Wednesdays Romantic tap...
Don't you love it when you realize your hero/heroine are falling in love? Mary Rose Thornton knew when U. S. Marshall Trace Castillo put her under his protection.
She wasn’t a novice. Mary Rose knew what it was to be kissed. Yet his lips turned her insides to jelly. She shifted her bundle against her hip and rubbed her hand across her middle, hoping to calm her jittery nerves. Kissing that man was like playing with fire. At any time, the flames of desire could consume her.
Pushing away from the door, she moved down the hall. At the end of the stairs, she glanced to the bottom of the steps. He stood with his back to her. Something pulled at her gut; Mary Rose gazed with affection upon his dark head. She couldn’t deny it. This man, this U. S. Marshal, excited her. She wanted to be in those arms, her lips pressed to his. A shiver of delight raced down her backbone.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Mother's Day
Mother's Day is every day from the moment you hear the news, Congratulations. Your world changes without pomp and circumstance, you face the unknown with instinct and wisdom often beyond your years. You are the mother of all problems, the shoulder to cry on, the one they lash out at, but in the end, your love winds them over. Mom's are tough as nails, soft hearted, easy with blessings. In the end, none of us would be here with out them.
Love ya, Mom. Look down on this day and give me your blessing as you did while here on earth.
Love ya, Mom. Look down on this day and give me your blessing as you did while here on earth.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Cowboy and Lawman Blog Hop
Welcome to Cowboy and Lawman Blog Hope.
My name is Tessa Berkley and yes, I admit it, I'm a sucker for a man in denim, boots, and spurs.
I suppose, it comes from growing up with great shows like Bonanza, The Virginian, and The High Chaparral. These shows create characters bigger than life, who dominated the small screen. You know their characteristics by the end of the first episode. You knew they were going to prevail and all the answer solved by the end of the show. You knew they were going to get the girl, even if it ended in just happiness for now. It's this private code of hero, I tapped into when creating my hero U. S. Marshall Trace Castillo in my book Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose. In fact, there is one line that sums up his motto nicely.
"The words from his pledge, “to protect the citizens of Texas,” cut straight to his heart, giving his own personal creed deeper strength. For no one shot a woman on his watch and got away with it. After all, he was born a Texan, he had chosen to be a marshal,but he was first and always a man."
Trace embodies the best of Matt Dillon and the sassy male macho-ism of Manolito Montoya. I hope you'll enjoy meeting Trace Castillo and his heroine Mary Rose Thornton in the snippet I've left below. Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose is out now with Amazon and on May 24th it becomes available at other retail markets.
From Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose...
“Don’t you dare tell me it’s not my right to work,” she hissed. “My brother may be dead, but I own that freight company. It is my blood, my sweat, my life!”
“Your life,” he scoffed. “Your death, Miss Thornton, if you keep up with this foolhardy attempt.”
She flashed him a look of disdain. “You pompous windbag.” Her nostrils flared and color crept into her cheeks. “Don’t you preach to me! I intend to honor my brother’s memory by making Thornton’s the best freight company in Texas.”
Her fire set his blood aflame. Any other woman would have run in the opposite direction. In defiance, she stepped closer, glaring up at him, the color of her eyes deepening from blue to deep indigo. In their depths a sparkling of fire leaped and could not go unchallenged. Unable to control his movements, Trace reached out and grasped her by the waist, his broad hands nearly spanning her middle.
“Oh, yes.” His words tumbled over his lips, deep, throaty, and laced with desire. “You’ll make a name for yourself. Every unmarried man, every scoundrel, and every hot blood in southwest Texas will turn up on your doorstep. They will watch the tilt of your head, the sway of your skirts, and try to catch the shimmer of fire in that fine head of hair.”
Beneath his stare, her eyes widened. Not from fear, but with understanding of what his words meant. He searched her face but didn’t hold back. “They won’t stop there,” he continued, pulling her toward him. “Not until they have a taste of heaven.”
Sigh, I can't tell you how thrilled I was when The Wild Rose Press allowed Trace to come to life!If you enjoy this snippet, please stop by my website and join my newsletter for information about up coming releases. To purchase a copy of Castillo, please use the link below...
http://www.amazon.com/Castillos-Fiery-Texas-Rose-ebook/dp/B00B5M48UU/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1_3TEE
Cowboy Charm Blog Hops now has a companion FaceBook Group. If you'd like to join to receive blog hop and prize announcements here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/453991144693516/
As you enjoy some awesome blogs and find fantastic books, remember for every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some amazing prizes.
***PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY***
Grand Prize: At least a $75 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble, your choice. The winner will be chosen at random from comments containing email addresses, and will be announced on May 7. This is open to both US and international readers.
Here's a list of the blogs. Have a great time.
Yours,
Tessa
My name is Tessa Berkley and yes, I admit it, I'm a sucker for a man in denim, boots, and spurs.
I suppose, it comes from growing up with great shows like Bonanza, The Virginian, and The High Chaparral. These shows create characters bigger than life, who dominated the small screen. You know their characteristics by the end of the first episode. You knew they were going to prevail and all the answer solved by the end of the show. You knew they were going to get the girl, even if it ended in just happiness for now. It's this private code of hero, I tapped into when creating my hero U. S. Marshall Trace Castillo in my book Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose. In fact, there is one line that sums up his motto nicely.
"The words from his pledge, “to protect the citizens of Texas,” cut straight to his heart, giving his own personal creed deeper strength. For no one shot a woman on his watch and got away with it. After all, he was born a Texan, he had chosen to be a marshal,but he was first and always a man."
Trace embodies the best of Matt Dillon and the sassy male macho-ism of Manolito Montoya. I hope you'll enjoy meeting Trace Castillo and his heroine Mary Rose Thornton in the snippet I've left below. Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose is out now with Amazon and on May 24th it becomes available at other retail markets.
From Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose...
“Don’t you dare tell me it’s not my right to work,” she hissed. “My brother may be dead, but I own that freight company. It is my blood, my sweat, my life!”
“Your life,” he scoffed. “Your death, Miss Thornton, if you keep up with this foolhardy attempt.”
She flashed him a look of disdain. “You pompous windbag.” Her nostrils flared and color crept into her cheeks. “Don’t you preach to me! I intend to honor my brother’s memory by making Thornton’s the best freight company in Texas.”
Her fire set his blood aflame. Any other woman would have run in the opposite direction. In defiance, she stepped closer, glaring up at him, the color of her eyes deepening from blue to deep indigo. In their depths a sparkling of fire leaped and could not go unchallenged. Unable to control his movements, Trace reached out and grasped her by the waist, his broad hands nearly spanning her middle.
“Oh, yes.” His words tumbled over his lips, deep, throaty, and laced with desire. “You’ll make a name for yourself. Every unmarried man, every scoundrel, and every hot blood in southwest Texas will turn up on your doorstep. They will watch the tilt of your head, the sway of your skirts, and try to catch the shimmer of fire in that fine head of hair.”
Beneath his stare, her eyes widened. Not from fear, but with understanding of what his words meant. He searched her face but didn’t hold back. “They won’t stop there,” he continued, pulling her toward him. “Not until they have a taste of heaven.”
Sigh, I can't tell you how thrilled I was when The Wild Rose Press allowed Trace to come to life!If you enjoy this snippet, please stop by my website and join my newsletter for information about up coming releases. To purchase a copy of Castillo, please use the link below...
http://www.amazon.com/Castillos-Fiery-Texas-Rose-ebook/dp/B00B5M48UU/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1_3TEE
Cowboy Charm Blog Hops now has a companion FaceBook Group. If you'd like to join to receive blog hop and prize announcements here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/453991144693516/
As you enjoy some awesome blogs and find fantastic books, remember for every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some amazing prizes.
***PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY***
Grand Prize: At least a $75 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble, your choice. The winner will be chosen at random from comments containing email addresses, and will be announced on May 7. This is open to both US and international readers.
Here's a list of the blogs. Have a great time.
Yours,
Tessa
Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop!
Cowboys are known as bad-boys, but what happens when the bad-boy is also the law in town? What is it about these contradictions that make small town sheriffs, Texas Rangers and ex-outlaws-turned-lawmen so irresistible? Whether you write or love to read about the Wild West or modern day Montana, what do you love most about lawmen who are also cowboys? And what makes them so gosh-darn sexy?
Then join nearly 50 other writers and myself as we hop from blog to blog from May 2 to May 6th. But that’s not all, as you enjoy some awesome blogs and find fantastic books, for every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some amazing prizes.
Grand Prize: At least a $75 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble, your choice. The winner will be chosen at random from comments containing email addresses, and will be announced on May 7. This is open to both US and international readers.
*** Stop by and remember to PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY! *** You can check out authors on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/453991144693516/
Click on the badge to see cowboycharm.blogspot.com
These are the participating blogs:
Then join nearly 50 other writers and myself as we hop from blog to blog from May 2 to May 6th. But that’s not all, as you enjoy some awesome blogs and find fantastic books, for every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some amazing prizes.
Grand Prize: At least a $75 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble, your choice. The winner will be chosen at random from comments containing email addresses, and will be announced on May 7. This is open to both US and international readers.
*** Stop by and remember to PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY! *** You can check out authors on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/453991144693516/
Click on the badge to see cowboycharm.blogspot.com
These are the participating blogs:
Friday, April 26, 2013
On Writing Romance...
Writing romance takes a special type of progression. We've all heard stories described as: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl and happily-ever-after ensues. It is in a sense a three act play with turning points that leads to the next act.
Act one, you set the stage, introduce your characters, their setting, their problem. You sit back and allow the characters to grapple with the problem,devise all the reasons they can't be together. They'll use society, personal flaws - ie. thou protest too much, and all around it just ain't happening. Which brings us to how to move from Act 1 to Act 2.
To march or finagle your couple to the altar, you employ the use of the well developed secondary characters. Your secondary character is your everyman. The person that acts as the conscious of your hero/heroine. They are the force that moves your characters from walling in all the reason they can't be together with a swift kick in the pants, pointing out the flaws, and establishing the reasons why they must try.
I mean, think of all the great secondary characters we've come to know and love. John Wayne and Gabby Hayes, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. I'm sure you all can name a few more.
So when you create your secondary make sure they can stand up to the heroine/hero and push, shove, accidentally trick them into following their heart. For we know, the path to true love doesn't run smoothly.
Here's an example from a work in progress. Heroine can't have hero because their families have been feuding for years. But as you'll see the secondary pushes them forward.
“So, you’re going over to the Jenning’s place?”
Jason didn’t answer. The seven steps it took to move to his mount’s side and place the saddle upon it’s back gave him time to think before he answered. “Phone call might be easiest,” he remarked hooking the stirrup over the horn to reach for the girth. “But turning up, face to face, shows a lot of goodwill.”
“Hu hu.” The acknowledgement dripped in doubt.
Ignoring his foreman, he threaded the leather through the ring and tightened it. Beneath the brim of his hat, the shadows gave enough cover to allow a guarded glance at the cowboy standing at his horses head. Dropping the stirrup, he laid a hand across the seat and confronted him. “If you’ve got a problem, Chip, say it.”
Chip ran his hand down the front of the gelding’s nose. “Look, we all know there’s bad blood. I just want you to use a bit of caution. The Bar M doesn’t need any altercations with the Flying J. Max can be just as big of a hot head as old man Jennings.”
“I’m well aware,” Jason growled and walked over to the corral post to untie his horse. He drew the split reins around the horse’s neck and stepping to the left, planted his boot in the stirrup, bringing his leg over the saddle.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Jennings’ daughter?”
Jason gritted his teeth and his jaw muscle twitched. “Don’t you have cattle to tend to?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. Why don’t you let a few of the boys ride along with you? Kind of keep the numbers even.”
Fuming, Jason placed an arm on the saddle horn and leaned down. He didn’t want his message to be mistaken. “I don’t need a chaperone. This is just a friendly call to let Maz know what’s going on. You comprende?”
“Yeah, sure. I gotcha, boss.”
Happy Writing ....
Act one, you set the stage, introduce your characters, their setting, their problem. You sit back and allow the characters to grapple with the problem,devise all the reasons they can't be together. They'll use society, personal flaws - ie. thou protest too much, and all around it just ain't happening. Which brings us to how to move from Act 1 to Act 2.
To march or finagle your couple to the altar, you employ the use of the well developed secondary characters. Your secondary character is your everyman. The person that acts as the conscious of your hero/heroine. They are the force that moves your characters from walling in all the reason they can't be together with a swift kick in the pants, pointing out the flaws, and establishing the reasons why they must try.
I mean, think of all the great secondary characters we've come to know and love. John Wayne and Gabby Hayes, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. I'm sure you all can name a few more.
So when you create your secondary make sure they can stand up to the heroine/hero and push, shove, accidentally trick them into following their heart. For we know, the path to true love doesn't run smoothly.
Here's an example from a work in progress. Heroine can't have hero because their families have been feuding for years. But as you'll see the secondary pushes them forward.
“So, you’re going over to the Jenning’s place?”
Jason didn’t answer. The seven steps it took to move to his mount’s side and place the saddle upon it’s back gave him time to think before he answered. “Phone call might be easiest,” he remarked hooking the stirrup over the horn to reach for the girth. “But turning up, face to face, shows a lot of goodwill.”
“Hu hu.” The acknowledgement dripped in doubt.
Ignoring his foreman, he threaded the leather through the ring and tightened it. Beneath the brim of his hat, the shadows gave enough cover to allow a guarded glance at the cowboy standing at his horses head. Dropping the stirrup, he laid a hand across the seat and confronted him. “If you’ve got a problem, Chip, say it.”
Chip ran his hand down the front of the gelding’s nose. “Look, we all know there’s bad blood. I just want you to use a bit of caution. The Bar M doesn’t need any altercations with the Flying J. Max can be just as big of a hot head as old man Jennings.”
“I’m well aware,” Jason growled and walked over to the corral post to untie his horse. He drew the split reins around the horse’s neck and stepping to the left, planted his boot in the stirrup, bringing his leg over the saddle.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Jennings’ daughter?”
Jason gritted his teeth and his jaw muscle twitched. “Don’t you have cattle to tend to?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. Why don’t you let a few of the boys ride along with you? Kind of keep the numbers even.”
Fuming, Jason placed an arm on the saddle horn and leaned down. He didn’t want his message to be mistaken. “I don’t need a chaperone. This is just a friendly call to let Maz know what’s going on. You comprende?”
“Yeah, sure. I gotcha, boss.”
Happy Writing ....
Friday, April 12, 2013
Friday Action Adventure snippet
“Don’t you dare tell me it’s not my right to work,” she hissed. “My brother may be dead, but I own that freight company. It is my blood, my sweat, my life!”
“Your life,” he scoffed. “Your death, Miss Thornton, if you keep up with this foolhardy attempt.”
She flashed him a look of disdain. “You pompous windbag.” Her nostrils flared and color crept into her cheeks. “Don’t you preach to me! I intend to honor my brother’s memory by making Thornton’s the best freight company in Texas.”
Her fire set his blood aflame. Any other woman would have run in the opposite direction. In defiance,she stepped closer, glaring up at him, the color of her eyes deepening from blue to deep indigo. In their depths a sparkling of fire leaped and could not go unchallenged. Unable to control his movements, Trace reached out and grasped her by the waist, his broad hands nearly spanning her middle.
“Oh, yes.” His words tumbled over his lips, deep,throaty, and laced with desire. “You’ll make a name for yourself. Every unmarried man, every scoundrel, and every hot blood in southwest Texas will turn up on your doorstep. They will watch the tilt of your head, the sway of your skirts, and try to catch the shimmer of fire in that fine head of hair.”
Beneath his stare, her eyes widened. Not from fear, but with understanding of what his words meant. He searched her face but didn’t hold back. “They won’t stop there,” he continued, pulling her toward him. “Not until they have a taste of heaven.”
From Castillo's Fiery Texas Bride now available at Amazon.
“Your life,” he scoffed. “Your death, Miss Thornton, if you keep up with this foolhardy attempt.”
She flashed him a look of disdain. “You pompous windbag.” Her nostrils flared and color crept into her cheeks. “Don’t you preach to me! I intend to honor my brother’s memory by making Thornton’s the best freight company in Texas.”
Her fire set his blood aflame. Any other woman would have run in the opposite direction. In defiance,she stepped closer, glaring up at him, the color of her eyes deepening from blue to deep indigo. In their depths a sparkling of fire leaped and could not go unchallenged. Unable to control his movements, Trace reached out and grasped her by the waist, his broad hands nearly spanning her middle.
“Oh, yes.” His words tumbled over his lips, deep,throaty, and laced with desire. “You’ll make a name for yourself. Every unmarried man, every scoundrel, and every hot blood in southwest Texas will turn up on your doorstep. They will watch the tilt of your head, the sway of your skirts, and try to catch the shimmer of fire in that fine head of hair.”
Beneath his stare, her eyes widened. Not from fear, but with understanding of what his words meant. He searched her face but didn’t hold back. “They won’t stop there,” he continued, pulling her toward him. “Not until they have a taste of heaven.”
From Castillo's Fiery Texas Bride now available at Amazon.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Facing Fears
The toughest thing you can do is to get back on...
We've all heard the saying, fall off a horse and you must get back on, but when the beast is nearly 2000 pounds of Brahma terror, the task becomes more than daunting. In Eight Seconds to Glory, Travis Hargrove has a lot to prove if he wants to win Glory Beebe's heart.
“You're crazy, you know it?” Mickey snapped as he handed Travis a chest protector.
“You got no more business on that bull than a jay bird.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Travis paused and cut Mickey an impatient glance. “I know what I'm doing. Jax is right. It's time I showed those kids what a bull rider does.”
“You ain't ready,” Mickey shook his head. “You haven't been on a bull yet. You could go and get yourself killed.”
Travis put on the metal helmet. “I got news for you,” he thumped Mickey's chest. “I'm coming out on top.”
“And Glory? You get hurt and what am I gonna say to her?”
He paused and turned to look at Mickey. “I'm not gonna get hurt. In fact when I get done, I'm gonna tell her I love her.” His face contorted in thought. “I don't know how we‟re gonna make it work, but I know when two people are as good together as we are, you don't look back, you just do it.”
Eight Seconds to Glory is available in print and in ebook.
http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Seconds-Glory-Tessa-Berkley/dp/1440555885/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364908885&sr=8-1&keywords=Eight+Seconds+to+Glory
We've all heard the saying, fall off a horse and you must get back on, but when the beast is nearly 2000 pounds of Brahma terror, the task becomes more than daunting. In Eight Seconds to Glory, Travis Hargrove has a lot to prove if he wants to win Glory Beebe's heart.
“You're crazy, you know it?” Mickey snapped as he handed Travis a chest protector.
“You got no more business on that bull than a jay bird.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Travis paused and cut Mickey an impatient glance. “I know what I'm doing. Jax is right. It's time I showed those kids what a bull rider does.”
“You ain't ready,” Mickey shook his head. “You haven't been on a bull yet. You could go and get yourself killed.”
Travis put on the metal helmet. “I got news for you,” he thumped Mickey's chest. “I'm coming out on top.”
“And Glory? You get hurt and what am I gonna say to her?”
He paused and turned to look at Mickey. “I'm not gonna get hurt. In fact when I get done, I'm gonna tell her I love her.” His face contorted in thought. “I don't know how we‟re gonna make it work, but I know when two people are as good together as we are, you don't look back, you just do it.”
Eight Seconds to Glory is available in print and in ebook.
http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Seconds-Glory-Tessa-Berkley/dp/1440555885/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364908885&sr=8-1&keywords=Eight+Seconds+to+Glory
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