Wednesday Search For The White Jewel #MFRWHook #MFRWauthor #Fantasy #Jewels

Today I'm joining some great authors in a blog hop. Jump aboard and find us here. Then read and enjoy    http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com   

BUY MARK:

Search For The White Jewel (Jewels of Erda Book 1) 



BLURB:
When the Holder of the Yellow Jewel dies, her ward Liara believes she will become the new Yellow Holder. The dying word of the elderly woman astonishes the young woman. She will hold the White Jewel. This fabled gem has been lost for years since her mother and her sister fought and her aunt took hold of the Black Jewel.

Liara, accompanied by her foster brother set forth to find the jewel, escaping the soldiers sent by the Queen and Black Jewel Holder. During their escape, Liara meets Valmir who saves her and her foster brother during a shipwreck. During their journey, they meet other holders of the Jewels, including Reena, daughter of the now dead Queen. Though she has the Black Jewel, Reena has no idea how to use the gem.

EXCERPT:

Prologue

The black-robed wizard slipped through the doorway leading to the Queen’s chamber. He paused and studied the wan woman propped against the black silk pillows. As he approached the bed, his robes rustled.

The Queen grasped the Black Jewel, symbol of her reign. “Be gone, I say. I have no need of you.”

“Your time has passed. ‘Tis time to cede the Jewel to your successor.”

“Not yet.” She raised the Black Jewel. Dark rays pulsed in its heart. “Be gone and let me be.”

  He evaded the dark beams. “What of the White?”

  She laughed. “Do you think I fear that thing? My sister failed to find the gem. For generations, there has been no sign of its existence. There have been but myths and rumors.”

He smiled. “The White stirs. I sought and I found.”

“Where?” Her eyes narrowed.

‘Tis where it has always been, waiting for the one who can hold the jewel. But fear not. ‘Tis not your battle. Soon you will be gone, and I will have the training of the one who is to follow you. This time there will be no mistakes. As Holder and Chosen, she and I will rule.”

“Be gone, dark wizard.” The Queen raised the Black and poured her anger into the gem. Thunder roiled the silent night and a great display of colored lightning brightened the sky above the palace.

 

Chapter One

From The Lore of the Jewels

In days long past, just after the world was formed and the people rose from the dust, Mother Sun and the Sister Moons beheld what had been wrought and were troubled by what they saw. For as people moved across the lands, chaos rather than harmony ruled.

“We must bring peace and order.” Mother Sun spoke to the pale reflections of herself.

From her depths, she drew molten elements and fashioned them into Jewels. The icy breath of the Sister Moons cooled the gems. To Earda, they were sent and for each Jewel, there was a purpose.

And from the hearts of the six Jewels, light radiated and coalesced to become the White.

Liara closed the Lore of the Jewels. Everyone knew the ruling Jewel was black. And the tale of how the gems were formed was naught but an interesting fable. Her foster mother had given her the book on her last name day. Tana’s insistence that she learn the legends puzzled Liara. What use were these mystical tales to one who might never hold a Jewel?

She heard a disturbance in the courtyard and peered through the open window. Several men dismounted. Their steeds were magnificent beasts with burnished horns. Who were these visitors? They looked to be men of importance.

Tana’s maid appeared in the doorway. “Milady Holder bids you remain in hiding until her guests leave.”

Liara sighed. Twice this lunar, visitors had arrived to see the Yellow Holder. Both times, she had been bidden to keep her presence a secret. Not that she minded missing lessons, of course. The complicated exercises in visualizing had no practical purpose she could see. What bothered her was not being allowed to sit in company and hear about events beyond the keep and the village.

Curiosity gnawed at her thoughts. In hopes of learning more about these unexpected visitors to the High Sanctuary, she hurried down the back stairs and lingered in the shadows near the postern gate. But the men had gone inside before she could hear what they said.

Excitement fluttered like the jeweled wings of a flitter. She was free, at least for the afternoon. She slipped outside and climbed the path beyond the walls of the massive stone tower. Then she broke into a run, deftly avoiding the roots of the gnarled, wind-shaped balsa trees.

MY PLACES:

Tuesday's Writer's Tip Where - From Idea to Finished Book #MFRWauthor #Where #Writer

When has been established now i like to look at where. While I'm doing the When and Where, the characters and the plot are brewing in my thoughts. Where like when has many layers.

First comes country. Many of my books take place in mythical towns I've invented for the story but they are usually in the US. That's because I know the country. But sometimes the major where are in places of my imagination but I must develop these countries to give a broad view of them. I've done a series in ancient Egypt but it's an alternate world because I wanted camels and camels weren't present at the time I chose. Once I've chosen the general where I must look at specifics.

Is the where a small town, the wild wilderness, a large city, a place in the country. For my contemporary stories, I have developed a Texas town, one n Western Pa. and one along the Hudson River. This requires some research. One wants to make sure the geographical features are right. Since i know most of the areas where the fictional towns lie, the research isn't as great as it is for foreign countries or fictional ones. Developing an imaginary site does take research and invention. I've also rearranged the town where I now live to make the places I want to be are where they need to be.

Beyond the site, the next thing is the specific places. For me it's often a hospital, a house, an apartment or other physical places. There are keeps, henges, castles, modern and Victorian houses to be described. House plan books come in handy here.  There are grounds, forests, deserts and the other kinds of venues. I need to know them all before I begin the story.

So before you start your story, you need to build your world and have the resources handy to look up what you may have forgotten.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFWRAuthor #Poem #Writing #Caretaking

Meander 1 - Poem  Ways of Life

Some days life ahs made me old
And other days quite young.
It depends on who I meet,
The turning that i take.
There are some whose wisdom deep
Makes me feel infant like
Others need my knowingness
To help their daily growth.
Tis is how living should be.
There shouldn't be a time
When we hold ourselves above
Or cast ourselves below.
Life is made for shariing
And we must find a way
To live with one another
In a sharing feeling way.

Meander 2 - Caretaking - I have a large responsible for my husband of more than fifty years. He is ailing and needs a lot of assistance. Some days, I feel as though I'd like some time away but that won't happen without the help of others. I'm fortunate there to have my two sons and my granddaughter to lend a hand. There's also the aide who comes in five mornings a week.

Meander 3 - Working on a deadline and hopefully I'm making good progress. I'll soon reach the midway point of the book and that makes me happy. The story is shaping up and the romance is developing nicely. Hopefully I can really make this happen before April first.

Sunday's Book - Temple of Fyre #MFRWauthor #Fantasy #Action

Sold by her family to the priestesses of the Temple of Fyre, Ria soon masters using each of the four fyrestones, white, yellow, orange and scarlet. Her curiosity leads her to the archives and there, she learns things that disturb her. There are no men serving as priests but in the past there were. Men are kept in the harras where the priestesses visit. On the day of her testing she is ordered to perform a task she dislikes and refuses to destroy a town. Many of the priestesses fall into unconsciousness. Melera, the chief priestess, beats and banishes Ria for the carrion crows to consume.

Ari was abandoned as a child and found by two elderly firestone miners. He has pursued this and is the best of the finders. He goes to the temple to sell the stones he has gleaned. On leaving, Ria attempts to steal the fyrestone he has worn since the day he was found. He thinks she is a boy and a thief and he takes her to his room at the inn. On discovering her identity, he refuses to turn her over to the priestesses and they leave town. They are searching for the fabled blue fyrestones. They also learn to use them they must be bonded physically, emotionally and spiritually. Can they learn to master the blue stones and defeat Malera so they can rule the temple with love and understanding?

Saturday's Blurbs featuring Books by Mary Marvella #MFRWauthor #Suspense #Premonitions

https://www.amazon.com/Protective-Instincts-Protection-Romances-MARVELLA-ebook/dp/B00EGE93CC/

They met because he had premonitions - and she was in peril ... but you will never believe why they fell in love.

After mourning the loss of her husband, Brit Roberts manages to pick up her life as a teacher for a rural Georgia High school. Things are fine until anonymous phone calls turn creepy and her life is endangered. It's not until Sam Samuels, shows up to check on her that she finds a little peace, if not a slight attraction to the handsome yet meddling security specialist.

Sam Samuels isn't just the father of one of Ms. Robert's students, he's a man with premonitions so strong, they make him ill. So when he meets his son's teacher and pain kicks in, he knows something's awry but can't put his finger on it until he interrupts an attempt to kill the teacher. Sam makes it his personal goal to protect her, only he didn't count on falling for her.

Someone wants Brit and now Sam dead, too. Could the death of her ex husband be part of the reason? Can Brit and Sam navigate a relationship despite both of their headstrong natures?


https://www.amazon.com/Protecting-Melissa-Protection-Romances-MARVELLA-ebook/dp/B0173R0AQQ/ (Book 2)

Melissa isn't looking for a man in her life. Not after her husband’s murder revealed he was swindling local businesses and sleeping with half the married women in town. At this point, she just wants to forget the past, forget about men for a while, and focus on her work as a high school teacher.

Gabe isn’t looking for anyone either, not since his wife’s death. But as a former member of an elite military organization, he knows four slashed tires mean more than a high school prank, and his protective urge is aroused. He remembers when Melissa was just a kid following him around—but she's no kid any more. He finds himself wanting more from her than he should.

As menace grows around Melissa and Gabe, their relationship deepens despite their efforts to fight it. Gabe can’t just walk away now, because his trained instincts tell him she's in much more danger than she realizes. And he's right: while they've been focused on each other, the killer has formed a plan to force Melissa to reveal the whereabouts of his money—no matter what he has to do to make her talk..


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076FLTTHB/

The Cost of Deception is a romantic suspense. Tess is a widowed mother and a teacher. She has been so wrapped in in her role as a mother that she has forgotten how it feels to be a desirable woman. Attending her 20 year high school class reunion, the first she's ever attended, changes that when she meets Drew. She and Drew were the class loners and too involved in studying to feel the hormones that attack teens.
Drew is now an undercover cop in Atlanta, GA. During his years in the military he had no concerns about marriage and starting his own family. His life put him in danger and he liked things that way. He was no longer the nerd who had attended Georgia Tech. Seeing Tess at the class reunion made him rethink what he really wanted.
She loves her children more than anything else. He doesn't know how to make his career work with the things Tess and her kids make him want. 
Yes, there will be hot sex and danger will stalk her family. 

https://www.amazon.com/Protecting-Melissa-Protection-Romances-MARVELLA-ebook/dp/B0173R0AQQ/

Melissa isn't looking for a man in her life. Not after her husband’s murder revealed he was swindling local businesses and sleeping with half the married women in town. At this point, she just wants to forget the past, forget about men for a while, and focus on her work as a high school teacher. 

Gabe isn’t looking for anyone either, not since his wife’s death. But as a former member of an elite military organization, he knows four slashed tires mean more than a high school prank, and his protective urge is aroused. He remembers when Melissa was just a kid following him around—but she's no kid any more. He finds himself wanting more from her than he should.

As menace grows around Melissa and Gabe, their relationship deepens despite their efforts to fight it. Gabe can’t just walk away now, because his trained instincts tell him she's in much more danger than she realizes. And he's right: while they've been focused on each other, the killer has formed a plan to force Melissa to reveal the whereabouts of his money—no matter what he has to do to make her talk...

https://www.amazon.com/Protective-Instincts-Protection-Romances-MARVELLA-ebook/dp/B00EGE93CC/

Friday's Guest Mary Marvella #MFRWauthor #Interview Genres

.  What's your genre or do you write in more than one?
I write Romantic Suspense and Woman's Fiction/Romance and I have 1 romantic comedy. 

2Did you choose your genre or did it choose you?
They chose me. My characters tell me their stories and I go with them.

3.  Is there any genre you'd like to try?  Or is there one you wouldn't?I am trying a demon series(Not romance) and 1 mainstream novel. I don't want to write Inspirational or Historical fiction

4.  What fiction do you read for pleasure?

Romance and Woman's Fiction or the book I pick up. 

5.  Tell me a bit about yourself and how long you've been writing,I started writing fiction in 1991. Since then I have published 9 novels and 8 anthologies. I taught language arts for 15 years and helped my Ex photograph weddings for 25 years. Now I edit and tutor. I am a Georgia girl and southern through and through. My books tend to have southern flavor.

6.  Which of your characters is your favorite?Probably Edna Mae. She is the 40 year old virgin in The Gift. She has the most to overcome and the most to gain.

7.  Are there villains in your books and how were they created?

Oh, yes! My villains come to me when I start a novel. Each provides the thing my other characters need the least. They not cookie cutter! They could hide in plain sight and usually do.

8.  What are you working on now?
I have a stripper book I am preparing to publish. When a woman learns her husband in involved in illegal activities, she goes back into stripping to get the goods on him. 

9.  What's your latest release and how did the idea arrive?
The Cost of Deception. (Book 3 in the Protection Series)The hero is the brother of one of my other characters. He wanted a book and after years I paired him with a former classmate. They attend their 20 year class reunion. 

Thursday's Third Scene from Murder and Sweet Tea #MFRWauthor #Small town #Hudson Valley #New York

The next morning when Sarah and Maria left after our coffee time, I walked with them to the corner and turned toward the library. Robespierre walked with us and followed Maria and the stroller across the street. My cat has been enamored of the toddler since Maria and Paul had returned from Spain with their adopted son. The fascination was mutual.

Ten minutes later, I paused on the steps of the stone building housing the library. A reluctance to enter held me on the first step. Foolishness. Those words repelled me inside. My gaze traveled upward to the head librarian’s office. My shoulder muscles tightened.

Enough. The former occupant of that room was in a mental hospital. I doubt she would ever leave. Facing what she’d done wasn’t Judith’s nature.

I went to the fiction section and searched for Sabrina Gates. Finally I found a single volume and carried my selection to the desk. The young woman seated at the desk smiled.

“Good choice. We have four copies of each of her books. They fly off the shelves constantly.” She paused and studied me.  “Do you really want to read this? Her books are very explicit.”

I arched an eyebrow. “As in how bodied become dead.”

She nodded. “There are some gruesome deaths and also some very hot sex.”

Laughter rippled through me. “I believe I can handle that.”  I tucked the book under my arm and headed home. I could handle murder and sex with little problem.

When I reached the house, I discovered a note from Lars. “Gone golfing. See you at dinner.”

Being released from the need to socialize, I filled a large glass with iced mint tea and settled in my recliner to begin the book. By the second page I was drawn into the story.

Halfway through the book, Lars returned. He waved a hand before my face. “Earth to Kate. Must be a good book.”

I put the volume down. “Though it’s not what I usually read, it’s very good. The author will be our new neighbor.”

He lifted the book from the table and read the back cover. “So you’ve solved the mystery of who is moving in.”

Death follows Nanette Gordon as she fights her opposition for control of her father’s company. Andrew Miliken appears but is he friend or foe? Only time will tell.

Sabrina Gates’ first novel brings a tense and tightly woven adventure. Her childhood home in Savannah is woven into the story.

“You’ll need to read when I’ve finished.”

He chuckled. “Keep reading. This is a much better way to experience murder than in finding bodies.”

My laughter joined his. And these are all part of a writer’s imagination.”

“Let’s pray your remains out of our life.”

My sigh turned to a groan. Seeking dead bodies wasn’t my idea of fun. “No more murders for me.”

“And no more partners in crime solving for me.”

I nodded "Take a shower. Then we’ll have dinner.”

Here or do we go out?”

“Here. Crab salad on a bed of lettuce with wedges of tomato.”

“Sounds good.”

As Lars went to the bathroom, I set the book aside and hurried to the kitchen to assemble our dinner. I stared out the kitchen window at the house next door. When would the new neighbor arrive? Hopefully all would be great and I would gain a new friend

Wednesday Book Toth's Priest #MFRWHooks #MFRWAuthor #alternate world #Egypt

Blog hopping with some other fantastic authors today. Visit me and they discover the other authors.
 http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com



BLURB:

Amara faces trouble and she uses a phone number given to her by a friend who has vanished. When she is offered the chance to be sent to an ancient Egypt, she accepts even though she must perform a task and risk losing her life. But here, she faces the same fate. She arrives and there is much she must learn before she can rescue a young man held by the priests of Aken Re.

Namose was taken prisoner by Hebu, beloved of Aken Re, and forced to translate ancient scrolls giving Hebu some of the powers given to the priests of Toth by the Three of the Two Lands, Toth, Bast and Horu. After his rescue, further troubles arise. He and Amara must join their powers to save their land and friends from the evil Hebu.

BUY MARK
Toth's Priest (An Alternate Egypt Book 3)

Excerpt:

The sound of feet on the stairs from below reached her. She crouched and peered through the railing. She sucked in a breath. Would her pounding heart shatter her ribs? Why was Ramos here? One of his bodyguards pounded on her uncle’s door.

When the men entered the apartment, she raced lightly up the rest of the stairs and opened the door to the roof. The heavy metal slab nearly slipped from her hands. She paused for a moment to use a piece of wood to block the handle. She ran across the roof. Once she reached the edge, she slipped over the low wall and placed her feet on the fire escape. Step by step she made her way down until she reached the fourth floor and the windows of her uncle’s living room. Had she missed anything of importance? The unseasonable heat of the autumn day meant open windows. She crouched where she could hear.

“Mr. Ramos, what do you want from me?” Her uncle’s voice vibrated with fear.

“I have come to offer safety for you, your wife and children. There will also be money allowing you to relocate.”

Ramos’ smooth voice sent chills darting over Amara’s skin. Her hands clenched.

“What do you want me to do?” her uncle asked.

“You have a beautiful niece. I have a handsome nephew who is my heir. Miguel wants the girl. Bring her to me and all will be as I promise.”

Would her uncle accept? Amara knew the answer. He had no love for her other than for the money she brought into the house. Her body tensed. The metal of the fire escape burned her hands.

“What if she won’t obey me? She holds herself apart from the family.”

Ramos laughed. “You will make her obey. Aren’t you the man of the house? Bring her to me. She was seen entering the building not long ago.”

When her uncle said nothing, Amara felt a moment of hope.

“I said now,” Ramos barked.

“But…” Her uncle rose. Would he tell the drug lord she hadn’t come home?

To keep from crying out, Amara bit her finger. Time to move. She had to escape but where could she go? When they didn’t find her in her room would her uncle remember how she often went to the roof? She eased to her feet. No time or way to reach her room and the stash of money she’d hidden. She needed a place to hide. With care she climbed to the roof and rolled over the wall.

After her breathing slowed, she searched her pockets. Phone. Twelve dollars, mostly singles and some change. The paper Seth had given her before he disappeared. If she ever needed an escape, today was the time. She read the words.

Life got you down? Have unsolved problems?

Looking for an escape? The answer is in your stars.

A counselor is available night and day.

Dial 1-800-555 ASTR

Was it possible? Though this sounded like a joke, Seth had said they would help. She trusted him. Did she have a choice other than to explore this option? If she didn’t call her life would change in a manner she feared most. She had to reach the street and make the call. Before making the call, she wanted to be away from this building. Maybe she could make the call now but the sound of banging on the door to the roof spooked her, She scurried across the roof. The next building was close enough to jump.

MY PLACES:

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_fbid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - More on When - From Idea to Finished Story #amwriting #When

Last week we looked at when from the large view so today, We'll break it down to smaller times.
The time of year, the time of day are all important when writing a story.

Seasons come with various events. Think of the holidays. If you've chosen fall, you might consider Halloween and Thanksgiving in your story. The weather of each season is different. Winter usually brings short days, long nights and cold weather, that is if you're in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, seasons are the opposite and nearer to the equator the seasons may seem to be quite the same.

Then one should look at the months. Is your story set in January. Where I live this often brings a thaw in the middle of the cold weather. Each month has different weather and different events taking place. Keep these in mind when you're writing. I'm working on a December story. Snow and Christmas figure in and make me remember these events.

Now weeks in a story is one way to advance the story without detailing every event in the character's life. Two weeks later something happened. The story has moved forward.

The days of the week often mean different things. Monday is usually the day one returns to work and may show in the character's mood. Friday, we all know TGIF. So think of what day of the weeks your character is experiencing to add some depth to the character.

The time of day. Night can be spooky and can also be a time of love. Morning and evening can bring different things to your character. Suppose your hero or heroine is a night person and they must be some where at sis Am. This can show in their mood and also have them see things they haven't seen before.

So remember to look at the when of the story from the century to the least minute when you write your story.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWAuthor #Poem #Writing

Meander 1  Poem - Hawk

There is a hawk that soars and flies
In a little piece of my sky
I see from the window.
Free

He lives his life as it was meant.
I'm trying to be as he is
Surveying from on high
Free

To be myself, to swoop and soar
And keep from being captured
In rhythms not my own.
Free

Meander 2 - On Being Tired - When I'm tired, my mind works in strange ways. Sometimes I see things that aren't there or even hear them. It's kind of scary and I know what I see are shadows with light moving between them. The strange sounds are often the usual night sounds but they change when the tired mind tries to figure what is going on. Sometimes in this state, ideas crystalize into a story I remember when I really wake.

Meander 3 - Writing - Moving forward with the Leo Aquarian story and though I have a lot to do, I think I'll be ready when the time comes. Before April first is when or before. That will happen, I'm sure.

Sunday's Book - Murder and Sweet Tea #MFRWAuthor #Murder #Sweet Tea

Lars is her new husband. He loves Katherine but doesn’t understand why she’s always trying to protect her near and dear. Even though she saved his life while visiting him in Santa Fe, he often questions her involvement in other people’ lives.

Into their lives arrives a new neighbor, Sabrina Gates. Sabrina bought the house next door. She has had a phenomenal success as a new author but moes from her past and present threaten her peace and ability to write. There is the blogger who posts snide and not so nice posts about other authors. Sabrina’s former agent wants a share of the huge amount of money Sabrina has received for a trilogy. And there is her ex-husband, a needy greedy coward who wants money.

Above all there is Robespierre who makes his presence known.

Saturday's Blurbs feature Books by Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor Medicine, Fantasy, Young adult

ROMANCING THE NURSE

Ginny’s new job as patient care coordinator at a suburban hospital is a dream come true. She can raise her daughter and young niece away from the city. 

The older orthopedic surgeon who recruited her helps make the move easier. His stroke brings his son, another surgeon home to take over his father’s practice. Unfortunately, Ginny remembers him from an evening encounter at the city hospital where she worked. They had words. He also remembers that night. 

They clash but beneath the anger, there is an attraction. Blake wants her in his bed and attempts to romance her. Then he discovers he wants her forever and must eat a lot of crow.


PAST BETRAYALS; PAST LOVES

A curse sends Astrid on a journey to ancient lands. She meets deceit and betrayal searching for true love and to break the curse. The search begins in Egypt. When she touches an ancient Egyptian necklace she is hurtled through time into the turbulent life of another woman. She discovers the words spoken in anger holding her spirit captive. Seven more times she finds a piece of jewelry and returns to a distant past. In each of these lives she encounters and falls in love with a man who seems to be someone recently met in her present as do the enemy man and woman.

The heat between Astrid and Duncan is instant and becomes incandescent. Her dislike of two characters grows. Eight realms await her. Eight chances break the curse holding her spellbound and to end the cycle of past betrayals and find love. Eight chances to foil the evil man and woman who follow her and Duncan from era to era.


AFFINITIES BOOK 1 ESCAPE

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities. 

Each of these young teens has an affinity for one of the elements. Ash for Air, Bran for Water, Jay for Earth and Ky for Fire. During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule. 

Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them.

TO purchase any of these books go here,  

http://www.bwlpublishing.ca/authors/lane-walters-janet-romance-fantasy-usa/

Friday's Interview - Me Janet Lane Walters Are You A Plotter or a Panster #MFRWauthor #Writing #Interview

Since this is my blog, I really can't be a guest but each time I do an new type of interview for others, I usually try it out. This time I've used it several times. Since the person I had penciled in for the blog today never let me know if he wanted a spot, I decided to let others know my way through this world of writing.

1. Are you a panster or a plotter or perhaps a bit of both?
      I like to think I'm a plotter but I'm really not. I kind of slip from one style to the other.  Take my latest work. I did what I usually do and plotted out the chapters and what would happen in them. I then began to write. I reached chapter 8 and discovered I had strayed so far from my initial plotting for the book the last five chapters would not work. They were so far from the way the story was evolving I had to stop and and start over again. I didn't really start over but had to read to discover the new additions and see where they led me. You see while I have the outline for each chapter when I start to write I go into panster mode. Took some thought and I redesigned the last five chapters so they would encompass the new material. This is usually the things I have learned about the characters.

2. Which comes first - characters or plot for you?

      The plot and the characters come rather quickly and close together. I know the general plot. The current book is a romance, the fifth in a series of astrological opposites in love. The characters mainly come with a name and an occupation. Since these are medical romances This isn't hard. They are people I'm familiar with.

3. What are you working on now? Is this a book in a current series or something totally new?

      As I said what I'm working on is book 5 in a series of medical romances. This one is titled the Leo Aquarius Connection. Is this something new, not really but there are several new elements in the book. The hero has two problems. He acted like a jackass with the heroine about four months ago. He also must deal with a woman his parents want him to marry and his never have felt he belonged to his family. It's been fun though I have a long way to ge before it's finished.

4. Do you have some kind of object or place that figures in most of your books? I use gems a lot, hospitals and caves.

      Here I talk about things that follow in many of my stories. In the murder mysteries, mint tea is frequently seen. All varieties of mint. My real one is gems, seldom diamonds but stones of color. Dark caves and dungeons are often seen in my fantasies, along with swords. Comes from once studying fencing.

5. Do you write everyday or just when the spirit hits?

      I am an every day writer. We'' most every day. Usually several thousand words but there's a catch here. I write my first few drafts by hand and then type them into the computer. Some days I can only find a hundred new words but writing must become an obsession if one wants to write a lot of books and I always have three or four in the background crying for their turn.

Thursday's Third Scene - Murder and Bitter Tea #MFRWauthor #Small town mystery #Murder #Tea

The April Saturday held a hint of summer. With a pitcher of iced mint tea on the table between us, I quizzed Jenna for a test in Anatomy. A car pulled in at the curb. Jenna’s shoulders tensed. When I looked up, the reason for her uneasiness was evident. Marcus Garner strode up the walk. He’d inherited his height and build from his father. Only his black hair and dark eyes came from Martha.

“Marcus, what brings you?”

The owner of the local newspaper glared. “The pair of you.” Anger darkened his eyes. “Katherine, my family doesn’t need your interference. I don’t appreciate what you did with my mother the other evening.”

I rose and faced him. “Just what’s wrong with two friends having dinner at the best restaurant in town?”

“I know what you were up to.” He stabbed his finger toward me. “Stay out of my business.” He turned to Jenna. “What did I tell you when I heard you were back in town?”

“Not to see Gran.”

“But you did and you have her all upset. She doesn’t need another addict siphoning her money.”

Jenna sprang to her feet. “I’ve never done drugs and I don’t abuse alcohol. I saw how those things messed up my mother and Mark.”

“Liar. Mark had no substance abuse problems. For the last time, stay away from my mother.”

“She’s my grandmother and I love her.”

He raised his fist and swung. I grabbed his arm and deflected the blow. “Marcus Garner, you have no right to come on my property and threaten anyone.”

“Just stay out of my business.” He stomped to his car and drove away.

I shook my head. How could a middle-aged pillar of the community have so little restraint?

“You should have let him hit me.”

“Why?”

“He would have been talking to the police.” She reached for the tea. “Sorry.”

“What for? He’s the one at fault.” I patted her hand. “If Martha wants to see you, he has no reason to say she can’t.”

She sucked in a breath. “I shouldn’t drag you into my problems. Maybe I need to find another apartment.”

“Absolutely not. Your uncle and I have had our differences in the past. He doesn’t frighten me either.” I frowned. “He can be rude, but I wonder what has him so worried. Could he have a guilty conscience? Maybe he’s afraid your grandmother will learn the detective was a hoax.”

Jenna settled in the chair. “I doubt he feels guilty about anything. He’s afraid Gran will leave her money to someone other than him. When Granddad died, Uncle Marcus was furious when he received the paper and no money. He and Sophie had been married a year. She wasn’t happy either.”

My thoughts churned. If Marcus was living off the profits from the paper, he could be over-extended, especially with the show of wealth Sophie enjoyed. Was Martha subsidizing his lifestyle or was he counting on a large inheritance? I picked up the study guide. “Back to Anatomy.”

Wednesday Book Horu's Chosen #MFRWHooks #Alternate Egypt #action #MFRWauthor

Joining other authors hopping from blog to blog and reading about some great stories.  Join me here.
 http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com

BLURB

Seth, an undercover cop has been betrayed by his handler. To escape he calls a number on a flyer and is transported to an ancient Egypt he doesn’t understand. He must rescue the Daughter from the evil priests of Aken Re.

Merin is the Daughter. She must find the man who by wedding her will become Pharaoh. She plots to escape the priests of Aken Re and flee to those who years ago saved her life.

Can Seth and Merin find a way to defeat the priests? Is love the answer to their problems? Can they join with the Warrior of Bast and of Horu to bring unity to the Two Lands?

BUY MARK: 

http://www.bwlpublishing.ca/authors/lane-walters-janet-romance-fantasy-usa/

RT Review
Following on the heels of The Warrior of Bast, this story is filled with magic and fascinating characters. Those interested in ancient Egypt will find this an enthralling tale. A satisfying ending is presented for the hero and heroine, with a promising lead-in to the next story.




EXCERPT:

Seth slumped in the subway seat and shielded his face with a newspaper. Of all the luck. He was on his way to a meet with his handler and he didn’t want to be recognized. With care he moved the tabloid to study Tira. Panic showed in her expression. Perspiration dotted her forehead. Her tee shirt bore dirty smudges. She snatched a piece of paper from the seat beside her and seemed to study the words. As the car slid into the third stop she jumped to her feet and followed the crowd.

Another bit of bad luck. His stop, too. Just before the doors started to close he jumped out and headed up the stairs. When he reached the surface he searched and saw her running across the street. She entered the coffee shop. Strike three. That was the site of his meet.

Damn. Not a good idea to go inside. He would be late but late was better than made. Not that he didn’t trust Tira, but Ramos wanted her and the drug dealer had ways of making people talk. Tira’s sister had been a user and seller. Luci had angered Ramos by not paying what she owed and stealing drugs.

Seth slipped into a dark doorway and waited. Five minutes. Ten. At the fifteen minute mark Tira exited and stopped to use her phone. Moments later she dropped something on the sidewalk and hurried away.

Seth dashed forward and picked up the paper and read.

     Life got you down? Have unsolved problems?

     Looking for an escape? The answer is in your stars.

     A counselor is available night and day.

     Dial 1- 800- 555- ASTR

He read the paragraph again. Truth or scam? Had this piece of paper lured Tira into danger? Should he follow her? He frowned and peered down the street. She had vanished. When he’d warned her not to go home, he’d done more than he should have. But he liked her and knew she’d done nothing wrong. Her sister’s murder had put Tira in danger. The cops would have questioned and released her. Then Ramon would have stepped in. Seth hoped she had a safe place to hide. Holding this thought close he tucked the flyer in his pocket and entered the coffee shop.

MY PLACES:

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http://www.bwlpublishing.ca/authors/lane-walters-janet-romance-fantasy-usa/

Tuesday's Writer's Tip -Looking at the When of a story #MFRWauthor #Writing #When

There are six elements you need to have in your book- Who are the characters. What is the goal the characters want to achieve. When is the time the story takes place. Where is the place where the story takes place. Why is the reason the characters want to achieve their goals. How is the road they take to reach their goal.

Today, I'm looking at the when of a story. When the story takes place is very important to the writer. Let's look at the number of whens that go into a story.

When can be the century. The story can take place any time from prehistorical times to the future, The time period of a story can help create the story. I have a series set in an ancient alternate Egypt. The when had a part in determining the alternate world part of the story. I learned there were no camels in Egypt until around one AD. My story was set in BC centuries before. Thus I had to change the focus of the story.

Many of my stories are contemporary and what happens in the world around is important. I seldom mention the political events but looking at the medical advances is important.

So century does have an effect in a story and often means research.

The when also means things like season, time of day. I'll look at these Next week.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor #poem #Writing #undecorating the tree

Meander 1 - Poem - Mosaic Mind

I used to think of minds
As fragmented things. They're not.
Mosaic minds.With little bits and pieces
Put carefully together.
Mosaic mind - mine mosaic
There is a place for daily life
And one for times of joy.
There is a section filled with grief.
There's mortar in between.
The pattern that these pieces form
Makes me me and you you.

Meander 2 Undecorating the Christmas tree. - As a child, the tree always was taken down on January sixth. Not this year. It's now the thirteenth and the tree still sits in place all beautiful with lights and ornaments. I suppose I'll take it down, one of these days. The great thing is that there aren't needles dropping over the floor. So I'll delay and delay.

Meander 3 - Writing - I am finally back on track. I managed to fuse the last five chapters so they work with the first ones. Meant re-writing chapter eight and replotting chapters 9 through 12. Worked fairly well. Let's hope there are no more left or right turns before I finish this book. Hoping to make the March deadline.

Sunday's Book -Murder and Bitter Tea #MFRWAuthor #Cozy mystery #Undercover nurse

Katherine’s newest tenant is estranged from her family and is the granddaughter of one of Katherine’s friends. When her friend falls and fractures her hip, the elderly woman is taken to Hudson House nursing home, an exclusive house. 

Katherine’s friend becomes concerned about several recent and unexpected deaths. When she dies Katherine’s curiosity and suspicions send her undercover as a nurse. Soon she’s deeply involved. 

Can she learn who is behind the scheme to end the lives of wealthy patients without becoming a victim?

Saturday's Blurbs featuring Books by Diane Parkinson #MFRWauthor #Historical romance #New Brunswick

Blurb On a Stormy Primeval Shore:

In 1784, Englishwoman Amelia Latimer sails to the new colony of New Brunswick in faraway Canada. She’s to marry a man chosen by her soldier father. Amelia is repulsed by her betrothed, and refuses to marry him. Determined to defy her parent and cultivate herbs in this wilderness, she then meets the handsome Acadian trader, Gilbert, a man beneath her in status.

Gilbert must protect his mother, once attacked by an English soldier. He fights to hold on to their property, to keep it from the Loyalists who flood the colony—desperate men chased from the south after the American Revolution. In a land fraught with hardship, Amelia and Gilbert struggle to overcome prejudice, political upheaval, while forging an existence in a remote country where events seek to destroy their love and lives.

Purchase from BWL: http://books2read.com/OnAStormyPrimevalShore

Or Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stormy-Primeval-Shore-Brunswick-Historical-ebook/dp/B076ZSZMWD/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Friday's Guest - Diane Parkinson #MFRWauthor #Historical romance #Canadian Bride Series

Am I a pantser or a plotter, or both? When I started writing novels I was a terrible pantser, my first novel meandering all over the place. Soon I had a 7,000-word behemoth of a manuscript. And I had no idea publishers had word limits. I ended up doing massive edits and cutting that book into two books. I still write by the seat-of-my-pants in some ways, but now I have a semblance of a plot in mind, and I definitely keep my word limit in check.

Which comes first, characters or plot? A story idea comes first, then the main characters emerge almost simultaneously. The characters often tell which way the story will go after I get to know them better. Then I try to make the plot more exciting, more structured, each scene with a beginning, middle and end: or hook. Plus, each scene should advance the plot or enrich—round out—the characters. No wandering off into historical details that slow the flow as I love to do.

What am I working on now, and is it part of a series? I just finished a novel, On a Stormy Primeval Shore, set in New Brunswick, Canada in the eighteenth century. This story is part of my publisher’s Canadian Historical Brides Series. I pored through research books, helped ably by my research partner, Nany M. Bell; and I’m thrilled to be part of this series. I learned so much about Canadian history, the people who settled it, the Acadians and Loyalists who fled the American Revolution. Each book showcases a different province in various eras.

I became so interested in the Loyalists that my next novel is about a Loyalist female spy.

Do I use a particular object or place in my stories? I seem to gravitate toward healing herbs. I’ve used them in at least three of my books. I love the idea that these old-time cures can be found out in nature. And many modern medicines are derived from herbs or other plants, such as aspirin came from birch bark. My current heroine in the Canadian book uses herbs and makes tinctures and syrups from them for healing. As for place, I’ve used Cornwall, England in many of my books. The rough country and independent spirit of the Cornish appeals to me. I’m edging my way to this side of the pond for future novels.

Do I write every day or when the spirit hits? I try to write every day. But often inspiration will strike me when I’m away from the computer, and I must jot down ideas, send myself an email, or if I’m home, rush into the office and write. I really hate it when I’m in the shower and an idea pops into my head. I told my husband I need to invent a waterproof writing board to hang in the shower. He gave me the strangest look at that idea.

Thursday's Third Scene - Murder and Herbal Tea #MFRWAuthor #Murder #Herbal Tea

When Dana knocked on the door, Joyce let her in. Unlike her mother, the young woman’s hair hung straight. She looked stressed. “Problems?” I asked.

“Bad day.”

“What happened?” Joyce asked.

“One of my students ended in the emergency room. Spaced out on uppers.”

“Will she recover?” I knew the toll amphetamines took on the body.

“I think so. Zach asked me questions about her and wanted me to talk to her."

“What did he want to know?” Joyce asked.

“About drugs on campus. I didn’t think they were prevalent. He said the student refused to say where she got them. As if she’d tell me. All I know is she decided to pull an all-nighter to finish a paper due tomorrow.”

For a short time we let her talk. Dana was only a few years older than her students, but being a teacher kept her out of their loop.

When she wound down we went to the kitchen and ate pie.

“Thanks for bringing me a piece.”

“Wouldn’t have been fair if we hadn’t.” Joyce turned to me. “Where are you and Lars going to live?”

“We bought a house on the river.”

“You’re giving up that magnificent Victorian?”

“My apartment was too small and his house too large.”

She grinned. “You’ll love the river view.”

“Definitely. The house is on the left side of my favorite viewing place. It’s across the road from the doctor’s huge house.”

Dana leaned forward. “Where are you honeymooning?”

“That’s under consideration and one of the reasons I bolted. We’ll eventually reach a compromise."

My Places 

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 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

BUY MARK

http://www.bwlpublishing.ca/authors/lane-walters-janet-romance-fantasy-usa/

Wednesday Hook Bast's Warrior #MFRWBookHooks #Alternate Egypt @Adventure #MFRWAuthor

Join me along with other great writers while we tell you about our books here  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com   
My book is an alternate Egypt book





BLURB:
Tira flees a threat to her life and encounters two elderly women who offer her the chance to be sent to an alternate ancient Egypt with no thought of return. She has had a fascination with Egypt and can even read hieroglyphics. Once there she will be given a task. Failure could mean death. Dare she take the chance and can she find the lost symbols of the rule before an enemy finds them? 

Kashe, son of the nomarch of Mero is in rebellion. His father desires him to join the priesthood of Aken Re, a foreign god. He feels he belongs to Horu, god of warriors and justice. He decides to leave home, meets Tira and joins her in the search for the symbols of the rule. Will his aid bring good fortune and will their growing love keep them from making a fatal mistake?

Previously published as The Warrior of Bast

"This engaging voyage into an ancient Egypt that includes power-hungry priests and hazardous treasure hunts entertains from page one. Familial intrigue heightens the tension, as does a kidnapping or two. The cast of characters is dynamic and complements the well-conceived plot." ~ 4 Stars, Susan Mobley, Romantic Times Magazine

EXCERPT:

Tira wanted three things in life and she had little chance of gaining any of them. She wanted to be financially independent. She wanted to go to Egypt and study the ancient ruins. And she wanted her sister to stop using drugs.

The last desire brought memories of this morning’s quarrel. Luci had taken the money Tira had squirreled away to see them through the rest of the month. “Luci, why?”

“You don’t understand,” Luci screamed.

True. Tira didn’t understand why her sister needed to escape into a drugged stupor instead of studying and working to step onto the road leading from the slums. Tira’s hands stung with the memory of slapping her sister. And the words she’d shouted as she slammed out of the apartment echoed in her thoughts. “I hate you. I wish you were dead.” Tira shuddered. She hadn’t meant those words. As soon as she reached the apartment she would tell Luci.

With a sigh she turned back to the museum display. The Egyptian artifacts awed her. For a short time she allowed the beauty of the objects to carry her into dreams of pyramids and temples, of gods and pharaohs and of digging in the earth to uncover treasures of the past.

The dream hovered beyond her grasp. Her chances of gaining a position on a dig in Egypt were slim. Positions were avidly sought by students who had chosen the right colleges and the right professors. Those choices had been beyond her financially. She sucked in a breath. Instead of adventure, when the summer ended, she would take her place in front of a classroom teaching history at an inner city high school.

A glance at her watch said dreamtime was over. She had to reach the apartment in time to change for her evening shift as a restaurant several blocks from the cramped fifth floor efficiency she shared with her older sister. Once again flash moments from the morning’s quarrel exploded in Tira’s thoughts. She’d been so upset she’d missed her morning martial arts session at the local center.

Tira cast her dream self aside and donned the role of practical sister. She hurried to the exit and stepped from the past into a steamy August day. Heat shimmered from the sidewalk. The air hung heavy and filled with the odors of the city and the noises of traffic. She strode along the crowded area taking advantage of every opening.

Ten days to dream. Ten days to walk the halls of the museum. Ten days to study the artifacts that had become her lodestones. She breathed the aromas of real time, spices of cooking foods, metallic scents of passing traffic and the odors of people, some pleasant and some not.

Several blocks from the apartment building the crowds thinned. In an alley she glimpsed furtive movements in the dark shadows. She hurried past. On the corner across the street a group of gang members gathered. She sucked in a breath and held her head high. For all her twenty three years she’d avoided the gangs. As she strode past she heard the usual crude remarks about her body and her attitude.

Get a life, she wanted to scream.

When she saw the ambulance and two cop cars in front of the building where she lived she halted so abruptly she stumbled. A hand caught her arm. Tira saw the gray-streaked beard of one of the winos who slept in the doorways or the alley. “Get your hands off me.”

“Don’t go home,” he whispered. “Lose yourself in the crowd and keep your head down.”

Tira saw a keen intelligence in the man’s dark eyes. Who was he? He wasn’t as old as she had imagined either. “Why?”

“Your sister’s dead. Cops’ll be looking for you. They heard about the fight.”

Tira’s stomach clenched. She blinked away a rush of tears. Though hearing about her sister’s death wasn’t unexpected another dream shattered. There would be no rehab for Luci. “Junkies O.D. every day,” she said.

“She was murdered.”

A chill slithered down Tira’s spine. A rush of acid burned her throat. What? Why? Who? Keeping her eyes on the ground she inched away from him.

“Murder. Murder.” The murmured word spread through the crowd gathered on the sidewalk and stung like attacking wasps.

MY PLACES:

https://twitter.com/JanetL717

 https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_fbid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

BUY MARK

http://www.bwlpublishing.ca/authors/lane-walters-janet-romance-fantasy-usa/