Katherine is a retired nurse and a retired church organist. The small Hudson River village where she lives in her Victorian “Painted Lady” makes her the neighborhood matriarch. Along with her Maine Coon Cat Robespierre, she guards friends and families.
When amoral Rachel moves into the first floor apartment of Katherine’s house, trouble erupts. The murder weapon is one she recognizes and makes her fear for her friends and family. Finding the killer becomes her goal.
Editorial Review
Murder and Mint Tea is a gem in its genre, combining the voice of a classic American whodunit with that of a traditional British detective novel. Murder She Wrote meets Miss Marple in a beautifully crafted tale that makes the reader want to reach into the pages and dispense justice to the villainess themselves. ~ Writer Gail Roughton
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Saturday - Murder and Mint Tea Free #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #cozt mystery #Maine Coon cat #Robespierre
Friday, September 1, 2023
Saturday - Murder and Mint Tea - Free #mystery #cozy #Maine Coon Cat
Katherine is a retired nurse and a retired church organist. The small Hudson River village where she lives in her Victorian “Painted Lady” makes her the neighborhood matriarch. Along with her Maine Coon Cat Robespierre, she guards friends and families.
When amoral Rachel moves into the first floor apartment of Katherine’s house, trouble erupts. The murder weapon is one she recognizes and makes her fear for her friends and family. Finding the killer becomes her goal.
Editorial Review
Murder and Mint Tea is a gem in its genre, combining the voice of a classic American whodunit with that of a traditional British detective novel. Murder She Wrote meets Miss Marple in a beautifully crafted tale that makes the reader want to reach into the pages and dispense justice to the villainess themselves. ~ Writer Gail Roughton
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
The Aries Libra Connection #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Free #medical #romance #Astrology #Aries #Libra
Join the authors at MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some tempting excerpts. Mine is from the first book of Opposites in Love series found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com The Aries Libra Connection the first book in the series is free
Blurb:
Jenessa is Aries, a nurse, union advocate and likes a good fight.
Eric is Libra, Director of Nursing, and believes in compromise.
Can these two find a way to uncover the underhanded events at the hospital? They’re on opposite sides but the attraction between them is strong. She’s a widow who fought to save her husband’s life during a code. She feels guilty because the love she and her husband shared had died before his death. He assisted at the code but he feels guilty since he was the one who was responsible for the short staffing the night her husband died.
Now they face falling in love and trying to solve the problems between the nurse’s union and the president of the hospital’s Board who wants a take over of the hospital by his hospital group. Is their connection strong enough to survive?
Excerpt:
The apartment door slammed. She looked up and saw her roommate. Megan kicked off her shoes. “Are you ready for a bomb? Guess what the Board has done.”
“Sandra.”
“Is out.” Megan grinned. “Josh and I were at the Cove for dinner. Sam introduced Eric Bradshaw. Would you believe he’s the new Director of Nursing? And what a hunk he is.”
Jenessa pushed back long strands of dark brown hair that had come loose from her braid. “You’re kidding.”
“Not one bit.”
“It’s a ploy. Can’t you hear Mr. Bishop’s laughter? We’ll give the girls a man to drool over. That’ll shut them up.”
“Come on, Jen. At least they didn’t name Her.” Megan headed across the living room, discarding pieces of clothes as she walked. “He’s every woman’s dream. Tall, blond, broad shoulders. I positively drooled. He’s got the greatest dimples. That’s because he’s a Libra.”
Trust Megan to ask his sun sign, Jenessa thought. Her roommate’s description confirmed her suspicions of the Board’s motives. “Sounds like you’re adding him to your string.”
“Wrong. A Libra and a Pisces. Odd couple material.” Megan’s blonde curls bounced with the force of her denial. “He’s for you, my Aries friend. Remember what I always say. An opposition can be exciting.”
Not again, Jenessa thought. For the past year, Megan’s attempts at matchmaking seemed designed to drive her crazy. “Megan, no.”
“You can’t be alone forever.”
“You’re surviving.”
“Alone I’m not. My problem is too many and being unable to hurt anyone.” She shrugged. “Give it a shot.”
Jenessa frowned. Megan and she had been friends since they were five, but there were things she couldn’t tell her… Things about Chuck and the marriage.
“I’m union. He’s management. Can you see me falling for someone from the opposition?”
“And what will you be when you finish your Master’s?”
“Not here. I’ll work for a doctor. Head to the city. Become a consultant.” She followed the trail of clothes and gathered them as she walked. “With my reputation here, they won’t promote me.”
“Your reputation is undeserved. Just because you organized the union, sent a petition to recall Sandra, started the protest forms, negotiated the contract…” The click of the bathroom door cut off Megan’s words.
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Free Seducing the Chef #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romance #Contemporary #magazine #editor #chef
Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is found at https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com Seducing the Chef is free
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?
EXCERPT:
Morning sun streamed through the wide windows of the lower
floor office of Five Cuisines. Greg Ramsey typed the last item on the week’s
menus. He checked the list of supplies needed and sent orders to the various venues. Monday
mornings when the restaurant was closed had become his planning day.
He loaded the heavy paper in the printer and began the
process of producing the menus for each of the five rooms. As the papers slid
from the printer he heard a light tapping at the door.
“Come in.”
When his mother entered he rose and lightly hugged her. “Your
timing is perfect. Just finished creating the menus for the week.”
Stella Ramsey, tall, slender with a gray streak in her dark
hair, kissed his cheek. “How is my handsome son?”
“Pleased with our success.” Six months ago they had opened
the restaurant and they were on their way toward becoming a profitable venture.
For the past month there had been few empty tables at either evening seating.
Even on Wednesday and Thursday they’d been solidly booked. The weekend brunches
were gaining the attention of people who came to browse in the antique shops
and other unusual
stores in the
He reached for the letter that had arrived last week. The offer could make or break his
dream. He knew little about the magazine Good Eatin’ other than a spread was
eagerly sought by the nation’s restaurants. As his silent partner, his mother
had a voice in whether they should chance a bad review.
“What was so important you asked me to cancel my lunch date?”
She smiled. “Please tell me you’ve found a weekend hostess.”
He shook his head. “The job is yours until you say you’ve had
enough.”
“Might be soon.”
He arched a brow. “Something serious happening in our life.”
She laughed. “You’ll be the first to know. What about you?
Have you met the woman of your dreams and the one who will make me happy?”
“When do I have time?”
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Escape Free Book #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #fantasy #for all ages #Affinities #earth #air #fire #water
Join the authors at #MFRWHooks Here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Rscape the first book of the Affinities series @https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com starts the adventure of 2 sets of twins
BLURB:
Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.
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:
Dom Jonden called fire to light the wax tapers set in sconces along the walls. He set the braziers burning. The aromas of herbs and spices filled the air. As though this were a lesson, Ash tried to isolate each scent to learn the blend and the purpose. Once the six had gathered around the table, the wall re-sealed. No thought or spoken word would be heard outside the room. Ash sat beside her twin. Ky and Jay were on the other side. Before her parents took their seats, they carried talismans from the shelves and placed two before each child. Ash saw a silver flute, not the wooden one she used in practice, but one whose notes would stir the air. Were the ones before her siblings gifts to activate their powers?
The Dom and Doma sat at either end of the oval table. Doma Calanda took Ash’s and Ky’s hands. Dom Jonden held Bran’s and Jay’s hands. Ash felt the energy pulse between them. “We have been betrayed and you, the hope of the future, must leave the henge,” the Doma said. “Remember the things we have taught you. Ashlea will lead you on a road she has traveled before. In Cedris, you will find a place of safety. There, you will wait until a person comes for each of you and takes you to where you can learn and master your elements.”
Ash swallowed against the lump in her throat. The idea of being separated from her siblings brought tears to her eyes. There’d been no other children in the henge. The four had become more than siblings. They were friends. She saw the tear-glistened eyes of the two across the table. Bran’s hold on her hand tightened.
“The separation will not be for all time,” Dom Jonden said. “You will find each other and others of your kind. For in you and the ones you discover is a uniting of high and low lands.”
“Once there was one land with high and low united,” Doma Calanda began. “Came those who now dwell in the low lands. Came they seeking refuge from disaster. Those who now dwell in the high lands were rovers and most called no place home. Gladly they ceded the plains to the newcomers. They built four henges, each a home for a Dom and Doma.”
Dom Jonden took up the tale. “Some of my people were discontented with a simple life. They formed Houses and battled for the land. The four Great Houses could not defeat each other, so Wesren, Soutren, Nortren and Easren divided the land into four quadrants and each named one of their own as prince. Years later, three of the houses sought to seize the henges within their borders. Those henges fell and there was disaster in those quadrants. Only House Wesren refused to take arms against their henge. Where the other quadrants suffered, Wesren prospered. Alas, they now seek to destroy. Thus you children must leave.”
Questions without number bombarded Ashlea.
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Escape - Affinities Book 1 FREE #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Epic fantasy #2 sets of twins #Affinities #Earth #Air #Water #Fire #Swords #Magic
Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great Excerpts. Mine is found @https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com. Escape the first book in the Affinities Series is free at all venues.
BLURB:
Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.
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:
A flash of lightning brightened the sleeping chamber. Ash woke with a start and burrowed into the pillows. The scent of trouble rode the air currents that threaded through the open window slats. Her heart thudded inher chest. Like the beating of a massive drum, thunder sounded. Again, lightning flashed and cast green, white, blue and red slashes against the sky.
The air held no threat of rain. 'Twas like the heat storms of summer, unnatural at this time of year for the waning days of autumn marked the season.
Ash calmed her racing thoughts and tasted the air, for that was her element. A frown formed within and without. From the land beyond the four walls of the henge, she caught the odors of fires, animals and men. From inside the keep, there was little except the aromas of her parents and her siblings. Something was wrong. Where were those who served the Dom and Doma of Wesren? Ash propped herself against the pillows. If she had her younger brother's affinity for the things of earth, she could read the stones of the ancient tower and know what had passed since she;d slept. Where were the male servants and maids? "Twas as though the henge had been abandoned by those who lived within the four walls.
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."
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Free The Aries Libra Connection #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Medical #romance #Astrology
Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some interesting excerpts. Mine is found @https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com The Aries Libra Connection is a medical romance. This first book in the series is free.
BLURB:
Jenessa is Aries, a nurse, union advocate and likes a good fight.
Eric is Libra, Director of Nursing, and believes in compromise.
Can these two find a way to uncover the underhanded events at the hospital? They’re on opposite sides but the attraction between them is strong. She’s a widow who fought to save her husband’s life during a code. She feels guilty because the love she and her husband shared had died before his death. He assisted at the code but he feels guilty since he was the one who was responsible for the short staffing the night her husband died.
Now they face falling in love and trying to solve the problems between the nurse’s union and the president of the hospital’s Board who wants a take over of the hospital by his hospital group. Is their connection strong enough to survive?
EXCERPT:
Eric hid a smile. She ran the bases with a cocky gait.
At home, her teammates engulfed her. When he saw Sam wiggle into the mass of
cheering women, Eric laughed. Moments later, the petite, ebony-skinned catcher
for the nurses dragged Sam from the huddle.
“Simone, remember Eric.” Sam winked. “See you at the
buffet. Me and this woman’s got to talk about her attitude.” He gestured toward
the pitcher for the nurses. “Looks like you made an impression.”
He knew he had, but not the one he wanted. He strode
to first base, retrieved the beer and straightened.
She stood on the base. “I was safe, you know.”
“Really?” He raised the can to his lips without
lowering his gaze. The sweat-stained tee shirt hugged her ribs and clung to her
breasts. He swallowed a mouthful of warm, stale beer he hadn’t meant to drink
and caught the edge of a memory.
He knew her. Though their first meeting had lasted
less than an hour, he remembered her fire and determination. He’d watched her
ply every skill and trick she knew and he had stepped in to help. For a short
time, they’d been a team.
Before he had a chance to identify himself, a booming
voice ended the staring match. A hearty slap made him drop the beer. White foam
gathered on the grass.
“Getting into things already. Good idea.” The Board
president stepped around Eric. “Jenessa, you look good enough to start a dead
man’s heart. Two of you been introduced?”
“Not officially,” Eric said. The audible wheeze in
Bishop’s breathing made him wonder why the man was puffing on a cigar.
“Allow me. Jenessa Robertson, Eric Bradshaw.” Bishop
beamed. “Now, let me tell you, this little girl’s not as sweet as she looks.
She’s a rabble-rouser. Fights hard for the union.”
Sweet didn’t match Eric’s impression of her from the
past or today. Stubborn, courageous, a leader and much too attractive did.
Her hands moved to her hips. “It’s contract time, Mr.
Bishop.”
“Don’t be rushing into the fire, little girl. Eric
just arrived.”
“We’ve been on hold for months.”
The obese man’s teeth clamped on the cigar. “Stick to
nursing, little girl. When you have a seat on the Board, you can push.”
“We’re asking for one.”
“Already have a nurse. Your director has a seat.”
She made a face. “I mean a real nurse.” She turned and
jogged away.
“What?” If Bishop hadn’t grabbed Eric’s arm, he would
have followed her and demanded an explanation. The desire for a confrontation
rocked him.
Bishop laughed. “That’s one fine looking little girl.
Needs a man to blunt her claws.” He winked. “You interested?”
“What did she mean by a real nurse?”
“Seems she thinks only bedside nurses should have a
say in how the hospital’s run.” Bishop ground his cigar on the sun-browned
grass. “Girl’s a born leader.”
“Why isn’t she a nurse manager?”
Bishop lit another cigar and released a cloud of
smoke. “Would be like setting a mongoose in a cobra’s nest. Better idea would
be for you to feed the sparks jumping between you. Set her to thinking about a
man not a contract.”
Eric’s jaw tightened. He felt the same anger he’d felt
years before when he’d been a rookie cop and a smooth- talking drug dealer had
offered a bribe. “That’s not my style.”
“Why not? A good administrator is like ice applied to
a burn. The rule is—find the troublemakers and use any means to neutralize
them.”
Eric looked away. No matter how expedient, he wouldn’t
use attraction to gather information. “I’ll be busy then. There are a lot of
unhappy campers.”
Bishop laughed. “Long as they’re complaining, we don’t
have to worry.”
“Oh, there you are.” Sandra Wallace, the assistant
Director of Nursing, strolled toward them. She shifted her ever-present
briefcase to her right hand and grabbed Bishop’s arm. “Weren’t we meeting at
the buffet?”
Bishop’s meaty hand covered hers. “You missed the
game. The nurses won.”
She eyed Eric’s faded cut-offs. He felt like he’d been
examined by a fashion consultant and dismissed. “My aren’t you casual.”
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Murder and Mint Tea - Free #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Katherine Miller mysteries #Robespierre Maine Coon Cat #cozy
Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is found @https://wwwelecticwriter.blogspot.com Murder and Mint Tea is free
BLURB
When amoral Rachel moves into the first floor apartment of Katherine’s house, trouble erupts. The murder weapon is one she recognizes and makes her fear for her friends and family. Finding the killer becomes her goal.
Editorial Review
Murder and Mint Tea is a gem in its genre, combining the voice of a classic American whodunit with that of a traditional British detective novel. Murder She Wrote meets Miss Marple in a beautifully crafted tale that makes the reader want to reach into the pages and dispense justice to the villainess themselves. ~ Writer Gail Roughton
I reached for
the ragged scrap of cloth and gasped. When I looked over the railing acid
rose in my throat. I swallowed several times. Rachel’s body
sprawled among the bushes. Her arms and legs curved awkwardly. I
hurried down the steps and around the porch. Even if I hadn’t been a
nurse I would have recognized death.
On the ground
several feet from her body I saw the knife. The blood on the blade seemed
duller than the splotch of red on the bodice of her white dress. I bent
to study the knife. The distinctive ivory bands on the black handle identified
it as one of the knives Bob and Sarah had given as gifts last Christmas.
A rush of
thoughts arose and threatened to engulf me. I heard voices crying for
Rachel’s death.
“Someday
you’ll end up dead and there’ll be too many suspects for an arrest.”
“I wait for
her. I have the knife.”
“You’ll be
sorry, sorry, sorry.”
“I hate
her. I wish she was dead.”
“How about the
Orient Express method?”
What should I
do? The voices of my friends and loved ones brought my protective
instincts to play. The possibility someone I knew had ended Rachel’s life
was strong. Once again I saw Tim slice the air with the knife. The
day the Rodgers had moved in I had placed one of the knives on the tray of
food. Neither had been returned. With a sudden thought I knew even
Susie could have
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/
