Looking Forward

I look forward to being older, when what you look like becomes less and less an issue and what you are is the point ~ Susan Sarandon

What are you? Who are you? Does your dream journey take advantage of who you are and what you want to become?

I certainly hope so, otherwise it might not be so fun. I've always had a sense of purpose with job/career. The older I get the more important doing what feels like important work becomes more and more important. That's why I like supporting my physicians during the day at my office job.

That's also why I like writing.  As an LGBT writer, my goal has never been to create an allegorical story or political statement with my novels. I started out writing what I wanted to read:  historical fiction with strong LGBT characters.  With our current political climate and the issue of marriage equality, it's difficult to deny that there are some thematic elements that support equal rights.  I read in the mid-1990s that just being an out gay man at the time was a political statement.  I think it's hard not to be an LGBT writer right now and avoid any thematic messages about marriage equality or other civil rights issues.

As a writer, I try to create stories that are interesting to different types of people.  If just one person who doesn't understand the fight for LGBT equal rights is persuaded by my novel to be open to those discussions, then I have done my job.

What do you look forward to?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Outgoing Guts

Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it and the imagination to improvise ~ Sylvia Plath

Here is another quote where love to substitute words like "writer" with any other word that you would like to make this applicable to you. We could just substitute "doable" with today's quote and it applies to a wide group of people.

Everything is doable if you have the guts to do it and the imagination to improvise. No matter what your dream goal is, you just have the guts to do it. You have to be able to improvise when you don't know what to do and either trudge ahead or figure out how to reach out for help to figure out what your barriers might be.

What have you had the outgoing guts to do lately?

______________________________________________________________

Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from iTunes on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Music

Without music life is a journey through a desert ~ Pat Conroy

Do you listen to music while working on your dream journey? If your dream goal is something like writing, you can. I usually watch tv while I write, but I love to think about songs that help me identify the thoughts and feelings that I want my writing to evoke.

I also like to listen to music during the day. Even when the office gets loud, I have to my music on when it quiets down to concentrate and pass the time.

What type of music do you listen to when working on your dream journey?

______________________________________________________________

Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Kobo today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Mistakes

All the mistakes I ever made were when I wanted to say "no" and said "yes" ~ Moss Hart

For about a year and a half, I've been very disciplined with my exercise and writing routines in the morning. This has included setting boundaries when I didn't have to be to work until 1 pm and not writing all morning long.

I've changed schedules lately and maintaining the routines and boundaries has been important. I have to get myself up earlier now to get the writing done. If I don't get the writing done in the morning, I am way too tired to write fiction at night.

I also have to set boundaries with the amount of television I watch at night. What has been working for me is about an hour and a half of social media/marketing/etc and then two hours of television. Sometimes this has been something showing, most of the time it is DVR'd programming.

What boundaries have you set for yourself lately?

______________________________________________________________

Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Smashwords today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Learning How to Operate

Learning how to operate a soul figures to take time ~ Timothy Leary

Learning how to do anything takes time. I have been actively pursuing writing projects for five years now. It wasn't until last year that I figured out how discipline myself to get my writing done in the morning when I'm absolute freshest and most creative.

In the last couple of months, I've started going into work earlier, so that means getting up and getting things done earlier. In the past, that has been difficult to do. But now that I know what it feels like to sell a manuscript, I know that to get to work earlier I have to get up earlier to keep things moving.

It takes time to learn how it all works, no matter what your dream journey. Working in the afternoons through the evenings for so long helped me develop the discipline I need. Now that discipline and learning is about getting up earlier. In the end, seeing my goal of published manuscripts outweighs the sleepiness and gets me out of bed now.

Have you made any changes to your routines or boundaries lately?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from OmniLit today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Author of the Week with Kerry Frith

Special thanks to Kerry Frith hosting me again as her Author of the Week this week! Check out her page:

http://kerryschitterchatter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/cover-reveal.html

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Ednah-Palooza

I am hosting Ednah Walters on my reading blog today!  Check it out:

http://bookreviewsrantsraves.blogspot.com/2013/10/ednah-palooza.html

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Hanging out with Elin Gregory Today!

I am so happy to be hanging out with Elin Gregory today.  Check out her web site here:

http://elingregory.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/cover-reveal-disappear-with-me-by-l-dean-pace-freche/

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

UK Gay Romance

I am really excited to be on the UK Gay Romance web site today!  This is a new site to spotlight LGBT writers from the UK or stories set in the UK.  Thanks for having me today!

http://ukgayromance.co.uk/2013/10/15/cover-art-reveal-l-dean-pace-frech/

______________________________________________________________

Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Authors to Watch

I am hanging out on the Authors To Watch web site today and revealing the Disappear With Me Cover.

http://www.authorstowatch.com/2013/10/cover-reveal-disappear-with-me.html

Check them out!

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from All Romance today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Hanging Out With Mama Kitty Today

I am hanging out with Mama Kitty who graciously offered to host a reveal of Disappear With Me. Check out my post on her blog and her other great reviews!

http://mamakittyreviews.com/?p=6254

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Barnes and Noble today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Isn't It Beautiful?!?

Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Normal convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?

I am so excited to reveal my new cover for Disappear With Me, isn't it just beautiful?  My second novel will be released on Friday, December 6, 2013 by Musa Publishing.  I wrote Disappear With Me last year from March to August. Although I didn't set out to write an allegory about the struggle for marriage equality or other civil rights, the 2012 Election season propelled the story forward.

Here's a bit more about Disappear With Me:

In 1910, the United Kingdom was in turmoil. King Edward died after only nine years on the throne. The social class system that upheld British society for centuries was being chipped away by social, political, and economic unrest across the Commonwealth. Amidst this backdrop, Reverend Leander Normal is accused of sodomy. After discovering his own self-worth and unconditional love, Leander finds the courage to stand up for what he believes is right and pleads not guilty to the charges. Throughout the trial, Leander’s past is revealed, including the temptations that bring the accusations against him. By the end of the trail, Leander is once again reunited with a romantic interest from the past, but it may be too late to rekindle any love that might remain, given the circumstances of the era and Leander’s likely sentence.

Excerpt:

"Are you not a scholar? Do you not know the Bible that you preach from each Sunday?" Weeks asked.

"I know it very well. But the Bible has many interpretations. I think you can guess that mine might be a little less than conventional," Leander said.

Weeks reclined back in his chair. He made a steeple with his fingers and rested them on his pursed lips.

"You're actually sitting here telling me that, as a man of God, you're all right with buggery and feel you've done nothing wrong?"

"Mr. Weeks, do you realize you keep asking me the same question over again, just using different words?"

"As your counsel, I need to be sure that I understand your position, the one you expect me to defend."

"You sound shocked that I would suggest such a thing. I can't have you defending me if you don't believe it yourself."

"Reverend, my beliefs about the situation are arbitrary. It doesn't matter what I believe. I just need to be able to defend your position in court and hope our defense can refute what the prosecution will present."

"Just like I have to have conviction in my sermons each Sunday morning, I think you also know you need to have a conviction when defending your clients."

"And I can assure you that I have that same conviction to make sure that you receive a fair trial. I will do my best—"

"Do your best to what? Got through the motions so to speak and make sure that the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed so it looks like I've been given a good defense?"

Weeks didn't answer and that was all the answer that Leander needed. After a moment, Weeks tried to start again. "Look, Revered, I am your assigned counsel for this trial. I am on your side. I want to see you get a fair trial, but you must understand what we're up against is quite overwhelming."

"I know, I've never done anything the simple way."

"Sir, you must understand that we are going up against laws that are rooted in two thousand years of Christian tradition and about as many years of British attitude."

"Mr. Weeks, do you love your wife?"

Weeks let out an impatient sigh, "Of course, but here you go asking intimate questions about me that have no bearing on my defending your case."

"Just humor me, sir. You love your wife, right?"

"Yes, I very much love my wife and family."

"What if you woke up tomorrow and a constable showed up on your doorstep and arrested you because they said the love you share with your wife was illegal?"

He didn't answer Leander. Instead he said in a quiet voice, "You know you and I are just two people. We're not going to change these laws overnight."

Saying No

It comes from saying no to the 1000 things to make sure we don't get on the wrong track or try to do too much ~ Steve Jobs

There is so much to be involved in these days. Community organizations, religious organizations, professional organizations... you name it and there's a larger community to be a part.

Sometimes this community is a good thing. I blog about finding friends on your same dream journey with which to collaborate and grow along the way.

But sometimes you have say 'no' to things to grow professionally or on your dream journey. Sometimes the 'no' is temporary to get through some a busy time. Sometimes 'no' is permanent.

I recently changed my schedule at work so I go in earlier and get off earlier. We actually have time to eat an evening meal together and then evening TV. But I've set a boundary for myself and limiting myself to only two hours of television per night. (Sometimes, I don't even get the two hours in because I'm so tired, LOL!)

So don't be afraid 'no' if it means the balanced time to reach your goals.

What was the last thing you said 'no' to?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Amazon today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Italian Sausage and Bean Soup

Join me on my recipe blog for a great soup recipe today!


http://pacefrechkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/10/italian-sausage-and-bean-soup.html

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Musa Publishing today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Nightmares

I have dreams and I've had nightmares. I overcame my nightmares because of my dreams ~ Jonas Salk

What nightmares do you have think about? For me, it seems to be about not being happy at work in life.  So how do I overcome that? With my further dreams of a success!

Sometimes these dire thoughts fuel me to keep working, especially when I'm struggling. It also helps to fuel my daily routines because I don't want those dire thoughts to come true. I turn the dire thoughts around into positive actions to prevent them from coming true.

How do you handle negative self talk along your dream journey?

______________________________________________________________

Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from iTunes on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

It is Within

Everyone who wills can hear the inner voice. It is within everyone ~ Mahatma Gandhi

It has been a month of new routines. I changed my schedule at work so I go in earlier. All this really means is that in the mornings, I have to stay focused on getting my workout and writing done so that I'm done and ready for work on time.

But it also means I have new evening routines. My partner and I can have dinner four nights a week and that is wonderful. Then I have about one hour to get my marketing and social networking done (sometimes blog writing). I am working to limit my TV watching to just two hours per night. So far it is working.

So what does that have to do with the inner voice? My inner voice is telling me that this is the correct path for me to be on right now and to stick to my path. I need to get my writing done and out of the way in the morning because that is when I am most fresh. I need keep focused in the morning to get the writing do so I can work on less brain heavy activities at night.

What is your inner voice telling you lately?

______________________________________________________________

Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Kobo today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!

Perseverance is falling nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth ~ Julie Andrews

I think nearly everyone had doubted themselves along their dream journey. Nearly everyone I talked to has shared an example of a time when they wanted to give up. After just one more try, they shared with me a turnaround in their journey that led to a realization of their goals.

For me, sometimes perseverance has mean to attack the goal from another path. Sometimes when I'm writing, I struggle with a section. In the past, I have jumped to a different section of the story and worked on that and then was inspired to bridge the two sections. My noting and brainstorming process has helped me with that as well.

One of the best methods for me to persevere is remembering my successes in the past. I've published one novel and the second will be released in December. Remembering that keeps me going and helps me work through my third manuscript.

What helps you persevere on a day to day basis?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?

When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

Purchase A Place to Call Their Own from Smashwords today!

Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.

Join the conversation:  use #APTCTO to talk about the novel on social media!