Welcome Author L K Hunsaker

Hello Nancy and Nancy’s readers! It’s great to be here to talk with you about my latest release, Moondrops & Thistles!

Can you tell us a bit about your novel?




I’d love to! Daws, Sgt Fred Dawson, US Army, is a vampire... no, wait. Sorry. He isn’t. My daughter thinks he would make a good one, though.

What he really is: A stalwart soldier entrenched in his work. Strong and steady. Not easily flustered. Determined and capable and highly decorated. He has a subtle sense of humor he doesn’t often show. And he’s really pretty sexy with his large shoulders and cropped hair and Army-fit body.

Deanna is a fiery spirit on a mission. Independent and career-oriented. Prone to sarcasm. Artsy and intelligent and sensitive. She loves music that makes her move and movies that make her laugh. And her natural wavy deep red hair is an attention-getter even if she doesn’t think much about it.

Moondrops & Thistles is a story of the crash and merge of two strong spirits who are fine on their own but can’t help appreciating nightly talks to compare their days. It’s a story of society and relationships and cultural clashes and family history and love and understanding. It’s a story of sacrifice and healing. It’s part literary and fully romantic.


Will there be any sequels to this book?

In a way, Moondrops is a sequel to my 2009 release, Off The Moon. Except it’s set 9 years before even though it was written after, so it’s also a prequel of sorts. I tend to suggest readers start with Off The Moon and then move on (or back) to Moondrops & Thistles, if they want the whole experience. It’s not necessary. They each stand alone, and Off The Moon is the more intense of the two. So start with Moondrops and if the characters pull you enough, move along to Off The Moon! These characters will appear again in another story, although not a sequel exactly.


What sparks the heroine's interest in the hero?

Great question! When Deanna runs into Daws, she’s decided she’s fed up with men. She’s tired of lies and secrets and wants to find real straight-forward honesty. Daws is from NYC but stationed at Fort Drum, NY. When he gets sent home on leave after a couple of major incidents have him on edge, he wants something to make him feel alive again. Deanna sees his need for rescue, his vulnerability behind plenty of strength, his well-taught military bearing, and his humility. It all grabs her. Of course his looks don’t hurt anything.


When you are writing do you have any sort of quirks such as a certain type of music you listen to?

You know it depends on the day. My biggest constant is that in the morning, I always have a cup of coffee at my desk. In the afternoon and evening, I still have coffee, but it’s joined by a glass of ice water. And chocolate. I usually have some kind of dark chocolate on hand. Recently it’s Hershey’s Mint Truffle Kisses.

I often write in silence, but at times I have to put music on in order to help hold my focus. At times, it’s instrumental. I love David Garrett’s rock violin and Celtic music, and soundtracks such as the Pirates CDs, or classical such as Mozart, Tchaikovsky, or Spanish acoustic guitar. At other times, I’ll turn on the radio in another room to a pop station so I have the “company” of it without the lyrics close enough to interfere.


What is your favorite part of this story?

Oh, I’d have to say when they meet. That actually started as a free read short story to go along with Off The Moon, but I enjoyed their interaction enough I started to think there might be more to share. It has to be one of my favorite scenes I’ve written yet.


What do you have planned for the year 2012 in terms of writing?

I’m back to obsessively working on the third, fourth, and fifth book of the Rehearsal series and plan to get at least the 3rd one out in 2012. I’m also already working on the sequel for the series. Along with that, I’ve started a YA based on my main character in Finishing Touches, my first novel, with Jenna as a young girl finding and exploring her passion for art. I hope to have that one out before the end of the year, as well. There are a few other stories in progress and I never know when I’ll jump over to work on those, but my guess is some of them will get some attention through the next year.


Last where can readers find you?

All over the internet by searching LK Hunsaker! They can start here:

Website: http://www.lkhunsaker.com
Blog: http://lkhunsaker.blogspot.com
Moondrops on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MoondropsAndThistles
Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/author.lkhunsaker

I’m also on Goodreads where I do reviews and have a group for reader questions, on Myspace, Library Thing, and a dozen other spots. You can find them listed on my website.


Nancy, thanks so much for having me here! I’d love to give one commenter on this post the shorter, spicier ebook edition of Moondrops & Thistles. And be sure to stop by my blog for a chance to win a personally signed copy of the full version, plus a transforming mug with the wraparound cover, plus a Support Our Troops bracelet!

A letter to Miranda

Cordial, Texas December 1873


My dearest Miranda,

The chill of winter has descended over Cordial once more. I rode into the hills that look over our empty home and thought about you. I wondered if there are feelings in heaven, for if there are, you must surely know just how much I miss you.


Sam Russell suggested that I write this letter. He says I'm brooding too much, keeping myself on the ranch only going into town when we need supplies. However, who wishes such dire reminders, my love. Who would want to ride past the cold ground that covers your body and that of our child? Oh, for one more minute to hold you in my arms. To feel the warmth from your body against mine and to see the face of the child that died beneath your heart on that cold and fate filled Christmas Eve.


I confess, the idea of celebrating such a holiday settles upon my soul with such coldness that I fear I shall never be warm. I dread the shortening of days, the long lonely nights of winter. I hear the cry of the wind against the panes of our windows and it echo's my soul. If only I could block out that holiday, make it cease to exist, then perhaps I might continue on. Never the less it comes. Each and every year it comes and with it my hurt deepens. I fear nothing can save my soul, dearest Miranda. The only thing I look forward to is laying my tired body next to yours. You were my love of my life, my reason for living, with you gone, there is only a bleak future. How could a loving God, take you from me? I search my soul, but there is no answer.

Your loving husband,
Dobson Winters


A Cordial Christmas available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords

Dobson Winters is a miserable man. After his wife's death, he shut himself off from the rest of the world, but a deathbed ultimatum changes that. Now, he must find Holly Watson and marry her to save his soul. Redemption comes in an unexpected package and it takes the gift of a child's unconditional love to change a man heart.



To purchase your copy for $0.99 please follow the links below


http://www.amazon.com/A-Cordial-Christmas-ebook/dp/B005POOES0/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91873

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/A-Cordial-Christmas?keyword=A+Cordial+Christmas&store=ebook

To check out other great $0.99 reads, follow the postings on http://ebooks99cents.wordpress.com/

Check out Rachael Johns Blog....

I'm headed down under today on Rachael John's blog talking about my holiday story A Cordial Christmas. Won't you join me and stop by to wish our friends in Australia Happy Holidays...

http://www.rachaeljohns.blogspot.com/



Dobson Winters is a miserable man. After his wife's death, he shut himself off from the rest of the world, but a deathbed ultimatum changes that. Now, he must find Holly Watson and marry her to save his soul. Redemption comes in an unexpected package and it takes the gift of a child's unconditional love to change a man heart.

To purchase your copy of A Cordial Christmas for $0.99 please use the links below.

http://www.amazon.com/A-Cordial-Christmas-ebook/dp/B005POOES0/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91873

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/A-Cordial-Christmas?keyword=A+Cordial+Christmas&store=ebook

Searching for that just right novel.

Okay, you've got your hands on the nook, the fire, the iPod. You've been bombarded with commercials telling you what a great device this is and HOW you are REALLY gonna love it. You've even gone through the effort of registering your device - in my case, sigh had to call some one. So your fingers are hungry to find those "bargain books" and download.

I will recommend two sites because I know most of the artist and people who run the sites. They are writers themselves and have decided to make it a bit easier on the reader to find books tailored for their taste.

The first loop is done by Markee Anderson on her Sweet Tale book site. Yes, like the name implies, books are sweet meaning a chaste kiss to closing the door on those sexual scenes. Many of her books have an inspirational theme. You can find her over at: www.sweettalebooks.com Go under the Christmas book shelf for the list and click on the title and author to go directly to the book site. Markee has done an outstanding job setting her site up as a magazine type event. Lots to read about and do.

The second site was put together by Mona Risk. She gathered a group of published authors and each day presents a $0.99 book with an excerpt for you to read and links to buy. Check her group out at: http://ebooks99cents.wordpress.com/ Mona carries not only holiday stories but other genre's and heat levels as well.

So if you are in the market for a good solid read at a fair price, browse these sites and enjoy your e readers.

A Cordial Christmas

Enjoy the magic of the season and find romance....

Cordial, Texas is a small town founded by Dobson Winters and his wife Miranda. When fate deals Dobson with a bitter hand, his heart grows cold until Curtis Watson on his death bed demands him to listen or be condemned for all eternity...

Read an excerpt here...

The doctor placed a guiding hand on his shoulder and together they moved to the room where his patient lay. Dobson pulled his hat from his head as they entered. The small room contained a single bed pushed the wall from beneath the covers, a frail old man lay quiet. The only sign of life, a ragged breath with a deep rattle that echoed in the stillness. His eyes stared at some unseen point in the ceiling.
The cold fingers of death crawled up Dobson's spine. He watched the face, with its sunken eyes turn as Doc stepped up and spoke. "Curtis. Curtis, can you hear me?"
"I can."
The two words spoken seemed to take great effort. Dobson wondered if this was a mistake. It was clear, old man Watson needed to conserve his strength.
"Dobson Winters is here."
The corner of the man's mouth curled with satisfaction. His gaze moved from the doctor to stare straight at him. He couldn't turn away. The frail hand lifted from the blanket it clutched. A gnarled finger curled, beckoning him forward. His boots shuffled against the wood as he made his way to the bedside. "Hello, Watson," he said.
A flicker of amusement flashed in the old man's eyes. "Bet you wonder why I want you to hear my last confession."
He admired a man who went straight to the point. "It crossed my mind."
Curtis Watson drew a heavy breath. "As it should. There are a lot of things betwixt us. Some that should be aired afford I go."
"You are too mean to die, Watson. Like me, you know the good Lord only takes the best."
The old man's eyes moved back to his face and for a moment. There was a unique clarity in his eyes. "You are so right. Draw up a chair and listen to what I have to say."
Stunned, Dobson turned and found a chair shoved to the back of his knees by the Doc's hands. Lowing himself down, he leaned closer. "All right, I'm here."
"You and me, we're a lot alike," the old man began. "We both lost the love of our life. But, me, I tried to rise above. I tried to make something of me and mine that was left. Not you."
"Hey now," He sat back. "I didn't come here to have you throw it back in my -"
"Hush," came the command followed by a wheeze. "I don't have much time." The old man's eyes narrowed on him. "Maybe you don't either. Hate is something' that eats at a man. It leaves his soul blacker than the darkest night. A soul like that is damned forever. Now, my life ain't been no bed of roses, but I did my best. My boy went wrong and you were in your right to send him away, even though it killed my Mary. I might have forgiven you, however, she lost her heart and no amount of coaxing brought her back.
I watched you and your Miranda. Every day I prayed the good Lord would hurt you just like you hurt me. Then when they died, I watched you suffer. I thought, good, an eye for an eye, since you took my boy, my wife," he swallowed. "But there twernt no satisfaction in it only thing it did was make the hole bigger."
As he listened to the words, Dobson felt the wash of cold water washed over him. Anger made his body tremble with rage. He should get up and leave. He should let the door slam as he walked out. Yet, he couldn't.
"I watched you, a strong man, curl and wither like a crop with blight. Now, the only thing I got for you is pity. You've become a bitter excuse for a man, Dobson Winters and I thought more of you than that."
He tried to find words to say, yet what Curtis said was closer to the truth than any man wanted to admit.
"Now, I'm dying. There won't be no more tomorrows, no spring sunshine, or marvels of first snow. I ain't got much to leave, but I got me a pearl of great worth. Somethin' few men have and I'm gonna leave it to you."
"I don't need your parting gifts," he snapped.
Curtis Watson had the audacity to chuckle. "No damn you, you don't, but I'm gonna give you a choice." In a flash, his hand snaked out. Cold fingers akin to the grim reaper grabbed his.

To buy your copy of A Cordial Christmas follow these links...

http://www.amazon.com/A-Cordial-Christmas-ebook/dp/B005POOES0/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91873

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/A-Cordial-Christmas?keyword=A+Cordial+Christmas&store=ebook

A Cordial Christmas

Dobson Winters is a miserable man. After his wife's death, he shut himself off from the rest of the world, but a deathbed ultimatum changes that. Now, he must find Holly Watson and marry her to save his soul. Redemption comes in an unexpected package and it takes the gift of a child's unconditional love to change a man heart.

When a man thinks he has nothing to live for, life has a way of coming full circle...


Excerpt...

Lucy tugged on Holly's arm. She turned and looked down to her concerned face. Lucy bent a finger and begged her to bend down. Holly tilted her body closer. Her niece glanced over at Dobson, then cupped a hand against her mouth. "He's very grumpy."

Holly's mouth twitched, but she had to agree. The child was right. Dobson Winters cornered the market on being less than civil. Odd considering he was the founder of the town of Cordial. She supposed he had a right. A quick glance to her left and she could see the firm set of his strong jaw. He certainly appeared angry.

She looked back at the trail. The grade evened out in the past hour. Shortly, they would hit the big meadow. Holly recalled racing across the flat lands hoping to best her brother, Michael, just once. That had never happened. The big meadow had also been where they caught him changing brands. Even then, she knew rustling had been a hanging offense. Winters had stepped in and kept the drovers from taking the law into their own hands. Yes, her brother had gone to prison, but it had all been legal.

"We'll be at the house in an hour."

Holly glanced over at him.

"You can have a hot bath and rest. I'll get Joe to ride ahead and have cook prepare you a hot meal."

Lucy's ears must have perked up. Holly felt her lean over and give him the child's equivalent of an evil eye. "I like apple pie."

"Lucy," Holly quieted her.

The harsh tone of Dobson's voice faded. "I do too."

Lucy's brows arched and she glanced at Holly. "Humph," she replied as if she didn't quite believe him.

"Lucy Watson, you apologize this instant."

A pout formed on Lucy's bottom lip. It jutted out, forming a shadow on her chin.

"Lucy." Holly's voice sent a quiet command

The child cut her eyes to the woman on her right then looked back at him. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you."

"None taken," he answered.

"You can crawl in the back and wrap up in those blankets," Holly ordered.

Lucy gave him one last uncertain glance. With Holly's hands to steady her, she slipped through the opening and into the back, behind the canvas. Holly took hold of her shawl and pulled it upon her shoulders. Felling the need to echo her niece's apology, she plastered a pleasant smile upon her lips and turned to the man sitting beside her. "I'm sorry. Lucy can be a bit forward."

"Am not," came a voice from the back of the wagon. "You said I was pre- precocious."

Holly's cheeks filled with heat. Mortified she turned to see Dobson's cheek twitching with laughter.

"You certainly are," he called back to her.

Holly shook her head. She caught his glance and stared at his eyes. They were a deep shade of green, the same color of grass as it broke through the ground in early spring. It made Holly yearn for the turn of the season so she could compare the two.

"Nothing wrong with being honest."

Holly wondered if he was reminded of her brother's indiscretion. "No," she agreed.
"There isn't." She focused her eyes on the trail ahead and tried not to think about the man sitting so close to her. A wheel hit a rut; she lost her grip, and fell forward. It happened so quick, Holly had little time to do anything, but gasp. Dobson's fingers grabbed her arm and held on tight.

"You all right?" he questioned, dividing his glance between the trail and her regaining her seat.

Her head bobbed. "Fine."

He removed his hand and a part of her seemed disappointed. She caught his glance to the drover. Holly watched him lift a finger and the cowboy loped up.

"Yes sir?"

"Joe, go tell Chow Ming we have company. Have him get the kettles boiling for the tub and freshen the guest rooms."

"Will do, boss."

"Oh!"

The cowboy waited.

"Have him warm up that apple pie. I've a hankering for a slice."

"Yes, sir," Joe nodded and raced off.

For a few moments, silence surrounded them. She was well aware of the man sitting beside her. His very presence seemed to fill space between them, using up all the air until Holly felt light headed. She took a deep breath and his scent surrounded her. The smell of warm leather and woods left her senses sharpened.


To purchase your copy of A Cordial Christmas for $0.99 follow the links below.

http://www.amazon.com/A-Cordial-Christmas-ebook/dp/B005POOES0/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91873

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/A-Cordial-Christmas?keyword=A+Cordial+Christmas&store=ebook

Are you thinking PINK?

Its October and with the change of leaves comes the reminder for the women in your family to check their tattas. Yes, October is Pink for the Susan G. Komen for the cure.

As you are moving through the day, on the bus, commuter train, or even driving in your car, look at the women around you. How many do you see? Probably more than you thought. Now couple it with the statistic that One in Six of all those women you see will at some point in their life hear those horrible words, "It's cancer."

Nothing stops a heart more or creates more anxiety for those that love you. October is Breast Cancer Month. (Yes, I've said it more than once) Grab a sticky note. Write these words down. GET A MAMMOGRAM. See your doctor for that physical we all dread. Let's stop cancer in its tracks.

On October 24th, I'll be over at Donna Alward's blog talking about how Breast Cancer effects family members. Won't you join me. Help stand up for the Cure. If not for you, for someone you love.

Remember October 24th www.donnaalward.blogspot.com . One lucky commenter will win a copy of Stormy Weather.



Nancy