C. Lee McKenzie's Blog, page 16

Sneak Peek #9 Especially for You on this 1st IWSG Wednesday.

This is Day 9 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. I’ll announce future winners at the end of the Reveal. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.

Meet Javier
Wunderstock

At last, romance. Well, some. I felt the story had to have someone interesting for Libby to meet, so I wrote Javier Martin into her life. He’s from Argentina and here in the U.S. to study livestock management. When he and Libby meet, they’re attracted to one another. All would go well if they didn’t have this pesky, interfering author in charge, but they do, so what could have been a happy ever after story, is more complicated.

Here’s one of their first moments:

I’d just made it to my room when my cell chimed. I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at the name on the screen. Javier Martín.
“Hello?” 
“It’s Javier from the pool. Do you remember me?” His low-pitched voice came through the phone even deeper and richer than when we’d talked earlier today.
How could I not remember? Just hearing him made butterflies dance along my arms. “How…how did you get my phone…my number?” Why was I stammering? Surprised, I guessed. That and until today, I hadn’t realized just how hungry I was for some male energy in my life.

Quiz: Here are some interesting facts about Argentina, except only one is correct. Which one?
A. Basketball is Argentina’s favorite sport.
B. Che Guevara admired Argentina but never visited.
C. The name Argentina comes from the Latin word for silver – Argentum

Join Us Now

And now it’s time to–in Alex’s words–rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

August 4 question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

I’m skipping this month’s question, but I’ll be interested in reading what others have to say.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG arePK Hrezo,Cathrina Constantine,PJ Colando,Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!

Did you hear the news? No? Well, here it is!

IWSG got another Award.

And speaking of CONTESTS…If you’re a ROMANCE WRITER, you still have time to enter your story for a chance to be included in the next IWSG ANTHOLOGY.

Be sure to read the submission guidelines and meet the deadline of September 1.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Dr. Seuss

Sneak Peek #8 Especially for You!

This is Day 8 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. NOTE THIS CHANGE: I started announcing winners at the end of each week, but that became tedious, so I’ll announce future winners toward the end of the Reveal. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.

Meet Harley Morguefile

Everyone’s going to love Harley Cassiere. She’s the glue that holds Libby together and won’t let her sink into self-pity. Harley refuses to let her accident keep her from her favorite sport, swimming. She determined to make the Paralympic team, return to school, and move on with her life. It’s Harley’s determination that Libby can’t ignore even though she’d prefer to.

Harley’s the kind of friend you need in your life, especially when things have gone south on you, and giving up seems to be the only option. I really enjoyed writing scenes between the two girls. Here’s one that happens a while after their friendship is solid.

For a while, silence filled the dark room, but I could feel that Harley was still very much awake. “You can walk,” I finally said. 
“Right. I noticed that.”
“I’m kind of jealous about it.”
“I know,” Harley said, “but I try to ignore that in you.”
The silence came again, but undercutting that silence was a soft sound of pain.
“Are you crying, Libby?”
“Yes. Don’t rag on me.”
“Have I ever ragged on you?” 
“Only all the time, Harley C.” I felt Harley’s arm around my shoulder.
“That’s because I love you, you jerk.

Quiz: Here are some facts about World Para Swimming (Olympic competition for handicapped swimmers). Two are correct. One is not. Which one is not true?
A. Nearly 100 countries participate in the World Para Swimming games.
B. World Para Swimming uses the same rules as its Olympic counterpart.
C. World Para Swimming is only open to male and female athletes who have lost a limb.

Sneak Peek #7 Especially for You!

This is Day 7 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. NOTE THIS CHANGE: I started announcing winners at the end of each week, but that became tedious, so I’ll announce future winners toward the end of the Reveal. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.

Meet Marcus Morguefile

With Marcus, I was back to writing the teen boy character I love to conjure up. I guess my favorite boys in any story, but especially in the young adult category, are the messed-up, bad ones. Marcus is the kind of kid destined for trouble, and my guess is he’ll be in and out of prison his entire life unless something happens to change the way he looks at life.

Here’s the first time you’ll meet him the book.
“She spotted Marcus, his skateboard leaning against the park bench, and charged across the wet grass toward him. He smiled up at her. When they first met, she’d expected an enforcer type with nose rings and bulging muscles. Now the way he looked felt like a rasp against her skin. It still bothered her that he was so young, so fresh. Maybe seventeen. Plump. A sweet-faced, evil cherub.”

Quiz: Here are names of three “bad boy” characters in young adult literature. One isn’t really a character in a book. Which one?
A. Ronan Lynch
B. Whit Moreland
C. Damon Salvatore

Sneak Peek #6 Especially for You!

This is Day 6 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. NOTE THIS CHANGE: I started announcing winners at the end of each week, but that became tedious, so I’ll announce future winners toward the end of the Reveal. The books and the GC’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.

Meet Libby’s Dad Morguefile

From her first days on the slopes, Libby’s dad has been there teaching, coaxing, encouraging. When she’s about to make the Olympic team, he’s still in her corner, making sure she has the support she needs to get her chance at the Gold. Then her life turns upside down, and even her dad can’t help her.

Mr. Brown is the kind of dad every kid deserves. He’s caring. He’s fair. He’s dependable. He’s always there. As I wrote him into the story, I took a lot of my own dad and put him into the character. My dad would laugh if he read this because he’d know Mr. Brown is the idealized version of him. This character is probably the “sweetest” one I’ve ever written. The other dads in my stories are definitely not sweet. Maybe this was my way of making up for not treating my other ones so kindly.

Quiz: There are some famous fathers in books. I’ve matched three to books, but only one match is correct. Which one?
A. Jack Torrance, About A Boy
B. Atticus Finch, Pride and Prejudice
C. Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter Series

Sneak Peek #5 Especially for You on this First Wednesday!

This is Day 5 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. NOTE THIS CHANGE: I started announcing winners at the end of each week, but that became tedious, so I’ll announce future winners toward the end of the Reveal. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to the previous post if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.

Meet Libby’s Mom Wundestock

Libby’s mom is a character I didn’t care for at first. She came across as a bit whiney and shallow. She’s a club lady who spends a lot of time with hair and nail appointments. She’s not a skier, and she seldom attends Libby’s meets. As the story develops, Mrs. Brown changes, and it becomes clear that her character arc parallels Libby’s, so a lot of how Libby changes is tied to her relationship with her mom. 

When we first meet Mrs. Brown she and Libby are at odds, but once they’d been close and loving. What happened to create the great divide between them? Whose fault is it that they have nothing in common anymore? Mom knows the answers, but Libby must learn these answers if she’s to move ahead with her life.

Quiz: There have been many mother-daughter relationship threads in stories told over time. Here are three. Which of these is the most modern tale?
A. Pride and Prejudice
B. Book of Ruth
C. A Sicilian Romance

And now for The Insecure Writers’ Support Group First Wednesday PostJoin Us Today

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

July 7 question – What would make you quit writing?

The awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG are Chemist Ken Pat Garcia,Victoria Marie Lees, andLouise – Fundy Blue!

When I started to answer this question this is what came into my mind: “If I didn’t find joy in writing anymore, I’d quit.” Of course, every writer knows that the writing process can be a lot of things, and often it is NOT joyful. But in the overall picture, it is. If you’re a writer, you’ve known the joy of a new idea or a breakthrough on a scene that you’ve been stuck on. You’ve probably jumped up and down (literally and figuratively) when the final edits are done or the cover art arrives. And I know everyone who has ever written knows the joy of holding your book. Ahh. You did it. So, yes. If that stops, that would make me quit writing.

Before entering be sure to read the
RULES FOR SUBMISSION.
They’re simple but essential.

This is a chance for those who write SWEET ROMANCE, HAPPY EVER AFTER stories to shine.

Quote of the Month: “Getting that first draft out is a horribly hard grind, but that (perversely) is where the joy of it lies.” Jonathan Stroud

Sneak Peek #4 Especially for You!

This is Day 4 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. At the end of each week, I’ll announce the winners. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send paper books to U.S. However, I can send eBooks to international followers. If you win a book, you’re entered to win one of the Gift Certificates.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to the previous post if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment to win. Here’s last week’s POST.

Last week’s winners are: Sandra Cox and Liz A. Keep visiting to win the GC!

Meet Mrs. Bancroft Image credit woodleywonderworks on Wunderstock (license)

Last week, if you stopped in, you met Taylor Bancroft. Today here’s her mom. Mrs. Brancroft is a dedicated parent. She never misses a practice or a meet, and she never fails to encourage her daughter to do her best. In fact, she insists Taylor must always have a  “positive attitude.” 

That would be a good thing if she didn’t also criticize Taylor’s teammates. She may think others don’t hear her remarks, but they do, and Taylor takes the rap for it.

Mrs. Bancroft isn’t a bad mom. She’s one who wants the very best for her daughter, and that is usually the characteristic of what’s been labeled “helicopter mom.”

Quiz: What generation in the U.S. usually makes up what we call “helicopter moms”?
A. The women who grew up in the late 70s, early 80s called the “latch key” kids.
B. The women who were from single-parent homes.
C. The women who were orphaned early in life.

New Western by Sandra Cox

Keeper Tyree Release

Thanks so much for hosting me and helping me get the word out about Keeper, C. Lee. Appreciate it and you.

Today’s cowboy word: Barker.

Like we do today, the cowboys of the old West used a good bit of slang. Barker is another term for—no not a dog– but a gun. He raised his barker.

~*~

Keeper Tyree is an aging bounty hunter who lives by his own set of rules. He’s a hard man, but he’s just, and his word is his bond. He’s a loner and likes it that way. Then Cathleen O’Donnell catapults into his life looking to hire his gun. Josiah Pardee has killed her boy and she’s out for vengeance. Somehow all his hard and fast rules, including working alone and minding his own business, crumbles in the face of the immovable widow he now works for. He finds himself rescuing soiled doves, a myopic bookworm more suited to city life than the Wild West, and an hombre being dragged to death by angry cardplayers, as he tracks down the murdering sidewinder Josiah Pardee. 

Order Your Copy

Excerpt

He pulled out the hard-backed chair at his favorite table in the dining room and dropped down. From here he could see both the entryway and the kitchen. Part of the reason he was an aging gunman instead of a resident of Boot Hill was an abundance of caution.  Drink might slow him down but he could always function.

Molly saw him from the kitchen door, disappeared and whisked back with the coffee pot, and poured him a cup, steam rising and carrying the aromatic fragrance of dark beans.

“Thanks, Molly.”

“I missed you last night.”

“I went out.” 

“I can tell. You wreak of rotgut. It’s coming out of your pores.” She wrinkled her nose. 

“Well, I washed up and put on a clean shirt. Can’t do anything about my pores.” He took a gulp of strong, scalding liquid. “That’s good coffee.” Then added a healthy dollop from his flask. 

“Want some breakfast?”

“I’d take a beefsteak —”

“Rare?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Put your clothes outside your door and I’ll wash ‘em.”

“Again, thanks. You’ll make someone a wonderful wife.”

“But not you.”

“I’m not looking for marriage. Is that a problem?” He set down his cup. Molly was a widow. He’d been at the boarding house for over a year now. They’d always enjoyed a good romp, with no strings, for most of that time. It was a comfortable arrangement. It would be inconvenient to find a new place but not as inconvenient as having a woman hanging out for a ring.

She gave out a great guffaw that had her ample bosom shaking. “You should have seen your face.” She walked away shaking her head and still laughing.

A few minutes later she returned with a beefsteak that nearly mooed at him.

“I’m going to be gone for a while,” he told her as she plopped the plate in front of him, the steak still sizzling.

“You going after Pardee?”

“You’re smart as well as beautiful. How’d you figure that one out?”

A young couple walked in and sat at a table near the door.

“Be right with ya,” Molly called out.

The man nodded and held up his hand.

“Cathleen O’Donnell comes in my place for the first time looking for you. Pardee killed her son. I can put two and two together and get four. You be careful, Keeper.”

“I’m not worried about Pardee.”

“I’m not talking about Pardee.”

Before he could respond she pivoted and bustled away.

Sandra Cox, Author

Bio
Sandra is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener, and also writes as S. Cox. She lives with her husband, their dog and cats in sunny North Carolina.

Her stories consist of all things Western and more. She is a category bestselling Amazon author, Eppie finalist and award winner. 

Order link: https://tinyurl.com/KeeperTyree

Web link: http://sandracoxwriter.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sandra_Cox

Sneak Peek #3 Especially for You!

This is Day 3 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. At the end of each month, I’ll announce the winners. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send books to U.S. However, I have plans for my international readers later. Promise.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment to win. Here’s last week’s POST.

WEEK #2 WINNERS:
Once again, everyone got the question right. Everyone left a great comment. So It was back to pulling names out of a “hat.” Remember that even if you win a book, you can still win a Gift Certificate. And if you’re out of the U.S. I’ll send you an eBook.

Those who will receive a signed copy are: Cathrina, Mike, Rebecca, Jemi, and Simone. Now…

Meet Taylor Morguefile

Taylor Bancroft is excellent on the slalom. She can out-ski most people on the slopes, but when something goes wrong, she tenses up and goes off in a pout. Too bad for Taylor because her friends are short on patience when it comes to her “little girl” antics.  

“Stop the thumb sucking, Taylor,” they shout at Taylor’s retreating back. 

But Taylor’s under pressure from a helicopter mom. She can’t even think about making mistakes or being less than the best. She has to win. And in this story, she has to make the Olympic team. No other choice.

I had a Taylor Bancroft in my life and I didn’t feel sorry for her until I grew up and understood how hard it had been for her. My mom didn’t hover. She couldn’t because she worked, and my teen self resented that while my Taylor’s mom was always at the games to cheer her on, mine wasn’t. 

It was interesting writing this character and drawing on my own experience. It gave me a chance to examine that jealousy I felt so long ago. That experience contributed to one of the major plotlines in this story. 

How do psychologists say we should react when our friends behave immaturely?
A. Give them understanding and sympathy
B. Never support their poor behavior.
C. Give them a good scolding.

Sneak Peek #2 Especially for You!

This is Day 2 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates.
At the end of each month, I’ll announce the winners. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send books to U.S. However, I have plans for my international readers later. Promise.

To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) If you missed last week’s post, CLICK HERE and start from the beginning.

WEEK #1 WINNERS
Everyone got the question right. Everyone left a great comment. So I had to resort to an old-school technique and put names into a “hat.” Remember that even if you win a book, you can still win a Gift Certificate. And if you’re out of the U.S. I’ll send you an eBook.

Those who will receive a signed copy are: Mary Aalgaard, Sue Goldberg, Michael Di Gesu, Natalie Aguirre, Sherry Hilger

Meet Ben Wunderstock

Ben—sensible, sometimes a little lazy, often beer-craving—is the perfect boyfriend. He’s a good skier and he doesn’t mind it when Libby pushes herself to do more on the slopes. He’s fine with taking off his skis early and heading to the lodge to wait for her. 

The problem is he can’t be there for her when she needs him most. 

I didn’t like Ben too much when I wrote him into the story because he didn’t do the honorable thing and support my Main Character, Libby. Instead, he bailed. But did he break her heart? No. As the story continued, I realized Ben did her a favor. He’s not a likable character, but his role in the story reveals a lot about who Libby is. Eventually, he teaches her a lot about herself as well.

Writing unlikeable characters turns out to be a challenge, but they do flesh out a story and give the writer a chance to show more about the other people in the book—the more likable ones readers cheer for.

Quiz: Who wrote the unlikeable character named Mr. Collins?
A. Jane Austen
B. J.K. Rowling
C. John Grisham 

Sneak Peek #1 Especially for You!

This is Day 1 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately-50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates.
At the end of each month, I’ll announce the winners. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send books to U.S. However, I have plans for my international readers later. Promise.

To win:
1. leave a comment
2. in that comment answer the quiz question by typing in the correct letter (A, B, C).

Meet Etta Princeton Wunderstock

Pink. That’s the color Etta Princeton—Shoshone Princess—adores. Her nails. Her house. If she had a car, it would be pink, too. She doesn’t need rose-colored glasses to look at the world, that’s how she sees it already. Generous. Kind. Only nineteen, she’s a daughter who listens to her heart and her mom. She’s there for friends no matter what, so everyone should have an Etta in his or her life. 

I often thought while writing this book, “how lucky Libby is to have Etta.” And if this story continued beyond these seventy thousand words, Etta and Libby would become the best of friends. I can guarantee that.

When I write a story,  I often fall in love with the minor characters as much as I do the main ones. They add the texture and so many opportunities to reveal the MC’s. In fact, I don’t think of them as minor at all. They are the warp to the weft of the story, and without them, I’d have no story at all. 

In this new book, Etta is introduced at the beginning, and she plays an important part, helping my MC grow from terribly damaged to whole again. 

I think Etta will be one character readers will want more of. 

Quiz: What famous book features these minor, but memorable characters? Aragorn, Pippin and Merry.
A. Star Wars
B. Great Expectations
C. Lord of the Rings