Stormy Weather has gotten a review

A wonderful review by the folks over at You gotta read.

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed by: Brynna Curry

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-stormy-weather-by-nancy-oberry.html



Blurb:
The proceeds of this book go to the Susan G. Komain Foundation
*note* frank discussion on breast cancer surgery and reconstruction
As a woman, Lauren Phelps has suffered the worst life can throw at her. The loss of her breast, the rejection of her husband, a divorce can she pick up the shattered threads of her life and continue?

Cole McGuire met Lauren Phelps through a mutual friend, his mother. When Lauren took a medical leave of absence, he wondered if he would ever see her again. When she returned to Teague and Marshalls, he made sure she was transferred to his office. Now divorced, he wondered if he stood a chance to woo her.
Can Lauren learn to love again after the storm?

Review:
After Lauren Phelps is diagnosed with breast cancer, her dirtbag husband left her to withstand treatment and reconstruction alone. After reconstructive surgery and going into remission, Lauren is offered a new position at her old job, as Cole McGuire's assistant. Cole McGuire is thrilled to have Lauren back at the office and has come to know her through his mother who also had cancer. Now that both of them are free he is determined to win her heart, to show her that love is unconditional.

I cried all through the first passage, which seemed like part of the story at first, but was actually the author's journey. Lauren carries the internal scars of her survival and rejection by her ex- husband while holding her head high. Cole is a loving, understanding hero who shows Lauren how to open her heart again. True beauty blooms in the heart, and everything else is just 'window dressing'. This is one you gotta read and your purchase supports a wonderful cause. I commend the author for having the courage to face her personal fears and trial and for writing this story. Ms. O'Berry's work is always fluent and incredibly moving. Needless to say, Stormy Weather, is just one more reason to keep her at the top of my list.


Ok note here, the first part of the book is actually my editors brush with this horrible disease. When she found out I was writing this tail she asked if she could put a forward in. I had no problems offering Michelle Ellis a part in this book because she has been there for me when I had questions. Her professionalism and willingness to work with young emerging writers is an awesome asset for Red Rose Publishing. Emmy's brush with and talk about finding a lump and what she went through makes this book even more important.

I am honored to have her as an editor and as a friend. Please in this season of giving remember that proceeds for Stormy Weather go to help those with Breast Cancer. Proceeds are going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Thank you.

CHECK out this great book signing

If you are in or around the Houston area, you might want to stop by and see these fine authors. Be sure to tell them Nancy O says Howdy!


BOOKSIGNING AND HOLIDYA PARTY this Saturday in the
Houston area. Come on down and join the fun if you can!

HOLIDAY PARTY!
Boomerang Books
Saturday, Dec 19
12:00 - 4:00

Anna Kathryn Lanier

Skhye Moncrief

Anne-Marie Novak

Emma Lai

Elizabeth Pina

_http://rosesofhouston.blogspot.com_ (http://rosesofhoust on.blogspot. com/)

Lots of Prizes - every 30 minutes
Treats and Drinks
1/2 off all used Romance
Fun, Fun, Fun
Come join us!

Boomerang Books
907 W Main St
League City, TX 77573
281-316-1404

_www.myspace. com/boomerangboo ks_ (http://www.myspace. com/boomerangboo ks)
Facebook, too! Search Boomerang Books

Need something to read now that Old man winter has settled in

My publisher Red Rose Publishing is putting out several great Christmas stories. Another one what has come across my desktop is this, Three Minutes Before Christmas by Paige Ryter. Ok love the authors name. Say it out loud and you'll catch her witty pen name.

I love the change on the amnesia angle too. Hit by a huge roll of Christmas wrapping paper. Come on we've all had those days when paper has fallen from the table or whatever we've chosen to wrap those gifts on. How cute that she's rescued by a doctor. Paige even centers the social gap in the story and when it comes down to it.."Check the clock because they've only got Three Minutes Before Christmas until the magic is lost."

This contemporary sounds like a great read on a cold day waiting for the Big man in the Red Suit to stop by your tree.

Custom of the Christmas tree

When we think of Christmas, it's not visions of sugar plums that dance in our heads. It is the vision of the tree decorated that sits in our family rooms, our Living rooms, or virtually any room in the house. The Evergreen is synonymous with the holiday season.

Our Pagan ancestors spruced ( sorry about the pun) their homes with the sweet smelling boughs to remind them through those long dark winter nights that spring would once again return to the land. Christianity , through Martin Luther brought the trees into the homes reminding their families that " Jesus left the stars in heaven to come to earth" to teach us how to live. I personally like to think it's a measure of the two. It reminds us that there is a constant life that like Christ love, it is renewable.

Christmas trees often did not have a long life. They were brought in as part of the Christmas treat and were left for St. Nicholas and his elves to decorate. Their blank branches suddenly sprang to life overnight and were seen on Christmas morning decked in their splendor. A sight to behold. It was then burned for warmth. Remember the folk tale of the Little Fir Tree?

Victorians really made the tree special. Pictures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their families before the tree made them a mainstay in the 1850 homes. Virginia's first tree came to Williamsburg in 1845. It was brought over by the Minnegerod family. Charles Minnegerod, a German professor at William and Mary brought the custom to the New World delighting the children of the George Tucker House.

Decorations were edible often made from gingerbread or marzipan, an almond sugar paste that can be shaped into figures, hard candies in gilded netting, cookies, and fruit. To offset these pleasures, paper fans, tin soldiers, windup toys were hung as well. Added to the mix were homemade toys, dolls, and mittens. Small handmade wax candles gave the tree light. Those beautiful hand blown glass ornaments were first made in Germany during the mid 1800's and shipped throughout Europe.

So, as you get ready to celebrate the beauty of the season, take time to bring the family in and enjoy the tree. Read to your children the story of The Little Fir Tree, The Polar Express, and the story found in the New Testament. Do it by the light of the tree with the carols playing softly in the background. You'll find the magic of Christmas has not been lost, "...it still resides in those who believe."

Wow a great new story just in time for Christmas

I've come across a fantastic new writer today by the name of Paige Ryter who has a story coming out in 11 short days.

Three Minutes to Midnight (great title huh)

Here's the blurb.

When Sydney White is hit by a huge roll of Christmas wrapping paper at her mall wrapping job, sexy pediatrician Colin Taylor rushes to her rescue. Unable to find her purse or keys, Sydney can’t even recall the phone number for her brother’s new home, so Colin offers his home as a place of refuge.

While there is a physical attraction, Sydney knows their worlds are far apart and it’ll only be a matter of time before he finds someone else in his own social class.

Can a Christmas miracle save their love? Check the clock because they’ve only got Three Minutes Before Christmas and the magic is lost.

I can't wait to read this one.

Home Sweet Home Life on the range was really green!

When we talk about living green, our generation has nothing on the early pioneers. Living on the prairies meant building homes with little to no timber structure. These homes were constructed with earthen blocks that allowed early settlers to be warm in the winter and cool in summer. Sounds grand with the cost of heating and cooling today.

All you needed was a firm piece of ground and your John Deere plow to cut these bricks three feet long and four inches deep. Stack two or three bricks width and there you have it. The long roots of the grasses would hold the walls together. In the spring, a profusion of wild flowers would grace your roof. It sounds lovely, but there were a few drawbacks.

There are diary entries from these brave souls who stood with umbrellas over their stoves while they cooked to keep the rain from dampening dinner. Dirt would filter down and onto the occupants of the home requiring the tarps to be placed beneath the block ceiling. Worse, in my humble opinion would be the critters who would want to share your warmth, such as bugs, mice and shiver me timbers SNAKES. ( Ok I would not have made it on that account). Yet these sturdy structures provided great protection from fires which could roar around the homes and walls would keep the families and livestock safe.



Don't think that these structures were primitive. While most might be constructed in a single room design, other homes had designs of two, possibly three rooms. Often those rooms would be separated by blankets or tarps. Some sod homes had wall paper walls. The 1872 Montgomery Wards Catalog carried window frames for sod homes!

To read more of course, pick up the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Inglis Wilder.

LK HUNSAKER announces winner from my blog!

CONGRATULATIONS TO LINDA B....

Nov 13 Nancy O'Berry: winner - Linda B

CONGRATS! The short story will be mailed after the book release date. Be sure to comment on at least 8 blogs during the tour to be eligible to win the book. :-)


LK Hunsaker
~Literary Romance with an Artsy Twist~
http://www.lkhunsak er.com
I'M ON TOUR! Find my schedule:
http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/?p=1520