Forsaken Dreams - Pre-release Party, Week 2!

Welcome to week 2 of my pre-release party for Forsaken Dreams, which will be out in stores on March 1st! In celebration of this grand event, EVERY Friday in February, I'll be posting something about the book and giving away a FREE copy!!

The winner of last week's drawing is KARA!!  Congratulations, Kara. I'll be sending a signed copy of Forsaken Dreams to you ASAP.  And many thanks to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed your comments. But don't despair, you have another chance to win this week! 

So, share this post, tweet it, post it on facebook and join the party! Without further ado, here's a peek at the cover and a teaser about the story.

They Left Everything Behind to Build a New Southern Utopia

Colonel Blake Wallace has seen enough death to last a lifetime. Weary and disillusioned, he slumps beneath the weight of defeat and loss. With his entire family murdered by the North and his name appearing on a list of officers wanted for war crimes, Blake organizes a shipload of southerners who, like him, long to escape the horrors of war and start a new life in a verdant land called Brazil.

Eliza Crawford can barely remember the days of her youth spent in opulence and comfort at her Georgian home. She can't help but wonder how different her life would be had she not met her late husband, Stanton Watts, a general in the Northern army. Now a war widow, Eliza is rejected by both North and South. Desperate to keep her marriage a secret and escape her past and pain, she longs to start over again in Brazil.

But once the voyage begins, troubles abound. Dangers at sea  and enemies from within threaten to keep Blake and Eliza from the new life—and love—they long for.

Order from Amazon,  Order from CBD.com, Order from BarnesAndNoble

Last week, we learned about the heroine in the story, Eliza Crawford. This week, we will learn about the hero,  

Colonel Blake Wallace

Brief Description: Blake Wallace is a true warrior. Standing at just over six feet tall with jet black hair, stormy gray eyes and  a muscular build honed by war, Blake’s commanding presence offers no doubt as to his profession. A profession he used to love until the war. Now, Blake has seen enough death to last a lifetime. Weary and disillusioned, he slumps beneath a weight of defeat and loss. Son of a wealthy Atlanta merchant, Blake attended WestPoint before the war and worked his way up through the American Army to become a colonel. A career officer, he loved the structure and discipline of the military, and he was proud of his role in the defense of his great nation. So, when the Southern states seceded from the union and declared their independence, Blake didn’t hesitate to lead the charge to protect his homeland from the North. But as the war dragged on and Blake realized that men lived and died based on his decisions, his zeal began to fade. He lost several close friends in his regimen, but it wasn’t until his younger brother was killed that Blake began to loathe the North. As soon as the war ended, he hastened home to his mother, father and sisters, only to find they’d all been murdered during the burning of Atlanta.  Now, angry at God and man, and with nothing to keep him home and with the North inflicting chains of punishment around the South, Blake decides to organize a shipload of southerners who, like him, long to escape the horrors of war and start a new south in a succulent land called Brazil.

Strengths: Courageous, Honorable, Chivalrous, Leader, Resolute, Idealistic, Structured

Weaknesses: Demanding, Merciless, Bitter, Unforgiving, Austere

Quirks: Blake walks with a limp due to a war injury to his right leg. He suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and is prone to blackouts, nightmares, and visions.  Three deep lines furrow on his brow when he’s angry or frustrated.

Inspiration:  I love the character of the Warrior/King! This is a man who is physically and mentally prepared to protect and defend his nation, his family, and his lady love.  He’s the character we see in our favorite movies like The Gladiator, The Patriot, Rob Roy, and Robin Hood. The fearless adventurer who places honor, loyalty, and doing one’s duty for God and King above anything else. Yet along with those great qualities comes a harsher side—a man who holds others up to the same standard to which he holds himself. Mercy and grace do not factor into his way of thinking. Mistakes never go unpunished. Especially not when he’s the one who made them. Consequently, when Blake fails to save his brother and his entire family in the war, he takes all the guilt and the anger upon himself. That is, until he finds a scapegoat for his hatred, a secret Yankee on board the ship!

What are your thoughts on Blake? Are you the type who expects as much of others as you do of yourself? Do you feel guilt when you mess up? Is it hard for you to get over your own weaknesses and faults?  I know I possess some of these qualities. Though I don't consider myself courageous or a warrior, I hold high expectations of myself and therefore of others and I can be critical and unforgiving at times. How about you?

To enter the contest, please leave a comment with your thoughts (And with your Email, please! so I can contact you if you win) 

BONUS ALERT. A wonderful friend of mine is also offering the following in conjunction with my giveaway this week:   Ocean Blue Gift Giveaway includes: A lovely hand-made Victorian doll in a blue gown with lace shawl, a blue silk fan, an 11" X 15" basket of violets print suitable for framing (Feb. flower of the month), Godiva chocolate--and a copy of MaryLu's book Forsaken Dreams. 
If you're interested, head on over to her blog and leave a comment there too!  http://amhisbooks.blogspot.com/ 

 I'll announce a winner from this blog next Friday when I'll reveal some of the history behind the story and the cool video trailer!!