Six Sentence Sunday
27 May 2012 12 Comments
in Followers, fun, hooks, mss, My writing, Promotion, Six Sentence Sunday, Welcome Tags: Calisa Rhose, HOME, In the Mists of the Mind, NaNoWriMo, Pen of the Dreamer, six sentence sunday, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Writing
Osiyo~
My name is Calisa, and I’m addicted to 6-Sentence Sundays! 
Six just aren’t enough! I’m seriously considering doing something about this. But for today, I’ve decided to go a few more times with Dray and Chelcie and then maybe move on to another WIP or book.
My lovebirds have moved past their first meeting and Chelcie has gone to visit the local leprechaun for advice. Yes, this story has a leprechaun! And it’s no surprise when Ludovic knows who Dray is, or that he knows the mysterious man is the fuel behind Chelcie’s visit. It’s more what he reveals that surprises her.
“How much danger does he pose for me?” she asked.
Suddenly Ludovic was cackling. “Dear girl, there is something much more important you need to consider.”
“What?”
“He will see inside you. Dray Corbeau is very gifted, very strong, so beware lest you test him.”
Hm. Interesting turn of events for Chelcie. She’s become used to being the one to see inside Dray. 
Thank you for coming by and I hope you enjoy this week’s peek. Don’t forget you can find many more participants if you click on the logo above.
Dodadagohvi~
Pt II:Alicia Dean with Death x2
23 May 2012 24 Comments
in Blogs, book to read, death, fun, getting the word out, giveaway, guest blogging, Interview, Promotion, Welcome, Writing Tags: #TWRP, alicia dean, Calisa Rhose, death offerings, giveaway, guest, northland chronicles, Pen of the Dreamer, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll
Osiyo~
Today I put Alicia in the corner with some tough questions. We’ll just get right to it.
1-If your book was going to be made into a movie who would play your characters? Patrick Dempsey would play Lane and Kate Beckinsale would play Monroe.
Great choices. Love Kate.
2-What is your favorite genre to write? How many genres do you write?
Suspense and Paranormal. Both because I make my paranormals like suspense with some magic.
That’s why I enjoyed Heart of the Witch so much!
3-Tell us what inspired your latest story? My latest work in process is actually a gothic romance novella. Mel Odom wanted to do a series together, and it was his idea to bring back the gothic romance. I’m really excited about it. I used to read them years ago, but haven’t come across one in ages. I’ve barely begun but I’m starting to feel more comfortable and so far it’s a lot of fun.
Gothic, huh? Sounds like something to check out.
4-When I write it’s usually stuffing words around other chores around the house and running errands. What is your typical writing day like? I don’t have a typical writing day. I’m involved in so many different things, I have so many duties and responsibilities, not to mention a full time day job, that I have to grab writing time whenever I can. So, I’d say it’s pretty sporadic, but somehow I manage to grab time here and there so that I can actually complete manuscripts.
5-What do you like to do besides write? I love MLB and I used to play golf, though it’s been a while, but I miss it and would like to get back to it. I also like watching A LOT of tv.
Me too, though mine stays on country videos while I’m writing usually. Inspiration, ya know!
Pick one word to describe yourself: Easy –
Really!? 
Uh…by that I mean that I am a bit of a pushover, and I readily agree to almost anything people ask of me, even if I don’t have time. So maybe instead of ‘easy’ I should say ‘overburdened.’
Oh- right, I knew that. I know that feeling. I just can’t seem to say “no” to anyone!
Favorite animal: To eat?
Err… 
Oh…that’s not what you meant? Sorry if I’ve offended PETA and pet lovers alike, but I’m not an animal person. I don’t dislike them, but don’t have the desire to own one. I suppose it would be something of an aquatic nature…dolphins maybe? Are they animals?
I think they are mammals.
Favorite comfort food: I don’t have a particular favorite, and don’t think of it as ‘comfort’ but I like cheese on pretty much everything. So, maybe cheese.
Mm, cheese. I love me some Pepper Jack! Good answer.
Spring, summer, autumn or winter? WINTER
Favorite book: I can’t possibly name one book, but probably in the top would be Gone with the Wind, Mystic River, All of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series, All of Dennis Lehane’s Patrick Kenzie series. (You know you can’t ask a writer to name their favorite book)
A girl can try!
Favorite movie: Gone with the Wind <g>, Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, Imitation of Life, Pride and Glory.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to do? I would want to own the Cincinnati Reds. Or, be Ian Somerhalder’s massage therapist.
Best vacation ever: I’ve taken some trips to Cincinnati for baseball games, and that was amazing. I’ve also been to Fenway Park, which was incredible. And, my sister and her husband took me to Memphis for my 40th birthday and she and I were able to enjoy the ‘Elvis’ experience together for the first time ever, even though we grew up together loving Elvis. Truly a wonderful, special experience!
Ok, that was fun, wasn’t it? At least not painful. 
Well, folks are chomping at the bit around here (pun intended!), so how about a blurb and excerpt for Death Offerings, book two of The Northland Chronicles? I’ll throw in the awesome cover while you dig out your cheat-sheets.
Blurb:
Newspaper columnist Monroe Donovan’s best friend was the victim of a serial killer years ago, when they were only twelve.
The murders stopped, but the killer was never caught. Now it seems that a series of articles Monroe published about the victims has caught his attention.
The maniac begins killing again, but this time, he leaves macabre gifts for Monroe at the crime scenes.
When someone close to Monroe is kidnapped, it leads to a volatile showdown where the prey might teach the hunter that sometimes, victims aren’t as weak as they appear to be…and paybacks can be a bitch.
Excerpt
Moments after Lane drove away, my cell rang. The caller ID showed a number I didn’t recognize and the words “Magic Construction.” Frowning, I answered the phone.
A male voice—gruff and unfamiliar—said, “Did you like my gift?”
“Gift? What gift?” There was something unnatural sounding about his voice. Like he was purposely disguising it.
“The gift I left you in the park.”
The strength drained from my legs and nausea tightened my gut. I dropped onto the edge of the recliner. “Who are you? What kind of sick joke is this?”
“No joke. It’s very real. You don’t sound happy.”
“Happy? Are you out of your mind?”
I knew it was unlikely this jerk was really the killer. He was probably just some a-hole screwing with me. But the fact that anyone could be this sick made me ill.
A raspy, unsettling laugh rumbled across the line. “I did it for you. Your articles were ending. I liked reading them. Liked that you were writing about me. Now, it doesn’t have to stop.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat and tried to still the heavy thud of my heart. Instinct told me this guy was for real.
Oh my God…
I was talking to the killer.
***
How do we find you again?
Website: AliciaDean.com
Twitter: @Alicia_Dean_
Facebook: Alicia Dean
And your book?
Death Offerings
Nook: http://bit.ly/GWb7To
Kindle: http://amzn.to/GTBCoM
Trailer:
Watch for my new paranormal romance, Soul Seducer, available from Adams Media June 4, 2012
BIO:
Alicia Dean writes paranormal and romantic suspense and is the author of five published novels, two novellas, and a handful of short stories. She has three grown children and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. Alicia loves nothing more than crafting spine-chilling, edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Remember to leave your email in a comment for a chance at a B&N gift card or an Amazon gift card!
Dodadagohvi~
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A Personal Dedication
07 May 2012 107 Comments
in book to read, Debut release, dreaming, fun, giveaway, Home, Promotion, Release date, TWRP, Win, Writing Tags: Calisa Rhose, Debut book, excited, Free books, giveaway, HOME, Nan Swanson, Pen of the Dreamer, Rhonda Penders, RJ Morris, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, The Wild Rose Press, Tina Lynn Stout, Writing
Osiyo~
I am so excited today! 
Because, because, because, becaaaaaause………. Because of the wonderful things she does!
Ok, I love The Wizard of Oz. I’m no Dorothy for sure, though I live in tornado alley with a tiny dog, Cocoa the temperamental Chihuahua.
But I’m singing praises for a wonderful woman by the name of Nancy Swanson today. Who? Let me explain.
Exactly one year ago I got an email with these words in it:
“thumbs up for HOME”
That email started out:
“Just got word from my senior editor…it’s a go! As soon as I can get a mouse to work with my laptop I’ll send you the contract documents…”
So, the reason for my excitement today is that it was the beginning of my dreams all coming true. I would finally be a published author! And true to her word, Nan Swanson- my beautiful editor at The Wild Rose Press- sent me the contract soon after! She was on her way to the annual TWRP retreat when she sent me the first email and just home again when I got the second one. That was the longest week in my writing history, let me tell ya!
Now a year later I’m waiting for my first payday for that Vintage Rosette, my Scrimshaw Doll short story, HOME, proudly listed under this lovely Logo on the website.
Of course, my editor isn’t the only one I have to thank for my first book becoming a splendid reality. It wouldn’t be nearly as appealing to look at on Kindle, PC or Nook (or whatever you use to read it) without the stunning job Tina Lynn Stout did on my gorgeous cover! I adore the colors and soft appearance Tina chose to bring out the effects of the era. That car is perfect to reflect the 60′s. 
Most of all, I have to thank Rhonda Penders and RJ Morris- 
- for taking a chance on me and over-looking my neurotic tendencies and offering that coveted contract! And to Lisa who made getting my baby out there possible with her talented marketing skills!
Here’s to The Wild Rose Press!!! 
In the acceptance of my story, TWRP also enabled me to meet the bestest group of writers in Cyberland or print! I adore and love my Sister Roses!!!! They (ya’ll) have made this last year a fun ride. Thank you and raise your glasses in a toast to all Roses!
So…in celebration of the event– I’m giving away a copy of Home to one lucky commenter and I’ll throw in a real signature Rose Rock from my town here in Oklahoma! These are sandy rocks that, because of the sulphur in the dirt and sand in this area and the way water runs over the terrain, forms unusual and unique rose-shaped formations.
They are not always distinct as you can see by these pictures.
(Rose Rock for a USA commenter only)
And since my name is Rhose…
Neat. Huh?
Join me in my celebration and win a book and a Rose!!! I’m verra excited to gift someone with my book!!!!!!
Leave your email with your comment and share what your most exciting or memorable event was as a writer. If you’re not a writer, what was your most memorable day in your adult life (weddings and baby births aside, because those always trump any other day!)?
Dodadagohvi~
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Six Sentence Sunday
08 Apr 2012 7 Comments
in book to read, fun, Home, My writing, Promotion, Six Sentence Sunday, The Wild Rose Press Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Debut book, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, The Wild Rose Press
Osiyo~
I’m back for more Six Sentence Sunday! Go the the main site linked in the logo title for more great sixes.
I skipped more of the flowery perfume lines from last week but this takes up right where we left off with Poppy and Sam. You can catch that post here before we move on. G’head. I’ll wait.
Back so soon? Great. Here’s the new six from HOME from The Wild Rose Press. I hope you like it. Personally, I love her attitude.
Now she stood, hands propped on skinny hips, tapping one black-and-white saddle shoe-clad foot impatiently. “Well?”
Before Sam could think what to say, she shook her head full of springy black curls and knelt to gather vegetables, toothpaste, and toothbrush, along with several other items, in her small hands. “Get me a fresh bag, would ya, honey?”
Finally coming to the realization Poppy wasn’t going away, Sam accepted the new brown paper bag the cashier mutely offered. His eyes avoided the people watching him—the man from the local newspaper office, and Mrs. Deever with her two youngsters.
There you have it. It just gets better from here but I’ll have to let you read the story since it’s a novella and too much… You get the idea. 
Thanks for coming by the ranch today!
Dodadagohvi~
Six Sentence Sunday
01 Apr 2012 19 Comments
in Welcome Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Debut author, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, SSS, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Tina Lynn Stout, Writing
Osiyo~
It’s that time again! I’m talkin about Six Sentence Sunday! <– Follow this link to the main SSS site to find many, many more authors to check out.
What is it?
It’s where I give you a teaser of something I have written or am in the process of writing. Six sentences to be exact. The last few weeks I posted from my WIP Hearts Afire- yep, my Fireman. Last week I gave a taste of my shifter Alphas, Logan and Beth.
This week I want to revive my published work with a favorite scene blip. I love Sam Callahan and Poppy Tippen from my novella, Home. So here they are, my soldier-doctor and the gypsy.
“What the…?” He watched tomatoes and an orange roll back to the cashier’s checkout stand before he turned to see who had steamrolled him, angry words ready on his tongue.
“Hey, soldier, you dropped something. Want some help?”
Poppy Tippen. He should have guessed by her sweet, flower scented perfume that it was her bombing into him like a missile.
Thanks for dropping in! Come back next week to see how this snippet continues!
Dodadagohvi~
PS. Check in tomorrow for a special guest.
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Christina Wolfer and The Daughter
24 Jan 2012 38 Comments
in Author guest, book to read, getting the word out, Home, TWRP, Writing Tags: Calisa Rhose, Christina Wolfer, giveaway, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, romantic suspense, social work, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, The Daughter, The Wild Rose Press, Turquoise Morning Press
Osiyo~
WooHoo! Gonna have a party on the Ranch today! My Diva Christina Wolfer is here with the beer and I have the weenies. I think I see Joelene and Lo trailing in with wine! Ruth and Clancy will be good for the food and chocolate if they make it in. So let’s get started! Go for it Tina. The round pen’s all yours!
Hi Ya’ll,
I’m thrilled to be guest blogging on the ranch today. I’ve spent enough time here over the last year and a half and often behind the scenes sitting on the porch with Calisa and a few other Diva’s throwing back a few drinks, eating little weenies and discussing men, writing and life as it comes at us.
Before I go any further though, I want to give a big shout out to Calisa, on her debut release, HOME. A fabulous story.
Aw dang, thanks Tina. *blushes*
So why am I here, you may be asking? I’m not just filling a hole in the calendar, well, I am doing that too, but more than that I’m here to tell you a little about me and my newest release, THE DAUGHTER, which came out January 14th from Turquoise Morning Press.
Like Calisa, I’m a small-town country girl through and through and I share her passion for horses. Writing, like reading, has always been a part of my life. I write romantic suspense and romance with strong elements of suspense set in current times.
When I first headed off to college, my plan was to get my degree in Social Services with my primary desire to work with children, to save them really and help them have better lives. I went to work at a runaway shelter near my hometown and learned the realities of what I would really be able to do. During that time, I got to work along side some great Social Workers who invested emotionally in the lives of others. Okay, so now you’re probably wondering what all this has to do with anything. The heroine in THE DAUGHTER is a social worker; however, she’s working to get prostitutes off the street.
Back book blurb:
Abandoned by her mother at birth, social worker Katie Delynski believes love and relationships are learned—and she hasn’t learned anything good about either. She avoids both love and relationships by focusing on her career and by getting prostitutes off the street. But when a man she’s never met commits suicide and names her as his daughter, leaving her millions of dollars and a family full of new relatives, things change. Her new family invites her into their lives, stirring a sense of belonging she is afraid to believe in.
Determined to put her windfall to good use, Katie buys an old building for a women’s shelter. Her newfound family puts her in touch with Conner Patterson, a family friend, to help rehab the building. As work progresses, Katie finds herself falling in love with Conner, but fear keeps her from acting on her feelings. It soon becomes apparent, though, that Conner may be her only hope for survival, when someone hurt by her father’s past indiscretions is determined to make Katie pay for her father’s sins.
Please leave a comment to be entered to win an e-copy of THE DAUGHTER.
Other books by Christina Wolfer
Sounds like a keeper to me. That cover is breathtaking. Where can we find you when you’re not kicked back on my porch?
You can find me at the following:
Facebook: Christina Williams Wolfer
Twitter @christinawolfer
www.christinawolfer.com
www.christinawolfer.blogspot.com
It’s been awesome having you talk about The Daughter, Christina. I’m so thrilled for your success since we met! You are on fire girl! Thank you for being my guest today.
Now who wants a copy for your own of The Daughter? Raise your hands folks. Better yet, leave a comment to be entered in the drawing!
Dodadagohvi~
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HOME For Love blog tour- and THE WINNER IS………………
02 Jan 2012 4 Comments
in awards, Blog Tour, Debut release, Followers, giveaway Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, excited, Free books, HOME For Love blog tour, Jeannene Walker, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, the winner is, Vampedchik
Osiyo~
Wow this last week was a blast! I want to thank all of my hostesses who helped make my HOME For Love blog tour a wonderful success! I still have a few more sites I’ll be on over the next month, but the tour is over and I had my little helper draw the winner for me. I’m so excited to announce the winner!
JEANNENE WALKER- (day three/Vintage Vonnie blog) come on down!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations my dear. You won a PDF of HOME!!!!
I had such a waterfall of support and company that I decided to give out an extra copy of HOME to a second winner. Helper, if you please… and THE WINNER IS…
VAMPEDCHIK- come on down, Amber!!!!!!! You have also won a copy of HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all for joining me on this thrilling and crazy week of mad-blogging to celebrate the release of my debut book, HOME!
I hope all who have a copy enjoy it and I hope you’ll leave a review on Amazon, TWRP or Goodrads! Thank you all!!!
Dodadagohvi~
Happy New Year and the end of the official tour
01 Jan 2012 20 Comments
in Blogs, book to read, Contests, Debut release, dreaming, Followers, fun, getting the word out, giveaway, Home, My writing, Promotion, published authors, Release Day, The Wild Rose Press, Word of Mouth, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Blog tour, Calisa Rhose, Debut author, Debut book, excited, Free books, giveaway, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, Poppy Tippen, released, Sam Callahan, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Writing
Osiyo~
It’s January 1, 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Today ends the countdown to my New Year’s release party for my first book publication. I’m sure many of you have heard a LOT about HOME from The Wild Rose Press during this last week if you’ve been following the tour. Blurbs, interviews and tidbits about me have been plastered all over the world via the internet thanks to my wonderful, gracious friends who have hosted my week-long blog tour. I have to take this time now to thank you all! YOU. ARE. AWESOME!!!!!
Second order of business- if you missed any of those blogs you should hop over now and leave a comment before ten o’clock (GMT) tonight. Why? Because tomorrow I will be drawing a winner for a FREE copy of HOME!!! The more times you comment the greater your chances to win so hurry and get those last minute names in the drawing.
To make it easy for you, here are those links:
26th- Anna K. Lanier
27th- Silver James
28th- RELEASE DAY– Vonnie Davis AND AJ Nuest!!!
29th- W. Lynn Chantale
30th- Maeve Greyson
31st- Authors By Moonlight
What are you waiting for? GO!
I want to tell you what this week has been like for me. To do that I’m going back a year and a half. I’ll even include some pictures to please the eye.
When Alicia Dean first brought this project to Oklahoma Romance Writers I was hesitant to get involved in a series. I mean, I wasn’t even published on my own yet, how could I possibly pull off writing one book in a series? But I did it anyway. It was an experience and we had fun. As of this post there are six books in the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series under contract. It was decided that how much the doll played in the books would be determined by each individual author according to their story. Some feature the doll very heavily, as the main theme of the story. I contemplated how much it would feature in HOME and had all sorts of ideas. Unfortunately (not in a bad way I don’t think, so maybe I should say fortunately), it didn’t turn out the way I first imagined as a pantser.
Sam Callahan seemed to have a greater story to tell than that of a doll his mother was obsessed with. A war veteran who loved the town that raised him, idolized him, had suddenly turned its back on their one-time football star and future doctor. That became the story to a certain degree. Moreover, how he dealt with those horrible nightmares of the war became the story. I let him have his way.
How did he cope? With the courage and strength of a gypsy girl who had lived with stigmas all her life. What was alien to him was a way of life for Poppy Tippen. He learned to shuck the opinions of others by her steadfast, if not graceful, example. Popeye’s mantra became Sam’s unintentionally; I am who I am, and that’s all I can be.
Witchy voodoo curses and all that mumbo-jumbo belief and such were more wive’s tales in those days than actual curses and acceptable black magic. Yes, there were witches and such—at least according to my witchy aunt–it just wasn’t readily acknowledged as that in those days. So the doll took a back seat in my story. But for my time period (Vietnam 1967) that worked.
But I still hadn’t really thought as I wrote my story that HOME would sell. Have I mentioned that I’m a tad insecure? Lol When I finally felt ready to submit I got a wonderful editor in Nancy Swanson. She requested to buy it within three weeks of receiving my manuscript! To say I was shocked is a gross understatement. J But I was so excited. Then the excitement waned over the next month. A little. When I got the email with my cover attached it ramped up again. Again when I got my fifteen minutes worth of revisions. Yes, it took me that long to make changes she asked for. What can I say? I worked on this story, had fellow Okie Outlaws read and crit, until it was a clean ms. Then I sent it in before I could screw it up by over editing! Lol Round two revisions was a matter of basically accepting a few punctuation changes the proofreader suggested, the tap of a button and I was finished. Do I expect revisions on my next ms to be so easy? Hells NO! I wish, but I’m realistic enough to know better.
So back to this week. Most know my release date coincided with my own birthday so that was my favorite gift this year, though my lovely daughters competed very well and I will smell nice for a long while! Of course, any gift from my husband and partner of twenty-eight years will trump anything in my life so I won’t count him now. He is a gift I can’t beat if I sell a hundred books that become best sellers! But this week I’ve been up so high that next week will be boring for sure! I’ve been riding high on friends and family buying MY book! My creation. That’s a feeling impossible to explain. Incredible, scary, wonderful! And I already have a four and a five star review on Amazon! How cool is that? When I wrote HOME I worried I wouldn’t quite hit the emotional mark the Vietnam war left on so many since I was born two years into it, no more than eleven when it ended in 1973 (officially the final troops and POWs were brought out in ’75 just before Watergate took over the news airways). I remember my dad calling it the Eleven-Year-War, saying it was the longest and deadliest war in the history of the USA. I think that length has possibly been beaten more recently beginning with Desert Storm in 1991, but I haven’t researched that yet.
But I digress. I was sure no one would “get” the story, what I was trying to convey. Was I able to get across what was deep inside of me? The fears and recovery a soldier must go through, that he has to face those fears head on to conquer them? What about the era itself? Did I portray it correctly? Does the love and growth of my characters show?
After all, this is pretty much the extent of my memories of that time. I was almost five when this picture was taken. We lived in the middle of alfalfa fields like this one on a race horse ranch. I remember the horses more than I recall the strains of that war my uncle and cousins fought in (they came home). And, even though both Mommy and Daddy are gone now, they both knew I wrote way back when I was a teen, and I know they are smiling on my success today, partying in heaven for me!
I had my doubts until a few days ago. Read those reviews and you’ll see how wrong I was again. My family knows I hate being wrong, or admitting if I am, but in this process I’ve been wrong about a few things I’m happy to admit to!
HOME is out and available NOW at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon. If you don’t win here today I sure hope you’ll feel inclined to go buy it.
Now, to end this tour, here’s one last brand new peek from HOME to make you smile.
Excerpt:
Hearing Sam laugh did crazy things to Poppy’s insides. But she hadn’t forgotten the last time she’d said something to make him laugh. She’d avoided him in the days since. It had been dumb luck that she was out now instead of at work. Mother had sent her on an errand, and she was heading back to the shop.
Seeing Sam sitting at the stop sign had made her cringe. He’d looked like he was in another land, and she couldn’t help speaking up. Maybe he had been. It had startled and surprised her that he pulled over, since he was angry at her the last time she saw him.
She hadn’t forgotten the hurtful words he shouted under the big trees. “So what are you doing? Hiding from Mrs. C. again, I imagine.”
“Something like that. What about you? Can I offer you a ride?”
“You can offer, but I’m going right there.” Sam turned to look where she pointed, across the street to her mother’s doll shop.
He stared, for what seemed to Poppy a long time, before he swiveled back to her. “I’ll walk you over.”
“Yeah? Why?”
“To look at a doll. What else would a guy do in a doll shop?”
Poppy gauged his response and noticed the twinkle in his eyes. He was up to something fishy, but dang it if she knew what. Shrugging, she moved to cross the street. “Fine, soldier. Walk me across the street like a good Boy Scout.”
As she stepped off the curb, she felt his hand touch her elbow and she glanced up at him. “I am a good Boy Scout. Remember that.”
“Yeah? Prove it.” She had no idea why she said that. How did a grown man go about proving he was a Boy Scout? Not her best line, she admitted, and smiled as she softly whistled her favorite song, “He’s So Fine.”
“Why do you always whistle that song? There are a lot that are better and make more sense.”
Poppy stopped in the middle of the street to stare at Sam. “Are you serious? No one is better than the Chiffons! They say exactly what a girl wants to. You take that back, Sammie.”
Sam took her hand and led her from the street and into the nearest building’s shade, out of the August heat. She stood back against the brick and stared up, waiting for him to take back what he’d said.
“Do the Chiffons say what you’d like to say, Poppy? Why do you think of that tune around me?”
She thought she’d choke as she gulped air and looked away in embarrassment. How had she stuck her foot in so deep? Did he know what she’d been so diligent in hiding from him? “Just, they are a great group, is all.”
His eyes bored into hers for a fast count of fifteen before he raised his gaze to look out over her head at the street. “Hmm.”
“Hmm, what? What are you thinking, Sam Callahan?” Did she really want to know?
His eyes fell on her again and he leaned against the wall, one hand propping him to block her view of anything around them. He leaned close. She felt his warm breath on her cheek, could smell butterscotch on his breath. He’d been eating those cream candies Dr. C. used to give out. Now she knew where he’d been before finding her. Maybe he was getting ready to take over his dad’s practice. Holy Joe, he’d be her doctor!
“I’m thinking we need to visit the woods again, soon.”
“The woods? Why?”
He chuckled and leaned closer, so close his mouth almost brushed her hair. “I’d like to fix something that I can’t fix here on Main Street.”
Poppy forced her eyes to look at him so near, to gaze into his almost purple eyes. Her chest pounded with each breath punched out as she whispered, “What?”
Sam slid his lips across hers before backing away to a respectable distance, then smiled lazily. “That.”
Oh, my golly! It didn’t seem to matter how he’d hurt her, when he stood so close she could smell his shower soap. Poppy shivered and looked away from his intense gaze. “I don’t… We can’t…”
“Relax, Poppen. Let’s go look at dolls.”
What? Just like that he turned off the heated charm that left her legs feeling soft and gushy like chewed gum in sunshine and her head spinning out of control. It wasn’t fair he should be able to make her feel like heaven was touchable and then just walk away.
Dumbly, she followed him around the corner to her mother’s store. He opened the door and held it for her to enter ahead of him. Poppy knew she wouldn’t sleep soundly until she discovered the heart of Sam’s charm, why he was so easily able to heat her blood so thoroughly with a word, a kiss.
Maybe he was trying to charm her. But…why?
She was nothing more than a gypsy’s daughter, a doll store owner, a “bad” girl—the wrong girl, from the wrong side of the tracks. What could Sam want with her?
Ok, I’m gonna offer MORE chances to win! Tweet this post, Facebook– with the buttons below this post– RT it, and then tell me that you’ve done these. I’ll take your word for it. Just tell me which you did in a comment and I’ll add your name an extra time into the drawing for each thing you do. That’s three plus more chances!!!
Until tomorrow-
Dodadagohvi~
PS- don’t forget to check my schedule in the news>blogging news tab at the top of the page to see where I’ll be through January and February. You might have more chances to win a copy of HOME if you don’t get one now.
“HOME for love” blog tour is HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
14 Dec 2011 39 Comments
in book to read, Debut release, Home, My writing, Promotion, Release date, The Wild Rose Press, Welcome Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Debut author, Debut book, excited, HOME, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Writing
Osiyo~
It’s TWO WEEKS (Dec 28th) until my debut book, HOME, releases from The Wild Rose Press! Wa-hooo!!!
Today kicks off my “HOME for love” birthday bash for my Vintage historical with The Wild Rose Press!!!!!!! Read on to find out how HOME and other books in the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series came about.
Spring 2010, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. One author, an editor for an epublisher, asked the Oklahoma RWA group if anyone would be willing to write in a series to submit to her publisher. Several jumped right in. Some held back. Over the next weeks others joined in and a theme and guidelines were tossed around.
That was the birth of the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series to be marketed to The Wild Rose Press.
I was one of those who held back. Unpublished, and as yet, nothing more than hopeful that “someday I would get noticed and sell a book,” I joined this fun project with many other Oklahoma authors.
This would be a project to showcase our state’s writing talents to the world in a single combined effort. Each book written would include the doll with carvings on its whale bone body. Each would be between 10,000 and 60,000 words and each would (hopefully) fit in a different subgenre The Wild Rose Press has to offer its readers.
I have to say our RWA chapter is chock full of talent! From historical to contemporary to paranormal, WE ROCK! Keep a close watch on my blog and The Wild Rose Press as more of these stories are brought to you one by one.
My followers and friends know I write contemporary. It’s my comfort zone. My passion for cowboys is widely-known. 
But for this event, and I don’t know why it did, the Vietnam era called to me. I have a respect for that time and the trials the world suffered, the losses the United States withstood, and still endure through the final ramifications from the war referred to as “a police movement.” I was a little tyke in those days so I don’t remember the impact of the moment it happened. But born in the middle of it may be why I feel a heartfelt need to learn, and subsequently, to write about love during that period when romance seemed forgotten. Hope took the back burner and so much was left behind.
But there were great victories at the same time; Elvis Presley, the Beatles and, my heroine’s favorite, The Chiffons, and let’s not forget the era of hot cars- all persevered, rose out of the smoke and strived for decades to follow.
That hope is what brings my hero Sam Callahan and my heroine, Poppy Tippen together. She refuses to let “that damn war” ruin her chance at the only man she’s ever loved. A man that same war destroyed, before spitting him back out into her lap and at the feet of a town that had always been home; but now makes Sam an unwelcome outcast. Poppy has the chance to show Sam where HOME really is, if only he’d open his eyes.
I try to find inspiration for my characters with each story I write. It just helps picture the person as I write. Poppy was instant recognition from early on in the writing of HOME. Sam- not to easy. After hours of searching, I can’t find him. I have a picture that comes close, but even after a year I haven’t been able to find “him” as hard as I’ve tried. So here is my impression of Sam and Poppy.
- Sam Callahan
- Poppy Tippen
My story of hope and love in a time when the world had little of either is my way of sharing what home means to me.
BLURB:
What could a gypsy and a Vietnam veteran have in common?
Silvertown’s outcast, Poppy Tippen, has loved football hero Sam “The Force” Callahan forever. But he never seemed to know she was alive. Now he’s home from the war and she suddenly finds herself comforting him from the demons of “that damn war.” Is his attention merely an escape from the haunting nightmares? Or does she hold the interest of the only man she’s ever truly loved?
Sam Callahan’s only solace from the war nightmares wrecking his life comes in the unlikely form of a gypsy girl with stigmas of her own. He’s known Poppy his entire life, but there’s something different about her now. Something special he desperately wants to hold on to. Can he convince her she’s the only thing he needs to put the past behind him?
EXCERPT:
“I’ll always want you, Poppy.”
Her head shook in automatic denial. “You’ll want a girl who fits your life. Not some gypsy with
no family lineage to brag about. Your momma won’t accept that, either. She’ll make you choose someone like Connie, someone who fits into your world. Not the girl everyone avoids and whispers about behind her back. You’re gonna be the town’s doctor. You need an uppity wife who will make you proud.”
When Sam laughed, his chest shuddered against her back. Deep, husky, real. He turned her in his
arms and looked down at her, smiling. “Poppy, do you honestly think I give a damn what people think? Look at me! I’m the town outcast, the survivor who should have died saving the others, not be here planning a future that includes a wife, a medical practice.
“I shimmy under park benches, run from my mother’s lipstick, for God’s sake. I wake up
screaming and crying over nothing in the middle of the night, crawl under my bed and hide, shaking, until morning. Hell, I can’t even be a doctor because I haven’t finished school yet.”
“I didn’t know. It must be awful for you.” No matter how it hurt Poppy to know he used her, it felt much worse to know how he hurt alone.
“The only time it isn’t awful is when I’m with you. When I think of you.”
****************************
I invite you to join me in the release celebration!
I hope you will love HOME as much as I do.
Get your copy of HOME (on December 28th) at The Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/tbYKGl
** NOTE: This is currently the ‘coming soon’ link so watch for updates on and after the 28th.
Small-town country girl Calisa Rhose lives in a semi-remote area of Oklahoma with her husband, five dogs and one horse. All of her three daughters and their families live within throwing distance. She’s a member of RWA and the local chapter OKRWA. She intends to nurture and continue to grow as an author with the help of her family and supporters.
Find Calisa at her website/blog http://calisarhose.wordpress.com
On twitter @Calisa_Rhose and Facebook @Calisa Rhose
She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at calisa.rhose@gmail.com
I’ll be having a GIVE AWAY BASH on my blog, PEN OF THE DREAMER, on January 1- New Years Day! The tour will continue on, but on this day I’ll be choosing a winner for one copy of HOME.
Comment on all posts from December 26th through January 1st for more chances to win!
The day following the New Years Day party I will announce the winner. You can find the full tour schedule on my website at https://calisarhose.wordpress.com/news-promos/blogging/
See you on the tour trail!!!!!
Dodadagohvi~
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, with sensuality as the key ingredient and spice for kick.
