Thursday's Third Scene from Murder and Sweet Tea #MFRWauthor #Small town #Hudson Valley #New York

The next morning when Sarah and Maria left after our coffee time, I walked with them to the corner and turned toward the library. Robespierre walked with us and followed Maria and the stroller across the street. My cat has been enamored of the toddler since Maria and Paul had returned from Spain with their adopted son. The fascination was mutual.

Ten minutes later, I paused on the steps of the stone building housing the library. A reluctance to enter held me on the first step. Foolishness. Those words repelled me inside. My gaze traveled upward to the head librarian’s office. My shoulder muscles tightened.

Enough. The former occupant of that room was in a mental hospital. I doubt she would ever leave. Facing what she’d done wasn’t Judith’s nature.

I went to the fiction section and searched for Sabrina Gates. Finally I found a single volume and carried my selection to the desk. The young woman seated at the desk smiled.

“Good choice. We have four copies of each of her books. They fly off the shelves constantly.” She paused and studied me.  “Do you really want to read this? Her books are very explicit.”

I arched an eyebrow. “As in how bodied become dead.”

She nodded. “There are some gruesome deaths and also some very hot sex.”

Laughter rippled through me. “I believe I can handle that.”  I tucked the book under my arm and headed home. I could handle murder and sex with little problem.

When I reached the house, I discovered a note from Lars. “Gone golfing. See you at dinner.”

Being released from the need to socialize, I filled a large glass with iced mint tea and settled in my recliner to begin the book. By the second page I was drawn into the story.

Halfway through the book, Lars returned. He waved a hand before my face. “Earth to Kate. Must be a good book.”

I put the volume down. “Though it’s not what I usually read, it’s very good. The author will be our new neighbor.”

He lifted the book from the table and read the back cover. “So you’ve solved the mystery of who is moving in.”

Death follows Nanette Gordon as she fights her opposition for control of her father’s company. Andrew Miliken appears but is he friend or foe? Only time will tell.

Sabrina Gates’ first novel brings a tense and tightly woven adventure. Her childhood home in Savannah is woven into the story.

“You’ll need to read when I’ve finished.”

He chuckled. “Keep reading. This is a much better way to experience murder than in finding bodies.”

My laughter joined his. And these are all part of a writer’s imagination.”

“Let’s pray your remains out of our life.”

My sigh turned to a groan. Seeking dead bodies wasn’t my idea of fun. “No more murders for me.”

“And no more partners in crime solving for me.”

I nodded "Take a shower. Then we’ll have dinner.”

Here or do we go out?”

“Here. Crab salad on a bed of lettuce with wedges of tomato.”

“Sounds good.”

As Lars went to the bathroom, I set the book aside and hurried to the kitchen to assemble our dinner. I stared out the kitchen window at the house next door. When would the new neighbor arrive? Hopefully all would be great and I would gain a new friend

Wednesday Book Toth's Priest #MFRWHooks #MFRWAuthor #alternate world #Egypt

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BLURB:

Amara faces trouble and she uses a phone number given to her by a friend who has vanished. When she is offered the chance to be sent to an ancient Egypt, she accepts even though she must perform a task and risk losing her life. But here, she faces the same fate. She arrives and there is much she must learn before she can rescue a young man held by the priests of Aken Re.

Namose was taken prisoner by Hebu, beloved of Aken Re, and forced to translate ancient scrolls giving Hebu some of the powers given to the priests of Toth by the Three of the Two Lands, Toth, Bast and Horu. After his rescue, further troubles arise. He and Amara must join their powers to save their land and friends from the evil Hebu.

BUY MARK
Toth's Priest (An Alternate Egypt Book 3)

Excerpt:

The sound of feet on the stairs from below reached her. She crouched and peered through the railing. She sucked in a breath. Would her pounding heart shatter her ribs? Why was Ramos here? One of his bodyguards pounded on her uncle’s door.

When the men entered the apartment, she raced lightly up the rest of the stairs and opened the door to the roof. The heavy metal slab nearly slipped from her hands. She paused for a moment to use a piece of wood to block the handle. She ran across the roof. Once she reached the edge, she slipped over the low wall and placed her feet on the fire escape. Step by step she made her way down until she reached the fourth floor and the windows of her uncle’s living room. Had she missed anything of importance? The unseasonable heat of the autumn day meant open windows. She crouched where she could hear.

“Mr. Ramos, what do you want from me?” Her uncle’s voice vibrated with fear.

“I have come to offer safety for you, your wife and children. There will also be money allowing you to relocate.”

Ramos’ smooth voice sent chills darting over Amara’s skin. Her hands clenched.

“What do you want me to do?” her uncle asked.

“You have a beautiful niece. I have a handsome nephew who is my heir. Miguel wants the girl. Bring her to me and all will be as I promise.”

Would her uncle accept? Amara knew the answer. He had no love for her other than for the money she brought into the house. Her body tensed. The metal of the fire escape burned her hands.

“What if she won’t obey me? She holds herself apart from the family.”

Ramos laughed. “You will make her obey. Aren’t you the man of the house? Bring her to me. She was seen entering the building not long ago.”

When her uncle said nothing, Amara felt a moment of hope.

“I said now,” Ramos barked.

“But…” Her uncle rose. Would he tell the drug lord she hadn’t come home?

To keep from crying out, Amara bit her finger. Time to move. She had to escape but where could she go? When they didn’t find her in her room would her uncle remember how she often went to the roof? She eased to her feet. No time or way to reach her room and the stash of money she’d hidden. She needed a place to hide. With care she climbed to the roof and rolled over the wall.

After her breathing slowed, she searched her pockets. Phone. Twelve dollars, mostly singles and some change. The paper Seth had given her before he disappeared. If she ever needed an escape, today was the time. She read the words.

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

Was it possible? Though this sounded like a joke, Seth had said they would help. She trusted him. Did she have a choice other than to explore this option? If she didn’t call her life would change in a manner she feared most. She had to reach the street and make the call. Before making the call, she wanted to be away from this building. Maybe she could make the call now but the sound of banging on the door to the roof spooked her, She scurried across the roof. The next building was close enough to jump.

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Tuesday's Writer's Tip - More on When - From Idea to Finished Story #amwriting #When

Last week we looked at when from the large view so today, We'll break it down to smaller times.
The time of year, the time of day are all important when writing a story.

Seasons come with various events. Think of the holidays. If you've chosen fall, you might consider Halloween and Thanksgiving in your story. The weather of each season is different. Winter usually brings short days, long nights and cold weather, that is if you're in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, seasons are the opposite and nearer to the equator the seasons may seem to be quite the same.

Then one should look at the months. Is your story set in January. Where I live this often brings a thaw in the middle of the cold weather. Each month has different weather and different events taking place. Keep these in mind when you're writing. I'm working on a December story. Snow and Christmas figure in and make me remember these events.

Now weeks in a story is one way to advance the story without detailing every event in the character's life. Two weeks later something happened. The story has moved forward.

The days of the week often mean different things. Monday is usually the day one returns to work and may show in the character's mood. Friday, we all know TGIF. So think of what day of the weeks your character is experiencing to add some depth to the character.

The time of day. Night can be spooky and can also be a time of love. Morning and evening can bring different things to your character. Suppose your hero or heroine is a night person and they must be some where at sis Am. This can show in their mood and also have them see things they haven't seen before.

So remember to look at the when of the story from the century to the least minute when you write your story.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWAuthor #Poem #Writing

Meander 1  Poem - Hawk

There is a hawk that soars and flies
In a little piece of my sky
I see from the window.
Free

He lives his life as it was meant.
I'm trying to be as he is
Surveying from on high
Free

To be myself, to swoop and soar
And keep from being captured
In rhythms not my own.
Free

Meander 2 - On Being Tired - When I'm tired, my mind works in strange ways. Sometimes I see things that aren't there or even hear them. It's kind of scary and I know what I see are shadows with light moving between them. The strange sounds are often the usual night sounds but they change when the tired mind tries to figure what is going on. Sometimes in this state, ideas crystalize into a story I remember when I really wake.

Meander 3 - Writing - Moving forward with the Leo Aquarian story and though I have a lot to do, I think I'll be ready when the time comes. Before April first is when or before. That will happen, I'm sure.

Sunday's Book - Murder and Sweet Tea #MFRWAuthor #Murder #Sweet Tea

Lars is her new husband. He loves Katherine but doesn’t understand why she’s always trying to protect her near and dear. Even though she saved his life while visiting him in Santa Fe, he often questions her involvement in other people’ lives.

Into their lives arrives a new neighbor, Sabrina Gates. Sabrina bought the house next door. She has had a phenomenal success as a new author but moes from her past and present threaten her peace and ability to write. There is the blogger who posts snide and not so nice posts about other authors. Sabrina’s former agent wants a share of the huge amount of money Sabrina has received for a trilogy. And there is her ex-husband, a needy greedy coward who wants money.

Above all there is Robespierre who makes his presence known.

Saturday's Blurbs feature Books by Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor Medicine, Fantasy, Young adult

ROMANCING THE NURSE

Ginny’s new job as patient care coordinator at a suburban hospital is a dream come true. She can raise her daughter and young niece away from the city. 

The older orthopedic surgeon who recruited her helps make the move easier. His stroke brings his son, another surgeon home to take over his father’s practice. Unfortunately, Ginny remembers him from an evening encounter at the city hospital where she worked. They had words. He also remembers that night. 

They clash but beneath the anger, there is an attraction. Blake wants her in his bed and attempts to romance her. Then he discovers he wants her forever and must eat a lot of crow.


PAST BETRAYALS; PAST LOVES

A curse sends Astrid on a journey to ancient lands. She meets deceit and betrayal searching for true love and to break the curse. The search begins in Egypt. When she touches an ancient Egyptian necklace she is hurtled through time into the turbulent life of another woman. She discovers the words spoken in anger holding her spirit captive. Seven more times she finds a piece of jewelry and returns to a distant past. In each of these lives she encounters and falls in love with a man who seems to be someone recently met in her present as do the enemy man and woman.

The heat between Astrid and Duncan is instant and becomes incandescent. Her dislike of two characters grows. Eight realms await her. Eight chances break the curse holding her spellbound and to end the cycle of past betrayals and find love. Eight chances to foil the evil man and woman who follow her and Duncan from era to era.


AFFINITIES BOOK 1 ESCAPE

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. 

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.

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Friday's Interview - Me Janet Lane Walters Are You A Plotter or a Panster #MFRWauthor #Writing #Interview

Since this is my blog, I really can't be a guest but each time I do an new type of interview for others, I usually try it out. This time I've used it several times. Since the person I had penciled in for the blog today never let me know if he wanted a spot, I decided to let others know my way through this world of writing.

1. Are you a panster or a plotter or perhaps a bit of both?
      I like to think I'm a plotter but I'm really not. I kind of slip from one style to the other.  Take my latest work. I did what I usually do and plotted out the chapters and what would happen in them. I then began to write. I reached chapter 8 and discovered I had strayed so far from my initial plotting for the book the last five chapters would not work. They were so far from the way the story was evolving I had to stop and and start over again. I didn't really start over but had to read to discover the new additions and see where they led me. You see while I have the outline for each chapter when I start to write I go into panster mode. Took some thought and I redesigned the last five chapters so they would encompass the new material. This is usually the things I have learned about the characters.

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

      The plot and the characters come rather quickly and close together. I know the general plot. The current book is a romance, the fifth in a series of astrological opposites in love. The characters mainly come with a name and an occupation. Since these are medical romances This isn't hard. They are people I'm familiar with.

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

      As I said what I'm working on is book 5 in a series of medical romances. This one is titled the Leo Aquarius Connection. Is this something new, not really but there are several new elements in the book. The hero has two problems. He acted like a jackass with the heroine about four months ago. He also must deal with a woman his parents want him to marry and his never have felt he belonged to his family. It's been fun though I have a long way to ge before it's finished.

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.

      Here I talk about things that follow in many of my stories. In the murder mysteries, mint tea is frequently seen. All varieties of mint. My real one is gems, seldom diamonds but stones of color. Dark caves and dungeons are often seen in my fantasies, along with swords. Comes from once studying fencing.

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

      I am an every day writer. We'' most every day. Usually several thousand words but there's a catch here. I write my first few drafts by hand and then type them into the computer. Some days I can only find a hundred new words but writing must become an obsession if one wants to write a lot of books and I always have three or four in the background crying for their turn.

Thursday's Third Scene - Murder and Bitter Tea #MFRWauthor #Small town mystery #Murder #Tea

The April Saturday held a hint of summer. With a pitcher of iced mint tea on the table between us, I quizzed Jenna for a test in Anatomy. A car pulled in at the curb. Jenna’s shoulders tensed. When I looked up, the reason for her uneasiness was evident. Marcus Garner strode up the walk. He’d inherited his height and build from his father. Only his black hair and dark eyes came from Martha.

“Marcus, what brings you?”

The owner of the local newspaper glared. “The pair of you.” Anger darkened his eyes. “Katherine, my family doesn’t need your interference. I don’t appreciate what you did with my mother the other evening.”

I rose and faced him. “Just what’s wrong with two friends having dinner at the best restaurant in town?”

“I know what you were up to.” He stabbed his finger toward me. “Stay out of my business.” He turned to Jenna. “What did I tell you when I heard you were back in town?”

“Not to see Gran.”

“But you did and you have her all upset. She doesn’t need another addict siphoning her money.”

Jenna sprang to her feet. “I’ve never done drugs and I don’t abuse alcohol. I saw how those things messed up my mother and Mark.”

“Liar. Mark had no substance abuse problems. For the last time, stay away from my mother.”

“She’s my grandmother and I love her.”

He raised his fist and swung. I grabbed his arm and deflected the blow. “Marcus Garner, you have no right to come on my property and threaten anyone.”

“Just stay out of my business.” He stomped to his car and drove away.

I shook my head. How could a middle-aged pillar of the community have so little restraint?

“You should have let him hit me.”

“Why?”

“He would have been talking to the police.” She reached for the tea. “Sorry.”

“What for? He’s the one at fault.” I patted her hand. “If Martha wants to see you, he has no reason to say she can’t.”

She sucked in a breath. “I shouldn’t drag you into my problems. Maybe I need to find another apartment.”

“Absolutely not. Your uncle and I have had our differences in the past. He doesn’t frighten me either.” I frowned. “He can be rude, but I wonder what has him so worried. Could he have a guilty conscience? Maybe he’s afraid your grandmother will learn the detective was a hoax.”

Jenna settled in the chair. “I doubt he feels guilty about anything. He’s afraid Gran will leave her money to someone other than him. When Granddad died, Uncle Marcus was furious when he received the paper and no money. He and Sophie had been married a year. She wasn’t happy either.”

My thoughts churned. If Marcus was living off the profits from the paper, he could be over-extended, especially with the show of wealth Sophie enjoyed. Was Martha subsidizing his lifestyle or was he counting on a large inheritance? I picked up the study guide. “Back to Anatomy.”

Wednesday Book Horu's Chosen #MFRWHooks #Alternate Egypt #action #MFRWauthor

Joining other authors hopping from blog to blog and reading about some great stories.  Join me here.
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BLURB

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?

BUY MARK: 

http://www.bwlpublishing.ca/authors/lane-walters-janet-romance-fantasy-usa/

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.




EXCERPT:

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.

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Tuesday's Writer's Tip -Looking at the When of a story #MFRWauthor #Writing #When

There are six elements you need to have in your book- Who are the characters. What is the goal the characters want to achieve. When is the time the story takes place. Where is the place where the story takes place. Why is the reason the characters want to achieve their goals. How is the road they take to reach their goal.

Today, I'm looking at the when of a story. When the story takes place is very important to the writer. Let's look at the number of whens that go into a story.

When can be the century. The story can take place any time from prehistorical times to the future, The time period of a story can help create the story. I have a series set in an ancient alternate Egypt. The when had a part in determining the alternate world part of the story. I learned there were no camels in Egypt until around one AD. My story was set in BC centuries before. Thus I had to change the focus of the story.

Many of my stories are contemporary and what happens in the world around is important. I seldom mention the political events but looking at the medical advances is important.

So century does have an effect in a story and often means research.

The when also means things like season, time of day. I'll look at these Next week.