Romance Novel Giveaways - Freebies and Giveaways of All Things Romance Romance Novel Giveaways: Thumb Fire Desire by Carol Nickles 💕 Behind the Scenes, Book Tour and $50 Gift Card Giveaway 💕(Historical Romance)

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Thumb Fire Desire by Carol Nickles 💕 Behind the Scenes, Book Tour and $50 Gift Card Giveaway 💕(Historical Romance)



Sought-after widowed farmer Peter Nickles is enamored by Ginny's perseverance...

In the Spring of 1881, indigent seamstress Ginny Dahlke arrives in one of the earliest Polish American settlements-Parisville, Michigan. Deemed charmless and awkward by her mean-spirited sister-in-law, Ginny disparages her chance of securing love. But sought-after widowed farmer Peter Nickles is enamored by Ginny's perseverance, her pioneer spirit and, her inclusive acceptance of the indigenous peoples of Michigan. The seductiveness of a buxom heiress, a twisted story of an old-country betrothal, and the largest natural disaster in Michigan's history-The Great Thumb Fire of September 5, 1881, challenge their fledgling attraction and ultimate committal.

Writing Process

On the roadmap of submission to publishing, almost four years lapsed.  

Even though I considered myself a pretty accomplished academic writer, the learning journey for romance writing was a steep, unprecedented climb, fraught with detours, long waits in “baggage claims” language barriers,  and limited GPS.  

I offer the following “travel” tips to fellow aspiring writers:

Engage the mantra of Involve the Senses in your physical writing place 

  1. Play music that inspires you.

  2. Release scents that soothe you.

  3. Surround yourself with textiles that comfort you.

  4. Control the amounts of light and temperature that keep you energized.

  5. Place objects that enthuse your creativity near you.

  6. Set a tasty treat within reach.

What this tip means to me:

  1. I listen to soft rhythmic island music.  It takes me back to a visit to the magical island of Fiji. My hands tap across the keyboard in a lilting beat.

  2. A rose-scented candle glows on the table next to my laptop and I am transported to my grandmother’s flower garden.

  3. In the winter, I don a fleece, hooded jacket, soft flannel pants, and thick, cozy socks when I show up to my writing work.

  4. Natural light streaming through paned windows invokes creativity and sustains energy for me.

  5. Fresh flowers, my daughter’s woodwork, and a handwoven tablecloth are examples of beautiful things for me to view.

  6. A coffee cup with hazelnut coffee and a plated orange-cranberry muffin offer an incentive for just one more paragraph. 

Engage the mantra of Involve the Senses in your writing 

Every single page, I repeat, every single page of your manuscript should involve a sense in addition to sight.  Your characters hear, feel, taste and smell and are affected by temperature, light, and motion.  

Here is an excerpt from Thumb Fire Desire. Do you recognize the senses involved?

Clenching her hand over the pocketknife, Ginny registered the metal coldness and its uncorrupted strength. She pulled the charred braid of her hair and extended it as far as she could. It barely reached her chin.  Her hair had been a thing of beauty, her most treasured asset.  She had felt so comforted as her mother stroked it.  She remembered the girlish giggling she shared with Nadia as the bride-to-be used Ginny’s tresses to imagine her wedding grandeur. Again, she felt the visceral thrill of Peter taking her braid in his calloused hand and twirling the end. Ginny dug the knife blade into the earth and hollowed a hole. She curled the lock of singed hair in her hand, caressed it, sawed it off with the blade, dropped it in the grave, and covered it with a handful of earth.  Useless tears. She rubbed the drops from her cheeks.

Engage suspense 

Just as you should involve a variety of senses on every page of your manuscript, you should involve suspense on every,  yes every page as well.  Suspense has a variety of levels.

  • Your character needs a drink

  • A bluejay smacks the window

  • A siren blares

  • Water overflows the tub

  • A dam bursts

  • A tooth falls out

  • There is no toilet paper on the store shelves

Be specific

It’s not a bird.  It’s a turkey vulture with a bald dome and a Lilliputian-sized pink head.

It’s not a horse.  It’s a Medicine-Hat colt with the distinctive markings of a color band around its face.

It’s not a weed.  It’s goats-beard grasses.

It’s not a candy cane.  It’s a striped stick with the flavor of sassafras.

It’s not many deaths.  It’s two-hundred and eighty-two deaths.  

Read your Work Aloud before you submit it.

This tip is easy.  Turn on your read-aloud feature (In Word it is tabbed under Review).  

Very best wishes on your writing journeys my friends!



Peter sat atop the hay bale. Joseph’s shadow grew deeper and then faded away. For the first time, he and Ginny were alone—if he didn’t count a barn full of bawling sheep, milk cows dunking their heads in feed pails, Buster and Blue lazily flicking their tails, and slinky cats prowling the hay. His breathing came ragged. His chest puffed. He bent at the knees, shoved his hands under the bulk of shorn fleece, slowly aligned his spine, turned toward Ginny, and lost sensation in his arms. He dropped the pile, scattering barn dust and errant wool strands.


She stood idle. The sunshine pouring through the slats on the barn’s east side outlined her silhouette. The soft hollow in her neck swelled and emptied. A clothesline, bare for the warped wooden pins straddling it, swayed between its oak tree moorings behind her. She lifted the tray, set Joseph’s glass on it, and held her hand for his drink.


“I’ll wash your shirt. Sorry I spoiled it.” She leveled her gaze to his.


He turned the glass in his hand. A single mint leaf stuck to the bottom. He fished it out with a finger and rolled the bumpy foliage in his palm, releasing its scent. He rubbed the leaf on his wrist and opened his mouth. He bit into the sprig, savored the fresh prickly taste, and swished it around his gums and teeth. He swallowed.



      

Carol Nickles is the sixth generation of a German textile aficionado family. In 1881, her great-great-great-grandfather founded Yale Woolen Mill—the longest-lasting of Michigan’s once twenty-nine woolen mills. Carol earned a Master’s degree in Historic Clothing & Textiles at Michigan State University. Her thesis is a narrative of the Yale Woolen Mill. She held faculty positions at both Utah and Michigan State universities. She lives in West Michigan and enjoys spinning a tale, weaving a story, and threading a luring hook.


   

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64 comments :

  1. Happy to be here! Anybody have 4th of July plans? I 'd love to say hello! So leave a comment or question! Thanks!!!!

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  2. This sounds like an exciting book to read.

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    1. Thanks! It was exciting to write it! I found myself waking up at odd hours with "story break through" thoughts. I appreciate you stopping by the book tour!

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    1. Thank you Glenda! The very talented cover artisit, Diana Carlile at my publishing house - The Wild Rose Press designed it. Thanks for stopping by the tour!

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  4. I enjoyed the Behind the Scenes look and the excerpt, Thumb Fire Desire sounds like a great book for me to read! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a wonderful day!

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  5. Thanks for stopping by Stormy! I have heard from readers who couldn't put it down! Sure hope you enjoy it!

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  6. The book sounds wonderful. I love the beautiful cover.

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    1. Thank you pippirose! I think the cover artist read my mind when I suggested the depiction should demonstrate a hot, dry summer. That hot, dry summer contributed to the most significant natural disaster in Michigan's history - The Great Thumb Fire of 1881. 282 people died. Some of my characters survived. Others did not. I appreciate you stopping by!

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  7. This sounds really intriguing. I am excited to read this.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by! So far readers have told me that they just couldn't put the book down. And that they are reading it more than once. And that they felt like they were inside the story. I hope you find Thumb Fire Desire just as intriguing. Again, I appreciate your interest!

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  8. I like the cover, synopsis and excerpt, Thumb Fire Desire sounds like a must read for me and I am looking forward to it. Thank you for sharing the author's bio and book details

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  9. Thank you for stopping by Bea. I so appreciate you taking time to get more acquainted with me and my debut novel. I hope to see you on more tour stops!

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  10. Looking forward to reading this one. Sounds so good!

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  11. I love that cover, it's beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Judy! Hope you are enjoying the excerpts within the covers! It's a great summer read! I appreciate you stopping by! Hope to see you on more sites as my tour continues!

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  12. Perfect cover for this story set in 1881.

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    1. Hi Katie! So kind of you to stop by and comment! I really appreciate it! 1881 is a year rich in history and I gleaned as much as I could! U.S. President Garfield was assassinated. The American Red Cross took up the challenge of its first national relief effort - my, how far they have come! The Blue Diamond match was manufactured. The Yale Woolen Mill - the longest-lasting full production woolen mill in Michigan's history opened its doors. I hope to see you on other tour stops Katie! Thanks again!

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  13. this looks like a page turner. love the cover!

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  14. Hi Molli! I so appreciate you stopping by and making a comment! I hear from readers that they just can't put the book down. They are also awestruck by the amount of research poured into the story. I hope you enjoy it too! And I hope to see you on more blog stops! Thanks again!!!

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  15. Thank you Jeffrey! I really appreciate you stopping by this tour! What kind of books do you like to read?

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    1. Various genres including thrillers, suspense(love Dean Koontz), and romance(Glynnis Campbell rocks).

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  16. sounds like a fun one

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  17. Thank you Daniel! I now have 3 amazon reviews - all 5 stars! I think you're on to something! Thanks for stoppinb by! I really appreciate it!

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  18. Wow, Jeffrey, that is a thought-provoking question. For me, I guess, writing is a "pass it forward" purpose. At one time in my career, I was the Director of Continuing Education at a community college. One of the projects I introduced was a memoir writing program geared to seniors. Millie was one of the students. She was by no means a professional writer but telling her life's story and having an audience drew her out of a stagnant grief. Millie healed by writing. I write to inspire the Millies of the world. Thanks, Jeffrey!

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  19. 1. CONCERNING WRITING, WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN?

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  20. Another great question, Jeffrey! Get a grip on understanding POV - point of view. Once you know that, you can navigate your storytelling so that it makes sense. Everything sensory must be experienced through a character's view point. So, if the sun feels warm, it is felt by a designated character. If the air smells musty, again, it must be experienced by a given character. And other great advice - keep on learning - keep on taking classes. A book I am reading now is The Art of Styling Sentences by Ann Longknife, Ph.D. I want to write The perfect sentence! Thanks for the question Jeffrey.

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  21. IN YOUR VIEW, WHICH IS WORSE, SINS OF COMMISSION OR SINS OF OMISSION AND WHY?

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  22. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FOLLOWING JOKE?

    JOE IS A FRUSTRATED WRITER. HE IS FRUSTATED BECAUSE WHILE HE HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL NOVELS, NOTHING HE HAS WRITTEN HAS EVER BEEN PUBLISHED.

    ONE DAY, JOE DIES, AND HIS SOUL GOES BEFORE ST. PETER AT THE PEARLY GATES. ST. PETER TELLS JOE THAT HE WILL BE TAKEN TO HELL AND THEN TO HEAVEN TO SEE WHERE HE WANTS TO SPEND THE REST OF ETERNITY.

    IN HELL, JOE IS SHOWN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ROOMS.EACH ROOM HAS A PERSON UNDERGOING HORRIBLE TORTURE.

    JOE IS THEN TAKEN TO HEAVEN BY ST. PETER. JOE IS SHOWN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ROOMS.EACH ROOM HAS A PERSON UNDERGOING HORRIBLE TORTURE.

    WHEN ST. PETER ASKS JOE WHETHER HE WANTS TO SPEND THE REST OF ETERNITY IN HEAVEN OR HELL, JOE IS CONFUSED.

    JOE ASKS ST. PETER, "I DON'T UNDERSTAND. HEAVEN AND HELL APPEAR TO BE THE SAME. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 PLACES?"

    ST. PETER TELLS JOE, "IN HEAVEN, WRITERS GET PUBLISHED."

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  23. Oh geesh, I guess only writers could truly understand the depths of anxiety over getting published or not. So I guess it's moderately funny? I think if you want to stay happy and write, you need to write for the joy of writing.

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  24. WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU COULD MAKE A LIVING AS A WRITER?

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  25. Hi Jeffrey. I am living as a writer, but not making a living as a writer!

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  26. It has been said that a person's 1st meeting with someone leaves the most lasting impression. If someone could meet you only 1 time, what is the impression of you that you would want that person to be left with after meeting you?

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  27. kind, inclusive, curious, cheerful What about you?

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  28. If you could meet 1 well known writer, who would it be and why would you want to meet that person?

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  29. Michelle Obama. I loved her memoir. She would have a vast store of opinions and I think it would be a great visit! What about you?

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    1. Thomas Jefferson, want to hear his insights about democracy.

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  30. If all your meals could be only 1 type of food(and 0 calories so you don't have to worry about that) what would that food be?

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  31. frozen pineapple fruit sticks What about you?

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  32. I would eat Indian food for every meal, especially chicken tandoi.

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  33. I can think of different awards that a writer can receive for their writing, including the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. If in the future you were to receive a phone call from a reporter letting you know that you have been nominated for just 1 award, which award would you be the most excited to learn that you have been nominated for?

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  34. Nobel Peace Prize for bettering the conditions of refugees p.s. love indian food especially the vegetarian versions

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  35. Are there any books that you can reread and the book(to you) is as interesting to read as the first time you have read it?

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  36. For you, what is your biggest challenge in writing a book?

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  37. Are you a night owl or someone who prefers to go to bed early?

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  38. I can sleep anytime Jeffrey! Especially on a car or boat ride!

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  39. To you, what is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

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  40. Great question, Jeffrey! I'd like people to know that authors really, really would like feedback. We basically write all alone, and then we publish and then well, we would like reviews and what you think about the book!

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  41. It has been said that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I can think of some books that I have decided to read solely based on the cover. Have you ever decided to read any books only because of the cover's appearance?

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  42. Do you prefer to read physical books or ebooks?

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  43. SOME WRITERES WHEN THEY WRITE TRY TO PUT THEMSELVES IN THE MINDSET OF THEIR CHARACTERS AND WHAT THEY WOULD DO WHEN WRITING. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU DO AS PART OF YOUR WRITING PROCESS?

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  44. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I READ ABOUT A SINGER WHO WAS READING A LETTER FROM A FAN. THE FAN SUGGESTED THAT THE SINGER WRITE A SONG(SHE WROTE WHAT SHE THOUGHT WOULD BE A GOOD SONG TITLE). IF A SOMEONE SUGGESTED A TITLE FOR A NOVEL TO YOU, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT WRITING A NOVEL BASED SOLELY ON AN ALREDY PROVIDED BOOK TITLE?

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  45. That sounds like a fun idea Jeffrey, like a great idea for a writer contest.

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  46. I KNOW SOME WRITERS HAVE A ROUTINE FOR WHEN THEY WRITE, INCLUDING WHERE AND WHAT TIME OF THE DAY. WHEN YOU WRITE, DO YOU HAVE A ROUTINE THAT YOU FOLLOW AND HOW DOES IT(IF YOU DO HAVE A ROUTINE) HELP THE WRITING PROCESS?

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  47. Thanks Jeffrey! I enjoy writing by morning light with a cup of hazlenut coffee on stand-by. I usually write unitl noon, then switch it up with another creative endeavor like graphic arts or quilt design, then back to writing for a while.

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  48. I ONCE READ AN INTERVIEW WITH AN AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR SAID IN THE INTERVIEW THAT HE KEEPS A PAD AND A PEN WITH HIM WHEREEVER HE GOES IN ORDER TO JOT DOWN IDEAS THAT COME TO HIM FOR POSSIBLE BOOKS AND STORIES.

    DO YOU DO SOMETHING SIMILAR OR HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF POSSIBLE IDEAS FOR YOUR WRITING?

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  49. It sounds like a very interesting read. I love reading books set in earlier times.

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  50. YEARS AGO, I READ AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY. HE SAID IN THE INTERVIEW THAT THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME IT TOOK HIM TO WRITE A BOOK WAS 2 WEEKS(AMAZING, I KNOW).

    IF YOU HAD TO THINK ABOUT YOUR WRITING EXPERIENCE, HOW LONG WOULD YOU ESTIMATE IS THE AVERAGE TIME FOR YOU TO COMPLETE A BOOK? OR IS THERE NO SUCH THING AS AN AVERAGE TIME FOR YOU?

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