The #1 Priority

Come and visit my new blog! 🙂

Burning Dreams Ranch

The most important thing to any sheep or goat operation-no matter how big or small-is animal health. If you don’t have healthy animals, you don’t have anything. Some key factors of keeping your herd healthy is

1. Easy access to clean, fresh water at all hours of the day, and even at night.

2. Plenty of good quality feed. Either grass or grass/alfalfa hay or a good pasture will do.

3. A well ventilated (but draft free) enclosure that allows your animals to get out of the wind, rain, and/or hot sun as well as a pasture or a fenced-in yard for the animals to get outside and exercise. Animals need fresh air, too!

4. A trace mineral block or a pan of loose minerals (you can buy either of these at any farm supply store.) CAUTION! If you raise sheep, be sure that any trace mineral block, salt block, or a free choice…

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Me and Billy The Kid by Briana Vedsted

Another taste of The Home Fire

Here’s another excerpt from my newest book, The Home Fire.

***

Arriving at the train station three hours early, Kidd settled down on the icy bench and drifted off to asleep. When she awoke, the conductor was blowing a whistle and calling, “All aboard! All aboard for El Paso!”

Dragging her feet, Kidd boarded the train, after she saw to it that Chip was safe and comfortable in the livestock car. Kidd pressed her face against the cool glass, almost expecting to see Dan and Shey there to wave her off. Instead, she saw Rowdy, wearing a fur muffler and a thick scarf, standing by the very bench she had napped on. He didn’t wave. He just looked at her. His eyes were sad. If she could have, Kidd would have gotten off the train right then, but it was already too late. Slowly, the train began moving, and soon, Rowdy was left behind in a cloud of smoke.

Kidd slouched back against the soft seat, but she wasn’t tired. She was homesick. She hadn’t even been away from town for five minutes, and she missed home. She missed Dan and Shey. She missed Socks and Jolly and Nubs and the chickens. And she missed Rowdy. But it was too late to go back now. She worked for Mr. Norton now.

That was all she had left.

***

Hurry and buy the book now while its priced at only $1.99! Buy here: The Home Fire eBook

Its review time! :)

I have a fabulous new review! Thanks so much to Rosie Amber for taking the time to review my book, Me and Billy the Kid!!!

Who was Billy the Kid?

4 stars

What do people know about Billy the Kid? The name alone is famous in history and from the silver screen. But what was he really like? Briana has written a book around the stories and tales which abound about this historical character. She has tried to provide possible answers to such questions as; “Why was Sheriff Pat Garrett so bent on catching Billy?”, “Why did Pete Maxwell betray Billy?” and “Was Billy really murdered in 1881?”

Briana introduces Angel Garther to the scene, a women could well had been associated with Billy and his gang. This book is Angel’s tale, the story from her possible eyes. Eyes that saw the reality behind some of famous shootouts, like The Lincoln County War and Gunfight at Blazer’s Mill. Angel is portrayed as a strong women and one who would go to lengths to stay with Billy because she knew that William H Bonney (Billy the Kid) was not a monster, just a kid who’s been hurt a long time ago.

I liked the story, as a kid I loved watching Westerns on a Saturday afternoon. The scenery, the gunfights, the heroes, the goodies and the baddies. It was good to think about what life was more likely to have been, how raw life was, full of hot emotions, where nearly everyone had a gun and men shot first and asked questions second. It certainly was a part of history which shouldn’t be forgotten.

***

Thanks again, Rosie! 🙂

And I’m still looking for new reviews! If you’ve already received a copy of my book, I’d love to know what you thought about it! And if you haven’t yet gotten a copy, contact me and I’ll be glad to send you one, in exchange for an honest review, of course!

The Home Fire is here!

Drum roll please! The Home Fire is finally here! Whew! What a long road to publication this little book has had! First written nearly three years ago, it sat-alone and forgotten-for months and months before I began re-writing it. Then came the always fun editing stage, cover design, formatting, and publication date (okay, so maybe not exactly in that order).

So I am very glad I am finally finished with this book. It is a good feeling, to reach a finish line, for sure. Now, I can only pray that no mistakes will be brought to my attention, giving me reason to do any more work on this book. As much as I love each and every one of my books, I only want to have to re-write them once. Don’t get me wrong, spending time with the little bundles of joy is a wonderful thing…unless I’m editing for the millionth time. 🙂 Just have to see how it goes, I suppose!!!

Well, anyhow, the Kindle (eBook) edition of The Home Fire is now live for the special price of $1.99! You can buy it here: The Home Fire eBook

And here’s the link to the paperback: The Home Fire

Okay, book lovers, have at it! 🙂 If I can get twenty (20) sales by the end of April, I’ll be having a special giveaway! (More details to come!) So come on and help me reach my goal so someone can get some prizes!!!

2014 Novella

Prepare yourself for the journey of a lifetime! As the world journeys from Winter’s icy grasp to the warm embrace of Spring, begin another adventure alongside Kidd, Dan, and Shey Tate, the three young orphans who are searching for a place to call home. In my new book, The Home Fire, you’ll walk step-by-step beside bold, brave Kidd, kindhearted Dan, and toddling Shey, from their Indian-ravaged birthplace into the vast unknown in search of a new life and a place to once again light their home fire.

Coming March 20th, 2014! Don’t miss this Young Adult novella! Will be available on Amazon as both an eBook and a paperback! Purchasable through other retailers soon after!

 

Please help me spread the word by re-blogging this post!!!

Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune Cover Reveal!

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune is set to debut on Sunday, March 16th!!!

The magical adventure continues after Luke Callindor and his friends recover from their battles in Haven.

Nyx still has nightmares about casting the genocide spell in Hero’s Gate. Every night her heart is gripped by the sensation of hundreds of goblins dying by her magic. By the request of Lord Highrider and Duke Solomon, she is returning to fix the damage she caused. With Luke Callindor and Sari by her side, Nyx is ready to face the vengeful goblins and opportunistic thieves that plague Hero’s Gate. Yet, there is a darker threat that was born from her violated magic: The Krypters.

It is another action-packed, character driven story that will reveal one of our heroes has been lied to for their entire life.

About the Author:

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After his wife decided that she was tired of hearing the same stories repeatedly, she convinced him that it would make more sense to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house under orders to shut up and get to work, Charles brings you Legends of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and his wife is happy he finally has someone else to play with.

Blog: Legends of Windemere
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz

We’re still taking volunteers for the April blog tour. So fill out the form HERE!

Read the Previous Volumes of Legends of Windemere!!!

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Cover by Jason Pedersen

The Home Fire is almost here!

Only nine days until the release of my new book, The Home Fire! If you’re looking for a book that will transport your imagination to another era, look no further! In The Home Fire you’ll begin a journey through the old west with three youngsters for company. Join Kidd, Dan, and Shey as they search for a place to call home in their own version of the Promised Land. Through the ups and downs of life, follow these three brave orphans and see where their journey takes them. Coming March 20th!

***

Jenson made a grab for Chips reins, snorting, “How does a little kid come to own such a horse? What did you do? Steal him?”

Kidd squared her shoulders, declaring, “I did no such thing! I’ve had Chip for a good many years. I’ve been training him since he was two!”

Jenson sneered at her. “Sure you have! Bah! Why, I bet your pappy gave him to you, after he’d been gentled like a kitten. You think you’re a big girl, eh? Pony wise and ready to work on a big ranch? You won’t last five minutes! And I’ll bet you’ll be hard pressed to pay back Boss’s advancement!”

Face on fire, Kidd’s hot-headedness kicked in. She would have punched that brawny, big nosed, over-bearing, lout right in the face, but Morgan stepped in between them, saying, “Back off, Jenson. Don’t mind him, Kidd. He’s all bark and no bite.”

Kidd gritted her teeth, glaring at Jenson, but Morgan touched her arm, forcing her to look up at him. His brown eyes were soft, not at all what Kidd had expected from the rangy cowboy. “Come on,” he urged, taking Chip’s reins and handing them to her.

***

A Review!!!

Yah! I finally have another review for Me and Billy the Kid! Yippie! Thanks so much, Elaine! 🙂

This novel was a story based loosely on the life of Billy the Kid but with a difference. The author has created a character, a love interest for Billy called Angel Garther. The story follows the lives of Billy and Angel with Billy’s gang as they roam around the south and west of 19th century America.
Although the opening of this novel was rather slow, it’s definitely worth a read. The author portrays Angel, Billy, their comrades and the men of the law who are pursuing them with sensitivity. There are no ‘good guys and bad guys’, just human people. When reading it, it becomes apparent how infatuated with Billy Angel is. But she loves him too and sticks with him to the end.
I liked the twist at the end of the book. Let’s just say it’s rather different from the historical account of Billy’s life, but none the less interesting for that. All in all an interesting read.

 

Awesome! I’m so happy! 🙂 I do love a good review! 😉

Speaking of, I’m looking for more reviews. If anyone is interested, I’d be happy to send you a free PDf copy of my book in exchange for an honest review by the end of March. It is a western/historic book with a bit of a romance theme, for anyone who is curious! Let me know by the end of the week (3-8-14) and I’ll put your name in the list and get the book emailed as soon as I can. Thanks in advance!

Only 20 days!

The first day of Spring is March 20th, and that is also the day The Home Fire will be published. So as we all make the journey from Winter to Spring, follow three young children on their own journey.

Teaser: Kidd, Dan, and Shey are orphans with no place to call home. These courageous youngsters will face lions, starvation, sickness, and wild horses in The Home Fire. As Kidd desperately seeks a safe place for her siblings to live a way to earn money to keep them fed and clothed, she will journey from being a gutsy young girl to a full-grown, independent woman. Her sister, Dan, and their toddling brother, Shey, would follow her to the end of the earth, but when Kidd decides to take a job and leave her siblings behind, will they be able to survive without her? Find out in The Home Fire coming March 20th!

Excerpt:  It was coming.

Kidd would only have one shot with the rifle. If she missed, or just wounded the cat, it would be furious and would probably attack before Kidd had time to shoot again. Kidd held her breath, waiting, and waiting, and waiting.

The moon was waning, but Kidd could still make out some shadows.

There it was.

The cat leapt the last few feet and perched on the window ledge, sniffing the air, a soft growl echoing from its throat.

As silently as she could, Kidd slid back the hammer. At the small ‘click’ of it falling into place, the cat looked straight at her.

Kidd froze.

The cat looked away, yawning as if it was bored. Jumping down, it stalked forward slowly. Its ears were perked up and its tail was twitching.

Taking careful aim, Kidd slowly squeezed the trigger. There was a flash of light, allowing her a brief look at the cat’s startled, angry face before the darkness blinded her.

***