VISITING TODAY IS Samantha St. Claire, author of the wonderful Sawtooth Range series. "Tracking Amy" is Samantha's next installment in the Whitcomb Spring series. It releases on April 13, 2018 with my next story, "Forsaken Trail."
AND NOW FOR a few questions with Samantha about "Tracking Amy" and the Whitcomb Springs series.
What inspired you to tell Amy’s story?
Amy represents many women I know, women who have struggled with issues of self-worth in the context of a toxic relationship. While I've not experienced this personally, I've walked through the recovery phase with friends who have. Amy has survived such a relationship and is now a widow who must rise to her feet and stand on her own in a frontier that kills the weak. She is an admirable character representing the enduring courage of such women. The final line of the story is a tribute to all of them.
Do you relate on any level to Amy’s character?
I can relate to struggles with self-worth, many can. At some point, we must take responsibility for our own recovery. It may require professional assistance for some or a trusted friend who can reflect to you what is true and good. Personally, I am blessed with both good friends and a husband who continues to tell me to "take the shot".
What can readers expect from you, as far as more stories in the series?
This series is providing me with a platform to experiment with styles and themes, not to mention a variety of characters. The Unexpected Hero of Whitcomb Springs allowed me to play with a humorous story. Jack is a delightful scamp whose good intentions to help a love struck friend backfire more often than help. Look for it this summer along with some longer novellas that bring back some of the characters introduced in these short stories.
Thank you, Samantha. I for one am excited to read your next story in this series, and I'm so excited to have you as part of the Whitcomb Springs family.
"Tracking Amy"
Riley Buchanan knew he’d been in the mining camps too long when he mistook the pretty Amy Sutton for a boy. Why she kept her gender disguised puzzled Riley. Curiosity put him on her trail. Destiny placed him in her life. Would Riley become the missing piece to the puzzle that was Amy?
"Forsaken Trail" and "Tracking Amy" are scheduled for release Friday, April 13th. The e-books can be pre-ordered today on Amazon. You can also visit our Amazon Whitcomb Springs series page.
Three of the Whitcomb Springs authors are also now posting once a month at The Captivating Quill, a new multi-author blog. Read and enjoy!
I awakened at 2:45 AM and was royally annoyed until the fog cleared from my brain and I realized what woke me.
I love a good storm. My bedroom window was already open with a nice breeze coming in through the screen. Then the rain began, and while I always enjoy a nice downpour, the thunder and lightning stole the show in the wee hours of the morning. No, I didn't take the above picture, but that's about what it looked like only with more lightning. It went on and on and I lay in bed with a big smile on my face.
I was about to fall back to sleep . . .
It seems my pup doesn't share my love for big storms, and the thunder really freaked her out. She pawed at the side of my bed to get my attention, her face set on the edge of the mattress (she's a tall one). I crawled out of bed again, spread one of her blankets over my bed coverings, and up she came. You ever try to move in a King-sized bed with a Saint Bernard cuddled up next to you? Yeah, it's not easy.
She went right to sleep, snoring away. I on the hand had stories, plots, and characters filling my mind, and keeping me awake. It wasn't long before the inside of my mind looked like this . . .
. . . as the storm continued to rage outside. I eventually fell asleep but only for an hour or two before the sun peeked through and decided it was time to wake up for the day. Sleep may have been lost, but a pretty cool scene emerged for my current work in progress, so all ended well and I didn't have to water the gardens.
Images from Pixabay.
It is too easy to get caught up in the negativity this world seems to thrive on. From social media to news outlets, people are far too eager to share negative thoughts and stories. And yet, in the dark gloom of misery, there are always those who project light with positive affirmations and acts of kindness. They are those who view the world as a place of beauty and strive to find the good in all people. They are the people I admire most. I regret to confess that too often negative thoughts creep into my mind, and it can at times take effort to turn them around.
It is my belief that if someone else chooses to be negative toward you or about something or someone else, they are the ones whose outlook needs to be altered. Of course, there is a place for sorrow when death or tragedy occurs, but even then, peace and hope are not out of reach.
You are the only one who can decide for yourself if you will be a force of miserable gloom or positive energy.
When negativity takes root, it rarely takes more than a deep breath a few seconds of careful contemplation to turn hate into love.
Search for weekly doses of inspiration and positive messages on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest using the hashtag #UpbeatAuthors. Thank you for sharing positive thoughts!
