Eclectic writer

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

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Sunday, December 10, 2023

Search for the White Jewel is featured as Sunday's Book #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #fantasy #all ages #minstrel #Jewels

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

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

My Places

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Saturday, December 9, 2023

Blurbs from three stories are featured today On Saturday's Blurbs #MFRWAuthor #romance #fake engagement #Home again #mountains #Christmas #tree farm

Fake Fiancé Santa

Meghan has met more douchebags than the average woman.

That comes with the job as the only woman working at the local hardware store. Her mother pushing men at her to get grandchildren doesn’t help either. So she is only too happy when her best friend Justin proposes a fake engagement to ward off unwanted attention. Pretending to be engaged should be easy, or so they think, but they haven’t considered what their fib might do to promote the aspirations of Meghan's mother. Soon, the entire town is planning a wedding. And Justin seems to encourage them. Now, why would he do that?

Fake Fiancé Santa is a prequel to Ella Braeme’s new series, Elken Grove Mountain Men. It is contained in the Season's Sweethearts anthology. In this limited edition Christmas romance collection, love is in the air, as our couples receive an unexpected gift from Santa – romance!

Embrace the Christmas spirit by delving into these stories where anything can happen with a little Christmas magic.

This holiday anthology includes stories from some of today’s most loved romance authors, including Kathleen Ryder, Diana Dawn, Ella Braeme, Demelza Carlton, Becca Turner, Katherine Moore, Meg Napier, Anita Harlan and Nikki Prince.

https://geni.us/seasonssweethearts

Butting Heads with Her Mountain Man

Could this grinch with his dark scowl be the light of my life?

Grace

I need to start afresh in my small hometown. While I am happy to be back in the mountains, the efforts of my hapless family to help me settle in lead to me running zig-zag to avoid further disasters. Being scrutinized by the townsfolk doesn’t help either. Still, I set to work to establish my own accounting business with all the determination that I can muster.

I count myself lucky when I get my first client—only to find out he is as grumpy as they get—and yet, I can't deny the pull I feel towards him.

Lyle

I hate Christmas. And it shows. So I need help keeping my Christmas tree farm afloat. The accountant turns out to be an opinionated lover of all things holiday. Still, I can't help but feel a spark of attraction for her. An attraction that I have no intention of owning up to.

This is a heartwarming, small-town romance novella with a heroine who's determined to make her dreams come true, a grumpy mountain man who’s doing his best to keep her at arm’s length, and a nettlesome audience of townspeople buzzing with Christmas cheer, or in Lyle’s case: Christmas scowling. Light steam, HEA, no cheating, standalone.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCMWG8TY

Someone I Chose

She never wanted an arranged marriage. Now she’s got the husband to prove it.

Marrying a perfect stranger to nix Neha’s parents’ plans to marry her off seemed to be a great idea. It was for show only, after all. That is, it was until Neha’s powerful father threatened to have the marriage annulled so she’d be free for the fiancé he had chosen for her. Neha thought hard and long for a sanctuary, but the only place that came to her mind was her husband’s. And so she was stuck in exactly the scenario she had tried to avoid: make-do with a stranger as a husband.

Someone I Chose takes off where the second book in Ella Braeme’s Married in Windfall series ended. If you like small-town romances about reluctant lovers, you'll love this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ15QD1S

Friday, December 8, 2023

Ella Braeme is visiting and talking about being a Plotter or a Panster #MFRWAuthor #Anthology #Pets #Tolstoy #romance

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

I've been writing for some years, but never, ever got a book finished. Once I gave up on the idea I could just sit down and write a book, but instead started to plot, things went smoothly. I collate ideas on index cards and/or on a Trello board and once I feel there are enough to build a book on, I transfer them to a scene structure I have created, heavily relying on Gwen Hayes' Romancing the Beat and Kim Hudson's The Virgin's Promise.

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

I wouldn't even know. Sometimes it's a character that comes to mind, a photograph of someone, or a plot idea. Creativity doesn't follow a pattern, but flows however it wants. Going with that flow can be a humbling experience.

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

My current work in progress is the second book in the Elken Grove Mountain Men series. I went a little crazy following some late night what-if ideas, and came up with a rock star mountain man story. It will be published in the Mic Drop anthology come March.

Mixing genres is a lot of fun, hitting the marks of both is difficult though. But so far, I feel good about the book and it feels like both: mountain man and rock star.

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.

Pets. That's the most common denominator. There's usually a dog or a cat, just because I like them. And I weave in wildlife and nature in general. That's something most of us don't experience in everyday life nowadays, but often crave. So if my readers can't have it as often as they'd like to, at least they get a glimpse in my books.

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

Oof, loaded question. I write every day. Unless I can't—and that's more often than I'm comfortable admitting. Life gets into the way, health issues, helping family, renovation works (our house is very old and needs a lot of tending). And sometimes it's just the absence of my muse. I don't know where she's going when she's not with me, and luckily it usually doesn't take long for her to be back. So, when my muse is with me and life is good, everyday.

6. Where can we find you?

I hang out on Instagram @ellawritesromance, I've got a website ellabraeme.com, and a newsletter. And of course, an email address, ella@ellabraeme.com. I actually do read my emails and as of now, I still have time to answer.

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

I've got many favorite authors—usually the one I'm reading right now. Books that have been with me for a long time now are Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I love the way the story is told from so many different points of view. In one case, it's a dog's even! Another is Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell with it's various time-lines. In both cases, I hate the movies made out of these books. The books are so much more than could be told in 120 minutes.
As for romance, I enjoy Daphne Elliot's Lovewell Lumberjacks. I mean, you do not think I could resist that moose, do you?

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Murder and Iced Tea is featured today with Thursday's Opening Scene #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Murder mystery #cozy #Robespierre

Sunlight streamed through the kitchen window and the glass panel of the door, brightening the room. The yellow walls glowed and made me happy. I stared into the garden and noticed how the mints had spread. The three and a half years since Lars and I had married, sold our houses and purchased this four bedroom ranch as our home had been happy but because of the COVID epidemic, quiet.

“Meow.” Robespierre emerged from the cat door and padded to his food dish. He stared and called again.

I grabbed a box of dried food from the huge pantry closet and shook a minor shower of granules into the bowl. The brown and black long-haired Maine Coon cat attacked the offering. A few bites later he settled on the floor and stared Sphinxlike at me.

I glanced at the kitchen clock above the small antique table and chairs. Time to pack my contribution to the neighborhood Labor Day gathering. From the pantry, I removed the largest cake holder. After opening the lid, I took the three tiered chocolate cake from the chest freezer and fitted the pastry into the holder. One down. I reached for my glass of iced mint tea and sipped.

When I thought of how Sarah’s boys would crow with delight over the cake, I chuckled. Even though the pair had recently become teens, they remained suckers for the cake. I hoped Lars would soon return from his golf game with his son. I wanted to reach Sarah’s yard in time to help set up the food.

Today we celebrated the end of selfquarantining for COVID. The past three years had meant that in person gatherings were only with immediate family. During the early hectic days, over Lars’ protests, I’d returned to the hospital to help with the influx of patients. The families in my neighborhood had been fortunate. Though many of my friends had developed the disease, no one had become seriously ill.

As I opened the refrigerator, Robespierre stirred. He prowled to my side and stared at the jars I removed. Pickled shrimp, one of my special appetizers and one my allergy to the shrimp protein kept me from tasting.

“Merrup.”

I looked down at Robespierre. “You wouldn’t like them.” The huge cat’s expression marked my words as lies. I scratched his head. “I should give you a taste but I’m not cruel.” Who knew what effect vinegar and herbs would have on the cat. After finding a small cooler, I poured ice into the bottom and fitted a plastic bag inside. I decanted the jars of shrimp into the cooler, closed the bag and added it to the sides and top.

I had just closed the cooler when Lars entered the kitchen. He brushed a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll shower and change. Then we can leave.” He strode away.

Robespierre stretched in that feline way of denying he had a rigid spine. The cat wound circles around my legs before exiting the kitchen via the cat door. I stood at the kitchen door and watched his antics. First he chased a butterfly and leaped onto the wall. There he chose a sunny spot. After adding tea to my glass, I sat at the kitchen table to wait for Lars.

My Places

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Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Murder and Iced Tea #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Cozy mystery #Robespierre #Main Coon Cat #Halloween Parade

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some intriguing excerpts. Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com and is from Murder and Iced Tea, a collection of short stories

Blurb:

Sarah gathers signatures on a petition she presents to the mayor. Mayor Bloom, refuses to acknowledge the gesture. Sarah vows she will find a way to thwart the over-weight man she calls Mayor Lard.

Kate receives a phone call from a friend in Vermont. The town where her friend lives has recently purchased some lamp post decorations that look like those she remembers from the Hudson River village. Are they the same. Kate sets out to learn.

While exploring the basement storage room at the town hall, Kate discovers the decorations for all the holidays are gone. She also discovers the body of the mayor. He has been hit over the head and also stabbed. Kate wonders who was so furious. Suspicion falls on her friend, Sarah. Kate sets out to find the killer and prays it’s not her friend.

EXCERPT:

Mayor Bloom straightened in his seat. “Greetings, Ladies. What a beautiful day for a ride around our marvelous town.” He smiled. “I’ve heard you’re planning a neighborhood feast to celebrate the end of COVID.”

Was he aiming for the invitation I knew wouldn’t be offered? Since his election as mayor, Sarah has turned cool.

Nothing special,” Sarah said. “Just a few neighbors.”

His smile brightened. Did he intend to claim a spot? He and his third wife lived three miles from here. He wasn’t part of the neighborhood.

Sarah stepped closer to the car. “Why are you riding around in an irreplaceable antique car?”

For a moment there was silence. I edged away.

The mayor leaned forward. “We’re honoring Labor Day.”

Sarah placed a hand on the car. “A parade would have been a better way to honor the day. Crowds would have brought customers to town and helped the merchants and the restaurants.”

“Assembling a crowd isn’t good. Too soon. Maybe next year.”

Sarah stiffened. “You won’t have a say if you’re not re-elected. A thought. What happens to the money allocated for parades when the money isn’t used?”

“Saved to build a surplus for something important.”

“Like what?” Sarah’s hands fisted.

“I haven’t decided.” She scowled. “I’ve heard a rumor that troubles me.” What had she heard and when? I couldn’t recall hearing any new rumors pointing to trouble. I waited for an answer. Sarah straightened her shoulders. Her expression changed to one of determination. A chill rolled down my spine. Was she inventing the rumor?

Mayor Bloom laughed. The sound emerged thin and strangled. “There are always rumors.”

Sarah’s hands tightened into fists. “I heard you’re cancelling the Halloween parade.”

His lips formed a tight line. “There’s no reason to have one. Three years have passed since the last one. No one is pushing to restore the event. I informed the committee there is no reason for a parade.”

“You’re wrong.” Sarah leaned forward and raised a fist. “Kate, how do you feel about there being no parade this year?”

Before I had a chance to answer, the mayor spoke. “There’s no reason to have one. No one has pushed for a Halloween parade. The town council agrees with me. There’s no need.”

I grasped her arm to stop the attack. “I feel sad to see a tradition ended. I understand why there’s been no parade for several years. To prevent the spread of COVID crowds were to be avoided.”

Harold Bloom nodded. “How true. We don’t need to spread the disease among the fine people of our town.” Sarah’s face reddened. “You’re breaking a tradition for no good reason.”

“I am not.” The redness of the mayor’s face matched hers. “COVID achieved that goal. We will have a new tradition.” He leaned forward and touched his friend’s shoulder. “Time to move on. We’ve wasted enough time here.”

Was he angry about no invitation to our dinner? With a jerk, the ancient car moved. The mayor grasped the seat to keep from being propelled. “Be careful,” he cried.

I watched the car chug away. What had the meeting accomplished? Nothing that I could see. “Good riddance,” Sarah said.

My Places

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The Underdog Plot - Opening Segment is featured as Tuesday's Writer's Tip #BWLAUthor #MFRWAuthor #wwriting #plot #underdog

In the Underdog Plot opening segment, the character is identified. He or she must be shown in ways to elicit the reader's sympathy and empathy. They need to root for a character who on the surface has no way to win. These stories usually begin at a point where the main character's life is somehow disrupted. This part of the story will show his or her life before the radical change. The segment ends with the disrupting incident.

My Places

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Monday, December 4, 2023

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

Meander 1 - Reading - Have sjust started the releases from Books We Love LTD. Will be interested to see how they work out. Can't rate one of them since it's my reelase. Someone else will have to do that.

Meander 2 - Thoughts - No politics today. It's about charities. I give to one a month and I pretty much have mine down. First are the local ones. After those, I chose from the hundreds I recieve all year until I have twelve. I do wish I couldlet the charities know they do not have to send multiple things every year. I only giveonce andone is all I need. Doubt this will have any effect but I will try again next year. So much money is wasted on paper, envelopes and stamps.

Meander 3 - Writing - One chapter to rough draft in Krltoi. Then I can set is aside while I rough draft The Horror Writer's Demise. Looking forward to seeing that one take shape. Must be at least 50,000 w3ords in length.

My Places

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Sunday, December 3, 2023

Murder and Iced Tea is featured as Sunday's Book #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #cozy mystery #Robespierre #Short stories

When the mayor declares there will be no Halloween parade, a village tradition, Kate and her friends are surprised by the announcement. Sarah, Kate’s neighbor and friend is furious and she vows there will be a Halloween parade. A chance meeting with the mayor on Labor Day, also a no parade day sets Sarah and the mayor at odds. What can be done? There should be a parade, since there hasn’t been one since the start of the COVID epidemic.

Sarah gathers signatures on a petition she presents to the mayor. Mayor Bloom, refuses to acknowledge the gesture. Sarah vows she will find a way to thwart the over-weight man she calls Mayor Lard.

Kate receives a phone call from a friend in Vermont. The town where her friend lives has recently purchased some lamp post decorations that look like those she remembers from the Hudson River village. Are they the same. Kate sets out to learn.

While exploring the basement storage room at the town hall, Kate discovers the decorations for all the holidays are gone. She also discovers the body of the mayor. He has been hit over the head and also stabbed. Kate wonders who was so furious. Suspicion falls on her friend, Sarah. Kate sets out to find the killer and prays it’s not her friend.

My Places

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Buy Mark My Places