Excerpt from When Shadows Fall by Tina Pinson

Morning brought sunshine, and the pleasant sound of birds singing overhead. Rebekah hoped the rain would hold off, allowing her to make up some lost time.

Two hours on the road, they met up with another band of rebels. They wore ragged uniforms. The hair on their heads and faces was overgrown. Of the six men, only one wore shoes. She began to fear this ragtag group might be deserters. Trouble.

Hoping they'd pass like others had done, she moved on with eyes forward -- yet constantly watching. She feigned disinterest as they drew near the wagon, but they didn't pass. As soon as they were close, they fanned the road to block her passage. She tried to keep moving, but one big and utterly filthy, redheaded man grabbed the horse's reins.

She found herself missing the company of the rain.

"Whoa there," he said as he slowed the horse to a halt. He looked up at Rebekah and grinned. "Now that wasn't very neighborly of ya. We jest wanted ta talk ta ya's is all. We was hoping ya'll had some food ya might be willin' ta share."

"I ain't got much food, son," Rebekah told him, trying to keep her voice steady. "I got me some grain for the horse and some hardtack and jerky fer my grandson and me."

"What are ya doin' out here, ma'am?" Another, not quite so scruffy, young man asked.

"I jest got my son out o' one o' them Yankee prisons, and I'm trying ta get 'im home is all." Rebekah's impatience grew along with the sick feeling in her gut. "He's real sick. Caught himself something in that filthy place. I'm jest tryin' ta get 'im home."

"She tellin' the truth, Zeb?" the big redhead asked. The way he motioned a couple of men to the rear of the wagon, Rebekah believed him to be the leader. Pangs of fear rose as they circled behind her. "Does she got herself a sick man and a boy back ther', Zeb?"

The wagon rocked as Zeb jumped in for a closer look. "Shore nuff does." Zeb's voice sounded behind her. She looked over her shoulder just as Andrew backed up against his mother too terrified to speak. "He looks mighty bad off, Cal, and ther ain't much else in here."

Zeb drew back the blanket and studied her husband. "Dear Lawrd," he sputtered when he saw the legs were missing. "Lawrdy, Lawrdy." Zeb couldn't quit staring. He finally laid the blanket back down -- taking care to cover Robert -- and apologized to Andrew for scaring him. "Damn Yankees," he muttered. The springs creaked as he jumped from the wagon.

"Ya got some money then, ma'am?" Cal called to her.

Rebekah returned her attention to the front of the wagon. "Son, if I had me any money, my son would be in some fancy hospital gettin' care right now." Her tone was angry, defiant. She regretted it when Cal's voice grew hard and cold.

"Maybe we orta just take yer wagon here?" Cal gave her a stern look.

"I think we should let 'em alone," Zeb spoke up, coming back to his side. He put a hand to Cal's chest. "She's jest trying ta get her son home. We got no cause ta hurt a fellow soldier."

"I'm agreed. Let 'em pass."

The sentiment echoed down the line. Only Cal stood silent. He took so long thinking it over, Rebekah feared he might not let them go. Then he relented and stepped back from the horse.

Rebekah shook the reins, urging the horse to go.

"Get your boy home so as you can care for him," Zeb said softly as she drove past. Her tears welled at the unexpected kindness. She was afraid to breathe. Afraid Cal might change his mind and come after her. Terrified, Andrew crawled up next to her. He didn't say a thing, just clung to her. She was shaking so badly, she could barely hold the reins let alone her son.

When a good half-hour passed without incident, Rebekah pulled off to the side, and allowed herself to cry.

So where can the readers find your books and learn more about you?

My website -- http://www.tinapinson.com/

Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook--http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103
Purchase my books at:

Desert Breeze Bookstore.

Touched By Mercy - http://tiny.cc/0rgkm
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul
When Shadow Fall http://tinyurl.com/d93p77a

Amazon:

Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w
When Shadows Fall: http://tinyurl.com/6ogulhk

Barnes & Noble

Touched By Mercy— http://tinyurl.com/7ztzjno
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767
When Shadows Fall: http://tinyurl.com/6pxcmmf

Christian Books Distributors

Touched By Mercy – http://tinyurl.com/72p4pml
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9
When Shadows Fall

How pets, people and most of all the Lord influence her books

So give us a quick blurb - what is When Shadows Fall all about?
The Civil War rages, and Rebekah fights to keep her world intact. Loss and sorrow seeps into her heart. Her sights on Oregon, she prays New Eden will be a place of peace for her and her son. A refuge. She travels to Missouri to start her journey and is denied the opportunity to join the train. Matthew battles his way through the war thinking of Rebekah, planning to help her west. He fears his biggest battle lies ahead. Will Rebekah open up her heart and allow him to be the one to hold her When the Shadows Fall?

Makes my heart beat faster, even thought I' know how it turns out. Rebekah is a favorite character of mine. Are there influences from family members, friends and/or pets that you can share? In most of my stories you will find the character has a pet. Because I have a pet. I love my dogs. The dog names in my stories Lady, Shadow and Buster were all names of some of my pets. Shadow was with us for 16 years. Our little teddy bear.

As far as family… I have four sisters, so several of my characters share some of their traits. And many share mine. I have three sons and hubby of course, plus all my nephew and nieces to give me a wealth of attitudes for my characters. And I like to people watch too.

Which character is the most difficult and why? Samantha in Touched by Mercy was difficult for me, because she hit close to home with my feelings. Writing her allowed me the time and perhaps grace to work through things that had happened in my past.

Rebekah is tough, because she reminds me of how hard life can be and what loss feels like. But she is awesome in the fact that she and Samantha too learn how to give their hearts over to the Lord. And the Lord the might just be the toughest ever. Because I so want people to know that he is the biggest Character in my books and the realest. If that makes any sense? And some people just don't want to hear. I can't always blame them, cause sometimes I don't want to have to deal with the truths he hands me either.

And where can we get your books and learn more about you as an author?
My website -- http://www.tinapinson.com/
Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook-- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103
Purchase my books at:

Desert Breeze Bookstore.

Touched By Mercy - http://tiny.cc/0rgkm
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul
When Shadow Fall  http://tinyurl.com/d93p77a

Amazon:

Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w
When Shadows Fall: http://tinyurl.com/6ogulhk

Barnes & Noble

Touched By Mercy— http://tinyurl.com/7ztzjno
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767
When Shadows Fall: http://tinyurl.com/6pxcmmf

Christian Books Distributors

Touched By Mercy – http://tinyurl.com/72p4pml
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9
When Shadows Fall

Childhood Lying Grows Up into Writing?

Tina, I am so excited to have you here today. I enjoy your work and it will be fun to get to know you a little.

First let me say hello, Lynette and thank you for inviting me to your blog.

Tell me about who and what influenced you to write? Have you been writing long? When I was little girl, (many moons ago) I had a big imagination, which to the bane of my parents and existence I used to fabricate awesome stories. Okay, I lied. But I was good at it.

In elementary school I started to use my imagination to work on stories and doodling. I didn't sell any book until I was much older, but my doodling paid off. Because I could draw the human body pretty good at a young age… I made candy money drawing nude women for the boys in school in 4^th and 5^th grades.

I still doodle, (I gave up my sinful ways) and I still have my imagination, which takes me on flights of fancy through fiction and I don't even get in trouble for doing it. Unless of course I break a writing rule somewhere.  

Why this genre? Do you write in others?

I write historical fiction because I've always been interested in that time in our countries history. Such a hard time in life and yet, there was a simplicity.

I also have written some contemporaries and am working on some speculative fiction.

You are a Christian writer - how does that influence your writing?  I know my imagination was given to me for a purpose, I don't want to be preachy, but I want people to see that the truth is out there, and they've been handed a bill of goods that steals their joy. And only God can give that back.

 

How do you feel about authors of Christian lit writing flawed characters? I think flawed characters are more real to life than not. Everyone has flawsYes, everyone wants that escape story sometimes, but following a flawed character through the maze and showing how they reach the oasis, is oftentimes the escape they need. It gives them an answer. Shows them they don’t walk alone and gives them the opportunity to ask questions. Like what if I took the same path as the character in this book?

So where can the readers find your books and learn more about you?

My website -- http://www.tinapinson.com/

Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook-- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103
Purchase my books at:

Desert Breeze Bookstore.

Touched By Mercy - http://tiny.cc/0rgkm
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul
When Shadow Fall  http://tinyurl.com/d93p77a

Amazon:

Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w
When Shadows Fall: http://tinyurl.com/6ogulhk

Barnes & Noble

Touched By Mercy— http://tinyurl.com/7ztzjno
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767
When Shadows Fall: http://tinyurl.com/6pxcmmf

Christian Books Distributors

Touched By Mercy – http://tinyurl.com/72p4pml
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9
When Shadows Fall

Interview with Sadie and Sophie Cuffee

How long have you been writing? What is your first writing/composing memory?

Sadie: I've been writing since 1988 (and you'd think I'd be better at it by now, wouldn't you!) You know those authors who wrote honkin' stories and had them published in the newspapers by the time they were 6 years old? Not me (can you say late, late bloomer?). My first composing memory must be in 1988, I wrote some really bad poetry for awhile until my good friend (who is a gifted writer and poet) looked at one of my poems and, in true sisterhood fashion, said, "I think this would make a good story." So I ditched the rhyming dictionary (that speaks volumes, right there) and moved on to a better skill set match of farm & gardening articles (in my former life I was a commercial grower and landscaper), newspaper columns, and kids stories.

When I first saw this question, what came to mind for me as a composing memory was our dad. He used to write lyrics and poems, and composed some pretty cool stuff that I didn't fully appreciate as a kid; but now I see how gifted he was (and he'd say it wasn't him, it was all God, and he'd be right!)

Sophie: Technically speaking, I could write before Sadie was born (that never gets old for me - hahaha), but professionally speaking, she got me started.  She was writing for God's World Publications at the time and suggested I send in some samples.  The editor said he liked my work and wanted to use an article in the next publication, but could I revisit it and make a couple of changes. Unfortunately, my ancient-at-the-time Mac had eaten my homework.I couldn't find it anywhere. A call to the local computer gurus said yes, they could retrieve it from the netherworld of the hard drive, but it would probably cost around $35.  So I cowgirled up and rewrote the whole thing.  That was my first lesson in SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

S & S: Inspiration usually smacks us between the eyes in an experience we’ve had, (just last week we slid off the ice into the ditch and had to be towed out...ugh! But Sophie said, “We can use this in a book!”), or in dialog we hear, or in a million little observances of the oddities and wonders of 21^st century life. It always takes awhile to sink in, and then we have to rummage for a piece of paper and write it down. We also find inspiration in asking, “What if?”

Who had the most positive influence on your life and how?
Sadie: That’s a tough one. As a Christian it’s really a two-fold answer. Obviously Jesus had, and continues to have, the best positive influence on my life by enabling me to grow to be more like Him. He’s taught me to think outside my small plans and have the courage and zeal to embrace His plan for my life, which is HUGE!

On the human side, there’re too many good people to pick just one. I've been truly blessed. (But I hate it when someone pulls the ethereal card, especially when it's me!) If I have to pick someone, I would say my sister. She’s my one-and-only. And as a big sister, there’s none better. She got up in the middle of the night and killed a spider on my bed with a well-aimed sneaker, then when I fussed (Hey, I was just a little kid!) that its crumpled body was still looking at me, she disposed of it without rancing on me. Greater love hath no sister than that, and it’s only gotten better with the passing of the years. Her example inspires me every day!

Sophie: I'm going to copy Sadie's first part, because Jesus Christ makes all the difference and is THE great influencer.

Our father was a huge influence on me. I never heard him swear, use the Lord’s name in vain, or lose his cool.  He was confident without being arrogant; fair without compromise; unconditional love personified, regardless of social status, educational status, economic status, race, religion, or creed.  But, as Sadie pointed out earlier, he'd have been the first to tell you it wasn't him, it was Jesus Christ in him that made him who he was. 

What is your favorite movie and why?
Sadie: I have a handful I really like, most of which are dated now. But at this moment I’d choose, “While You Were Sleeping.” Why? It’s got great dialog, classic lines, and perfectly-done family scenes (like the one around the supper table). I’m a sucker for ordinary blue-collar folks like us who dream big but enjoy the here and now on their own terms. It also has great characters and one of our goats is named Jo Jr., so it brings to mind the movie every day.

Sophie:  Hmmm, this is hard.  I'll go with "Sleepless in Seattle" (I'm noticing a pattern here!).  It's one of those movies where you just want them to get together, and they keep missing.  Plus it has one of my favorite lines, "It scares me what they aren't teaching you in school these days!"

If you had a time machine and could take one trip to any time in history, where would we find you?

Sadie: Back in the 1890’s traveling across the country from Maine to California so I could check out our great-grandparents on both coasts and do a little pioneering out west (and maybe even travel up to Alaska and strike it rich, or be one of the first women to write about it.)

Sophie: I'd like to go into the future and see my grandchildren as adults.

What are your hobbies?

S&S: Hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, camping, backpacking, fitness, sewing, cooking, knitting, gardening, reading, crafts, music.

Tell us about your other occupations/jobs, besides writing.

S&S: At present we have a small dairy farm, so that keeps us busy caring for the goats and chickens year round, fixing fence in the spring (heavy early snow last fall did a number on some of our fence so we’ve got our work cut out for us in May), repairing the old tractor, planting the vegetable garden (and flower gardens, you gotta have some outdoor natural bling), clearing fields, and cutting hay in the summer, and splitting and stacking wood in fall and winter. We also work as worship team/administrative assistants in the church, and are involved in nursing home, youth, and musical ministries on a weekly basis.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-225/The-Wainright-Trilogy-Book/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Wainright-Trilogy-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0067D6N6E/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321791291&sr=1-2

Debra Parmley visits February 15

Here is a preview. Tune in February 15 for the rest of this interview with Debra.

Lynette: What is your perfect writing environment?

Debra: I used to write at my PC with my golden retriever, Trixie, by my side and we had a little routine. She would remindme when it was time to eat lunch and let her out. (I sometimes forget to eat, or even to drink the glass of water, which is sitting right next to me if I get wrapped up in the story.) After Trixie died, I was unable to write for almost six months. The environment only reminded me of her and I would get too choked up. So to break out of that grip of sadness and get back to writing again, I actually sat on my bed with a legal pad and told myself “I can write any time, anywhere, in the midst of anything.” And then I started to write that down on the legal pad and after a while I didn’t need to sit at that computer any more and eventually I was able to getback to writing my stories. 

Lynette: Wow, our pets can be a muse, but it sure hurts to lose them. My dog is about two feet from me right now.

Debra: My first book, A Desperate Journey, was dedicated to Trixie, in memory of, and it will always remind me of her.

Dangerous Ties, release Feb 15, 2012, Desert Breeze Publishing
A Desperate Journey, available now

Debra was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Springfield, OH but has lived in the Memphis, TN area since 1997. She attended Marywood University in Scranton, PA and was the first student to win first place in two categories of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Beta Epsilon Chapter writing competition, in creative prose and in informal expository. Her poetry was published in literary journals while attending college.  She holds a BA in English Literature.
Debra has traveled extensively and worked as an independent travel consultant for several years. She has visited thirteen countries. She has also worked in banking, newspaper advertising, as city recycling co-coordinator, as an office manager, and as a belly dance instructor.
Her first short story, published in the anthology More Monsters From Memphis, was a finalist in the Darrell Awards for best Mid-South short story.

Her first novel, A Desperate Journey, a western historical romance, was a finalist in the Bobbi Smith Creative Writing Challenge.  Not long afterward it was a finalist in the American Title II contest.  For those not familiar with the contest, she describes it as similar to the American Idol contest, but for authors. Readers voted online and the prize was a publishing contract. A Desperate Journey was published a year later by Samhain Publishing. Debra's second book, Dangerous Ties, will be published by Desert Breeze Publishing.

When not writing, Debra enjoys dancing, primitive archery and medieval reenactment, yoga, scrap booking, practicing Reiki, and traveling.

For Debra, writing is about joy. The joy of creation and the joy of connecting with her readers. It is one of her greatest pleasures to hear from her readers.