Thursday, December 31, 2020

Thursday's Opening Scene from Horu's Chosen #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Alternate world #Ancient Egypt #swords #paranormal

 

 

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.

As he slipped into the rear booth his handler glared. “You’re late.

“Better late than identified.”

Bob Tolena rubbed his hand over his receding hairline. “What?”

“The girl who just left the shop was Luci Gray’s sister.”

“And you let her get away?”

Seth shrugged. He grabbed the cup of coffee and drained the bitter brew hoping a caffeine jolt would unclog his head. If he didn’t get some rest soon he would make a fatal mistake.

The waitress arrived and refilled his cup. She slammed a plate with a burger and fries in front of Seth. He glanced at the older man. “Yours?”

“Not. Eat. You look like hell.”

As soon as the waitress left, Seth looked up. “That lead to Ramos is dead. What now?”

“If you see that young woman, have her picked up.”

“Why? She’s innocent.”

“Don’t you think someone official should make that call? No matter. We’ll keep an eye on her.” The older man slid a piece of paper across the table. “There’s some new info surfacing. You still have an in at that church-run community center?”

“Sure.” Seth picked up the burger and took a bite. How much longer could he continue undercover? For two years he had slunk through the alleys passing information to his handler. Three drug busts based on what he’d learned had gone down. But the bosses wanted more and more. Ramos would be the biggest.

Seth’s hands shook. Would he ever see the end? He felt older than his twenty-five years. “I want out.”

“Not yet. You’re young. Hang in there for another year or two. About the center, Ramos is sniffing around.”

The burger dropped to the plate. A year was too long. So was a month. He hadn’t gone to the academy or joined the force for this secretive life.

Bob clamped a hand on Seth’s wrist. “You’re good at this. Pete would be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Seth rose. He felt sick. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Wednesday Searches Affinities Book 3 #MfrwHooks #BwlAuthor #Epic fantasy #swords #Sorcery

 


Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com For some great excerpts. Mine is from Searches - The young people leave their haven to search for others like them and for their symbols of power

Blurb:

Having found a safe place in a tower fortress, the four and their companions set out to find what they need to defeat Dom Senet and He Who Walks With Evil. They divide into three groups. The first group seeks the focus stones that enhance their affinities. The second group looks for the remaining artifacts, the swords, the staffs, the flutes and the scrying bowls. The third group sets out to find those with their affinities to round the groups to four of earth, four water, four air and four fire. Their strength will be needed in the final battle.



Excerpt:

Val lifted the basket of fruit. “We need to approach the walls with caution. According to Dragen, the place has been empty for generations. Who knows what pests have taken refuge there. Bran and I should go first and see what creatures we can send away.”

“Sending them away might not be a good idea. What if they return?”

Bran strolled toward them. “She’s right. Ash and Kirlon can scent the air. You and I can call them. Zand and Ky can send fire to burn them. I imagine we’ll encounter ratis.”

Val considered both plans and realized Bran’s was more sensible. “Sounds like your idea is the best one. We need to discuss this with Dragen and Doma Jandia.”

“With everyone.” Ash walked toward the fire.

The next morning, the six sent out for the keep. Ash and Kirlon led the group.  The walls drew closer. Val saw parts of the structure had gaps where stones had fallen. They entered where there had once been a wooden gate and halted. The tall central tower seemed intact as did the single story building that ran from the front and around the sides of the tower.

Ash looked at them, “I smell ratis and several scents I don’t know. They are foul.”

“Spiders, snakes and other vermin,” Kirlon said.

“Are they hostile to the ratis?” Bran asked.

“I don’t know. Their odor is unpleasant,” Ash said. “Maybe there are scorpons lurking.”

A yowl startled Val. He turned to see both pair of forstcats move toward the building. He drew a deep breath. “Are we ready?”

“Yes,” the others said.

Val sent a call message. He heard Bran’s urging join his. A swarm of black, brown and white mottled creatures poured from the building. How had so many survived when there were no people? Then he became too involved in destroying the pests to find an answer.

Lashes of flame shot from the swords Ky and Zand carried. Val, Kirlon and Bran used slingshots to pelt the mass. The forstcats caught the stunned creatures and snapped their necks. The stench of burning fur made Val’s stomach lurch. Slowly, the stench faded. He realized Ash stirred the air to drive the odors away.

Val continued to call ratis until only nestlings appeared. The forstcats shredded these with their claws and ran into the single story annex of the keep. Val and the others followed. The four felines flowed into narrow cracks in the walls. They drove vividly colored lizards and bronze striped snakes into the open.

Once the lower level was clear of vermin, the six escorted by the forstcats, moved from level to level of the tower making sure each of the four floors were vermin-free before moving to the next.

The tower stairs were on the right-hand side of the building and had openings on each level into a hall. On the first two floors of the keep tower a large chamber and a bathing room provided sleeping space for groups. The young women chose the first level and the young men the second. On each of the other floors there were four chambers and a bathing room. Doma Jandia and Dragen would be comfortable there.

 

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - Beginnings #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Writing #Opening scenes

 The time has come to begin your story. You've gone through the four ways to explore your idea and you know you have a story but now what? The story must begin somewhere.

Now you could begin with a few paragraphs of exposition and many stories begin that way. One problem is that exposition is telling not showing. To make your story sing, you need to have action and action can always be found in a scene. What scene do you want to bring to your readers?

There are several places where you can begin your story. One is a moment before the change to the norm of the character's life occurs. Something like "She felt a change in the air. This sunrise blossomed like none she had ever seen. Now that makes a dramatic opening. The reader will wonder what will happen.

You could begin a moment after the change has arrived. Starting with something like this. The problem was what to do now. Why had she been the one to find the body? That brings some curious reaction on the reader's part.

Or you could begin in the middle of the action. She steppedinto the room and stumbled over the body. Now that's something to spur the reader on.

All of these opening scenes would stimulate th reader to continue reading. That's what a writer wants. People to continue reading their stories. So consider your opening and if possible find a scene that brings action into the story.What you are doing is taking the focus character of the story away from their normal life and casting them into an adventure. There are other things to consider in story openings that will be explored in the weeks to come.

Monday, December 28, 2020

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Reading #Writing #Thoughts

 Meander 1 - Reading - Finished reading The Body in Room 103 by John Robichard - Don't know how I missed this months ago when it came out but I enjoyed this mystery that takes place in WWII in Halifax, Canada. The twists and turns were well done and though the villain had his say in the book, the work it took to find him was well done. Also have been reading Mary Jo Putney. At present reading River of Fire and I think this is one of my favorite Fallen Angels book. Not sure why but perhaps since it's about the creative process may be the reason.

Meander 2 - Thoughts - Christmas day has come and gone and a short visit from three of my grandchildren was fun. Watching them opening their stockings is fun. Andrew just opens them and is thrilled by the spicy sauces he received. Emma looks at everything and them begins to explore them, opening each thing and wanting to play games. Sydney is slow and careful and considerd each present one at a time. Ashley keeps looking at then and rather combines Emma's curiosity and Sydney's careful exploration. Fun to watch. Sure hope the other grandchildren recieve their packages soon. Mailed on December 11th and are still in transport. I've said my piece to people about the man who took over the Postal Service to others and find the man is incompetent, immaterial and stupid. Lots of phone calls and did some talking about people's not understanding the bills that were passed by Congress and ignored or vetoed by the man currently in Florida playing golf.

Meander 3 - Writing - Am blocking in Chapter 7 and have a little glitch there but will continue and repair when all is done and I reach the end. Then it will be on to Incal and then to Committee of Angels that I found the prologue and the outling.

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Sunday's Book Horu's Chosen #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #paranormal #alternate world #ancient Egypt #Swords

 



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?

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.

Friday, December 25, 2020

Friday - Not the usual post - Christmas Wishes - Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Christmas #Wishes

 Usually on Friday and Saturday, I have guests but since today is Christmas, this is a day for wishing all who visit the blog a Merry Christmas. This year Christmas is a little different from other years, at least for me. There will be no big family dinner but I will have a short, socially distancing visit from some of my grandchildren. The others are in Florida, except for Ashley who lives with me. Having her here means a lot to me.

For everyone who is separated from their family, remember there is the phone to call those at a distance. I've become used to this since for the past four years, my husband had been ill and going on a trip at Christmas was impossible or even having a large gathering. Looking forward to next year and perhaps a family party will happen. We will see.

So a Merry Christmas to family and friends. Remember the past and dream of the future.

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Thursday's Opening Scene from Bast's Warrior #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Alternate world #Egypt #Swords

 

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.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Wednesday Havens Affinities Book 2 #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Fantasy #For all ages #Swords #Affinities #Earth, Air, Water, Fire

 

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here   http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com
  for some great excerpts. Mine is from Havens, Affinities Book 2 a fantasy

Blurb:
Four teens, led by the mysterious birds they believe are their parents seek a place of safety where they can learn to control their affinities. They find a place of refuge with Doma Jandia, grandmother of their friend Zand. The doma plans to take them to the highlands but news of the capture of two of their friends by Dom Senet, sends them on a rescue mission. Their powers are not strong enough to defeat the evil dom. They must find a way to succeed or their friends will be corrupted forever.



Excerpt:

Alizand prowled about his bed chamber.  He paused beside the window and pushed the heavy draperies aside.  Another day of confinement.  Since the day his step-brothers had invaded the suite, forcing Alizand to reveal his affinity for Fire, he’d been a prisoner. 

At least the guards at the door believed he couldn’t leave.  They didn’t know about the hidden sections and the secret rooms and passages to be found beyond the walls.  Though Alizand could slip away, he should wait until night lest his room be checked.  Dom Senet often made random visits during the day.  Only when Alizand’s personal guard appeared could he escape these chambers. The corridors and places he could go had to be kept secret. 

He was bored.  He even missed the tedious lessons he’d been given by the clan elders during the short time he’d been acknowledged as his father’s heir.  Having his affinity exposed had ended the dream of being deemed fit to become a prince.  No one who could use one or all of the elements could rule the princedom of Wesren.

He stared at the tray on the table.  A maidservant had delivered the food a short time before.  Though he had eaten nothing since yesterday’s midday meal, he had no desire to break his fast.

The back of Alizand’s neck prickled.  Trouble approached.  Which of the many enemies he’d collected in his fourteen years of life came to upset his day?

The door opened.  Before the guard could announce the visitor, a tall man entered.  His ash blond hair hung in a single braid.  Black leather riding clothes gleamed in the light from candles set in glass-shielded sconces on the wall.  His dark green eyes sought and held Alizand’s gaze.

A smile appeared on Dom Senet’s face.  Alizand felt like a tabby surrounded by a pack of ratis.  He forced himself to breathe.  How could one man raise such a high degree of terror?  Though Alizand’s legs felt unsteady, he forced himself to remain on his feet.


Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - Plot Ideas - What is the Stake #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Writing #Plots #Stake

 The fourth element to consider is What is the Stake? Your story needs to have a reason to be written. Does this just have meaning to you or does it have a meaning to other people. You want to look at the big picture. There are dozens of plot ideas but you need to figure a way to show what you mean. The easiest way is to look at some of the plot ideas used for years. Love Conquers All is one. So is Crime Doesn't Pay. Just what makes yours have a twist on these and other common ideas.

One way to go about this is to boil your idea down to a sentence or perhaps two. I'm working on a story now that I'll try to do this for. Zach has been burned by a bad marriage and now has custody of his two sons though one is not his biologically. How can he find love when he has no reason to trust women? Now this is a variation on Love Conquers All. but working iwth the story are amny elements that have reasons for love not to be triumphant. 

A fantasy I just completed is a bit different for though there are romances in the story, they aren't the true focus. It rather belongs to the Good versus Evil kind of plot. An evil woman sets out to fine the fabled Three of Three promised in an ancient prophecy believing this will allow her to rule the world. What happens when her plans go awry?

This is the sort of thing you should do with your idea and go through the four steps to find if the plot will become a story. Then the time has come to begin writing and revising. 

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Monday, December 21, 2020

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Reading #Writing #Thoughts - Memoirs

 Meander 1 _ Reading - Waiting for new books that I might enjoy and am re-reading some of Mary Jo Putney's books. Two reasons for this. I alwasy enjoyher stories and I learn more with each re-read about the art of writing. The second is reading historical stories while writing contemporary stories gives me the break I need to stay in the present with my writing. Usually I put mysteries and fantasies together as well, Strange but sometimes I have a strange mind.


Meander 2 = Thoughts on Memoirs - A friend and fellow writer suggested I write a bit about the past of my life from a remark i made in a post here about WWII. There is a problem. I willnever write a memoir. Part of the reason is this. I am a writer of fiction. How does one separate fiction from facts. Another reason is that during this time I was a child destined to become a writer of fiction and of course even then stories and fears were embroidered. My memories of that time are connected with the fantasies my friends and I conjured of dealing with an invasion of our land. We were not totally afraid but we definitely made plans. We built man traps in the woods near where we lived. Our plans weren't ones made in reality, just those of imagination. The stories we told were not of anything but bravery and of course weren't true. The third thing is I never look at the past without thinking this never happened to me but to the fictional me. Thus any memoir I would ever write would be based on memories of times where maybe I lived or maybe I invented to make a good story. There is no past there is only today and tomorrow.


Meander 3 - Writing - Still going slow but progressing. Generally managing a scene a day but there are many scenes in a book. Once the holidays are past, I will get busy and begin doing pages not paragraphs.

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Sunday, December 20, 2020

Sunday's Book _Bast's Warrior - Janet Lane Walter #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Epicfantasy #Swords #Sorcery

 

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?

My fascination for ancient Egypt and some reading led me to write this book. Was not to be an alternate world story until I learned during the time I'd set for the book there were no camels in Egypt at that time. So the alternate world was born.

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2015

I loved the book. The story was fascinating and well written. My only problem with the book was the editing - or, rather, the lack of it It was as if it had never been proofread, or perhaps only by a computer. There were many punctuation errors and several places where a word was used that caused the sentence to be nearly meaningless. Perhaps this is nitpicking, but it seriously interfered with a very interesting and well thought-out story. This said, I really liked the book and intend to read the others in the series. I just hope someone read through them before printing!

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Saturdays B;urbs feature books by Caloline Clemmons #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Western #MEG #Charlotte's Challenge #Holiday Hearts

 

Book one, my latest release, MEG, book 20 of the Angel Creek Christmas Brides Series, a historical western romance set in 1870:

Meg Todd is tired of putting her happiness on hold. When she learns her bullying brother-in-law has horrifying plans for her future, she asks an attorney family friend for help escaping. Meg wants her own husband and home and is willing to move to Angel Creek, Montana Territory to achieve her goal. On the way she agrees to take charge of two children for their dying mother? Is she too impulsive? Will Curtis and the children become the happy family of Meg’s dreams?

Curtis McClain has to be careful with his small savings or it won’t fund his dream of his own newspaper. He wants a wife—and he needs someone to help him with the newspaper. If he can combine the two, then he’ll be all right. In a few years, they can start a family. But, will a woman want to move to the middle of nowhere on those terms? Will she grow to care for him in spite of his reserved nature?

He is slightly annoyed when his wife shows up with two orphaned children. When he learns the amount of her inheritance, he decides she won’t be content to stay with him. The boy and girl are well-behaved but he still isn’t certain of his reaction to them. That is, until a terrifying event occurs that forces him to make a decision and take quick action.

Universal Amazon buy link is https://mybook.to/McClain

Book Two is CHARLOTTE’S CHALLENGE, Golden Legacy Series, a historical western romance set in 1885 Texas:

A widow determined to save the family ranch…

A man who inherited cursed pirate gold…

They must combine efforts to defeat an evil man.

 

Bret Craig is a descendant of one of the crew of The Golden Fleece. Over a century ago the merchant ship had prevailed against pirates carrying a treasure of cursed Inca gold. The legacy promised retribution against anyone who misused the treasure. Bret has heard the story all his life but believes the tale is a myth and that he’s in no danger if he spends the money selfishly. Ignoring his sister’s warning, he sets out for a grand adventure heading west.

Widowed former mail-order bride Charlotte Dunn is in danger of losing the family ranch. She lost her husband to a rustler’s bullet when half the cattle were stolen and both ranch hands were killed. When she and her stepsons rescue a man who fell from his horse, they learn the man has amnesia. From his saddlebags, they determine his name is Bret Craig. Charlotte nurses Bret, manages the ranch, and cares for her three stepchildren she loves. Soon after Bret regains his memory they discover the remainder of the ranch’s cattle herd has been rustled.

Bret re-evaluates his priorities in order to embrace the love blossoming between Charlotte and him. Can they save the ranch and recover the stolen cattle?

Universal Amazon Link is https://mybook.to/Bret

Book Three is HOLIDAY HEARTS in the anthology CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS, a contemporary Christmas bundle of ten novellas—with an accompanying FREE cookie recipe book.

Welcome to Dickens—a quaint New England town bustling with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. There’s the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows Tree Farm, or join in the caroling on the Common.

Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.


Laura Jordan plans a quiet holiday at home except for the time she might decide to spend serving dinner at the homeless shelter on Christmas Day. She loves her job at Callahan Group advertising agency and doesn’t want anything to jeopardize her position there. She’s aware of how quickly office gossip could ruin her reputation and career.

Ward Callahan is a wunderkind who started earning money online trading when he was in high school. At thirty-two, he owns a successful ad agency and is gaining industry recognition. He hasn’t had time for a relationship. When Laura starts working for him, he can’t get her off his mind.

When vicious remarks cause Laura to threaten a halt to their budding relationship, Ward is determined to set things right.

Universal link https://books2read.com/DickensChristmas

 

Friday, December 18, 2020

Caroline Clemmons is visiting and talking about her latest release #MFRWAuthor #Christmas #Historical #Westers

 

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog.

1.      Tell me about your latest release? Genre?

MEG, book 20 of the Angel Creek Christmas Brides, releases December 18 in ebook and print and is also available on Kindle Unlimited.  This is a historical western romance set in Montana Territory in 1870.

2.      Where did the idea arise?

Sylvia McDaniel came up with premise of five friends from Charlotte who left the devastation of their hometown. In 1866, they traveled west as mail-order brides. The first year the books were released was 2018 but I didn’t join the series until book 11 in 2019.

3.      How much research was involved? Did you stay on point or be distracted by wanting to look at just one more thing?

A map of the town was included in the series files. Obviously research was involved. For instance, I needed to know the winter temperatures, how the town would look, were there Native Americans, did the residents use wood or coal to heat their homes? There’s always one more thing. Even if thirty minutes of reading results in using only one sentence, an author has to be certain what he/she writes is credible. 

4.      How long did you take to write the book?

I spent six weeks on this one. That’s a little longer than necessary but I had the flu. Not Covid, just ordinary flu that knocked me around for a week. Plus, knowing I had plenty of time, I took longer to finish the book.

5.      Now a bit about you. How long have you been writing? What is your Sun Sign?

In reverse order, I’m a Virgo born on September 16 (Not saying what year). I sold my first book to Kensington in 1998 and started self-publishing in 2012. I’ve been making up stories since I was about five or six. They usually involved a beautiful princess, a handsome prince, and a castle and were illustrated by crayon. Fortunately, I know great cover designers now—no crayons.

6.      Do you write in a number of genres or stick to one?

Most of my books are historical western romances but I also write contemporary western romance, time travel, and mystery. One of the great things about being independent is that you can write what you wish when you wish. 

 

 

7.      Where on the internet can you be found?

How nice of you to ask. Here are my links:

Website https://www.carolineclemmons.com 

NL Link https://carolineclemmons.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a24664c906875718d975ad7b&id=7c2e488a51  

Amazon Author URL  https://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Clemmons/e/B001K8CXZ6/  

Bookbub Author URL  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caroline-clemmons

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CarolineClemmonsRomances 

Facebook Readers Group - Caroline’s Cuties https://www.facebook.com/groups/277082053015947/ 

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/458092.Caroline_Clemmons  

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-clemmons-6130707/ 

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/caroclemmons

Twitter  https://twitter.com/CarolinClemmons (no E in Caroline)

 

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Thursday's Opening Scene - Confrontations - Affinities Book 4 #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #epic fantasy #Swords and sorcery

 

The time has come. Ash bolted upright. Her heart pounded with a beat reminiscent of one created by a mad drummer. Her gaze swept the room. She saw the other young women slept. Had someone spoken on the winds or had the words been part of a dream she couldn’t remember? When her racing heart slowed she cautiously opened her senses to read the winds of the keep. Using her affinity for Air she searched. The only person awake was the doma and the cry hadn’t arisen from the elderly woman.

Fingers of moonlight slid through the shuttered windows. She moved to the edge of the bed and pushed her feet into her house boots. Ash crept to the window to peer outside. She knelt on the stone bench and opened the shutters a crack. A gasp pushed past her lips when she saw the birds, one light and the other dark. The pair circled the keep.

She rubbed her arms to banish the chill of the late winter night. “Mama, Papa,” she whispered. “What does your arrival mean?”

Since the destruction of the Wesren henge the birds had appeared at auspicious moments. Sometimes the pair signaled safety and other times they brought a warning of danger. What was the meaning of this sighting?

“The time has come.” Softly she whispered the words. Like a jolt of lightning a thrill of excitement swept through her. Did that mean her and her halfling companions were ready to leave the safety of the keep and venture forth against their enemies? There were more opponents than she cared to face. She considered the number of doms and domas who followed Dom Senet, the four halflings he’d trained plus Zand’s former step-mother and her two sons. A shudder rolled through her body. There was also the voice of evil she’d heard on the winds.

Two years and a season had passed since the return from the quests for the remaining halflings, the heirs and the talismans. The sixteen companions had worked hard to gain mastery of their affinities of the elements. Four whose element was  Air, four Fire, four Earth and four Water united in four mixed quartets. A sliver of fear stabbed. Were they ready? She fought a desire to return to her bed and pull the covers over her head.

As the edge of the sun appeared above the distant mountains Ash closed the shutters. She thought about the birds and knew hiding was as impossible as a return to sleep. Not while her emotions rose and fell in waves. Should she wake the others and tell them about the birds? She frowned. If she did Ky, her younger sister, would scold and rouse everyone in the keep.

Ash grabbed her clothes and dashed to the necessary to wash and dress. Before she stirred the others into action she had to speak to Doma Jandia. Perhaps their teacher could interpret the meaning of the words and the arrival of the birds.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Wednesday Escape - Affinities Book 1 #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Epic fantasy #YA and all #Earth #Air #Water #Fire

 

Join the authors #MFRWHooks here  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great Excerpts. Mine is from Escape the first book of the Affinities series/

Blurb:
Sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra 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.




Excerpt:

The chamber door creaked. Ash froze until a familiar scent reached her. “Mama, what’s wrong?”
The Doma Calanda slipped across the room and sat on the bed. “Ashlea, still your thoughts.”
Ash struggled to obey the sharp command. Her mother seldom spoke this way. “Why?”
“Thoughts travel on the wind and may be read by those who wish us ill.” She grasped Ash’s hand. “Dress in your warmest clothes. As soon as you’ve finished, go to the inner room.”
The urgency in her mother’s voice raised fear. “What’s happening?”
“We’ve been betrayed. An army surrounds the henge. Your father and I believe the secret of the openings in the walls is known by those who seek to force us to use our powers for their ends.”
“Who has done this? Do I know the enemy’s smell? Have I seen his face?”
“Several years ago, your father’s step-brother came to the henge. He’s one of those who stand against us.”
Ash thought about her step-uncle. His face slipped into her thoughts. Prince Zedron had brought gifts for her and her siblings. He’d seemed nice, but she had a vague memory of hearing voices—his and her parents’—raised in argument.
Why would he want to destroy the henge? When Papa had shown affinities for the elements, he’d given up his claim to Wesren. Zedron of the House Wesren had been named prince. As well as being papa’s step-brother, they were distant cousins.
Ash grasped her mother’s hand. “Why did he send the army here? Doesn’t he know what you and Papa do?”
“He doesn’t believe or care. Greed, envy and a lust to rule where once four henges held the land in balance drive him. He doesn’t act alone. Your father and I fear he’s aided by one of the Doms.”
“Kin?”
“The one I suspect has no ties of kinship to us.”


Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - More on Plot Idea - Going Somewhere #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Writing #Plot #Idea #Going somewhere

 Now you have your idea and it seems that there could be a story. Then you begin to wonder. Is It Going Somewhere?  Just what does this mean. There can be stories without plots but having a plot makes the story easier to write. Now comes the time for your imagination. You may already have the very basic plot. Could be girl meets boy, girl wins boy or man is harmed man finds redemption. These are very simple plots.

What I do is when an idea sparks is perhaps strange but for me it works. The new idea for a story has come. At night as I'm falling asleep, I start telling myself a story. This usually begins with the opening scene. Each night, I take this scene and while falling asleep add other scenes. Now this doesn't always work. Some ideas have a great opening scene in my thoughts but little else follows. Sometimes this process works and I sit for several days writing short sketches of what scenes are possible. Not all of these scenes might make the final story but they have given me spin-off ideas that I can use. So this is the third step in testing the idea. You may not use the falling to sleep scenario but when you have an idea, think about what scenes you will need to progress the story and also consider the settings and characters.

Knowing where you are going, even if the journey takes side trips, the stories will flow better.

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Buy Mark

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Monday, December 14, 2020

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Reading #Writing #Thoughts - Courage

Meander 1 - Reading - Managed to finish the contest reading in time to read a couple of books. Read The Trouble with Funerals and enjoyed. The characters are improving with age and dealing with deaths at senior citizen's residence - was well written. Congrats Joan Havelange. Also read Erin's Children by Eileen O'Finlan - This story is a continuation of her first wonderful book. Telling about the lot of Irish immigrants was fascinating and the research wonderful. This also spoke to family memories for me since a great-great came to this country from Ireland. Though little was said about her life here, I imagine it was similar.  Good reading and great learning experience.

Meander 2 - Thoughts - Courage- I am 84 years old and headed toward 85. I've much thoughts about the recent political happenings and some of them make me ill and also bring memories. I was a child when Hitler rose to dictatorship and though I remember much about those days, I remember the courage of the people who stood against him. I watched the rise of Communism and saw what happened to the people of so many countries. What I've seen recently reminds me of that time but it's happening here. I salute the courage of the Supreme Court who refused to be politicized, of the judges who refused to listen to unfounded claims and to the people in charge of the election who refused to give into political pressure. Courage is found every day and Cowards should shrink into the dirt they try to raise.

Writing - This week writing has been slow but I'm managing to do some every day. Busy trying to get Christmas organized takes much of my time but the stockings that had to be sent to distant places have been sent and there are only the ones to do here left. Then it will be back to writing with a vengence.   

My Places

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bid=113639528680724

 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Sunday's Book - Confrontations - Affinities Book 4 #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Epic fantasy # For all ages #Swords #Magic

 


In Confrontations by J.L. Walters, a Books We Love Young Adult Fantasy, Ash, Bran, Ky and Jay along with their friends have now mastered their affinities. They now control their ability to use Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The time has come for them to face Dom Senet and He Who Walks with Evil. They have learned a disturbing fact. He Who Walks With Evil is able to exchange an old body for a new one. Dom Senet wishes to obtain the secret and he is willing to sacrifice even his own son to gain this power. The four sets of companions set off to rid the doms and domas of Dom Senet’s bonds and to defeat the two evil men. Can they or will they become pawns to evil?

This ends the series begun with a synopsis of about 50 plus pages.