Diane M. How's Blog

Brittany Harbor wears loss like a second skin. She once glowed among New York’s sparkling elite, a whispered name in ballrooms and tabloids. Now, she masks behind a face chiseled by numerous surgeries, a shield that hides the pain no blade ever could have touched. Her father’s abrupt death stole her anchor; her husband’s followed, shattering what remained. The paparazzi’s relentless glare and her mother’s cloying control became too much. So, she fled, trading city lights for a Colorado cabin tucked away in the kind of quiet she hadn’t known she needed.

But, that quiet didn’t last. Devon Van Dyke stumbled into her world with a smile too easy and a presence that tugged at something she’d buried deep. Then he brought Shawn Severs into the mix. Shawn’s different. Rough-edged, and steady, he’s a stark contrast to Devon’s polish. Something crackles between them, unspoken and heavy, but Brittany’s walls are high, and Shawn doesn’t seem eager to climb. She’s untangling her own heart when Devon’s mask slips and everything shifts. Betrayal hits hard, pulling her into a spiral where survival isn’t guaranteed. Devon’s not the man she thought. He’s a threat now, one that claws at the fragile life she’s clinging to. Cornered, she leans toward Shawn, the one person who might not let her down. But trust? That’s a jagged pill when your scars still ache. The stakes climb, secrets spill, and Brittany’s left staring down a crossroads: wade into the chaos for a shot at something real, or let fear choke it all out.

Author Diane M. How’s writing is sharp, engaging and cinematic. Her voice and tone have been well-established with complex characters that keep the story moving at a fast-pace. In addition, she is a master at balancing high-stakes and suspenseful twists and turns, with moments of reflection, which gives the book an electric energy and strong emotional core. 

Overall, Spark to Flame weaves resilience, romance, and danger into a pulse-quickening ride that doesn’t let go until the end. Highly recommended! – Review by Book Excellence (bookexcellence.com)

A Short Story For Your Reading Pleasure

Find Your Next Read or Familiar Favorites at The Novel Nook in Washington

Short Stories For Your Reading Pleasure

Did you know skipping rope may improve your heart health, physical coordination, and bone density. It’s also a great way to lose belly fat and ease anxiety! According to Nike, jumping rope is a great way to get a full-body workout https://www.nike.com/a/benefits-of-jump-rope

Of course, jumping rope may not be in your best interest if you are of a certain age and/or have joints that don’t appreciate the pounding. I doubt The Dahlonega Sisters will be taking up that sport anytime soon. Well, Mutzi McGilvray might…but she is a spunky character with an abundance of energy.

If you don’t know who she is, you’re in luck. Check out the first book in The Dahlonega Sisters, The Gold Miner Ring for $.99. (Available in the USA only) https://www.amazon.com/Dahlonega-Sisters-Gold-Miner-Ring/dp/1734038306.

While reading may not help you lose weight or strengthen your bones, following these sisters on their delightful journey might ease your anxieties and make you chuckle at their sister fussing.

Mutzi, Marge, and Rose Ellen are joining forces with Chuck Hansen to open Skipping Stone Lodge, New Beginnings. The eBook and paperback are now available on Amazon. All other venues should be available within a few days.

https://www.amazon.com/Skipping-Stone-Lodge-New-Beginnings/dp/173403839X

Chuck Hansen is ready to pay it forward. Only three years earlier, fresh out of prison and stuck in a downward spiral, his long-lost sisters Rose Ellen, Marge, and Mutzi appeared, giving him hope and a new life. Chuck is determined to repay their kindness and prove to the town of Dahlonega who he really is. His sisters rally to support him when he proposes creating a peaceful sanctuary called Skipping Stone Lodge.
But one impulsive decision to help a troubled young man puts Chuck right back where he started—behind bars. In a flash, everything he’s worked for is on the line. Can he count on his newly found sisters to help him rewrite his future, or is this one mistake too many?

Thank you for following my posts and for reading my novels. Your comments, messages, and book reviews are always appreciated.

Sincerely,

Diane

authordianemhow@gmail.com

Absence makes the heart grow founder. That’s what I’ve heard. I hope that’s true because I’m eager to reconnect with all of you. It has been quite a while but I did promise not to fill your inbox with too many posts.

So, who are we? Well, me of course, and you’ll have to keep reading to find out who else.

I had some exciting writing news this year when Writers Digest informed me my essay Threads of Life, was awarded Honorable Mention in the Memoirs/Personal Essay category of the 93rd Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. There were 3,571 submissions in this year’s competition, spanning 44 countries! I was pretty pumped.

A few days later, I learned my last novel, Burning Embers Book One, Spark to Flame, won second place in best fiction in the Missouri Writers Guild Annual Contest. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, the eBook is free for those with Kindle Unlimited. It is also available in paperback. Here’s a link https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Flame-Burning-Embers-Book-ebook/dp/B0CJDBBGJS

Although I’ve spent most of the year writing, I did manage to squeeze in a two-week trip to Europe. What an amazing and educational journey! My daughter and sister-in-law joined me and we flew to Rome where we spent a few days touring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s square. Of course, we also walked inside the Colosseum! Wow!

From Rome, we boarded a Carnival cruise ship which took us to Kusadasi Turkey, four ports in Greece (Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, and Katakolon) and then onto Messina Sicily, Pompei Naples, and back to Rome. Here’s another pic from Santorini.

Five hundred and eighty-eight steps to get to the top. Fortunately, they have a cable car too.

I could fill this newsletter with dozens more photos from my trip, but instead, I want to stay focused on my big news. The “We’re back” part of my title.

Fans of The Dahlonega Sisters voiced disappointment when the series ended. Well, guess what? Mutzi, Marge, and Rose Ellen are returning in a new series titled Skipping Stone Lodge, New Beginnings.

You are the first to hear about it and if you read further, you’ll get a glimpse of the beautiful cover. Here’s a little hint what the story is about.

Chuck Hansen is ready to pay it forward. Only three years earlier, fresh out of prison and stuck in a downward spiral, his long-lost sisters Rose Ellen, Marge, and Mutzi appeared, giving him hope and a new life. Chuck is determined to repay their kindness and prove to the town of Dahlonega who he really is. His sisters rally to support him when he proposes creating a peaceful sanctuary called Skipping Stone Lodge.

But one impulsive decision to help a troubled young man puts Chuck right back where he started—behind bars. In a flash, everything he’s worked for is on the line. Can he count on his newly found sisters to help him rewrite his future, or is this one mistake too many?

Here is the cover. Wouldn’t you love to spend a little time there? I’d never want to leave!

My original release date of November 1, 2024, may be delayed until December 1, 2024, but I’ll keep you informed.

If you’ve read this far, please take another minute to leave a reply. Even a thumbs-up keeps me motivated and might win you a copy of Spark to Flame!

Thanks for following me and giving me a reason to continue writing. I’d love to hear what has kept you busy all summer. Drop me a line on the blog or on Facebook! I always take time to respond.

Diane

Making a Big Splash

Shooting for the Moon with A Lot of Help

I started to create a post about all the sites that offer free items. Where to start! Where to stop!

Instead, I thought I’d share an award-winning author’s review of my new romantic suspense ebook, Spark to Flame, Burning Embers Book One.

“I thoroughly enjoyed Book #1 of this new romantic suspense series. It has a page-turning plot with main characters who are likable and an interesting premise centered around a wild horse sanctuary. There were several twists I didn’t see coming, which made for an entertaining read. This story can be read as a standalone, but I’m looking forward to Book #2!

Pat Wahler: https://patwahler.com/

For the next five days it is FREE at Amazon KindleUnlimited! Grab your copy now!

Reviews are greatly appreciated anywhere. I hope you enjoy it!

It’s one of my favorite times of the year. When all the mums I’ve planted over the years join together to brighten the day, it makes me smile. Wouldn’t it be great if people from all nations blended as well?

Do you know what else makes me smile? Publishing a new novel! Just in time for fall! Come walk through piles of golden aspen leaves as Brittany snaps pictures of wild horses. Too bad she’s trespassing…or is she?

This is the first book of the Burning Embers series and I hope you’ll enjoy the journey of a young widow as she rebuilds her life. The Christmas eve ending makes this a perfect holiday read.

Get your paperback or eBook on Amazon now

I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line and let me know what is happening in your world.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!