Shellie Neumeier – Excerpt – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Inspirational author, Shellie Neumeier shares an excerpt from A Summer in Oakville. Every time you comment on this post, your name goes in the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Oct 31, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Shellie:


What do you do when you graduate from grad school with nothing more than a piece of paper? No job, no boyfriend, no prospects…
You move in with your Gram, that’s what you do. That’s what I did. Thought it was a pretty good idea, too. Great, actually. Right up until the son of my mother’s long-lost love walked into my life and threatened to take away the very home I’d just moved into. How could he do that? Take away the farm my family owned and worked for more years than Gram remembered? Why, my ancestors are buried on a small plot just north of the spring—now that’s history. Gram would die if she had to leave my Uncle buried in that plot with no one to care for the flower garden she planted every April and weeded till first frost.
We tried everything from selling goods at the farmer’s market to shares of an organic crop in order to save that old farm, but God had other plans. God and my Gram that is. That Gram of mine, she sure has more smarts than I ever give her credit for, but I’m getting ahead of myself. My name is Lindsay Murphy and A Summer in Oakville is the story of our family’s tumultuous summer. You’ll have to read it to believe it. Post a note below sharing a bit of your family’s history with us to enter a drawing for a free copy of A Summer in Oakville. Ms. Shellie and Ms. Lisa, the authors of our story, will chose a winner at random from the comment section. Can’t wait to learn about your family tree.
In the meantime, here’s a snippet from my story:
Shoving the double doors wide, Lindsay Murphy brought the oppressive June air into the Bakersfield Town Board meeting. With the short-stack of notifications rolled into a tight cylinder, she ah-hem’ed as loudly as she could, calling all eyes to her. Pointing her magic wand of official documents at Town chairman Hiriam
Bakersfield, Lindsay leveled her best don’t-mess-with-me glare on his watery eyes.
“What is the meaning of this?” Again she waved the notifications around like a flyswatter near an old fruit plate.
Hiriam raised his palm in a slow and calm gesture. The speed of which irritated Lindsay more than the notices themselves.
“Ms. Murphy,” he said in his throaty voice, probably worn scratchy by the cigar smoke she could smell. “You are out of turn.”
“I don’t care. If you are about to kick my grandparents off their farm, I really don’t think turns are something we should be arguing over.”
Hiriam’s face turned from pink to red to purple before he raised his other hand in a surrendered fashion. “Now see here, Ms. Murphy. We are doing the best we can to work through your grandparents’ case.”
“Are you insane?” She knew her voice had reached a level of whine that was neither persuasive nor adult. “You’re doing nothing of the sort with this offer.”
Hiriam’s eyebrows rose to meet his bushy grey hairline. “There’s no need to take that tone. We are working under the advice of our attorneys. With that faulty septic system and worn-out well, your grandparents won’t be able to sell that farm anyway.”
With an exasperated sigh, Lindsay crossed her arms over her chest and tipped her head to the side. “One question. Why my grandparents’ farm?”
About Shellie: Shellie Neumeier holds a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a minor in Psychology, Sociology and Social Studies. A devoted mother of four, Shellie previously worked on staff with Northbrook Church as the King’s Kids ministry assistant (serving children in grades 2nd through 5th). Shellie’s YA novel, Driven, is available from Risen Fiction and her middle grade chapter book The Wishing Ring will release February 2012. She is an active member of SCBWI and ACFW as well as a contributing author for various blogs. Shellie is located in southeastern Wisconsin.
About Lisa: Lisa J. Lickel is a graduate of the Christian Writers Guild Apprentice Program and top ten finisher of the first Operation: First Novel contest. Her novels include The Gold Standard, a cozy mystery from Barbour Publishing (February 2009), and a romance from Black Lyon, Meander Scar (February 2010). Her short stories have appeared in Harpstring Magazine, and her other published material includes radio theater with FreeQuincy Radio Theater, Writer’s Digest, You Can Write for Children, numerous newspaper features and blogs including http://favoritePASTimes.blogspot, and http://www.thebarndoor.net. She and her husband live in a 150-year-old house and have two grown sons. Lisa is actively involved in her community and state historical society organizations. A graduate the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and Russian Studies, and a former church secretary and desk top publisher, Lisa enjoys working with and mentoring new writers, teaching Telling Your Story workshops and anything historical.
About the Book: One Magical Summer in Oakville, Wisconsin, Love Finds its Way through Four Entwined Lives.
Tessa Hasmer Murphy has a secret. Estranged from her husband, will she let a past love and a fight to save the family farm destroy her marriage and daughter Lindsay’s happiness?
Lindsay Murphy plans to live on her grandparents’ farm until she can find a job, but developer Brandon Calloway has other plans for the property. As she wages war against him, will she lose her heart and the farm both?
Widower Arthur Hasmer’s life and that of his son, Andy, spiral out of control. Then old friend, Dana London, reenters the picture with the power to help them all back to love, joy and faith.
Andy Hasmer has the ultimate bummer life. No mom, not much of a dad, no future. When he’s sent to the farm and wrecks the truck, nothing could be worse than the lousy job he takes to pay Grampa back—except maybe putting up with the pastor’s daughter, Ella.
Reviews and Other Information:
“”You’ll be hooked from the first page of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE. This novel grabs the senses and doesn’t let go.”
Award-winning novelist Carolyn Howard-Johnson
“A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is the vivid portrait of a fragmented family finding the faith to unite in an effort to save the land and life they thought they had lost. A wonderful story you might find a bit of yourself in.”
Author Allan E. Ansorge
“A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE transports readers deep into the soul of family. Lisa and Shellie have woven four unique stories into one heart-tugging narrative of reconciliation, love, forgiveness and hope. It’s hard to say who inspires me more. Tessa, Lindsay, Andy, and Art each bring their longings and unravel their secrets in a situation that ultimately ties them together as tightly as your family or mine. A very uplifting read!”
Author Naomi Dawn Musch
“A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a cleverly-composed novel that addresses issues from the past, affecting four characters’ present-day lives. Shellie Neumeier and Lisa Lickel are a dynamic writing duo!”
Author Andrea Boeshaar
“Like quills of bittersweet devotion that pierce the heart, yet warm with the matchless comfort of forgiveness—A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a beautifully woven series of unforgettable novellas.”
Author Tessa Stockton
Come back Oct 26 for debut historical author, Anne Mateer.