Thursday, October 15, 2020

Thuesday's Fifth Scene featuring Murder and Herbal Tea #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Cozt mystery #Tea shop # wedding

 

 

When Dana knocked on the door, Joyce let her in. Unlike her mother, the young woman’s hair hung straight. She looked stressed. “Problems?” I asked.

“Bad day.”

“What happened?” Joyce asked.

“One of my students ended in the emergency room. Spaced out on uppers.”

“Will she recover?” I knew the toll amphetamines took on the body.

“I think so. Zach asked me questions about her and wanted me to talk to her."

“What did he want to know?” Joyce asked.

“About drugs on campus. I didn’t think they were prevalent. He said the student refused to say where she got them. As if she’d tell me. All I know is she decided to pull an all-nighter to finish a paper due tomorrow.”

For a short time we let her talk. Dana was only a few years older than her students, but being a teacher kept her out of their loop.

When she wound down we went to the kitchen and ate pie.

“Thanks for bringing me a piece.”

“Wouldn’t have been fair if we hadn’t.” Joyce turned to me. “Where are you and Lars going to live?”

“We bought a house on the river.”

“You’re giving up that magnificent Victorian?”

“My apartment was too small and his house too large.”

She grinned. “You’ll love the river view.”

“Definitely. The house is on the left side of my favorite viewing place. It’s across the road from the doctor’s huge house.”

Dana leaned forward. “Where are you honeymooning?”

“That’s under consideration and one of the reasons I bolted. We’ll eventually reach a compromise.

 

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Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Shattered Dreams #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romance #Cancer #Here #Heroine #Medical

 


Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great excerpts. Mine is found at http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com and features a Cancer hero and heroine and a reignited love.

Torn apart years ago by lies and threats, Rafe Marshall returns to town and confronts Manon Lockley. She has been told he died on the night he stood her up for their senior prom.

When she faints, Rafe catches her and realizes he hasn’t stopped loving her. Manon carries anger and now grief that wasn’t real. Rafe wants her in his life, but she doesn’t want to talk about what happened in the past. She can’t be sure if her father or someone else told lies about Rafe and she doesn’t want to know. Can Rafe persuade her to listen? Not without a battle.


Excerpt:

“Manon!” Rafe Marshall leaped from the examining table in time to catch her before she hit the floor. He cradled her against his chest. “Didn’t mean to scare you,” he whispered. Why did she think he was dead? He knew news of his accident had been kept quiet because the police believed he’d been deliberately forced off the road. Who had told her? Had the informant been the driver of the dark car his rescuer had seen speeding from the scene?

The citrus aroma of her shampoo brought memories of years ago when he had buried his face in her sunlit hair before they made love. His body responded to her presence and the sensual recollections. Thank heavens the gown was cloth. The urgent rise of his cock would have punctured paper.

Carefully, he placed her on the table. He stroked her face with his fingers and brushed his lips over hers. Any anger remaining from the past vanished beneath the heat of desire.

Manon was beautiful and his. The knowledge rung true. Even if she wouldn’t admit the strength of the bond, he knew. How could he explain why he’d taken so long to find her? Would she believe that any trace of her had vanished in Europe three years after she’d begun touring with her father?

He stepped back from the table. He had many things to tell her. Some of the revelations would cause anger, denial and pain. At this moment, he didn’t know where to begin. She wasn’t the teenage girl who had loved him. Had her love morphed into hate? He could handle that but not indifference.

Why hadn’t she answered the letters he’d written after the amnesia had cleared enough for him to remember her? Those notes had been sent months after her eighteenth birthday. Had she received the messages? That was one question he intended to ask. He needed to clear the past so he could move forward.

He had to tell her about the accident, the multiple injuries, the surgeries and the months of rehab. He wanted her to know though he’d left on their prom night, he’d decided to come for her after her eighteenth birthday.

Those days after the accident had been filled with frustration, especially after he remembered who he was and why he’d left Fern Lake. After discharge from rehab, he’d stayed for several months in his step-grandmother’s house and then her vacation cottage. No one had known he was in town. The suspicions surrounding the accident had forced he and Gran to keep news of the accident a secret. Besides, Manon had left for Europe. He wondered how she had escaped her father’s plans for her life.

Manon opened her eyes. Blue-gray like the waters of the lake on a cloudy day. As she sat up, a flush spread across her face reminding him of a younger Manon.

Rafe watched her slid from the table. Her dark blue skirt slid over her thighs. He held in a groan of regret. Shame to cover those incredible legs. A moment of memory of her legs wrapped around his hips flared. He couldn’t repress a groan.

“Did you hurt yourself catching me?”

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Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip -- Revision - Length #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Reviaion #Length

 The length of a novel is important in several wasy. When you've finished your rough draft or first draft checking for length is important. Too long and the reader may get bored. I once read a novel for a contest and was ready to scream. The author literally put in every instant that happened in the story. The story took place over a month. I read about 30 breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Since I had to score the story for the contest, I had to read but I'll admit after a couple of meals, I skimmed those scenes hoping to glean something that was important to the story. Another book I read had a description of a drive along a California coastal road that went on for one chapter of 50 pages. Too much scenery and little story. This was the opening chapter of the book.

When you're checking for length, look for repeated scenes, repeated events and lengthy descriptions. These can be condensed or completely omitted.

Now we come to too short. I am guilty of this. I'm working on a novel that will be 50,000 words but my rough draft came to 19,000 words. There were scenes I had to write in full and other scenes that weren't complete. I often forgot to put in scenery details and other things. Several times I didn't include information the reader needed to know because it was evident to me. 

When you're checking for length, be sure to make sure all the reader needs to know is in the story. An editor in my very early days of writing wrote that while she liked the characters and the idea for the story "Characters do not exist in a vacuum. Show the reader where they are." I try not to forget this but at times I do when I'm in a rush to get the story down.

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Monday, October 12, 2020

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

 Meander 1 Reading -- Read Dean L. Hovey's latest mystery Went and reviewed this book and the others I've been behind on doing. Now reading Mary Jo Putney's Rogues Redeemed series and am enjoying re-reading them. Am excited knowing I have a new one in this series to read. May she write amny more stories. My favorite Regency writer.


Meander 2 - Thoughts -- Steroids - Only once was I on heavy sterioid and believe me this is no picnic. Sleep was non-existent. I think I may have averaged an hour a night. The energy I had was unreal and also there were some strange thoughts. Similar to ones I've recently seen on line. Sterioid are nothing to fool around with. Sure theyhelp, but I would rather have other ways to reach for treatment.


Meander 3 - Writing _ Am almost finished with the last of the complete re-writes of Nilos and will soon be on the draft where I re-write sentences and also paragraphs. I know there's a fight scene I need to extend so there is still work until it's finished. Another story is beginning to slowly form.

 My Places

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Buy Mark

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Sunday, October 11, 2020

Sunday's Book Murder and Herbal Tea #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #Cozy mystery #Herbs #Tea #Katherine's wedding

 


Katherine’s wedding day has arrived and she and Lars make their vows. When she notices one of her best friends hasn’t arrived, she begins to worry. Her friend owns a shop where tea and accompaniments are sold. Her friend’s partner is a micromanager. Katherine’s friend has wanted to dissolve the partnership. A call to the New England town brings the dreadful news of a murder. Kate’s protectiveness factor takes hold and she leaves a note for Lars and heads to rescue her friend. Though she has promised to leave murders alone, she feels she has no choice. Lars follows to help her solve another murder.


Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
Murder and Herbal Tea by Janet Lane Walters
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Books We Love
First Sentence: During the second week of June, Lars arrived in the Hudson River village where I live and where he had a home.
Review: Katherine, aka Kate, Miller is finally marrying Lars Claybourne. They barely tie the knot and Kate’s off to clear her friend, Joyce, of any wrong doing…even though all fingers point at her. (Without giving up any spoilers)
It’s serious charges against Joyce, and Kate’s all into figuring out what the authorities seem to be missing. Following her process of elimination down a twisty path of possibilities kept me on my toes, enjoyably so.

I read Ms. Walters’ book out of sequence, (this is book 5) not that you should read the Mrs. Miller Mysteries books out of order, but I was able to follow along with the story and character relationships flawlessly.

A happy ending always makes me smile, and Ms. Walters delivers. I recommend this book to anyone who’s into cozy mysteries where the story-star sleuth comes packed with personality plus; )
Susan

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Who leaves her groom on their wedding day to solve a murder? Mrs Miller-Claybourne, that's who! And her readers are all the better for it! A tolerant and helpful new husband, a friend in need, cooked books, suspects galore, lots of delicious food, tea, and Victorian homes and shops settings make this a welcome addition to this delightful cozy mystery series. And policemen? When are you going to learn that condescending: "Leave detecting to me" remarks are just NOT WISE in the presence of our super sleuth??

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Saturday's Blurbs features Books by Amelia Danver #MFRWAuthor #Japan #Stockholm syndrome #fantasy #San Francisco contemporary romance

 


Blurb for my first novel, A Tale of Two Kingdoms: Sorean and Ikharyn:


The kingdoms of Sorean and Ikharyn have always been at war with each other, for as long as anyone could remember. Ava, a 20-years-old orphaned shieldmaiden, knows no other life beyond her training as part of the Valkyries, a subdivision of the Ikharyn Elite Guard, made up entirely of women. All that is about to change when her kingdom is attacked by the Sorean King in an attempt to stop a prophecy from being fulfilled. Ava then goes on a mission to avenge her fallen sisters. With the help of her newfound gypsy friends, she manages to infiltrate the Sorean castle only to find herself captured and tortured in the hands of a Sorean Prince. Magical bondage, riding crop, and blindfold aside, she cannot fathom the person behind the Prince's cold dragon mask. But Ava eventually discovers that everything is not as it seems in this endearing coming-of-age story about magic, war, friendship, and of course, love. Dubbed a Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, A Tale of Two Kingdoms is a story about how love can overcome prejudice and ultimately, conquers all. 

Blurb for my second novel, Claiming You in Eden (The Brotherhood #1):

Cathryn was a bookish 19-years-old girl who had just begun to embark on her university life, when she, along with a couple of friends, was abducted during a sorority party by a group of armed men who worked for the Brotherhood, an international crime syndicate, involved in human trafficking, drug dealing, and other criminal activities. She was taken under the wings of Alec, one of the henchmen, for almost a year. Throughout which time, they tested each other's sexual boundaries, and he came to develop an obsession for her. 

But is this kind of love real, and can this kind of love last a lifetime? 

Stockholm syndrome, Lima syndrome, Gamma hero, BDSM, you name them, this book has them all. 

Set against the lush backdrop of the Tenderloin in San Francisco, all the way across the Pacific Ocean, to Osaka, Japan, Claiming You in Eden will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Ultimately, this novel tells the triumphant story of one sexual assault survivor, as she navigated the world after her ordeal, with the help of those around her; in other words, not your usual abduction romance story.

Blurb for my third novel, Bound to You in Japan (The Brotherhood #2):

In the second installment of the Brotherhood series, 19-years-old university student "Cathy" Cathryn Johnson was bought by a new Shujin, her new Yakuza Master, and had to serve him in this foreign land. He was kind, but severe when it comes to disciplining her. The contrast between him and Alec was like night and day. The latter had only given her a taste of what dominance and submission could be, but her new Master was about to teach her all there was to know about the pleasures of the flesh.

Could she escape from him, 
from this country, 
and return to her old life back in the US?

***

29-years-old “Alec” Alexandre Kitamura Sousa was once a ruthless, calculating, and efficient CIA field agent until his assignment brought his world colliding with Cathy’s. Now he is completely and utterly obsessed with the sweet girl. She has messed with his logical mind. When the Hostage Rescue Team failed in their rescue op, and Cathy was whisked away to Japan, Alec abandoned all reasons and went rogue, taking on a new assignment of his own in Osaka, Japan, in order to find her.

But what awaited him in Japan was nothing like he could ever imagine. The Brotherhood’s web of conspiracy ran deeper than any previous intel provided by the CIA assets within or without the country.

Alec was once again torn between the desire to keep Cathy by his side, or serving his country.

Could he ever give her up, 
knowing that the fate of the world is at stake? 

The plot thickens in this sequel to the first novel in the Brotherhood Series, Claiming You in Eden.




Friday, October 9, 2020

Friday Amelia Danver is visiting and talking about Who She Was Before #MFRWAuthor #medical student #business owner #romance

 


1. What were you before you became an author? Did this influence your choices as a writer? 
 
I was a medical student and a business owner. In some ways. Covid-19 pandemic actually helped me jumpstart my writing career.
 
2. Are you genre specific or general? I don’t mean major genres but subdivisions or romance, mystery or paranormal.

Genre specific. I write erotic romance novels mostly.
 
3. What is your latest release? 

My second novel was released late August, titled Claiming You in Eden (the Brotherhood #1)
 
4. What are you working on now? 

The sequel, Bound to You in Japan (The Brotherhood #2)
 
5. Does your reading choices influence your choice of a writing career? 

Yes and no. I am a diverse reader, but growing up, I read enough romance novels to write one. I started in the romantic fantasy genre but found out it was not my thing.
 
6. Where can we find you?

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Thursday's Fifth Scene - Murder and Bitter Tea #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #mystery #cozy #nursing home

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.”


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Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Wednesday Divided Dreams #MFRWHooks @BWLAuthor #Contemporary Romance #Gemini #Cancer #Writer #Nurse Practitioner

 


Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great excerpts. Mine is from Divided Dreams where a doctor turned author and a pediatric nurse practitioner learn they are the guardians for an ingant.

Rob Grantlan has given up medicine to become an author. As a Gemini, having two careers seems just right. His quiet days are overturned by the death of his wayward sister and his taking guardianship of his two month old niece. When he learns the father of the infant is his old flame Andi Sherman’s brother a plan unfolds. Years ago, he hurt her. He still loves her and he wants to regenerate that love. Andi Sherman is now a nurse practitioner in Pediatrics. She has vowed never to return to Fern Lake. The offer of a partnership in a friend’s practice is tempting. She refuses until she learns Rob has given up the practice of medicine. She believes he will leave town. On the day after her July birthday, she returns and comes upon the accident, finds the dying woman and the baby. When she learns the little girl is her niece and Rob hasn’t left town she is conflicted. She still loves him but she can’t trust him. News from her brother brings a threat. Will Tammy’s presence in their lives find a way to allow them to love and trust again?



Excerpt:

An ambulance blocked his way. EMTs unloaded a gurney. A third carried an occupied infant seat.

Rob glanced at the swollen face of the woman as the gurney sped past. He stared. Even though her face was bruised he knew her. “Patricia.”

The doors closed. His plans for the day changed. He couldn’t leave until he knew why his sister was here, and why an infant had come with her. He looked toward the drive expecting to see a second ambulance. Had his sister caused another accident? He sucked in a breath and entered the treatment area.

“Dr. Grantlan, can I help you?” a nurse asked.

“The woman who just arrived. She’s my sister. Where is she?”

She pointed to one of the curtained cubicles. Rob drew the cloth aside and viewed the scene. An ED physician issued orders. One nurse slid an IV needle into Patricia’s arm. Another placed a mask and adjusted the flow of oxygen.

Rob gestured to the doctor. “Her name is Patricia Grantlan. What’s her condition?”

The doctor turned. “There’s internal bleeding. Dr. Reed just arrived and we’re taking her to the OR.”

Rob stepped to the gurney. He touched his sister’s hand. “Patricia.”

Her eyelids fluttered open. So did her mouth. The mask muffled her words. He leaned closer.

“Hurts…He did…Take care of…”

A nurse opened the curtain. “They’re ready for her.” She hung a unit of blood and stepped aside.

“Do you want to observe?” the ER doctor asked.

Rob shook his head. “I’ll take care of the paperwork and stay in the ED waiting room to hear the news.”

As they wheeled his sister away Rob strode to the waiting room door. What had Patricia meant by her words? Had someone hurt her? Was she in danger? Who should he care for?

He stopped at the admissions’ desk. “I’m here about the woman who just arrived by ambulance.”

The clerk looked up. “Dr. Grantlan, do you know her? The EMTs had no idea. They found no identification, but they left two suitcases I was about to open.”

“Her name is Patricia Grantlan.” At her startled gasp he continued. “She’s my sister, but I have no idea if she has insurance. I’ll handle the bills.”

She passed a clipboard holding several forms to him. “Fill these out as best as you can.”

Rob retreated to a seat at the rear of the room. He added as much information as he could. After returning the forms the clerk gave him the suitcases. He returned to his seat on one of the plastic chairs facing a television tuned to a cooking show.

A young woman with light brown hair entered. A diaper bag hung from her shoulder. She must be the baby’s mother. Relief rolled like a stream released from a beaver’s dam. Patricia hadn’t caused a fatality. The young woman stopped at the desk.

Who was she? Though curious, knowing wouldn’t halt the thoughts galloping through his head. Something about the way she stood with one hand on her hip drew him and made him think he knew her. Her shorts revealed long tanned legs. Would her face match the rear view?

He groaned. She reminded him of Andi Sherman. Why think of her now? He’d ruined any chance of a future with her. Twelve years ago, he’d followed his father’s demands and told her he didn’t love her. Once more the words spoken in a steel-coated voice slid into his thoughts.

You want to go to college and become a doctor. Though that’s not my choice for you, I’ll accept your decision. Your brother will have the place I reserved for you. Do you want college?

Yes.”

Ditch Andi Sherman. She’s poor white trash. Members of her family are known criminals. Unless you tell her what she is, forget your plans. Forget any inheritance. Your brother will be near your trysting place and will report to me.

He’d followed his father’s orders. Rob still remembered that evening and the tears in her eyes. He swallowed memories of his failure to face his bullying father.

The young woman turned. She studied the rows of waiting people. Her face blanched.


Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Tuesday's Writer's Tip - Revision - Pacing #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Revision #Pacing

 There are a number of elements in pacing. One is the pacing for the entire book and the other is pacing within a scene. Pacing for the book depends on the genre you're writing. Most mysteries especially those with suspense in the mix are much faster paced than other story. The pacing of a story in romance can be leisurely or fast, depending on what's happening in the story. The object of pacing is to pull the reader from scene to scene.

The pacing in scenes depends on what type of scene you're writing. The pace of an action scene is usually fast while the pacing on scenes that are mainly descriptive can move at a slower pace. Also the pacing in a scene can depend on the characters. Some characters call for moving slow, others for fast rapid scenes. Scenes with a majority of dialogue tend to be faster paced. So make sure your pacing is on target for a scene.

I belong to a critique group where there are some writers who write beautifully but they tend to bog down the reader in details so the pacing drags. The others like me are so eager to get the story down, they dash ahead and must be told to remember important things.

So when you're doing that final revision, look at the following things. The opening takes forever and is bogged down by putting in things that could be included later in dialogue, either external or internal. Those vital action scenes are either too slow or too fast. Usually the latter seems to be the problem. Look at your balance between showing and telling. Sometimes telling can put a few facts in like bullets where showing could take pages and pages.

So read your stories that final time and make sure the pacing fits what is happening in the scene and the entire book.

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