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Showing posts with label Kat Flannery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kat Flannery. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The Grapes of Wrath
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
The American Civil War. Does anyone really win a civil war?
See my infographic a few days ago. Sobering and sad.
More lives lost than any other American war, including WWII, the Vietnam war, the Korean War, Iraq/Afghanistan, and of course, 1812, when the British set fire to the White House! The latter isn't even mentioned in most histories, at least not accurately.
The War of 1812
We in Canada and Europe refer to Napoleon's siege of Moscow as the War of 1812.The Russians retreated and burned their villages, livestock, and gardens behind them, leaving nothing for Napoleon and his soldiers to live on during the harsh winter that followed.
Very smart and risky, winner takes all. It's said the brutal Russian winter defeated Napoleon.
The Confederates and the Union
What, then, of the Confederates and the Union? Brother fighting brother...Virgil Caine is my name...
Those American history buffs and native Americans know much more of American history than I, but two Canadian authors, Alison Bruce and Kat Flannery, have brought it alive.
Read about a fictional Civil War Christmas love story here:
War is hell.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Kat Flannery and the State of the Union
 |
| Amazing Author Kat Flannery at home |
Bestselling western romance authors, Kat Flannery and Alison Bruce take you on an exciting journey with the release of HAZARDOUS UNIONS: Two Tales of a Civil War Christmas.
 | |
| Hazardous Unions book cover |
Reviews:
“You’ll
sigh with pleasure as you finish each story” ~ Caroline Clemmons, author of
Bluebonnet Bride
“Stories
that play on your senses like a sonata. A must read!” ~ Jacquie Rogers,
award-winning author of Much Ado About Madams
“Wonderfully
entertaining and well-written, with engaging characters…delightful!” ~ Charlene
Raddon, author of To Have and To Hold
Twin sisters separated by war, bound by love…
After
the death of their father, twin sisters Maggie and Matty Becker are forced to
take positions with officers’ families at a nearby fort. When the southern
states secede, the twins are separated, and they find themselves on opposite
sides of America’s bloodiest war.
In
the south, Maggie travels with the Hamiltons to Bellevue, a plantation in west
Tennessee. When Major Hamilton is captured, it is up to Maggie to hold things
together and deal with the Union cavalry troop that winters at Bellevue.
Racism, politics and a matchmaking stepmother test Maggie’s resourcefulness as
she fights for Bellevue, a wounded Confederate officer and the affections of
the Union commander.
In
the north, Matty discovers an incriminating letter in General Worthington’s
office, and soon she is on the run. With no one to turn to for help, she drugs
the wealthy Colonel Cole Black and marries him, in hopes of getting the letter
to his father, the governor of Michigan. But Cole is not happy about being
married, and Matty’s life becomes all about survival.
Two unforgettable stories of courage, strength and honor
Matty by Kat Flannery
Fort
Wayne, Michigan
December
1862
What had she done? Matty Becker
was going to hell, and there'd be no one to save her. A loud snore echoed from
the other room. She peeked around the corner and caught a glimpse of Colonel
Black's stocking feet. She'd burn for sure. She glanced at the paper she held
and groaned. She was a horrible, devious, scheming letch. Maggie wouldn't be
pleased. Maggie wasn't here. Another
snore blew into the kitchen and she placed her head onto the table banging her
forehead twice. There was no turning back now.
Last night she'd pushed aside her
conscience and let fear guide her. For her plan to work, she'd have to throw
all sense to the dogs, not that she hadn't done so already by following through
with the blasted thing. She couldn't fail now. If her family found out what
she'd done they'd never forgive her. Worse yet, if Colonel Black found out
she'd be locked behind bars, a fate far better than the one that got her in
this mess to begin with.
She placed the paper on the table
and went into the bedroom. Colonel Black lay on the bed with his clothes
stripped off and tossed about the floor. He'd been out for nine hours and would
wake any minute. Matty stood, pushed all thoughts of reason from her mind and
removed her dress, corset and pantaloons. Her face heated and the room spun. He
rolled over and she jumped into the bed next to him, pretending to sleep. She
knew the moment he'd woken. The bed stilled and she couldn't breathe the air
was so stiff.
"What the hell?" He sat
up and she knew the instant he saw her. "Son of a bitch."
She felt his nudge once, twice
and now a shove almost knocking her from the bed.
"Wake the hell up," he
growled.
She squeezed her eyes closed and
willed strength into her soul so she could face the dark Colonel. She rolled
over pretending to wipe the sleep from her eyes.
"Who are you?" He
placed his head in his hands. She'd bet he had one heck of a headache.
"Your wife," she said.
"The hell you are." He
shot out of bed without grabbing the sheet, and she averted her eyes.
"Please cover
yourself." She held up the sheet and he ripped it from her hand. "The
marriage license is in the kitchen on the table if you do not believe me."
She watched as he grabbed his
head and closed his eyes. The heavy dose of laudanum she'd placed in his drink
the night before had done the trick and it wasn't but a mere suggestion they
marry that the Colonel jumped to the challenge. Soon they were standing in the
dining room in front of a preacher. Words were spoken—words she thought to say
with someone she loved, someone who'd wanted her. Her stomach lurched and her
mouth watered with the urge to vomit.
"How did this happen?"
he asked sitting on the end of the bed.
"Mrs. Worthington sent me to
see if you needed anything."
"I was drinking." He
looked at her. "I was drunk."
She shrugged.
He stood holding the sheet tight
to his midsection.
She couldn't help but notice the
rippled stomach and defined muscles on his chest.
"We can annul. I had too
much to drink. My head wasn't clear."
She shook her head.
He frowned.
"We have consummated."
A lie of course but she was desperate.
His mouth fell open. A moment she
knew he'd not remember. After the preacher left, she'd taken him to the bedroom
where he passed out before hitting the bed.
"Impossible. I'd remember
that."
She shook her head again praying
he'd buy the fib.
He pulled on his pants and dress
shirt. "I don't even know you. Why in hell would I marry you?"
"My name is Matty
Beck—Black. I was employed with the Worthington's. You've come to dinner
several times."
His brown eyes lit with
recognition. "You're the house maid."
"Yes."
"I married a maid?"
The words stung and she turned
from him so he wouldn't see the disappointment upon her face.
"Why would you marry me if I
was into the spirits?"
"You seemed fine to
me."
He took a step toward her.
"Why would you marry me at all when you don't even know me?"
She gripped the blanket on the
bed. "You…you said kind words, and I…I believed them.
"How desperate are you to
marry a stranger?" he yelled. "You found out who my father is. You
want money. You tricked me."
Well, he got the last one right,
but the first two irritated her. She was not the kind of person to marry for
money. Really, who did he think she was?
"Sorry to disappoint you but
I refused my inheritance years ago."
"If you mean to say that I
could not find myself a suitable husband because I am a maid, then you're
wrong."
"That is exactly what I am
saying Miss—"
"Black."
"The hell it is."
He went into the kitchen picked
up the marriage license and stared at it.
Matty dressed quickly and inched
into the room. Confusion pulled at his features and she began to feel sorry for
him. This was her fault. She'd planned this. Now she had to continue telling
the lie she'd told. She glanced outside and shivered. Boldness, be my tongue. Shakespeare's words echoed in her mind. It
was worth it. She'd been living in fear for a week. Colonel Black had been her
saviour, and she risked a life full of love and happiness for this—a lie in
which she'd speak for the rest of her life. She swallowed back the lump in her
throat and willed the tears not to fall.
"Why
can't I remember?" He glanced at her. "And why in hell would I marry
you?"
Author bio:
Kat Flannery’s love of history
shows in the novels she writes. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense,
paranormal, and romance. When not researching for her next book, Kat can be
found running her three sons to hockey and lacrosse. She’s been published in
numerous periodicals. This is Kat’s third book and she is hard at work on her
next.
Website: www.katflannery-author.com
Monday, August 19, 2013
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KAT FLANNERY
INTRODUCING CANADIAN AUTHOR EXTRAORDINAIRE -- KAT FLANNERY
Interview with this fascinating young Albertan author, who is part of Imajin Books' Summer Sizzle Sale from Aug. 15-31.
 |
| Kat Flannery |
Kenna: Hello, Kat. Please tell
us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a
writer.
Kat: I live near Edmonton, Canada. I’ve
always loved to write. I used to jot down lyrics, poems and the odd short story
when I was younger. As I grew older the need to write intensified and I
couldn’t stop. I wrote while I was pregnant with my sons and I’m still writing,
only now I am published.
Kenna: What genre do you generally
write and what have you had published to date?
Kat: I write Western Historical
Romance. However my recent book had a touch of paranormal and I really enjoyed
exploring that side of the genre realm. My next book will have paranormal in
it. I’ve written two full-length novels, CHASING CLOVERS, and LAKOTA HONOR and
a novella HAZARDOUS UNIONS have all been published with Imajin Books.
Kenna: What do you think of eBooks?
Kat: I will always love the smell of a
new book, but I do feel eBook is the wave of the future. I love the
accessibility of being able to download a book anywhere and read it.
Kenna: Have you self-published?
Kat: No, I have not.
Kenna: Do you have a favorite of your stories
or characters?
Kat: My favorite book is LAKOTA HONOR
and Otakatay is my favorite character thus far.
 | |
| Lakota Honor book cover |
Kenna: If any of your books were made
into films, who would you have as the leading actor/s?
Kat: I get asked this all the time. In
LAKOTA HONOR I’d have Jason Momoa and Emily Blunt play the main characters.
Kenna: Which authors did you read when
you were younger and did they shape you as a writer?
Kat: I read Linda Lael Miller, Steven
King and Jane Austin. But it wasn’t until I was older that I read for pure
pleasure.
Kenna: Do you manage to write every day,
and do you plot your stories or just get an idea and run with it?
Kat: I do write every day when I’m into
a story. I have to. I do a little of both, some plotting and some by the seat
of my pants.
Kenna: Do you do a lot of editing or
research?
Kat: I do a ton of research, more so
than I need. As for editing I do a bit as I go but nothing as extensive as when
I’m done. I also use an editor.
Kenna: What point of view do you find
most to your liking: first person or third person? Have you ever tried second person?
Kat: I’m a third person gal. I have a
difficult time reading first person and therefore I don’t write it. No, I’ve
never tried second person.
Kenna: What’s your favourite / least
favourite aspect of your writing life? Has anything surprised you?
Kat: My favourite aspect is getting to
do what I love for a living and the least favourite is the long hours and brain
overload while doing it.
Kenna: If you could invite three people
from any era to dinner, who would you choose and what would you cook (or hide
the takeaway containers)?
Kat: I’d choose Jane Austin, JFK and
Dean Martin and I'd cook Lasagne.
Kenna: Are you involved in anything
else writing-related other than actual writing or marketing of your writing?
Kat: I freelance and write marketing
material for other companies.
Kenna: What are you working on at the
moment / next?
Kat: I’m getting ready for the release
of HAZARDOUS UNIONS, two Civil War tales, one written by myself and the other
by fellow author Alison Bruce, September 7th.
Kenna: Where can we find out about you
and your writing?
Kenna: Is there anything else you’d
like to mention?
Kat: I love to hear from my readers, so
please drop me a line on my Facebook page or via my website.
Kenna: Is there anything you’d like to
ask me?
Kat: Yes, Coffee or Tea and if you
could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
Kenna: I'm a real tea granny and drink
black hot tea frequently during the day. If I could go anywhere in the world
I'd go to the Greek islands and take a classical tour.
Kat: Thank you, Kenna, for having me on
your blog. I wish you and your readers a wonderful day!!
Thank
you again for taking part in this blog interview, Kat. I’m very grateful for
you taking time out from your writing to answer these questions and wish you all
the best with your future projects.
NOW FOR SOMETHING MORE ABOUT KAT AND HER NOVELS:
Bestselling Western Romance author, Kat Flannery takes you on a new
journey with her new Historical Paranormal Romance, Lakota Honor.
Fate has brought them together, but will a promise
tear them apart?
In the small
town of Willow Creek, Colorado, Nora Rushton spends most of her days locked up
in her home with a father who resents her and fighting off unwanted marriage
proposals from the wealthy Elwood Calhoun. Marked as a witch, Nora must hide
her healing powers from those who wish to destroy all the witkowin—crazy women. What she doesn't know is
that a bounty hunter is hot on her trail.
Lakota native
Otakatay has an obligation to fulfill. He has been hired to kill the witkowin.
In a time when race and difference are a threat and innocence holds no ground,
courage, love and honor will bring Nora and Otakatay together as they fight for
their freedom. Will the desire to fulfill his promise drive Otakatay to kill
Nora? Or will the kindness he sees in her blue eyes push him to be the man he
once was?
Reviews:
"Transport
back to the old west with this paranormal historical, and its alpha hero, and a
heroine hiding her secret talents."
—Shannon
Donnelly, author of the Mackenzie Solomon Urban Fantasy series
"Ms. Flannery doesn’t shy away from
writing gritty scenes or about unpleasant topics…That’s what good writing is
all about—bringing out strong emotions in a reader."
—Peggy L. Henderson, bestselling author of the
Yellowstone Romance Series
"Those who relish the conflict of a
heroic half-breed trapped between the white man's world and the Indian will
fall in love with LAKOTA HONOR."
—Cindy Nord, award-winning author of No Greater Glory
"LAKOTA
HONOR weaves a fast paced and beautiful prose that lures you through every
chapter and leaves you wanting more."
—Erika Knudsen, paranormal author of Monarchy of Blood
Excerpt
PROLOGUE
Colorado Mountains, 1880
The blade slicing his throat
made no sound, but the dead body hitting the ground did. With no time to stop,
he hurried through the dark tunnel until he reached the ladder leading out of
the shaft.
He’d been two hundred feet below ground for
ten days, with no food and little water. Weak and woozy, he stared up the
ladder. He’d have to climb it and it wasn’t going to be easy. He wiped the
bloody blade on his torn pants and placed it between his teeth. Scraped
knuckles and unwashed hands gripped the wooden rung.
The earth swayed. He closed
his eyes and forced the spinning in his head to cease. One thin bronzed leg
lifted and came down wobbly. He waited until his leg stopped shaking before he
climbed another rung. Each step caused pain, but was paired with determination.
He made it to the top faster than he’d thought he would. The sky was black and
the air was cool, but fresh. Thank goodness it was fresh.
He took two long breaths before he emerged
from the hole. The smell from below ground still lingered in his nostrils;
unwashed bodies, feces and mangy rats. His stomach pitched. He tugged at the
rope around his hands. There had been no time to chew the thick bands around
his wrists when he’d planned his escape. It was better to run than crawl, and
he chewed through the strips that bound his feet instead. There would be time
to free his wrists later.
He pressed his body against
the mountain and inched toward the shack. He frowned. A guard stood at the
entrance to where they were. The blade from the knife pinched his lip, cutting
the thin skin and he tasted blood. He needed to get in there. He needed to say
goodbye. He needed to make a promise.
The tower bell rang mercilessly. There was no
time left. He pushed away from the rocky wall, dropped the knife from his mouth
into his bound hands, aimed and threw it. The dagger dug into the man’s chest.
He ran over, pulled the blade from the guard and quickly slid it across his
throat. The guard bled out in seconds.
He tapped the barred window
on the north side of the dilapidated shack. The time seemed to stretch. He
glanced at the large house not fifty yards from where he stood. He would come
back, and he would kill the bastard inside.
He tapped again, harder this
time, and heard the weak steps of those like him shuffling from inside. The
window slid open, and a small hand slipped out.
“Toksha ake—I shall see you
again,” he whispered in Lakota.
The hand squeezed his once,
twice and on the third time held tight before it let go and disappeared inside
the room.
A tear slipped from his dark
eyes, and his hand, still on the window sill, balled into a fist. He swallowed
past the sob and felt the burn in his throat. His chest ached for what he was
leaving behind. He would survive, and he would return.
Men shouted to his right, and
he crouched down low. He took one last look around and fled into the cover of
the forest.
BIO
Kat
Flannery has loved writing ever since she
was a girl. She is often seen jotting her ideas down in a little black book.
When not writing, or researching, Kat enjoys snuggling on her couch with a hot
chocolate and a great book.
Her
first novel, CHASING CLOVERS became an Amazon’s bestseller in Historical and
Western romance. This is Kat’s second book, and she is currently hard at work
on the third.
When not
focusing on her creative passions, Kat is busy with her three boys and doting
husband.
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