A secret revealed.

A girl’s life changed forever.

Myra Gibson’s life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the guest house tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.

YA Contemporary Novel availble at the publisher, 4 RV Publishing. (The Website is being remodeled. I’ll add a link when it’s complete.) You can pick up a copy online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble and at other online stores. Also, your local bookstore can order copies for you. Happy reading.

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Reviews

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“…Beverly Stowe McClure has just written her best book yet. I’ve read most of her other ones and loved them all, but this one is my favorite. The school librarian at the middle school where I teach is already looking into buying a copy for the school library. It’s that good.” Darby Karchut, Award Winning Author of Griffin Rising and Griffin’s Fire, http://darbykarchut.com

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“Beverly McClure deals with complicated issues like adoption, teen pregnancy, and family secrets with realism and sensitivity. Teen readers can easily relate to Myra’s pain and rebellion. Part coming of age, part teen romance, Life on Hold is full of surprises.” ~ Copyright (c) 2012 by Peggy Tibbetts

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LIFE ON HOLD has been awarded a 5 star review at Reader’s Favorite. How cool is that?

Frankie Armadillo has too many brothers. His burrow is too crowded, so he sets off i n search of the perfect home, just for him. But every place he likes is already ccupied, sometimes by fierce looking creatures. Will Frankie find the perfect home?

Alex  Morris is the talented illustrator of the gorgeous cover and the pictures inside the book. Just wait until you see the animals.

Frankie’s Perfect Home is available Online at Amazon and at Barnes & Nobel and other stores or ask your favorite bookstore to order you a copy. You can also find Frankie at the publisher, Guardian Angel Publishing.

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Reviews:

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“Children will relate to Frankie’s frustration with his crowded burrows, especially with all those annoying brothers. Who can sleep with some one’s tail in your eyes or a foot in your mouth?” Darby Karchut, author of Griffin Rising and Griffin’s Fire.

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“Beverly Stowe McClure brings to life the world of Frankie Armadillo in a delightful imaginary way that the reader almost forgets Frankie is not human.” Donna M. McDine, author of The Golden Pathway.

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Here is the discussion guide. Use what works for you with your club.

CAVES, CANNONS, AND CRINOLINES

Discussion Guide

About the Book:

Imagine living in a cave, the earth quivering with each cannon shot, dust sifting down, in your hair and your eyes, the walls threatening to collapse and bury you alive.

On Thursday, Mary 21, 1863, a mortar shell rips through the wall of fourteen-year-old Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stamford’s bedroom. Afraid their home is no longer safe, her mama, Susan, rushes Lizzie and her younger brother, Nathan, to the cave, where she plans to live until the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, ends. Lizzie, however, has her own plans: to enlist in the Confederate Army and help drive General Ulysses S. Grant and his Yankees into the Mississippi River. Her older brothers, Joseph and Willie, are in Virginia, fighting for their cause. Can she do any less? But Willie’s death in battle, Joseph’s return home, wounded, bitter, and filled with guilt, and a young Yankee whose life she saves make Lizzie question whether there is a right or wrong side to this Civil War.

About the Author:

Beverly Stowe McClure is the author of four young adult novels and one tween novel. They include Listen to the Ghost, Serets I Have Kept, Rebel in Blue Jeans, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, and Just Breeze. Beverly lives in the country in Texas with her husband, house cat as well as a stray cat that’s adopted her, and a variety of wild critters.

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. How is Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines similar to other novels about the American Civil War?

2. Two of Lizzie’s brothers are fighting in the war. How does this change her family?

3. Why does Lizzie decide to join the army?

4. What does she learn from her decision to be a soldier?

5. In what ways does Lizzie differ from other young girls of her time?

6. What motivates Lizzie to care for Benjamin, the wounded Yankee?

7. Why is taking Vicksburg important to Ulysses S. Grant?

8. How does blockading the city achieve General Grant’s goal?

9. Does Lizzie show courage in the story?

10. Are her brothers, Nat, Willie, and Joseph brave?

11. What is courage in your opinion?

12. How does Lizzie’s mother, Susan, react to the war?

13. Which character is the most likeable? Why? The least likeable? Why?

14. What, if anything, does Lizzie learn from the house servants?

15. Compare the clothing of the era to today’s.

16. How did families keep in touch with their sons so far from home in Lizzie’s day? How do they communicate today?

17. What is it like for the family to live in the cave behind their home?

18. When Vicksburg surrenders, how do the Federal soldiers treat the southerners?

19. If the Confederates had won, how might this have changed the outcome of the war?

20. Compare the type of weapons used during the 1860s to those of today.

YA Historical Novel

Chapter 1

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Thursday, May 21, 1863

Dearest Brother Willie,

We went to the cave for the first time today–Mama, Nat, and I. And I hate it! I prefer to risk injury from the hissing, screaming shells in my house than to scurry underground like a scared rabbit. Papa is at the hospital, attending the sick and wounded. We see him so seldom these days. Sometimes I wish he were not a doctor. Then he could stay home with us, where he belongs.

I hate what this war has done to our family. You and Joseph are far away, in Virginia. I miss you all terribly. Mama worries about you. She worries about Papa. She scarcely lets me out of her sight. Most of my friends have left Vicksburg for safer places. The ones remaining are living in caves or basements.I’m supposed to watch Nat. Mama fears he will run away to find you. I know he shan’t do such a thing. Every time a shell falls, he hides. The war confuses gentle Nat. He does not comprehend why men kill each other. Neither do I. 

We heard the Yankees have taken Jackson. Our army fell back to the Big Black River and then retreated to Vicksburg. Their return was a sad sight. Wagons, cannon, and ambulances clattered down the streets. Ragged and weary soldiers, some with arms in slings, some leaning on crutches, others carrying the wounded, stumbled alongside them. We gave the men what food and water we could spare, which was very little. Many blamed General Pemberton for our defeat. Others said the fault was not his. Jefferson Davis must have confidence in him,or he would not have put John Pemberton in charge of defending Vicksburg, would he? I have met Gemeral Pemberotn and think he has courage.

Vicksburg has been under siege now since the eighteenth of May. Gunboats on the Mississippi bombard us from the west. Parrott shells rain down from the hills to the east. We are caught in the middle. Nowhere is safe, not even the caves, like Mama says. You’d think General Grant would know better. He has tried to conquer our city before, without success. No matter. Our soldiers will send those Yankees scuttling, their tails tucked between their legs like scared dogs.

Mama and some of the women made bandages for the wounded last night. Oh! I must tell you what happened this morning. I was asleep in my bed when a shell burst through the roof and tore a hole in the wall above me. The house rocked like a baby’s cradle, until I thought it would fall down around my ears. Nat and Mama rushed in to see if I was injured. Nat, being Nat, dug the shell out to add to his collection. He has quite a few. Why he wants them heaven only knows.

When Mama saw my damaged room, she panicked and skedaddled us to the cave. We’ve been here ever since, and it’s near evening. I had no time to get my guitar or my books. My piano surely will be ruined. These Yankees! Have they no manners? Would they wish us to destroy their homes! I think not.

Nat tugs on my arm. He has something to show me, so I’ll close. Tell Joseph I shall write him later. If I were a boy, I’d fight the Yankees with you. Does a girl love her home and family any less than her brothers do? Does she not have pride, honor? It angers me that girls are not allowed to defend what is theirs.

Mama would faint away if she heard me talking this way. I’m supposed to be a lady she reminds me every day.

“Why?” I ask her.

“Because you are,” she says. A truly puzzling answer.

My love and prayers go with you.

Always,

Lizzie

See you at YA Authors You’ve Never Heard Of.

Do you like to win books and other swag? Well, let me tell you about a giveaway this week that’s just a few hours away.

Yep, the November Blog Hop starts at 12:01 AM Tuesday, Nov. 8. You can visit 200 blogs and win all sorts of prizes. The Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader not a Writer and the co-host is Tristi Pinkston. To learn more, visit my blog and see all the others that are participating and the great giveaways just waiting for you. See you tomorrow. Good luck.

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The day has arrived. Patches was tired today, so she took a long nap. When she finally woke up, she saw this.

The basket of contestants.

Patches chooses one that tastes delicious. She dropped another one.

She eats it, but not before I take a peek at the name. The winner is Susanne Drazic.

Congratulations, Susanne. I’m also sending you an email, in case you don’t see this. Your basket of goodies will soon be on its way.

Thanks to everyone who entered. It’s been fun. We may just have another contest soon. Watch for my blog tour in July or August, date not set yet. Also I’ll be doing some signings. Will post about those too.

You’re the best.

UPDATED5/10/2013

SURVIVORS’ CLUB

This story is still on hold.

PRINCESS BREEZE

Undergoing edits. It wasn’t up to par. Trying again. Almost done. Hope to finish next week.

SCATTERED TO THE WINDS (Title subject to change.)

Revising my Orphan Train story loosely based on my mother’s life. It was under contract with a publisher, but after three years of nothing, I asked for it back. The publisher kindly agreed. Now I’m polishing it until it sparkles; my crit partner is critiquing it, and hopefully it will be ready to submit in June.

That’s all today. Happy Writing.