For Love of Banjo

Just released from Western Trail Blazers

Deceit stands between a man’s love and his destiny.  

Blurb:

Banjo Wilding wears a borrowed name and bears the scars and reputation of a lurid past.  To earn the right to ask for Margaret O’Leary’s hand, he must find his father and make something of himself.

Margaret O’Leary has loved Banjo since she was ten years old but standing between her and Banjo is pride, Banjo’s mysterious father and the Great War.

Will either of them find happiness?  

Excerpt:

Once the men had climbed out and headed for safety, Banjo climbed the wall and crawled out onto the flat, barren ground between him and the next trench.  A glance behind him gave Banjo the unfettered view of the huge metal vehicle with treads wrapped around wheels that moved it over impossible terrain.  He heard rumors about these new weapons.  Tanks.  Jesus, nothing could stop the thing.  As curiosity overtook him at the wonder of such an invention, Banjo did the unthinkable and stood to get a better look.

Something hot bit into his flesh, first in his chest and then his leg.  The support of his legs seemed to disappear from beneath him and he fell.  Just before the dark void sucked him under, he saw a face, a familiar face.  He couldn’t quite make it out because he couldn’t see through the blood smeared over the lenses of his glasses.  The lips moved but he couldn’t hear what the face said as if the apparition spoke to him through oceans of turbulent water.  Maggie.  Oh Maggie, darlin’, I’m so sorry.  Then everything went black.  The last thing he remembered was the feeling that someone tugged at him as rocks chewed at his back.  Then there was nothing but blessed darkness.

 

BUY LINKS: (Available in e-book and paperback)

Smashword: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/136814

Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=for+love+of+banjo+by+sarah+mcneal

Print:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Banjo-Sarah-J-McNeal/dp/1470150441/

Lulu :

www.lulu.com/product/ebook/for-love-of-banjo/18927618

Monkey Bars :

https://www.monkeybars.net/PbRJV

Now available at all online bookstores.   

Romance Junkies 4 star review

Gallop into a historical western with Banjo and Maggie as they try to find their way back to each other and overcome obstacles that threaten to tear them apart forever.

Maggie O’Leary is a beautiful young lady who helps her father run a ranch. She has been in love with Banjo since she was just a young girl and he saved her life.  When Banjo approaches her about leaving to find his father, she knows that she must let him go or he will never be at peace about his past.  Will Maggie’s love be enough to bring Banjo back to her? 

Banjo Wilding is a charming man with a shocking past and no real name to call himself.  He was a troubled youth until a family took him and made him a part of their family.  Banjo loves Maggie with all his heart but he feels that he is not good enough for her and must find out who his real father is.  And only then will he be able to put the past behind him and give his love freely to Maggie.  When Banjo discovers the truth will he be able to be the man he thinks Maggie deserves?

FOR LOVE OF BANJO is a sweet historical western. Sarah J. McNeal pens a novel that takes a reader on an emotional roller coaster ride.  Your compassion will go out to Maggie and Banjo as they take their journey into the unknown.  The secondary characters are just as endearing as the main characters.  I laughed at some of the antics, tensed when things got rough, and got teary-eyed when two souls soared together.

Maggie is a fun and quirky character that I enjoyed immensely.  She is sweet, sassy and loves with her whole being.  She is a strong character that will do anything to keep the man she loves.

Banjo is a man who is honest, strong and caring.  He has gone through a lot in his past and you cannot help but to hope he finds peace. He is determined to make it back to Maggie and have the love of a woman who makes him whole.  He also realizes that everything he ever wanted and needed was always right there before him.

FOR LOVE OF BANJO is a delightful tale about how love can rise above everything. 

 Billie Jo

 

Recently Released

Gifts From The Afterlife

This is my short story in the 2011 Christmas Anthology from Victory Tales Press

How dark must it get before Lydia sees the light?

Blurb:

Lydia Sinclair’s life has run off the rails.  She has lost everyone she loves and Christmas has lost its meaning.  As Christmas approaches, Lydia wants to go to sleep and never wake up again.  Perhaps an angel, some ghosts and a childhood sweetheart can convince her that life is worth living again.  Can Lydia let go of what once was, renew her joy in Christmas and find the promise of hope for her future? 

 

Available now in ebook and will be available in PRINT on November 1, 2011 at the following book stores:

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/2011-Christmas-Collection-Sensual-ebook/dp/B005Z8VOVG/

 


Smashwords Ebook ($3.99)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/99059

Lulu Ebook ($3.99):
http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/2011-christmas-collection-sensualspicy/18312218

 

 

     

Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride

By Sarah McNeal

Available at Western Trail Blazer Novels

http://westerntrailblazer.yolasite.com/online-store.php

also available at Amazon.com, Barns and Noble and all online book stores.

It is also available in PRINT 

 

A haunted house, a trunk and a date with destiny.

Blurb:

Joseph Wilding left his prosperous Virginia ranch and his grieving father to live in obscurity and guilt over his brotherÂ’s death until he marries Lola instead of Callie McGraw, the woman he abhors but whose life he was attempting to save.

Lola discovers a warp in time in an old trunk when she falls into 1910.  She finds herself married to Joe, a stranger shadowed by secrets.  Mistaken for Callie McGraw, a thief and a woman of ill repute, Lola finds her life is threatened by a scoundrel who believes she stole his money and only Joe stands between her and death.

With danger threatening all around and secrets keeping them apart, can Joe and Lola find their destiny together or will time and circumstance forever divide them?

Excerpt:

“You ever touch my wife again I’ll cripple you in a place that will make you sing soprano, Weston.”  He nudged Lola toward the door and out onto the plank sidewalk.  Then he stopped, letting her go abruptly.  Peering down into her eyes, his own an intense coffee brown his expression turned stern.  “Well, Lola, are you through playing games?” He asked with emphasis on her name as if he doubted its authenticity.  “I donÂ’t have time for your shenanigans, so make up your mind.  You can either come on home with me where I can protect you or you can go on your way and take your chances on your own.”

            What should she do?  Without knowing where she might go or how to get there, the choices did not seem that good.  “What’s to say you wonÂ’t just use and abuse me the same way that disgusting man in there would have?  You might be planning on taking me off somewhere to rape me and maybe even murder me.”

            Joe laughed.  “If I wanted to kill you I’ve had several chances to do that all ready.  As much as it might bring me some satisfaction to murder you, I don’t hate you quite that much.  As for raping you, I’d sooner roll down a mountain side in a bale of barbed wire than try to get betwixt your legs, lady.”

REVIEWS:

You Gotta Read Reviews:

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-harmonica-joes-reluctant-bride.html

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Review: Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride by Sarah J. McNeal

Title: Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

Author: Sarah J. McNeal

Publisher: Western Trail Blazer


Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewer: Val


Blurb
Joseph Wilding left his prosperous Virginia ranch and his grieving father to live in obscurity and guilt over his brotherÂ’s death until he marries Lola instead of Callie McGraw, the woman he abhors but whose life he was attempting to save.
Lola discovers a warp in time in an old trunk when she falls into 1910.  She finds herself married to Joe, a stranger shadowed by secrets.  Mistaken for Callie McGraw, a thief and a woman of ill repute, Lola finds her life is threatened by a scoundrel who believes she stole his money and only Joe stands between her and death.

With danger threatening all around and secrets keeping them apart, can Joe and Lola find their destiny together or will time and circumstance forever divide them?

Review
I often sit here and think how I would handle living in a different time period. When Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride fell into my hands, I instantly fell in love with the book. I was able to take a trip through time which I will remember for a long time to come. As with any time travel book, I usually always ask myself if something from the past could hinder something in future. I feel as though I need to pay close attention and try to keep up with what is about to happen. This book was the polar opposite for me. I was so engrossed in the book, I didn't have think about what may happen, I simply sat back and let this book sweep me away.

Lola is a feisty woman who is hell bent on proving to herself and others that she will not end up like her mother. As an independent woman living in the 21st century, Lola has goals to become a lawyer so people will look up to her and is finally on her way to making her dreams come true. Joe lives in the 20th century, faces turmoil of his own and feels as though he needs to live a solitary life. Now imagine how you would react to being transported from the 21st to the 20th century without an inkling of how it happened. On top of that, you find yourself in the middle of your own marriage to a man you don't even know. This is exactly what happened to Lola. From the moment Lola and Joe lay eyes on one another the sparks fly in more ways than one. Each is drawn to the other but at the same time are exasperated with one another. Their relationship throughout the book is enchanting, humorous, spicy and genuine. These two really touched my heart.

Solid secondary characters like Banjo (a young man who has been on his own since he was about ten) and Argos (Joe's faithful canine) really brought a strong familial feel to the book. Each played an important part as a protector who would lay down their lives for those they held close.

Ms. McNeal is a new author to me and I found Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride to be a deeply sensual yet very touching read. I instantly fell in love with the writing style and I just have to say Ms. McNeal has a gift of writing with great humor, witty dialogue and superb imagery.

This book has become a new favorite of mine and I know you will fall in love with it as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves time travel, suspense, romance and steamy love scenes. You don't want to miss this book.

         

 Coffeetime Review 4 Cups

HARMONICA JOE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE
SARAH J. MCNEAL
ISBN# 9781461087731
April 15, 2011
Western Trail Blazer
Westerntrailblazer.yolasite.com/onlinestore.php
E-book
$3.99
184 pages
Western/Historical/Time Travel
Rating: 4 cups

Lola Barton does not scare easily. She has experienced the bad side of life and come through it just fine. Until she climbs the stairs to the attic of the house she inherited from her mean Aunt Callie and leaves her life in the present day behind.

Harmonica Joe Wilding resides in 1910 Hazard, Wyoming. He is a doctor of sorts who has won his bride in a card game. The Queen of Hearts not only got him his bride, she may have also brought him the love of his life.

Lola finds a trunk in her auntÂ’s attic and begins to rifle through the contents. She tries on the clothing found there, but the playing card takes her on a journey of a lifetimeÂ…straight into a weddingÂ…in 1910 Wyoming. Joe has played the card game of his life in order to rescue a woman who he believes is Callie, a cold-hearted woman who has stolen money from a man who is intent on seeing her pay for the crime. Only certain traits begin to make him see that this is not the Callie he knows. Instead, her niece has fallen through a rip in time and right into his heart.

Can you just imagine leaving your life behind and stepping into the shoes of someone who not only resembles you but is despised by most of the town? LolaÂ’s attitude towards Joe made me laugh out loud several times. She has a twenty-first century attitude in an early twentieth century world. I found her easy to relate to. The writing pulls the reader into the story and keeps them glued to their seats until the very end. And the love scenes are steamy and sensual. Ms. McNeal has certainly impressed me with this wonderful tale. Beware though, the publisherÂ’s site for this book does give the warning that this is for adults only.

Kimberly
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/harmonicajoesreluctantbridebysarahjmcneal.html

 

Good Reads Reviews 4 Star review by Kimberly Murray

 

 

This is the new cover for the re-release of my time travel 1927 historical

The Violin 

Revised edition just released

Blurb:

Genevieve has dreamed about him all her life, but it isn’t until she buys his violin and finds the remnants of his life and the mystery of his death in 1927 within its case, that she makes a decision that will change her life forever.  Is there a way to change the past and save the man who haunts her heart?

Excerpt: 

John stood beside the horse and watched her with his hand clasped gently, sensuously around her ankle. When her horse descended, John let his hand slide up to her knee. He gazed at her in that way he had earlier in the day when she met him on the road. His eyes became a darker green, filled with mystery and something that looked like longing. He bent his head and tenderly kissed her knee, just as he had in her dream. The electrifying feel of his full mouth on her sensitive flesh sent heat to her very core. She shook her head as the moment of déjà vu passed over her.

With his hand still resting on her knee, John lifted his head and kept his eyes fastened to hers as she ascended once again. As her horse began to lower her toward him once again, John reached up and clasped the back of her head to pull her toward him. She leaned forward and met his kiss with a racing heart. His kiss told her more than his words ever could that he was falling in love with her. Bittersweet knowledge—they had so little time left.

"This was my dream." She spoke in a low voice barely audible over the music.

"I know." He ran his hand back down her leg to her ankle and kissed her on the lips once again before he mounted his own wooden horse.

BUY LINKS

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/111092

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/The-Violin-ebook/dp/B006JE2RLG/

Also available in PRINT 

 

Manic Readers gave The Violin (revised edition) a 5 star review

Reviewer: Alberta
Review:

I love time travel romances, and I loved this one. Genevieve is a product of the foster child system, a repressed, self-conscious, shy, unloved and unlovable teacher with dreams of an unknown man that recur nightly.

When she sees an auction for an old violin, she feels compelled to buy it, behaving totally out of character for her staid self. Inside she finds information about the owner who drowned in 1927. She embarks on a journey to find out more about the man, his family and the violin. She manages to go back in time to 1927, meets and falls in love with John, the owner of the violin.

She is welcomed by family and friends but she knows she must try and save John’s life, before returning to her own time. Their love is doomed to separation by years or death or both.

The Violin is intricately written, and the difference in personality between Genevieve in the present day to Genevieve in 1927 is clearly defined and startling. The whole town seems to know something that she doesn’t, but when she finds out what that is, she can’t or won’t believe it could possibly be true. I loved the characters, both main and secondary, and the conflicts are satisfactorily resolved. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

 

 

REVIEWS FOR THE VIOLIN



I loved this story so much that I do not want to give anything away. The Violin by Sarah J. McNeal is a sweet and compelling romance. The plot felt very real to me. From the first page I was drawn into the story and I was as intrigued by the mystery of John as Genevieve was. The author does a wonderful job of describing the characters. I identified with GenevieveÂ’s fears and her loneliness. I found myself cheering her on. I highly recommend this novel.

Chrissie
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars THE VIOLIN by Sarah McNeal touched my heart, February 5, 2008

By 

  Kathleen P. Rowland 
   

Author Sarah McNeal writes a sweet romance of a man and woman across time. Tears welled in my eyes when John comforted Genevieve about her past. His family doesn't always approve of him, but they love him. I adored Genevieve, an appreciative and strong woman who has a positive impact on others. I highly recommend THE VIOLIN to my friends who would like to experience life true to the 1920s, a time gifted author McNeal knows well.

Genevieve Beaumont often dreams about a teasing rogue from the turn of the last century. A collector of antiques, she sees a well used violin in a shop. Stunned, she's certain the violin belonged to the man in her nocturnal adventures and goes through a time warp to find him.

Former foster child Genevieve longs for warm family ties and fills her apartment with furnishings from yesteryear. She is haunted by dreams about a man who plays the violin beguilingly. When she finds a violin with photos and his 1927 death certificate in an antique shop, she has enough information to research the life of John Douglas. Locating the abandoned Pennsylvania cottage where he once lived, she enters it. Overcome from the shock of its familiarity, she faints to the floor. When she awakens, she is doted upon by the enticing rogue and his entire family.

John's mother, Matilda, worries over Genevieve, the pretty young woman who somehow wandered into their home. Matilda convinces her to stay by asking for her help with making pies, a cake, and baked beans for the church picnic. As the Douglas family guest, Genevieve learns that John is considered a wild, bad boy and is sometimes with Ruby, a femme fatale. He also has a tender side. Genevieve falls in love. Does Ruby cause him so much anguish that he drowns himself in two feet of water? Can Genevieve save him? Will she have to leave this wonderful man and era?

 

 

Bitter Notes

 

 

BITTER NOTES

Not available at this time--under revision 

BLURB:

Left at the altar humiliated and broken, Ella has vowed never to open her heart again.

Nickoli has loved her for years, but she sees him as only a friend.

How can an abandoned piano heal a broken heart and make it sing again?

 

EXCERPT:

 

The music spilled from the heart of the baby grand and poured its sorrow on Ella until she didnÂ’t think she could bare the terrible loneliness of its mournful sound another moment.  Her eyes welled with tears. Her own deep, unrelenting sadness came to the surface and ate at her heart.  The piano stood in dignified repose like a stalwart soldier waiting for orders, but all the while knowing there will be no further orders, no further requests for its talents.  Ella felt the love of her life had done the same to her and she, like the piano, must press on with whatever dignity she had left.  How long would the piano suffer like this?  How long would she?  

            When Nickoli completed the song and the notes died under the falling snow, he returned to Ella and took her in his arms as if guessing how sad the piano made her feel.  He whispered close to her ear.  “She still has hope.  She still sings.”  

 

 

The Dark Isle

Jade cannot help falling in love with the whimsical Nimway prince whose magic lies in his voice. Prince Gabriel is being held prisoner by JadeÂ’s mother, Mahara, the malevolent queen of the Dark Isle. But time is running out. Jade risks her own life to seek help from her enemy, Prince Raphael. Prince Raphael and the king of Valmora gather a small band of brave warriors consisting of humans with special gifts to take the Dark Isle and free Prince Gabriel. Among the humans is Raven who once ruled Valmora and narrowly escaped the enchantment cast over him by Mahara, the witch queen. And he has a secret. A boy with a violin, his brother, a troubled man who shift shapes into a Hawk and their sister who never wanted to be there go against the deadly evil of the Dark Isle. Can they save the prince or will the light in their world go out for all time?

Status: In rewrites

 

Lake of Sorrows

Hawk is a troubled man with a secret. Emma is a burned out doctor weighed down by emotional baggage. Can they forget the past long enough to save Hawk's brother from dying under the curse of the Lake of Sorrows? Or will the secrets hidden the Lake of Sorrows swallow them all under its evil curse? Is it too late for redemption? Is there a chance for hope and love?

Is time running out for the boy under a curse, the brother who's determined to find a cure and the woman who wants to save them both?

Status: In rewrites

The Light of Valmora (under submission)

BLURB:

To free his father from the witch-queen of the Dark Isle, Falcon must find the legendary Light of Valmora that lies hidden in the darkest place on earth—right under the witchÂ’s feet.  To complicate things further, he is falling in love with Izabelle, the Gypsy woman who loves his brother, Peregrine.

 

Once rejected by Peregrine, Izabelle wants revenge.  But when she tries to use Falcon to initiate her plan, everything gets out of control along with her heart.

 

Could death be the price Falcon must pay to save his father, protect Izabelle and keep the Light of Valmora forever shining?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curse Of The Amber Tomb

 

 

Blurb:

A handsome photographer who is afraid of heights and a lady archeologist afraid to love must face their fears when they discover a terrible and deadly secret in an ancient tomb.

Presently under revision 

 

 

 

I Promise You

 

 

Blurb:

Gideon thought he had the perfect life as a musician with a beautiful model as his girlfriend, until he was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ashamed and afraid he may die, Gideon hits bottom when his girlfriend dumps him for a real man.

Hope comes in the form of his fatherÂ’s ghost and a person he has just met. Can he beat the odds and survive? And if he does, can he ever find happiness again?

Presently under revision