Welcome to the Courage Chronicles – a Scavenger Hunt/Blog Hop where you might win 5 marvelous books and one mediocre painting! (Haha!)
Here’s the skinny – Follow 5 authors as we collaborate on a painting (from LetsMakeArt) and talk about what courage means in our lives. Visit all 5 blogs and find the answers to the questions on the entry form. From the completed forms, one winner will be chosen to win 5 books (one from each author), as well as the painting that they collaborated on.
My portion of this great work.
How fun is that? So, let’s get started.
Read this courageous portion of The Lieutenant’s Bargain, then watch the video for clues:
Hattie was just about to return to the coach when she heard a loud cracking noise. What were they doing now? Trying to rush her? She arranged the hood of her coat down snuggly over her chestnut hair and planted her foot on a high shelf of red clay. Another loud pop—a couple, in fact. The top of the stagecoach came into view as she climbed up. The driver crouched in his seat.
“Stay down,” he yelled, waving her away.
“What?” She caught the edge of her hood to keep the wind from snatching it.
The leather window covering flapped open, and a pistol emerged. Smoke puffed out of it, then a second later, a sharp crack split the air. Agent Gibson was shooting at someone, and Mr. Sloane was right behind him. The door opened, and the agent used it to shield himself as he continued to return fire.
Hattie felt the blood drain from her face. It couldn’t be. The hard dirt scraped her cheek as she hugged the ledge. The driver had turned and taken up the reins. With his arms flapping, he egged the horses forward.
“Wait…” All her paints and canvases were on that stage. They couldn’t leave her behind.
But then she saw the horseman racing toward them. The driver of the coach was hunched over the reins, urging the team forward, when he stiffened, then slumped to the side. The stage’s horses jerked into motion even as he fell out of his seat.
Hattie ducked out of sight. No. Why? Suddenly the boorish men she’d been traveling with didn’t seem so bad, and they needed help. But what could she do?
Another shot made her rise up just in time to see Agent Gibson topple out of the door as the stage careened away. She could only see the back of the outlaw, but she could feel his deadly intent as he walked his horse slowly toward the crumpled figure.
If Agent Gibson wasn’t dead already, he would be in the time it took to twitch a trigger finger. She rested her chin against the ledge. Why was she considering such a reckless act? She didn’t owe the agent anything.
Before she could think better of it, Hattie stood to her full height and waved her mittened hand over her head.
“Over here!” How small her voice sounded on the prairie. How frail. But it was enough. The killer led with his pistol as he turned his horse toward her. His nose twitched like a dog on the scent, and his mouth hung open like he was tasting the air.
Of all the dumb decisions Hattie had made in her life, this was the worst. She might have bought Agent Gibson a few minutes to make his peace, but at what price?
With a quick prayer for the men scattered above her on the plain, Hattie dropped to the dry creek bed and ran down the narrow corridor of the gully, following its twists and curves, looking for a way to save her life.
Now the Video:
And finally, the contest entry: The Courage Chronicles Entry Form
The event is open from 5/6 to 5/10, with the final giveaway closing 5/17. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. The posts are located at:
Sarah’s Post – Available Tuesday
Amanda’s Post – Available Wednesday
Karen’s Post – Available Thursday
Joanne’s Post – Available Friday
Thank you for participating, and God bless!
Love,
Regina
You are all great writers and the painting is beautiful. Blessings to all.
Thanks, Keren! Good luck in the contest!
Regina you are so fun to watch & probably could do a better painting job than I could, lol!! This is going to be a great project out together by you and the other terrific authors.
Thanks for the giveaway chance to win some books by each of you and the signed painting!
Hey, Trixi. I don’t know why I thought I could paint and talk at the same time. I can’t even sign my name at booksignings if someone is talking to me. It’s amazing it came out as good as it did!
Regina, you are such a talented writer! I love all your books and I’m so excited about the next one!
Thank you and all the authors for the chance to win your amazing books!
Thanks, Barbara! Good luck! If you win the painting, I can’t wait to see where you hang it. 🙂
Regina, I love reading your books It was fun watching this video and hearing your quotes on courage The painting is great Thanks for the chance to win
You’re welcome, Patti. Thanks for participating!
It’s so nice to meet you Regina! This is so fun. I can wait to read your work and to see your work! I am already a big fan of Sarah and Karen. I look forward to meeting Amanda and Joanne.
Thanks for introducing yourself, Betty! It’s nice to meet you, too. I just know you’re going to love Amanda’s and Joanne’s books! I’m honored to be included with them.
Love your sweet video, Regina! And learning more about your book! It sounds fabulous. This was so fun to do and you get double points for the courage it took to be the one to START this painting. Way to go!
Knowing that you could fix it later was the only way I agreed to this! Thanks, Joanne! Can’t wait to see your contribution on Friday!
Your book sounds intriguing and the painting idea is great!
Thank you, Pam!
The book sounds so interesting. Would love to read more. I love thriller books like this one
Thank you, Danie!
This is such a fun project! You are new to me, so I’m glad I got to see your video.
Nice to meet you! Glad you came to visit.
This is the most creative giveaway I’ve ever seen – kudos to this group of fabulous authors! It’s no wonder their books are amazing if they put this much originality into a contest. :o)
Thanks, Valerie. We had a lot of fun putting it together.
Regina, I admire your courage to do your painting in a live video. This project is so fun. All of my favorite authors together! Blessings to you all.
Thanks, Caryl! I can’t wait to do it again!
I am just beginning my world of water color, you are an inspiration! Bless you~~
Hattie! They’ve met their match. I enJ*O*Y your stories, Regina. Hattie and Anne Tillerton would be great friends. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Awesome giveaway! 🙌 ❤️
Where can we find the winners?
The winner of the painting and all 5 books was Beth B. Thanks for asking, and thanks for playing!