Friday, July 31, 2020

Friday Beverley Bateman is Visiting and Talking Abiut Being a Plotter or Panster #Plot #Characters #MFRWAuthor


Day 1

1. Are you a panster or a plotter or perhaps a bit of both?

A bit of both. I get an idea for a plot. Then I try to figure out the appropriate characters.
I sketch about one line per chapter, or maybe even per scene. Then I start writing.  I don’t always follow those one lines either.

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

Oops, I just covered that on the previous question. The plot always comes first for me.

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

I’m working on Liability Wife, Lydia’s story.  It’s the second book in The Foundation series. I’m also looking at a novella, maybe involving Covid.

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.

I frequently, almost always, have a dog somewhere in the story.

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

I used to try and write every day, but often I’d miss for all sorts of reasons. Now I’m writing every day. I belong to a loop where you write 100 words a day and report in.

6. Where can we find you?

Twitter @kelownawriter

7. Who are your favorite authors? What about a book you’ve enjoyed?

I have to admit I’m a J.D. Robb addict. I’ve been reading her series for years.
I also enjoy Loreth Anne White, B.J. Daniels, Terry Odell, and Toni Anderson.


The Girl in the Moss by Loreth Anne White is a gripping romantic suspense. Her characters are unusual and well-developed, her plot draws you in and keeps you guessing right to the end. I enjoyed her book.


Thursday, July 30, 2020

Thursday's Fifth Scene from The Virgo Pisces Connection #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Medical #Virgo #Pisces


Dave Malloy left his car in the garage and entered his temporary home. Unlike his usual postings where he stayed in a rental apartment or a motel, the doctor he relieved and his wife had offered their home. He left a pizza box on the table and grabbed a beer from the fridge. In less than two weeks, he would be off to another temporary posting. Hopefully a six month stay with a chance for a partnership, allowing him to leave his roaming life. His feelings were mixed. He wouldn’t know if he had the job until he heard from Alex Carter.
He wondered if Alex would remember him. They’d been in the same medical school class and had known each other slightly. With a hundred in the same class, being friends with everyone didn’t happen.
Dave settled on the couch, pulled a slice from the box and opened the beer. He had taken the first bite when his phone chimed. He swallowed the bite and answered.
Yes, this is Dave Malloy.”
“Alex Carter speaking. MD Travel called this afternoon and faxed all your credentials. I’ve just finished reading them. Just what about the assignment interested you?”
“To be frank, the possibility of a partnership at the end of six months.”
“Why?”
Dave grinned. “I’m tired of not gathering moss.”
Alex laughed. “I thought I recognized your name. I remember a classmate saying he wanted to be a rolling stone.”
“That was me. Why are you looking for a partner?”
“An exploding practice. Two of Eastlake’s family doctors have recently retired. I’ve inherited most of their patients.”
“Why not a recent grad?”
“I’m too busy to train one. Twice I’ve had prospects and both times they decided to get further training.”
Dave frowned. Was there a problem? All he remembered of Alex was everyone had said he was easy to work with. Also there’s been a lot of talk about his wealthy wife.
“Have you changed your mind?” Alex asked.
“I can see you need help and I can do the six months. Then we’ll see about my staying.”
“When can you start?”
“I have less than two weeks left here and I’ll need at least a week to handle a personal matter.” Dave drew a deep breath. If he received an answer to the letter he’d written, he would need to take care of that problem.”
“Then let’s say I’ll see you in three weeks,” Alex said. “I hope your experience here will work out for both of us. Eastlake’s a great place to grow moss.”
“I hope so.”
“Oh, I forgot to mention there’s a three bedroom house available to rent until you find your own place. My wife will let you live there for paying the utilities and property taxes plus taking care of the yard and sidewalks.”
Dave frowned. The little he’d heard about Alex’s wife didn’t fit someone who would be so generous. The young woman had been a high flyer and known as selfish and snobbish. She must have changed. “Do you have a family?”
Alex laughed. “A son who’s six and one on the way.”
“Sounds like your wife has settled down.”
Alex coughed. “Different wife. Lauren and I’ve been married for over a year.”
Dave groaned. How to make potential friends into enemies in one sentence. “Sorry. I didn’t know.”
“No way you could have. You’ve been a stranger and never came to the reunions.”
“No, I haven’t. Was never much for them. The house sounds interesting. I’ll let you know.”
“Then we’re set for your arrival in three weeks.”
“I believe so. See you then. If I run into problems, I’ll call.” He disconnected.
A house might suit his needs. He hoped to persuade his sister to leave her abusive husband and live with him. When he’d read the detective agency’s report, he had begun to plan. Why had he lost touch with her for all those years? The answer was simple.

My Places

Buy Mark

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

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Wednesday Seducing the Chef #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romance #Chef #Magazine

Seducing the Chef (At First Sight Book 1)

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great excerpts. Mine features a magazine editor and a chef and an old family rivalry

BLURB:
Seducing the Chef - Allie Blakefield, editor of Good Eatin' wants to do a feature on Five Cuisines a restaurant across the river from NY City. Her father forbids the feature and won't say why. She's not one to sit back and be ruled by someone. She borrows a friend's apartment.

While leaning over the balcony she sees a handsome dark haired man doing a Yoga routine. He looks up and she is struck by the Blakefield curse. Love at first sight.

The pair start a hot and heavy romantic interlude. She visits the restaurant and is recognized by Greg, the chef's mother. The woman goes ballistic and the affair is broken. Can Allie learn what's going on and rescue her love?

2019 Book Hooks 
Excerpt:


A sound caught her attention and she looked down. If this was the neighbor Steve had mentioned he had been right. The man was definitely her type. He wore black work-out silk pants and flowed from one Yoga position to another. His tanned sculpted body was glorious. Her blood stirred.
She sucked in a breath. A man who looked as fabulous surely had been claimed years ago. Her last relationship had died four months ago and no one had appeared. The constant jetting about the country wasn’t conducive to long term relationships.
Face it. None of the men she’d dated in the past had made her want to remain earth-bound.
Though she had planned to walk to town for coffee, to browse in the shops and see what the local restaurants might offer for lunch she couldn’t move. She leaned on the railing and drooled. Her gaze focused on his broad shoulders, tight rear and muscular legs. His dark hair touched his shoulders. Was his face as striking as his body?
He turned. A long sigh escaped. Definitely easy on the eyes. Too bad she couldn’t see his hands to search for a ring. If he’d been hers she would have banded him with a broad one.
If you lean over the railing one more inch you’ll end up in flight. Though falling into his arms seemed a novel way to meet there was no guarantee he would catch her without one of them breaking bones.
At that moment he looked up. Their gazes met. She felt the impact to her toes. Yes, yes. Those words formed a mantra in her head. Her breath caught in her throat.
“Hello. Though my neighbor was off on a trip.”
She grasped the metal railing. “He’s off to Alaska. He offered me a place to stay while I’m in town doing research.” Surely the man’s eyes were as dark as the midnight sky.
“Are you a writer?”
“You could say that.” After all, she wrote all the feature stories.
“Need help with your research?”
She released her grip on the railing. His voice sizzled along her skin. She’d better move away before she propositioned him. A foolish move. “At the moment no but I’ll let you know if I do. Right now I’m off to explore the town.”
“See you around.”
“I’m sure you will.” Allie backed into the sliding doors. She rubbed her rear. Boy was she rattled. She laughed at the foolish ideas circling in her thoughts. She ducked inside. From his approach, chances were he was single. Did she want a short-term involvement with a stranger? The way her body pulsed and the direction of her thoughts all pointed to yes.


My Places

Buy Mark
http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip _Bringing a Character to Life #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Character #Life

The essenceof the character is in the details. Often we start with the stereotype character. I know I do this and I also have an aide in their Sun, Moon and Ascendant, But this can also be stereotype. Wheat you need to do is find those details that make a character seem less like cardboard figures and become living and breathing people. How?

Dwell on the details. Show your character in action. What are their likes and dislikes. I once read a story where the hero was afraid of spiders. This brought him to life. I often have characters who like a particular food or drink. Think of the millage you can get out of someone who craves sweets but not any sweet but a particular one. Think of how say a person who likes coffee. How about the hero who roasts and grinds the beans and blends the different beans. Makes for in interesting character. What about the heroine who goes crazy over silk. Think of how you can have her react to the cloth. It's details like this that turn your characters into living people.

But too much detail can ruin the picture. Remember who is describing another character. A hero will dwell on most likely part of her body. A friend on something else. The heroine will think of perhaps what's she wearing but not in detail. An enemy of adversary will use unflattering terms. All these make the character seem real.

Be specific - a word or two being specific will showthe character in truth. We've all read stories when the writer has written volumes about the meeting of the hero and the heroine. She will have the heroine describe every nuance of the hero's appearance. The reader usually yawns. or when the writer reaches the end of the monologue thinks why didn't she say that in the first place.

Think about the character's emotions when giving a description of them. Are they angry? How do thay act, speak, look. Do this with each emotional scene and suddenly you're working with real people, not the stereotypes they began when you first created them.


My Places

Buy Mark
http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Monday, July 27, 2020

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Reading #amwriting #Thoughts - The Streets #Jennifer Probst

Meander 1 - Reading - Just finished reading Jennifer Probst's total collection of books I have on my Kindle. Amazing to find one I hadn't read. Must have downloaded the book and then got distracted. Waiting for two books by friends to come out. In the meantime, I'm reading Cherryh's Foreigner series leading up to when Book 21 in the series is released early in September.

Meander 2 - Thoughts - The Streets - I seldom let politics enter my blog but what I've seen lately on the streets of our country has made me angry and fearful. Why can't people be allowed to protest peacefully. That's a right we have. Why does a bully say he's enforcing Law and Order when it's anything but. I've lived a long time and I've seen this sort of thing happen elsewhere and once in our country. I was very young when Hitler and his goons invaded other countries. I was a young adult when i watched Russian troops march into Hungary. During that time I lost contact with a pen pal. Then in the sixties, I was a bit older when I saw troops and police bashing black people who only wanted justice. It's happening again and I fear it will only get worse, especially in this time of Covid19 when people are afraid a disease will strike them down. Too many people are dying from that and little is being done by the government. All they worry about is people getting to work to increase the profits in their pockets, I fear these tactics will soon be in every town and city in this country and I fear for my country and my family.

Meander 3 Writing - Looks like I'll finish the rough draft of Moon Rising Nilos by the end of the month or soon after, Then it will be a lot of revision and drafts for setting and character. Also I'll need to find anmes and descriptions of a few animals I've tentatively name, Writing this book is a great escape from my fears and worries.


My Places

Buy Mark
http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Sunday's Book The Virgo Pisces Connection #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Medical #Astrology

The Virgo Pisces Connection (Opposites in Love Book 6)

Pisces Megan experiences burnout. Her third witnessed death on the Oncology Unit in a week is too much for her to handle. Going to her apartment and being alone isn't to her taste. Of all the Grantley Gang, she is the only one not married. She tries to resign from the hospital and is persuaded to take a month of her accumulated vacation time first. Avoiding her five friends, Megan rushes from town, not knowing or caring where she is going. Escaping the ghosts of the dead is her primary goal. During a blinding snowstorm, she crashes into the life of Dave Malloy MD.

Dave is a Virgo a traveling doctor going from assignment to assignment over the country. He's decided two things. One is to settle and gather moss. The other is to find his sister lost years ago when they were sent to two different foster homes. He has found her and vows to rescue her from an abusive situation. When Megan lands against a tree at the house where he is staying, he finds her very attractive. But can he act on this attraction when he must care for her after the accident and his decision she is a patient?

Together, they must find his sister and hope they aren't too late.

Pisces Megan experiences burnout. Her third witnessed death on the Oncology Unit in a week is too much for her to handle. Going to her apartment and being alone isn't to her taste. Of all the Grantley Gang, she is the only one not married. She tries to resign from the hospital and is persuaded to take a month of her accumulated vacation time first. Avoiding her five friends, Megan rushes from town, not knowing or caring where she is going. Escaping the ghosts of the dead is her primary goal. During a blinding snowstorm, she crashes into the life of Dave Malloy MD.

Dave is a Virgo a traveling doctor going from assignment to assignment over the country. He's decided two things. One is to settle and gather moss. The other is to find his sister lost years ago when they were sent to two different foster homes. He has found her and vows to rescue her from an abusive situation. When Megan lands against a tree at the house where he is staying, he finds her very attractive. But can he act on this attraction when he must care for her after the accident and his decision she is a patient?

Together, they must find his sister and hope they aren't too late.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Saturday's Blurbs feature Books by Reed Stirling #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #mystery



Shades of Persephone by [Reed Stirling]

Buy links

https://books2read.com/Shades-of-Persephone


Blurb for Shades of Persephone
Shades of Persephone is a literary mystery that will entertain those who delight in exotic settings, foreign intrigue, and the unmasking of mysterious characters. Crete in 1980-81, more specifically the old Venetian harbour of Chania, provides the background against which expat Canadian Steven Spire labours in pursuit of David Montgomery, his enigmatic and elusive mentor, who stands accused in absentia of treachery and betrayal. The plot has many seams through which characters slide, another of them being the poet Emma Leigh, widow of Montgomery’s imposing Cold War adversary, Heinrich TrĂĽger. In that the setting is Crete, the source of light is manifold, but significant inspiration for Steven Spire comes from Magalee De Bellefeuille, his vision of Aphrodite and his muse. “Find Persephone,” she directs him, “and you’ll find David Montgomery.”  Her prompts motivate much of the narrative, including that of the Cretan underground during the Nazi occupation, 1941- 45.
                Shades of Persephone presents a story of love and sensuality, deception and war, spiritual quest and creative endeavour. The resolution takes an unanticipated turn but comes as no surprise to the discerning reader. Like Hamlet who must deal with his own character in following the injunctions of his ghostly father, Steven Spire discovers much about the city to which he has returned, but much more about himself and his capacity for love.


Blurb for Lighting The Lamp
Lighting The Lamp dramatizes the efforts of Terry Burke, a sympathetic, at times caustic and critical, but ordinary old guy, to come to grips with who he is and what his life has been. His struggle to accept retirement and to interpret the iterations of the voice in his head spreads to concern over the mysterious death of a wanderer. Terry’s obsession to solve the mystery fuses directly with his personal history and leads him in and out of fascinating, half-remembered mythological landscapes.
A restive Terry is enjoined to revisit the haunts of his youth. Family dynamics of the present, mirrored in Irish heritage of the past, come into play as do contrarian opinions encountered among cronies, distant friends, and lost loves. Motivated by his muse to tell all, what he seeks in addition to understanding is truthful voice and the purest possible point of view. Aware that remembrance of things past in not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were, this quixotic Everyman eventually reaches beyond self, beyond mystery, and beyond theodicy to a philosophical embrace of cosmic apotheosis. In Lighting The Lamp, Montreal provides more than a background for potential jihad-sponsored terrorism, or ghosts out of the past, or a romantic trip down memory lane; the many-layered city takes on the function of a defined and demanding character and declares in a voice Terry hears clearly: “Know me and know yourself!”


Blurb for SĂ©jour Saint-Louis
Brendan Young, a Calgary based businessman who travels more than he’d like, admits to having absolutely no patience for the intransigence of his music-obsessed, teenage son, Elliot. Ongoing domestic disputes have intensified over the years: antipathy now verges on hostile rejection. Elinore, an equally conflicted wife and mother, is threatening separation, a source of great anxiety for Brendan who turns to alcohol for the understanding that eludes him on the home front. His sojourn in Montreal, a city not unfamiliar to him, leads him incident by surreal incident, towards greater understanding through familiarity with the tragic story of Émile Nelligan, who, as a nineteen year-old, enjoyed a successful entry into the artistic community of Montreal in the last decade of the 19th century, and then fell victim to madness. Reconnecting with Emery St James Montesquieu, among old antagonists he encounters at a Yamaska College reunion, proves not only enlightening for Young in its mirroring effect — the troubles in his family are reflected dramatically in those of the young afflicted poet — but also redemptive. Elliot, the musician, will have his apotheosis.


Friday, July 24, 2020

Friday Reed Stirling is visiting and talking about Genres #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Genres #Mysteries #Intanglements


Genres?
Up to this point I have for the most part written literary fiction that hangs together sufficiently enough to be termed mystery or mythological mystery. Experimentation in other forms is just a keystroke or two away, but I would probably not attempt to write sci-fi, horror, or Gothic romance. Paranormal, yes. 

Reading choices > writing choices
I read widely, and have done so for decades.
Lawrence Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet provided the impetus for Shades Of Persephone, my first novel, 2019. John Fowles’ The Magus gave me the Greek setting.
James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man inspired more than one scene in Lighting The Lamp, 2020, as did the philosophical musing of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Marcel Proust plays a part here also, as do Richard Dawkins, Emily Dickinson, and Albert Camus.
E.A. Poe’s The Raven, the musings of Charles Baudelaire, and the poems of Émile Nelligan are working thematically into SĂ©jour Saint-Louis, a third novel slated to be published in early 2021.
The muse visits me most often when I read the novels of John Banville.

Heroes, heroines, villains, and how they come about
My heroes tend to be protagonist-narrators in pursuit of truth as they understand it or as plot and theme define it. Providing them with creditable personality, background, and motivation is not only challenging but also rewarding when things fall plausibly into place. Heroines present similar challenges; they often assume the role of muse, a muse with both feet on the ground, who exhibits carnal cravings along with the ability to inspire. I favour villains that arise from within the main characters and shadow their every move.

Simple observation of real people in real life exchanges (a young couple in a hospital waiting room, a tĂŞte-Ă -tĂŞte in a bar or restaurant, someone behind the wheel of a luxury automobile noticed at an intersection) helps in the general conceptualization of protagonists. Action (plot) reveals character, true; but frequently a situation I find myself on the periphery of demands specific human involvement, which implies decisions and consequences. A particular scene will give birth to characters whose voices demand to be heard, that man wearing a Panama hat or that tiny woman wearing bright red shoes. Imagination informs them with a personal history, with particular traits, with relevant choices, verisimilitude being the objective of the exercise no matter the setting. The character I want the reader “to love” may not be lovable at all. As long as he or she is interesting, has a voice worth listening to, and is capable of reflecting authentic human instincts, naughty or nice.

An idea or stated point of view might need a counterpoint, an opposing view, the right interpretation, the verifiable truth, or just plain obstruction — these factors will give rise to certain characters, main or supporting. Thus, antagonists come into being and help move the action along from crisis to crisis. Antagonist can be well-meaning in their contrariness or destructiveness. They can have malicious intent in their apparent goodness. A plausible personal history goes a long way towards giving them standing. Humanize them through voice, mannerism, idiosyncrasy, tic, flaw, aspiration, success, failure, halitosis, and size of shoe. A stamp collection might indicate how downtime is enjoyed. A black hat might just be in vogue at the time of the story, and not symbolic of a really bad dude with a .45 in his hip pocket. Eschew the stereotypical. A scar might be emblematic of love or a badge of honour. A penchant for odd-ball humour can lighten what appears to be nothing but dark. The antagonist can be a force-field of repudiation or disdain. A troublesome memory.

I lean towards mystery in my writing, with romantic entanglement an integral part of plot development. Greek mythology and literary allusion can contribute to the creation of prominent characters, the monstrous and the mundane equally. Further, reading other fiction can also be a great source for ideas on heroes and heroines.



Latest release
Lighting the Lamp, a fictional memoir. Terry Burke is the hero, although he would be loath to call himself heroic. Villainous, maybe. He is irascible but sincere, attempting in his retirement to come to grips with what his life has been. A quixotic Everyman, he is inspired to set out on an odyssey across the decades in pursuit of equilibrium and peace of mind. What he seeks in addition to understanding is truthful voice and the purest possible point of view. There are several heroines in this work; the most insistent is mythical Medea. The villain of the piece is the antagonist forces that militate against Terry’s achieving self-fulfillment.

Working on now
I am working on the final draft of a third novel titled Séjour Saint-Louis, where the troubles in a contemporary family mirror those of the tragic Canadian poet Émile Nelligan.

Favourite book
At present, John Banville’s The Sea. [So many great books, so little time.]

Favourite authors —
Contemporary: John Banville, Ian McEwan, and Richard Dawkins
Twentieth century: James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemmingway, Lawrence Durrell, John Fowles; recently enjoyed, Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending.
Default: Shakespeare

People can find me at

www.reedstirlingwrites.com
reedstirling@gmail.com

https://bwlpublishing.ca



Thursday, July 23, 2020

Thursday's Fifth Scene The Leo Aquarius Connection #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Leo #Aquarius


A short time later, she reached her SUV and fought traffic across town to the nursing home/rehab facility where her fifteen year old brother was a patient. She parked, walked to the entrance and rang for admittance. While not modern, the care was excellent though not as intensive as Jon needed.
When the door clicked, she entered and headed down the hall to his room. In the doorway of the semi-private room. His slumped shoulders and turned down mouth screamed misery. She hoped the cake would bring a smile. Two months had passed since the accident. His shattered bones had healed and the scars from the surgery had begun to fade. At least his face hadn’t scarred.
Suzanne walked forward. “Hi, bro.” She smiled.
Eyes as green as hers met her gaze. “Hi,” he mumbled.
“What’s wrong?’
“I tried to stand this morning. I can’t. I’ll be chained to this chair forever.”
She noticed a gathering of tears in his eyes. She brushed dark brown hair the same shade as hers from his forehead. Of the three half-siblings, Jon alone had inherited their mother’s coloring. “You will escape the chair. Don’t doubt this for an instant.” She placed the slice of cake she’d brought from the party on the tray. “While you eat this, I’ll tell you about tomorrow.”
His eyes widened. “Am I really getting out of here?” He glanced at the bed next to him where the patient was connected to an IV and a feeding tube.
She nodded. “When I had my interview on line, my old friend told me about the Rehab Center. Remember, I showed you the pictures she sent. You’ll like it there. They’ll make you work hard. Before long, you’ll be out of the chair.” She crossed her fingers and hoped his progress would escalate.
He speared a piece of cake. “Sure hope so.”
“Believe. When you’re ready for outpatient therapy, you’ll come home. We’ll live in a house. One with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the second floor. Downstairs, there’s a room you’ll use temporarily. Has a bathroom with a shower. There’s even a dining room, a garage and a large basement.”
He finished the cake and flashed a smile. “You make the move seem wonderful.”
“It will be.” She made a silent wish that the move would be everything they expected.
He stared at the window. “What about school? I’ve missed so much. Even before the accident, there were times I had to stay home. At that school, they just passed me to the next grade.”
She clasped his hand. “I talked to the counselor at the new school. She recommended an online school. They’ll evaluate you and prepare you to enter high school in September as a sophomore.”
She looked away so he couldn’t see the anger she felt. He had missed too many school days because his parents binged on alcohol. Too many times they’d forgotten to take the younger two to day care or were behind in paying the fees. Though she’d tried to help, she’d had work and tuition bills to pay. Moving home hadn’t been an option, not since she’d left for college. Once she’d received a full scholarship to Grantley, she’d been on her own.
“You sound so sure I’ll be okay,” Jon said.
“I am and so should you be.”
His dinner tray arrived. She uncovered the plate. The stew over rice didn’t look appealing but he polished off the food.
“When we reach Eastlake, I’ll bring you chili dogs from the Hot Doggery for your dinner.”
“Sounds better than the food here.” He pushed the tray away. “You don’t have to hang out with me.”
“I’m in no hurry to go home.”
“Don’t you have someone to spend time with? Maybe a boyfriend?”
She shook her head. Been there. Done that. Got burned. “We need to talk about tomorrow. The ambulance will be here at nine. Don’t let them take you before I arrive.  The trip will take about an hour. Once you’re settled in your room at the Rehab Center, I’ll go to the house and unpack and return to spend time with you.”
“You don’t have to. Wouldn’t you rather be with your friends?”
“They’re bringing dinner to the house and help with the unpacking. All but Megan are married.” She tapped his nose with a finger. “We’re family and I want to spend time with you. I’ll find a laptop for you and we’ll set it up for some games and explore the school program.”
His smile blossomed. “Thanks.”
She kissed his forehead. “See you in the morning. It’s a new life for both of us.”

My Places


Buy Mark
http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Wednesday Rekindled Dreams #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romance #Medical #Cancer #Aries


Join the authors at #MFRWHooks  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  Here for some great excerpts. Mine is Rekindled Dreams and features Cancer heroine and Aries hero.

BLURB:
Returning to Fern Lake after ten years for the funeral of his cousin and teenage enemy, Simon Parker learns his high school sweetheart is nine months pregnant and seven months divorced from his cousin. Their meeting is complicated by her labor and driving her to the hospital. An attempted cheek kiss lands on her mouth and those old feelings resurface. Dana Collins responds to the kiss but Simon walked away ten years before when she refused to go all the way. In those ten years he has never tried to reach her. Her marriage to his cousin lasted less than two years and she knew she’d made a mistake. Can this pair put the past aside and let the embers of an old love be rekindled?

2019 Book Hooks

Excerpt:
What had his cousin done to make his aunt cry? There had been several calls from her over the years when Randy had been in trouble. “Tell me.”
“He was killed in an automobile accident last night.”
Simon wished he was close enough to offer her comfort. She'd always been strong and Randy had been her most troubled child. “When?”
“Around midnight.”
“Where?”
“He and his fiancĂ© were on their way from dinner at the Club.”
Simon felt like he’d been kicked by a mule. A memory of the winding road from the building high on the hill outside Fern Lake flashed into view.
“FiancĂ©e? What do you mean?”
Though he and his aunt had talked on Christmas Day, his cousin hadn’t been mentioned. Had he missed something? About three years ago, Randy had married Simon’s high school sweetheart. “I thought he was married.”
May cleared her throat. “He and Dana divorced seven months ago.” She sighed. “Their parting shouldn’t still upset me since he didn’t treat her nicely.”
Simon sucked in a breath. A dozen memories from the days when he’d lived at the Grantlan mansion crowded his thoughts. He shoved them away. Anything that happened back then would stay there. Moving forward was his style.
“Did he abuse her?” He couldn’t contain the question.
“Not in a physical way.” She paused. “His drinking and womanizing were painful for her. She received little support when she tried to get him to seek help. Robert didn’t approve of the marriage. Neither did Patricia.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Come for the viewing and stay for the funeral. There are things we need to discuss.”
Simon’s gut clenched. The small scars on his back itched. Randy was dead. Didn’t change any of Simon’s feelings toward most of the Grantlan family. He cared for Aunt May. His mother’s sister had welcomed him even though she hadn’t spoken to his parents since they’d eloped. She’d insisted her husband give him a home.
He drew a deep breath. What new bomb would blow up his life? He’d resigned from a job he’d liked because he’d refused to obey Paley’s orders. Years ago he’d taken off because Dana had denied him what he’d wanted. He’d been an asshole that day. He groaned. Every time he reached a turning point he walked away. Move forward and don’t look back, he’d told himself. Would returning to Fern Lake be a mistake?
“Simon, are you there?”
“Yes.”
“Will you come?”
He swallowed against the huge lump forming in his throat. He’d lived in the Grantlan mansion for eight miserable years. No day had passed without being told he wasn’t worthy of being part of the family. Only the huge fortune his aunt had inherited from her family had made her suited to become a Grantlan.
“I’m not sure I can take the time off.” His face burned but he couldn’t tell her he didn’t care about Randy. In fact he felt glad.
“I’m sure they’ll give you the days for a family funeral.”
Since there was no one to grant him leave, she was right. His own reluctance to retrace his tracks held him back.
“Simon, please. I’m afraid trouble is brewing.”
“What kind?”

“Patricia is out of control. She’s making wild accusations and spouting conspiracy theories. Said Dana sabotaged Randy’s car or Melanie grabbed the wheel. You know how close she and Randy were.”


My Places

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

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - More on Characters and Revision #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Characters #Writing #Revision

Here's a question you need to ask yourself while you're revising your story. Does this character belong in this story? Sometimes in the heat of the rough draft and that of finding your way into the characters, you can put in someone who doesn't belong in the story. For me this isn't the hero or heroine but often a secondary character. Does heor she need more than one best friend or working colleague for the story. Sometimes two characters can be woven into one. The story should have just enough characters to make the story make sense. I once put a half dozen children into a story i was wrting and soon had a hard time distinguishing them and also having the hero and heroine relating to these children. But i do write stories with more than just two main characters but even then I need to be sure I've put the ones who are needed. This is easier done in the rough or planning stages of the book but I've citiqued friends' stories and asked that question why do you have three or four characters who would be doing the job of one  andmaybe two?

So make sure the characters all belong and that they're distinctive. Make sure not to confuse the reader with too many folks who seem to be the same.

Monday, July 20, 2020

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

Meander 1 - Reading - At present I'm reading more of Jennifer Probst's stories. Just finished Amber eyes by S Peters-Davis. Interesting paranormal with a trace of romance and shifters. will be reading for a contest. Have read one that's interesting but I'm now sure of how to word the critique.

Meander 2 - Thoughts - Just finished my birthday and what a crazy day it was. The Face book wishes were stupendous, I can't count how many there were. Many from friends, family and writers I know but some where from strangers. Phone calls went from morning until night from family and a visit from the grandchildren. Enjoyed that. Ashley baked me a lemon pie and that was tasty. So I've now done this 84 times. Hope there are a few more left.

Meander 3 - Writing - The new book is coming along. Rough draft almost finished and i will be to the halfway point by the end of August. That's a great goal. Hope it continues to fall into place so nicely. Going to be a long book. Now sure how long though.


My Places

Buy Mark
http://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Sunday's Book The Leo Aquarius Connection #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Medical #Leo #Aquarius

The Leo-Aquarius Connection (Opposites in Love Book 5)

The nurses stare as he exits the elevator on the Pediatric Unit. “Enter the handsome doctor.” Those are Doctor Caleb Winstone’s words as he steps off the elevator. Though he’s embarrassed, this Leo doctor rolls with the punches.

He’s returned home to join an older doctor in the practice. Before long he learns the new nurse manager of the unit is a woman he knows. Of all the women in the world, she is the last one he wants to see. How can he manage to work daily with her? Before the day ends, he discovers his mother has decided who he should marry and the woman is quite willing. Not for him.

Suzanna Rollins is an Aquarian and now the guardian of her half-brother who was badly injured in a car accident. She takes the position as nurse manager of the Pediatric unit for several reasons. One is the move from the city re-unites her with college friends, the Grantley Gang. The other is for the excellent Rehab Center. On the day of her arrival, she encounters Caleb. What is he doing here and why? Can she work with the man she fell in and out of love with the night he offered her less than marriage?

Caleb’s interest in helping her half-brother gives them more together time than they imagined.


Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2018
Handsome, rich doctor Caleb is expected to marry a woman of status. Years earlier he fell for a nurse then asked her to become his mistress. She slapped him and left. Suzanna is a hard-working nurse who must now care for her brother who was badly injured in a car wreck. She takes a job at a different hospital to have access to their excellent rehab program. Too late she finds out that Caleb has transferred to the same hospital and now he's her brother's doctor.
The two clash, but Caleb grows close to the teenaged brother. Will he ignore his parents' wishes and pursue the only woman he's ever loved, Suzanna? Will Suzanna give him a second chance?
Ms. Walter's writes with smooth authority, giving her characters heart and strength. A beautifully written story about opposites and compromise-the workings of a hospital-and the choices we all must face.
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2018
Walters demonstrates her knowledge of hospitals to make the story real, but does so skillfully without slowing down the read. For Dr. Caleb Winstone returning home means more than a new job and an awkward encounter, it also means his parents incessant demands for him to marry the woman of their choice. Nurse Practitioner Suzanna 
Rollins hopes the move will help her brother whose healing from a car accident. To me some unresolved issues cost it a star, but it is still a worthwhile read and I recommend it and the other books in the series.