Authorpreneur Dashboard – Becki Willis
Keep Your Doors Locked
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
An escaped prisoner. A woman running from her past. National news coverage is the last thing Sara needs. She managed to break the chains of domestic violence and start over, but is she strong enough for this? As she's unwillingly thrust into the center of attention, Sara knows she has more to fear than just the escapee. What if HE finds her?
Book Bubbles from Keep Your Doors Locked
An Uneasy Night
Sara has more to fear than just an escaped inmate in the area. Sara has a vengeful ex somewhere out there, and he's as dangerous as any convict.
Escaped Inmate!
After experiencing the fear of the unknown when an inmate escaped in our community last year, I drew upon my own feelings of apprehension to tap into what my character would feel. Sara's story is quite different from my own limited experience. Sara was directly involved, no matter how unintentionally, in this edge-of-your-seat domestic thriller!
He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Someone is stalking her. When the police won't help, rising culinary star Ashli Wilson hires a private investigator for protection. Hardened ex-cop Lange Sterling is a play-by-the-rules kind of guy who vows to keep her safe. Lange originally mistakes Ashli for a ditzy blonde, but nothing could be farther from the truth. This is one brave, smart, feisty Southern belle, and she's not about to back down just because of a stalker. Despite his jaded heart and his self-imposed rules to never get personally involved, Ashli has managed to find the chinch in his armor. Now her neighbor is murdered, and Lange fears Ashli could be next. He’ll go to any length to save her life. Even if it means losing what’s left of his heart in the process.
Book Bubbles from He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
What We Take for Granted
Do you ever take your surroundings for granted? I'm certainly guilty. I'm fortunate enough to live in the country, but so often I fail to appreciate its quiet beauty. When I make the time, I can sit on my front porch and overlook our own piece of paradise, which comes with a running creek, wildlife, and cattle. Yet all too often, I allow the clutter of my life to keep me from enjoying my surroundings....But what if I couldn't go outside and enjoy life's simple pleasures because it placed me in danger? Would it take something so drastic to make me regret the time I squandered?... I encourage you to take time RIGHT NOW to appreciate what's special about your surroundings. Steal away to your special spot and indulge in what makes you happy. if it's reading, there's still time to catch He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not, now just .99 through July 31. Enjoy!
Stickler for the Rules
Lange Sterling likes to play by the rules, and he has plenty of them…. Always be Prepared… Always Stay Focused… Never Get Personally Involved… Too bad none of his self-imposed rules apply in this case. From the moment he meets her, Lange is mesmerized by the petite blond who entrusts her life to him. Though her situation is questionable at best, he can’t deny her plea for help. As her stalker becomes more aggressive and a murder occurs, Lange knows it’s up to him to keep Ashli safe. He’ll go to any length to save her life, even if it means losing what’s left of his heart in the process…
Male Reader Favorite
People often ask me about my reading audience. As I learned with this, my very first book, I can't just assume my readers are female. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that many men love this book, as they often write and tell me. I think it's because it has a strong but vulnerable male lead and is written, in part, from his perspective. I think it goes to prove that all of us -- no matter what our age, sex, race, creed, profession or social status -- basically need and want the same thing: to love and to be loved.
Marilyn Monroe or Doris Day?
A fan of classic old movies, Lange Sterling's favorite stars from the silver screen are blond and beautiful, just like Ashli Wilson. I, too, grew up loving Doris Day. (For years,I thought you danced and sang your way down the aisle when you got married.) Who is your favorite star?
Welcome to Daisy House
As a history buff, I am fascinated with old houses, particularly the magnificent plantation-style Greek Revival homes of the deep South. The first time I visited Richmond, VA, I knew I wanted to include that architect in a book. Welcome to Daisy House. Please, step right in.
Wildflower Wedding: With a Killer Reception (The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series Book 8)
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
It’s the most anticipated wedding of the year in The Sisters, when Madison Reynolds and Brash deCordova finally tie the knot! Wedding preparations are underway, but the aisle to the altar gets rockier by the minute. Though the community’s support is humbling, their enthusiasm soon threatens to hijack the wedding. Squeeze in a suspicious death during a Texas Independence Day celebration, the needy new widow Madison befriends, and an unscrupulous politician trying to unseat Brash as chief of police, and the path seems littered with obstacles. Madison will move mountains, however, to marry the man of her dreams. All they really need is each other, their children by their side, and a preacher to make it official. In an effort to please everyone, the couple opts for a private ceremony followed by a public celebration. It’s the perfect Wildflower Wedding, but who knew it would end in a killer reception? Cantankerous Nigel Barrett hired In a Pinch Professional Services to find his estranged family, but it takes more than a home DNA test to locate his next of kin. Madison suspects he was searching for an heir, but when the wealthy rancher is killed at their reception, she’ll settle for finding someone to attend his funeral. From the author of Forgotten Boxes, Plain Roots, and the Spirits of Texas Cozy Mysteries, enjoy Book Eight of the award-winning reader favorite The Sisters, Texas Series.
Book Bubbles from Wildflower Wedding: With a Killer Reception (The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series Book 8)
Mute Button for Teenagers?
When I was a little girl in school, I hated getting up in front of the classroom. I fervently wished for some magical way to write on the chalkboard without leaving the safeguard of my desk. Now days, of course, there are Smart Boards, interactive displays, and a host of gadgets and gizmos I could never have imagined. There are, however, a few things the world of innovation hasn’t mastered (yet) and we humans are one of them. Take teenagers, for example. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a remote control mute button? One simple push and, voila! No more arguments, no more smart remarks, no more sass. Hmmm…. if I imagine it, will it come?
Rumors, Speculation, & A Bet
Madison’s grandmother claims that her octogenarian friends are lonely and live vicariously through the lives of others. But Madison draws the line when their friendly wagers include the "success" of her honeymoon! See what Granny Bert and company are up to now in Wildflower Wedding:With a Killer Reception.
A Mother's Handbag
Have you ever considered the mystique of a mother's handbag? It seems an endless fountain of life’s necessities. Need a tissue? It's in there. Looking for a bandage? It’s in there. Safety pin or ballpoint pen? Got it. If she’s the mother of small children, the odds multiply on finding random stuffings. Snacks. A dog-eared book. Lip balm. A half-eaten granola bar. Small toys and sticky tissues. Scribbled notes and crumpled schedules. A half bottle of water. An empty wallet and an abundance of loose change. The program for last year’s Christmas play. It’s all in there. In the latest installment of The Sisters, TX Series, Madison takes on a new case, just weeks before her wedding to Brash. It's another thing to cram into her already-packed schedule. And into her overflowing handbag.
Plain Roots
Literature & Fiction
Taryn Clark thought she’d outgrown the need to find her birth mother. She thought that a successful career and a comfortable life in the city were enough to be happy. Did she really need to know about the woman who had given her away? Adopted at birth, her first few years were happy. But divorce, and then death, ripped their tiny family apart, and at the tender age of six, she entered the foster care system. Finding her roots seemed an impossible dream. But dreams are resilient. An unexpected discovery awakens old yearnings of belonging to a family, of being part of something bigger than herself. Finding the brief, ambiguous note from her birth mother is enough to unfurl the ribbons of hope still binding her heart. Her quest takes her to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and the heart of the Plain community. Aided by her unique eye color, a healthy dose of luck, and the private investigator she hires, Taryn finds her birth family easily enough, but finding the truth is another matter. In all her musings, she never imagined a scenario where her mother might be Amish. She never imagined that the fabric of her life might be a patchwork of faith and fear, stitched together with a dark family secret. Now she’s caught in the quicksand of a shocking discovery and the consequences of choices made, almost forty years ago. She’ll risk everything to uncover the truth and to claim the family—and the roots—she so desperately craves.
Book Bubbles from Plain Roots
Amish Schooling
As school bells start to ring, it brings to mind the differences of Amish classrooms and those of the “Englisch.” In Lancaster County, Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses with 25-30 other students. There is no electricity and no indoor plumbing. Students go until the 8th grade, where they learn reading, writing, arithmetic, and English. Amish children speak German at home and don’t learn a second language until starting school. This excerpt is from Rebecca’s journal, which is a requirement of school and must be written in English.
Summer Gardens
It's a sign of the season. Gardens in full bloom, alive with color and blooms and the fragrance of summer. Vegetables full and ripe, bursting with fresh flavor and the goodness of nature. Whether for beauty or for duty, a garden is one of summer's finest features. But gardening is hard work, as city-girl Taryn Clark discovers when she visits an Amish farm and offers to help.
A Mother's Love
Mother's Day is coming up. We set aside this day to honor and rejoice in moms everywhere, but motherhood is hardly a one-day-a-year job. Speaking from experience, being a mother is the most difficult, frightening, exhausting, self-doubting, humbling, satisfying, rewarding, joy-filled task I’ve ever attempted. Even though both my children are now grown and have become amazing adults and loving parents themselves, I still worry that I could be a better mother to them. I’m sure all mothers share the same doubts, the same fears, of failing their children. It begins when the babies are still in our wombs… are we eating the right foods/ taking the wrong medicine/ getting enough rest to ensure a strong, healthy baby? We do everything in our power to keep our babies safe, but what if the best thing for our child is to abandon it? It’s an unthinkable dilemma. To be honest, I’m not sure I would be strong enough—unselfish enough—to make such a decision. But Rebecca King knew that the only way to keep her newborn safe was to do the unimaginable—to leave her baby behind. Such a travesty is undoubtedly the most difficult and painful sacrifice a mother can make, but there are those rare and heart-breaking times when it’s also the ultimate act of love.
I Just Turn the Page
My love for reading started at an early age. Like Taryn, I remember my mother reading Dr. Seuss books to me and my sister. We eventually graduated to the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I could just imagine myself in Laura's tales, living the life of a pioneer girl. When I started reading for myself, I often turned to a Trixie Beldon Mystery. In the 6th grade, I read Gone with The Wind (all 1000 pages) in less than a week, so yes, my addiction to books started early! These days, there's always a read-in-progress on my Kindle. (Confession: I feel a little panicky when I don't have another book in queue to read.) Reading has always enriched my life and helped me keep calm and focused, and it's taken me on grand adventures and into the lives of amazing (if only imaginary) people. All I have to do is turn the page....
A Knack for Selling
Despite their desire to be 'apart' from the rest of the world, the Amish people depend on tourism as a means of income. Many have roadside stands, or rooms in their home, dedicated to selling their handmade crafts and delicious foods. Even the children are skilled in the art of salesmanship. I may not be as eloquent and charming as my young character Deborah, but I do have the perfect sales pitch: For the next seven days, Plain Roots is only .99. Who says you can't buy happiness?
What Makes Us Unique
Elizabeth Taylor was known for her stunning violet eyes, but did you know that only 1% of the population has violet colored eyes? That's only about six HUNDRED people, worldwide! What about you? Do you have an identifying trait? A unique gene that immediately sets your family apart? As fascinating as it is, cutting edge technology and DNA testing sometimes just confirms what we've always known: "That child HAS to belong to the (__fill in the blank__) family!"
A Letter from the Past
When Taryn discovers the first real link to her past, her old and all-but-forgotten dreams of finding her birth mother are rekindled. Just forty-five words in a brief, ambiguous note, but it's enough to unfurl the ribbons of hope still binding her heart. But is it enough to find the truth about her birth?
Forgotten Boxes
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
WINNER 2016 Best Suspense Fiction—Association of Texas Authors and WINNER 2017 Best Audio Book—Association of Texas Authors. Named sole heir to her aunt's estate, Charity Gannon arrives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont hoping to find a link to her past. She's not looking for lost treasures; she is searching for a connection to the aunt she barely knew. What she finds is a thirty-something-year-old mystery. A sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed. These are not just any boxes. They are unopened and undelivered, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four are marked March 14, 1984, the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. The undelivered boxes haunt Charity. Hadn’t someone noticed them missing? Thinking it might be fun to surprise the recipients after all these years, Charity sets out to deliver the packages. Along the way, fate throws her into the sturdy arms of Tarn Danbury, a burly sugarmaker with eyes as beautiful as the mountain pond from which he was named and a voice as smooth and rich as the dark syrup he produces. The story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking….And one might very well be the death of her.
Book Bubbles from Forgotten Boxes
I LOVE Making Connections with Readers!
One of my favorite interactions with a reader came last fall, when I had the opportunity to meet Burr Morse, head of Morse Farms Sugarworks, just outside Montpelier. As a writer himself, we exchanged pleasantries, and I told him I had patterned the sugarworks in my book after their store. He was quite flattered and said 'you just made my day!' He asked for my card and said he would look me up. After a moment, he walked back over to me, after realizing he had already read Forgotten Boxes. He told me how much he enjoyed the book and how well-written it was. Now I was the one flattered! THAT made MY day! If you are ever in Montpelier, take the County Road up the side of the mountain and visit Morse Farms Sugarworks! Oh, did I mention Forgotten Boxes is on sale for 99 cents?
The Description Debate
There's a trend these days to avoid overly descriptive prose. The idea is to let everyone decide for themselves; a blank canvas of sorts, painted by their own imaginations. But these are my stories I'm telling, and if you've ever read one of them, you know I offer plenty of description. This reader's note reminded me of why providing rich detail is still important. "SO descriptive...from the first to the last page. I was there...the cottage..the mountain...could perfectly visualize every step.. I was so sad when I only had 2 chapters left to read...waited a few days to complete.. I thought of the characters all day...and smiled Thank you...will read more of your books." Descriptions and all, Forgotten Boxes is now featured in Amazon Prime Reading.
Shabby chic, or simply shabby?
Shabby chic is a popular decorating style, but it's not always a choice. Sometimes, limited funds (or, in this case, limited attention) leads to just plain shabby. Discover the story of four forgotten boxes, and how this particular box holds nothing but heartache. But don't worry, you're wallet won't feel the pain. From now until August 30, the e-book is a Kindle Countdown Deal for just .99!
You Just Made My Day
While in Vermont last fall, I had the opportunity to meet Burr Morse, head of Morse Farms Sugarworks, just outside Montpelier. As a writer himself, we exchanged pleasantries, and I told him I had patterned the sugarworks in my book after their store. He was quite flattered and said 'you just made my day!' He asked for my card and said he would look me up. After a moment, he walked back over to me, after realizing he had already read Forgotten Boxes. He told me how much he enjoyed the book and how well-written it was. Now I was the one flattered! THAT made MY day! If you are ever in Montpelier, take the County Road up the side of the mountain and visit Morse Farms Sugarworks! Oh, did I mention Forgotten Boxes is on sale for 99 cents?
Maple Cream
If you've never had maple cream before, you have no idea what you're missing! Some people call it maple butter, but no matter what you call it, it is delicious! I was fortunate to have a local Vermont sugarmaker, John Nugent, educate me on the process of making maple syrup and its many delicious forms. It is truly nature's goodness as its best!
The First Box
Millions of boxes travel through our various delivery channels each and every day. Have you ever wondered if something as simple as a missed delivery, a lost and forgotten box, could change the course of your life forever? I have, and so has Charity Gannon. When she finds four unopened, undelivered boxes from March 14,1984, she sets out to return them to their rightful owners. Here's a glimpse of one such forgotten box.
The Sugarmaker
A sweet love story is woven through the tale of the four forgotten boxes. Tarn Danbury is a burly Vermont sugarmaker. His deep voice is as rich and thick as the dark maple syrup he produces. Charity is immediately captivated by his 'Grade-A Very Dark' voice and his clear gray eyes. I owe a debt of gratitude to John Nugent for explaining the process of sugarmaking to me and for providing an amusing anecdote for me to share.
The Boxes
The idea for this book sprouted in my mind after seeing a lost box along the side of the highway. The cardboard box had obviously fallen by the wayside, its contents spilled out across the ground. I wondered about the box's intended destination...its owner...the repercussions, if any, of it not arriving. 'What ifs' swirled in my head. What if someone truly needed its contents? What if they come back and searched for it? What if they mourned its loss? What if one lost box changed someone's entire life?? And just like that, "Forgotten Boxes" was born.
The Inheritance
Charity Gannon is surprised to learn she has inherited her estranged aunt's house in upstate Vermont. She arrives to find a secluded cottage, tucked into a bramble of trees, flowers, and secrets. Aunt Nell's possessions are still in the house, posing more questions than answers about a mysterious past. Why, for instance, is there an old and tattered man's shirt hanging in her widowed aunt's bedroom? More importantly, why does it sport a bullet hole and the spatter of dried blood?
Tangible Spirits
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
InD'Tale Magazine's RONE Recipient for Best Paranormal Fiction. Named 2018 Best Paranormal Fiction, Association of TX Authors. “Becki Willis blends bits of history with bits of fancy, and weaves a tantalizing tale you won’t soon forget.” Reporter Gera Stapleton has a difficult choice to make: write the story of a lifetime, or save the legacy of a town—and a man—she has come to love. Assigned to an impossible story in Jerome, Arizona about a “ghost” named Mac, Gera knows it’s a fluff piece, at best, until a local man is murdered in the middle of town. When the townspeople blame Mac, she knows the killer is getting away with… well, murder. Seeing the opportunity for a cover-worthy piece, Gera sets out to find the real killer. In a town filled with curiosities, she befriends a lonely old woman, butts heads with an ornery sheriff, falls for a sexy hotel owner, and uncovers an amazing tale about greed, deception, and family honor. And when the killer targets her as the next victim, an unlikely savior comes to her rescue. Will she write the story that launches her career? Or will she honor a family’s legacy from the past? Smart dialogue, plenty of action, and a touch of the supernatural make this a must-read novel. You'll find yourself wondering Is it possible?Are there truly such things as tangible spirits, after all?
Book Bubbles from Tangible Spirits
An Empty Audience
Do you ever feel like you're speaking to an empty audience? Wondering if what you do makes a difference? You go the extra mile, make the extra effort, but does anyone even notice? Are you speaking to an empty audience? Authors know this feeling, all too well. Just because we write it, doesn't mean someone reads it. We pour our heart and soul into our stories, but are we speaking to an empty audience? Sometimes it feels that way. But sometimes... sometimes something wonderful happens. A reader leaves you a five star review. A reader writes you a personal note, saying how much she/he enjoys your work. An award comes your way. And suddenly it doesn't matter if you have an audience of one or one thousand. Someone hears you. You're no longer speaking to an empty audience, and that makes everything you do worthwhile.
Honors for the Fearless
By some great stroke of luck, I have the pleasure of living my dream: I'm an author. Liability or asset, it requires a fearless leap of faith. A willingness to open myself up to criticism and ridicule, and those painful one-star reviews. And then moments like these come along, and I realize the leap (and the potentially painful landing) is worth it. Thank you, Association of Texas Authors and InD'Tale Magazine, for recognizing the fearless profession we call writing. I’m honored to be a Crowned Heart recipient from InD’Tale, a nominee for the RONE Award in Paranormal Long Fiction, and to accept the 2018 Best Paranormal Fiction Award from TX Authors. Thank you so much, and thank you to all you readers who’ve made my career possible!
Caught in the Twilight Zone
After several strange incidents take place in her room, Gera is forced to confront hotel management. She meets Lucy for the first time and is stunned to discover the head of housekeeping blames "the children" for the mischievous deeds. Gera knows "the children" are ghosts from the past. Then again, Lucy believes she has tea every afternoon with Minerva Cody, Jake's grandmother who died eight years ago. Obviously, complaining will get her no where. She's caught in the Twilight Zone.
The Dove Hotel
The Dove Hotel is as much a character in this book as Gera and Jake. Hear more in this interview with For Book Lovers Only Live Radio. https://goo.gl/ys5it1
Resident Ghosts
After a blasting incident at the mines caused a ruptured gas line, eleven children died in their sleep while living at The Dove. Now their playful spirits roam the hotel and play harmless tricks on the guests. At night, the youngest of the ghosts have trouble sleeping, so the staff plays lullabies in the hallways to keep them from crying. In this excerpt, the speakers weren't working one night, so the ghost of Minerva Cody sang the babies to sleep.
Vicious Cycle of Secrets
The more Gera researches, the more inconsistencies -- and secrets-- she uncovers. None of it makes any sense. But one thing is clear: she is definitely in danger.
Leo and the Ghost Tour
While researching for this story, I participated in two local ghost tours. Both tours—one of the hotel, one of the town—provided me with interesting tidbits, great local flavor, invaluable behind-the-scene insights, and a borrowed folk legend or two. (The hotel where I stayed was a hospital in its former life. Our suite was once the sanitorium, where patients sat on the balcony while bound to their chairs. Nothing creepy about that, right?)
Ghost Tour
Come along on our ghost tour of The Dove Hotel. I took a tour of the hotel where I stayed, and learned all sorts of neat --and eerie -- things!
"Note From Author"
This message is at the beginning of the book, to help readers better understand the story. There is a great deal of history and true facts woven into my tale. You can actually visit the landmarks mentioned -- and I know of at least one reader who did just that! I hope you'll be as intrigued with Jerome as I was. Enjoy the book!
The Lilac Code
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
A girls’ getaway gone wrong. Madison Reynolds, best friend Genesis Baker, and young-at-heart Granny Bert are planning on a stress-free mini vacation, but a case of mistaken identity in the heart of Maryland’s spy territory leads directly to danger. A mix-up at the airport leaves Madison with the wrong luggage, and a last-minute change in accommodations lands them at The Columbia Inn at Peralynna. Designed as a CIA safe house, the inn has a fascinating history. The stories of espionage and agents are intriguing, but too incredible, they think, to be real. The Texans know nothing about secret codes and counterintelligence. They’ve never heard of The Lilac Code, or the illusive agent-for-hire known simply as Kalypso. How can they know the inn’s ties to the spy world will soon spin them into its web? Mystery and mayhem in Maryland. Book 7 of the award winning series.
Book Bubbles from The Lilac Code
My Dog Flew to the Wrong City!
There's a story in the news today about a dog and its owner arriving on different airplanes in different towns--yikes! Has something similar ever happened to you? Has the airport ever lost your luggage? Or gotten it confused with someone else's? So much luggage looks the same these days. Knock on wood neither has happened to me. Yet. In The Lilac Code, Madison accidentally takes the wrong suitcase, and you can’t imagine the chaos it creates. How could she know she had stumbled into a Top Secret spy operation? My advice: Get custom-made tags (mine have pictures on them from past vacations) to easily spot your suitcase and avoid the confusion. BTW—The Lilac Code is Book 7 of The Sisters, Texas Series. If you haven’t read it yet, there’s still time. Book 8 debuts June 1.
The Spy House, Part II
This is your chance to stay at the "Spy House" featured in the book. The Columbia Inn at Peralynna is a delightful bed and breakfast inn like none you've ever seen! Now through July 17, you can win a free night stay in the Penthouse Suite, where much of the action in the story takes place. You can earn extra entries by completing each task, such as decoding a secret message or accepting our weekly mission. Enter the Sweepstakes here: http://www. rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/779156761/? Even if you don't win, you can still get 10% off your entire stay by using the secret LILAC CODE when booking.
The Columbia Inn at Peralynna, Part I
My latest book, The Lilac Code, is set in a wonderful and unique home-turned-inn in Columbia, MD, smack in the middle of the Intel Community. The inn, patterned after a CIA safe house in Germany, has a fascinating history. We're talking spies, CIA operatives, the Cold War, the whole works. It's no wonder some of the stories spilled over into my own tale, which has a thread of espionage woven into it. Stay tuned for Part II, and find out how you can Crack the Lilac Code and stay at the inn for FREE.
Inn the Spirit of Legends
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
When the tiny hamlet of Hannah, Texas goes up for auction, Hannah Duncan’s fun-loving uncle sees it as the perfect gift for her thirtieth birthday. After all, what’s more fun than a town bearing your own name? The ‘town’ isn’t much, but it resolves around the historic Spirits of Texas Inn. The old inn comes with a colorful past, the mystique of hidden treasure, and three surprise residents: true spirits of the past, who didn’t cross over as expected. To top it off, two fortune hunters arrive to search for the hidden treasure, and they don’t care who stands in their way. They’ll stoop to any means—including murder—to get their hands on the legendary stash of gold. Don’t miss out on the excitement, right from the beginning. Book your visit to Hannah, Texas today!
Book Bubbles from Inn the Spirit of Legends
Boots and Jeans
What's your style? Suit and tie? Dress and heels? Shorts and flip flops? Boots and jeans? It probably depends on whether you're dressing for work or leisure. It may also depend on where you live, and what you do for a living. In this excerpt, Hannah Duncan discovers that her fashionable short ensemble is totally wrong for her new role in life: proprietor of The Spirits of Texas Inn and the town - yes, town! - that comes with it. Now that she's in the country and has livestock to tend, a good pair of jeans and boots are called for. No fancy labels or designer names necessary, just good, sturdy work clothes.
Unwanted Birthday Present
Have you ever received a gift you didn't quite know what to do with? Didn't want, in fact? Most often, there's no graceful way to refuse it. Hannah Duncan has that very problem, when her eccentric uncle buys her a TOWN for her thirtieth birthday!
Have you ever milked a cow?
Milking a cow takes a special talent. If not talent, at least rhythm. I was always afraid of hurting the cow, but the truth is, it requires a firm "squeeze and tug" rhythm to coax the milk out. In this excerpt, city-girl Hannah milks a cow for the first time and finds the experience oddly exhilarating! Until the cow turns and looks at her. "The proximity of those large brown eyes and the moist, black nose frightened her. When the cow gave a gentle moo and slurped her long tongue out, Hannah jerked away, almost upsetting the milk bucket in the process." Read the entire book for just .99. Who says a dollar can't buy happiness these days?
Green Acres?
Hannah's uncle loves giving unique and surprising gifts. This one is the biggest surprise of all-- her own town! It comes with a historical but operational old Inn, a half dozen other buildings, a dedicated pair of caretakers, and, much to her dismay, a menagerie of farm animals. Hannah knows nothing about being an innkeeper. She knows even less about being a farmer. Like it or not, this city girl must learn to adjust.
Sold!
We've all heard about them: a town for sale to the higher bidder. Log on to the internet, place your bid, and come away with the coveted prize. What you see may or may not be what you get. Usually these 'towns' are more a collection of old buildings and forgotten communities. Still, the thought of owning your own town has its appeal for some people. Hannah Duncan isn’t one of them, but like it or not, she’s the new owner of a small community in the Texas Hill Country. This is the most outrageous birthday gift her zany uncle has given her yet — the tiny hamlet of Hannah, Texas. Book your trip to Hannah today... pre-order now, for March 2 release.
Christmas in The Sisters
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Madison Reynolds can’t wait for Christmas this year. Rebuilding her life as a single mom hasn’t been easy, but after a challenging twelve months, she’s excited about the holidays. Visions of the perfect Christmas dance in her head. The tinsel begins to tangle when someone targets the community for a series of ‘Christmas Crimes.’ Torn between solving the rash of burglaries and shutting down a gambling ring, Police Chief Brash deCordova does the only thing he can: he hires In a Pinch to help with the investigation. Finding the common link between cases is like finding the bad bulb on a string of lights. Every lead is a short circuit. The frustration mounts when Madison and the Angel Tree with fall victim to the crimes. Only the worst kind of Grinch steals from needy children! Brash has plans of his own for the perfect Christmas. With the help of a new jewelry store, he thinks he’s found just the right gift for Madison, until the Grinch strikes again. This wasn’t the surprise he had in mind. Ready or not, Christmas is on its way, and time is running out to create the holiday of their dreams. As the house fills with unexpected guests, Madison and the twins honor favorite traditions from the past while creating a few new ones of their own. Who has time for being kidnapped by men in Santa suits and bad beards? This is one Christmas that no one in The Sisters will ever forget!
Book Bubbles from Christmas in The Sisters
Merry Christmas, My Friends
Like Maddy, I can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for us all. BIG THINGS are happening in The Sisters, so TUNE IN in to find out more. Merry Christmas, and happy New Year!
On Sale!
All this week, you can purchase a bit of Christmas cheer (and hopefully a few moments of sanity while you sneak away to read it) for just .99. Merry Christmas, my friends!
Black Friday Madness
In this excerpt, Vanessa Hutchins shares her Black Friday shopping strategy that leaves Madison speechless -- and not in a good way. Hoping to score a special price on shoe inserts, the savvy (and somewhat shady) shopper devised a plan. If you're a Black Friday shopper, be on the lookout for Vanessa or others like her. And check behind those displays -- you never know what you might find! Happy Thanksgiving!
Holiday Special Just .99
Like most families, we have several favorite traditions that are integral to holidays, no matter the season. But traditions aren't always one-size fits all. As families grow, even the most revered and time-honored traditions sometimes must stretch and change. In this excerpt, Madison and her teenage twins are trying to come up with a new Christmas tradition, a symbolic ‘restart’ for their new lives here in The Sisters. What about your family? Do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Share it on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theSisters.texas/ or on Twitter, @beckiwillis15. A little treat for your Easter basket—on sale for just .99. HOPPY Easter, my friends!
Light 'er Up!
What's your Christmas-lighting style? Do you illuminate every eave/tree/bush/blade of grass, or simply put a lighted star in the yard? Do you use the new-fangled LED projector lights, or the old fashioned C9 bulbs? White, or multi? Is your lawn art blow-up style, or wooden cutouts? There are so many wonderful options these days! No matter if your style is elegant or extravagant, understated or over-the-top, it's always fun to say those three words for the first time of the season, "Light 'er up!"
Where everybody knows your name
Another special thing about living in a small town? It's where 'everybody knows your name'. And there's nothing better than a Santa who knows all the children in town and can greet them by name. Magical! Christmas in The Sisters debuts TODAY. Grab your copy now. As an added treat, for those new to the series, Books 1-3 are FREE, today only, just to get you started!
Giving to Others
When the twins want to start a new tradition and do something special for their friends and neighbors, they come up with the idea of the 'Cookie Campaign.' The e-book comes out Nov. 1, the paperback is available NOW, and this weekend, you can read Book 5, Genny's Ballad, https://www.amazon.com/Gennys-Ballad-Sisters-Texas-Mystery-ebook/dp/B06Y5DV38Q for just .99!
Granny Bert's Antics
A favorite character in the series is Granny Bert, Madison's spirited elderly grandmother. Readers of all ages tell me how much they enjoy the old gal, and how she reminds them of their own relative. She is full of energy, witty sayings, sage advice, and plenty of sass. In this excerpt, she's jealous because a local woman publicly flirted with her beau, Sticker Pierce. As she and Madison collect contributions for the Angel Tree, Granny Bert suddenly wants to sit this merchant out, immediately putting Madison on alert. No doubt, her grandmother is up to her antics again!
Early Christmas Gift
If your tree is like ours, it bears little resemblance to the coordinated masterpieces shown in store windows and magazines. Ours is so much BETTER, because it showcases our life as a family! Memories hang from every branch. I'd love to hear about your favorite ornament. Drop me an email at beckiwillis.ccp@gmail.com. And join us on our blog tour for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card. I know it's a bit early, but .... Merry Christmas, everyone! (Book comes out Nov. 1.) http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weebly.com/sdsxx-tours/christmas-in-the-sisters-release-tour-and-giveaway
Is there such a thing as too much Christmas cheer?
I may poke a bit of fun at some of the over-the-top Christmas traditions depicted in the book, but the truth is... I love Christmas! My house is almost as bad as Vanessa Hutchins'. It helps that I've owned a gift shop for twenty years. My husband loves to go to market with me to buy for the season. In fact, if I let him, he would buy WAY too much! (The best thing of all? If we can't sell it, we get to keep it!) Share your favorite Christmas tradition with me on social media. I love hearing how other people celebrate the holidays!
The Christmas Crimes
Someone is targeting the citizens of Juliet and Naomi, Texas. This unknown Grinch is stealing gifts from beneath people's trees, out of parked vehicles... even from cars driving down a lonely stretch of highway. No one is safe, not even the community Angel Tree. Now it's up to Brash to find the culprits, but can he do it before the holiday is ruined? He'll have to hire Maddy and In a Pinch to help sort this one out. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle... pre-order your copy today!
