12.26.08
Happy New Year!
It’s that time again…seeing the old year out and the new one in. Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet or have you given them up, as I have? I can remember a time when I wouldn’t dream of welcoming in the new year without making a list of resolutions that I was of course, resolved to keep. You know the old standards…lose a few pounds, eat healthier, exercise more, be kinder, have more patience…….and keep a few I did. Unfortunately most went by the wayside, as life got in the way of good intentions.
Several years ago I made the resolution to finally sit down and write that novel I’d scribbled notes about some time ago and stuffed under my bed. That Monday morning after New Year’s day rolled around and I pulled those hand written notes out, dusted them off and sat down determinedly in front of my pc. Ten minutes later I still sat there…staring at that blank page, wondering whatever possesed me to make such a stupid resolution. Having made it though, I felt obligated to at least try. After a day of much deep sighing and a cramped finger from pushing the backspace key continuously… I had, to my surprise, a good five pages of my novel written. I felt proud. I’d done it.
Fast forward to the next morning. I couldn’t wait to get to that lighted screen and get to work. To my utter dismay, what I’d thought was absolutely brilliant the day before, now seemed so much LESS brilliant. I deleted the entire five pages and doggedly began again, the light of battle shinning brightly in my eyes. No way would this defeat me. I pounded out ten pages, the first chapter. I didn’t read these pages over the next day, simply starting where I’d left off and writing two more chapters, and so it went until I had a first draft. This time I knew it wasn’t going to be brilliant when reading it back. I knew there would be slashing and rewriting and editing, but I’d done it. I’d actually written my first book. And oh, what a feeling of euphoria I had. But I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore. They’re probably a good thing for some, but for me–I’m too afraid I’ll have to keep them. Instead I offer a prayer for the heath and happiness of all my friends and family.
This coming New Year’s Eve, I will offer that same prayer for all people far and wide. Have a very safe and happy New Year’s Eve and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
Elizabeth
12.22.08
Country Christmas
Country Christmas
Christmas tree lights sparkling
The smell of cookies baking
jingling of the bells
A child’s joyful yells
The singing of carols
and good cheer by the barrel
Christmas is a time to express goodwill to men
A time to share love with family and friends
Peace and joy for fellow man
Offering love with an open hand
So to all my friends so dear
I send to you love and good cheer
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year
Elizabeth
If you’d like to read this poem with music and graphics, you may view it here:
http://egparsons.com/country_christmas.htm
12.21.08
Poetry – Whispering Stream
Through poetry and short stories four authors, Brintha J. Gardner, Debbie A. Stevens, M. Jean Pike, and E. G. Parsons reflect on life ~ both the good and the bad. This book is dedicated to those providing shelter to the homeless and all royalties earned will be donated to family shelters.
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-557-02741-5
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-557-02561-9
Buy the paperback, hardcover, or digital copy here or buy the paperback on Amazon
Thank you for your support of the wonderful people who provide shelter to those without homes.
12.13.08
Photos: Wood Wizards
My hubby had these guys carved into a couple of stumps of our downed trees for me. They were done by a very talented, young wood sculpter who uses chainsaws. The darker one is black walnut, the lighter one maple. I still can’t decide which I like better. You can’t tell from the photo, but the maple wizard’s hair goes flying out around the stump on the sides and gives it a wind blown look.
12.08.08
Review for Winter of the Heart by E. G. Parsons
Recommended Read from AllBooks Review:
Pre-Pub Reviews
Genre: Historical Fiction
Title: Winter of the Heart – ISBN: 1440491682 or EAN13: 9781440491689
Author: E. G. Parsons
It is 1876. Megan Connors, alias Maggie Bertram is married to a horrible, abusive man. She manages to escape and acquires employment as a school teacher on a ranch, owned by Charles Donovan, in South Carolina. The instant chemistry between Megan and her new employer is obvious to everyone. Life seems to be improving by the day. A rather strange encounter with the ghost of Charles first wife, Rachel is rather unsettling. It seems that Rachel wants Megan to help Charles find love. Charles is still haunted by a letter that Rachel left just before her death.
Megan loves her job and now has a new friend, Alicia Jordan. One day Megan’s world is shattered when William O’Brian, her husband, finds her and insists on taking her with him. In spite of his feelings for her, Charles Donovan does nothing to stand in William’s way and Megan leaves.
When Charles realizes that the man is a beast and Megan might be in danger; he hires a private investigator to find her. He cannot deny his love for her. Megan, abused and locked in her room struggles to be free. One night she can no longer tolerate the abuse and she again escapes. Will Charles find her? Will she survive the mountain winter on her own? Will William reappear and recapture her? All of these questions will be answered in Winter of the Heart.
The characters are realistic and colorful, the plot is suspenseful and the entire story is overflowing with heartfelt emotion. Romance fans will love this book. A book that readers will have trouble putting down until the final conclusion. Well written, well researched and a very entertaining read.
Highly recommended by Shirley Roe, Allbooks Review. www.allbookreviews.com
Review From RWU:
Desperate to escape her abusive home life, Megan Connors flees to rural South Carolina, where she accepts a position as a schoolteacher on a prosperous but secluded ranch. Wealthy ranch owner Charles Donovan, a man haunted by the ghosts of his past, is immediately attracted to the beautiful, headstrong Megan. Though Megan shares the attraction, she resists her feelings for Charles, afraid of the terrible secret that casts a dark shadow across her newfound happiness. Together, these star-crossed lovers must reconcile both past and present dangers if they are to lay their ghosts to rest and find a future together.
I opened the cover of Winter of the Heart expecting a romance that would sweep me off my feet. As always, E. G. Parsons delivered. The imagery in this novel is exquisite, allowing the reader to envision life in 1800’s as clearly as if she were staring into a beautiful and lifelike painting. Charles and Megan are likeable, believable characters that you can’t help caring about and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. The plot has something for everyone; history, romance, a hottie hero and it even contains a shivery ghost story for lovers of paranormal romance. All these factors combine to make Winter of the Heart E. G. Parsons’ most beautiful love story yet.
Review from RWU (Romance Writers United) http://rwunited.freehostia.com/woth.htm
12.01.08
Review: In The Shadow Of The Dragonfly
From above the shadows … light
Orphaned and impoverished, Gray Baldwin is a lost soul in search of a home, a life, and most of all — love. Kicked from foster home to foster home, at last a restored motorcycle and the onset of adulthood give him the means to leave behind all the ols threats, struggles and losses that haunt him. When he accepts a job at Hanwell Construction, life’s promising new start is both his hope and his torment. The spoiled daughter of a well-to-do business owner, pretty Hope Hanwell has a past to reconcile and a few tragic secrets of her own. She wants for nothing — and everything, pushing love as far away as she can until love pushes back. When Gray and Hope meet, theirs is a story of heartbreak, redemption and fate at its most devastating.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE DRAGONFLY A Literary Love Story
My Review:
In The Shadow Of The Dragonfly
By M. Jean Pike
Black Lyon LLC
ISBN: 978-1934912072
***** Five Stars….
Gray Baldwin was born into poverty and neglect. After losing his prostitute mother at the age of eight, he’s given into the custody of his first foster mother. Gladdy teaches Gray the true meaning of love, home and family. Despite the many pitfalls in his life, he never forgets those lessons and clings to his dreams of finding true love with a home and family of his own to belong to. When he meets Hope and her family, he believes he’s found what he’s been looking for his entire life.
Beautiful and spoiled, Hope Hanwell has never wanted for anything, at least on the surface. She’s never known her mother and bears the heavy weight of guilt for a later tragedy on her young shoulders. Hope has her flaws and is, at first, not very likable, but the author offers deeper insight and the reader gets a glimpse of the lovely person she could become. Hope wants Gray, but with nothing more serious in mind than a summer fling and has no idea how drastically their love affair will affect her life.
A literary love story, yes, but In The Shadow Of The Dragonfly by awarding winning author M. Jean Pike is much more than that. Through the lives of the very real people living within it’s pages, this story allows the reader to examine the pain, heartbreak, love, and hope that dwells within the hearts and minds of all mankind. With great strength and courage these characters overcome heartache and tragedy, moving on with their lives and forging a better tomorrow for future generations. In The Shadow Of The Dragonfly touched me on an emotional level seldom felt and I know these characters will live in my heart for a very long time. I can’t remember ever having read a more satisfying story and highly recommend it to all.
Author/Reviewer, E. G. Parsons – http://egparsons.com
Visit M. Jean Pike’s Wesite: http://www.freewebs.com/mjeanpike/
