Pitch

It's Here!

Book Two in The Huntington Saga Series Novels~

Pirate Bride!

Miss Susannah Blakemore is kidnapped and sold into white slavery as payback to the Huntingtons. Will her pirate hero save her?

“The Huntingtons will pay. Oh, they will pay.” Plots and unholy alliances are put into action carrying out long-awaited retribution.

Only … one was not thought of. One was not even considered. How would anyone have guessed that a descendant of a pirate would take up his old family tradition in a mad quest to regain his bitterly lost love? The Marquess of Latham will not abide by this act of violence arranged for his precious love, but will surely save her -- will he not? And will he make her the next pirate bride?

Next? There must be a first to have a 'next'. But there was another ... centuries ago ... that still walks the halls of Stonecrest Castle.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Saturdays...


Saturdays bring with them a unique dilemma.  As a child, they were filled with chores and play.  As a teenager, they were filled with chores and shopping at the mall with sisters or friends, spending my babysitting money on whatever I had been saving up to buy; or, even better, going to a movie.  As a young mother, they have been spent cleaning, doing laundry, making bread, washing wiggly bodies getting ready for Sunday.  They have turned into cleaning days with the kids as the project; teaching them how to clean and be responsible.  Isn't that fun.  Once in a blue moon, we would actually go somewhere.  My favorite outings are to the mountains and the unique peace that is found there.  Beautiful. 

But now, Saturdays have become even more busy.  There is the cleaning and laundry to do still; baking or cooking that still needs to happen; there are kids to keep on task or follow in whatever they are doing; but now, there is also the struggle to find time to write, edit, and enjoy my time doing so; there is this struggle to decide if I'll clean or writeWhy, I ask myself?  Why would I ever choose to clean over write??  Silly me.  That should be an easy one.  But there is that struggle with balancing all of the above.  And it has become difficult.  So...now I'm just tired.  But I have to decide what to do. 

Uggh!

Do you ever feel like you're spinning out of control?  Here's to all those who have maintained control and have everything perfect in their lives...  The rest of us salute you. ;)

Ellise


P.S.  Shhh...  I think I'll go write something...
 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Six years ago today...

...I began writing. 

I'm feeling a little nostalgic right now, which I usually do this time of year.  I know many of you do, as well.  It's doubly so for me since its birthday time again.  *yay, I'm older...blah!*  I am glad to know more things, and that is the only advantage to age, perhaps?  I don't know yet.  Let me know if you've figured it all out.  ;) 

However, I am very grateful for the new year because it is a time of deep reflection, and I do have much to be grateful for.   And, of course, this brings me to my topic today.  This deep reflection is what got me into this whole writing experience, to begin with.  I had never planned to be a writer. But I do have to admit that I had tried my writing skills out once before when my children were little tots, and my last little one wasn't even born yet, but I quickly laughed at myself and deleted what I had written (...a rarely shared moment in my life...).  

Turn the clock forward several years, add a bunch more trials to my life, and voila!  I had the makings of some very deep moments.  I was considering the fact that I had just come through a difficult year.  My hair was finally growing again and it was just starting to look normal.  I was very self-conscious, but I was grateful to have made it through that difficult time.  I wanted this new year to be different--better.  Really better!  But what could I do?  What could I possibly do to make things better? 

I felt like I had made things worse--not intentionally, of course.  I mean, really--who asks for cancer, or any trial, for that matter?  But I could hardly get myself out of bed in the morning, let alone feel excited about getting up.  My only purpose was taking care of my little family, and my husband had stepped right into that role quite well.  I didn't even feel needed anymore.  But I knew that the medical bills were only mounting--and little did I know that they would grow exponentially over the following years to include much, much more--even my sweet husband's new heart surgery bills.  Life has just been crazy.  It felt so completely overwhelming to me. 

And that is why that one single prayer has had such an impact upon my life ever since.  That prayer that asked, "What can I possibly do to help?"  My sweet little family and my hard-working husband were especially on my mind during this prayer because I had asked a scary question a lot--What if I don't make it?  What if I die?   

After paying all these bills, then they'd have to come up with funeral costs?  That was the big fear.  And then what?  The more I thought about their future, the more I tossed and turned.  I needed the help and peace that only a loving Father in heaven could provide.  And He did.  All the occupations I thought of doing could not even be approached.  They were simply out of the question.  I had to do something from home and in my weakened station.  It sucked, but there you have it.  It has been sucky ever since, as far as my fight with my health and stupid medical bills.  But the answer to that prayer was--You can do something, Ellise.  You can!  The thoughts of writing that came to my mind were so exciting that I got up the very next morning raring to go.  And I have been writing ever since January 2, 2008. 

I have learned so much since that special prayer was answered.  I have found so many new friends and have reacquainted myself with many more.  Family and friends have been so supportive, as embarrassing as it is to step out in front of everyone and ask, "Here. Read this."  Totally not me!  This is so completely out of my comfort zone.  But my little family is so worth any sacrifice I can make--embarrassment and all.  And it is still paying off.  I'm ever so grateful.  
 
God really does make more out of us than we can make of ourselves all on our own.  Just ask Him for the help and see for yourself what He comes up with.  You'll be pleasantly surprised! :)   

I truly hope for continued success for me and for all of you out there trying, struggling, and hoping for more in your lives. 

All my best,
Ellise