Christmas for Ransom...coming next Christmas!

available through The Wild Rose Press,
Late fall, 2012 

Yippie-kye-aye! One of the favorite stories I've ever written, Christmas for Ransom, will be released as a singleton next holiday time! This fun story of a good-hearted outlaw was part of a four-book "Lawmen and Outlaws" anthology in 2010, but now has been given a life all its own. It's a tad spicy in spots, for outlaw "Canyon" Jack Ransom and schoolmarm Eliza Willows find them snowbound in a blizzard... 

Pretty usual stuff. What isn't usual is...to honor his deathbed to to his gram-maw, Jack hires the lovely 'marm to teach him to read. Unbeknownst to either of them it's Eliza's gram-maw he just robbed....

Here's an excerpt:

Pinching herself, Eliza lost interest in everything except seeing what the stranger looked like in the lantern light. Brawny stalwart men were nothing new in a railroad town or on the ranch, but she never minded a good view.

Her breath caught so hard her sore rib tweaked. He was magnificent. The big-brimmed hat and flowing duster reckoned him a wrangler of some sort coming in from the range. Although he needed a bath and truly looked the worse for wear, she didn’t mind one single bit. The scruffy cheeks, the long rag-taggle coat, even the scent of masculine sweat were far more her style than the slick-haired dandies and overdressed fops she’d met at Boston cotillions.

“This here’s Ransom,” the blacksmith said helpfully.

As the stranger moved closer, he removed his hat and tucked it under his arm with a polite half-nod. For a long luscious moment, eyes the color of manly liquor covered her with a mouth-watering gaze. Golden-brown hair touched the mountains of his shoulders like sunlight at dawn across the Guadalupe Mountains.

Air left her lungs. A slow burn started at the top of her spine, her flesh desperate for the days’ worth of roughness adorning cheekbones carved like crags and valleys. She had to hold her hand still to keep her fingers from caressing the deep etches of his face.

Eliza couldn’t move as she stared up at him, aching and eager.

Footin' it...

I'm trying to hit the blog on Tuesdays, but computer problems waylaid me last week. Yep, the old hard drive gave up the ghost. I'm on the prowl for a new CPU tower and maybe Cloud, but so far, hubby has hooked up the laptop for me.

Bigger news than that is getting the bandages off my foot today, and getting back into a regular shoe. I had surgery for a bone spur at my hallax (big toe) just about a month ago and hobbling around in a surgical shoe isn't my cuppatea.  Well, I'm not wearing a Choo, but my good ole' Ahnu sneaker is looking pretty good about now! And taking a real shower without dangling my foot dangerously after wrapping it up like hazmat. Sheesh. Can't WAIT.

However, a cuppatea sounds pretty good right now. Here's another gander at the upcoming book. See you in a week.

What is love? Happy Valentine's Day!

I feel it, and I think I know it. I write about it. I know all you need is love. And that love is all around

Mostly, God is love.

I had the great pleasure and honor to read these verses from First Corinthians at my niece's wedding. They still touch my heart.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


Love never ends. 


So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Soul Food...are ya hungry?

Got my new cover last night! Publishing date TBA...but look for it before summertime.

Anyway, if you think a vegetarian can't be chuck cook for a wild-west wagon train, you've never met Kelley Martin, in book Five of my Hearts Crossing Ranch series from White Rose Publishing. As she puts it, she's not judgmental against carnivores. She falls for geneticist Jason Easterday all the while worried about her restaurant --a vegetarian eatery set smack dab in the midst of cattle country...

So stay tuned for release date, contests to win a copy...et al infinitum.

And God bless~

A Four and a Half Star Review at Night Owl...a delightful surprise!

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Maria-reviews-Hearts-Crossing-Ranch-by-Tanya-Hanson.aspx

Just got wind of this review today...perfect timing for a Tuesday with Tanya.

I'm trying hard to be a better blogger. I just don't have the gene. Does it help promo a book? I dunno. Nonetheless, every Tuesday I'll try to post SOMETHING. News on an upcoming release or contract. Links to a review.

An interview/blurb about a fellow writer friend. A fun question to consider. Something.

So stay tuned. Hope to see ya around.

Merry Christmas...two nominations for the CAPA Award!

I'm thrilled, humbled and honored that two of my books, Faithful Danger and Sanctuary, are among the ten nominated in the Inspirational category of the 2011 CAPA Awards at the Romance Studio.

I think all of my books are books of the heart in some way, else I wouldn't bother to fill the pages, but these two are pretty land-mark for me. Faithful Danger is my first-ever suspense story. Caffey Matthews, a  young widow escapes to California's beautiful Santa Ynez valley to hide from enemies of her late husband, a white-collar criminal hang. She manages to hang on to her faith while danger lurks...and she finds herself drawn to a mysterious cowboy, Rhee Ryland, unbeknownst a high-priced P.I. hired to find her who's falling in love himself...

And Sanctuary is devoted to my husband, a testicular cancer survivor, and our dear family friend battling glioma. A love story full of heart and hope between Hooper Martin, foreman of the Hearts Crossing Ranch, and a beautiful wedding visitor, Mallie Cameron, will really make you feel at home at the ranch.

I have to admit, the last six weeks have been pretty hard about the homestead as one of my beloved family members struggles with a serious problem that kinda tainted our holiday spirit. so these nominations arriving two days before Christmas really reminded me, once again, Who's in charge.

Aw I wish had the trust in God that I give my characters...I think that better be my New Years Resolution.


                                                       

Oh yeah I know this logo is from last year...when I was nominated for Favorite author. Wow, what a year it's been since then.

Merry Christmas..it might be the 28th but Christmas is still going on in my opinion, and happy new year to y'all.

Love from me to you! oxox

Nominated..TWICE! Yippee and yee-haw...most of all, thanks, God!

I'm thrilled, humbled and honored that two of my books, Faithful Danger and Sanctuary, are among the ten nominated in the Inspirational category of the 2011 CAPA Awards at the Romance Studio.

I think all of my books are books of the heart in some way, else I wouldn't bother to fill the pages, but these two are pretty land-mark for me. Faithful Danger is my first-ever suspense story. Caffey Matthews, a  young widow escapes to California's beautiful Santa Ynez valley to hide from enemies of her late husband, a white-collar criminal hang. She manages to hang on to her faith while danger lurks...and she finds herself drawn to a mysterious cowboy, Rhee Ryland, unbeknownst a high-priced P.I. hired to find her who's falling in love himself...

And Sanctuary is devoted to my husband, a testicular cancer survivor, and our dear family friend battling glioma. A love story full of heart and hope between Hooper Martin, foreman of the Hearts Crossing Ranch, and a beautiful wedding visitor, Mallie Cameron, will really make you feel at home at the ranch.

I have to admit, the last six weeks have been pretty heard about the homestead as one of my beloved family members struggles with a serious problem that kinda tainted our holiday spirit. so these nominations arriving two days before Christmas really reminded me, once again, Who's in charge.

Aw I wish had the trust in God that I give my characters...I think that better be my New Years Resolution.

Oh yeah I know this logo is from last year...when I was nominated for Favorite author. Wow, what a year it's been since then.

Merry Christmas..it might be the 28th but Christmas is still going on in my opinion, and happy new year to y'all.

Love from me to you! oxox

Mary Did You Know...

This song has really touched my  heart this Christmastide, Maybe it's the newborn baby grandson I hold in my arms.


Or the newborn Lord I hold in my heart. 


Mary Did You Know...

[Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene]

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Right to Bragg..Book Four, Hearts Crossing Ranch

It's out, published on 11/11/11.  Right to Bragg. I can't believe the cool date. It's Book Four in the Hearts Crossing Series, and I  hope you enjoy Tiffany’s falling both in faith and love during a picture-perfect Christmas on that fictional little ranch, Hearts Crossing, where everybody love to come home.

BLURB:

Disowned by her family, Tiffany Vickers faces a lonely Christmas and takes great comfort in the baby boy in her care. Her faith in tatters, she guards her heart against the baby's uncle, handsome cowboy Bragg Martin, a man with baggage of his own. While Bragg longs to open his heart and family to the lovely nanny, he doesn't understand her interest in his arch enemy. Saving a man's life and saving Tiffany's faith bring the couple together…and home to Hearts Crossing Ranch. 

EXCERPT:

     Tiffany got up for another cup of coffee, Matty’s eyes watching her every move.

     “He sure notices you,” Bragg remarked as the baby drained the bottle.

     “Yeah. We bonded right off. I’m so glad about it.” As she’d made a snap decision just then, she rushed on. “I left behind my precious nephew. I guess in my psyche somewhere I figured maybe nanny to Matty might help ease that hole in my heart.”  Gently she rubbed her hand over Matty’s head, the edge of her hand tugging at Bragg’s shirt and causing a funny havoc. Mostly though he listened to her pain.

     She sank back down into a kitchen chair, resting her cheek in her hand. “I was with Connor from the moment he was born. Paul and Diana wanted me there. Then things went haywire. It was my fault. You talk about forgiveness, but there isn’t any in this case. And I miss that little boy. Oh, I miss him so. I need him. His love was unconditional, you know. He’s three now. I can’t let him forget me.”

     Bragg’s heart tugged at the agony on her face, and Matty’s little hand flailed. Tiffany took it at once. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”

     “I’ve been disowned, so, yeah, Bragg. It’s that bad.” 

Speech Tags --Tuesday with Tanya

Some times you gotta have 'em. After all, we're not watching a play and it's easy for a reader to get lost in our dialogue when we don't remind them who's talking.

I've got a long sheet somewhere in my writing handouts from conferences with a list of "tags." You know, like shouted, yammered, hollered, shrieked, howled, barked, giggled, chattered.


Use too many of them and the reader is going to anticipate them and pay more attention to that than your dialogue.

I use them rarely but once in a while must sneak in a "Brixton drawled" because I love me those cowboys. Then again, he didn't wake up and think I'll drawl now.. From the heroine's POV, she heard it. Understand?


But "Louis said" is best, unless somebody's asking a question and then you already know because of the punctuation mark... use Marguerite asked only if we need to be reminded of the speaker.

     "Be back by dawn, ma'am," Louis said, two fingers touching the brim of his Stetson.
     The cowboy's drawl sent Marguerite's heart skipping. "I'll be waiting for you," she said.

Tuesday with Tanya: Some little hints from Teaching English

I always reckon I learned more teaching writing and grammar to high school freshmen than I taught them. First thing I did was put the "weakness list" on the board.  Here are a few of the biggies.

1. Get with the program regarding your and you're. It's not "your welcome." It is your car, your book, your iPad. It's you're welcome. Think: you ARE.

2. Watch its and it's. It's means: it is. So...the baby bird fell from it's nest...is wrong, because you wouldn't say "the baby bird fell from IT IS nest."

3. If you have to write all right, at least spell it right. It is NOT alright. Never, ever.

4. And think about already and all ready. I'm already finished with the report that isn't due until January. The students are all ready to take the test.

Wow, these take me back LOL. But thing is, these little errors appear more than I wish in contest entries I judge and in crit group. Just saying....

Sexy Saturday

A sight for sore Saturday eyes...sigh.

First Lines Friday

     "Rachel woke up just this side of a bad dream. Heart pounding, sheets strangling, she reached for something that wasn’t there. Someone. 

   Nick. Dead sixteen months." 

latest wip, Hearts Crossing Series, yet untitled

Some Reviews for Faithful Danger

"I truly enjoyed this book and will have to keep my eyes open for future books by this author. Although it was my first inspirational, it was far from the last. If you enjoy good, sweet, inspirational romance stories, I recommend this book. I think you will love it."  Long and Short Reviews

"Filled with incredible suspense, this quick read is perfect for mystery lovers. It’s a thrilling ride as you follow Caffey and Rhee, and the ending hits you with a jaw droping twise. Definitely worthy of 4 stars. Highly recommended!"  The Romance Reviews 

Tuesdays with Tanya: Emotion

I'm starting a new thing: a microburst every Tuesdays with stuff that's helped me as a writer.


Emotion. It's not humor or stuff that gets a reader laughing. It's the tug on the heart. In my Marrying Minda, it's little Neddie looking up at Minda with his blueberry eyes and asking the mail-order bride if she's his new mama.


In Little Women, my ultimate favorite, it's when Beth dies. Anybody who knows me knows that Louisa May Alcott does it all for me. This author has influenced me probably more than any other. The first time I read Little Women when I was eight years old, of course I cried when Beth died. But...I knew it was gonna happen. She was delicate and frail, tons of foreshadowing. It's in her book Jack and Jill, chapter 20, when the kids' pal Ed Devlin dies, that has the power to hitch my breath all these years later.


For an emotion fix, I'm reading the book again now. Got it free on the ipad. Last night I read Chapter 20 again and had to turn off the gizmo, let the emotions of grief, goodness, and peace simmer. These feelings hopefully will help me get my current deadline wip in shape.

QUICKIES QUIZ...leave a response. I'll be drawing a name if anybody does...

Available Amazon and White Rose Publishing

QUICKIE QUIZ: Take the quiz in your comment! If more than two participate LOL, I'll draw a name for copy of my e-novella Sanctuary.
  
Satin or Lace?   LACE. 
Cowboy or CEO:   COWBOY  (come on! I write westerns)
Thunder or Lightning?   LIGHTNING. 
Dark eyes or Light eyes?   DARK. 
The sound of a heartbeat or a crackling fire?  HEARTBEAT. 
Sleeping bag or Bed?    BED. 
Dinner or Movie?  DINNER. 
Coffee or Tea?   COFFEE (in particular, Cafe Francais or McDonald's iced, regular flavor) 
Chiseled jaw line or Chiseled abs?   CHISELED JAW LINE. 
Holding hands or Holding his attention?   HOLDING HIS ATTENTION. (been doin' it for 37 years!)
Red or Black?   BLACK. 
Rain or Sunshine?    SUNSHINE.
Red wine or white?   RED
Thanksgiving or Christmas:  THANKSGIVING (because Christmas is still coming and I miss it so much when it's gone.)

Just for Fun....

Harlequin Novel, Updated.... 2011 Version


He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room.

Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone.

He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear.
"Just relax."
Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves, slowly but steadily. My breath caught in my throat.

I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care. His touch was so experienced, so sure. When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage.
And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply.

Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine to my panties.
Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A man not used to taking 'No' for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say . . . ..

"Okay ma'am, you can board your flight now." !

Four-Star Web Exclusive Review at Romantic Times!

Our recent vacation had many highlights, but just about the best one was receiving a terrific review from Romantic Times.

"Hero Hooper will appeal to many fans of inspirational fiction. He is thoughtful, caring and devout. Surviving his life-threatening illness has only reaffirmed Hooper’s faith in the Lord. Mallie is an equally winning character. She is upbeat and open, welcoming new experiences into her life. However, while both characters put their faith in the Lord, they are also aware that their cancer might return, which adds a bittersweet, yet realistic, aspect to their relationship."

Check it out the whole thing by clicking on Romantic Times above, and thanks!
                                     Thanks be to God, too.

Meet me at Dora Hier's blogspot today!

Dora Hiers author of God-gracing, heart-racing romantic suspense, has become a good friend through our publishing house, White Rose. I'm so honored she took the time to feature Faithful Danger at her blog today. I'd love to have you join us.

See you there!

Dora Hier's Blog

My first romantic suspense! Check it out!

My first ever...White Rose Publishing releases Faithful Danger today!

What happens when a hot cowboy turned P.I. falls for the woman he's hunting? And what if she's nothing like he expected, everything he's always wanted, and pushes him towards a faith he's long since forgotten? Find out in Faithful Danger!

After her husband's financial crimes and suicide, Caffey Matthews leaves behind her wealthy Manhattan life-knowing her husband's enemies are in pursuit. Frightened and alone, Caffey hides her identity and finds succor in the remote California ranch land, which helps her to reclaim faith and trust in God. Even as he frightens her, mysterious stranger Rhee Ryland steals her heart...

Believing Caffey is involved in her late husband's misdeeds, cowboy-turned high-priced private investigator Rhee Ryland arrives in sleepy Rancho Lorena ready to haul her back to justice. He doesn't expect to fall in love with her. Even more surprising is his return to his childhood Lord.

P.s. Rhee grew up near Hearts Crossing Ranch!

Mary Manners' Buried Treasure....available now, White Rose Publishing

I'm thrilled to tell you about Mary Manners' latest release, Buried Treasure, from White Rose Publishing. I just finished her other recent release Kate's Kisses, and let me tell you: Hero Logan is as delectable as Kate's bakery confections. It's the start to a wonderful four-part series about four very interesting sisters.


As for Buried Treasure....
Ever notice sometimes the things that are right in front of us are the things we fail to fully recognize? Caroline's about to experience that very thing. You don't want to miss handsome, Matt Carlson, as he convinces Caroline he's her second chance at happiness. Download it today!

When Caroline flees Chicago following the brutal murder of her husband, the last thing she expects—or wants—is to fall for Matt Carlson, a builder with strong roots in the small town of Mountainview, Tennessee. She needs to focus on raising her six-year-old daughter and protecting both their hearts from ever being shattered again.

Matt is struggling with issues of his own…guilt over the death of his wife and the responsibility of raising a cynical teenaged nephew who is dropped on his doorstep, abandoned by Matt's alcoholic sister. He doesn't have time to fall in love, yet he can't help being drawn to the woman who is ready to defend her home—and her daughter—with nothing more than a feisty attitude and a broom handle.

Can Matt's help and friendship convince Caroline to trust again…and when Caroline's daughter goes missing, will Matt be able to find the girl before it's too late and he loses everything he loves…again?

This talented author never disappointed. That I promise. That I know!