Surprise!

Since Christmas is less than a week away, I decided to share a small scene with you from my upcoming book, Slay the Demon. #slaythedemon #surprise #2017

*Unedited*

"Cody, what can i get you?" April asked.
"Water will be fine, April," Cody said.
"Still on that no coke thing?" April asked stuffing her order pad in her apron.
"Trying," Cody said smiling.
"Not sure I could give up my coke," April stated.
"No one wants you to give up your coke, April," Matt laughed. "I've seen you when you haven't had one."
"Ha-ha, very funny, Matthew. If you don't behave, I'll make sure to spit in your meatloaf," April warned with her hands on her hips.
"You do that and I'll tell your momma," Matt warned.
April Meyers was Jane Meyers, the owner's yougest daughter. The other two girls worked in the sewing factory on the other side of town.
"Tell momma, I'll make sure she knows why I spit in your food," April joked. "She'll understand."
"Not when the health inspector shows up," Cody remarked with a wink at April.
"Oh please that freckle-face Jimmy Wayne," she said waving her hands. "I babysit his brat for free, he loves me."
"I'm sure his wife, Barb, loves you more," Matt remarked leaning back.
"Probably," April agreed. "Now, Cody, you want your regular?"
"Is Stan cooking?" Cody asked glancing at the window for the kitchen.
"No, he's out sick today," April replied.
"Then no, I want the meatloaf, but without spit," Cody teased.
"I'll make sure to put a little flag on yours so I won't give you Matt's special," April siad with a wink before leaving their table.
"You know I'm worried she might actually spit in my food one day," Matt said glancing at April moving around the tables talking to the customers.

I also have another surpise. While writing Slay the Demon, other characters wanted their stories told. Between edits, I plotted another story and even wrote the complete outline. This never happens so I took it as a sign to write their book. I even have a name: Falling for Cody.

The new book will not be a sequel and takes places between the last chapter and epilogue of Slay the Demon. You will not need to read Slay the Demon, but it will not hurt to read it. This will follow Cody and April's journey. If you want to add it to your TBR list, I already have it up on Goodreads! The pinterest board is also unlocked if you want to take a sneak peak at it.

Jolly Roger

"I see the ferry, it looks like a pirate ship."
"Are you sure?" Kim asked.
"Yes, it has that pirate flag that Captain Hook flies," Maggie replied. "The black one with the bones on it."
"The Jolly Roger," Kim supplied. "Captain Hook's flag is called the Jolly Roger."

#slaythedemon #amwriting #editmode #2017

Hero

"I need you to be brave and become the hero of this story. Can you do that for me? Can you be the hero?"

This is one of the scenes that I loved how it played out on paper. #slaythedemon #editmode #2017

Scene

I'm editing and adding my flair but I wanted to share this scene from Slay the Demon.

"Could you and daddy talk to him?"
"What?"
"I think he needs to talk to someone who has been through this before," Kim explained.
"Honey, I've never lost anyone to a gunman before," her mother said.
"But you've had a child who experienced the terror of a school shooting. You know how it feels to think you might have lost your child to a gunman. You know the horror in hearing about a madman loose in a school," Kim said. "He needs to talk to someone who has experienced that."

#slaythedemon #editmode #2017

Edit Mode

Full edit mode! Oh the joys of reading your own work and wondering how you could misspell or leave out words. #slaythedemon #authorproblems #editmode #2017

Review of Savannah

Check out her review of Savannah.

http://robynechols.blogspot.com/2016/11/wednesday-wonders-savannah.html

My treat for you!

Happy Halloween! I have a treat for everyone. Lily and Savannah are on sale for 0.99! This is for all ebook platforms, not just kindle. I hope you enjoy both stories and don't forget to leave a review.

Orange

"Momma, you wouldn't look good in prison orange," Kim said.
"Are you kidding? I can rock any color if it meant peace of mind," Mary laughed.

Valor

Wear your valor as well as you do your lace.

This one phrase has so much meaning behind it for Kimberly. It was also the phrase that helped me dive deeper into her character and paint the story the way it should be. I can't wait to share Matthew and Kimberly's story with everyone! #slaythedemon #amwriting #deadlineapproaching #2017

Pinterest

If you are following me on Pinterest, you will notice that a board for Slay the Demon. I've unlocked it for anyone who wants to cruise through what inspires the story. Normally, I don't unlock the board until the book is out, but I decided the change things up a bit. So enjoy the board.

Parents

If your father wasn't such a great man, I might have to push him over the bridge on the way home. #slaythedemon #amwriting #2017

Stars

You cannot be mad at the darkness because then we wouldn't see the stars. - Kimberly, Slay the Demon

#slaythedemon #amwriting #campingtonight

Quotes

"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." Margaret Thatcher

Diving deeper into Slay the Demon and my pinterest board. There are a lot of quotes that are awesome for my characters but this one captures the scene I'm working on so well. I will leave you with one quote that is from me. Happy Friday!

"To slay a demon, you have to face it."

#slaythedemon #amwriting #deadlineapproaching #2017

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak of Slay the Demon.

“I trust everyone is working on their papers due Monday,” Mrs. Miller said as the class groaned. “Now, I want you to clear your desks.”

Kim knew what that meant; they were having a pop quiz. Everyone else knew the drill. Pop quizzes were Mrs. Miller’s favorite way to test her students.

“You will have ten minutes…” Mrs. Miller said, but was interrupted by something that had never echoed down the hallways.

Gunshots.

Screams pierced the air as more gunshots echoed down the halls. There was chaos everywhere as people ducked under chairs and desks.

“Get down!” Mrs. Miller shouted.

Scrambling out of her seat, Kimberly hit the floor hard as the classroom door burst open. Her knees were on fire as she scrambled under her desk. She hit her head as she readjusted under the desk. Rubbing the side of her head, she dared a glanced up and saw one of the other students standing in the doorway with a gun in hand.

Was this a drill? This couldn’t be happening, could it?

Everything froze as she watched Dallas raise the gun. Dallas was going to shoot at them? Nothing made sense right now. It was like a scene of out one of those big budget movies Monica loved so much, except she knew the actors in this movie.

“Please don’t shoot,” Mrs. Miller pleaded with her hands raised in front of her.

“Shut up! I’m in control now!” Dallas yelled as he took aim and squeezed the trigger.

Several thoughts flashed through Kim’s mind as the bullets flew around the room. More screams filled the air, but she heard nothing. One thought was on repeat in her mind.

She didn’t tell her parents she loved them this morning.

In the rush of trying to find something cute to wear, putting on her makeup, braiding her hair, and leaving, she didn’t pause long enough to say those three little words. Her parents had been enjoying their coffee and breakfast when she rushed past them.

She was pulled from her thoughts as pain radiated from her body. Closing her eyes, she tried to picture her parents, but all she saw was blood.

Book 6 has a title

Since I'm about halfway through writing book 6, I decided to reveal the title and blurb. The title is Slay the Demon and the blurb is below. It is already up on goodreads so you can add it to your TBR list. I do not have a publishing date in mind yet, but I am looking at early 2017.

*Blurb*

In 2003, the unthinkable happened- a mass shooting at the local high school. The events of that day will cast a long shadow over the small town of Briar Wall. Kimberly Wilson, one of the surviving victims of that mass shooting, will forever be changed from that one event. She decides to start her own organization, Slay the Demon, to help other victims of mass shootings deal with their inner demons.

In 2016, on the thirteenth anniversary, history repeats itself and another shooter will throw the town back in the shadows. This time instead of the high school, the shooter’s target is the elementary school. Matthew Oliver felt relief when he saw that Maggie was okay. He quickly realized that Maggie was only physically okay. Mentally, she was still trapped with the shooter. He will have to learn how to trust someone’s treatment of his daughter.

Together, Kimberly and Matt will work to unlock Maggie’s mind and free her from the terror of that morning. As they come closer to helping Maggie, lines will be blurred and crossed. Is their attraction passing or will it lead to more?

Book 6

So my new story is flowing faster than I can type. I finished Chapter 5 and 6 over the past 2 days which resulted in almost 11,000 words! I may finished before my deadline :) #book6 #slaythedemon #amwriting

Pinterest

My pinterest board for Savannah is now unlocked since Savannah is Live on all platforms.
Book 6 is moving along. I expect to publish it in early 2017. It will be a modern romance. I will be releasing the title and blurb in the coming weeks.

Sunday Writing

When you reach that first fight between your main characters: priceless! Oh the journeys the characters go through before finally falling. Kimberly and Matt are strong independent people who only want the best for Maggie. #authorproblems #slaythedemon #2017

Look what I got in the mail!!!! I love it! Huge thanks to Christina Malone for her amazing cover work and to TCB Editing for their inside work. 3 more days!!

Current WIP

With Savannah releasing on Saturday, I thought I would share a piece of my current work in progress.

"Will she ever be the same?" Matt asked.
"No, she will forever be changed by the events of that day," Kim replied sadly.
#book6 #slaythedemon #2017

Small Scene

One week from today Savannah will be live. Here is a small scene to tide you over until then.

June 1861
Knoxville, TN
...

“Do you hate us that much?” his mother cried.
“No,” Phillip replied as he buttoned the last button on his jacket
“Then why did you join the Confederate Army?” his father asked. “Everyone in town is asking your mother and I what is wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong,” Phillip said, turning around to face his parents, “this is my decision.”
“I can’t believe you joined the enemy,” his father remarked. “You fought to end slavery, and now you are joining the fight to keep it.”
“That’s not the reason I joined the Confederate Army,” Phillip said as he gathered his things.
“Grace is probably rolling over in her grave right now,” his mother said.
“If Grace was alive, you won’t even think about fighting,” his father said.
“But she’s not alive,” Phillip whispered. “She died.”
“But if she wouldn’t have…” his mother started.
“Grace is dead!” Phillip yelled glancing back at his parents. “I joined the Confederate Army and you will just have to deal with it.”
“I’ll cut you off,” his father warned.
“Do what you have to,” Phillip said. “My company is heading out, so I need to go.”
“I can’t believe you’re leaving let alone, fighting,” his mother cried. “Promise me, you will come home.”
“Mother, I’m going to war,” Phillip said. “There is a good chance, I won’t make it back.”
“Please try,” his mother begged.
“I’ll try,” he promised.
He hugged his parents before leaving the house. He didn’t tell them that he hoped he didn’t come home. It would cause his mother more worry and he couldn’t hurt her like that. He hoped his parents would understand one day why he couldn’t stay here. The day Grace died was the day his world ended. He’d been walking around in a haze and this war would provide him with an escape route.
This war would not be easy and would last longer than anyone predicted, but he was okay with it. He needed a distraction from Grace.

Preorder

Savannah is available for preorder on Kindle!!!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRS3Y0Q…

Cover Reveal

Check it out!!!! Only 9 days to go before you get to meet Phillip and Rachel. Once the preorder links are ready, I'll post them here. Thanks once again to my awesome cover artist, Christina Malone.

Almost done with Chapter 2!

Repeat

This song has been on repeat while writing the first chapters of my new book. #authorproblems #book6 #slaythedemon

 

Playlist

Made a new Playlist for book 6! It is all over the place, but the songs fits the book perfectly. I can't wait to type certain scenes. #book6 #amwriting #needatitle

Muse

So I'm writing book 6 and outlining books 7 and 8. I am insane! My muse is working overtime.

Oh look what I'm doing!!!! Savannah came back from the editor so now I get to make all those edits. #savannah #civilwar #publishingsoon

New Book

Here is a small scene of the new book I'm working on. This story has bugged me for months and now I finally have time to give it justice.

*Unedited*

"What makes you think you can help my daughter when I can't?" Matt asked angrily. ...
"Because I've been through the terror she faced. I know what it feels like to have your world shaken," Kim said.
"Lots of people have had their world shaken," he pointed out.
"You don't get it," she huffed. "Your daughter was threatened in what should've been a happy place for her."
"I know, so why do you think you are the only one who can help her?" he asked.
"Because I'm one of the few who has faced a gunman busting through..."

That's all you get for the moment. Don't worry I'll be releasing details soon. I am also plotting another book at the same time. It should be interesting.
Don't forget that Savannah will be available in a few months, so you don't have long to wait for another book from me.

So this is happening!

Still loving my job!

So while I'm waiting for Savannah to come back from the editors, I'm reworking Cursed Soldier. I'm editing for minor things and changing the layout to match my other books. Can't wait to upload the newer version once I'm done. I can't believe Cursed Soldier was released almost 3 years ago.

So while I'm waiting for Savannah to come back from the editors, I'm reworking Cursed Soldier. I'm editing for minor things and changing the layout to match my other books. Can't wait to upload the newer version once I'm done. I can't believe Cursed Soldier was released almost 3 years ago.

Walking Shiloh Battlefield for pictures for the cover of Savannah.

Savannah is off to the editor!

Had to share

Still editing but I had to share.

Teaser

I'm going to leave this here.

Living the Dream

As everyone is aware my new book takes place in Savannah, TN in 1866. You may also know how  much I love history especially the American Civil War. Well this summer I get to bask in everything Shiloh National Military Park has to offer as a Park Ranger! I'm getting to live the life of one my characters.

Uh oh!

"So your father is scarier than the Union soldiers running the prison camp," Phillip said.
"He is a little intense," Rachel said. "Wait, when did you meet me father?"

Small Scene

In honor of the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh, here is a small scene from my new book Savannah.

*Unedited*

January 1866

Savannah, TN
 

Cannon fire echoed in the distance as she made her way across the battlefield. Mist covered the ground and hid the bodies she knew were there. She didn’t know where she was going, but something was calling out to her.

The smell of smoke choked her as she neared what looked like a pond. It wasn’t filled with water though because water wasn’t red in color. She could almost believe it was blood. There were men lying at the edge taking a drink while others were floating in the middle of it. She wanted to ask if they were all right, but something held her back.

Shaking her head, she walked around it to continue through the Peach Orchard. It was still too early for the fruit to bloom, but there was growth on the branches. Some of the trees were missing branches while others were nearly chopped down. She knew cannon and musket balls were responsible for the damage the trees sustained.

The wind whipped around her as she crept through the carnage. The voice calling out to her became more and more familiar with each step she took. The voice also grew louder with each step. The same voice had her crossing the Tennessee River during the battle to find who was calling her.

“Rachel,” the voice cried out.

“Colton?” she questioned as she looked around. She finally recognized the voice. Why had it taken this long?

“Rachel, help me,” Colton cried.

“Colton, where are you?” she asked as the mist started to rise.

“I’m here,” Colton answered.

She finally looked down as the mist cleared to reveal the ground and the prone bodies of soldiers. They were not just Confederates, but Union as well. The grass was stained as the pond was with blood. Glancing around, she finally saw Colton.

He was slightly to her left, lying on his back. She walked over to him and knelt down next to him.

“Colton,” she breathed as she cradled his head in her lap.

“I’m sorry,” he gurgled out. “I’m sorry, for leaving you and for not coming home. I love you, and I wish we could have had more time together. I know you do not understand my reasons for joining, but you will one day,” he promised.

She couldn’t say anything. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she choked back her sobs. Logically, she knew he was dying, but she didn’t want to accept it. She was only sixteen. They hadn’t been married a year. She couldn’t lose him. They’d planned to have a family together. What would she do without him?

“Colton,” she whispered as her tears landed on his cheeks and nose. “I love you. You can’t leave me.”

“I wish I didn’t have to, but you will continue on in your life. I know you will find someone who is broken and together the two of you will heal,” he stated.

“No, I will not find someone. Do you think I will forget you so easily?” she questioned.

“You will never forget me, but you will love again.”

She shook her head before wiping her cheeks. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “Don’t leave me,” she pleaded.

The battle raged around them, but she didn’t care. No one seemed to bother them, either.

“Rachel, I love you,” he whispered, as his breathing grew labored.

She ran her fingers through his hair. It was matted with blood, sweat, and mud. She watched as his chest rose and fell, but it didn’t rise again.

“No,” she cried as she tried to shake him awake.

 

Nothing worked to revive him. He was gone.

NPS

The National Park Service turns 100 this year! Since it is offically Spring I urge everyone to get out an visit a local park or battlefield. Of course I love visiting the battlefields. There is nothing else that compares to the peace I feel when I step onto those hallowed grounds. Also on April 12th the 155th anniversaries of the Civil War begin starting at Fort Sumter and will end at Appomattox Court House in 2020 so plenty of time to visit one of the hundreds of battlefields on their anniversaries.

The Blurb and Title

Okay since I can't wait until Monday I'm posting this today. The title for my new book is Savannah. Don't forget to add it to your goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29487725-savannah. Here is the blurb as well.

In the wake of reconstruction, tensions are still high throughout the former Confederate States as they rejoin the Union and heal. Women are in mourning and former soldiers are slowly finding their way home from the battlefields and prisons.

As a former Confederate prisoner of war, Phillip Anderson is on his way out west when he is forced to stop in the sleepy town of Savannah, Tennessee. Longing for a fresh start in St. Louis, he takes a job to make the money he needs to cross the Tennessee River. The town is the same as all the other towns he’s passed through on his journey west. What he doesn’t expect to find is a widow who is secretly still mad at her husband for dying.

Rachel married Colton Williams at the tender age of sixteen. Losing Colton at the Battle of Shiloh less than a year later filled her with anger. As the war comes to its devastating end, she finds the anger is still lodged in her heart. Every displaced soldier journeying through town tugs at her heartstrings as she tries to heal along with the nation. What she didn’t expect was one of those passing soldiers to find out about her anger at her dead husband.

Phillip and Rachel have both experienced extreme loss, but life has a way of healing even the deepest hurt and anger.

Two broken souls meeting in the dusty streets of

Savannah

Exciting Friday Night

Outlining ‪#‎book5‬! It's crazy how I don't do this first thing but I like to get one or two chapters done first then I outline. Normally it will switch and change as I write but this at least gets my thoughts in order. I can't wait to release the title on Monday!

Some updates

Typed the rough draft of the blurb, why does this never get easier? I'm not sure if I love it or hate it. #authorproblems

Side note: I think I have the title. I'm going to think it over and hopefully by Monday I'll let everyone know.

Also my tentative release date is September 17. For those who don't know the Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17 and since Phillip was captured there, I thought it would only be fitting to release it on the anniversary.

Northern Prisons

This gives you an idea of how many died after surviving battle only to be captured.

Phillip (my new lead guy) was sent to Camp Douglas after being captured at Antietam.

More Shiloh Research

I drove around Shiloh National Military Park yesterday to take more pictures and research troop movements. I love being able to walk around and take in the history. I can't wait to bring Phillip and Rachel's story to life.

Sneak Peek at my new book!

Prologue

 

April 1862

Shiloh, TN

Struggling to stand, Colton glanced around the open field. Smoke filled his vision and hid the fight going on around him. Musket fire mixed with cannon fire to deafen him. Coughing, he fell to his knees and thought about his wife.

She was only a few miles away in Savannah. He knew she could hear the cannon fire from her home. In fact, she was probably on the porch looking this way. He could feel her praying for his safety. This time her prayers wouldn’t work.

He could feel the blood seeping out the bullet hole. He was also cold and his vision blurred. This was not how he was supposed to die. This was not how the war was supposed to go. They should have licked the Yankees in a month. The war should be over and two nations on American soil. What had gone wrong?

He should be at home with his wife and their family. He should be enjoying the joys of fatherhood; instead, he would leave her a young widow.

Rachel, his childhood sweetheart and now his wife, was only sixteen, but wise beyond her years. She would struggle with his death, but he prayed she would find someone else.

His body grew weaker as he hit the ground. Rolling to his back, he looked up at the sky. The picture of Rachel as she whispered her vows appeared. She was beautiful, but it was her heart that he loved most.

“I love you, Rachel,” he whispered as death claimed him.

s

 

September 1862

Sharpsburg, MD

Phillip knew they were losing ground to the Yankees. The creek provided no shelter, but it didn’t matter. The firefight was in their favor since they had the higher ground, but it made no difference. They couldn’t hold their ground.

Slipping down the ridge, he stepped into the cold waters of Antietam Creek. The bridge was down stream, well within eyesight. The Yankees were taking to the creek banks to gain more ground.

He was tired from matching up from Harper’s Ferry. An urgent message from Lee had them rushing to get to Sharpsburg to help defend the right flank from Major General Burnside’s attack. They didn’t arrive until early afternoon after thousands of men had already died.

They had driven Burnside’s men back to the bridge out of the town. The Yankees were currently defending the bridge they had taken a couple of hours before. He was ordered to scout the area to find a weak link. Dipping low, he slipped into the water as a bullet caught him in the shoulder. He tumbled face first into the cold water.

He struggled to stand. Moments later, he hit the bank. Realizing the battle was almost over; he eased up the bank before rolling to his back. His clothes were soaked, but there was nothing he could do. His shoulder was on fire and now caked with mud.

Smoke filled the air as he looked up. Water lapped around him as he struggled to breath. The sound of cannon fire deafened the cries and screams of dead men that surrounded him. The smell of blood choked him as death circled him. He tried once again to stand but couldn’t.

The bank was slippery due to many soldiers coming out of the water and onto the bank. The mud did nothing, but keep him right where he lay.

Closing his eyes, he prayed for a quick death. He didn’t want to stay on this bank for days as those around him died slowly. There was another reason, he prayed for death. He would finally be reunited with his fiancée, Sarah. Her death was the reason he joined the war. He was tired out running away from her ghost. It was time for them to be together again.

Quick Facts

Since Lily has been for a few weeks, here are some quick facts.

*It is my second longest book (Cursed Soldier is my longest)
*It is the 2nd book in the Sorority Sisters Duet
*Lily has been my hardest character to write. She was uptight in the beginning. I loved exploring her character. ...
*Eric was fun to write. He wanted to tell his story.
*The cover was taken by my cousin. She is also the one to create the amazing cover as well as my other book covers.
*Lily was my 2nd book published in 2015.
*I loved writing Bea and Mutt (Lily and Eric's dogs).
*Drake, Langston, and Anisley are one of my sorority sister's children's names. She let me use them for my story.
*Lilies are my favorite flower expecially Tiger Lilies (Lily's favorite)
*This was the book I started writing after Cursed Soldier. I set it to the side for The Woman Behind the Letters. Of course then I set it aside for Courtney.
*I am working on my 5th book. It still doesn't have a title.
*I also have an idea for a 6th book which will revisit characters from Courtney and Lily. I'm keeping it underwraps at the moment. It will involve secondary characters from the books.

Don't forget to pick up your copy of Lily. Courtney is still on sale in case you need to get it before you read Lily. Don't forget to leave a review after you finish reading it.

Female Lead

Since Phillip is a conflicted male lead, he needs a brave young woman. Rachel is that woman. She lives in a small town called Savannah. It is a river town and close to the historic Battle of Shiloh. The same battle where she lost her husband. She became a widow at the tender age of 16 but it won't stop her. She defies convention by small measures like refusing to wear black and giant measures by finding jobs for the men returning from war.

At the age of 22, she will meet a war-torn Phillip. He will recognize what she has been hiding from everyone, the fact that she is still mad at her husband for leaving her to join the war.

Two broken souls meeting in the dusty streets of Savannah.

Male Lead

So my new lead guy is Phillip Anderson. He fought for the Confederacy in A.P. Hill's famous Light Division. He was captured at the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) and shipped to Camp Douglas.

While researching the Light Division and different prisons, all that is running through my mind is The Charge of the Light Brigade.

Forward, the Light Brigade!...
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred

Now back to Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

Book 5

Drove through Shiloh National Military Park yesterday to check out the new waysides. They are pretty awesome. The Battle of Shiloh will also be featured in my next book as well as the Battle of Antietam. I can't wait to share this journey with everyone. #writing #book5 #shilohbattlefield

5th Book

I am starting my 5th book. It will be set post-Civil War in Savannah, TN. The lead characters are Rachel and Phillip. No publishing date, yet but I'm aiming for the later part of the year.

Paperback

I got my proof copy in of Lily. I made some slight changes so now I'm waiting for those to be approved. As soon as they are, Lily will be made available for order. Don't forget to leave a review once you read Lily. Also if you haven't read Courtney, it is still available for the sale price. Download it today to read Courtney and Jacob's story before diving into Lily and Eric's story.