Thursday, February 27, 2014

Bryant Station Lives Again



Inspiration comes from a lot of different places. Take for example, Bryant Station Curves. The inspiration for the title and series came from an old bridge that terrified me as a child.

That’s right!

I said a bridge that terrified me as a child.

I grew up in Milam County, Texas. So wooden bridges, including the camelback style bridge (see all pictures posted of Bryant Station Bridge) were a common part of life, especially in the rural, gravel road areas. Unfortunately, I have a fear—an irrational fear—of these bridges.

Do I fear all bridges?  No.

I’ve driven over the Houston Ship Channel numerous times as well as the bridge going to Galveston, the bridge over the Sabine River, and have been on various ferries. I drive over the Guadalupe River all the time and don’t even think twice about it.

So, I’m not afraid of all bridges. I’m just terrified of the old wood and steel bridges.

Irrational, right?

Bryant Station used to be a thriving community, but today, it can’t even really be called a ghost town because the only things left are the cemetery and the bridge.

Bryant Station got its start in the 1840’s when Benjamin Franklin Bryant, a hero of the Battle of San Jacinto (Texas Revolution) was asked by friend and then president of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston, to build a fort/trading post on Little River. He was basically a buffer between the settlers and the Native Americans.

The settlement that grew up around the fort prospered. Bryant Station’s prosperity was because of its location on the Marlin to Austin stage line, and over the years, the town became a commercial center in the area.  The town soon had a school and a post office that was sometimes known as the Blackland post office.

Bryant Station continued to prosper until after the Civil War when the Santa Fe Railroad built about three miles north of the town, and the rail town of Buckholts was established around 1881.

In 1809, Bryant Station Bridge was built by C. Q. Horton and the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company of Chicago, Illinois.

In 2002, the bridge was bypassed by a modern bridge.

For a time, people could walk across Bryant Station Bridge, but when I was there last year taking pictures, a fence was across the entrance to the bridge. Did I really want to walk across the bridge? NO! But a lot of people have, and you can find videos of their walks on the Internet.

I grew up knowing about Bryant Station and other ghost towns in Milam County, though I really didn’t know their histories. In my research, I’ve found several more ghost towns, which at their peaks, were thriving communities with various businesses, post offices, and schools. Even though they no longer exist, in some form or fashion, many of these communities will find their way into my stories.

As for Bryant Station Bridge, it will always be a source of terror for me, and will probably continue to haunt my nightmares for years to come.

But why my terror…maybe something happened at the bridge in a previous life….

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Just went live at KOBO

Abby's Heart has gone live at KOBO.

Tuesday Quote

Writers see the world differently. 
Every voice we hear, 
   every face we see, 
      every hand we touch could become story fabric.
              --Buffy Andrews

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Abby's Heart


Fifteen years ago, Abby found the man she knew was her other half, her mate, but he shattered her heart with his betrayal. Surrounded by her family and her step dad’s pack, she has built a life and a successful restoration business, but one thing is missing from that life—her mate.

Fifteen years ago, Skylar Anderson found and lost his mate. Now, he and his bear are slowly tearing each other apart, both desperately lonely and needing their mate.

Fate brings the two back together when Abby takes on a multi-million dollar restoration project in Bryant Station. Not only does she find her mate, she also finds the evil that drove them apart years ago—an evil that has decided she will die.




Buy your copy today!
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | KOBO.


Sunday Picture

Picture Property of Rayne Rachels

I really hated it when we drove over this bridge. As soon as we got to this point, I crawled down on the floorboard and buried my face in the seats because even looking through the window at the railings terrified me. It was bad enough that I could hear the creaks and moans of the boards.


Saturday, February 22, 2014

Waiting Sucks!!!

I don't know about you, but I really hate the waiting game. When I want something, I want it now. Unfortunately, I don't get my way.

I just finished uploading Abby's Heart (Bryant Station Curves, Book 3) to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and KOBO.

Now we wait for the novella to go live.

A few facts about the story:
  • This is the longest of the novellas. It has a 35,300 word count.
  • The ending wasn't what I originally planned, but I like this ending better.
  • Skylar Anderson is David's (book 1) and Jason's (book 2).
  • Joy, who owns the Blue Plate Diner, is Skylar's baby sister.
  • The wolf pack you meet in the story will have their own series.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

And the Title Is...Abby's Heart

Watch for Abby's Heart, book 3 in the Bryant Station Curves series.
It will go "live" next week.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Sunday Picture

Picture Property of Rayne Rachels

I was standing on what used to be the gravel road leading to the bridge. A new, modern bridge was built to replace this bridge. The new bridge is actually to my right.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day.
  1. Cards, cards, and more cards 
  2. Stuffed Teddy bears -- I have a small collection of stuffed animals that I've been given over the years. One of my favorites is the gorilla wearing shorts covered with hearts.
  3. Chocolate candy -- Always a nice surprise.
  4. Flowers -- My cats think the flowers are for them. The last time I got flowers, the next morning, I found several scattered across the kitchen floor. One, if not both, of the kitties had climbed to the vase and pulled out the flowers. For the remaining time I had the flowers, I locked them in the bathroom when I was left the house and when we went to bed. 
  5. Construction paper hearts -- Do you remember making these in school?
  6. Special handwritten notes -- Special thoughts are always cherished.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tuesday Quote


If I waited till I felt like writing, 
I'd never write at all.
     -- Anne Tyler


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Picture Sunday

Picture Property of Rayne Rachels
Bryant Station Bridge is located in Milam County, Texas, and it connects the banks of the Little River. As a child, this bridge scared me and was the source of many nightmares. It has also been the inspiration for Bryant Station Curves.


Sunday, February 2, 2014

Picture Sunday

Picture property of Rayne Rachels
Another view of Bryant Station Cemetery.