Naomi Dawn Musch's Blog: NEW Discussion Guide, page 9

February Book Review Roundup

Contemporary and Historical – Two Great Reads ReviewedFebruary 28, 2018It has been a busy month, and I don’t think things are going to slow down. So, as usual, I’m doing most of my recreational reading at bedtime, and I’m plugging along, but I don’t read as long into the night as I did when I was a wee bit younger. That said, I’ve read some good books this month, starting with  The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck  by Bethany Turner.[image error]This is a book you would not have seen published ten or more years ago. Probably even less than that. Why? Because Christian publishing wasn’t really ready to “go there” in terms of the content. I mean, a book about how even Christians struggle with holding off on sex until marriage? About how not every hero and heroine in a story find it easy to carry on a pure relationship?  Yeah, that’s what this one is about, and let me tell you, it was a fast flowing, fun read. The characters, especially the main character Sarah is a hoot! She’s witty, clutzy at times, funny, and so, so insecure. She’s pretty real. To top it off, she’s living the dream — unknown writer becames world famous novelist — but not so fast! Maybe it wasn’t the best dream to have. It’s oh-so-colorful in all the wrong ways, but that’s about to change.When she meets the hero in one of those “cute/meet” kind of ways, and then finds out he’s her new pastor, that takes the cake.  Both of the main characters come with a boat load of baggage, and in today’s world that’s about as real as it gets.Thank you, Revell, for publishing a book that gets real about relationships.If you like flawed, interesting, totally human Christians in your fiction, you will enjoy The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck.
Back to another historical, I finally got to read Laura Frantz’s latest,  The Lacemaker . I always get excited when Laura has a new book come out, and this time was no exception. I just finished watching the Netflix series Turn, and that set me up perfectly to get into this Revolutionary War tale of romance and intrigue. In fact, I kind of let a couple characters from the television series influence the way I pictured Lady Elizabeth “Liberty” Lawson and the dashing Noble Renaullt.[image error]As is always the case with Laura’s novels, The Lacemaker is rich with historical detail and insight into both daily living and period events. It was fun to “meet” Patrick Henry as well as other historical figures brought back to life in these pages. The story of the perils the Patriots faced, both through Liberty as a Tory turned Patriot spy and through Noble who is a leader in the struggle for independence, unwinds slowly and with just the right amount of tension. The love that binds Liberty and Noble make The Lacemaker a romantic and relaxing read I looked forward to picking up again each time I was forced to go cook food, sleep, or perform some other task necessary to life.If you like early American stories that are elegantly written and fraught with period intrigue, you’ll want to read The Lacemaker.

January Book Review Roundup

January Book Review Roundup! Four historicals so far this year…January 24, 2018
Here’s what I’ve been reading so far in 2018, all historical romances set in varying periods. Let me know what you thought if you’ve read these books. What are you reading now? I’ve moved on to a contemporary. More on that later. Here goes: The Lost Heiress (Ladies of the Manor, #1) by Roseanna M. White, a 2015 novel published by Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group, is a Christy nominated novel that gets my choice for BEST OPENING LINE so far this year. See if this doesn’t catch your attention: Temptation sat before her, compelling as the sea. Great, isn’t it? Her opening paragraph decided me right there that I wouldn’t be setting this book aside. (You know we all do sometimes.) The Lost Heiress has that Upstairs/Downstairs, Downton Abbey quality that we all fell in love with in the series combined with the whole lost princess feel of Anastasia, and Ms. White captures the concept and time period deftly. But her characters didn’t initially show up in England. We’re introduced to them in Monte Carlo’s rich, extravagant atmosphere, and making the main character, Brook Eden, Monegasque, was a really cool twist right at the get-go. There’s a big mystery and a bad guy who is really bad, but the main feature of the story is Brook’s lifelong love for her best friend Justin Wildon, heir to the Dukedom. Of course, first we have to find out who she really is. Along the way, we are introduced to her true family, and I have to say, her father’s character was delightful, and I applaud Ms. White for creating a strong father/daughter bonding theme. While there were segments that felt a little predictable, it was still overall a great story! Five stars. The Yielding (Age of Faith, #2) by Tamara Leigh, republished by Tamara Leigh in 2014, is an edgy romance of the middle ages. If you love romances set in this era, then Tamara’s books are not to be missed.  Lady Beatrix Wulfrith is bound for a life in the convent until she is accused of killing a man who happens to be the brother of Michael D’Arci, and his family who will do anything to get revenge upon the powerful Wulfriths. On top of it all, she is captured by him, her most vindictive enemy who would like nothing better than to exact justice immediately, but he is holding onto her until he can see her properly brought to trial and hanged. Of course, there are times when it’s uncertain as to who is whose prisoner as Beatrix’s faith leads her to rescue D’Arci when he is injured. He also returns the favor. As he works at keeping her alive and healthy to be hung, he also begins to develop a passion for her that angers him. She, too, wonders if the convent life is meant for her when she finds herself drawn into intimate situations with D’Arci. Ah! The conflicted romance! And Ms. Leigh masterfully keeps us bouncing along on that highwire of romantic tension right up to the dynamic life or death conclusion. I am really enjoying this series. You’re the Cream in My Coffee by Jennifer Lamont Leo, published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in 2017 is another award winner, and I could see why. Set during the roaring twenties, I was anxious to read this book largely because of my own series of books set during the same period. So, you know. Comparables. What I found in Ms. Leo’s story was a delightful cast of characters and a great writing style. Ms. Leo has a compelling story-telling voice that swings you along like jazz. The main character, Marjorie Corrigan, gets herself in some hot water, first with her family and fiancé, and then with her new friends in Chicago and the mob. All in the name of love, of course. All in the name of trying to move on past the death of her true love, killed somewhere “over there” during WWI. Or was he…? If you enjoy reading this period, you’ll find Ms. Leo’s novel a frolic to read. You will love this story. I hear she has a book two coming out soon.






Providence: Hannah’s Journey by Barbara M. Britton, published in 2016  by Harbourlight Books is Biblical fiction that will give readers a greater appreciation for the period, conditions, and especially the despotic, idolic lifestyles of Isreal’s neighbors, the Arameans. When Hannah, the young heroine, flees her father’s house to escape an arranged marriage, she is soon captured by the Aramean army who enslaves her to the wife of its general, a dying leper. There in Aramea, forced to serve the man’s unfaithful wife, and pursued by her wicked lover, her own faith is challenged and grows, as is the faith of Gilead, the boy she loves who followed her and is also captured. The story is very edgy in sections, especially when dealing with the demands of the Aramean priests and false gods, but the story also brings to light an old testament story, while imagining  what might have happened.

A Goodreads Prize Winner and One More Announcement

Right now I have a pile of papers scattered all around my feet; the kind that needs sorting and filing. You know, old bills, receipts, cards and address labels -- and, oh, what's this? A 2017 calendar I haven't looked at since August. Hm... Yep, I do procrastinate with sorting and filing. So what am I doing instead of sorting and filing? Why, I'm getting totally distracted of course, because I have information to share.

I'm happy to announce that Bonnie from New Jersey won an autographed copy of The Deepest Sigh ! Thank you, Bonnie, and everyone else who entered my first Goodreads giveaway. Look for more of them in the future. Who feels like filing receipts when I can bear such good news as that?

Here's another thing... I'm pretty slow at announcing formally (though some of you have probably known for a while) that I recently signed another contract. This one is for a voyageur era novel set on and around Lake Superior in the early 1800s. It's chock full of voyageurs, fur traders, adventurers of all sorts, not to mention a Métis woman fleeing a cruel suitor in Montreal. Look for Mist O'er the Voyageur in October, 2018.

So, while lots of my writer friends are on the ball posting nice pictures of themselves when they sign, I'm posting after the fact; but, here it is --  signed, sealed, delivered, duplicated, and... You guessed it -- ready to file.


Keep up with the release of two novels coming out next year, more giveaways, contests, and other fun stuff by signing up for my newsletter on my home page at naomimusch.com

Please have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Naomi

Goodreads Giveaway - Historical Romance - The Deepest Sigh - Enter Now!

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Goodreads Book Giveaway


The Deepest Sigh
by Naomi Dawn Musch

Giveaway ends November 17, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.


Enter Giveaway

THE DEEPEST SIGH Won Cover Wars! So How About a Giveaway?

That's right! Faithful supporters put votes for The Deepest Sigh over the top during Author Shout's Cover Wars last week, and now it's the Book of the Week! To celebrate, I'm going to give away an autographed copy. Yay! Want in? Keep reading.

I'll be doing the giveaway through Goodreads. (Why? Because it's every reader's haven, of course.) So if you aren't on Goodreads, go sign up. Start adding books to your "Want to Read" list. ADD THE DEEPEST SIGH, that way you'll get a reminder when the giveaway starts.

I have another reason for doing the giveaway now. See, my birthday is coming up November 10th. That's right, apparently time is moving forward. So I want to put my book into some book lover's hands during my birthday week because that's exciting for me. Will you be that Book Lover?

THE GIVEAWAY WILL RUN NOVEMBER 6-13TH.
On any of those dates, you'll be able to enter. Still haven't added it to your Goodreads list? What are you waiting for? Get going! :)
Soooo sorry, but this contest will only be available to U.S. residents. :(

Novel Brainstorming is the B.O.M.B.

I don't know if I've ever outlined two novels exactly the same way, but there are always similarities, and there is always that first brainstorming session, the one where ideas flow in synopsis fashion. It's that part of the process that gets me real fired up to write the story, because let me tell you, as a writer, brainstorming is the B.O.M.B.! It is where I quickly riddle out these things:

B. Begin to meet the characters
O. Open with the initial conflict
M. Mind the major turning points
B. Bring it all together

Well, that was fun...

Once I begin the serious work of outlining, a lot of that initial synopsis might change, but that's okay. SOTP writers (that's seat-of-the-pants for those who aren't familiar) may not take their idea to that next level, but everyone starts someplace, and in a way, a written synopsis is a form of outline.

So today I brainstormed a new novel. I've been thinking about my characters. It's a sequel, so one of them had an established history and personality. The other main character needed a lot of fleshing out.

What. A. Blast!  (I promise not to write an acronym for that.)

Just following the trail down which my brain led me as the idea spilled out onto paper, from one thing to the next, was like dreaming wide awake. It's terrific fun, and totally freeing, because I can go back at any point and change something if I get a better idea later, or if the one I initially create isn't working. Some people hate beginnings, but I don't know why. It's the part during which we, as writers, first get to live the adventure.

Themes come to me during this time. The primary theme usually shows itself pretty early on. During the actual writing of the book, I keep a close I toward the emergence of secondary themes. Those are then consciously layered in as I move forward. I must have that primary theme to begin though. Without it, I can't weave plot lines as effectively, nor can I entirely understand my character. So discovering theme as I brainstorm is important.

This morning, I had a pretty good idea of theme when, all of a sudden, an even stronger form of that theme presented itself. I mean...it sort of descended out of nowhere into the story, and I knew immediately that this theme was the one that would make the story resonate with readers. Wish I could tell you more, but that might ruin it... :)

Today I did something else different (for me). After jotting down my synopsis -- a mere couple pages, a very general overview of the story -- I went back and highlighted these things:

*The Inciting Incident and Key Event
*The First Turning Point
*The Midpoint
*The 2nd Turning Point or Dark Moment
*The Race to the Climax and Resolution



These points will all be broken down further when I begin the long plotting process, but this is just a simple synopsis. I marked these things to be sure they existed, because even if you don't use an outline, the mental shape of these things has to be there, or you don't really have a story.

It will be a while before I begin writing this particular story. For those of you who have read or plan to read The Deepest Sigh , this new idea is for the sequel to the sequel. Got it? Man... I love being a writer.

Friday Flashback! on a Great Old Book ~ Afton of Margate Castle (The Theyn Chronicles Book One)

I have to tell ya, there are some novelists who have jumped around from genre to genre in their story-telling, and that's just fine, but when an author like Angela Elwell Hunt writes an historical fiction piece, she's second to none. Don't get me wrong. She's a great writer of contemporary fiction too, but I was first captured by her historical fiction. It is gripping. Today I'm remembering The Theyn Chronicles series, and most of all, book one: Afton of Margate Castle.


As it says on the cover, it's "a novel of intrigue and romance in medieval England". Afton is a from a poor family, but she is taken by the earl's wife (who has mothering issues) to be raised as a companion to her daughter. Of course, being raised around the gentry and turning into a lovely and vivacious young lady, it isn't long before Afton falls in love with her childhood protector who is none other than Calhoun, the earl's very own son. This would be all well and good, except that Calhoun's mother reacts to this a little bit like the evil queen in Snow White. Oh, the fit of panic! So poor Afton is cast out of the castle, and in a way that is absolutely despicable. She's given in marriage to a brute of a man in return for his loyalty. Trust me, things are not good, and the result of this union can only stir up one thought for Afton -- revenge!

Afton of Margate Castle is a heart-wrenching romance, complete with knights and villains -- not to mention villeins -- love and treachery, and a big dose of chivalry. If you enjoy a big ol' novel full of this sort of medieval action and adventure to really sink your reader's teeth into, then give it an add on your Goodreads list. Angela has re-released the book, so you'll find it with this lovely new cover too:


Click on the cover to find purchase links on Angela Hunt's site.When you've finished reading, you might want to follow up with books 2 and 3, The Troubadour's Quest and Ingram of the Irish.


Happy weekend reading!

A New Trick for Getting Into Your Character's Skin #WriterUnstuck

Do you ever have trouble getting at the heart and soul of one of your characters? You've tried journaling or free-writing from his or her perspective. You've answered all their questions -- what their deepest desire is, what dark thing happened in their past, what their greatest emotional need is, and so on. You've stepped into their skin in every way you can think of, yet, when writing their character, they still feel lacking in personality somehow.

Here's a little trick I stumbled upon that helped me tremendously with a recent character who, after trying all the usual devices, was still too stiff to be real. Maybe it'll help you. As well as answering the important questions and journaling from my character's perspective, I tried the same technique from the perspective of other characters involved with them. In other words, I wanted to know from another character in the book what his/her view of said character was. Wow! What a difference. Try it. The other character might be a parent, a sibling, a best friend or lover -- or it might even be your problem character's nemesis. Everyone will see them from some other aspect, and you'll be surprised by the things they tell you.

You might be surprised at how characters see one another.
They definitely won't all view the individual the same way.
Did you ever wonder how other people see you? If your mom, best friend, or coworker were to write about you and give free rein to say anything they wanted, what would they have to say? How would they describe you? What secret insights might they share? What memories and stories would they tell about you?

I found it amazing how doing this with my stiff character brought out the substance of her personality in ways I hadn't yet imagined. So try it. Hop into the head of any other surrounding character, and let them talk about the one you're having trouble with. Sit back and soak in their gossip. Let them introduce you to that character in a whole new light.

Write on!

What Color Are Your Characters' Personalities?

Admit it, you've gotten sucked into those color personality quizzes on social media. They're all mostly flattering. Oh, you're orange? You must be playful and witty. Certainly you're attractive with all that energy you exude! Or maybe you're red: confident, powerful, and passionate. Yes! Bring on the passion.

Well, I don't know how accurate all those tests and quizzes are. They seem to be pretty good at massaging our egos. Most of them don't mention the negative sides of those color traits, whether or not we tend toward being self-centered, irresponsible, or just plain dull. I'm sure the makers of those tests are missing a few shades in each quiz. Nevertheless, there is a good use for those color charts if you're a fiction writer. You can use them to flesh out your characters' personality profiles.

people vector created by freepik
Consider the Green personality: Calm, intellectual, powerful, curious, introverted, cynical. Sounds like an anti-hero to me. Maybe it's even a villain. I think examining the traits of a "green" personality would add a lot of dimension to some of the villains I've read. It would help to learn that they are not only maniacal and egotistical, but that they are curious and intellectual too. Do you see what that could mean to the fleshing out of their character? How much more dimensional might that make your villain if you added in traits and characteristics that explored these other nuances of personality? How about a dangerous, egotistical villain, who also happens to be a brilliant horticulturist or amateur astronomer? What if they're a winner on the game show Jeapordy? What if they got a full ride scholarship to a prestigious school because they're brilliant, yet morally demented in some way?

Let's look at another example. How about a romantic lead who is Purple by nature: Peaceful, charismatic, gentle, supportive, sensitive. It's easy to find leads who are gentle, supportive, and sensitive. Romance novels are swamped with them. Maybe they are peaceful as well. But if we add charismatic to the mix, what might that mean to the things they do when it comes to their actions and behavior? If they are all those positive things, what would their struggles be? Because they are sensitive, would they hide behind the mask of their charismatic actions if they feel hurt? Also, take a look at the color list below. Those gentle souls have some serious issues to deal with in the personality department too.

It's important to note that not all the color personality tests completely agree, and some are more expansive. Here's a basic conglomeration of what some of the charts say. I've grouped the results together and generalized. (How very unscientific!) Whether they're to be believed or not is up to you. You can still use them to round out an otherwise flat personality in your story world.

REDS Confident, Strong-Willed, Determined,Ambitious, Passionate, VibrantCan be harsh, critical, cheap, workaholics, poor listeners, domineering
YELLOWS Sensible, Helpful, Faithful,Thorough, Responsible, CommittedContrarily, some tests say they are persuasive, spontaneous, motivated by fun and...Can be self-centered, superficial in friendship, easily distracted
GREENS Calm, Intellectual, Powerful,Curious, Introverted, CynicalCan be argumentative, tend to gossip, unmotivated, unwilling to take risks
BLUES Sincere, Romantic, Idealistic,Spiritual, Empathetic, LoyalCan be perfectionists, moody, insecure, unforgiving, and very controlling
PURPLES Peaceful, Charismatic, Gentle,Supportive, SensitiveCan be impractical, cynical, aloof, arrogant, a social climber, have delusions of grandeur
ORANGES Witty, Playful, Open-minded,Generous, Energetic, ActiveCan be judgmental, over-analytical, impatient, pessimistic, cowardly, non-emotional
WHITES Considerate, patient, accepting, devoid of ego,non-confrontational, good listenersCan be self-deprecating, unwilling to set goals, express conflict, or work at another's pace
There are a lot more. Plus, each of the colors I listed have further variations of personality than what I've included. If you find it might be useful to enhance character development in your writing, investigate color personality further. I found this site to be very helpful, explanatory, and just plain fun to investigate:Empower Yourself With Color Psychology
Write on!

Finally Friday Flashback! on a Great Old Book - Journey Of No Return

It's finally Friday, and time to take a flash back to look at a terrific book from the past! This is a new blog series, so I hope you enjoy it.There are so many books to choose from, and we all have favorites we've read over the years. Some are considered classics, and some might have resonated with us simply books I've enjoyed because they were great stories in their own right. So, let's talk about an old book that you may or may not have ever read, but I think you should.
I didn't know where to begin, so I glanced at my book shelf, and a book I've had for many years, and one that shaped my love for a particular genre jumped out at me. If you don't know it, allow me to introduce you to Bette M. Ross's Journey of No Return.

It can be read as a stand-alone, but you would do yourself a favor by first reading Gennie the Huguenot Woman and afterward, Hannah's Daughters. Journey Of No Return fits in the middle as it is part of this generational saga.



It is a tale of early America that settles on the story of three brave young people. There is Miss Hannah Roebuck, a courageous and lovely young woman in early America faced with heart-rending choices that help to shape the destiny of the new nation. There is the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh, whose proud people have been deceived. Finally there is Micah MacGowan, a Scottish missionary whose life is also irrevocably changed during this time.
I loved this story! First off, I get swept up in early American history. I'm a fan of Allen Eckert's creative non-fiction, especially The Frontiersman (we'll talk about that one someday) and the stories of Tecumseh. This tale gave him and that period another light. Set against a fascinating panorama of American history, as well as a visit to the court of Versailles when Napolean offers America the Louisiana Purchase, the story is a strong romance as well. It's a love triangle, if you haven't guessed, and it will hold you spell-bound to the end.
This book's publication hales back to 1985. You might recall some of Ms. Ross's other novels such as Song of Deborah or The Thirteenth Disciple. She also penned a book called Our Special Childabout parenting children with special needs.
If you enjoy current authors such as Laura Frantz or Lori Benton, you will enjoy this throwback novel Journey of No Return as well as the entire series.