Speaking of Writers.....

Yesterday I posted about an event celebrating the life and writing of Kate Chopin. Today I'd like to welcome and introduce another writer....my friend, T.K. Richardson, author of Shield the Heart. I'm happy and honored to be one of the stops on this special blog tour.

T.K. ......Take it away!

Hi Becky, thanks for hosting this stop on the blog tour for Shield the Heart!

The theme for this blog tour is a little different and I hope all of you will enjoy it. It’s titled ‘A Russian Tour’ because each day during the blog tour we’ll explore the Russian cities and historical sites that are the backdrop for my new YA novel Shield the Heart.

Sometimes the setting of a novel is so interesting and unique that it deserves a closer look, and that’s why I thought this blog tour would be so much fun. ‘A Russian Tour’ will give my readers a chance to get a better view of where everything in Shield the Heart takes place.

After all, these are the places that have inspired me, and I hope they inspire all of you, too.

Today on our itinerary we’re visiting Moskovsky Train Station!

To follow along each day and visit some of the places found in Shield the Heart, be sure to follow the blog tour.

Okay, onto our destination! 

Московский вокзал

Sometimes the thought of traveling by train brings to mind unique and beautiful images. But traveling by rail can also present the opportunity for danger and mystery, as well. In Shield the Heart it added a bit of mystery, intrigue, and a healthy dose of danger. Because, after all, some of the best scenes seem to happen on a train, and that’s how I viewed Moskovsky Train Station in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Although there isn’t a ton of description about this railway station in Shield the Heart, there is enough to see what the main character, Lilly, sees and give the reader a view they may never witness in real life. Busy and packed with people, Moskovsky Train Station was the perfect setting, and provided me a great opportunity to learn more about it.

[note: all images are fromgoogle images]

A little history:

“While serving as the terminus of many different lines, it is most recognized as the rail terminal for trains running to and from its twin station (Leningradsky Station) in Moscow.

 Also called: Moscow Rail Terminal, Moskovsky Railway Station, Московский вокзал, Moskovsky Vokzal, Moscow Station. Moskovsky Railway Station is the "main" line terminal station in Saint Petersburg and as such, sometimes appears in Russian as Главный вокзал (Main Station). Constructed in 1851, Moskovsky Station is the oldest preserved railway station in Saint Petersburg.” (russia-ukraine-travel.com)

As you can see this railway station is beautiful and unique, but you may be wondering how it fits into a young adult novel that centers around a girl with a special gift, an old Russian prophecy, and one life changing choice…

Well, I hope you’ll read the story to find out!

Character quote~

It wasn’t until the train left the station that I put the paper down and stared out the window. They couldn’t stop me, now. ~ Lilly Paige, Shield the Heart

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini tour of Moskovsky Train Station. Be sure to follow us to our next destination. Tomorrow on the blog tour we’ll visit Freedom Square in Georgia!  http://eveningfades.blogspot.com/p/shield-heart-blog-tour.html

Becky, thanks again for hosting me on the blog tour. I hope you and your blog followers enjoy my new release!

One Gift, One Prophecy, One Choice

Shield the Heart

 (Note: This book is part of a series. Book #1 Return the Heart. Book #2 Shield the Heart.)

What if the battle was in your heart?

Lilly’s gift of reading the heart seemed like a curse, but when she discovered her gift was linked to an old, Russian prophecy it changed everything. What she never questioned, though, was her own heart.

When the prophecy pulls Lilly back to Russia and demands to be fulfilled she is torn between love and loyalty. She must make the most difficult decision of her life and choose between the two. But Lilly’s decision is farther reaching than even she is willing to acknowledge. It stretches from East to West - from the past to the future.

Lilly discovers there’s more to the old prophecy than she realized and enemy forces are bent on stopping it from unfolding.

One thing is certain - there will be casualties. And sparing those closest to her may be impossible. While Seth attempts to shield Lilly from the truth, Nikolai reveals secrets that could change everything.

As Lilly falls into the arms of Russia she must decide: will love or loyalty reign? And can she live with the consequences? Two sides compete for Lilly’s heart and she must find the answers she needs before her enemies find her.

Shield the Heart, by T.K. Richardson, is the riveting second book in the series and takes Lilly deeper into Russia’s mysterious past… and her future.

Available in paperback and ebook 
 (Link to Amazon)

 For a chance to win a Kindle Fire and a signed copy of Shield the Heart, check out my contest!

About the author~

T.K. Richardson is the author of YA books Return the Heart, Shield the Heart, Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate, and Love, Me: Anthology of Short Stories. She is the founder of Partners In Print.org, a program that donates books to children in the foster care system. She also hosts  Compass eBooks and runs The Writers Resource Directory, a great site for writers filled with publishing and writing links, tips and advice. Her next books are due out later this year.  Find out more at http://tkrichardson.com


*One last note: Welcome to my newest follower, Mona I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!*

St. Louis Honors Writer

What do Tennessee Williams, T.S. Eliot, and Kate Chopin all have in common? They are three of the area's most noteworthy authors. There are already bronze busts of the two men, and Kate will join them at what is known as Writers' Corner, an homage to the icons of American literature with roots in the *Central West End (CWE) *in St. Louis

(Google image: wsu.edu) 

When: Sunday, March 11, 2012 2:00 pm
Where: Writer's Corner
Northeast corner Euclid and McPherson Avenues
Admission: FREE

Chopin's likeness will grace the northwest corner of the intersection. The Central West End Association, the organization behind the unique Writers' Corner, is planning a public dedication of the bust on Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m.

For Susie Chopin of University City, great-granddaughter of Kate Chopin, the idea of a bust celebrating her ancestor is humbling.

"It's quite an honor to have this in her old neighborhood," said Chopin.

(A few sentences above are borrowed from article on website. Click on both links to learn more about the life of Kate Chopin, and the CWE Association)


How exciting it is to have such talented writers begin and/or live their lives here in St. Louis!

"And moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul…the brave soul. The soul that dares and defies." – Kate Chopin

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

I took a break this past week from everything that was stressing me out and it truly did me a world of good. I even stayed away from my laptop most of the time, so I wouldn't be tempted to start my sometimes-addictive-blog-hopping. When I took a good look at myself and my life, I finally saw what was mentally paralyzing me, and I said, "No more!"

I'm not going to quit blogging, but I'll be sticking to a strict schedule, as with a few other things. Okay, enough of that..... It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just keep having those Cosmic Connections, those Twilight Zoney Moments.....
On February 18, I posted a poem I'd written which mentioned prop planes
On February 19, I wrote about prop planes again, and my dad, and Parks College.
I haven't been consciously thinking about that lately, but yesterday in one of those round-about ways, I somehow landed (Ha! Get it?!) on Ebay and in an aeronautical memorabilia section. I bought what I think is an amazing item, for an amazingly low price! I tried posting a couple of pictures of it, copyed from the Seller's page, but they didn't work. You'll just have to wait until I receive it to see photos. (And no, it's nothing with my dad's name on it, etc. Wouldn't THAT be awesome?!)

So, until then.....I leave you with two airplane photos I found on Google.

Well, would you look at that?? It's my Nostalgic family.....in an airplane!

I wonder if they were looking at the Flying Nun, too!?

~~~~~~~~

Have a fabulous, blissful week! I intend to!

Welcome to my newest followers, Rae and Shirley. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you! 

"Never stop being a kid. Never stop feeling and seeing and being excited with great things like air and engines and sounds of sunlight within you." — Richard Bach author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull

MY FRIEND WON THE ERMA BOMBECK CONTEST!

Although I'm actually still on my blog-a-vacation, I just had to post something short, but very important and exciting!!

One of my friends, who is also a Blogger, Writer, and Critique friend.....Donna, OF DONNA'S BOOK PUB...WON.........

1st PLACE IN THE ERMA BOMBECK CONTEST!!

Can you say WOOOO-HOOOOO?!  I am THRILLED for Donna. She's a great writer (obviously) and a great person and I'm proud to call her my friend. AND, I'm extra excited because I am part of the critique group who first heard Donna's winning story!! Go to her blog and read all about it!



"A friend will tell you she saw your old boyfriend - and he's a priest." -- Erma Bombeck

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday.

I couldn't let Sunday go by without posting a Nostalgic Sunday.

This is my dad with my youngest son, Mark, who was born in October of 1987. I think this was taken around the end of 1988 or early 1989.

I wrote a story about receiving the surprise of my life when I found out I was pregnant with Mark. It was accepted and published in Chicken Soup for the New Mom's Soul, in 2007. I've posted it below:

A Joyous Journey

May 18, 2006 – Mark graduates from high school, and has been accepted to Washington University in St. Louis, College of Arts & Sciences, The January Program.

 Drift back nineteen years ago:

 As I slowly made the turn into our driveway, I saw that the garage door was open and there stood my husband of four years. It was a cold, windy day in March of 1987, and he was wearing a stocking cap. That’s about all I remember. I’m sure he must have had on a coat or jacket, but all I remember is that knitted cap. I rolled to a stop, put my car in park, pulled the emergency brake and just sat there for a moment while his eyes met mine. He looked at me with an inquisitive look, raised his eyebrows, as if to say, “Well? What did you find out?” I picked up the book from the passenger seat, that the doctor had given me during my appointment. I held it up to the windshield with the title side facing him. His expression changed from curious to disbelief to shock in the two or three seconds it took me to begin crying……again! The name of that book was, Pregnant and Lovin’ It.

We had not planned on having a child of our own. We both had been married once before. He had two sons; Ron, Jr. age 20, and Matt age 16. I had one son, Scott, age 14.  For one thing, we were too old, or so it seemed! We were dealing with teenage boys and trying to “semi” blend our sons into a family. (And as I’ve professed many times since then: “Real life is not like the Brady Bunch!!”)

But as it happened, it seemed like there was another “PLAN” for our lives that we weren’t aware of at the time.

Some things were happening to me, or not happening as it were, so I made an appointment with my gynecologist. On March 30, 1987 the doctor uttered in his charming British accent those now infamous words, “My dear, you’re pregnant!” What??? How can this be?? How did this happen?? All those ridiculous, rhetorical questions kept repeating themselves in my head.  I was still deep in thought when I sat in our driveway, gazing at Ron. I don’t believe I will ever forget that image of him. It was as if the outline of the garage was a stage and he was part of the play.

It only took me 24 hours to arrive at the final emotions: Joy & Happiness! I was thrilled with the idea that I was going to have another baby! Did I want another boy? I loved little boys! Or did I want a little girl, since our family was already full of boys? It didn’t matter, as long as the baby was healthy.

After my emotional roller coaster ride, the calendar date showed April 1^st. I telephoned all my family and long-distance friends and began the conversation with these words, “This is NOT an April Fool’s Joke. I am pregnant!”

Those months of pregnancy were some of the happiest of my life. I hadn’t felt so healthy and full of energy in a long time and I ate everything in sight! Even though the technology was already available to detect the baby’s sex before it was born, Ron and I decided to be old-fashioned, wait and be surprised.

On October 20, 1987, Mark was born by a scheduled C-Section. Another Boy! We were thrilled! Ron was able to be in the operating room with me and I was so very happy that he was able to share this miracle with me. But, the nurses whisked Mark away, and soon we were told that our baby had some fluid in his lungs and wasn’t breathing properly. He had to be kept in a special area of the nursery, in something similar to an oxygen tank, with tubes attached in various places. It was heartbreaking, not being able to hold and cuddle him. Ron & I would walk down the hallway to see him, to touch his little fingers and toes, but weren’t allowed to hold him or give him a bottle. (I guess it was a blessing in disguise that I had chosen to not breast feed.)

I begged my doctor to let me stay in the hospital until Mark was well enough to come home. But insurance companies have their rules. I was forced, for lack of a better word, to leave the hospital without my newborn son.

After arriving home, all I could do was gaze at Mark’s new crib and caress all his tiny clothes. I said about a million prayers, asking for a miracle, if that’s what it was going to take to bring him home.

Astonishingly, he began to improve immediately, and we were told we could take him home on October 26^th, which was only 2 days after my release. Joy set in, but also fear. What if he really wasn’t ready to be released from the hospital? What if he needed the expert care that he could only receive there? The nurses assured both Ron and me that our baby was fine and ready to go home with his adoring, devoted and doting parents! Bringing him home was one of the happiest days of our lives. We would jokingly argue over whose turn it was to hold him, and give him his bottle, even those middle of the night feedings! We both loved him so intensely.

We raised him with love and compassion. We demonstrated our spiritual faith and also displayed our faith in him. We always expressed our belief that he could accomplish anything he truly wanted in his life.

Fast forward back to graduation night:

He’s made us extremely proud and the future can only hold fabulous things for him. What a wonderful gift we received all those years ago!

"Children make you want to start life over." ~Muhammad Ali

* This is Only a Test *

Which of the following statements are true?

• Today is The Ronald's birthday.
• The Ronald has spent the last two days in bed with a terrible cold.
• When my beloved dog Vern and I were on our walk yesterday afternoon, a dog came out of nowhere and attacked Vern.
• Today's high temperature was something like 65° Fahrenheit. Tomorrow's high is expected to be 46° and a low of 27°, with possible snow flurries. That's St. Louis weather for ya!
•  I'll be taking a Week-Long-Blog-a-Vacation, beginning Monday February 27th, and my e-mail correspondence will be minimal, too. See you again around March 5th.
• (Answers: They're all true. When I return, I'll explain about the dog attack. Thankfully, neither Vern or I or the other dog were hurt. But it sure scared the you-know-what out of me.)

Welcome to my newest followers, Peaches Ledwidge and Protector of Vintage. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

“Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
― Mark Twain

To Do List is Not Done List

My To Do List is still an out-of-control Not Done List.

I didn't make it to very many blogs over the weekend to do my Comment Like Crazy.

I'm a bit behind in my Month of Letters Challenge.

I 'm trying to get a short story finished in time for a contest deadline of this Saturday.

I'm simultaneously working on three different chapters of my memoir.

My house is a cluttered mess that I just keep looking at and thinking, I really need to take some time to get this straightened up....

(courtesy: google)

But, I know I will get it all done. One step at a time. Take five minutes to straighten up a room. (NO, that won't finish the task, but it's a beginning!)

I'll keep on plugging away at my writing, and it will bring rewards, too.

*Oh, and I will continue Commenting Like Crazy and Writing Letters, as much as I can.*


"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs."
Henry Ford

"When I face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages, a sick sense of failure falls on me, and I know I can never do it. Then gradually, I write one page and then another. One day’s work is all that I can permit myself to contemplate."
John Steinbeck


"The first step is to find out what you love – and don’t be practical about it. The second step is to start doing what you love immediately, in any small way possible." Barbara Sher

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

I'm feeling especially nostalgic today and I know it's because of the poem I posted yesterday. Those memories of prop planes and of being a little girl also pertain to my dad. Some of  you may remember my posts about his years as a college professor at a local aeronautical college - Parks College. 

(Parks has always been part of SLU - St. Louis University. Back in those days, it had its own buildings and wasn't physically connected to SLU.) Whenever I'd be outside playing, it was normal for a prop plane to fly over our neighborhood. If I would've actually known that a student might be the pilot, I may have been a bit scared to be standing there, looking up at it!

This is how I'll always remember my dad.

Those were the happiest years of my childhood. The summer after I finished 2nd Grade, though, we moved to Nebraska because my dad wanted a different job. Maybe those early years are so special because they didn't last very long.....and our family life changed.

What do you think? Do you have vivid childhood memories? Happy or sad?

Welcome to my newest follower, Julie Hedlund. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

"Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes." ~ Gloria Naylor