Ramblings-n-Writings

Archive for August 25th, 2009

I realized today that it’s been quite awhile since I posted anything but book reviews. I do apologize for that! I know I have many faithful readers who are probably curious about where I drifted off to! (Just in case you didn’t know since my blog doesn’t seem to say this anymore, I do other things besides reading books. LOL) And after next Tuesday, I’ll be ready to tell you about some life changing events that happened this summer.

In the meantime, I want to tell you about an awesome publication I started working for earlier this month. Each week I spend a couple of hours working as a marketing consultant for Two Lane Livin’. I can hear you already … What’s Two Lane Livin’ and what’s this got to do with Twitter?

Two Lane Livin’ is “Central West Virginia’s Guide to Life” and features down home, practical, country advice and information. The columnists are all amazing people – just your average every day person who has the desire to share in a special area. (Make sure you stop by the website and read some of the columns!)

Lisa Minney, the creator of Two Lane Livin’, stepped out three years ago and started working on her dream. The first issue of Two Lane Livin’ disappeared off the stands in a matter of days. That might not sound too impressive unless you know that 10,000 copies were distributed. Within a matter of months, 15,000 copies were being distributed across a large portion of Central W.Va. People find Two Lane Livin’ in libraries, stores, restaurants, waiting rooms, banks, service centers, hotels, beauty salons, barber shops and more. It really is a cool publication and people really like it!

So, how did I get connected with Lisa? Through Twitter, of course. Seriously! I can honestly say that I landed a job because of Twitter. Lisa and I probably don’t live more than 30 minutes away from each other, but had never met. (And here in W.Va., 30 minutes really isn’t that far at all.) Having followed each other on Twitter and perused each other’s websites, Lisa asked if I would be interested in helping Two Lane Livin’. Absolutely! And here I am today traveling the countryside talking to wonderful business owners about advertising with us.

It’s so easy to be enthusiastic about a grass roots publication that the public loves! In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been in 50 or more businesses in 3 counties and have found only 2 people that weren’t familiar with who we are. Isn’t that awesome? I’m going to love this job! Thanks, Twitter.

Oh, and by the way, after you read those monthly columns, you can subscribe to Two Lane Livin’ if you’re a country person at heart (or even if you aren’t). And if you are interested in advertising with Two Lane Livin’, contact me.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Seth Braxton, a patriot of the American Revolution, unexpectedly inherits his loyalist grandfather’s estate in England. Seth is torn between the land he fought for and the prospect of reuniting with his sister Caroline, who was a motherless child taken to England at the onset of the war.

With no intention of staying permanently, Seth arrives to find his sister grieving over the death of her young son. In the midst of such tragedy, Seth meets Juleah, the daughter of an eccentric landed gentleman. Her independent spirit and gentle soul steal Seth’s heart. After a brief courtship, they marry and she takes her place as the lady of Ten Width Manor, enraging the man who once sought her hand and schemed to make Ten Width his own. From the Virginia wilderness to the dark halls of an isolated English estate, Seth and his beloved Juleah inherit more than an ancestral home. They uncover a sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction, and betrayal–an ominous threat to their new life, love, and faith.

If you would like to reas the Prologue of Surrender The Wind, go HERE

Watch the trailer:

MY THOUGHTS

Author Rita Gerlach is a new-to-me author, and I loved this book. I was transported away to a time of manor homes, horse and carriages, and faithful servants. The English countryside grew before my eyes as Rita skillfully detailed the surroundings.

If you haven’t watched the book trailer, please watch it! The book is every bit as good and intriguing as the trailer says it is!

To me, Surrender the Wind is not only Seth’s story but also his sister Caroline’s story. Both of them along with Juleah are wonderfully developed characters. I’m hoping that the author plans to continue the Braxton family story now that they live in America.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I have to give this book a definite thumbs up to put on your reading list!