New novel! Find my books here! As the song goes...I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! Come June the second of my YA mystery series, The Linda Tassel Mysteries will launch with this glorious cover, brought to us by BWL publishing. I think it captures the sprit of this missing person mystery. Who is missing? Linda's friend and Fancy Shawl dancing partner, Rising Fawn. Linda and Tad will have their hands full with this one. This series was born in my own young adult years when I was a BIG fan of Nancy Drew, but I sure could have used a heroine who looked more like me. Then I formed a wonderful friendship in Georgia with another Linda, who welcomed me among her Cherokee relatives and culture. I hope this series honors them and their hospitality. Great news about Book 1 of this series, Death at Little Mound... it has achieved finalist status in two international awards: The Mystery and Mayhem Award and the Dante Rossetti Award for Young Adult fiction. I'll be finding out in June the results of both competitions. Stay tuned! |
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Sneak Peek
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
When Your Novel Takes a Wrong Turn
Please click this link for book and author information
Around the manuscript's 3/4 point, I realized that a number of scenes in the third quarter would work better if they were set in different locations. This time I stuck with my usual approach since most of the other material would remain the same. Instead of revising the scenes, I made an outline for the changes I plan to make. They will move a critical plot point earlier in the story, but I think the outline can deal with this change. Revising the wayward scenes would have benefits, but I really want to finish the first draft this spring.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Things I Learned From Midsomer Murders, by Karla Stover
To purchase books by Karla Stover click this link
We pay over $200 a month for cable and can't find anything to watch. We don't care for the assorted amateur hours, a.k.a The Real Housewives of. . . (who do they think they're kidding?) ; America, Britain and every place else Has Got Talent, Dancing With the Stars, etc. ( In 2006 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Ukraine ). The comedies aren't funny, and every show seems to want to tout a message. So, for about the 4th time, we are watching Midsomer Murders (M.M.)
It's been a longtime since we visited Great Britain and then most of the time we were in Cornwall from where my family hails. So M.M. is my source of all things English. Here are a few things I take to be true because would M.M. lie?
1. Everyone has a local (favorite pub.) Even Price Willian and Duchess Katherine (she doesn't like "Kate")When we were first married we lived in an apartment three blocks from a pub. It started as a private home in the 1880s and became a pub in 1935. Being poor meant we lacked the funds to go there. I just checked and there are no quiz nights.
2. No one watches TV. Maybe it's because they're always at their local but apparently no one in England watches TV. Here I am, so eager to get BritBox and the Brits don't seem to care about their wonderful programs.
3. Everyone walks around outside at night and often through the woods. Well, it's pretty hard to own a gun there so it should be safe. Watch the show, though, and you'll know it's not.
4. I found this on reddit.com: "So what the hell is up with all the fetes? It's like these villages have a freakin' fete ever weekend or something. And the COCONUTS? Everybody goes to the damn fete hoping to win a coconut. I mean, Gavin Troy dropped like forty pounds trying to win a stinky, rotten, misshapen coconut." Real fĂȘtes in Midsomer have games, cake stalls, cream teas, Pimms,(?) raffles, baby shows, dog shows and the biggest homegrown onion, or any other allotment-grown vegetable, competitions. Typical games include skittles, hoopla, quoits, knur and spell (one game not two) and Aunt Sally, tombolas and home produce such as jams and pickles. Now, here's something weird: the cakes and cookies are never covered up. Apparently drying out, attracting bugs or people breathing on them isn't an issue. I tried to find out how many episodes had a festival or fete but apparently no one has counted because google didn't know.
5. The second Mrs. Barnaby (Joyce) wife of the main man ergo British wives in general have plenty of time for hobbies because they never do housework. The things I can remember her doing are taking a water color class, doing tombstone rubbings, acting in a play and in two movies, being part of a book club, helping judge an orchid contest and taking a cooking class. Sadly, that didn't take as her husband makes a lot of references to her bad cooking. I'm a bad cook, too, so I guess I fit in with that one.
6. Every garden is amazing. Among all the fetes there are "best-garden-in-the-village" contests. I like to garden but here on the foot hills of Mt. Rainier we have rocky and very poor soil.
7. There are a lot of bad marriages with plenty of affairs. How sad.
I'm sure there is more but if we ever relocate to England following this list will keep me plenty busy.
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Easter by Barbara Baldwin
Find all my books at www.bookswelove.com |
Easter
Did I miss it? Daylight savings time has started. And the spring
equinox occurred back in March. What happened to Easter? In the United States, our holidays seem to fall in
two ways. First, we have those that fall on the same numeric day every year –
January 1, February 14, July 4, and December 25, among others. Then we have
those holidays that fall on the same day of the month – Mother’s Day is the
second Sunday in May and Father’s day is on the third Sunday of June;
Indigenous People’s Day and Labor day on the first Monday of their respective
months; Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Even USA elections are
set on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. But Easter can vary every year as much as a month,
coming as early as March 22 or as late as April 25 because it is set according
to the moon. Specifically, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday
following the full Moon that occurs on or just after the spring equinox. And if that isn’t enough to confuse you, take a look at Easter treats. Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate. Christmas is fondly highlighted not only with candy canes but with favorite baked goods. But here comes the Easter Bunny with hard boiled eggs, jelly bean eggs, speckled “bird” eggs, chocolate covered marshmallow eggs, peanut butter eggs, Cadbury™ eggs and hard shell cream eggs. EGGS, EGGS, EGGS! And bunnies don’t even lay eggs, so where did that come from? According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Baskets began to be used later in place of nests. The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has often been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. However you celebrate Easter, I hope it is joyous and full of sunshine and happiness. And in case you don’t care for all the candy that comes along with the holiday (as if), fill your Easter basket with some good books. They’re fulfilling but have no calories! Barbara
Baldwin http://www.authorsden.com/barbarajbaldwin https://bookswelove.net/baldwin-barbara/ Amazon.com: Barbara Baldwin: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
|
Saturday, April 9, 2022
TLDR: I Like Writing Strong Damsels in Distress by Vanessa C. Hawkins
Hoo boy! So this month's blog post may be a tad controversial, as I aim to pick apart the reasons I enjoy writing strong female characters that have a tendancy to get in trouble and need--in some capacity-- a little help getting out of a jam.
And I'm also a strong, independant woman! |
I think the overarching reason I enjoy the much overused trope of a female in requirement of aid, is due to my increasingly larger than life laziness that is only growing exponentially each and every year. Yes. I COULD take out the trash, yes, I COULD take out the kitty litter, but its raining outside, and it's smelly and oh won't you do it for me you big strong hero because I couldn't possibly...
Even though I really, REALLY tried... |
Uhh... little help there, honey? |
I'm still strong and independant, gosh-darnit! |
But yes. I like damsels in distress. I like Princess Peach--who is so often being captured by Bowser that people are beginning to suspect there is a relationship there *AHEM* Koopa Kids *AHEM* I like Princess Leia and Fiona, who were strong women in their own right, and totally kicked some serious a$$, as well as my own character, Scarlet Fortune, who is a vampire detective in the 20's but also quite capable of screwing up and needing a bit of help from her short statured beau.
Friday, April 8, 2022
Holidays by J. S. Marlo
I started a new series titled Fifteen Shades. The series consists of holiday tales inspired by colours. The first book The Red Quilt was released in December 2021. The Red Quilt takes place at Christmas and features fifteen shades of red.
I started the second book. It is supposed to take place during Canadian thanksgiving and feature fifteen shades of blue. Now, in the last few weeks, I’ve been rethinking the setting, so I’ve been looking at other holidays celebrated in my home country.
Valentine’s Day (St. Valentine’s Day):
Valentine’s Day celebrates romantic love, friendship, and admiration. It is celebrated on 14 February in over 28 countries. In the Philippines, 14 February is the most common wedding anniversary day.
St. Patrick’s Day (The Feast of St. Patrick):
St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. It is celebrated in more than 50 countries.
Easter:
Easter is both a pagan and a religious holiday. It is referred to a as a moveable feast. Its date varies according to the calendar originally used (Gregorian vs Julian) and the day of the last full moon (either astronomical or Julian). In Western countries, it can fall on any Sunday between 22 March and 25 April, but in some Eastern parts of the world, it can fall on any Sunday between 4 April and May 8. Around 95 countries celebrate Easter, but traditions vary by countries.
Canada Day:
Canada Day is celebrated on 1 July.
Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving. The date and traditions varies by countries. In Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October, and in the United States, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Halloween:
Halloween is a combination of pagan and religious rituals, and is believed to be one of the oldest celebrations in the world. It is celebrated toward the end of October/beginning of November (mostly on 31 October and 2 November) in around 40 countries.
Remembrance Day:
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed on 11 November throughout the British Commonwealth since the end of WW1. It is also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day. The day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries.
Every year since 1919, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.
Christmas:
Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. More than two billion people in over 160 countries celebrated Christmas. It is the most celebrated holiday in the world, but the day (see map) and the traditions associated with this holiday vary by countries.
New Year:
The New Year celebration is a global event with different types of celebration. The Pacific Islands of Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati were the first to welcome 1 January 2022 while Baker and Howland Islands were the last.
Happy Spring! Happy Easter! Stay safe!
JS
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Show Your Library Some Love by Eileen O'Finlan
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Georgette Heyer. English Novelist and Short Story Writer by Rosemary Morris
To learn more about Rosemary please click on the image above.
Georgette Heyer. English Novelist and Short Story Writer
16th August 1902 – 4th
July 1974
Brief Biography
Georgette’s father, who her friend described as a
rolling stone resigned from the college Boris and Frank received good educations.
In her own words Georgette mentioned: I was educated at day schools
and did not go to college. Her well-read father an interesting conversationalist,
encouraged her to read widely.
While Boris, a haemophiliac convalesced in Hastings,
she made up the tale of The Black Moth to relieve her own boredom and her
brother’s. Subsequently published in 1921 she contributed to the family
income She later described its publication as ‘the first crack out of the
bag.’ Her mother was uncertain about Georgette’s writing, but her father
and literary agent encouraged her. She had embarked on a long, successful
career as an author.
A friend said the young novelist was attractive, tall,
her light brown hair had gold tints curled at the ends, and she had beautiful
grey eyes. In the 1920’s ‘she was admirably soignee’.
At Christmas 1920 Georgette met tall, handsome Ronald
Rougier when their families were staying at Bushey Park hotel. His family had a
Huguenot heritage. They had settled in York and dealt in imports and exports.
George was born in Odessa. He lived there for a while, learnt Russian and
enjoyed caviar. He qualified as a mining engineer in 1922. After going out with
each other for five years they became engaged in spring 1925 when Georgette’s
fifth novel, Simon the Coldheart was published. A month later her father
had a heart attack and died while Ronald played tennis with George. Her
brothers were only 19 and 14. Boris had a job, but their sister supported Frank
at school and at Cambridge, and she helped her hard up mother. From then on,
Georgette wrote because ‘writing was in her blood’ and she needed money.
25-year-old Ronald married Georgette on the eighteenth
of August, two days after her 23rd birthday. Until
1929 they lived in Tanginika Territory (Tanzania) and Macedonia then
settled in London. Ronald and their son, Richard, pursued successful legal
careers. Richard married Susanna Flint, divorced mother of two little boys.
Georgette wrote Susie was the daughter we never had and thought we never
wanted. The Rougiers enjoyed the role of step grandparents and were
delighted when their grandson, Nicholas, was born
Georgette only answered fan
letters about interesting historical facts. She
refused to grant interviews, telling a friend: My private life concerns no one but myself and my family.
When she died after fifty years
of a happy marriage, her fans learned about her private life from obituaries.
Georgette Heyer wrote Pistols For Two in 1960 a collection of short
stories, subsequently published as Snowdrift, which included three short
stories. She wrote fifty-six novels, Between 1921 and 1972 Georgette Heyer
wrote four historical novels, thirty-nine Regency Romances and twelve
thrillers. My Lord John a historical biography about Henry V’s younger brother,
John, Duke of Bedford was published posthumously in 1975. Six of Ms Heyer’s early
novels Instead of the Thorn, Helen, Pastel and Barren Corn The Great
Roxhythe and Simon the Cold Heart were supressed.
Georgette’s Regency novels are
still in print. They created a popular genre, but few authors research their
books as meticulously as the world famous novelist.
Rosemary’s novels are available from Books We Love
Publishers: https://bookswelove.net/morris-rosemary/
Monday, April 4, 2022
When I Don’t Write, and When I Do by S. L. Carlson
I am S. L. Carlson, a proud and grateful BWL Publishing Inc. author. My books can be viewed and purchased by visiting https://www.bookswelove.net/carlson-s-l
WHEN I DON'T WRITE AND WHEN I DO by S. L. Carlson
I am an author. I have been telling
stories since I was a kid, with captive audiences wherever I could find them –
siblings, cousins, friends, gullible adults. I have been writing down my
stories for decades. I love writing. I love observing. My husband once bought
me a T-shirt which read, “Be Careful! You may end up in my Novel.” <Raising my
eyebrows about the truth in this.>
One time I was in Mississippi
helping with hurricane relief. While our crew was taking a break, one man came
up to me leaning against the tree shade to ask what I was scribbling: writing
gobs of notes on things I saw, heard, and felt. It was all for potential future
stories. He seemed relieved, as he thought I was some sort of spy keeping an
eye on the group. Not quite sure if he was kidding or not. Not quite sure he
was wrong, either.
One neighbor used to greet me from across the street with a dog howl. It wasn’t until after said neighbor returned from a long trip, that I told him I missed his howling greeting. He looked so hurt. “It wasn’t a howl,” he informed me. “It was a train whistle.” <Raised eyebrows again.> Yes, that one actually got rewritten into a book.
I write when I get an earworm – an
idea, a conversation, an entire scene unfolding, etc. That used to happen at
night until my husband complained of the clicking of the pen. When I switched
to a pencil, he complained of the bed jiggling when I scritch-scratched on the
paper on the nightstand. I then used to wake and type on the computer, but
these days I mostly just sleep.
I love the pathways of outside adventures and
experiences.
Subbing something (up to 3,000 words) once a month to my critique group keeps me writing during my darkest or most hurting times. We’ve been together a long time, and I’d hate to disappoint.
Three on-line writing groups I’ve been
involved with are NaNoWriMo, the Goodreads 750 Group, and a now defunct BIW. That
doesn’t count the several online critique groups I’ve been in for periods of
time. I’ve done six rough drafts of novels during National Novel Writing Month,
trying to keep up with the 1,667 words per day.
In Goodreads, all writers who sub less than 750 words to topic, then
vote on the best story of the month. I won 1st place several months
in a row, so that it got boring and I stopped; but I will probably do that exercise
again. I loved the personal encouragement of Book In a Week. You set a goal of
so many pages to write, and then the first week of the month, tried to reach
that goal.
I find it quite difficult to write
while on vacation, or the holidays, or playing with the grandkids, or when
there are major house or yard projects going on, or a tornado, or when there’s a pandemic (and
moving in the midst of that), or when I get injured. These past 3 years have
been difficult on the writing side of life.
Yes, there are several reasons why
not to write, and I’m sure other writers can continue that list. But there are many
more, very pleasant reasons why I do write. Now…off to revise chapter 16, which
I sent to my critique group last week. Will our hero be able to save his
village against all odds?
S. L. Carlson Blog & Website: https://authorslcarlson.wordpress.com
BWL Inc. Publisher Author Page: https://www.bookswelove.net/carlson-s-l
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Defining Success as a Writer by Diane Bator
Defining Success as a Writer
All of my life I’ve defined success as a writer by being able to quit my day job and have a real writing schedule where I can fit in marketing and appearances as I choose. I’m still waiting for that version! But I have definitely learned a few things about being a writer.
1. You don’t have to be a “Best-Selling” author to have great fans! I’ve been grateful to meet some in person—even people I don’t know! Having even one fan can make you feel successful.
2. While it would be great to have one of those books that sells millions of copies, I think the stress of doing that twice in a row might make me crumble. Not that I’m not up for the challenge, mind you! Simply finishing your first book can make you feel successful.
3. Joining writing groups and organizations such as Sisters in Crime and Crime Writers of Canada can be great motivators, even during a pandemic. I’ve met all sorts of other writers, book coaches, and so on just by putting myself out there. Suddenly, I have new writing friends from all over the world. Rubbing elbows with other, more accomplished writers can help you feel successful.
4. It's awesome to see books YOU WROTE on a bookstore shelf as well as on your personal shelf! It’s like Christmas every time a box of new books arrives. Holding your book in print can help you feel successful.
5. Mashing together genres is a real thing so you don't need to feel limited by "the rules." Aside from mystery, I’ve dabbled with fantasy and young adults novels as well as writing my first—but far from last—play! The more you write, published or not, the more you can feel successful.
6. You learn to bounce. I’ve had rejections, bad reviews, and people telling me flat out that I need an editor, a better editor, or them to edit my books for me. Those things can sting and push me down for a while, but have always bounced right back up and got back to writing. The less you can let bad reviews get you down, the more successful you could feel.
7. Not everyone is comfortable with talking to audiences. Over the years, I've learned to talk for an entire hour about me, my books, my journey, writing as a craft, my cat…whatever I need to bring up to fill in any quiet gaps in a presentation where no one has any questions. Talking about your book to others can make you feel successful (or at least like a real writer!)
8. Do some research and find ways to market your books. I've done in-person presentations, radio interviews, podcasts, blog posts, and so on without stressing out about what I’m going to say. Most of the time, the interview has ended and the host and I continue to talk for another half hour! Doing interviews of any kind will help you feel successful.
9. It's possible to train yourself to write about ANYTHING! As part of one of the writing groups I’ve been part of, we use prompts. Several of my novels were written one prompt at a time! Using prompts will help fuel your writing and can help you feel successful.
10. Feeling restless? When I’m having an off day and don’t feel like myself, it’s a sure sign I need to get back to writing. A day without being creative can drag me down and make me feel like something is missing. Even fifteen minutes of writing per day can help relieve stress and help you feel successful.
11. You don't always need to quit your day job. In fact, I’ve worked many day jobs and, while none of them were my dream jobs, they were always good sources of fodder for books. I never would’ve written any of my Gilda Wright Mysteries without working in a karate school! I also wouldn’t have written a play if I hadn’t worked in a theatre. Working a day job can be a great place to get ideas which can help you feel more successful.
12. Make friends with other writers. I love to encourage and support other authors. I started my blog Escape With a Writer to do just that! While I never seem to find the time to fill my own blog with interesting writing stuff, it’s easy to find other authors to promote and I’ve even been able to work with a publicity person and help with their authors! Spending time brainstorming with and helping other authors might help you feel more successful.
If you think you can’t write, why?
If you think you don’t have time, try!
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is great. All you need to do is start!
Diane Bator
Website: https://dianebator.ca/
Books Available through Books We Love: https://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/
Saturday, April 2, 2022
April Showers Bring May Flowers
or so they say. I'm not so sure about that. After many balmy temperatures in March, April started out cold with snow flurries. I can't say I'm thrilled with it, I'm pretty sure everyone is ready for spring, especially after so many 70 degree days in March.
Mother Nature played an April Fools Joke on us, I guess. According to the weather report, average temps this time of year are in the 50s. Needless to say, we're about 20 degrees below. But warmer days are coming. We can't stay cold forever, right?
I love spring. It's my favorite season. All the trees begin to sprout new leaves, flowers begin to pop up, and everything just smells fresh. New life, new beginning.
Who knows, maybe Aunt Beatrice Lulu will speak to me again. She's sure been awfully quiet lately. Not to mention the two other novels I've started and none of the characters are speaking to me.
Maybe I've just been too busy, but there have been many nights I lie awake, unable to sleep. That's when Aunt Beatrice Lulu used to talk to me the most in the middle of the night. I had to get out of bed because an idea would hit me and I learned a long time ago not to trust it to memory. I had to write it down right then and there. Sometimes it was a line or two of a conversation. Needless to say, once I got up and wrote it down, the story started to flow and I was often awake until four or five in the morning. Fortunately, I'm retired and I didn't have to get up for a job or anything. Hubby was on the road, so I didn't even have to worry about making dinner or anything. Not that I slept all day. Far from it. Sleep has always been a waste of time to me, still is, but necessary.
I'll let you know next month if my characters woke up and talked to me.
You can find my books at: BWL
Friday, April 1, 2022
BWL Publishing Inc. April New Releases and featured Excerpts
Check us out at https://bwlpublishing.ca
Read excerpts of our new releases on BWL's Facebook Book Club Page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BooksWeLovebookclub
Birch Shadow is a sumptuous mountain getaway, an idyllic cottage with way too many secrets to keep, like its owner, business tycoon and philanthropist, Shaw Garland. No one knows his dark side like the guests who visit Birch Shadow, including Rhone Alexander who sought the spectacular retreat for some much-needed R&R following the end of a difficult marriage. Worse waited.
Grace Upton is an up and coming interior decorator unwittingly drawn into the treacherous Birch Shadow game.
Will anyone survive Birch Shadow long enough to make their dangerous getaway?
The article passed around the table on a hot August night. “Five to ten percent of the nation’s doctors are so impaired or incompetent they cannot or should not practice medicine.” The nurses at Bradley Memorial thought they had them all. That night they formed a group they called The Committee of Angels.
Nearly a year has passed and Laura Bancroft wonders why little has been done to change things. She also wonders about some of the nurses fitting the pattern. Laura has three doctors on her list of incompetents. She seldom meets with the other members and several of the others are upset with her. When her ex-husband joins the medical staff, she realizes she still has feelings for him. One of her list of doctors dies after emergency surgery and Laura finds her suspected since she was assigned to the doctor. She must deal with suspicions, her feelings for her ex. Then a second on her list commits suicide and speaks of blackmail.
Can Laura learn the truth of who is responsible before she faces arrest?
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