A Stellar Review

by Marsha Ward

Trail of Storms got another review that made me jump for joy. In fact, the reviewer, Jennie Hansen, who writes for Meridian Magazine, included her thoughts on the first two books in the Owen family series, as well.

Hansen begins by saying, "Trail of Storms by Marsha Ward is the third book in a western series featuring the Owen family that takes place during those first years following the conclusion of the US Civil War."

In between, she says some very lovely things, then ends thusly: "Historical and Western fans of either gender will enjoy this series from the compelling covers to the last word of this third volume. It's a series I'm glad I had the opportunity to read."

My reaction?

I'm So Happy!!!

By Tamra Norton

See this picture? This is how I feel. "Why?" I hear you ask. Well, because for the last several months I've been working my tail off on a certain project. Basically the entire month of July I did nothing but write, and (aside from a quick trip to Utah) the entire month of August I did nothing but edit. It was crazy and hectic, and wonderful. I'm not sure I've ever been as deeply absorbed in a project as I have been in this one. But it's done! And best of all, the entire manuscript is in the hands of "The Publisher-Of-My-Dreams."

After nine long months of evaluation over the first three chapters of this project (including one requested re-write), I finally received a letter from "TPOMD" in mid August asking for the entire manuscript--music to my ears (and hysterical shouts for joy from my big mouth to my family's ears). I was still in the midst of editing however, so I dug in deeper. But on August 31st, I said a quick prayer and pushed the "send" button. My manuscript was on it's way through cyberspace to "TPOMD." This morning I received an e-mail stating that my manuscript (this time the whole pie) is in the review process.

...and the angels and Tami rejoiced!

Now maybe you're thinking I'm being too happy, too soon. Too optimistic. "Aren't you worried you're getting your hopes up?" I hear you say. Well, honestly, I'm just so in love with my little story right now, and believe in it so much that I don't think anything could change that. And I'm the type of person who has to look forward 100% with the belief that THIS STORY WILL SUCCEED! It WILL make it into book form! It WILL make it into the hands of children...and they will love it too. Sure, there's still room for improvement--there always is. But I'm looking forward. And the view from where I'm jumping-for-joy (because I'm too excited to sit) is incredible!

Stay tuned...

Oh yeah--click here to read the review and interview I did with Lu Ann Staheli for MAKE ME A HOME!

Can we just skip all the commericialism this Christmas?

I spent one week on the island of Upolu, but it's affected me for the rest of my life. After seeing the people there living in tiny huts with huge smiles on their faces, I'm struggling with the image of those closer to home.

People push and shove through the stores to buy everything on their lists with scowls or worrisome frowns only to pile their "frivolous" gifts into the back of their new SUVs and drive back to their big homes full of "useless" clutter.

Okay, negative? Maybe. I just know that more than anything, I want to capture the feelings we had while sitting in a fale listening to island Christmas music. The people there knew there would be no gifts this year as there are no gifts any year, but they are happy. They smile, they love one another and they serve one another. They don't fight over items on the day after Thanksgiving sales.

The Samoans are called the happy people, and they are. They're happy to be alive. They're happy they have the ability to dance and sing. They're happy the island produces everything they need in life.

How would it be to teach our children through that example that true happiness is not found in the new XBox or shoes or dolls? We've shown our children pictures and told them about the people there, but we want to take them so they can experience it for themselves. I look forward to the day when we can spend the Christmas holiday with our new "family" in Samoa, having Christmas the Samoans do.

Until then, I will avoid the stores and ignore the advertisers' calls to buy everything possible to clutter your home and stifle the imagination of our children.