Mona Ingram's Blog, page 7

Singing Praises...

How refreshing. Sometimes I feel that all I do is talk about myself... mainly my books. Sure, I want you to like them enough to buy them, but first they have to catch your eye, and that's where my cover designer, Suzie O'Connell comes in.

Suzie has done quite a few of my covers. You can probably tell which ones; they stand out from the others. I met her through a writer's group, where she did a quick cover concept for someone else, and I fell in love with what I think of as her "brush-stroke" style. She uses this effect cleverly, sometimes blurring the otherwise hard edges of an image, or to create a plain background for title/author name, and other times the 'brush strokes' blend two images together.

Today I'm debuting the new cover Suzie has created for Book Two in my series The Women of Independence. I was torn between two breathtaking images, one with a sunburst, and one with the image of the woman on the horse. Suzie combined the two images and I'm sure you'll agree the finished product is amazing.

I'm still writing the story, but the work has become much easier now that I have this lovely image sitting beside my computer. If you haven't read the first book in the series, it's called Loving From Afar. Guess who did the cover art?
Loving From Afar links:
US Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGFXDLOUK Link:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DGFXDLOSuzie's website:  http://www.suzieoconnell.com/indieproud/servicesandprices.html

I actually enjoyed this interview!

This interview is with Fiona McVie. See link at bottom of page.
Mona:  Hi, Fiona. Glad to be with you. Where are you from?  I live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Think a long, sparkling lake with plenty of beaches. Add in orchards, vineyards, ski hills in the winter, golf courses galore, and you get the picture. Tell us a little about yourself.   I spent my younger years in northern British Columbia, then went to UBC for a couple of years, before going to the Sorbonne in Paris for French immersion. When I came back, I went to work in Vancouver for a travel agency, and stayed in travel-related jobs for most of my working life. I’m lucky to have travelled extensively; it opens the imagination. Fiona: Tell us your latest news I’ve recently released my eighteenth book on Amazon. It’s the first in a series called The Women of Independence, and it’s entitled Loving From Afar. It’s a romance with a difference. I like to describe it as a book that will break your heart, then put it back together. Fiona: When and why did you begin writing? I’ve read all my life. My mother took us to the library from a young age. Sometimes I can still recall the smell of the books as we sat on the floor for story hour.  As I read more as an adult, there were many times I thought “I can do this”, so I did. I was naïve enough to think that I’d write a best-seller right out of the gate, but of course that didn’t happen. Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer? I don’t think about it very much. I rarely tell people what I do. I’ve made that mistake a few times and they give me odd looks. I think they’re wondering if I’m going to put them in a book. Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?  I like to think of my style as casual. I don’t care for over-blown romance novels. I also enjoy putting in a twist here or there. The reader usually knows it’s coming, but we both pretend we don’t, and discover the surprise together. Fiona: How did you come up with the title?  Loving From Afar is a story about a young woman who’s had everything stripped away from her, and yet she continues to love a young man from her past. It’s as though she’s watching life from a distance. Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I don’t write books to impart a message. I leave that to people who are much wiser than I, but I would hope that the book gives them something to think about. Fiona: How much of the book is realistic? I try hard to make it all realistic. Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life Not really, but I can easily imagine a young woman going through these trials. Fiona: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? I really enjoy Maeve Binchy. Fiona: What book are you reading now? Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay. Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? I read constantly, but I confess I don’t pay much attention to the names. I’m more likely to remember author names when the books are poorly written. Fiona: What are your current projects? I’m writing book two of the series The Women of Independence. This one is titled The Last Goodbye. Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members I dreamed of writing for many years before I started. My friends put up with me during those long years. They were so patient! Fiona: Do you see writing as a career? Not originally, but now I can’t stop. Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? No. Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us? This new book focuses on Danielle, the closest friend of the main character in the first book. A Hollywood film company comes to shoot on her uncle’s ranch, and Danielle is attracted to the producer. Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Keeping my butt in the chair when it’s sunny outside. Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? I’d have to say Bryce Courtenay. He has an uncanny ability to tell a story from the POV of a young child, and I find that charming. Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?    I’ve done so much already, it’s usually not necessary. Fiona: Who designed the covers? Suzie O’Connell. She does amazing work. Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers? Be prepared to work hard and develop a thick skin. Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you. Fiona : If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done? I’ve always been interested in advertising, in writing ad copy.
To buy Loving From Afar click on the link below
US Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGFXDLOUK Link:   http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DGFXDLO
Fiona's blog is at:  http://www.facebook.com/l/3AQE2z1gHAQFnzmmXwtOs37MI38Jod2K4fIPaHE2q8p5sgw/wp.me/p3uv2y-wn

What's in a name?

There’s been a lot of chatter this week about naming the royal baby. That's prompted me to share a little story my husband told me. Back in 1939, King George and Queen Elizabeth visited Canada by rail. The train went through Orillia, Ontario, where my hubby lived, and being a fanatic train lover, as well as being curious to see the royals, Jack was there. As was customary, the King and Queen came out onto the back of the last rail car to greet the assembled people. When the train stopped, it was oddly quiet, as opposed to the usual cheers. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, a farmer called out from the back "Hiya King!". King George smiled and said "Hi yourself." Jack never forgot that.

Thank You, Digital Book Review

A shout out to Anthony Wessell, of Digital Book Reviews for featuring one of my most popular books today.

I won't bore you with the recap of Full Circle - you can read that on the E-Books page. I mainly wanted to say 'thanks' to Anthony for supporting independent authors. His site is great for authors and readers alike.

http://digitalbooktoday.com/2013/07/17/weekly-featured-great-reads-for-7-17-2013/

Beautiful British Columbia

  
Just back from a quick trip to Vancouver Island. Gorgeous sunny weather to highlight the (as usual) outstanding scenery. Spent a couple of nights in Sidney, and the first night Mount Baker was clearly visible in all its ice-cream-sundae splendour.
   Coming back on the ferry, I was struck by how often I include this spectacular area in my books. In Fallen Angel, Laura goes to a rehab on Vancouver Island by ferry, and in the same book, Bradley, the male love interest, travels from the island to the Okanagan Valley by ferry. In Fixing Freddie, Freddie takes Samantha over to Pender Island for lunch and a shopping trip. In Promise Me, there are several scenes on the beaches of the island, and in my latest, Loving From Afar, there's a scene where Cole leaves the island when his father gets sick, and the final scene of the book, on a beach.
   I suppose it would be fair to say I love the Island, and I'm proud to do so. Here are a couple of pictures I took on the way back.

Thanks for voting!

A big thank you to everyone who voted for my cover in the Story Finds cover contest. My cover artist did an amazing job for this, my latest release. It's up against some stiff competition, but I've enjoyed putting it out there for everyone to admire.
Thanks again... oh, wait... here's the link to the book on Amazon if you'd like to take a look. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGFXDLO

Available Now at Amazon

Loving From Afar is Book One in The Women of Independence series.

This book has it all: despair, sorrow and romance. I enjoyed writing it, and based on initial reaction, readers are enjoying it as well.  Here's a brief description:

  What would you do if your perfect life was shattered by a series of uncontrollable events?  Allison Ransome loses everything; everything except her love for Cole Slater, the young man she planned to marry after graduation.  Gutted by Allison’s perceived treachery, Cole moves on with his life. Ten years later, he returns home, telling himself he will avoid the woman who broke his heart.   But nothing goes as planned. Can Allison and Cole forget the past and come to terms with the events that tore them apart?
Available now at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGFXDLO

Coming Soon ...

  I'm excited to report that I've finished the preliminary draft of my latest book. As I reported earlier, I like this one a lot, and I hope you like it, too. Hopefully I'll have it released by June 25th, but you can be sure I'll announce it here as well as my facebook page.
  Am fooling around with the blurb, and this is what I have so far. It gives you an idea of the storyline:
  What would you do if your perfect life was shattered by a series of unrelated events?  Allison Ransome loses everything; everything except a small piece of her heart that belongs to Cole Slater, the young man she planned to marry after graduation.  Gutted by Allison’s perceived treachery, Cole moves on with his life. Ten years after leaving his home town, he returns, hoping to avoid the woman who broke his heart.  Plunge into the world of these two damaged souls as they come to terms with the events that tore them apart.

UPCOMING NEW RELEASE: Loving From Afar

The Women of IndependenceBOOK ONE: Loving From Afar
Prologue
Dani tightened the last screw on the bracket, mounted the fan, and slipped the screwdriver back into her tool belt. “Much better,” she said, with a satisfied bob of her head. “That’ll help to vent the place.” She poked at the double layer of poly that covered the domed greenhouse. “It’s a great setup.”“Thanks to you.” Allison smiled at her friend. “You know, it’s been years, and I still can’t believe you run a successful construction company. What did you say you have lined up for your next project?”“Mr. And Mrs. Berkshire’s sunroom. They’ve asked me to tear off the old one and build them a snazzy new one.” She watched the air sweep over the seedlings in the greenhouse, but Allison could tell she was thinking about her next job. “I’m looking forward to it. Did you say the airflow from the fan is actually good for the seedlings?”Allison was accustomed to her friend’s abrupt changes of subject. “Yes.” She wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. “The air strengthens them while moderating the temperature.” She tugged on a pulley at the end of the greenhouse and opened a 2’x2’ flap on the end wall. The vents had been Danielle’s idea when she put the structure together. She’d installed one vent at each end to catch the gentle breezes that swept through the valley.“The Berkshires. They’re Timothy’s parents, aren’t they?”“That’s right. Really nice people.”“Did you ask them about Timothy?” Allison forced herself to look her friend in the eye. “About where he is now?”“I didn’t have to ask. They were eager to tell me all about him. He’s in Vancouver and doing well. He works for a company down there that provides services to the television and film industries. He scouts locations and stuff like that.”“Huh.” Allison picked up a handful of potting soil and closed her fist around it. In the heat of the greenhouse, the Pro Mix dried out quickly. She’d have to dampen it down again before she did any more transplanting. She raised her head. “Back in high school, was I the only one who didn’t know that Timothy was gay?”Dani lifted her shoulders. “I can’t honestly say that I knew, either. He didn’t come out or anything.” She raised an eyebrow. “Cole never said anything?”Allison shook her head. “Nope.” There was a catch in her throat. “I thought we shared everything.”“Guys are different about stuff like that. Anyway, it was what...ten, eleven years ago? People weren’t so open.” She turned thoughtful. “Timothy was lucky that Cole befriended him. He needed all the protection he could get. I think the other kids sensed he was different, even if he never confirmed it.”A wry smile twisted Allison’s lips. “Yeah, Cole was like that.”Danielle paused, and took a deep breath. “He’s back, you know.”Allison’s head came up sharply. “Timothy?”“No. Cole.”“And just how long were you going to wait to tell me?” Her voice trembled.Danielle grinned. “I’m telling you now.” Her smile faltered “I hear his father’s been ill.”“Why haven’t I heard that?” Allison frowned.“Because you hide yourself out here? Because you have no social life anymore? Just the other day, Faith was just saying she hasn’t seen you in over a month.”“What about you? When was the last time you were out on a date?”“Oh, no you don’t.” Dani’s eyes flashed. “This isn’t about me. And don’t tell me that going out with Mark counts as a date. You two are just propping each other up.”“No fair! I–”Dani shook her finger. “You shouldn’t tell me these things if you don’t want them to come back at you.” She looked at her watch. “I have to go.” She walked out the wide greenhouse door and looked at the long, straight rows of black plastic, ready to receive the seedlings. She turned slowly. “He looks hot, Al. I scarcely recognized him.”Allison closed her eyes and let her head fall back. The sweep of air from the fan cooled her momentarily, but it would take more than a fan to cool down what she still felt for Cole Slater.Dani’s tone was gentle when she spoke again. They’d known each other too long; had helped each other survive too many emotional train wrecks. “I thought I’d better warn you,” she said softly, then climbed into her pickup truck and headed up the long driveway to the road that ran along the high side of the valley.* * *Cole found himself on the twisting road that led through Hidden Valley. The road surface was lumpy and badly patched, much as it had been when he was a teenager. The difference was that his bike was bigger now, and it took the twists and turns with ease.He knew that Allison had bought a place out here, but he wasn’t ready to see her yet... if ever. She was growing flowers, of all things. Flowers for drying. Evidently she made them into bouquets and sold them all over the Okanagan. He told himself he wasn’t looking for her place, but even so, he noticed the sign by her driveway as he roared past. It wasn’t large, as signs went, but it didn’t need to be, considering that she didn’t encourage visits from the public. It read The Flower Farm. He caught a glimpse of rows of black plastic as he passed, and smiled to himself. It was difficult to picture Allison farming...even if it was flowers. As far as he could remember... and he remembered everything... she’d never shown any interest in gardening. But that was all so long ago...Lost in memories, he found himself at Green Lake in no time at all. He and Allison had come out here a lot when they were young. The numerous beaches along Okanagan Lake were a magnet for tourists as well as the locals, and as a result, they generally had Green Lake to themselves.He parked the bike and squeezed through the turnstile gate, heading for what he still thought of as “their” spot. Ponderosa pines offered shade, and the sweet scent of resin filled his nostrils. Dried pine needles crackled underfoot and memories engulfed him. He sat down at the edge of the steep hill leading down to the lake, and took it all in. Very little had changed since the last time he was here. The place was silent, except for some intermittent birdsong. He braced his arms on raised knees and lowered his head. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on those days. His father was ill... probably dying... and he needed to keep himself strong for the ordeal that lay ahead.So why had he come here, where memories of his time with Allison were the strongest? Why was he torturing himself, wondering what might have been?The answer was obvious, even if he didn’t want to admit it. He’d never gotten over her. Never gotten over the shock of what had happened. Back then, his father had been dating a nice woman. Cole had driven home, told his dad that he was leaving, and taken off like a bat out of hell. Taken off to make a new life for himself; a life where he controlled the outcome, a life where he wouldn’t have his heart ripped to shreds by a woman.The distinctive chatter of a Kingfisher brought his head up. He searched the trees along the edge of the lake but couldn’t spot it. It didn’t matter; just knowing the bird was there was comforting. It meant that there were still fish in the lake. Some things, at least, had stayed the same.He’d loved growing up here in Independence. The other guys his age had talked constantly about getting out, about going to a larger town, but he’d been content. His mother had died when he was young; he scarcely remembered her. His dad had lived by the Golden Rule and expected him to do the same. It had seemed corny at the time; corny and old fashioned, but as Cole grew older, he’d come to appreciate his father’s wisdom.They’d lived in a small mobile home park that was tucked into one of the narrow valleys that ran roughly parallel to the lake. There’d been those few months right after his mother died, when his father hadn’t known what to do, but other than that, Marty Slater had done a great job of raising him.The fact that his father had smoked all his life was catching up with him now. Since he’d left home, he’d managed to see his father a couple of times a year. His father usually came to Vancouver Island, where Cole ran a successful business, but when he’d arrived back in town yesterday, he’d been shocked to see the rapid deterioration in his dad's health. These days, Marty Slater spent most of his time in a big recliner facing the television; Cole could tell by the way he’d gathered everything on two side tables. Books, remote controls, cell phone, tissues, and the pain pills he’d tried unsuccessfully to conceal. Loose, baggy clothing could not hide the fact that he’d lost a lot of weight. Cole wondered idly if the doctor would give him an estimate of how much longer. Probably not.“Jesus,” he said aloud, and dropped his head again. It was almost too much to take in. He’d always been aware that his father flirted with lung cancer every time he lit up, but he was only in his mid-fifties. It was too soon for him to die. He wondered if Allison knew.He pushed himself to his feet. Damn her for creeping into his thoughts at a time like this! But then whose fault was that? He’d been an idiot to think that by coming here, where they’d shared so much, he could face up to the past and get her out of his system. This was where they’d dreamed of a future together and every thought led him back to that time.A loon warbled on the lake, but he didn’t look. He had to get going, get away from this memory-laden place. Besides, the community nurse was coming to check on his father right after lunch, and he wanted to be there when she arrived. The nurse might be more forthcoming about his dad’s prognosis than the doctor.Reflection from the black plastic caught his eye as he rounded a corner. He knew the road well, and this was where he’d seen Allison’s sign.He slowed his bike, knowing he shouldn’t, but something compelled him. He tore off his helmet, braced his feet on the loose gravel at the top of her driveway, and looked down at her place.Movement in the greenhouse drew his eye, and a woman emerged. At first he wasn’t sure. The woman was about the right age, but there was something different about her; about the way she carried herself. The bright aura that had always surrounded Allison was missing from this woman. And yet... there was something achingly familiar about her.The woman raised a hand, as though to wave at him... or was that wishful thinking? She fussed with her hair, then shaded her eyes and looked directly at him. And then he knew. This was Allison. The bond they’d developed a decade ago still pulsed between them. He could see it in her eyes, even from this far away, and it scared the hell out of him. They stared at each other for a long, intense minute. Then he replaced his helmet, started the bike and drove off.* * *Allison invariably looked up when she heard a motorcycle. Some people, like her friend Faith, looked to the sky when they heard an airplane; with Allison it was motorcycles. She pretended she didn’t know why she looked, but she wasn’t kidding anyone, especially herself. Cole had bought a motorcycle as soon as he was old enough to get a permit, and ever since, the sound made her heart leap into her throat; made her pulse speed up a little. Her reaction had mellowed over the years, but it was still there, springing to life every time she heard that distinctive sound. She’d always believed that he would come back one day, even though things could never be the same. Too much time had passed for that, but she still hoped.The motorcycle had stopped at the top of her driveway. The driver braced himself, removed his helmet and looked down at her. He made no sign of recognition, but he didn't need to; she knew it was Cole. She raised a hand to wave, then caught herself just in time and raked her fingers though her hair. If she waved and he rejected her now, her heart would break.She shaded her eyes and stared at him, willing him to come down the driveway and say hello. The longing to see him again, to hear his voice, to feel his touch, was almost more than she could bear. She knew he’d been up at Green Lake. It had been their spot to go and talk; the fact that he’d been out there must count for something.Or not. He drove away and she dropped her hand, defeated. It was clear from the way he’d looked at her that he still found her repulsive. Tears burned behind her eyes. How could she have allowed herself to think that he might still feel something for her? She tossed her gloves onto the potting table in the greenhouse, grabbed a clean rag from the box by the door and headed for the creek that ran through her property.Jones Creek meandered down the bottom of the valley, through town, and eventually emptied into Okanagan Lake. Home to trout, muskrat, a few mink, and duck families in spring, there was always something to see along the creek’s edge. She headed for one of the old chairs set up under the willows and used the rag to wipe away bird droppings and leaves. It had become her favourite spot on the property, and at this moment, she needed the calming influence of the burbling water and the soft sway of the willow leaves more than ever. Seeing Cole had stirred up too many old emotions, both good and bad. Memories that seemed like they’d happened only yesterday...
Thanks for reading!If you’d like to receive an e-mail when the book is released,please pop on back to my facebook author pageat http://tiny.cc/h6gfnw and complete the short Special Offers form.I promise I won’t fill your in-box with spam!



Hockey fever strikes again...

... at least here in Canada, where hockey is a right of passage. I daresay if you asked some children to hum the national anthem, you'd get the theme from Hockey Night In Canada.
   Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. But since we're in the middle of the playoffs, I thought it a good time to release my newly designed cover for Blogging From the Heart.
   It's the story of a young woman who blogs about violence in hockey while she's falling for a man she doesn't recognize as being a hockey player.
   A charming story, it's novella-length at 25,000 words. You could probably read it in the time it takes him to watch the game!! Enjoy!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LAHAQ2