Celebrate Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor's Porch Day!

             

Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose

Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed? Investigating mysterious murders? 

These are not the usual calls in a Florida retirement community for volunteer first responder Jim Hart.

Click here to find more mysteries by J. Q. Rose at BWL Publishing

Zucchini
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay 

#SneakSomeZucchiniIntoYourNeighborsPorchDay

Celebrate Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor's Porch Day!

by J.Q. Rose

Be ready! Zucchini season is here in our part of the world anyway. And the zucchini in our garden is flourishing. I look at them and think YUM, zucchini cake, bread, stir fry, casserole. Then I realize it is impossible to use up all of the fruit on the vines. But then, I recall a fun way to get rid of it--National Sneak Your Zucchini IntoYour Neighbor's Porch Day is on August 8. (I imagine this year we will be sneaking around and leaving zucchini everywhere way before August 8.)

Be ready to duck if your neighbor catches you at it and throws the zuke at you!

Zucchini is good for you. It is low in calories and high in fiber and water content so it keeps you satisfied after enjoying the green fruit. Recipes abound with yummy ways to prepare it. My friend, Carole, collected fifty recipes years ago using zucchini, There Must Be 50 Ways to Fix Your Zucchini (with apologies to Paul Simon.) She includes recipes for pickles, relish and jam, pancakes, fritters and frittatas, bread, soups, stews, meatless dishes, meat entrees and desserts! Whew. What a versatile food! Go ahead and Google zucchini and see how many recipes you will find. Try one to change up your menu and enjoy!

Do you like zucchini? Would you throw it at me if I snuck some on your porch?

Click here to connect online with J.Q. Rose.

Featured Author Vijaya Schartz

Hi. My name is Vijaya Schartz, and I write mainly science fiction and Celtic legends with a little romance for BWL Publishing Inc. Find my books on my BWL page at: https://bookswelove.net/schartz-vijaya/ 

Maybe I have a different outlook on life because I was born and raised in France, but I traveled all over the world and found out I'm just a little different. Period. I think I come from the future. I can't be satisfied with today's limitations of the human race. We are bigger than all our petty differences. I get frustrated when people do not behave like the kind and noble creatures we all are inside. 

My world is the universe. In my books, many of my characters transcend human limits and develop extraordinary abilities. The abilities I think everyone has but never sharpened. In my dreams I can fly and travel to other planets... and so do many of my characters. Whether medieval or futuristic, most of my heroines are very strong women, handy with a sword or a blaster, and they do not hesitate to kick evil's butt.

I decided long ago not to write about people's failures, mistakes, and shortcomings, but about what they could be in their best version. Everyone has potential. In my definition, heroes are ordinary people, who, at a critical time, realized their full potential.

Of course, for heroes to realize their potential, they have to face villains, and mine are often pure evil. A reviewer once wrote: "Captain Kavak (Ancient Enemy sci-fi series) is by far the worst (read best) villain in science fiction." I have since written many equally evil villains, and Admiral Mort Lowell, the villain in my September 2020 release, MALAIKA'S SECRET, Byzantium book 3, is no exception.

I also have an affinity for cats. I love all cats, big and small, and they do appear on my book covers, and in my novels as secondary characters. Some of these cats are telepathic... as I believe most cats are.

My latest series are: 
AZURA CHRONICLES, set on a forbidden planet where angels roam. Books 1 and 2 are out. Book 3 is coming next year.

There is a planet out in the universe, emitting a strange turquoise glow. A long time ago Azura refused to join the Trade Alliance. The Alliance sent their military fleet to destroy the Azurans, but their powerful supernatural abilities spread fear even among the fiercest Devil Dogs. Since then, records have been erased. Rumors and legends all but died. Azura is strictly forbidden, and the daring few who ventured beyond the warning space beacons were never seen again...

The BYZANTIUM series, set on a human space station. Books 1 and 2 are out. Book 3 is coming in September.

Hovering at the edge of conquered space, in orbit around a dying star, sits an aging space station under the control of the Galactic Trade Alliance. Byzantium, once a thriving commercial hub, is turning into a den of crime, drugs, and debauchery, where anything or anyone can be bought or sold. The maximum-security penitentiary at its core, the Fortress, is a pit of despair and holds the most dangerous felons in the galaxy. For over a hundred cycles, the GTA has annexed worlds and plundered their resources. It now controls most of the galaxy, except for a few useless rocks and a small number of rebellious planets, who still manage to challenge their military might. But something is coming to upset the balance of power... something the GTA did not foresee.

Both series above are set in the same universe and in the same far future. I like each book in my series to be a complete story, but a few characters do pop out in more than one book. 

There is also the CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK, a six book sci-fi romance series (complete).

Noah's Ark, a transport full of human settlers equipped to seed a new planet with life, crashes on the wrong world, a cold orb beyond the confines of the known universe. Seeking refuge in the abandoned alien fortress of Kassouk, the settlers and their motley crew fight for survival, against hostile natives, and advanced galactic races who consider them cheap labor and research material for their genetic experiments.

Stranded with no hope of rescue, deprived of their technology by the ruling aliens, the humans of Kassouk reverse to a medieval farming society with slight differences. Besides horses and swords, they keep large felines as pets and train them for battle. They also proudly adopt big cat names as warrior names, and women often strive as military leaders.

As they fight their alien rulers to keep their freedom and their pride, as well as the right to freely choose their mates… other, more insidious dangers lurk. Generation after generation, as the people of Kassouk evolve and secretly learn from the alien races oppressing them, a few start developing extraordinary abilities…

If you like medieval knights and ladies and Celtic legends, you may want to try the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE , an eight book series (complete) derived from authentic legends, with immortal ladies related to Morgan the Fay. 

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret, stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings and emperors... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

I have more series and books out there. Find them all on my author page on your favorite retail sites.

Hope you enjoy the read.

Building the Backdrop by Nancy M Bell

To discover more about my titles please click on the cover above.

Creating a backdrop, for me, is a bit different that world building. World building is more complicated like building something out of Lego where every little bit counts, while creating a backdrip is more like a broad sweep of the brush using water colours. Still needs to be taken seriously, but not as granular as world building.

Building the Backdrop
Nancy M Bell

Where do our stories take place, can our characters exist in a vacuum? Of course not. Our stories need to play out against a rich and engaging background. The environment our stories take place in can become as important as the actual characters and an integral part of the reader’s experience. Examples of this are Tolkien’s Middle Earth, McCaffrey’s Pern, Graham’s portrayal of Cornwall in his Poldark books, Rowling’s Hogwarts and alternate London to name just a very few.
Whether we are creating a whole new world complete with maps and exotic flora and fauna or are just setting our tale against something that exists in reality (or close to it), the behind the scenes part of our creation needs to be the layered, deep and rich foundation upon which we tell our story.
As the creator/author you need a strong concept and vision of what your world consists of. Where is it located, what types of characters live in the background to give flavour to our main characters. Consider the weather; are there seasons, is it always hot or cold, is the environment harsh or lush, are you building a backdrop in a city or a town or a more rural area. Take the time to think about these things before you begin. Draw maps if you need to in order to give you a sense of scope and ground yourself in the environment. Those maps may never get into the actual book, but it will help the author navigate through the fabric of his story and weave his characters into that fabric in bright colours.
You need to develop a 360-degree view of your characters. What dialogue will they speak? Is it cultured? Rough? Upper, middle or lower class? Consider how and what they say and what they don’t say but can be implied by their actions/reactions or movements which may be enhanced or initiated by elements of your backdrop. Sometimes what isn’t said comes across more powerfully than what is said.
Mine the stories behind the main story without distracting or overpowering your main characters. This helps create a vibrant and rich tapestry for your story. An interesting experiment is to write the same scene from different character’s point of view. This often gives a deeper view into the circumstances surrounding your main story thread and enrich your world.
Another important thing to consider is how your characters react to these four things:
Money, sex, food and sleep. This is a good way to get into your characters’ heads and will aid in your development of the characters and the backdrop against which they play their parts.
You want to evoke in your readers a strong emotional connection to your characters and to the world through which they move.
The backdrop is important to your character as it will dictate how they behave; their personal motivation should be reflected in the world you create for them.
What is the economy of your world? Supply and demand is a concept that knows no barriers as to genre or length of story. Consider how the economy you create shape and affect your characters both primary and secondary and the world dynamics. An example of this would be the Avengers and the Blue Cube (Tesseract) all you need to know to grasp the essential concept is that people want the Blue Cube and that dictates the rules of the world. The basis of this world is the Tesseract is the containment Bessel for the Space Stone, one of the 6 Infinity Stones that predate the Universe they’ve created and possesses unlimited energy. This one concept is the basis for the foundation of the that world and the fabric of the backdrop for their adventure.

Be careful not to over explain things, show don’t tell is still a rule to live by.
Consider what the character wants- this algorithm will drive your story forward.
You can draw from history for the foundation of your religious and political systems, given you’re not writing non-fiction you can mix and match from different sources, taking what works best for your story.
Your economy isn’t just based on wealth or class- supernatural powers or lack thereof can enter into it, as well as exchange of power or energy.
Don’t forget the sensory issues when creating your backdrop, what are the sounds, smells, what kind of food, what tastes do your characters enjoy, how tactile is your backdrop, can your reader appreciate the feel of your world, smooth concrete, rough cobbles, deep sand, rolling surf etc. You reader need to feel “immediate” in your world. That is to say engaged in the whole experience of your story. Give your readers physical sensations they know intimately- we all know what a paper cut feels like, or burning your hand on a hot pot etc.
Be sure your created fabric isn’t too perfect or sterile- there must be costs attached to actions, consequences for things that do or don’t happen. The reader needs to feel and enter into the tension and care about the stakes.
There are three hills to die on. Three points of high conflict which helps define your world. Know what they are before you start and work from there.
Alternatively, there is Dan Harmon’s Story Circle consisting of 8 major points to hit. Not unlike the various versions of the Hero Cycle.
Remember to write the book. Don’t get stopped or hung up by the little things. Write the climax first if that is what comes to you.
Write with a ragged edge, release control and allow yourself to be nimble.
Don’t be afraid to kill or rehome your darlings.
Always think “what is the point of this scene.”
Does it serve to drive the plot forward
Be sure your backdrop doesn’t over power your characters or story line- they need to mesh and be compatible.

You can find me at http://www.nancymbell.ca

Another Year Plus Thoughts on Staying Home

Another Year Plus a bit of Thoughts on Staying Home

 

This is my latest release and I will say there were several times during the writing when I felt tears rising. Someone read a blurb of the story and thought it might be a second chance at love. It is and it isn’t.  For me, it was a lot more with the heroine finding a place to belong and the hero being able to love for the second time, or maybe more. This also brings me to thehalfway point in a series I hope someday to finish.

Now about the opening title. Today marks the start of a new year for me. Now *$ of those eyars and it’s been an interesting year. Several books published. So so sales. My husband’s suffering ended and the state of new York after six months managed to sent me the pension. Children and grandchildren are flourishing and none have developed the virus. So the year has been filled with ups and downs. Will be interesting to see what the next year brings.

Now for a bit from my latest release.

A tall man she recognized brushed past her. “Mr. Quinn, is something wrong?”

“Where’s Rob?”

“In his office. I’ll let him know you’re here.” Her employer’s attorney’s green eyes flashed. Anger or fear? His hair looked as if someone had run fingers through the thick dark hair.

“Don’t bother.” He strode toward the bedroom wing.

Janine watched him rush away. Was there trouble at the movie studio?

Tammy rubbed her face on Janine’s shoulder. She patted the child’s back. “To bed.” She entered the hall.

She heard Nate shouting. Janine sighed. Though from the first time she’d seen Nate Quinn, she’d felt an attraction but she knew there was no chance for any relationship. He still grieved for his wife who had died a year ago. An impossible dream. There were too many tangled threads to unravel.

Tammy popped her thumb into her mouth. “Bear.” Janine entered the bedroom wing.

Rob’s office door stood open. Nate Quinn’s near shouts flowed into the hall. “What am I going to do? I can’t lose him to that damned disease.”

Though she shouldn’t remain and eavesdrop, Janine froze in place. Curiosity gripped like an iron glove. Did he mean his eight year old son was ill?

Her arms tightened around Tammy. She should leave but she had to know what made him sound angry and defeated.

“He’s been tired lately so two days ago, I took him to see Andi. She ran some tests and called me around noon, wanted Davey admitted to the hospital. She asked Dr. Chou to see him.”

“Did you?” Rob asked.

“Yah. I just left him there and fled in a panic. I can’t endure anything going wrong.”

Janine edged along the all and stared at the open door. Nate Quinn looked ready to collapse or cry.

“Dr. Chou is excellent,” Rob said.

“That’s what Andi said.”

“What’s the diagnosis?”

“Leukemia.”

Those words brought a rush of tears to Janine’s eyes. Tammy wiggled. Before the little girl cried, Janine loosened her hold and stepped into the child’s bedroom. Janine’s knees buckled. She drew deep breaths to calm her raging thoughts. She bit her lip and focused on her charge.

“Nap time.”

Tammy popped her thumb into her mouth “’Kay.”

My lost boy, by J.C. Kavanagh

The Twisted Climb, Book 1 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

Covid has brought about many changes to family life. Routines have been upended, patience has been tested, relationships have become stronger, or in some cases, weaker. Physical limitations have strained many a family, including mine. However, even before Covid came about, I was slowly wilting under the estrangement of my oldest son who is in his 30s. I don’t know what I did but it doesn’t seem to matter. He just doesn’t want any part of me. I wither inside.

As many writers do to unlock the emotion within, I took pen to paper (literally), and wrote this poem.

My lost boy

The first breath

The first cry

The joy in my heart

I cannot lie

He was beauty and perfection

Wrapped in cotton so fine

My first-born son

Graced my life and my family

A wee little brother for a loving big sister

The years flew by

And my baby shed his baby

He became a young boy

A big talker

A better skater

Hockey was his fuel

His talent seemed limitless

Scouts came a-watching

Team Canada came a-calling

Until the slam

Until the bam

Until the snapped shoulder

Made his dreams a sham

There was no turning back

There is no ‘undo’

It is what it is

And life goes on

But bitter is the soul

Whose dream was so big

Smashed by a smash

A shoulder no longer seen

Just like the dream

It flitted so brightly

A star in the sky

Dreamt so mightily

The consolation continued, but

The bitterness grew

And became a cement stone

Taking root, growing bold.

Fingers pointed outward, never within

Blame took hold, and joy died within

Where is my boy, my handsome son so fine

He is lost in his darkness, hands over his eyes

My love can’t seem to reach him

Though I try and I try

I will not stop, no, I cannot stop

For a mother’s love and

God’s good grace

Remains unwavering... 

I’m waiting

* * * 

Stay safe everyone. This too, shall pass.

And, on a much lighter note, I do have a great suggestion to pass the time at home this summer - read my award-winning books. If you like action / adventure / suspense / drama and a dash of paranormal, then The Twisted Climb series will take you to all those places. Enjoy!

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

Regardless, 'Irregardless' Is A Word

Purists of the English language became outraged recently when Merriam-Webster added the word ‘irregardless’ in their dictionary. The word certainly makes no sense, as it is used in the same sense as its parent word, ‘regardless.’

Yet, the word survives in ordinary usage. In fact, according to editors at the Dictionary, it has been “in constant and widespread use since 1795.”

Living languages change and additions to the lexicon occur all the time. The growth of technology is a source of new words, but most can be attributed to changes in culture and usage. This is especially true of colonial languages that have spread around the globe, such as English, which has become the home of thousands of new words from its erstwhile colonies.

Additions to a language or change of usage of words sometimes cause controversy. This occurs many times when slang words, once considered unacceptable, become common usage.

Fortunately, slang words often fade as quickly as they appear. Examples of these include “Cat’s pajamas” and “wallflower.” Indeed, as many old words disappear from common usage as new ones appear.

Here, then, are a few new words added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2019. How many of these do you think will endure the test of time?

Anchor baby: a child born to an immigrant mother living illegally in the United States, and thus qualifying for legal citizenship under U.S. law. 

Angrezi, adj. and n.: English; British.

Apology Tour: a series of speeches, interviews, or other public appearances by a well-known figure (esp. a politician or celebrity), in which he or she apologizes for previous deeds or statements.

Chillax, v.: intransitive. To calm down and relax; to take it easy, to chill. Often in imperative: ‘relax’, ‘calm down’.

Cognitive Dissonance: a state of mental discomfort that occurs when a person holds beliefs, opinions, etc., which are inconsistent, or which conflict with an aspect of his behavior.

Fake News: news that conveys or incorporates false, fabricated, or deliberately misleading information, or that is characterized as or accused of doing so. 

MLE: Multicultural London English.  A variety of English spoken mainly by young people in the multicultural neighborhoods of inner-city London; abbreviated MLE.

Padawan, n.: In the fictional universe of the Star Wars films: an apprentice Jedi. Also (often humorously) in extended and allusive use.

Satoshi, n.: The smallest monetary unit in the Bitcoin digital payment system, equal to one hundred millionth of a bitcoin.

Shits and Giggles: Chiefly North American and Australian. Shits and giggles (also grins): fun or amusement without any serious purpose.

Simpsoned: The act of making questionable decisions causing involvement by local law enforcement.

Wedge Salad: a salad consisting of a wedge of iceberg lettuce served with various toppings, typically blue cheese dressing and bacon.

Whatev, int. and pron.: Used (typically in response to a question or statement) to indicate that the speaker is disinclined to engage with, or is indifferent to, the matter.

Mohan Ashtakala is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," a Fantasy and "Karma Nation," a Literary Romance. (www.mohanashtakala.com.) He is published by Books We Love. (www.bookswelove.com.)