Friday, August 31, 2018

Friday's Guest featuring Dee S. Knight #MFRWauthor #romance #Who She Was Before


1.      What were you in your life before you became a writer?     I didn't start writing until I was in my fifties, so I had the opportunity to work at a lot of different things. I was an over-the-road trucker for 8 years, an acquisitions librarian for a year, a teacher for 13 years, a technical writer for 4 years, and a technical editor for 5 years. There were other things tucked in there before I started calling myself a writer (like gift wrapper for a Christmas season!). I guess trucking influenced me the most, mainly because of all those lonely miles I had available to put together stories! Needless to say, I've also been associated with lots of different people from various walks of life, and I have shamelessly used them as fodder for my characters.
2.     
Are you genre specific?
     With the exception of one book I wrote under another pen name, my books have all been erotic romance. I didn't set off to write erotic romance—and I didn't tell anyone that I was writing it until well into my second year of being published. I wrote a book, sent it to a publisher of erotic romance. The publisher said that she liked my writing style but that the book didn't have enough sex in it. She said if I ever wrote and erotic romance to please let her have a look. I thought, "How hard can it be to write sex?" I wrote a different book, added (what I though was) lots of sex and sent it back the next month, and she published it. So I've just staying in the genre. It's what I love to write as well as read.
3.  

    Did your reading choices have anything to do with your choice of genre?
     Not really except insofar as I read romance and write romance. I didn't really know there was an erotic romance segment of romance—I never read it. I only got into erotic romance as a kind of challenge to myself. I do love romance books, however, and read all the subgenre, from historical to futuristic.
4.    
  What's your latest release?
     Last March Black Velvet Seductions released a book of three novellas called Naval Maneuvers. It features naval personnel and their discovery of life and love, in uniform and out. They have scheduled my next book, Only a Good Man Will Do, for this fall. It's the first in the Good Man series.      The series focuses on naturally identical triplets, Daniel, Jonah, and Mark Goodman. I hope readers like the boys as much as I do!
5.    
  What are you working on now?
     Book 2 of the Good Man series, where intermittently employed Jonah Goodman is a mechanic attracted again to the girl he loved in high school.
6.   
   Where can we find you?
     I have teamed up with other writers on Nomad Authors (
https://nomadauthors.com). There readers will find me, sweet sister Anne Krist, ménage romance writer Jenna Stewart, historical writers, Amber Carlton and Jan Selbourne, and Francis Drake, who writes above and beyond romance. I can be reached at dsknight@deesknight.com


Thursday, August 30, 2018

Thursday's Fourth Scene Murder and Tainted Tea #MFRWAuthor #BWLPublishing #Santa Fe #Cozy Mystery


“Aunt Katherine, how was your trip?” Bonnie’s lips brushed the air by my cheek. Though her greeting held a facade of friendliness, beneath the cordiality a distinct coldness hummed. She drew back, but the cloying sweetness of her perfume lingered.
Of all Lars’ children, she resembles him the most. She’s a tall blonde with skin tanned to a golden hue. Her graceful movements imbued her with the essence of a magnificent jungle beast on the prowl for prey. The leopard skin coat she wore added to the picture.
“Uneventful until I...” Before I finished, she glided away.
“Don, where’s Daddy? There are some important matters he and I need to discuss.” She tossed her coat on one of the chairs facing the fireplace.
Her brother replaced the receiver in the cradle. “He’s not here and we hoped he was with you. When Aunt Katherine arrived, she found the front door open and his partly eaten breakfast on the table.”
“Oh lord, maybe he’s had a heart attack. Did you check the house? What about the grounds? I really need to talk to him.”
I joined the pair. “I’ve checked the house twice. He’s not here.”
She brushed her hair from her face. “I’ve been out all day. Been busy with preparations for the party. Did you try Carl or Damon?”
Don raked his hair in an awkward parody of his sister’s graceful gesture. “The office was the second place I called. Carl and Damon were in a meeting and couldn’t be disturbed. The secretary said Dad wasn’t with them.”
“Maybe Daddy had some last minute shopping to do in preparation for Aunt Katherine’s visit.”
“He sent Consuela to the store.” Don glared at his sister. “Didn’t you notice his car’s still here?”
“Never looked.” She smoothed her blue sweater over her slim hips. “What’s eating you? Ever since Ramona died, you’ve been jumping at shadows.”
“We’ve talked about what I plan to do.”
“And I’ve said it’s impossible.”
Don rose. “Right now, I’m worried about Dad. Haven’t you noticed how edgy and distant he’s been lately?”
Bonnie laughed. “That’s just your imagination. He’s been fine.”
“He’d never go off without leaving a note for Aunt Katherine. You know how much he’s looked forward to her visit.”
Bonnie planted her hands on her hips. “He was more worried about how she’d fit in with our friends. I’m sure he’s gone off with one of his cronies.” She turned and manufactured a smile that left her blue eyes as cold as diamond. “No disrespect meant, but you don’t move in the same circles as Daddy and I do.”
My jaw clenched. Back east Lars and I have the same set of friends. While the people here were unknown to me, as a nurse and former choir director, I’ve dealt with the rich, the poor and the in-betweens.
A few calming breaths controlled my anger and my need to lash out at this rude young woman. I couldn’t allow myself to forget what was important and that was my friend’s whereabouts.
“For heaven’s sake, have you forgotten Dad’s missing?” Don grasped his sister’s shoulders.
“You don’t know if he is. He could be anywhere. Maybe he’s planning something for my party. I know he wants the affair to be as perfect as mine usually are.”
“So glad you’re pleased with your social success, but get real. Did Dad mention having any new problems with the business?”
While they bickered, I tried to recall the little I’d learned from Lars’ phone call. “Last night when we talked he seemed worried about his retirement plans and --”
“Just what did he say?” Don asked.
Bonnie jerked away from her twin. “I doubt he would tell her anything and there couldn’t have been a problem or I would have known. He’s turned everything over to me.”
“Are there missing records?” Don asked.
“What do you care about the business as long as you and your br...child can live off the profits?” She stabbed her finger toward the sleeping child.
“I’ve never taken a cent I haven’t earned.”
“Pardon me if I don’t believe that. What about the house where you’re living rent free?”
“You have the same benefit. Does Dad charge you rent for the mansion you talked him into building to enhance your image?”
“The house is necessary.”
Don rolled his eyes. “Maybe Carl and Damon know something. Let me try the office again.”
She glared. “How could they? When Daddy’s not around, I’m in charge.”
He shook his head. “This isn’t about you being boss. They might have some idea where he is.”
“I doubt that.”
“I’ve been thinking.”
Bonnie cut him off. “About time.” A sneer distorted her perfect features. “Did you call the police?”
“I doubt they can do anything yet,” I said.
She waved me aside. “This isn’t your problem.” She pointed at Don. “You call the hospital. I’ll use my cell phone and call the police. They’ll listen to me or else.”
Megan stirred and grasped the kitten. “Aunt Bonnie, look what Aunt Kaferine bring me. Rose Prairie.”
Bonnie stepped back. “Keep that beast away from me. I detest cats.”
Megan flinched as if she’d been slapped. “Sorry.”
“Go play. Your father and I don’t have time for your nonsense.”
“Bonnie, that’s enough,” Don snapped. He crouched beside his daughter. “It’s all right. Your aunt’s upset.”
Since Bonnie had taken charge of the search for Lars, I crossed to the couch and took Megan’s hand. “Why don’t you and Rose Prairie come with me? I’ll see if I can find you a snack.”
Megan nodded. When we reached the kitchen, she put the kitten down. “Stay here, Rose Prairie. Aunt Bonnie don’t like you. She don’t like Mommy either. She yell at Mommy. Then Mommy don’t come home.”
The child’s matter-of-fact statements about her aunt chilled me. Was there a connection between the quarrel and Ramona’s death? How long before the accident had the argument occurred?
I saw tears in Megan’s eyes and gathered her close. “I like you and I liked your Mommy. Let’s see if your pop has some cookies hidden away.”
While I rummaged in the pantry, I wondered what Bonnie and Ramona had quarreled about. Dare I ask? Was their disagreement somehow connected to Lars’ disappearance? Except Ramona had died eight months ago. I pushed the child’s words aside until I had time to ponder their meaning.
After putting several cookies on a plate and pouring a glass of milk, I heated the remainder of the tea in the microwave. Had I left home to become involved in another incident leading to someone’s death?
Gooseflesh covered my arms. Not Lars. I had to hold onto the belief he would be all right.
“What do you mean you can’t do anything?” Bonnie’s voice, shrill with anger, carried into the kitchen. “Do you know who I’m calling about? Lars Claybourne is no ordinary citizen. He’s an important businessman in this community. He’s not senile and he doesn’t wander off. What if he’s been kidnapped?”
Silence followed her outburst. I edged toward the archway between the kitchen and dining room and studied her. Though her voice had been loud and shrill, no emotion showed on her face.
She paced around the gleaming oak table. “No, there hasn’t been a demand...I see...If anything happens to him, you’ll be sorry.”
The front door banged. I rushed past Bonnie to reach the foyer. “Lars.” Neither of the men was my friend.
Bonnie ran to them. “Daddy isn’t here. He wasn’t home when Aunt Katherine arrived. None of his friends have seen him. He’s not at the hospital and the police won’t do a thing.” She grasped my arm. “Tell them what you found.”
After relating the tale of my arrival, I led them to the dining room. Unfortunately the table had been cleared. I should have told Consuela to leave the dishes, though I wondered if the unfinished breakfast would have told anyone a thing other than Lars had departed in haste.
The tallest of the men had to be Lars’ son-in-law. Though I’d never met Carl Grayco, Lars had shown me pictures. Carl was darkly handsome with penetrating anthracite-colored eyes. He was a perfect foil for Bonnie’s blonde beauty.
The other man must be Lars’ executive assistant. He was shorter than Carl, but more muscular. His blond hair had been razor cut to attain a tousled look. Hazel eyes held glints of humor. Did he find the situation amusing or did he possess secret knowledge? An odd question surfaced. What connection other than employee did he have to the Claybourne family?
Bonnie touched my arm. “Aunt Katherine, I’m so rattled about Daddy’s disappearance that I forgot to introduce you. This is my husband, Carl Grayco, and this is Damon Webster. I’m Daddy’s right hand and Damon’s his left. Mrs. Miller and her husband were dear friends of Mommy and Daddy.”
Both men turned to me. “Pleased to meet you,” Carl said.
Damon took my hand. “A pleasure. Lars has told me so much about you.”
Bonnie linked arms with him. “Now don’t be repeating Daddy’s stories.”
As though I’d been shocked by static electricity, I sucked in a breath. The heat pulsing between the pair startled me, but I couldn’t decide if what I sensed was animosity or attraction.
Damon shrugged off Bonnie’s hand. “Lars has so many plans for your visit, but he wished you had come in the summer.”
“Maybe next time.”
Don entered the dining room. “Could Dad have gone off with someone to check some potential investment?”
Bonnie cast a sneering glance at her twin. “I would have known. Besides all our new projects are out of state and I’m handling them.”
“She’s right,” Damon said. “He cleared his desk so his guest could have his full attention.”
“Did anyone check for phone calls?” Carl asked.
“How? Daddy refused to have an answering machine.” Bonnie walked to the living room. “Would someone do something? I can’t stand this.”
Damon followed her. “We could search the grounds unless that’s been done.”
Bonnie pressed her hands against her chest. “I have a bad feeling about this. I have to go home. If Daddy’s been kidnapped, I’ll have to cancel the party. What will people think if I do that two days before the event?”
“Not a good idea,” Carl said. “I’ve heard that when there’s a kidnapping people are supposed to live as though nothing’s happened.”
Bonnie nodded. “You’re right, but I don’t think I can pretend. What excuse could we give to explain his absence?”
An odd look passed between Bonnie and Carl. Something more than Lars’ disappearance was in the air.
“Is anyone coming with me?” Damon asked. “Carl? Don? You know this place better than I do.”
Don glanced at me. “Would you?”
“Stay with Megan, of course.”
Bonnie put on her fur coat and followed the men to the door. “I can’t stay here. I’ll be at home. If Daddy calls here, let me know. Oh, Aunt Katherine, if you decide to go home, we’ll understand.”
“Why would I do that?” She vanished before the question was out. Her departure was welcome. Some of the heaviness drained from the atmosphere. Something about her attitude troubled me. I wondered if she knew more than she had said.
Don’t be foolish. She’d never let anyone harm her father.
Since her mother’s death, Bonnie had clung to Lars. When she and Don had come here for college, Lars had moved to Santa Fe to be near them. Any time he stayed in the East for more than a month, she found a reason to bring him rushing back.
I returned to the kitchen and found an eye roast in the freezer, then rummaged in the pantry for potatoes and onions. Cooking one of Lars’ favorite meals might nip my fears. In the refrigerator I found the ingredients for one of my chocolate cakes.
Megan sat on the floor beside a basket lined with towels where the kitten slept. Consuela must have made the nest before she left.
“Aunt Kaferine, where my pop?”
“I don’t know.”
She climbed on one of the chairs. “What you doing?”
“Making dinner and baking a cake. Want to help?”
She nodded. “Daddy don’t make cakes. He buy ‘em. Mommy did. Her and the baby fall a long way.” Tears trickled down her cheeks.
I hugged her. “It hurts when someone you love dies. I know you miss your Mommy, but I bet your daddy takes good care of you.”
She nodded. “I have bad dreams and cry real loud. He come and pet me.” She looked up. “Aunt Bonnie don’t like me. Her yell.”
“Does she now?”
“Her don’t like me bringing dirt in her house and making her ‘spensive fings messy. Her yell at Daddy. Then her cry and he say sorry.”
The child’s tales of her aunt’s behavior didn’t surprise me. Bonnie had always been overly selfish with her possessions. She’d also staged tearful tantrums to persuade her father and brothers to give Bonnie her way.
Her mother had curbed her willful daughter, but after Marie’s death, Lars had failed to provide the needed controls. Bonnie’s whims and demands had ruled the family. I’d often wondered if this had caused the coolness between Lars and his older sons.
I put the ingredients for the cake on the table. Using a towel, I improvised an apron for Megan so she wouldn’t get her pink jeans and shirt dirty. After seasoning the beef, I put it in the oven. Then we began the cake. Megan stirred while I added flour and sour cream to the egg, sugar and chocolate mixture. Soon the pans were in the oven. Megan watched while I peeled potatoes.
About an hour after the men left, Don returned. He sat at the table. Megan crawled onto his lap.
“Find anything?”
“Nothing.” He hugged his daughter. “Something smells good.”
“Would you and Megan like to stay for dinner?”
“Yes.” Megan looked at her father. “We make a cake.”
Don laughed. “Wouldn’t dream of missing a cake you baked, Button. Aunt Katherine, would you like to stay at our house tonight?”
“I’ll stay here. He might call.”
Doubt filled his eyes. Had he given up? I felt sure his thoughts were colored by memories of waiting for his wife to come home and then learning of her death.
“Rose Prairie can sleep with you,” Megan said.
“She’s your kitten and needs to get used to being at your house with you and your daddy.” I tested the cake to see if it was cool enough to ice.


 MY PLACES



BUY MARK
http://bookswelove.net/authors/walters-janet-lane-romance-fantasy-suspense-medical/

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Wednesday Murder and Bitter Tea #MFRWHooks #BWLPublishing #Mystery #Cozy #Nursing home #Hudson River

Murder and Bitter Tea (Mrs. Miller Mysteries Book 4)

Join us at #MFRWHooks for some great book http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com    Mine is Murder and Bitter tea. Katherine sets herself up as an undercover nurse at a nursing home for wealthy patrons.



BLURB:

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?

Excerpt:
     I waited until after lunch to visit Martha at the hospital. As I walked down the corridor of the Surgical Unit, the familiar scents and sounds made me wish I was back in uniform. A very bad idea. I remembered what had happened when I resurfaced as a church organist. Maybe the desire to return was akin to an old racehorse wanting to take another lap around the track.
     I paused outside Martha’s private room and listened for voices. Hearing none I wanted to avoid, I tapped on the partially open door. The nurse who appeared had been a colleague until she opted for private duty.
     “Kate, how nice to see you. Heard you retired. Are you visiting someone?”
     “Martha. We’re old friends.”
     She shook her head. “Her son doesn’t want anyone other than family visiting. She needs to rest.”
     “Think of this as a pastoral call. We attend the same church.” On occasion, I made hospital calls for our pastor.
     “Katherine, is that you?” Martha asked.
     “Yes.”
     “Let her in. It’s vital for me to speak to her.”
     Fran shrugged. “Go ahead. You can sit with her while I grab lunch. Her daughter-in-law was due to relieve me a half hour ago. Her son doesn’t want her left alone.”
     To keep out visitors who didn’t meet his approval was my take on the order. “Thanks.” I entered and went to the bedside. “How are you feeling?”
     “Sore. Dumb. Awkward. I’m glad you came.”
     “Jenna says she loves you and she’ll find a way to visit.”
     “Tell her to wait until I go to Hudson House. Marcus is so over-protective. When I’m there, he’ll know I’m recovering and he won’t worry so.” She clasped my hand. “Give me my handbag.”
I looked in the bedside stand and the closet. “Not here.”
     Her forehead wrinkled. “That’s right. I had it put in the safe.”
     Why hadn’t she sent her valuables home with her son? “I guess whatever you wanted to give me will have to wait.”
     She nodded. “There are some things at the house I want you to remove.”
     What’s going on?” I turned. Sophie Garner stood in the doorway. She flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
     “I’m visiting,” I said.
     “Marcus doesn’t want Mother Garner disturbed. Did that stupid nurse let you in? I’ll see she’s fired at once.”
     “You’ll do nothing of the sort.” Martha’s voice held an iron edge. “I pay her and if I think she deserves to be fired, I will. You’re almost an hour late to relieve her. Kate kindly volunteered to stay while the nurse had lunch.”
     Sophie waved her red-tipped fingers. “Did you expect me to walk out on Linda Eliot? She’s a very influential person around the county.”
     Martha snorted. “A newcomer with new money. The Garners have been forces to reckon with for over a hundred years, but you always did like flash.” She dropped her hand on the bed. “Don’t let her vulgar money sway you, but there’s no sense trying to make silk from trash.”
     “How can you say that? I’ve given you two lovely granddaughters.” Sophie turned to me. “You can leave. When I tell Marcus you were here, he’ll be livid.”
     “You’ll tell him nothing.” Martha glared. “Sophie, step outside. I want to speak to Katherine alone.”
     “I will not.”
     I clasped Martha’s hand. “It’s all right. I’ll talk to you later.”
     Martha nodded. “Let my nurse know Sophie’s here and she has no reason to worry or hurry her break.”
     “Will do.” I slipped past Sophie and strode down the hall. At the nurses’ lounge, I opened the door and passed Martha’s message to Fran.



 MY PLACES


BUY MARK
http://bookswelove.net/authors/walters-janet-lane-romance-fantasy-suspense-medical/

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Tuesday's Writer's Tip More on Developing Scenes #MFRWAuthor #Writing #Scenes

Scenes are valuable in writing a story. Using them to define character is one way. Another way is to locate the characters in time and space. The third is to advance the plot.

Showing the setting in a story can be done with dialogue and description. Two characters talking about what they're seeing is important. Bits of descriptive passages can add to what the characters hear and see, not to mention the other senses. Using dialogue also cuts down on those long descriptive passages that used to be the way writers showed a setting.

A scene can also be used to advance the plot of a story. One has to be careful when choosing a setting for the scene. Eating scenes are very important. I've used them in many of my stories but I take care to throw in tidbits about what may or may not happen next.

Using each scene to perform all three functions is great. Showing character development alone is good. Positioning the characters in time and place when combined with character development is great. Adding a plot advance to the two makes the scene excellent. So look at your scene and know the purpose is the way to write a great story.

 MY PLACES


BUY MARK
http://bookswelove.net/authors/walters-janet-lane-romance-fantasy-suspense-medical/

Monday, August 27, 2018

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWAuthor #BWL Publishing #poem #writing #book reviews

Meander 1 Poem ---

Love comes upon us unaware.
We forget ourselves and show we care.
We look into each other's eyes
And the shadow of self slowly dies.
We open ourselves to hurt and pain
Because there's so  much more we gain.
When we truly love all men as brothers,
They become as we and not those others.

Meander 2 -- Book Reviews. This is not about books of ours that have been reviewed but doing reviews for others. I find writing them painful because I worry about giving toot much away. Another problem is I either like a book or I don't feel that excited about it. There are few books I don't like but a lot I would rather not write reviews. So lately, I've been forcing myself to write reviews.

Meander 3 - Writing -  Up to working on the last chapter of The Virgo Pisces Connection and then it's another go through to make sure all is well with the book. Will probably take another month but that's all right.

 MY PLACES


BUY MARK
http://bookswelove.net/authors/walters-janet-lane-romance-fantasy-suspense-medical/

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Sunday's Book Murder and Tainted Tea #MFRWauthor #BWLPublishing #cozy mystery #Hudson Valley #Santa Fe

Murder and Tainted Tea (Mrs. Miller Mysteries Book 3)

Katherine heads to Santa Fe, New Mexico along with a Maine Coon Cat kitten to spend New Year’s Eve with Lars. Her guilty feelings over the organist’s death has her needing an escape. When she reaches Santa Fe, she discovers Lars is missing. She seeks and finds him and steps into another mystery. 

Lars’ daughter dislikes Katherine but when the young woman is kidnapped, they are puzzled. The murder of Lars’ daughter and one of his employees makes solving the mysteries necessary. Can she learn before Lars becomes a victim.

Editorial Review
With every book, I think the Katherine Miller Mysteries can't get any better. I'm always wrong, because they always do. ~ Writer Gail Roughton


October 14, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Saturday's Blurbs features three books by Silvie Grayson #MFRWauthor #Scific/fantasy

The Last War: Book One, Khandarken Rising: Major Dante Regiment seeks justice for Beth, even if he has to provide it himself


Khandarken Rising, The Last War: Book One
Major Dante Regiment must find a way to protect Beth, as the Emperor is not the only one causing chaos in Khandarken
The Emperor has been defeated. New countries have arisen from the ashes of the old Empire. The citizens swear they will never need to fight again.
Bethlehem Farmer is helping her brother Abram run Farmer Holdings in south Khandarken after their father died in the final battles. But when Abram takes a trip with Uncle Jade into the northern territory and disappears without a trace, suddenly things are not what they seem and no one can be trusted.
Major Dante Regiment is sent by his father, the General of Khandarken, to find out what the situation is at Farmer Holdings. What he sees shakes him to the core and fuels his grim determination to protect Bethlehem at all cost.

 https://www.books2read.com/u/bQBBq6



Son of the Emperor, The Last War: Book Two
From the mud and danger of the open road to the welcoming arms of the Sanctuary, from attacks by the dispossessed army to the storms of the open sea, Son of the Emperor takes us on a wild ride into danger and on to the dream of freedom.
Hunted by her stepmother, Julianne Adjudicator flees to the north of Khandarken and is welcomed into the Sanctuary, a place of refuge for women in a rough world where the dispossessed of The Last War rove the wilds of the countryside. But even there, she finds chaos and betrayal. 
Abe Farmer seeks help for his badly wounded bodyguard at the Sanctuary but ends up leaving under cover of darkness with young Julianne in tow when he discovers the fate that awaits her there. Soon the trio attracts the deadly attentions of the New Emperor. 
Can they reach the Catastrophic Ocean and safety before disaster strikes?


Truth and Treachery, The Last War: Book Three
When Emperor Carlton makes an offer, can Cownden Lanser refuse? Lanser has his own ambitions and Carlton may be offering everything he's dreamed of.
The Young Emperor has been backed into a corner. He holds a bit of land in Legitamia where he marshals his troops, but the skirmishes they've launched to expand his empire have had limited success. Now, his ambitions are aimed at overthrowing everything Khandarken has cobbled together since the Last War.
Cownden Lanser, Chief Constable of Khandarken, is a private man with a close connection to the Old Empire that he doesn't divulge to anyone. Although he's dedicated to his position, things are not what they seem in the rank and file of the police.
Selanna Nettles is a sookie, trained in Legitamia but working near her family in the Western Territory of Khandarken, healing the injured mine workers and the dispossessed. But her life takes a startling turn when Chief Cownden Lanser hires her to attend a set of high-level meetings in Gilsigg.
When these three meet up in Legitamia, the result is explosive. Not just for them but for the future of Khandarken. The Emperor makes Cownden an offer that might be everything he's secretly dreamed of. How can he refuse?


Friday, August 24, 2018

Friday's Guest - Silvie Grayson #MFRWauthor #Law #romantic suspense #Scifi/fantasy


1          What were you in your life before you became a writer? Did this influence your writing?


I was a business person and a lawyer before I began writing full time. My husband preferred the term entrepreneur, and it feels right. We started and ran a few businesses. Then I did law school and practiced family law for a time, but ended up back in business. However, the legal knowledge has been a huge help in that type of enterprise.

This background certainly has had an impact on my writing. I love being able to use personal experience to augment the stories I write, and I always advise authors to write what they know. There’s nothing like someone doing a story on a career they know little about, leaving themselves open for a lot of criticism. I haven’t quite given up business, but spend an equal time writing.


2.                 2  Are you genre specific or general? Why? I don't mean genres like romance, mystery, fantasy etc. There are many subgenres of the above

I write romantic suspense. I began in contemporary, and love the twists that the suspense adds to a romance. Then I branched out into sci fi/ fantasy (my writer friends can’t decide if it is one or the other, so I call it both 😊 )
I usually write one contemporary, then one fantasy. It gives me a whole new perspective and I never get bored from sticking to one genre.

3. Did your reading choices have anything to do with your choice of a genre or genres? 

Absolutely. I read Neal Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon among other novels, and that sent me straight into the sci fi realm. It is a great book and woke my imagination in a really new way.

4. What's your latest release? 

My latest release is called Dead Wrong, a contemporary romantic suspense. It’s about a girl who was pushed very fast through school, and ended up in a situation she was too immature to handle. Now she’s all grown up, but the events have come back to haunt her. Tagline - When Shelley’s boyfriend disappears, never did she imagine he would come back to haunt her.

5. What are you working on now? 

Currently I’m working on Book Six of The Last War series. It doesn’t have a name yet, that usually comes later on in the process. I’ve begun the MS and am still working out the details of what happens and who is involved. But there are plenty of characters from the first books to draw on and the Emperor is out there causing chaos. Great fun.

6. Where can we find you? 

My website is – www.sylviegrayson.com
and Twitter
 and have an author page on Amazon for my dozen books.
https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00OEIVODG/

Author of many contemporary romantic suspense novels, and the sci fi/ fantasy series, The Last War, Sylvie Grayson loves to write about suspense, romance and murder, all about strong women who meet with dangerous odds, stories of tension and attraction.
She has lived most of her life in Canada, in spots ranging from Vancouver Island on the west coast to the North Peace River country and the Kootenays in the beautiful interior of British Columbia. She spent a year in Japan. She has been an English language instructor, a nightclub manager, an auto shop bookkeeper and a lawyer. She lives in southern British Columbia with her husband on a small piece of land near the Pacific Ocean.

Sylvie loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com, on her website at www.sylviegrayson.com where you can sign up for her newsletter, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sylvie.grayson  or on twitter at https://twitter.com/SylvieGrayson.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Thursday's Fourth Scene _ Murder and Poisoned Tea #MFRWauthor #BWLPublishing #Murder #Cozy mystery #Tea


When Beth arrived early the morning of our first trip, she was alone.
“Where’s Robby?”
“Pete’s taking him to Sunday School and then to some indoor recreation place. He’s quite taken with my son.”
“And the mother?”
She wrinkled her nose. “He’s indifferent. Maybe I’m too serious for him.”
We walked to her car. A pale sun shone in a clouded sky. The air held a bitter chill.
Our trip took us nearly a hundred miles north of the Hudson River town where we lived. Roger Brandon was the first applicant.
After our arrival in the small upstate town, we parked across the street from a large red brick church. Martin, Judith and Ralph entered the church ahead of us. Morning sunlight streamed through a series of narrow stained glass panels. Beth followed me down the aisle to a seat in one of the center pews. The rest of our group settled in the last row.
Once the prelude began, I closed my eyes. Gooseflesh rose on my arms. Why was such a superb musician buried in this out-of-the-way place? In that instant I knew we had to have him and I revised the salary
Edward had mentioned upward.
When the last note of the postlude ended, I remained in my seat so filled with music I was unable to move. Finally, I followed Beth to the vestibule where the other committee members waited.
“What did you --”
I shook my head to cut off Ralph’s question. No sense airing our business for everyone to hear. We remained in the vestibule after the minister left his position at the door.
Judith’s quick intake of breath signaled the approach of a tall, broadshouldered man. Light shone through the stained glass windows to illuminate his handsome face and to burnish his red-gold hair. There was a mystical quality in his expression. He smiled at Judith and then Beth. He took my hand. “You must be the committee from St. Stephen’s. I’m Roger Brandon.”
I introduced myself and the others. Outside, I pulled my coat closer.
The temperature hadn’t risen from the early morning chill. “Is there somewhere we can go to talk? We have some questions and I’m sure you do, too.”
“There’s a restaurant five miles out of town. Why don’t you follow me there?” His voice was as rich and vibrant as the music he charmed from the organ.
“That would be terrific.”
When we were in the car, Beth sighed. “Is he as good as I think?”
“He’s brilliant...stunning...words can’t describe. I want him at St. Stephen’s.”
“So will Judith. Did you see the way she stared?”
“Let’s not worry about Judith’s collection. First we have to see if he’s interested. Then I have to convince Edward and the Vestry to offer more money.”
The elegant restaurant had a small private room. As we talked, the distance from Roger’s playing allowed me more objectivity.
Why was he so eager to leave his present church where he’d been organist for less than a year? Of course, St. Stephen’s offers a challenge and exposure. Still, the longest he’d remained in one church had been two years. At thirty-two, he’d been musical director for seven churches.
Though his gypsy ways troubled me, I remembered his tremendous talent and I coveted him for our music program. Perhaps his many moves could be blamed on his youth. This thought erased my qualms.
Judith sat beside him. Her attempts to claim him failed. He gave equal attention to every committee member.
“When can you come?” Ralph asked.
“August,” Roger said. “It wouldn’t be fair to break my contract here.”
Ralph frowned. “We need an organist for Passion Sunday and Easter.”
I glared. “You know that’s impossible.” I turned to Roger. “Could you come to St. Stephen’s as a guest organist, say in two weeks?”
“I’ll see if one of my students is available to take over here.”
I gave him my phone number. Before the waitress brought the check, Ralph pushed his chair back. “I have to get back. This is my busy season. I have two clients coming this evening.” He strode to the door.
Judith made a face. Martin covered her hand with his. “Let’s go. Do you want to hear Ralph complain for the entire ride home?”
Beth, Roger and I lingered over coffee and dessert. After the bill was paid, he walked us to Beth’s car. “It’s been a pleasure,” he said.
“For me as well,” Beth said.
“I could listen to you forever.” As far as I was concerned, Roger had the job at St. Stephen’s.


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