Burning Embers Book One, Spark to Flame, won second place in best fiction in the Missouri Writers Guild Annual Contest. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, the eBook is free for those with Kindle Unlimited. It is also available in paperback. Here’s a link https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Flame-Burning-Embers-Book-ebook/dp/B0CJDBBGJS

Although I’ve spent most of the year writing, I did manage to squeeze in a two-week trip to Europe. What an amazing and educational journey! My daughter and sister-in-law joined me and we flew to Rome where we spent a few days touring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s square. Of course, we also walked inside the Colosseum! Wow!

From Rome, we boarded a Carnival cruise ship which took us to Kusadasi Turkey, four ports in Greece (Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, and Katakolon) and then onto Messina Sicily, Pompei Naples, and back to Rome. Here’s another pic from Santorini.

Five hundred and eighty-eight steps to get to the top. Fortunately, they have a cable car too.

I could fill this newsletter with dozens more photos from my trip, but instead, I want to stay focused on my big news. The “We’re back” part of my title.

Fans of The Dahlonega Sisters voiced disappointment when the series ended. Well, guess what? Mutzi, Marge, and Rose Ellen are returning in a new series titled Skipping Stone Lodge, New Beginnings.

You are the first to hear about it and if you read further, you’ll get a glimpse of the beautiful cover. Here’s a little hint what the story is about.

Chuck Hansen is ready to pay it forward. Only three years earlier, fresh out of prison and stuck in a downward spiral, his long-lost sisters Rose Ellen, Marge, and Mutzi appeared, giving him hope and a new life. Chuck is determined to repay their kindness and prove to the town of Dahlonega who he really is. His sisters rally to support him when he proposes creating a peaceful sanctuary called Skipping Stone Lodge.

But one impulsive decision to help a troubled young man puts Chuck right back where he started—behind bars. In a flash, everything he’s worked for is on the line. Can he count on his newly found sisters to help him rewrite his future, or is this one mistake too many?

Here is the cover. Wouldn’t you love to spend a little time there? I’d never want to leave!

My original release date of November 1, 2024, may be delayed until December 1, 2024, but I’ll keep you informed.

If you’ve read this far, please take another minute to leave a reply. Even a thumbs-up keeps me motivated and might win you a copy of Spark to Flame!

Thanks for following me and giving me a reason to continue writing. I’d love to hear what has kept you busy all summer. Drop me a line on the blog or on Facebook! I always take time to respond.

Diane

Autumn’s Arrival


It’s one of my favorite times of the year. When all the mums I’ve planted over the years join together to brighten the day, it makes me smile. Wouldn’t it be great if people from all nations blended as well?

Do you know what else makes me smile? Publishing a new novel! Just in time for fall! Come walk through piles of golden aspen leaves as Brittany snaps pictures of wild horses. Too bad she’s trespassing…or is she?

This is the first book of the Burning Embers series and I hope you’ll enjoy the journey of a young widow as she rebuilds her life. The Christmas eve ending makes this a perfect holiday read.

Get your paperback or eBook on Amazon now

I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line and let me know what is happening in your world.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!

The Dahlonega Sister’s Latest Review


The Dahlonega Sisters received 28 out of 30 points and some pleasant comments from Writer’s Digest. What a nice early Christmas gift!

“Judge, 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.”

Despite the very serious and even heartbreaking problems that each of the characters face, The Dahlonega Sisters has a delightful charm to it that draws the reader almost effortlessly into the lives of the McGilvray sisters and the town of Dahlonega. Mutzi is every bit as quirky as her name, and not only is she a character that readers want to root for, her energy and spirit move the story forward.

The curse of the ring is such an intriguing plot point that was well executed. Whether or not the ring is actually cursed doesn’t even matter, as the struggles that the sisters and Amy face while holding onto the ring advance the plot, and sometimes even in directions that readers don’t anticipate, such as when the prim and proper Marge’s car breaks down, and she secretly relishes the tow truck operator’s appreciation of her rear end. This moment reveals a side of Marge that readers haven’t yet seen, yet appreciate.

Both Mutzi and Marge have layers and dimensionality to their characters and personalities that are slowly and delightfully revealed as the story progresses. That said, I felt that Rose Ellen’s character wasn’t as clearly defined as her younger sisters. We know by the end of the novel that, despite her financial success, Rose Ellen is lonely and longs for a relationship, but simultaneously distrusts men, I feel that this is more told to the reader, rather than shown. Whereas readers get to see Mutzi’s pain and superstition in the way in which she behaves, such as her refusal to go to church because she believes that God is angry with her.

The Dahlonega Sisters, The Gold Miner Ring is an inspiring tale of loss, love, and forgiveness that readers will enjoy falling in love with.

In case it make you want to curl up under a blanket and get reading, here’s a link

TheDahlonegaSisters.com

Merry Christmas to all and wishes for a blessed and COVID-Free New Year!

Diane

Newsletter, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Promotion, and Author Interview


Family First Book
News to Follow


I seldom share pictures of family because I respect their privacy and I know not everyone likes to have their photo blasted on social media. Drastic times call for drastic measures, so I decided to share a special memory with my newsletter friends.

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These are my amazing sisters, Michelle and Carol, and my beautiful Mother. It’s one of the only pictures we have of the four of us together. I also have three brothers.  Perhaps I’ll introduce them in another newsletter someday.

My Mom always hosted Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. When she no longer could handle the challenge, my husband and I offered our house as the gathering place for holidays. Mom passed in 2010 and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.

This year the walls won’t rattle as much with loud laughter, outrageous story telling, and the ever competing football games blaring on the TV. But we have lots to be thankful for and will look forward to reuniting when this pandemic is behind us.

I hope all of you focus on the joyful memories you’ve shared with family and friends, knowing that this too will pass. Stay home. Stay safe.

 
Now for some special news!


There are Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions right now with Story Origin


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The Dahlonega Sisters, The Gold Miner Ring and Veins of Gold
are available (e-book) for $.99!

Just click on the link below

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/Azw6AAb
https://storyoriginapp.com/to/sPKZW2B

Want more news?

The Dahlonega Sisters, Veins of Gold is now available everywhere (e-book and paperback. books2read.com/u/mvnnLJ


Here’s the back cover blurb:

Will digging up family secrets uncover bones best left buried?
Marge Ledbetter fears once she spits into the small vial and sends it off, nothing will be the same. But she must disprove the outrageous secret she’s been told by a dying woman before it becomes the latest gossip to spread throughout her quaint gold rush town, Dahlonega, Georgia.
Her older sister, Rose Ellen, who is a tad haughty, enthusiastically approves of the ancestry search in hopes of finding a famous relative to add to her bragging list.
Marge’s eccentric twin, Mutzi, vehemently disagrees, fearing the rumor she’s heard most of her life about her and Marge not being sisters is true.
Will the results disprove Marge’s tightly held secret or will The Dahlonega Sisters be faced with news that changes their family dynamics forever?

Just a click away books2read.com/u/mvnnLJ

And last but not least, my author interview by Jeanne Felfe

Chat with Diane M. How – Jeanne Felfe

I hope you had a wonderful, safe, and healthy Thanksgiving.

Always search for the silver lining!

Diane

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