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Five on Friday with Janet Taylor-Perry
Please welcome, Janet Taylor-Perry to Five on Friday.
Janet Taylor-Perry, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in psychology, Belhaven University with a Master of Arts in teaching, and gifted certification from Mississippi College, is an author, editor, and educator in English, social studies, and gifted. She has taught 5th – 12th grades in a number of districts in the state. She currently teaches life skills in a variety of areas with Goodwill Industries of Mississippi.
Janet’s short pieces appeared in Letters from the Soul, 2002; Brick Streets Press: 2010 Winner’s Circle; and The Magnolia Quarterly, 2012 and 2013. She’s produced pieces that finished semi-finalist, short-list finalist, and finalist for The Pirates’ Alley Faulkner Wisdom Competition in 2012 and 2013. Memberships include Kappa Delta Epsilon, Red Dog Writers, Gulf Coast Writers’ Association, The Mississippi Writers Guild, and TheNextBigWriter.com.
Inspiration comes through life experiences. She’s the mother of five and an avid reader who loves anything old and historical from antique cars to old cemeteries. She’s on Facebook @ Author Janet Taylor-Perry.
The first installment of The Raiford Chronicles, Lucky Thirteen, can be found on Amazon for both Kindle and in paperback.
Now for the questions where we’ll learn more about Janet.
What are the top three things on your bucket list? And why?
A. A full year in Europe beginning with spending at least a week in a castle in Scotland or Ireland. Promote my work across Europe. I’m of Scotch-Irish descent. I’d like to visit my roots.
B. Travel across the US with stops in every state at one special site as well as its capital and have a book promotion at each place, definitely including the Grand Canyon. I’d like to see my own country first hand.
C. Have guided Walk-about in the Outback of Australia. Take it slow and easy! I can’t move really fast these days. I’ve just always wanted to visit Australia and see the places filmed in Crocodile Dundee & The Man from Snowy River.
Ann: Holy smokes, Janet! You better get started now. That’s a lot of traveling!!
Who would you choose to play the two lead roles in your book, if it was made into a movie?
For Wilted Magnolias:
April Chastain—Whoever this girl is https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89931323786274744/
Russell Dalton—Chris Pine, no doubt https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89931323779884899/
For the Raiford Chronicles:
Raiford—Henry Cavill He has the eyes! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89931323785409756/
Larkin—whoever this girl is— https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89931323785409900/
King Satin’s Realm:
Caitlin: Deborah Ann Wahl https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89931323785409869/
Aidan—This guy– https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89931323784522679
Ann: I always love when an author casts their stories. You went beyond and gave us Pinterest Pins! I love that!!
What is one of your favorite quotes?
Id’ have to say what Larkin Sloan says in Lucky Thirteen: “Your luck is what you make it. Your life is what you make it. So, go out and make it count.”
Ann: Sometimes our characters give us a bit of wisdom!!
What is your favorite book and why?
I have more than one, but for this, I’ll choose The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas because it depicts what might have happened to the centurion who won Jesus’s robe. I’ve always found that story fascinating.
Ann: Amen to that.
If you could be a character from one of your books, who would it be and why?
Larkin Sloan Reynolds from The Raiford Chronicles because she is very much me. Like me, the character endured great struggles and survived. And, like me, she is an educator that touched the lives of her students and had life-long relationships with some. My one life-long relationship with a student would have to be with Christopher Chambers who designs all my book covers. I taught him journalism his 11th-grade year & I admire him for also overcoming obstacles.
Ann: Teachers have so many memories of past students, and I can relate. Having been a school secretary on a junior high campus I know each day brought new adventures!!!
http://www.janettaylorperry.com/
Lucky Thirteen http://amzn.to/1ld8grm
Twelve women are dead, and a thirteenth is missing. Detective Ray Reynolds races time to catch a killer. Nothing ties the victims together, except the way in which they died. What Ray discovers blows him away as the battle takes on a supernatural element. There’s just one small catch — evidence points to Ray as the murderer.
From a small town in Mississippi, Larkin Sloan is a dynamic young teacher in the equally small town of Eau Boueuse, Louisiana. Abducted, she foregoes common sense and rational behavior in order to stay alive and not become the thirteenth victim of a serial killer.
Semifinalist, Faulkner Wisdom Competition
Top 100 in Denmark
#9 on Amazon
Heartless http://amzn.to/1iWuYmP
From the author of the critically acclaimed Pirates’ Alley Faulkner Wisdom semi-finalist, Lucky Thirteen, comes the second book in The Raiford Chronicles.
Police Chief Ray Reynolds did not think there could be a more brutal, heartless killer than Latrice Descartes whom he had encountered fourteen years earlier. His thirteenth wedding anniversary dinner is interrupted by one of his detectives to tell him an old married acquaintance, who also happens to be a United States Senator, has been found murdered in the presence of a much younger woman and that both are missing their hearts.
Ray becomes embroiled in another murder mystery that touches even closer to him than the one involving Latrice Descartes.
#70 on Amazon
Broken http://goo.gl/6YTwyz
Police Chief Raiford Reynolds learns that true evil never dies until the end of time as he encounters a brutal, maniacal killer bent on revenge.
A number of police officers and FBI agents are assassinated by a skilled sniper who leaves no evidence. The first dead law enforcement officer is Ray’s own sister-in-law, and all the others were somehow instrumental in the capture and death of Latrice Descartes twenty years before any one of them was killed.
Once again, Ray finds his personal life and his professional life cannot be separated as his family become targets of a mad man.
Top 20, Faulkner Wisdom Competition
Whatever It Takes http://goo.gl/1eLv66
Detective Raiford Reynolds has always done whatever it takes to crack a case, but when the case involves hurting his family, and he is not the one even investigating, he changes his tune quickly. Suddenly, whatever it takes includes putting the life and well-being of his family and friends in danger, especially his headstrong youngest child, Cherie.
Ray must come to terms with the fact that he is growing older and many things are changing. He must learn that whatever it takes means letting go and not being the one in control of a situation.
Whatever It Takes makes a detour from tracking a crazed killer as in its three predecessors. This time the residence of Eau Boueuse, Louisiana, deal with an organization of neo-Nazis who will do whatever it takes to advance their warped agenda. Ray suspects that the Feds have an agent undercover within the group, but he has no clue how close his own family is tied to the operation.
Whatever It Takes is filled with intrigue heightened by forbidden romance. And once again, the underlying theme of faith in the worst circumstances encompasses the characters.
King Satin’s Realm http://goo.gl/wf7UbM
Alone, confused, desperate, Aidan O’Rourke never dreams that talking to old Diggory Danaher will take him on an adventure of a lifetime. After months of stories about a mythical island and his father, Aidan decides to find out for himself if his father is alive and living as a panther on the enchanted island.
Stowaway wives, a lost father, bewitched human beings, a wicked witch, pirates, and friendly dragons combine to draw Aidan into a web of intrigue of good versus evil as he becomes the champion of a land that only exceptional humans can reach. Aidan proves how exceptional he truly is through the power of faith and unconditional love.
Semifinalist, Faulkner Wisdom Competition
Wilted Magnolias https://goo.gl/2oJOjc
Not having seen each other in sixteen years, sparks fly immediately when April Chastain misrepresents herself and returns to her hometown of Magnolia Blossom, Mississippi, to work for Russell Dalton, a man she has adored since childhood. They find themselves caught up in a web of romance, mystery, and danger.
Left for dead at the age of six, April was miraculously spared by a man-size teddy bear, a gift from Russell. As clues about the murder of April’s parents trickle to light, evidence surfaces that points to trusted friends as possible murderers. Several other deaths and a high number of cancer patients are linked to suspected illegal dumping of toxic, water-soluble cadmium.
Through it all, the one constant is an inanimate teddy bear, which holds a secret. The world of investigative reporting proves to be a roller coaster of intrigue, secrets, and tumultuous relationships in Wilted Magnolias.
Finalist, Faulkner Wisdom Competion
Readers, I hope you’ll check out all of Janet’s books. She and I met via thenextbigwriter.com. Thank you, Janet, for taking part today and sharing your books with us.
Lorelei Confer ~Romantic Suspense
Lorelei lives on a peninsula on the gulf coast of Florida with her husband, a cat, Mogwai, and AJ, a longhaired Chihuahua who is her constant companion.
In the fourth grade, she wrote a story in the form of a play—something about getting a shot at the doctor’s office—that actually went on to be produced by the teacher for parents and students, and presented in an assembly. When she was older, she spilled her guts in a journal every night and wrote long newsy love letters to Viet Nam to her high school sweetheart, now her husband.
In 2010, she had her first novel published, Deadly Deception, the first in the Deadly series regarding human sex trafficking. When she is not working on upcoming novels, she spends time with her two grown sons and their families, one of which lives in North Carolina with her granddaughter and two grandsons so she visits there often. She loves suspense novels, travel, and the great outdoors.
Mentoring children years ago, began her phase of helping others, mostly children in third and fourth grade, teaching the importance of using the correct words for an essay, and watching their eyes light up when they figured it out.
Since then, she has mentored aspiring authors to set goals, write at least 100 words every day to increase their word count, complete scenes, chapters and generally, meet their objectives, as well as, finish the book.
Sign up to receive exclusive excerpts and bonus material, as well as take part in great giveaways. Get alerted when books are released. Sign up on her website.
Website www.loreleiconfer.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Loreleiconfer Facebook
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Lorelei.Confer
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomLorelei_Confer
When Avri Lawrence’s high school sweetheart leaves to enlist in the military, she nurses a broken heart. When Dillon returns four years later, their attraction to each other is stronger than ever, but life’s experiences have changed them. When her life is threatened she’s not sure he’ll come to her rescue or like what he finds. She has secrets and she’s not ready to share.
Dillon Davidson wants to advance in his military career but didn’t plan on having to kill so many people to do so. On a Special Ops mission, he’s captured and tortured for eighteen long months. After his escape, he ends his four-year career in deception. He wants to start over with his soul mate, Avri in Saddle Creek, Wyoming.
But are there too many years of separation, too many secrets, and too many memories between them for them to overcome?
Valerie Ullmer New Release Unexpected
Valerie writes paranormal and contemporary romances with strong alpha males and brilliant, beautiful heroines. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and their funny and wise black lab. She’s addicted to coffee, crime shows, and reading and writing character-driven romances.
Be sure and check out Valerie’s many romance books on her Amazon home page and follow her on social media. The links are listed below.
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ INSTAGRAM ~ GOODREADS ~ AMAZON
A chance meeting will change their lives forever…
From the moment he entered the dark taproom, Caleb Hunt found himself drawn to the handsome man who sat alone at the end of the bar, away from the crowd. His interest in the dark-haired, muscled Adonis took him by surprise, not remembering when he’d felt such hunger from a simple glimpse. Unable to stay away, he quickly found an open seat next to him and slid into it. When Ronan turned his ice-blue eyes to Caleb and introduced himself, his warm hand sent shivers of desire through his body and he was enthralled.
Ronan Scott’s boring Friday night had taken a turn for the better when Caleb took the seat next to him. Over the next few hours, he found Caleb easy to talk to and at the same time, he found that he couldn’t tear his gaze away from the beautiful man. Caleb captured his attention in a way that no other had for as long as he could remember. Taking a chance, he leaned forward and captured Caleb’s lips with his. And with the simple kiss, Ronan understood that Caleb would become an essential part of his life.
As Ronan and Caleb explore their new relationship and integrate their lives together, they realize that not everything will be so seamless…
EXCERPT
That’s when he spotted him and everything stopped.
His breathing hitched in his chest and his heart thudded once, hard, and even the music seemed to fade as his gaze landed on a dark-haired man who sat by himself at the bar. As Caleb’s eyes slid down the man’s body of their own accord, he noted the fitted black tee that emphasized the muscles of his arms, back, and shoulders, before his gaze dropped lower to his legs encased in denim.
When he lifted a beer to his mouth and swallowed, Caleb felt his own throat tighten. A shiver of desire passed over him. Never had he felt this way about a man or woman in his life.
Before he could analyze his actions or talk himself out of his stupid plan, he walked toward the man. Part of him wanted to see if the man was as stunning as he believed from across the bar or if he’d been alone for so long that his mind had conjured the perfect man.
Before Caleb could reach the stool next to him, a beautiful blonde glided up to him, running her hand down his chest. Her smile flirty and sensual. Although Caleb had never been propositioned in any way close to resembling what he witnessed, he knew that she offered the man a brazen invitation to get to know her better.
Disappointment flooded Caleb’s chest.
In the next moment, however, she frowned and backed away from him as quickly as she arrived, leaving an empty chair.
Not questioning his good luck, Caleb hurried over and shed his coat, dropping it over the back. He flagged down the bartender and indicated the beer he wanted.
He sensed the man’s eyes on him, but for the moment, he wasn’t brave enough to turn and catch his gaze. Not when his breath had stuck in his throat, and he didn’t know if he could speak without sounding choked.
As soon as the bartender handed him his mug, the man turned his body toward him and leaned over to speak, close to his ear.
“Are you here alone?”
Caleb had to bite the inside of his lip in order not to moan out loud at the sexy, deep voice. Remembering the question, he shook his head and pointed toward Dylan and Garrett across the room. Dylan, of course, had a woman on his lap and was tracing a finger down her neck, before he leaned toward her and his mouth followed the same trail.
Garrett was looking down at his phone. The shy woman he’d been talking to had disappeared, much to Caleb’s disappointment, and another was trying, unsuccessfully, to get his attention. She looked drunk and very loud by the way he flinched every time she spoke.
“Dylan, the one on the right with a woman on his lap, is the biggest flirt in the world. He’s never serious about any woman he takes home. Garrett is his best friend, the complete opposite of Dylan, but he’s loyal.”
The man laughed and Caleb couldn’t help the lift of his lips at the sound. It was deep, rich, and addictive. But when the man turned his ice-blue eyes on him, something unidentifiable swelled in his chest. He could sense that he should speak, to keep this gorgeous man talking for as long as possible. “Are you here alone?”
Smart, Caleb. Just parrot the same question back.
The man smiled before he nodded over to his group of friends. Some were flirting, but others were enjoying the company of their friends on a Friday night.
“The ginger is Hawk; he’s a divorce lawyer who is handling Ryan’s divorce. That’s why they’re hunched over their beers. Ryan’s wife apparently hadn’t been faithful during their entire four-year marriage, and he found out when he came home early from a business trip. Jack is the one who is flirting with the group of women; he’s like Dylan in that way, never serious. He’s a CEO of a tech company and he could have any woman with his looks and the power he exudes, but he’s never been in a serious relationship. Sam is my second-in-command, the one who looks faintly sick because Adam is a forensic scientist who loves talking about his work.”
Caleb found himself smiling at the group of friends. When he glanced at the man, who had turned back to Caleb after pointing out his friends, he snagged Caleb’s gaze. “So, do you have a girlfriend at home?”
“No. I can’t remember the last time I had a date, much less a successful one. You?”
Caleb breathed a sigh of relief when he shook his head.
“I’m Ronan Scott.” He held his hand out.
Shit, even the man’s name is sexy.
He had to clear his throat before he reached out and grasped Ronan’s large, warm hand in his. “Caleb Hunt.”
Something inside Caleb warmed in increments until fireworks exploded behind his skin, all from a simple touch.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HNSD72
Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072HNSD72/
Amazon AU http://www.amazon.co.au/dp/B072HNSD72
National Hole in my Bucket Day
In honor of the fun children’s song “There’s a Hole in My Bucket”, today we celebrate National Hole in my Bucket Day! Wow, we literally have a day for everything! As I listened to this, I wondered why no one has made this into a rap song?!!
It has a nice “catchy” tune and is based on a conversation, between Henry and Liza, about a leaky bucket. It describes a deadlock situation as follows:
“Henry has got a leaky bucket, and Liza tells him to repair it. But to fix the leaky bucket, he needs straw. To cut the straw, he needs a knife. To sharpen the knife, he needs to wet the sharpening stone. To wet the stone, he needs water. However, when Henry asks how to get the water, Liza’s answer is “in a bucket”. It is implied that only one bucket is available — the leaky one, which, if it could carry water, would not need repairing in the first place.” (Wikipedia)
Do you remember this song from your childhood?
Here’s a cute video of the song performed by Muppets! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYY6Q4nRTS4
Jana Richards Five on Friday
When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full-length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.
In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at http://www.janarichards.com
Jana has several book series, and I hope you’ll go to her website to see them all, and while there, you can get one of her free short stories! Now, get to know Jana a little better through the questions she chose to answer, then be sure and check out her latest book, First and Again. (I love the title and cover)
If you could snap your fingers and make one thing happen, what would it be and why?
Just one? There are many things I wish I could make happen with the snap of my fingers (losing weight comes to mind) but if I had to pick one, it would have to be speed reading. I’d love to be able to quickly read every book that interests me. So many books to read, so little time.
Ann: Oh my gosh, Jana. I so agree on both counts!!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I live in Canada, and there’s no other country I’d want to be a citizen of. However, I could be persuaded to live somewhere warm in January, February and March when it’s -40 below here. We visited the south of France, and it was glorious. I’d be very happy to spend my winters there.
Ann: We generally have such mild winters in Texas, I’d like to spend one with -40 just once! Any excuse to stay in my pajamas all day next to a roaring fire would suit me just fine!
What makes you laugh?
I’m a big fan of satire and irony and making fun of the ridiculous. Or pointing out the ridiculous. Aside from that, funny cat videos get me every time.
Ann: Cats really are funny and the rest of the world must agree because those videos get millions of views!
Do you read horoscopes?
I read my horoscope every morning, though I don’t take it too seriously. I usually forget what it said as soon as I finish reading it. But I remember a few, particularly the year-end horoscopes that predict what the year ahead is going to be like. Last year on my birthday my horoscope said this: “…get ready for 2017, which will be one of the most powerful years of your life – a time of accumulation. Whatever you have done in the past will now ripen, because it’s your time of fruition.” I’ve kept that one and I’m waiting for it to come true.
Ann: I’ve always looked at horoscopes as adult fairy tales. I still want to believe in the possibility of a bigger happily-ever-after in my personal and professional life! So fun to dream and think…what if?
What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing a novel?
I would say the most powerful challenge is creating characters, plots, and situations that elicit an emotional response from a reader. We read for the thrills, the romance, the mystery, but unless the novel makes a reader feel something, it’s only a mediocre experience. The reader won’t remember the book or the author.
Ann: I love reading books just as you describe. When I to the last chapter, I’m sad because I don’t want it to end!
Bridget Grant is back in Paradise. Paradise, North Dakota, that is.
She’s swallowed her pride and moved back to her hometown with her daughter after her divorce and the loss of her catering company. Now she’s trying to navigate the strained relationships she’d left behind – including her first love, Jack Davison.
Jack never forgot Bridget or the day she left town – and him. When Bridget caters a lunch at Jack’s tourist ranch, old flames reignite. They have more in common than ever – Jack’s also a single parent. Though they both try to keep things casual, Bridget, Jack, and their girls are starting to look a lot like a family.
But Bridget’s only planning to stay in Paradise until she’s saved enough to relaunch her business. Jack’s invested too much in his ranch to leave. And with their daughters involved both have a lot more at stake than heartbreak. How can they risk falling in love?
https://www.amazon.com/First-and-Again-ebook/dp/B00E1UY6GE
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/first-and-again
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-and-again-jana-richards/1116133465?ean=9781426896439
New Release ~Where Rainbows End
Help me celebrate AnneMarie Brear’s new release, Where Rainbows End. I hope you’ll read the excerpt and follow her on social media.
Blurb
“I’m not a man, but that won’t stop me. Just you wait and see.”
It’s 1850 and the Noble family have arrived in Australia to start a new life after scandal drove them from their native England. Headstrong Pippa Noble is determined to reclaim their honor by making her father’s plans for a successful stud farm a reality.
Pippa is immediately spellbound by the untamed outback landscape, although she learns the hard way about the unforgiving nature of the bush – sometimes with devastating consequences. When circumstance leads to Pippa tending the new farm alone, it is the steadfast friendship of neighboring country estate owner Gil Ashford-Smith that helps her through.
Then an unexpected visitor from England arrives, putting Pippa’s dreams in jeopardy. But she refuses to let go. She will hold onto her family’s land and make her mark, even if it means losing everything else …
Excerpt
A sun-drenched morning greeted the party when they headed northwest out of Berrima. Once on the outskirts of the town, the bush grew thick with scrub, rendering the wagon and gig nearly useless. After nearly five miles of battling steep hills and rock-strewn descents, they left the transports and went the rest of the way on foot. However, this setback didn’t deter them, and Pippa, excited as a child at Christmas, hoisted her skirts above her ankles and strode ahead.
Stepping over grass tussocks and around jutting boulders, she jumped as startled kangaroos and rock wallabies bounded away, their thumping feet sounding like distant thunder. Flocks of white cockatoos screeched their disapproval from high in the trees.
The sharp scent of eucalyptus permeated the air and Pippa sniffed deeply, wondrously. At intervals, trees thick with blooms of yellow, which she knew to be called wattles, punctuated the grey-green landscape and gum trees let their little blooms of red dance in the breeze.
She jerked suddenly as a low branch jagged at her skirt. Her father helped to extricate the material and when her petticoat’s lace hem tore, she cared little. Nothing and no one could spoil this day.
Gerald grimaced at the ruined fabric. ‘You should not have come, my dear.’
‘Nonsense, Father.’ Pippa grinned. ‘A little hardship strengthens character.’
‘Mr. Noble.’ Robson gestured to a large eucalyptus trunk. The surveyor’s initials were cut deep into the bark.
Gerald consulted his maps. ‘This ridge ends another ten yards further on.’
Pippa hurried the remaining distance, nearly tripping in her haste. She stepped beyond a large tree and stopped.
Below, bathed in golden glory, lay their valley.
Tingles of excitement mixed with reverent joy sucked her breath away. She scanned the horizon of rugged hills and then gazed down at the inviting valley. It was everything she’d dreamed of and more because it was real. Tears gathered behind her eyes, blocking her throat. ‘It’s perfect.’
‘How in God’s name are we to get down there with the wagon?’ Robson mumbled, breaking her spell of wonder. He walked closer to the edge and peered down at the jagged outcrops of rocks and boulders that broke up the density of the trees and bush.
Gerald took off his hat and wiped his sweating forehead with a handkerchief. ‘Maybe, further along, there is an easier route down.’
They walked on for another hundred yards before finding another tree with the surveyor’s initials marked in it and also an arrow scratched next to them.
Robson pointed to a gentler slope and a roughly cut track snaking through the trees and scrub. ‘If the surveyor went down there, then that must be the easiest way.’ He frowned. ‘I wonder if he took transports …’
‘Likely packhorses.’ Gerald studied his maps again.
Pippa walked to the edge of the slope. She paused to gauge the steepness and then reached for a nearby sapling to keep her steady as she edged her way down.
‘Pippa!’
Her father’s shout made her stop and glance back. ‘It’s all right, Father. Hold onto the trees.’
Robson and Gerald hurried towards her and gingerly made their way to her side.
Gerald gripped her arm. ‘You are too headstrong. It was a foolish thing to do.’
She tossed her head. ‘I wasn’t going to be left behind.’
‘You’ll be the death of me, girl.’ Gerald panted and wiped his forehead again.
As they concentrated on getting safely to the bottom, the noises of the bush intensified. An unseen bird made the sound of a whiplash cutting the air, flies buzzed, twigs snapped underfoot, and small lizards slithered over rocks.
The track brought them out on the left side of the valley. At the bottom, the trees and scrub thinned out to grassy plains. Emerging out of the shade, the heat intensified. Pippa wished she had brought her parasol but had left it in the gig so she could hold her skirts up with both hands. Sweat trickled inside her collar and dampened her bonnet. She licked her dry lips. ‘Is there water close by?’
‘Here, miss, I have water with me.’ Robson handed her a leather-bound canteen.
‘Thank you.’ She stopped to drink and chuckled as the cool and pleasant water trickled down her chin. Drinking from a canteen was an art she hadn’t mastered.
‘Do you see that thin line of gum trees in the middle over there?’ Robson pointed in front of them.
Pippa studied the ragged thin line and nodded.
‘Those trees must edge the creek bank.’ He turned to Gerald. ‘Do you see that flat rise to the right of the creek bend, Mr. Noble?’
‘Aye, lad, I do.’
Robson smiled. ‘I think it would make an ideal homestead site.’
Gerald slapped Robson on the shoulder. ‘I think you may be right, my man.’
Pippa hesitated as the two men walked on. She slowly turned a full circle, taking in the broad sweep of the valley. Acres of waist-high brown grass rippled in the infinite breeze like a long slow wave on a lazy sea.
She strolled on, enjoying the feeling of walking on her own land. She now understood the power it gave men and why they did almost anything to acquire property. They broke their backs trying to keep it viable in the hard times and, in good times, they looked to buy more. The intensity of emotion frightened her. Her land. Her future.
Buy links
All Amazon Kindle sites; myBook.to/WhereRainbowsEnd
Kobo UK: https://goo.gl/24Tir1
Australian-born AnneMarie Brear writes historical novels and modern romances. Her passions, apart from writing, are reading, researching, genealogy, roaming historical sites, buying books and gardening. She is an author of historical women’s fiction, contemporary romance and several short stories and is currently living in England.
AnneMarie Brear on the web:
http://www.annemariebrear.com
http://annemariebrear.blogspot.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
https://twitter.com/annemariebrear
Ann Everett, Best Selling Author
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