"By Love or By Sea" is a romance novel written by Rachel Rager
This story begins in a small dress shop owned by Alice Lind Frank's grandparents, where the cantankerous old woman, Betsey Winters is complaining to Alice about the price of the dresses, among other things. That same day Alice passes a rather ragged looking sailor on her way home. Just the glimpse of his face brings back a memory of a boy named Calab who she loved when she was only six years old - a boy lost at sea as a young man. This sailer and catankerous Betsey Winters both play vital roles in the romantic novel, "By Love or By Sea."
To add action to the story, the wealthy, arrogant, shipyard owner, Clarence Hielott, expects Alice to marry him, though he has yet to propose. Once he finds out that Calob has returned, he also finds that Alice is infatuated with the sailer. But Clarence knows secrets of Calab's past and when he realizes what is happening, he defiantly discloses every secret to Alice, determined to turn her away from the young man and into his arms.
As you read this book, you will appreciate how Rachel has developed her characters. surprisingly Cantankerous Betsy Winters becomes one of my favorite. I also applaud Gace, Alice's friend, who gives her some timely advice, standing by her throughout this tramatic and emotional experience. Needless to say, I dislike Clarence -
intensely.
It takes a few minutes to get into the book, but once you do, you'll become infatuated with the story, the characters . . . oh yes, and the pirates. Ah! now I have really caught your attention, haven't I.
I can promice that you will enjoy reading "By Love or By Sea." You can buy Rachel's book online from Cedar Fort Inc. and Amazon.com
Other reviews
September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin - http://ramanceoldschool.blogspot.com
September 30 - Cindy Beck - http://Kayleeseye.blogspot.com
October 1 - Kim Thompson - www.bythebecks.blogspot.com
October 2 - Alison Palmer - www.alisonpalmer.blogspot.com
October 5 - Rebecca Talley - http://www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com
October 6 - Anna Arnett - http://frespafan.blogspot.com
October 7 - Heather Justensen - http://heatherjustesen.blogspot.com
October 8 - Rachelle Christensen - www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com
October 9 - Joyce DiPastena - http://sezlizadair.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
We Never Know Who is Watching
First I have to thank everyone who participated in the 'giveaway'. It was so much fun.
Today I'd would like to tell you something that touched me more than I could imagine. Last night when I got home from a meeting, my husband presented me with a plate of cookies wrapped in decortive cellophane. He said that the Young Women's Presidency and several young women came to our home with a very special treat. Then he handed me a card that read:
Virtue - JoAnn Arnold
"Sister Arnold is the mother of 4 successful boys and is a great example to her 4 daughters-in-law. She is a talented artist and musician. She is also an author of several LDS Fiction novels. She paints and has done some beautiful paintings of her grandchildren. She sings with the Heritage Choir in St. George. She has been a Relief Society President in this ward. She is always sweet and gracious. She has a great attitude with her many health problems. You are always uplifted when you are in her presence. She is very courageous. She is very kind to her mother and sister. She has a testimony and definitely has Christ's image in her countenance. Her life is an example of being a virtuous woman."
I'm not putting this in my blog for any other reason than to say that I didn't know that they were aware of what I was doing in my life, I didn't know they were aware of my health problems. I didn't know what they were seeing when they looked at me, this older woman of 66. I didn't know that they were watching.
It made me realize that none of us never know who might be watching. I think of those I watched as I was growing up. I think of the friends I graduated from high school with, who touched my life with their strength, their humor, their desire to achieve. I wanted to be like them. I watched the strength of my father the last years of his life. He died at the age of 58, and he swore he would die with his boots on and he did. He is my hero.
I watch those of you who take the time to read my manuscripts and help me make them better, and I am grateful for your willingness and your friendship. I watch you, my author friends. I read your books and I learn from you. All the friends I've make through the years, I've watched them and I've learned from them.
I used to go to the Nursing home in Ferron, once a month and sing to those who lived there, and I learned so much from them. I would come away knowing they had given me more than I could ever give them. From them I learned a kind of strength and courage I couldn't have learned anywhere else. I learned patience, endurance, and faith. Some of them couldn't communicate. Some had Alzeimers, Some were confined to wheel chairs. But they were all so beautiful.
Okay, now I'm all weepy and teary eyed but I don't care. It's good to get emotional once in a while over the beautiful things in your life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
Today I'd would like to tell you something that touched me more than I could imagine. Last night when I got home from a meeting, my husband presented me with a plate of cookies wrapped in decortive cellophane. He said that the Young Women's Presidency and several young women came to our home with a very special treat. Then he handed me a card that read:
Virtue - JoAnn Arnold
"Sister Arnold is the mother of 4 successful boys and is a great example to her 4 daughters-in-law. She is a talented artist and musician. She is also an author of several LDS Fiction novels. She paints and has done some beautiful paintings of her grandchildren. She sings with the Heritage Choir in St. George. She has been a Relief Society President in this ward. She is always sweet and gracious. She has a great attitude with her many health problems. You are always uplifted when you are in her presence. She is very courageous. She is very kind to her mother and sister. She has a testimony and definitely has Christ's image in her countenance. Her life is an example of being a virtuous woman."
I'm not putting this in my blog for any other reason than to say that I didn't know that they were aware of what I was doing in my life, I didn't know they were aware of my health problems. I didn't know what they were seeing when they looked at me, this older woman of 66. I didn't know that they were watching.
It made me realize that none of us never know who might be watching. I think of those I watched as I was growing up. I think of the friends I graduated from high school with, who touched my life with their strength, their humor, their desire to achieve. I wanted to be like them. I watched the strength of my father the last years of his life. He died at the age of 58, and he swore he would die with his boots on and he did. He is my hero.
I watch those of you who take the time to read my manuscripts and help me make them better, and I am grateful for your willingness and your friendship. I watch you, my author friends. I read your books and I learn from you. All the friends I've make through the years, I've watched them and I've learned from them.
I used to go to the Nursing home in Ferron, once a month and sing to those who lived there, and I learned so much from them. I would come away knowing they had given me more than I could ever give them. From them I learned a kind of strength and courage I couldn't have learned anywhere else. I learned patience, endurance, and faith. Some of them couldn't communicate. Some had Alzeimers, Some were confined to wheel chairs. But they were all so beautiful.
Okay, now I'm all weepy and teary eyed but I don't care. It's good to get emotional once in a while over the beautiful things in your life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
And the Winner is . . . . . ..
I want to thank all of you who stopped in and visited my blog and entered your name for a drawing of "Apples for Sale" a 18 x 24 print of the original oil painting.
I started painting when I was about 34 years old. My siblings were all artistic and I decided if they were, so could I be, so I took myself seriously and began to paint and found out that I loved it.
Okay, enough of that. Now to choose the winner. I put all the names of a piece of paper and then cut them out. Then I mixed them all together and closed my eyes, choosing one. And the winner is ....... VICKI FIRTH.
Congratulations, vicki. If you'll e-mail your address to bjarnold@infowest.com, I will get it in the mail to you, tomorrow.
I started painting when I was about 34 years old. My siblings were all artistic and I decided if they were, so could I be, so I took myself seriously and began to paint and found out that I loved it.
Okay, enough of that. Now to choose the winner. I put all the names of a piece of paper and then cut them out. Then I mixed them all together and closed my eyes, choosing one. And the winner is ....... VICKI FIRTH.
Congratulations, vicki. If you'll e-mail your address to bjarnold@infowest.com, I will get it in the mail to you, tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday is a good Day to Talk about Friendship and Give away a Print
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearning of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. you are the spirit children of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn't it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate god?"
When I first read this, my thoughts were narrowed to creating works of art. Authoring great books. "Inventing something incredibly vital to the human race, etc. Then after giving it deeper thought, I decided there was much more to this statement. Creating a deep and lasting friendship is a yearning of the human soul. Friendships bring deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We mold a friendship into something of beauty. Everything fits.
This summer I attended my Class of 61 reunion. Some of us hadn't seen each other for 48 years. It was an emotion reunion and the bond of friendship was reunited and remolded
My siblings and I were in charge of the Huff Reunion and as we came together as family the bonds of friendship was so powerfully strong that it reminded me that friendship is also part of being a close family.
Frindship. what a beautiful and creative word. It's mean "one attached to another by esteem and affection. A supporter. One who cares."
I have made many friends throughout the years who remain dear and close friends, and I think that e-mail is a blessing because it has brought us back together though we all live away from each other, now.
I belong to an in-line group called "Friends Forever." It's a group made up of authors and a few who are friends of authors. It's a group that cares about each other, who support each other, and we have fun as we discuss many more things than just writing a book.
Oh! aren't friends great!!! Isn't the power of friendship a miracle in our lives?
Well, I know that I've been very serious in this post but I just had to let you know
how much your friendship means to me.
Oh! and one more thing. On our Cedarfortauthors blogspot, someone came up with the idea of giving away a book once in a while, when we blog. Soooo, I decided on my personal blog, and because all of you are my good friends, I would like to give away a print of one of my paintings. Now to qualify, you have to have: 1. Read this blog, of course. 2. Go to my website www.joannarnold.com, and click on my paintings.
3. Name the painting featured on my blog page. 4. comment on this blog (just below) or my e-mail (bjarnold@infowest.com), giving me the name of the painting. Then, in one week from today, I will draw a name from the list and post it here.
Isn't this going to be fun!!!
When I first read this, my thoughts were narrowed to creating works of art. Authoring great books. "Inventing something incredibly vital to the human race, etc. Then after giving it deeper thought, I decided there was much more to this statement. Creating a deep and lasting friendship is a yearning of the human soul. Friendships bring deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We mold a friendship into something of beauty. Everything fits.
This summer I attended my Class of 61 reunion. Some of us hadn't seen each other for 48 years. It was an emotion reunion and the bond of friendship was reunited and remolded
My siblings and I were in charge of the Huff Reunion and as we came together as family the bonds of friendship was so powerfully strong that it reminded me that friendship is also part of being a close family.
Frindship. what a beautiful and creative word. It's mean "one attached to another by esteem and affection. A supporter. One who cares."
I have made many friends throughout the years who remain dear and close friends, and I think that e-mail is a blessing because it has brought us back together though we all live away from each other, now.
I belong to an in-line group called "Friends Forever." It's a group made up of authors and a few who are friends of authors. It's a group that cares about each other, who support each other, and we have fun as we discuss many more things than just writing a book.
Oh! aren't friends great!!! Isn't the power of friendship a miracle in our lives?
Well, I know that I've been very serious in this post but I just had to let you know
how much your friendship means to me.
Oh! and one more thing. On our Cedarfortauthors blogspot, someone came up with the idea of giving away a book once in a while, when we blog. Soooo, I decided on my personal blog, and because all of you are my good friends, I would like to give away a print of one of my paintings. Now to qualify, you have to have: 1. Read this blog, of course. 2. Go to my website www.joannarnold.com, and click on my paintings.
3. Name the painting featured on my blog page. 4. comment on this blog (just below) or my e-mail (bjarnold@infowest.com), giving me the name of the painting. Then, in one week from today, I will draw a name from the list and post it here.
Isn't this going to be fun!!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sometimes Life Doesn't Live Up to Its Expectations (Or did I already mention that?)
Does life live up to your expectations? That is my question. I expected to sleep good every night because one needs their seven hours of sleep. But I find myself waking up far too early every morning wondering what ever happened to sleep as I once knew it. Sleep . . . to rest body and mind. To be without ordinary consciousness. To slumber, to snooze, etc.
For some unknown reason it simply disappeared from my pillow a few years ago and the mystery as to its whereabouts remains a mystery to me. I used to be able to sleep through the night without a single eye-twitch. Now if there's five hours between the awakened state, I'm estatic.
Ah! But there's an upside to this mystery. One gets a lot done between the hours of 4am. and 8 am. Take this morning, for example. I have printed out a manuscript, posted my writer's blog and attempted to fix the little floater in the toilet. I checked my e-mail then, took a break from this blog long enough to go for a walk and do my Qi Gong exercises, and now I'm back.
Maybe there is meaning in this madness. . . . . wait a minute, I'm thinking. . . . . turning it over in my mind . . . Ahaa, I do believe I've found the answer. Did you know that the imagination wakes up long before our eyes open? (well most eyes anyway). That between 4 am and 8 am creativity is at its best? Is there anyone out there that can dispute this theory? I hope not because it sounded so good inside my head. All in all I've decided that life does live up to its expectations, we just have to awake to realize it.
As Edna St. Vincent Millay put it.
My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night.
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends,
It gives a lovely light.
Oh, one more thing. I hope you noticed my book covers that I also added this morning. I wish there was a way to make them more creatively placed but I don't think this blog program will let me do that.
Thank you for visiting my blog and please come again.
For some unknown reason it simply disappeared from my pillow a few years ago and the mystery as to its whereabouts remains a mystery to me. I used to be able to sleep through the night without a single eye-twitch. Now if there's five hours between the awakened state, I'm estatic.
Ah! But there's an upside to this mystery. One gets a lot done between the hours of 4am. and 8 am. Take this morning, for example. I have printed out a manuscript, posted my writer's blog and attempted to fix the little floater in the toilet. I checked my e-mail then, took a break from this blog long enough to go for a walk and do my Qi Gong exercises, and now I'm back.
Maybe there is meaning in this madness. . . . . wait a minute, I'm thinking. . . . . turning it over in my mind . . . Ahaa, I do believe I've found the answer. Did you know that the imagination wakes up long before our eyes open? (well most eyes anyway). That between 4 am and 8 am creativity is at its best? Is there anyone out there that can dispute this theory? I hope not because it sounded so good inside my head. All in all I've decided that life does live up to its expectations, we just have to awake to realize it.
As Edna St. Vincent Millay put it.
My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night.
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends,
It gives a lovely light.
Oh, one more thing. I hope you noticed my book covers that I also added this morning. I wish there was a way to make them more creatively placed but I don't think this blog program will let me do that.
Thank you for visiting my blog and please come again.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Class of 61 Reunion and Wrinkles
A few weeks ago I wrote about wrinkles and how they are a part of God's plan. Today, I think I need to inform you that they are vital to those of us over 50 - for they are a sign of tremendous knowledge, of great and wonderous experiences as well as sad and humbling experiences that have left their mark through the wrinkles that have come to stay.
Today I want to talk about aging wrinkles and ageless friendship.
On July 2nd, The North Emery High graduating class of 1961 met at the Holiday Inn in Price, Utah, for a dinner and a get-to-know-you-again social. There were, I think, 34 classmates out of a graduating class of 57, in attendance. (Ten of our classmates have passed away). This was only our 5th reunion in 48 years.
Were there wrinkles? Oh, yes!! Lots of them. But what beautiful wrinkles. Were there smiles? Wonderful smiles, arranging those wrinkles around the mouth into cascading emotion. Were there memories? There were hundreds - maybe even thousands of humorous, tender, gloriously amazing memories. And what did we do? We laughed and we talked. We took pictures and we reminised. It was a night none of us will ever forget. It touched our hearts to the extent that we are already planning our 50th.
As I write this, tears form in my eyes and I can't seem find the words that describe the emotion I feel. But I can tell you this; our friendship has survived the years. It has stood the test of time.
I want to end this post with a poem.
Each wrinkle tells its story. Tis one that cannot lie.
for it's engraved and polished, but could someone tell me why,
It made itself so soon at home in the corner of my eye?
Not that I'm complaining, mind you, But this one wrinkle is not alone.
Instead, it has invited many others, who have also made themselves at home.
Around my eyes. In the corners of my mouth. Across my forehead they are sewn.
I have decide that tomorrow when I wake up and my mirror shows a stranger there,
With wrinkles multiplying rapidly, I shall simply tell myself I do not care.
For I have earned them, every one, and I will wear them proudly. So there!
Today I want to talk about aging wrinkles and ageless friendship.
On July 2nd, The North Emery High graduating class of 1961 met at the Holiday Inn in Price, Utah, for a dinner and a get-to-know-you-again social. There were, I think, 34 classmates out of a graduating class of 57, in attendance. (Ten of our classmates have passed away). This was only our 5th reunion in 48 years.
Were there wrinkles? Oh, yes!! Lots of them. But what beautiful wrinkles. Were there smiles? Wonderful smiles, arranging those wrinkles around the mouth into cascading emotion. Were there memories? There were hundreds - maybe even thousands of humorous, tender, gloriously amazing memories. And what did we do? We laughed and we talked. We took pictures and we reminised. It was a night none of us will ever forget. It touched our hearts to the extent that we are already planning our 50th.
As I write this, tears form in my eyes and I can't seem find the words that describe the emotion I feel. But I can tell you this; our friendship has survived the years. It has stood the test of time.
I want to end this post with a poem.
Each wrinkle tells its story. Tis one that cannot lie.
for it's engraved and polished, but could someone tell me why,
It made itself so soon at home in the corner of my eye?
Not that I'm complaining, mind you, But this one wrinkle is not alone.
Instead, it has invited many others, who have also made themselves at home.
Around my eyes. In the corners of my mouth. Across my forehead they are sewn.
I have decide that tomorrow when I wake up and my mirror shows a stranger there,
With wrinkles multiplying rapidly, I shall simply tell myself I do not care.
For I have earned them, every one, and I will wear them proudly. So there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Blog Archive
