Sydney Logan’s Release Day Blitz - “The Little Drummer Boy”

It's release day for Sydney Logan's latest holiday short story, "The Little Drummer Boy!"

 

It’s Christmas Eve, and Justin Banks is on the hunt for a last-minute gift for his wife, Megan. With the help of a homeless man and the beat of a drum, Justin stumbles upon the one thing Megan has always wanted. The one thing money can’t buy. It's amazing what we can hear if we just take a moment and really listen.

Rum pum pum pum.

It’s faint, but it’s there. A quiet, rhythmic beat that blends into the night. How this old man heard the sound is beyond me. “You hear it, don’t you?”

With a nod, I look around, hoping to find the source of the sound. The man points toward the coffee shop’s covered alleyway.

“Back there,” he says.

The carolers begin their rendition of “O Holy Night,” and once again, I hear the “rum pum pum pum” coming from the darkness.

Intrigued, I step away from the old man and walk slowly toward the alley. Each step brings me closer to the beat, until finally, I see a little boy, nestled in the corner. His only light comes from a lantern, and a snare drum rests in his lap. The drum is scarred and the strap is frayed, but it’s obviously his most prized possession.

Probably his only possession.

Does he live here? In this filthy alley? And where are his parents?  

His clothes are dirty and ragged, and the faded blue jacket he wears is about three sizes too big.

“Shall I play for you?” he whispers.

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Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education and lives in East Tennessee. With the 2012 release of her novel, Lessons Learned, she made the transition from bookworm to author. Her second book, Mountain Charm, was released in 2013. She is also the author of three short stories. When she isn't writing, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

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Weekly Update - November 25, 2013

Reading

I'm a little late with my update today because I got sucked into a book over the weekend and couldn't put it down. It had me up until 3am last night, and then I did little else today until I finished it. Watch for that review coming soon.

Writing

Writing is going very well. My WIP, the third book in my Daniels Brothers Series, is now at over 72K. The end is in sight. Paul and Megan have truly won my heart, and I've had fun revisiting Gage and Rebecca. It's one of the great things about series…you get to follow up with old characters that you love.

Sneak Peek Sunday - The Little Drummer Boy by Sydney Logan

Today's Sunday Sneak Peek is from Sydney Logan. She's back with another holiday short story that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Be sure to enter her giveaway for an Amazon gift card and a handcrafted Christmas bracelet!  

Coming November 29 Exclusively on Amazon Kindle

It’s Christmas Eve, and Justin Banks is on the hunt for a last-minute gift for his wife, Megan. With the help of a homeless man and the beat of a drum, Justin stumbles upon the one thing Megan has always wanted. The one thing money can’t buy. It's amazing what we can hear if we just take a moment and really listen.

 

There’s something really beautiful about my wife, and it is a quality that a lot of people never have the chance to witness. There is a certain look in her eyes and a particular expression on her face that lets you know she's made a decision, and you’re an idiot if you even try to stand in her way. I have seen her work her magic on stubborn clients, deadbeat dads, and arrogant attorneys.  

This kid doesn't stand a chance.   

Megan drops to her knees in front of the little boy, right there on the dirty ground. “Luke, I just made some homemade chili. Do you like chili?”   

He nods quickly.   

“I also made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Justin loves them, and I always make a bunch extra. Do you like peanut butter and jelly?”   

Luke licks his lips, and my heart breaks.   

“Why don't you come home with us? You can help Justin eat his sandwiches, and later, we'll try to find your parents.”   

I can see the indecision on his little face. He doesn’t want to say no. That’s another incredible thing about my wife. Telling her no is virtually impossible.   

“My mom told me to stay here.”  

“But it's so cold, Luke,” Megan murmurs, her voice breaking with emotion.  

“I'll be okay.”

Megan lowers her head, and for just a second, I worry that even my amazing wife has met her match. But then I hear her quiet sniffles, and Luke's face falls when he realizes she’s crying.    He steps closer to her. “Why are you crying, Megan?”    She lifts her head and gazes into the little boy's eyes. “Because I'm going to worry about you tonight. I'm afraid you'll be hungry and cold.”   I hold my breath as he reaches for her, pressing his dirty little hand against her face. Megan doesn’t even flinch.    “I'll go home with you, Megan. Please don't cry.” Luke then looks up at me. “Can I bring my drum?”    “Of course you can.”    Megan sighs with relief and rises to her feet.  With a smile as bright as the stars, the little boy takes my wife's hand. She takes mine, and the three of us walk out of the cold alleyway.

      

Available November 29 

Exclusively on Amazon Kindle 

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Website

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Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education and lives in East Tennessee. With the 2012 release of her novel, Lessons Learned, she made the transition from bookworm to author. Her second book, Mountain Charm, was released in 2013. She is also the author of three short stories. When she isn't writing, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat. Visit her website at www.sydneylogan.com.

Sweet Saturday Sample - Slave (Finding Anna, Book 1)

Amazon | Audible | B&N | iBooks | TWCS

Brianna was quiet the entire ride home, and I wondered what she was thinking. I caught her clamping her lips together a few times, which told me she wasn't just passively watching buildings go by.

When we arrived back at the condo, I went upstairs and let her know she was free to do as she wished until it was time to make dinner. As I logged onto my e-mail, I could hear her moving around downstairs and wondered what she was doing with her time. My mind seemed to be on little else these days.

Never had one woman dominated my thoughts as she did.

Cover Reveal - The Northern Gate by J.C. Clarke

Today we have a cover reveal for J.C. Clarke's debut release:
 The Northern Gate 

This is book one of The Edelyn Legacy.

Title: The Northern Gate

Author: J.C. Clarke

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Release Date: December 06, 2013

Summary:
According to the Bible, God created the world in seven days, but what if the beginning happened before Humankind documented it for posterity?

Humans didn’t see everything clearly, because they didn’t understand. They turned away in fear, forgot the beings that had come to Earth and, over time, the Seraphim became nothing but a legend, a bedtime story. Corruption and greed, bred from hatred and evil, spread across the face of the earth as Humans evolved and developed. It was in this filth, and amongst the seven deadly sins, that Tabitha Morgan was born and kept alive, hidden in plain sight from the darkness.

For seventeen years, Tabitha thrived under her grandmother’s guardianship, living a normal life and not knowing the truth about her heritage or the roots from which she came.

That all changes the day a handsome stranger named Nathan walks into her life. Will the ancient secrets he holds be enough to earn her trust? Is it the Light, or does Darkness await them beyond The Northern Gate?

Add it to Goodreads HERE.

And now for the cover reveal . . . 

designed by: J.C. Clarke

About the Author:

J.C. Clarke lives in the heart of the New Forest in England with her husband and four children. Never a dull moment, her full house provides no shortage of inspiration which fuels her writing. She loves reading and writing a variety of genres in addition to dabbling with graphic art to create book covers, swag and more.

Author Blog I Legacy Blog 
Twitter I Facebook

Goodreads I Wattpad

Coming December 06, 2013 to Amazon

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If you are a blogger, and are interested in participating in The Northern Gate blog tour Dec 1-16th, 

please follow the link below to sign up: 

Blog Tour Sign Ups

Flash Fiction Friday - Novemeber 22, 2013

This week's picture prompt...

His golden colored eyes stared back at her, fixing her in place. She felt as if she were being held up by a string with someone else controlling her movements. Instinct told her to run, but she couldn’t. Something was stopping her. Was it him?

“Don’t be afraid.”

She swallowed, and was glad to see that, at least, was still within her power. “Wh-who are you?”

He smiled. “A friend.”

“If you’re such a friend, then why can’t I move my arms and legs?”

“My apologizes. I feared you may run from me, and I couldn’t let you do that.”

Weekly Update - Sherri Hayes

Hello everyone. It feels like it's been forever since I've posted an update here even though its only been two weeks. So much is going on right now, and I've barely been keeping my head above water. Let's get to some things you may actually want to know about though. ;)

Readers and Ritas

Last weekend I was in Allen Texas for Readers and Ritas hosted by Fresh Fiction. It's one of the smaller conferences I've attended, but that's not a bad thing. Smaller conferences allow more author and reader contact.

My favorite part of the weekend was the Sunday morning brunch that was hosted by my publisher, TWCS. Michael Schneider, Lorenz Font, Alexandra Allred, and I were on a panel talking about our writing and books. We also each had tables for the brunch where select readers who'd requested seats at our table got to eat and talk with us.

It’s Coming…

What's coming? My manuscript deadline for the third book in my Daniels Brothers Series.

I've been writing like a madwoman ever since I returned from Texas. Things are moving along, but it's going to be close. I've got about 30K more to write, I think. Of course that all depends on whether or not Megan and Paul are ready for their story to end around 80,000 words. Gage and Rebecca didn't cooperate, so I'm not holding my breath. Megan is a feisty one. I told my beta once that she reminds me of a female version of Gage. She embraces her sexuality, and goes after what she wants...which in this case is Paul. :)

I’m Home.

Yep, I'm home for the rest of the year. While I enjoy traveling and meeting readers, I have to say that it feels good not to have anything scheduled for the rest of the year.

That being said, I'm already looking at events for next year, and I'm looking for feedback. Have you been to an amazing author and reader event recently that you'd like to see me attend? Tell me about it in the comments and link me to the event site. Who knows, it may make it on my list for next year.