...about a sample of Scribbles.

Do dreams come true? Meg MacAllister hopes they don't....

Because in Meg's dreams, she kills. Or worries that she does....

Johnny Peyton doesn't believe her fears have basis in reality. At first.

Does she? Or doesn't she? And does she really want to know?

The sample excerpt of Scribbles has been removed.

...about another sample.


Today's sample is from my novel ...and night falls. (ISBN 978-1441484307)
This is a small excerpt from Chapter Four. (To read the first three chapters, click here.)


“As far as I’m concerned,” A.J. said, “I think we ought to pack up and go home. I know I couldn’t enjoy myself now.”

Tatum took a deep drag from her cigarette and released the smoke in a long sigh. “Me, neither. Having a dead guy by my camping spot sort of takes the fun out of it. Know what I mean?”

Shelley leaned against the side of her car, her back to them. An idea swam in the murky depths of unrecognized knowledge, below her awareness. It kept her on edge, tension building, drawing the muscles of her shoulders tighter. When she became conscious of its presence, she still didn’t know what the thought contained. She looked across the water of the bay, where a sail boat tacked against the breeze, probably headed home.

The sun moved below the distant horizon and night fell, the darkness slipping across the water toward them, faint gleams and glows resting for brief moments upon the expanse of the bay, then disappearing when the wind scuffed the smooth surface. The darkness below the water’s glassy veneer appeared bottomless. Shelley shuddered, and in that moment, the thought broke through into her consciousness.

That shirt on the body. Hadn’t she seen one like it before? She’d only gotten a brief look, but now, it seemed as though she’d seen it before. No. That couldn’t be. It only felt that way because the vision of the body lying behind the brush kept traveling through her thoughts, she kept seeing that awful sight. Yes. That had to be it. It wasn’t—couldn’t be—familiar. And yet….

She glanced over her shoulder at the van. The Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Van. Crime. The word echoed through her mind. A chill of awareness rose up within her thoughts. Yes. She had seen a shirt like that one. Farrell Gilbert often wore one like it.

Shelley’s breaths came in rapid succession. Should she tell the deputy she knew someone who wore a shirt that looked like that one? No. How could she explain it? And if—she pushed the thought away but it returned—if it was Farrell’s shirt...she almost gasped as a cold wave of dread washed over her.

She turned slightly toward the van. She looked at the sheriff’s insignia on the side, and the words, “Crime Scene.” She swallowed hard. No. It couldn’t be true. Farrell had not been a crime victim.

But he’d disappeared. She argued with herself, gradually losing the debate. It was too horrible to contemplate that someone she knew, someone she worked with, may have fallen victim to crime. But there it was, floating in her thoughts like a dead fish in an aquarium, foul and repulsive. She shook her head. The shirt...Farrell’s disappearance...nothing but a coincidence. She crossed her arms, lowered her chin to her chest. A coincidence. It had to be.

...about Sample Sunday


The sample of High on a Mountain has been removed. To read a sample of the novel, visit the Amazon page and click "Look Inside."

http://www.amazon.com/High-on-a-Mountain-ebook/dp/B0042X9ACA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323772289&sr=1-1

...about spring.


Finally! At times over the past few months, it seemed as if spring would never arrive. But at last, here it is, accompanied by brilliant blue skies, greening vegetation, warmer temps and the occasional thunderstorm. As glad as I am to welcome spring, it’s not my favorite season. That place in my seasonal esteem is claimed by autumn. But this year, spring is especially welcome.

Why? Because the winter just past coincided with a chilling aspect in my personal life: my husband had open heart surgery in December. It was a stressful, worrisome time...but prayer and reliance on God carried me through it.

And now, with his increasing recovery and reclaiming his strength, not only is the weather delightful--beautiful and warm--but so is the outlook for my husband’s health.

Praise God! He is so wonderful!

photo via stockxchange copyright Nick Pye

...about remembering...


On Saturday, November 13, I was privileged to attend a memorial service for the Confederate soldier ancestor of a friend. Private Seaborn J. Cobb was honored by a military service conducted by Simpson Mounted Rangers UDC Chapter #2685, Milton, Florida, assisted by a re-enactment unit from Alabama.

Friends and family were in attendance at the solemn ceremony, including Pvt. Cobb’s two young great-great-great-great grandsons who were part of the re-enactment group. At the end of the ceremony, one of the two boys played taps for his great-great-great-great grandfather.


Especially moving was the Libations Ceremony. Each re-enactor knelt at the foot of Pvt. Cobb’s grave, took a sip from his canteen, then poured a bit of water at the foot of the grave, signifying the sharing of water with a fallen comrade.

Along with the playing of taps, the ceremony was concluded with a three-volley, twenty-one gun salute, fired from the muskets of the re-enactors, along with the firing of a cannon after each volley. Then the assembled group sang “Dixie.”

Private Seaborn J. Cobb, we remember....

...about another book signing.

Our local Barnes & Noble Booksellers store hosted a Local Author Reception/book signing on Saturday, October 30th.

Quite a few authors participated, and so we had scheduled times...mine, along with several other authors, was from 1 to 2:30 pm. I usually team up with a writer friend for signings, but this was the first time I'd met most of the other authors who shared the assigned time.

We had a great time getting acquainted and I learned some interesting things. I just wish I’d had a pile of money so I could have bought a book from each author...there were some very interesting-looking books available.

And now, my focus is changing from the books I’ve already written to the book that is waiting in the shadows, waiting for me to write it.

Tomorrow, NaNoWriMo begins. I have a title tentatively picked out, a character name, and some writing music (Theme from Route 66, can you believe). So, I’m forgetting about the books and characters I’m already acquainted with and turning my attention to....possibilities....

Photos by Connie Ward copyright 2010

...about awards.


I’m so happy to announce that my book trailer for ...and night falls won the REC Best Author Made Book Video for July 2010 on the New Covey Trailer Awards! Yay!

If you'd like to take a look at it, here it is:

...about Southern hospitality.

Southern hospitality is legendary. And when hubby and I went to Munford recently for my book signings and his high school reunion, we enjoyed the wonderful Southern hospitality at the home of Penny and Calvin Edmondson, hubby’s sister and her husband.

The Edmondsons live on a beautiful wooded lake. The porch built across the back of their house overlooks the lake, and on a summer morning, when the sun’s golden rays come slanting over the hills, there’s no lovelier or more peaceful sight.

As enjoyable as the surroundings are, though, it was the fellowship which made our visit special. Penny and Calvin always make guests feel at home, make them feel welcome and comfortable. It was a relaxing time, chatting over morning coffee or discussing the day’s events in the evening. A weekend at the Edmondsons' was like a mini-vacation.

Thanks, Penny and Calvin!

Image via Dreamstime free images

...about book signings.


I’ve been attending events, signing and selling my books, for about a year now. And when I went to Munford, Alabama last weekend, with the dual purpose of attending my husband’s 50th year class reunion as well as having a two-session book signing, I wasn’t prepared for what awaited me.

You see, I usually set things up myself, and I’m a rather “plain Jane” kinda gal. So when I walked into The Glass House Restaurant, I was blown away.

My dear friend, Charline Smith, and her daughter, Kay Glass, had organized and set up the event. Everything looked beautiful, elegant...a class act all the way, as the photos attest.

The refreshments were scrumptious (thanks, Kay and Earl!), the surroundings were beautifully decorated, and the warm welcome from the Smiths and the Glasses made me feel right at home.

And the icing on the cake, so to speak, was getting to reconnect with so many friends...it almost felt like a family reunion.

So, thanks, Charline, J. C., Kay and Earl...it was a fantastic weekend, thanks to you!

(By the way, we ate Sunday dinner at The Glass House after church Sunday morning...and I have to say, if you're ever traveling through Munford, try to time your trip so you'll be there at mealtime. The Glass House has some of the best eatin' around. Their Fried Green Tomatoes are out of this world, just like all their other selections!)

...about Munford, Alabama


I lived in Munford, Alabama during my four years of high school. And what a wonderful four years they were.

Munford is a small community with a big heart. The people of Munford and the surrounding area are an example of the very best America has to offer...generosity of spirit, Southern hospitality graciously extended, kindnesses shown to kith, kin and to strangers, too.

Although my family wasn’t native to the area, we were warmly accepted and made to feel at home when we lived there. And I carried a piece of Munford in my heart when I moved away. I married a native son, and that marriage tie insures I’ll always be connected to the people and the place, for which I’m grateful.

And it’s no surprise to me that my recent book signing in Munford was a great success. Thank you, family, friends, for welcoming me home in such a super way.