Wednesday Wonders: GOLD NUGGETS

Denali, formerly Mt. McKinley

This week's Wednesday Wonders features Lynn Lovegreen's New Adult novel set in 1916 Alaska, Gold Nuggets.

About the Novel: 

In the shadow of Denali, she has a home, and he finds adventure. 

Charlotte Cooper wants to stay near her parents' home in Alaska. But her dreams of being a writer call her away to college or work, and she has to choose her own path in life. 

Henry Reeves is a wealthy New Yorker seeking a summer adventure when he travels to Kantishna near the proposed Mt. McKinley National Park. He discovers two passions, one for Charlotte, and the other for keeping Alaska wildlife from being wiped out like the buffalo. 

Charlotte and Henry find an attraction they can’t deny, but can they build a new life together between the wilderness and high society?

 
Book Excerpt: 

     Henry swatted at the mosquitoes again. Charlotte was glad she had a net over her hat. She heard the louder buzz of a bee as she looked for the next bend in the river.

     “Oww!”

     Stinky wiped the white stubble around his mouth like he was trying not to laugh. “Bees doan like it when you swat ’em.”

     Henry inspected his right wrist. “I think I’m allergic to bees.”

     “You think you’re allergic?” She hoped he wasn’t.

     “Last time I had a bee sting, it got all swollen.”

     If that was all, that wouldn’t be too bad. “Well, we’ll see if it happens again.”

     “And I had a little trouble breathing. Not very much.”

     She took another breath.

     “The last time, I was hunting, too. My father and I were deer hunting in the Adirondacks. We spend a lot of time hunting and fishing. I practically grew up outdoors.”

     That was probably true by New York standards, but he still seemed like a cheechako to her. A greenhorn.

      He scratched at his wrist.

     “Don’t scratch it. That’ll make it worse,” she said. It was already pink.

     They passed by a creek tumbling down the hills to the east and turned another bend in the river. When she looked at Henry’s wrist again, there was a pink lump. Henry scratched it again as he looked up at an eagle circling overhead.

     “Is that an eagle?”

     “Yes, a golden eagle. Stop scratching at it. Here, put this over it.” She untied the bandanna from around her neck and tied it over the sting. As she touched his skin, she felt an electric thrill that she hadn’t expected.

     “Thank you, Sharon.”

     “Charlotte. My name is Charlotte.”

     His face was red again when she looked up. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I keep putting my foot in my mouth. Thank you again, Charlotte.”

     He couldn’t even get her name right. Maybe he was just bad at names. Some people were. But she hadn’t felt anything like the sensation when she’d touched his hand. Was it because he was so attractive? Or just part of his vibrant energy?

     “You’re welcome.” She was starting to get concerned about his bee sting. It was swelling quite a bit. At least his breathing seemed all right. He was irritating, but she didn’t want him to get sick.

     One more turn to the right, and then they were home. They navigated the last stretch and brought the boat in to the loading dock. Charlotte glanced at the bandanna on Henry’s wrist as Daddy and Stinky unloaded the supplies.

     “I think we’d better show your bee sting to Mama. She can put something on it for you.” She grabbed his left hand and pulled him toward the house, ignoring the vibration that went through her at touching him.

     “Thank you, that’s very kind.”

About the Lynn Lovegreen:

Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. She taught English for 20 years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, and hitting targets with a cowboy action shooting club. Her young adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest. Her novels Fools Gold, Quicksilver to Gold, Golden Days, Gold Nuggets, and novella Worth Her Weight in Gold are available through Prism Book Group or your favorite book vendor.

Purchase Links:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Prism 

Author Links"

Website  |  Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon Author Page

Bonus Excerpt from GOLD NUGGETS:
Henry was pleased that his horse, a mare named Mabel, responded quickly to slight pulls on the reins or nudges from his knees. She was a good companion and a pleasure to ride. 

“Good horse here, thank you. This looks like a well-traveled trail. Are there a lot of people who utilize it?”

“Nope, mostly bears use it. Keep your eyes peeled.”

Wednesday Wonders: THE CAREGIVER'S JOURNEY

 Today's Wednesday Wonders features Todd F. Cope, RN, and his book, 

The Caregiver’s Journey: Compassionate and Informed Care For A Loved One.

About the book

Are you a caregiver for an aging loved one? If not, you probably know someone who is. It is estimated that more the 65 million Americans find themselves as caregivers who spend, on average, 20 hours a week providing care. This is in addition to personal and professional responsibilities. Most caregivers end up facing these new experiences with little preparation. Though most caregivers desire some kind of guidance, their time constraints make it difficult to obtain.

The Caregiver’s Journey: Compassionate and Informed Care For A Loved One is the source of that much needed guidance. It provides help and offers hope to inexperienced and/or overwhelmed caregivers in a compact, yet inclusive format. Many of the basic aspects of caregiving come naturally, but there are always unexpected facets of care as well as challenges that new caregivers will face. By identifying these issues and offering practical ways of dealing with them, The Caregiver’s Journey prepares caregivers for what to expect as well as offering explanations for things they may have already experienced.

No other book addresses the joys and challenges of caregiving in such a concise, yet fittingly detailed manner. Even with the broad range of topics covered, The Caregiver’s Journey can be read by even the most frazzled caregiver in about an hour and a half. Whether just getting started, or well into the caregiving journey, this book will change lives.

Q & A

Q: What prompted you to write the book?

A: I spent twelve years as Director of Nursing at a large assisted living facility and the most common question from family members of our residents was, “Where can get more information about how to do this?” I realized that most books on the subject were too long and too detailed, so I compiled all of the advice I’d been giving for many years into an information packed, concise resource for caregivers.

Q: Were any human interest stories involved in your research?

A: All of my research involved more than 25 years of personal experience. I honestly feel that everything I learned and continue to learn, is the result of one great human interest story. That’s the nature of caring for the elderly.

Q: How has writing this book touched you?

A: Putting my years of experience into words helped me to realize what a joy it is to be a caregiver. After so long, things tend to become routine, but reflecting on my experiences as I wrote, reminded me what it’s really all about.

Q: What is the book’s intended audience?

A: Simply put, the book is for anyone with aging parents or loved ones. Every one of us, if we are not already caregivers, is likely to become one at some point in our lives.

Q: What are your future plans for writing?

A: I have to be honest and say, I’m not sure. Though this is my 5^th book, it is my first non-fiction. I never intended to write anything but fiction, so that is what my list of ideas focuses on. But now, who knows?

About the Author

Todd F. Cope grew up in a family of thirteen children. As the youngest, he quickly learned that service was the best way to get along with others. After graduating from high school, Todd traveled to Western Australia to work as a missionary. It was there that he met a missionary from New Zealand who would later become his wife.

Todd and Denise were married in New Zealand, where they lived for two years before returning to the United States so he could continue his education. Together they raised four children and are now experiencing the joys of being grandparents.

 It was his desire to help others that led Todd to pursue a career in nursing. As a Registered Nurse for more than 25 years, he has had the opportunity of working in a variety of settings, but the majority of his career has involved caring for the elderly. In his spare time, Todd enjoys running, gardening and spending time with his family.

Todd's love for writing dates back to the fourth grade when he won a poetry writing contest. He continued to be honored for his essays, poetry and prose throughout his school career. Todd has published many articles on a variety of subjects in several forums including the Ensign and New Era magazines. Prior to writing The Caregiver’s Journey, he authored four published novels, most notably The Shift, a self-published work that inspired the CBS Television movie The Last Dance, starring Maureen O'Hara.

 Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  

Purchase Links:

Amazon Kindle  |  Barnes & Noble  |  books & things  |  Amazon