It is always such a relief and a feeling of accomplishment to get a book turned in. August 15 was the deadline for Book 2 in my Hanger’s Horseman series. I’m pleased to report that The Heart’s Charge is in my editors’ hands. This book was challenging but so rewarding to write. I can’t wait to share it with you!
This is my longest book to date at just under 103,000 words. The editing process might change that number, but I usually stay pretty close to my initial word count. This needed to be a bigger book with 4 POV characters and 2 full love stories going on side-by-side.
There are still several layers of polishing to be done before it is ready for public consumption, but the largest chunk of work is done. Hooray!
I received my editorial feedback letter last Friday, so I’ll be diving into rewrites soon, but for now, I’m enjoying a peaceful moment of accomplishment. OK . . . Maybe not so peaceful seeing as how I’m in the midst of plotting my next novella, writing a short story to promote my upcoming fall release, and getting all my kids moved out of the house to start college in the middle of a pandemic. But hey, I’m a fiction writer, so I can pretend the peaceful moment lasted for more than a day.
If you are interested in a brief sneak peek of the upcoming story featuring Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks and the women who capture their hearts, see below to read the first page.
What big project have you accomplished lately that gives you a feeling of satisfaction?
Chapter 1
Llano County, TX
Spring, 1894
When Mark Wallace left Gringolet two days ago to deliver a prize gelding to a wealthy rancher west of Llano, he never dreamed he’d be called upon to deliver a baby, too. Or that the mother of said baby would be waving a pistol back and forth between him and Jonah as if trying to decide which fellow to shoot first.
“Get outa here! I don’t want your help.” Her face contorted, and a muffled groan escaped as she wrapped her left arm around her swollen belly.
She might not want their help, but she sure as shootin’ needed it. The woman looked as wrung out as yesterday’s washrag.
Mark, palms out in front of him, took a step forward. “Easy, now, ma’am. I’m not going to hurt y—”
The pistol exploded. Mark flinched. Noted the barrel pointing toward the sky. Tossed a look over his shoulder, anyway, to make sure his friend wasn’t sporting any new holes. Jonah gave him a nod, his hand curling around the handle of his own revolver, ready to defend them if necessary.
Mark prayed it wouldn’t be necessary. The lady in front of him might be a few cards short of a full deck at the moment, but she was still a woman. And a gentleman never abandoned a woman in need. Even if she shot at him. The sound of the gunshot seemed to startle her as much as it had him. Her eyes widened and her gun arm quivered. Seizing the opportunity, Mark rushed forward, grabbed her wrist, and knocked the pistol from her hand. She shouted, kicked, and pounded his chest and chin with her fists, but Mark ignored the pummeling. Well, until she nearly gouged his left eye from its socket. Couldn’t ignore that. A man needed to be able to see, after all. Especially when dealing with a woman in a delicate condition who seemed to have taken leave of her senses.
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Congratulations on meeting that deadline. It’s such a wonderful feeling.
My project is a novel too – and I’ve just handed the text over to Editorial. After hopeful but ultimately unsuccessful experiences with the Big Five, and sadly, my agent’s death from cancer, we are publishing our books ourselves. Can a life partner – husband or wife – give strong and constructive criticism ? In our case, I believe we can. Our great mentor – the woman I refer to in my blog as ‘ The Spy’ read some publishers’ rejections, read our work, and said, firmly. ‘Publishing has changed. Do it now. You’ve no time to lose.’
Congratulations on getting your book finished, Esther! That’s a HUGE accomplishment. It sounds like you have faced several boulder-sized obstacles, but I love how your pioneering spirit is carrying you on undaunted. Good for you! Perseverance is the greatest weapon an author can wield.
Thank-you ‘ The Spy’ was almost 90, had been a codebreaker and linguist at Bletchley Park, gave us so much of her time, throughout the last year of her life.
How fascinating! My daughter got to tour Bletchley Park while she studied abroad in Oxford. She’s a math/computer science gal, and I loved that she got to see a place where intelligent women made such a difference.
Looking forward to another great story. Congrat-YOU-lations on a finish in the midst of all you’ve been dealing with in real life! I GET IT – I do! Praying the rewrites go well.
Blessings
Thank you, Joy. Prayers are ALWAYS welcome. I’d be lost without God’s help.
Congrats on turning in your next book! Yay! Looking forward to it!
Thanks, Joy! I love the big sigh that comes with turning a manuscript in, but then it’s right back to work. 🙂
Can’t wait to read this one!! Thanks, (I think!) for the teaser! Now I’m really anxious for it’s release!!
Glad you’re looking forward to it, Kathy! I tried not to tease too much, but I couldn’t resist a little one. 🙂
Congratulations! I can tell it’s going to be exciting.
Thanks, Betty. These Horsemen can’t seem to help themselves from getting involved in other people’s problems. But that’s why they’re heroes. 😉
Way to go, Karen! Each completed manuscript is such a labor of love and effort. Congrats!
Thanks, Becky. 🙂
Love the sneak preview! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, D’Ann!
Congratulations! I am looking forward to this next book.
You say you are facing an empty house? What an exciting life you lead!
My husband is cheering on the empty nest, Jen, but I’m missing my kids. I’m excited for them, of course, and I do enjoy having the freedom to do whatever we want in the evenings, and less laundry is fabulous, but I almost cried when my hubby shrunk the kitchen table after I took my daughter to A&M.
Congrats on finishing your manuscript! Thanks for sharing an excerpt with us readers. If it’s revised/edited when the novel is released, it was still fun to read. Looking forward to “riding” with the Horsemen again!
Thanks, Elisa! These heroes have definitely grown on me. I can’t wait to see what adventure awaits the final one of the bunch.
I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the book. I so enjoyed the Horsemen.
Thanks, Pam! I can’t wait to share it with you. 🙂