Deleted Scenes--Jackson Surveys the Carnage

This week marks the last of Wounded Spirit's deleted scenes. We'll end with the conclusion of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend and General Jackson's thoughts on the matter. In this scene, you'll find a young Sam Houston, making a name for himself. Nokose is in the scene too. Can you find him?

Diorama found in the museum at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Jackson Surveys the Carnage

    The earth, softened by blood, gave way under General Jackson’s boot as he stepped between the bodies littering the ground. Not a single Red Stick had asked for quarters, preferring death to surrendering even one inch of Creek soil. However, seeing no dishonor in retreat, handfuls had slipped through the American lines on the opposing shore. So few were those numbers, they were hardly worth counting.
    Always the first to welcome death, the flies buzzed about. Andrew held a hand to his nose as the stench of it overwhelmed him. Anger surged through his chest and squeezed his throat. So much senseless death!
    He lifted his eyes. The impenetrable log fortification stood mockingly before its dead creators. The remaining men from the 39th Regiment, pulled bodies off the wall and separated them into piles according to race.
    Smoke rose in heavy clouds from the south as evidence of the destruction of Tohopeka. Every civilian had been captured. Although he had already given orders that they be treated humanely, Andrew knew what trials lay ahead for these innocents.
    “Why didn’t you surrender?” A weak voice brought Andrew’s attention to a soldier, who appeared to be asking the question of the dead Red Stick lying on the ground before him.
    A few scraggly whiskers on his chin spoke of the soldier’s youth, and the two bullet wounds piercing his shoulder spoke of his bravery. The bandage around his thigh brightened with fresh blood as he squatted and moved the warrior’s hand. His gentleness and respect touched a soft spot in Andrew, a place that usually remained safely tucked away.
    Andrew cleared his throat, as his shadow fell across the soldier. “What’s your name, young man?”
    “Ensign Houston,” he mumbled, without turning or taking his eye from the dead warrior.
    “What Christian name did your ma give you, Ensign Houston?”
    “Sam,” he said. “Name’s Sam Houstin. I don’t get why they would die when they could’ve just surrendered and lived to care for them women over yonder?”
    Why? Andrew knew why. Hillabee—that fatal mistake that cost the lives of sixty peaceful warriors. Even if General White hadn’t known of the town’s surrender, what had he been thinking to slaughter unarmed men? It was inexcusable.
    Andrew would bet his next meal that the Red Sticks would have surrendered today, if they hadn’t believed they would have been butchered anyway.
    “It’s called ‘a cause’. Today you fight for me, but one day you’ll have a cause to die for. Maybe it’ll be a pretty woman carrying your child, or a belief in God. Or maybe like them, another nation will try to push you off land you believe to be your own. Whatever it is, when the day comes, you’ll fight for your cause, and you’ll die for it if need be.”
    With a pained expression, Ensign Houston stood and faced him. Recognition sparked, and he did his best to gain a respectful bearing. “I apologize, General. I didn’t know it was you I was talkin’ to.” He swayed on his feet.
    “Never mind that. You need medical attention.” Andrew stepped forward and put a supporting arm around his waist. He called to the nearest man. “Sergeant, get the ensign to my tent for immediate aid.”
    “Yes, General.”
    Flicking a fly off his ear, Andrew turned in search of his horse. As he stepped over the warrior that had fascinated Ensign Houston, a gleam caught his eye. He followed it to the man’s chest. Crusted with dried blood, and nestled in the warrior’s black hair lay a delicate silver cross.     Tears pricked Andrew’s eyes. He lowered himself, tucked the pendant into the warrior’s palm, and closed the stiffening fingers around it.

Deleted Scenes--Nokose During Battle

 SPOILER ALERT!!

If you have NOT read the book, I do not suggest you read the following deleted scene. 

Nokose During Battle

To Nokose, the world was amazingly clear. Against a brilliant blue backdrop, a fluffy white cloud drifted by. The dark green of nearby evergreens contrasted starkly against the bright sky. He blinked slowly and focused high above him. A golden bird perched on a tree branch, his curious eye cocked toward the ground below him. Was the bird singing?

            Nokose tried to listen, to tune out the sounds of weapons clashing and men screaming. It was useless.

Instead of a bird’s song, he heard the gurgling of his blood as it ran from a yawning hole in his neck. Odd that life could end so suddenly with not a man or woman available to care.

            The battle around him began to blur, the sounds to fade.

As the gleam of swords and tomahawks caught Nokose’ dimming eye, men tumbled to the ground around him. A blue-coated soldier landed on his legs, but Nokose barely noticed. He felt nothing save a helpless sense of doom.

            Images of Singing Grass flashed before his mind. Her dark eyes looked down on him, twinkling in that mischievous way. His lips twitched with a smile at the thought of her. He had been right to force her to leave Ecunchate.

            As he dragged in his last trickle of air, the sweet face of his love transformed to a hideous beast.

This was no nightmare.

Aerial view of Horseshoe Bend

Panic-stricken, with the last of his strength, he grasped the silver cross lying on his blood-drenched chest. The moment had come, and all doubt vanished.

 He knew.

            The taste of blood was acute as he lifted his parched tongue in one final word, “Jesus…”

Notes:  I decided to leave this scene almost opened-ended in regards to Nokose's final decision regarding salvation.  Do you think he came to know Christ's saving grace, or was it too late?

Shake It Up Baby, Now

Clash of the Titles loves to shake things up.  Recently, things have gotten fun with the opening of the sparring arena to self-published authors (leading to a quick victory for Elaine Cooper's The Road To Deer Run), and currently with a month-long Clash among six pre-published writers.  (Stop by next week for Round 3). But did you know that YOU now have control? Yep, that's right.
 
Readers, want some say in what kind of excerpts COTT features?  Well, now you can send in nominations and share your favorite reads.  For doing so, you receive three free entries into any of our book drawings.  Awesome, right?  We thought so!  
 
And authors, we've given you more control as well.  Now you can send us any 500-word excerpt from your book in the new Author's Choice category.  Visit our Upcoming Clashes page for details.
 
Also, please remember that following our blog, facebook, or twitter account lands you an extra entry in any drawing you enter.  Just be sure to mention it in your comment.  
 
And now we bring you the newest face on the team, Gail Pallotta...
 
Clash of the Titles Welcomes New Staff Member
 
It's my extreme pleasure to introduce to you today the newest COTT staff member, author Gail Pallotta. Gail also happens to be a previous Clash of the Titles Champion! Last November, she took the cyber-laurel for best description of nature. Go, Gail!!
 
Let's take a moment to get to know this special lady...
 
Gail’s husband, Rick, says she’s the only person he knows who can go in the grocery for a loaf of bread and come out with someone’s life story. That’s probably because she inherited her mother’s love of people and enjoys talking to them. Working as an editor and freelance writer, Gail published a couple hundred articles.

To continue reading the interview, click here 

article by Michelle Massaro 

Launch of The Road to Deer Run

What: “The Road to Deer Run,” an Award-winning Christian Historical Romance.
When: Tuesday, March 8th
Where: Amazon.com

This historical novel by Elaine Marie Cooper was recently given an Honorable Mention in Romance by the Los Angeles Book Festival DIY and was the winner of Best Romantic Excerpt at the literary site, Clash of the Titles.

Buy today, March 8!

About “The Road to Deer Run”
The year is 1777 and the colonies of America are at war with England. In the midst of this fierce and painful conflict, two enemies—a wounded British soldier and a colonial farmwoman—are brought together through circumstances that challenge their fortitude, their faith and their ability to forgive. In the struggle comes healing and love. But as their destinies become intertwined, so do the forces that oppose them.

April's thoughts on the book:

Mary and Daniel's story is one of struggle and hope during a time when America was just a dream. I can't imagine the inner tug-of-war at finding your enemy lying helpless and dying--moral obligation fighting against patriotic duty. But to Mary it was simple. Look beyond his red coat and save him. True love transcends race, social class, and in Mary and Daniel's case--enemy lines. It's a romance to remember for sure.
The Road to Deer Run is written in a classic style that might be called out-dated by some, but for this novel, it rings true. The dialogue is just as I imagine it would have been in colonial America without being archaic or difficult to read. The attention to detail is fantastic and places Daniel and Mary in a vibrant setting. Most of the book takes place inside a cabin over a long cold winter, yet I never tired of it.
I'm looking forward to more by this author and recommend The Road to Deer Run to lovers of historical fiction, inspirational fiction, and romance. This one earns five stars in my book!

Other reviewers chat about “The Road to Deer Run”
“A heartwarming love story, sensitively written and a well-researched bit of American history. The book has a solid faith-based perspective that sets it apart.”

— Jean LemMom, former Editor, Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

“A captivating tale of love, honor, redemption, and patriotism….Cooper breathes life into her characters and their world in an entertaining way with generous details and facts.”

— Wanda Ventling, Editor in Chief, Life: Beautiful Magazine

            “With subplots as appealing as the main story, the book is well researched, well written, and well worth the purchase price. Ready for the sequel.”

            — Kirkus Discoveries Reviews

Author Biography

Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband Steve, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandbabies, who are often referred to (by her) as “the most beautiful grandbabies in the world.” Elaine’s only daughter Bethany passed away in 2003 from a brain tumor.
A retired registered nurse, Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (www.thebarndoor.net) and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight (ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com) She is also the author of her debut novel called “The Road to Deer Run” and is currently writing the sequel.

Elaine Cooper can be reached on FaceBook or her website.

Deleted Scenes--Jackson Prepares for Assault

In this scene, General Jackson decides it's time to launch the assault on the bulwarks of the Horseshoe Bend battlefield.

As with all the others, this scene was fun for me to write since I love the history surrounding this era, but it didn't do much to advance the story. 

General Jackson

Jackson Prepares for Assault

General Andrew Jackson’s leather saddle creaked as he leaned forward and strained to get a better look at the long line of Creek defensive fortifications. The stocky white stallion beneath him stomped a hoof in impatience, then twitched in agitation as the six-pounder launched another cannonball into the center of the barricade.
Andrew gingerly rubbed his shoulder. “Cease fire,” he mumbled. “I can’t see a blasted thing.”
    The order ran from mouth to mouth until it reached the ear of the bedraggled private lighting the fuses on the battery. Only a few random rifle shots rang across the field separating the Tennesseans and friendly Indians from five hundred resolute Red Sticks.
With the impatience of a boy expecting a peppermint stick, Andrew waited for the smoke to clear. He cursed the fact that they had been unable to drag a larger cannon across the fifty-two mile path they had cut through the wilderness to this point.
    His nearby officers fidgeted as they all took in the wall. Despite hours of pounding, it remained intact.
“That miserable excuse of a cannon couldn’t put a hole in my grandmother’s kitchen wall,” Andrew’s face heated with rage. “Prepare the men for assault.”
    “Yes, Sir!”
    The only effect the cannons had was to boost the Red Stick’s confidence…maybe they deserved to be congratulated for building a wall capable of withstanding modern artillery, small though it may be.
Andrew’s admiration for them deepened. The last thousand traditional Creeks had gathered at what they called Cholocco Litabixee. With the wall in place to impede frontal assault and the wide Tallapoosa River protecting the three remaining sides, Horseshoe Bend was an excellent defensive location.
    Andrew had strategically placed a division of his army on the other side of the river to pick off any who might choose to escape instead of surrender, but if his instinct served him as well today as it had in every other battle, this enemy would not be running. Confident in the strength of their wall, they were here to stay, or stain the green earth beneath their naked feet with the last drop of their blood.
    Pride filled Andrew as his fellow Tennesseans lined up to charge the bulwark. For most of them, their year of volunteer conscription had ended.
    The sun was nearing its peak by the time the men stood ready to charge, bayonets fixed and pointed toward the enemy. If there was one thing to be said, they were all well rested and ready for the bear of a fight they were about to receive. They had spent the entire morning on their backsides in the dirt waiting in vain for the cannon to breach the wall. It was a daunting structure and angled to subject them to crossfire.
    Sending his men in to scale the wall had been a last resort. However, a long drum roll announced that the moment had arrived. With rifles at the ready, his men marched with long purposeful strides toward an army of unflinching natives.

When Darkness Tries to Hide

Today marks the release of Stacy Padula’s latest novel, When Darkness Tries to Hide.

As a special promotion, today’s guests will get free gifts & a chance to win Boston Red Sox tickets, gift certificates, & other prizes.

For details on the book, launch, and promotions please visit:

http://montgomerylake.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/mlh2-launch-info.pdf

An Interview with Stacy Padula:

Author of When Darkness Tries to Hide and The Right Person

Q: How did you become interested in writing?

A: I wrote my first book when I was in Kindergarten; it was a short story about a puppy. Then my writing just continued…I wrote books all through elementary school and continued beyond. I finished my first draft of When Darkness Tries to Hide when I was 15 years old. I had read a lot of different books while growing up that had been about high school. When I entered high school I was completely shocked by what was going on around me! It was nothing like Sweet Valley High or the Babysitters Club. There was an abundance of backbiting, backstabbing, substance abuse, and kids just being mean to each other. I felt that there needed to be a realistic book series out there for kids to read so that they could be prepared for the social battles of high school. So, I wrote The Right Person, which is the first book in the Montgomery Lake High series. I fell in love with my characters, and the subject matters, so I decided to write a sequel (which is now When Darkness Tries to Hide). I have recently finished the 5th book in the series, and I plan to keep writing as long as I am able to! 

Q: What should people know about When Darkness Tries to Hide?

A: The book picks up two months after where The Right Person left off. There is a terrible storm that brings destruction to the town and into the lives of some of the characters. One of the characters, Andy, gets injured and another character, Jason, feels responsible. (Although no one knows at first exactly why Jason feels that way.) The story follows many characters reactions to the accident, and how everyone comes together to help Andy. Jason is the central focus of the story, and the transformation he goes through as a result of feeling responsible for what happened to Andy. The main point of the story is the battle between light and darkness, and how people often do not realize they are living a dark life because everyone around them is living the same way, until a ray of light shines in and breaks through the darkness.

Q: Have any experiences from your own life affected the storyline of the book?

A: I have not written about anything that has happened to me exactly, but everything in the books is based on things I have witnessed teenagers go through, or emotional/social/physical/spiritual battles that I have fought in my life. The books are filled with lessons I have learned from my own experiences, but I have woven those lessons into the completely fictitious world of Montgomery Lake High. It is my hope that teens and pre-teens can learn from these lessons and not go through as much pain as I had to in order to learn them!

Q: What is it like waiting for each book to be published?

A: It is exciting!! My next book, which will be published apart from the series as a novel, is called Montgomery's Masquerade: The Battle for Innocence. It is a prequel to the series that takes place when the main characters were in 7th grade. I just got it back from my editor, who is actually from Pearson Publishing, and I am excited to review her edits and send it along to my publisher, Strategic Book Group. They had read the rough copy earlier this month and accepted it. The whole process has many steps, and a lot of approvals that need to be signed off on. It is excited to see the internal layout of the book. I get to work with my publisher's book designers to bring the book up to the vision that I have for it. This, along with approving the front and back cover designs, is a very exciting part of the process. I always get butterflies in my stomach when I open up the first printed copy of each book. The process can take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on many different circumstances. I enjoy being a part of the process. It is always a learning experience, and I find that very rewarding!

Q: Do you have a "life verse" that you have claimed?  If so what is it and why is that verse so meaningful to you?

A: Psalm 84:11 has significant meaning to me. It states that God withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly. This verse is a reminder to me that anything that I pray for and do not receive is not really good for me, and that I only desire it because I have limited understanding of what is best for me. God knows what is best, and as long as I am walking with Him, He will not withhold anything good from me. So whenever God closes a door in my life, I recall Psalm 84:11 and find great comfort and peace within its promise. 

Q: Who (or what) is your greatest encourager when you write and why?

A: I have a wonderful support system of family and friends who encourage me in my writing. What encourages me the most, though, is the world of Montgomery Lake High that exists within my mind. It is like God has put this world in my head, and these characters that are so real to me, and I write to express what is within me: a message of faith to reach out to the youth.

Q: Is there anything else that you would like your readers to know about you that would give us even more of a glimpse into your personality and passions?

A: “Passionate” would be the best word to describe me. When I'm into something, I'm into it with my whole heart. I love my life and think God has blessed me with the best friends, best dog, best job, and the best mother in the entire world. Writing is my favorite pastime. I have learned a lot about conquering fear this past year. The ocean moves me. I love North Carolina and feel like a part of my heart is there. I love to learn and figure out how things are connected. I see deeper meaning in everything. I believe love is the answer to life's toughest questions. I have "songs" with the majority of my friends and hope the lyrics always mean something to me. My faith is in Jesus Christ, and I'm in love with Him. I have a strange fetish for football movies. I am an avid skier. I have a lot of hope and believe nothing is impossible with God. 

Please visit: http://montgomerylake.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/mlh2-launch-info.pdf for more information on the Montgomery Lake High book series.