As those of you who read my blog posts here and have read my novels already know, I’m not a writer who sticks to one type of story or theme. Most publishing experts would tell me that’s where I go astray. Readers like to know what they’re getting. I should pick a “brand” and stay with it to attract more readers with my stories and here on One Writer’s Journal too.
But I’ve never wanted to be “Brand Ann,” even if it does have a pleasant alliterative sound. In my books, I like coming up with people, er characters, and bringing them to life to share their stories.
Here on my online journal, I like the freedom to write about first one thing and then another to share with you, my reading friends. That’s how a journal should be, except most journal writers don’t leave their journals wide open on the kitchen table where anybody can read it. That’s what I do for you, and I thank you for reading my words. I never take that for granted.
This is a rewritten post from some years back when my book Words Spoken True was on e-book sale the way The Innocent is now for another day or two on Amazon. Sorry, but Words Spoken True isn’t on special e-book sale right now. Even so, I wanted to add yet another book to the Shaker books and the Rosey Corner books you can choose from if you are my winner.
Words Spoken True is definitely a bit of a departure from many of my books. For one thing it’s set in the city of Louisville instead of my usual small town or country setting. Even the Shaker books are sort of small town type stories with the Shaker village settings. Then, the story has a stronger romantic feel than my Shaker books and my family centered stories even though those books have their share of romance too.
Words Spoken True has a little of everything. A beautiful, independent heroine. Newspaper history from the mid 1800’s. Dramatic and tragic 1855 Louisville history about what is known as “Bloody Monday.” A dashing hero. Fancy balls. An old stray dog. And surprisingly enough, a serial killer. The seed of that addition to the story also came from my research of the 1855 history.
So, in case, any of that has grabbed your interest, here’s a bit of the scene where Adriane meets Blake Garrett, the editor of the newspaper competing with Adriane’s father’s paper. They ran into each other earlier in the day while Adriane was chasing after a story disguised as a young boy. At the time, she didn’t know who he was and he thought she was a young boy messing around somewhere he shouldn’t be. Now they are both at an afternoon social.
Adriane could hardly believe her eyes when she looked across Mrs. Wigginham’s parlor and saw the man who had grabbed her down at the riverfront that morning. It couldn’t be, but there he was. Staring directly at her. Her heart began pounding madly as she fought the urge to flee back out the front door before the man could recognize her.
She might have lost the battle and run like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight if she hadn’t caught a glimpse of herself in one of Mrs. Wigginham’s many mirrors. Her breathing slowed as her panic receded. In spite of his sharp eyes, the man would hardly make the connection between the ragged Irish boy he’d grabbed in the dim light of the street lamps and the picture of a lady she presented now. And what did it matter if he did? No one would believe him even if he were ungentlemanly enough to speak of it.
She lifted her head a bit defiantly but did not look in the man’s direction in spite of the way she could practically feel his eyes burning into her. Perhaps it had nothing to do with her early morning visit to the murder scene but was simply because she looked so out of place in her dark cranberry dress among all the pastel skirts of the other young ladies. He looked as out of place himself in the same rumpled suit he’d had on that morning, but it wasn’t just his unpressed coat. It was more that he seemed too large for the room, as though he’d had to corral his energy in order to play attendance on Mrs. Wigginham.
Adriane had the crazy desire to raise her eyes and meet the man’s brazen stare directly to challenge his memory. Saner thoughts prevailed. She kept a polite smile firmly on her lips and pretended not to notice him at all while Stan helped her off with her cloak. ….
There was no denying the man was handsome, Adriane thought, as she slid her eyes quickly past him again. Black hair curling across his forehead. Eyes almost as dark. Skin that showed he was outside in the weather a lot. A dark mustache that surprisingly sprouted a few red hairs. A mouth that seemed to want to curl into a smile but did not. Broad shoulders stretching the material of that wrinkled coat. He was not the typical guest at one of Mrs. Wigginham’s afternoon functions.
Yet everyone else in the room, including Stan, seemed to know him. In fact Stan muttered under his breath as they crossed the room, “What is he doing here?”
Hope you enjoyed this little tidbit from the book. I really enjoyed writing Adriane’s story. Lots of action and excitement in this one.
This is the last post before I pick a winner. So, one more time to leave a comment to get an entry or if you’ve left comments on the previous posts, another entry. Thanks to all of you who have been reading these posts about some of my backlist books.
Do you think Blake is a hero you might like to know better?
Comments 31
Oh my goodness. So, of course the cover grabbed my attention, but this sounds so good. I’m glad you don’t stay in one lane and venture out! We can make you a sign that says, “No Brand Ann!” lol
Author
No Brand Ann sign. Hmm, Mimi. That sounds interesting, but my publishers might shake their heads in dismay. Or in NO. 🙂 But then they are letting my venture out and step farther back in time to the pioneer days for a book I’m researching and getting ready to write.
The cover with the beautiful model with a backdrop of 1855 Louisville is one of my best.
Your books never disappoint. Blake sounds very dashing!
I would love to read/win your book.
Thank you.
Blake seems very intriguing as well as the story. Who gets to the story first as competing newspapers and will he figure out who she is?
I’ve loved all your books! Currently reading Small Town Girl! Thanks for writing! We are blessed!
Author
Anytime a reader tells me they are reading one of my books, I’m happy, Linda. But for some reason, I especially love hearing about someone going to Rosey Corner for a story. I hope you also read Angel Sister and are planning to read the third Rosey Corner story, Love Comes Home. I did love those Rosey Corner people while I was sharing their stories.
I have loved many of your books. I haven’t read this one yet but it sounds intriguing. Thank you for writing such a variety of stories.
I love all your books and can’t wait for more.
I haven’t read this book yet, but would certainly like to read it!
Blake is a character I would like to know better. I can’t wait to read this Book. I like that you write about more than one “brand”. It’s interesting and always a surprise thrown in. B
Author
Glad you think you’d like to find out more about Blake and this story, Pamela. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and then let me know what you think about the book. More reviews on Amazon for the book would be great.
Thanks for being willing to follow my story roads even when they take different turn-offs in this or that fictional world. I like that you find surprises fun.
I have read several of your books but not this one. It does sound different from the others I have read but interesting. I would like to get to know Blake better!
Blake is for sure a hero I’d love to read more about!!
Loved this book. Loved the setting!
I have enjoyed every book of yours that I have read. Why stop now? 😉
Author
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my stories, Karen. And indeed, why stop now? In fact, it’s great when readers reach back to try some of my back list books like Words Spoken True.
Yes, I am very curious!
Yes! I am very curious!
Yes, maybe I would.
I love how you write so many different types of stories. It is fun and educational when you cover so many topics and write about different times and events in history. Words Spoken True is one of my favorites and offers some very spine-tingling scenes for those who have never read it….they should! 🙂
Author
Thanks for your good words, Hope. I do write a variety of stories, but what hold most of them together is the small town feel and Kentucky history. Words Spoken True has the Kentucky history, for certain, but the bigger city than most of my books. I’m glad you found the newspaper editor’s daughter’s story a good read. It did have some suspenseful scenes along with that hard, real life dramatic 1855 history. I’d love it if readers would pick up the story and read it.
I’m sure Blake is great, but to be truthful, he wouldn’t be my hero type. Give me a rugged mountaineer, pioneer, or cowboy. However, EVERY book of yours I’ve read, I’ve loved, so I’m sure this book is wonderful, as well as Blake.
Author
Blake isn’t a mountaineer, pioneer or cowboy, Susan, but he is rugged in his own way. Newspaper editors could be strong and ready to fight back in the 1800s. Sometimes editors from competing newspapers would have confrontations on the town streets and even want to duel one another. At times, they had to face off against men who didn’t like what they wrote or published. So, if you were to decide to read Words Spoken True, you might find you do like Blake. 🙂 I appreciate you reading my stories and I’m glad you’ve loved the ones you’ve read.
Yes! I would love to read this book!
He sounds very intriguing, for sure! Another on my reading list. Thank you, Ann!